May 17, 2026 | www.gospelofjesuschrist.blog | River Wilde
I share this writing with all of you, written with Love and Understanding, realizing EXACTLY where you are in your spiritual search for guidance. Let me begin with some of my background relating to the church.
I was a 100% All-In member of the church for 60 years of my life. Served a mission holding leadership positions. Married my sweetheart who waited for me during my mission, in the Salt Lake Temple. Served in various leadership positions in my ward. Full Tithe payer, and temple worker. I state these things certainly not to boast, but to give you the level of my commitment to the church.
After hearing on the news that the church had just been penalized for hiding several billions of dollars in shell companies, as well reports of the 200 Billion dollars that they had in their “stock portfolio,” I decided to pay my tithing directly to those in need, who resided in shelters within my community.
Aware of women who needed immediate financial assistance, protection, counseling, and help forward, due to domestic abuse, I felt that this was more productive than to just let my tithing dollars sit in the church’s financial holdings.
After several months of doing so, I was called into the bishop’s office, questioning why I wasn’t paying my tithing. I was happy to report to him that I was indeed paying a full tithing directly to those in need. He stated that this “didn’t count” and needed to be paid directly to the church. I explained why I desired to continue doing as I was doing, and as a result of this, he asked me to surrender my temple recommend.
I had a very strong and direct relationship with Jesus Christ. I went home, and in prayer asked for “His” direction and understanding of what just happened. Did what I had done count as tithing? If so, it prevented me from attending the temple, so what then?
It was then that I began to study the teachings of Jesus Christ, as He and His apostles taught and are recorded in the bible. What was the Gospel exactly as He taught? I wanted to specifically learn what He taught about the principle of tithing.
In the Old Testament, tithing was a commandment given under the Law of Moses primarily to support the Levites, the temple service, the poor, and the nation of Israel. The people were commanded to give a tenth of their increase, crops, livestock, and possessions unto the Lord. Malachi rebuked Israel for withholding their tithes, declaring, “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings” (Malachi 3:8, KJV).
Tithing in the Old Testament was connected to a covenant nation living under the law, with blessings and curses tied directly to obedience. Abraham and Jacob also practiced giving a tenth before the Law was formally established, showing that giving unto God was seen as an act of worship and gratitude.
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law and shifted the focus from legal obligation to willing, cheerful giving led by love and the Spirit. Throughout His ministry, Jesus emphasized caring directly for the poor, the hungry, the sick, and those in need, teaching that when we give to “the least of these,” we give unto Him (Matthew 25:34–40, KJV).
After Christ’s resurrection, believers were no longer commanded under the Mosaic Law to pay a mandatory tenth to a religious institution; instead, giving became voluntary and Spirit-led. Paul taught, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7, KJV).
The New Testament emphasis is therefore not on compulsory percentages or institutional obligation, but on generosity flowing from love for God and compassion toward others, as the early believers often gave directly to the poor and shared with those who had need (Acts 2:44–45, KJV).
I had done the RIGHT thing…Just as Jesus Christ had taught. It did COUNT! It wasn’t right with the church, but it was 100% correct with God, and that is what mattered to me.
I wanted more truth! To me, it was clear that the church was teaching things contrary to what Jesus Christ had taught, and I want to learn more…ALL OF IT.
This began a three-year full-time study of the KJV Bible. Jesus was actually on the earth, and taught His gospel. Through the church, I had been taught that this gospel had been restored by Joseph Smith, but what I found was that the LDS gospel was not a restoration of the gospel taught in the New Testament, it was a completely CHANGED version and something entirely different.
Let me share this topic that I learned in my studies – “Not to change the Gospel of Jesus Christ as He taught”
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” — Galatians 1:8 (KJV)
And Again!….
“As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” — Galatians 1:9 (KJV)
In Galatians 1:8–9, Paul gives one of the strongest warnings in all of Scripture concerning the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He teaches that the true Gospel — salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ — is so sacred and unchangeable that even if “an angel from heaven” were to preach a different message, that message must be rejected.
Paul emphasizes that no man, religious leader, church, tradition, or supernatural being has authority to alter the Gospel once delivered by Christ and His apostles. The warning shows that believers are to test every teaching against the Word of God, because false gospels can appear persuasive, spiritual, or even miraculous while leading people away from the simplicity and truth found in Jesus Christ alone.
