One Big Church

I am asked occasionally at work what church I attend. I have learned that this is a two-phase question, depending on who is asking it and in what context. I have long thought that the desired answer for the inquirer was the Mormon Church, in contrast to the Catholic Church, Protestant church, Baptist Church, and so forth. I have since come to appreciate that the questioner is often identifying with a physical church locale, such as St. Rosa of Lima, or the Chapel of the Holy Virgin, or the Central Christian Church of Mesa. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is unique in the sense that we all belong to the same single church throughout the world, though we attend various units of it depending on our geographic location. The sociality we develop in our own wards or branches may have slight variations, but the content, teachings and covenants found within the Church are dependably the same throughout every unit in the world. It is truly a sign of restoration of the true church when it is one in purpose, but split into units purely to accommodate all of God’s children.

 Mosiah 25:19 And it came to pass that king Mosiah granted unto Alma that he might establish churches throughout all the land of Zarahemla; and gave him power to ordain priests and teachers over every church.

 20 Now this was done because there were so many people that they could not all be governed by one teacher; neither could they all hear the word of God in one assembly;
 21 Therefore they did assemble themselves together in different bodies, being called churches; every church having their priests and their teachers, and every priest preaching the word according as it was delivered to him by the mouth of Alma.
 22 And thus, notwithstanding there being many churches they were all one church, yea, even the church of God; for there was nothing preached in all the churches except it were repentance and faith in God.

LESSON LEARNED: The structure of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is unique among religions. It is one church with one set of teachings, but is a composite of many units to accommodate geographic distances and congregational sizes.

FEEDBACK: WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH OTHERS ASKING WHAT CHURCH YOU ATTEND?