Why do we need the Church of Jesus Christ really?

As I’ve written Which Church and One True Church I’ve started to think more about why the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is needed. Why, if someone can accept the gospel in the next life, do they need it here?

I combined those two questions but they I have led to two distinct thoughts.

1. Why do we need the Church of Jesus Christ?

To go along with that, why not any other church? 

I recently read this in Doctrine and Covenants 65:4-6:

“Pray unto the Lord, call upon his holy name, make known his wonderful works among the people.

Call upon the Lord, that his kingdom may go forth upon the earth, that the inhabitants thereof may receive it, and be prepared for the days to come, in the which the Son of Man shall come down in heaven, clothed in the brightness of his glory, to meet the kingdom of God which is set up on the earth.

Wherefore, may the kingdom of God go forth, that the kingdom of heaven may come, that thou, O God, mayest be glorified in heaven so on earth, that thine enemies may be subdued; for thine is the honor, power and glory, forever and ever. Amen.”

We know that Christ will come to this earth again. The Second Coming will happen. We know He will come in power and glory. What I think is lost is the preparation that goes into preparing for Him. He doesn’t come and people just all of a sudden realize He is their King. They may realize who He is in a broad sense but they don’t appreciate His role as their Savior just because they see Him come. The Kingdom of Heaven is being built. It’s being built by us, by followers of Christ. The covenants we make here prepare us to meet Christ at His coming. If we can’t covenant with Him, we can’t understand Him. If we can’t understand Him we can’t know Him. If we can’t know Him, He will be forced to say, “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23).

Look at all of what Christ said in Matthew 7:21-23:

²¹ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

²² Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

²³ And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (emphasis added).

We must do the will of the Father, not just profess to know Christ. This is where our covenants come in.

This leads to my second question.

2. If someone can accept the gospel in the next life, why do they need it here?

I like to read near death experience books. There are many consistent, fascinating themes in the experiences people have when they nearly die and are allowed to remember some of their experience. One of those themes is the realization that everything we do here is immensely important. Why did God send us to this earth? To be tested, to learn faith, to grow, to have families, to develop God-like traits. All these things. While I can list off a somewhat generic list of statements about why we’re here, (I say generic though I believe each of those statements to be truly profound), there is so much we don’t know about why we’re here. I don’t think many of us will ever appreciate the magnitude of every moment on this earth. I don’t think we understand how important every decision, relationship, and thought is in our eternity.

I think if we understood these things perfectly, we’d live our lives in much different ways. What does the next episode of “stupid tv show” matter in the grand scheme of things? It only matters in that it has distracted you from what is truly important. Scripture, faith, family, relationships, love – these things are eternal.

There is something profound about this life. Yes, everyone will receive an opportunity in the next life to hear the gospel. Everyone will have an opportunity to have their biases stripped away. Everyone will have an opportunity to see truth for what it is: truth. To see light for what it is: light. We don’t understand the true importance of this life. But I do know it’s important. I know there’s a lot we don’t understand about the real importance of our time here.

We are laying the foundation of the Kingdom of God. Think about the power in that statement. What we do here is important.

We must prepare ourselves and those around us to be ready for Jesus Christ’s Second Coming. Think about yourself and those around you. Christ is a light greater than the Sun. When He comes, can you withstand His glory? Are you living in such a way that you’ll know Him, and be able to look into Him? What about your family, those around you? Will they be able to withstand His glory with you?

Malachi 3:2:

But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire and fullers’ soap.

I think back on myself when I was first returning to Church. I didn’t truly know Christ. I couldn’t. It’s through priesthood power, temple covenants, and a true commitment to Christ that I have grown. I still have a long way to go. I am not saying I’m near finished. Enduring to the end. Putting all my faith into Christ has changed me in so many ways and I know I’m becoming better prepared to meet Him again.

Now is the day to prepare to meet Christ. There isn’t time to wait. It is time to know Christ, then follow Christ. Only by truly knowing Him can you be ready for Him at His coming.

Repent today. Evaluate yourself today. Don’t be like me and waste so many years. Christ knows who you can become. Take comfort in that and move forward. Know Him. Trust Him.