This finding was heaven sent to me in my study. NOTHING that Joseph Smith taught that was not found in the New Testament should be accepted as the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and should be discarded.
And to my dismay, that even meant the temple and the ceremonies that happened within the buildings. Joseph did not get these ceremonies from God, for Jesus Christ never taught anything about them. In fact, He taught quite the opposite.
In the New Testament, the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ fulfilled what the Old Testament temple symbolized, making a physical temple no longer necessary as the center of man’s relationship with God. Under the Law of Moses, the temple was the place where sacrifices were offered for sin and where the presence of God dwelt among the people.
However, when Christ died on the cross, “the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom” (Matthew 27:51, KJV), signifying that through His sacrifice believers now have direct access to God. Jesus became the final and perfect sacrifice for sin once and for all (Hebrews 10:10–14, KJV), eliminating the need for continual temple ordinances and animal sacrifices.
The New Testament further teaches that believers themselves are now “the temple of God” and that “the Spirit of God dwelleth in you” (1 Corinthians 3:16, KJV). Salvation and communion with God are therefore found through faith in Jesus Christ, not through a physical temple made with hands.
I was paying my tithings just as Jesus Christ had taught. By doing so, it prevented me from attending the temple, which through further learning, was not even necessary for me to do…In fact, what was I doing by attending the temple? It wasn’t worshipping God in any way that Christ ever taught.
I know that this is a great deal to absorb for you right now, as these teachings actually took me several months to comprehend, even though the truth was immediate when I presented this finding to God in pray for conformation.
Do we believe in the SAME Jesus Christ as other Christian religions do? Let me show you what I’ve found regarding this matter.
Satan’s Greatest Lie
The adversary wanted to prevent Jesus from completing His atonement. Because he failed in doing that, his focus shifted from preventing, to doing all that he could to take some of the glory away from Christ, in regards to the atonement.
I was taught in the church that the atonement was only effective “After we had done all that we could.” I was also taught that certain religious ceremonies were required to go along with the atonement. Can you see satan’s greatest lie in what was being taught?
These teachings suggest that what Jesus did was not enough, and requires our “good works” and religious ceremonies to complete the sacrifice of the Savior. Here lies the misinterpretation that Mormons have of Christ compared to other Christian teachings. These church teaching also go against what Jesus Christ actually taught Himself.
The Bible teaches that the atonement of Jesus Christ is fully sufficient to save those who place their faith in Him. Christ did not merely make salvation possible—He completed the work necessary for redemption through His death, burial, and resurrection.
On the cross, Jesus declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30, KJV), signifying that the debt for sin had been paid in full. Scripture repeatedly teaches that salvation is a gift of God, not something earned through religious works, ordinances, or human effort.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9, KJV).
Through His blood, believers are forgiven, justified, and reconciled to God completely. “Neither is there salvation in any other” (Acts 4:12, KJV). The sinner who comes to Christ in faith does not add to the atonement; they simply receive what Jesus has already accomplished.
Because the atonement is complete, nothing more is required to secure eternal life beyond trusting in Jesus Christ. The believer stands accepted before God because of Christ’s righteousness, not their own.
Romans 10:9 (KJV) teaches,
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Salvation is not maintained by fear, religious performance, or continual attempts to earn God’s favor. Hebrews 10:14 (KJV) declares, “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”
This is the beauty of the Gospel: Jesus paid it all. The atonement is a free gift offered by love and received by faith. Good works follow true faith as evidence of a changed heart, but they are never the price paid for salvation, because Christ alone paid that price in full. Our Good Works are the Fruit of Salvation NOT the Root.
God also gave us all free agency, which applies to the atonement of Jesus Christ as well. His gift of Salvation, (meaning – being rescued and redeemed from sin and its eternal consequences through Jesus Christ) is offered to all mankind, but they must choose to accept it or reject it. It is not forced upon anyone.
So, how does a person accept the atonement of Jesus Christ?
Becoming Born Again
These words have different interpretations. Everything from just saying a pray to become born again, to the true meaning of the concept. Let me share Christ’s teaching about this.
Jesus Christ taught that a person must be “born again” to enter the kingdom of God (John 3:3, KJV). To be born again is not merely to become religious or improve outward behavior, but to experience a spiritual rebirth through faith in Jesus Christ.
