Tad R. Callister - The Blueprint of Christs Church

Text 2015 Tad R. Callister
Part page illustrations by Brian Call

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Callister, Tad R., 1945 author.
The blueprint of Christs church / Tad R. Callister.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-62972-021-0 (hardbound : alk. paper) 1. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsDoctrines. 2. Mormon ChurchDoctrines. 3. Restoration of the gospel (Mormon doctrine) I. Title.
BX8635.3.C35 2015
230'.9332dc232015003586
Printed in the United States of America
Publishers Printing, Salt Lake City, UT
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Each of us is a child of God, and because of that relationship, our Father in Heaven has a plan to help each of us become more like Him. That plan is designed to enrich our lives, build faith, overcome weaknesses, fight depression, combat loneliness, and ultimately perfect us. In essence this plan is lifes instruction manual for happiness. It is known as the great plan of happiness (Alma 42:8). But where is this plan to be found?

In order to teach and promote His plan of happiness in an orderly and effective way, God established a church that became His spiritual vehicle for doing so. This church not only teaches Gods plan, but it also has the power, ordinances, and resources that allow us to implement the plan in our lives. That church today is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes referred to in this book as the LDS Church or the Church).

While most churches have some truths and render much good, there is only one church that has the full truth and power to act for God. That seems reasonable: Why would God establish multiple churches and authorize His servants to teach conflicting messages when the scriptures clearly declare that God is not the author of confusion but of order (1 Cor. 14:33, 40)? Paul the Apostle spoke the truth about the existence of one true church when he preached that there is One Lord, one faith, one baptism (Eph. 4:5).

The Savior also taught the need for one true church when He shared the parable of the merchant man seeking goodly pearls. No doubt this man had many pearls, but he knew there was something more. The Lord tells us that when the merchant found the pearl of great pricethat perfect pearl of truth, the full Church of Jesus Christhe went and sold all that he had, and bought it (Matt. 13:4546). In other words, once he found the perfect and complete church, he gave up everythinghis past lifestyle, his previous beliefs, even his prejudicesto acquire it. The Saviors message was loud and clear. Every one of us is the merchant who should seek after the pearl of great price and, once we find it, sacrifice our all to obtain it.

But how can we discover this one true church? Are there signs, evidences, and clues that will help us in this pursuit? There are. One purpose of this book is to reveal the blueprint of Christs original Church as taught in the Bible, which blueprint can then lead us to that one true church today.

But there is another purpose for this book. In speaking to members of the Church, Peter instructed them: be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you (1 Pet. 3:15). Peter was informing us that we need to know not only the doctrine but, whenever possible, the underlying rationale so we can explain the doctrine in a clear and concise and powerful way. If we follow Peters counsel, we will become better teachers of the gospel in our homes, in our classrooms, and to our neighbors and friends. And it will solidify our own testimonies as we enhance our ability to crystalize and then articulate gospel truths.

My hope is that this book will be helpful not only for longtime members of the Church, but especially for new converts and prospective missionaries who want to expand and solidify their gospel knowledge, and likewise for their friends and neighbors who may have an interest in learning more about Gods plan but know not where to find it (D&C 123:12). For those who are not members of the LDS Church, it is suggested that they first read the Appendix, which will give them a very brief overview of the Church and help them better understand the chapters that follow this preface. Please note that throughout the book, all emphasis added in the scriptures and other sources is mine unless otherwise indicated.

Many people have contributed to the creation of this book, but an especial thanks goes to my wife, Kathryn, who has encouraged me, reviewed numerous drafts and made candid but loving comments, engaged in numerous discussions, and provided many insights. I am also greatly indebted to my familyto my brothers and sister and to each of our children and their spouses, who have made many helpful suggestions along the way.

A special thanks also goes to my secretary, Annie Cockcroft, who has done much more than type numerous drafts, contributing greatly with her excellent editing skills, research capabilities, and thoughtful comments.

Four of my friends who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsWayne Christofferson, Sue McCortney, Curtis Piper, and Michael Skinnerwere kind enough to review my manuscript and offered many helpful insights. I sincerely appreciate their graciousness in doing so.

I also want to thank other family members and friends who carefully reviewed the manuscript and took the time to suggest editorial changes that have been incorporated into the final work: Douglas L. Callister, Layne Cockcroft, Tessa Dewsbury, Elder Bradley D. Foster, Richard G. Hinckley, Ryan F. Kelly, Max H. Molgard, Elizabeth Stitt, and Ron Tanner.

To Sheri Dew I owe a special thanks for her meticulous review and suggestions and constant encouragement. Likewise my thanks to Cory Maxwell for his interest and encouragement from the outset.

Others at Deseret Book have been so helpfulEmily Watts for her superb editing skills, Shauna Gibby for a creative and attractive design and cover, and Rachael Ward as typographer.

Finally, although I have tried to accurately state the doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this is my own work, and if there are errors, they are mine.

______________

Notes

See also Eph. 3:6.

In this regard, President John Taylor taught: It is true intelligence for a man to take a subject that is mysterious and great in itself, and to unfold and simplify it so that a child can understand it (Gospel Kingdom, 270).

Portions of this book have been modified from two previous books I have written, The Infinite Atonement (2000) and The Inevitable Apostasy (2006). No citations or endnotes have been made when drawing from these resources.