The True and Living Church of Jesus Christ of Saints of the
Last Days (known also as "TLC") was officially formed
as a church on May 3, 1994. In the few preceding years, many families
had been gathering to Manti, Utah under the inspiration of the
Holy Ghost. Most of them belonged either to the LDS Church or
fundamentalist groups. Many of these people had been awakened
to the problems they saw in the LDS Church (and fundamentalist
groups) and the spiritual famine that was taking place. Many precious
truths and principles were acknowledged to have been cast away
by the modern Church. Most were appalled at the drastic changes
in the Temple Endowment ceremony which occurred on April 10, 1990.
This was another indicator of the departure of the modern Church
from the Zion roots of its founders.
Because of persecution and impending disciplinary actions beginning
to take place, these families began to gather together to pray
and discuss their common plight. The hub of activity centered
around the home and influence of James D. Harmston, a man who
had also awakened to the LDS apostasy after being a lifelong member
and active participant in the LDS Church. Jim was blessed with
the ability to recognize and teach concepts of the restoration
and eternal truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As a result,
many families from many locations began to come to his home, being
led by the Spirit, to learn the gospel as it was known and taught
by Joseph Smith. The Holy Ghost attended these discussions with
great power. Many people came to a more clear understanding of
what was happening in the Last Days. Families began moving to
Manti, knowing that the Lord was calling them to do so.
Many were awakened to the use of the True Order of Prayer as taught
in the Endowment. This form of prayer helps one to pierce the
veil and receive answers to prayer in a powerful way. This added
tool of personal revelation opened the heavens for many people.
Knowledge, power and wisdom began to be poured out to assist them
to take the actions necessary to gather with the saints who embraced
the same testimony of truth. Most of these people were active
and contributing members of the LDS Church. Some were lifetime
adherers to major fundamentalist groups. It was a sacrifice of
monumental proportions to choose to gather with these like minded
saints, full well knowing that it would cost them their membership
and good name in their former communities. The spirit of truth
was stronger than former beliefs and ties, however, and like their
predecessors of old, these saints followed the gospel at all costs.
Priesthood authority to form a Church and administer ordinances
of salvation and exaltation came by miraculous means. Jim Harmston
had four Angels appear to him and lay hands on him, thus ordaining
him to the power and authority of the Apostleship (See Testimony
of the Prophet James D. Harmston). These four beings were the
resurrected patriarchs, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and Moses. They were
sent to administer this power under the direction of Joseph Smith,
Jun., who is the dispensation head, presiding over all previous
dispensations in these last days. With the authority of the Apostleship,
all necessary keys were given on this side of the veil to organize
and administer a Church. Other men were called by revelation to
receive the power of the Apostleship under the hands of Jim Harmston,
thereby continuing the formation of quorums and auxiliaries of
the Church. The organization of this newly formed Church follows
the pattern laid down by Joseph Smith as contained in the Doctrine
and Covenants.
The formation of this Church and the gathering out of a remnant
of the Elect in these last days was prophesied by the mouths of
many Holy Prophets. This was to happen in a time of darkness when
the Mother Church had gone astray and lapsed into a deep state
of apostasy. Such are the exact conditions that abound today.
Those who have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to understand
will know by the Spirit that this is truly the nature of things
as they exist today. Those who are the Elect are waking up to
these conditions. They are being moved upon by the Holy Ghost
to take action in their lives to gather with the Saints and help
pull the load of establishing Zion. All this being done in the
face of the LDS failure to fulfill its mission and charge to do
the same.
Great calamities and destructions are beginning to befall the
nations of the earth, and they are intensifying. The great day
of cleansing and purification is at hand. The destroying Angels
are awaiting the command to reap down the fields. All the while
the Lord quietly gathers His people together and performs His
strange act among the weak things of the earth. The complete separation
of the wicked from the righteous is now beginning to take place.
We invite all of the Elect to awaken to their calling and duty
to help in the establishment of Zion in these last days. Repent
of your folly, throw off the chains that bind you and come assist
in the greatest work on the face of the earth!
We know that both Manti and the Sanpete Valley in Utah have a
manifest and prophetic destiny in the last days. It will be a
place of safety for the Elect while the judgments of God are being
poured out upon the nations of the earth without measure. Many
will come here by the Spirit as they are awakened, some during
a time of relative peace, most after the destructions and calamities
awaken them. We admonish those of the Elect to awaken now, to
take action on the promptings of the Holy Ghost, to gather with
the remnant to whom God has given the charge to redeem the House
of Israel.
The greatest miracles and events ever to be seen or experienced
will soon be manifest on behalf of the Lord's people. These are
days for the wise to take heed. These are also days for the wicked
and disobedient to fear and tremble, for their day of calamity
is at hand.
We invite all humble followers of Christ to come and join in this
great work. The laborer in Zion is worthy of his hire. This warning,
invitation and call is extended to the Elect of Israel by the
God of Israel through His servants of the True and Living Church
of Jesus Christ of Saints of the Last Days.