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Jason R.
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Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Yet another organization has been started by RLDS
fundamentalists. The Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, as it is being
called by members, claims that it is the faithful remnant of the RLDS Church. On May 18 of
last year, a document entitled, "A Proclamation and Invitation to the Faithful"
was sent out to known RLDS restorationists. Not much was known about the group, except
that it met October 30, 1999 for an official meeting of restoration elders. The
outspokenness of one of the group's most influential leaders, David Bowerman, has caused
many outside the church to label the group "Bowermanites." The Remnant Church
has also gained the support of the Center Branch, a very influential restoration
congregation, which meets in the old William Chrisman High School building.
Recently, at the group's General Conference, many changes were made allowing for a quorum
of apostles, a new prophet, and a statement of beliefs. The conference was held April 8-9,
2000 at the Chrisman High School building in Independence, MO and had a larger than
expected turnout, with 410 registered delegates. Although this was the group's first
"official" conference, it has been incorporated since November 12, 1998,
according to the records of the Missouri Secretary of State.
The Remnant Church believes that God cannot send His prophet until there is an
organization to which he can be sent. Therefore, one of the stated purposes of the April
conference is to remedy the current situation. "We have come to set His Church in
order… that the way may be prepared for the Lord to send again 'one who is mighty and
strong' to be our president, prophet, seer, and revelator" (General Conference -
April 8-9, 2000, p. 1).
The Remnant Church draws heavily from another restorationist group - The Conference of
Restoration Elders, also headquartered in Independence. David Bowerman, who spearheaded
the formation of the Remnant Church, also served as chairman of the CRE in 1998. Bowerman
attempted to get the delegates there to form a new church and he and his supporters were
voted out of office. Soon after, he left the CRE and helped to incorporate the Remnant
Church.
Among the many items on the conference agenda, most were passed with little or no
opposition. The document dated May 18, 1999 and sent to many restorationists entitled,
"Proclamation and Invitation to the Faithful," along with several other
documents, were accepted by the conference as inspired. The conference also moved to
continue under the name - Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The
conference also voted to adopt the "Resolution on Basic Beliefs" which serves as
a statement of faith for branches that affiliate themselves with the Remnant Church.
Most importantly, the conference accepted a message given by conference chairman, V. Lee
Killpack, as inspired. The message is as follows:
It is my will that the next step is now to be taken by those who have heard My Spirit's voice in The Proclamation and Invitation to the Faithful.
Let my faithful servants C. Houston Hobart, E.D. "Dan" Gough, and Conrad R. Faulk of the patriarchal order be appointed a committee of three (3) and charged by the Conference assembled to engage in a season of sustained prayer and fasting to select seven (7) men who shall be ordained as apostles in My Church.
Let a conference be convened on September 23rd, 2000, to approve by its voice the calling and ordination of those so selected.
If the Church will sustain through their diligent prayer these three (3) in their charge and the Council of High Priests who are to continue in interim leadership of My Church until said Conference, it shall be sustained by My Holy Spirit and as I have said in former counsel, with commandments not a few, and revelations in their time.
Be faithful little flock, and in My time I will send you one mighty and strong, again, to be your President, Prophet, Seer, and Revelator.
Humbly,
V. Lee Killpack, Chairman
The Council of High Priests
So, in essence the Remnant Church becomes at least the twelfth distinct church to come out of the RLDS split. In September they will ordain 7 new apostles and then wait for their prophet to show up. The Remnant Church joins the ranks of more than 200 other groups who believe in the claims of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon - each claiming to be the "one true church".
Related Articles:
Remnant Church Ordains New Apostles
Source:
Vision, January 2000, 8-9
Vision, June 2000, 16-18
The Hastening Times, May 1 2000, 1-4