The Bible teaches that all have sinned and cannot save themselves by works (Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:8–9, KJV). A person becomes born again when they repent before God, believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for their sins and rose again, and place their full trust in Him alone for salvation. This is how a person accepts the atonement of Jesus Christ, and becomes Born Again.
When this happens, God forgives their sins, gives them the Holy Spirit, and makes them “a new creature” in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17, KJV).
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13, KJV), and those who receive Christ are spiritually reborn into the family of God, not by human effort, but “by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Peter 1:23, KJV).
Can you see the teaching here. Getting into heaven has nothing to do with a church, and everything to do with Jesus Christ.
I want to point out something very obvious that many of you will be able to relate to.
There is a longstanding expression that “It is easy to pick out the Mormons in a crowd.” You can just tell by their countenance. Can you relate to this?
Do you know why this is? It is NOT the church that makes people GLOW, it is Jesus Christ. YES, many members of the church have already become “Born Again” and have received His holy Spirit as the scriptures indicate. They have devoted their life to Jesus Christ, and try to live a “Christ Like” life. You can see this in a persons countenance.
I could always tell the difference in who had “dedicated their life to following Jesus” from those who had “dedicated their life to the church.” How? A subtle clue… A person commits to following the prophet even over their own personal revelation from God. A person who believes that forgiveness from sin comes from the church and NOT from Jesus Christ Himself. A person who lives the church persona, but does not have a direct relationship with Jesus.
This article is not about deciding to leave the church or not. It’s about seeing the importance of having a direct relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s about His gospel that He taught when He was on the earth.
Start there. Be bold enough to study for yourself His teachings, as recorded in the New Testament. DO NOT RELY ON THE CHURCH to tell you the gospel. It is our OWN responsibility to study and learn, as well as test every principle against the scriptures of the New Testament.
You are indeed a “Lazy Learner” by relying on other people and organizations to teach you the true teaching of Christ, and not taking that responsibility on yourself.
So why now? Do I need to know the true teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Why should I disrupt things? The church is a pretty good place to be, right?
Remember this scripture?
“Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” — Amos 3:7 (KJV)
This verse teaches that God is not silent regarding His major judgments, warnings, or plans. Throughout the Bible, before significant events occurred, God sent prophets to warn the people and call them to repentance.
We are about to enter into the Tribulation Period; the final 7 years on earth. And GOD has ALREADY warned us about the end times through the prophets of the Bible, just like He said that He would through this scripture. Do you know what is coming? Are you waiting for the “speechless” current “prophet” to tell you what you need to know about those 7 years?
Let me just share a small example:
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
— 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (KJV)
If you were to study for yourself the teachings of the prophets of the end times, you would know what this scripture is referring to. You would be aware of God’s rescue plan that He has for those of you who have become “Born Again.” You would have NO fear, and know exactly what will happen, and the terrible events that are coming that you CAN BE rescued from.
YES, IT’S IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO STUDY RIGHT NOW, regardless where it takes you.
On a final note, I must share God’s plan with all of you regarding His method of our learning that He has always used. God desires all of us to come to Jesus Christ. There are those who have a desire for truth, and those who really don’t see the importance of it.
In our lives, God has used challenges to humble us in hopes that we will eventually come to Christ. It is no different in the final 7 years on earth.
His followers, those who are Born Again, will be removed from the earth in the event known as the rapture. Those left behind will be given a final chance to come to Christ in a way that I refer to as “The Hard Way.”
During these final 3.5 years, God will be pouring our His 7 bowls of Wrath. Why is He doing this? He is punishing evil, as well as trying to humble people in hopes that they will finally become “Born Again” and accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Redeemer.
It is a great deal EASIER to do this right now, and to be rescued before all of this happens. This is why I would begin your study of truth as recorded in the Bible.
And, since I have done this full time for 3 years, I must tell you that the Rapture is very near…Like “This Year” near, so I’d get right to it.
And for those who are whispering in the back, “No one knows the day not the hour of Christ’s return.” Let me again point out the importance of studying for yourself. The three scriptures in the bible that state this mention Day and Hour, but say nothing about the Year or Season.
You can know all of this for yourself if you will take the responsibility of learning…Just You and God, and the Bible. It will be the Holy Ghost that teaches you the truth, and not mankind, for I have learned this to be the case in my own life.
Will you be included in the Rapture, or will you be left to learn the Hard Way? It is up to you.
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