The Church and the Book of Mormon have been criticized for the statement about there being two churches only (v. 10). The Lord confirmed there is only one true church in the latter days when he called the newly restored Church “the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am welled pleased” (D&C 1:30). Note again that this was said by the angel of the Lord, not Nephi. Furthermore, the concept is not unique to the Book of Mormon. Jesus taught the same concept when accused of casting out devils by the power of Beelzebub (Satan).
24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. [Matthew 12:24–30]
The angel spoke in the context of the covenants of the Father unto the house of Israel. There is only one church, the Church of the Lamb, that can give these covenants (1 Nephi 14:10). To receive the covenants and to break them brings destruction, not eternal life. The great and abominable church is again active in the latter days endeavoring to bring about the destruction of those who have made covenants (see Figure 6, page 199).
Who or what is the great and abominable church? The great and abominable church has been the subject of much controversy over the years. Two facts are evident about this church. Its foundation was among the Gentiles in the Eastern Hemisphere (1 Nephi 13:4–10), and it was responsible for the loss of many parts of the gospel and many covenants (1 Nephi 13:26).
When it comes to identifying the great and abominable church let us consider this question. Should we be labeling various organizations or should we use the Holy Ghost to discern all evil regardless of the situation or organization? The answer should be evident.
Another question, is it possible to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and also to be a member of the great and abominable church? Jacob gave us the answer to this question: “Wherefore, he that fighteth against Zion, both Jew and Gentile, both bond and free, both male and female, shall perish; for they are they who are the whore of all the earth; for they who are not for me are against me, saith our God” (2 Nephi 10:16).
Another question, does a person who is associated with an evil organization automatically fight against God? No, however, such are still under bondage of sin. “And the whole world lieth in sin, and groaneth under darkness and under the bondage of sin. And by this you may know they are under the bondage of sin, because they come not unto me. For whoso cometh not unto me is under the bondage of sin” (D&C 84:49–51). Christ invites all to “repent and come unto me and be baptized in my name” (3 Nephi 21:6; see also 12:1–3; 27:20).
The Lord has also given us another answer to the question of belonging to other organizations. “For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it” (D&C 123:12).
One more consideration, there is a difference between the church of the devil and the kingdom of the devil. The church of the devil is a part of the kingdom of the devil, but the kingdom of the devil is much broader than the church. The kingdom is involved in many aspects of life; business, education, politics, and others (see Figure 5). Nephi gave a description of the Kingdom of the devil:
23 For the time speedily shall come that all churches which are built up to get gain, and all those who are built up to get power over the flesh, and those who are built up to become popular in the eyes of the world, and those who seek the lusts of the flesh and the things of the world, and to do all manner of iniquity; yea, in fine, all those who belong to the kingdom of the devil are they who need fear, and tremble, and quake; they are those who must be brought low in the dust; they are those who must be consumed as stubble; and this is according to the words of the prophet. [1 Nephi 22:23]
He also gave a description of the one church of God.
25 And he gathereth his children from the four quarters of the earth; and he numbereth his sheep, and they know him; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd; and he shall feed his sheep, and in him they shall find pasture. [1 Nephi 22:25]
This description is also in keeping with the admonition of Alma.
37 O ye workers of iniquity; ye that are puffed up in the vain things of the world, ye that have professed to have known the ways of righteousness nevertheless have gone astray, as sheep having no shepherd, notwithstanding a shepherd hath called after you and is still calling after you, but ye will not hearken unto his voice!
38 Behold, I say unto you, that the good shepherd doth call you; yea, and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ; and if ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd, to the name by which ye are called, behold, ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd.
39 And now if ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd, of what fold are ye? Behold, I say unto you, that the devil is your shepherd, and ye are of his fold; and now, who can deny this? Behold, I say unto you, whosoever denieth this is a liar and a child of the devil.
40 For I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil. [Alma 5:37–40]
Having discussed and hopefully answered the questions about the two churches, we will discuss their status in the latter days.