The Church of Christ of Independence, Missouri derives its authority, and its existence, not alone 
from the visits of the Angel, John the Baptist, for it is a remnant of the church organized April 6, 
1830, at Fayette, N.Y., by Joseph Smith and his fellow workers in the great Restoration 
movement. Therefore it is not a faction as are other restoration groups. The angel, the Elias, the 
resurrected John the Baptist, in the regeneration process conferred a greater authority by the 
touch of his hands upon our late brother Otto Fetting when he established the church anew in 
1929. 

We quote from the angel's words thus: Message 12: 
1. "'I have come to you from time to time, to instruct you as to the work of building the temple 
and the organization of the Church of Christ, and re-establishing it again in its fullness, that the 
church may again receive the power and Holy Ghost as in the days of old, and that as on the day 
of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21) the servants of the Lord may be filled with the Spirit of God, that they 
may take the message of the Gospel of Christ to the nations of the earth, for the Lord has re
served unto himself this remnant on the temple Lot, to set the church in order. I have come to you 
in your own language that you may understand, and impart it to the children of men, and that the 
message might be understood by all people, in its plainness, that they may have no excuse at the 
judgment day, for verily these things shall come to pass.

 
4. "Behold, the Lord has rejected all creeds and factions of men, who have gone away from 
the word of the Lord and have become a abomination in his sight, therefore, let those that come 
to the Church of Christ be baptized, that they may rid themselves of the traditions and sins of 
men; preparing themselves, that they may be fit and worthy for the spirit and power of the Holy 
Ghost, and as the greater power shall come, that they may be ready to receive it with joy. For this 
is the time of the restitution (Acts 3:20~21) and restoration of all things, and this must come to all 
that shall be permitted to dwell in the presence of Christ, for sin cannot receive the Glory of God, 
nor the power of the Holy Spirit.

 
6. "Remember, the Lord committed to Joseph Smith a great work in his day, and power and 
authority to re-establish the Church of Christ in his day as in the days of old. He gave him the 
pattern to establish it as in the days of the apostles, and restored the priesthood and authority of 
the Son of God to the children of men... Again, the Lord has called others to prune His vineyard, 
to bring the gospel of peace, to establish His church as in the days of old, that the power of the 
priesthood may again be enjoyed as in the days of old.

 
8. "And as I laid my hands upon Joseph Smith so now I lay my hands on you that greater 
power and light might come to you, and to set you apart to do the work instructed to your care 
and in your day. Remember, the priesthood was not and will not be taken from the earth since I 
conferred it on Joseph Smith;... Therefore, see that all things are done after the pattern I will give 
you, that in all things you may please the Lord your God... but remember Christ is at the head of 
the church and will direct his work; He is the great High Priest of his people and He will direct the 
work as in the days of old . . . The Lord will reveal to you from time to time the things pertaining to 
"the building of temple and the work that must be done by the Church of Christ, that the people of 
the Lord might be instructed of the things that shall come to pass. Amen." 
The Church, set in order, continues on, believing in the angel's message. "Heed ye my words 
even the voice of my Messenger. Make ready for I, your Lord, soon comes to claim all that know 
and obey My voice." Message 39:7.

 
It alone, has continued in unbroken authority from 1830 until the coming of the Elias, (The 
Kingdom of heaven suffered violence until John comes. Matthew Chapter 11). There were no 
factions breaking away from the church during the first fourteen years of its existence in the life of 
Joseph the Seer, but at his death in 1844 dissolution set in and the church broke into more than 
twenty contending factions.

 
One part of that church however remained. It was not reorganized but continued the 
organization effected in 1830 by Joseph Smith and his fellows. This was the Bloomington Illinois 
Branch. Three other Branches joined it in continuing the organization of 1830. These branches 
were Eagle Creek, Crow Creek and Half Moon Prairie. These four branches amalgamated and in 
1867 moved from Illinois, as a body, to Independence, Missouri, and bought the Temple Lot: the 
spot pointed out by the finger of the Lord in 1831.

 
Some of their Elders were David Judy Jedediah Owen, Adna C. Haldeman, Zebulun Adams, 
John E. Page (Apostle in the days of Joseph) and Granville Hedrick, all of whom were ordained 
during the lifetime of Joseph Smith.

 
The causes leading to the disruption of the church in 1844 were many. When the church was 
organized in 1830, it was called The Church of Christ; and the Twelve Apostles were the highest 
officers provided for in the law. But in 1832 a Quorum of First Presidency began to be formed, 
and by 1834 the Revelation which provided for Apostles first, were changed to admit a 
Presidency and other officers.

 
In this year also the name of Church of Christ was dropped and a new name the "Church of 
the Latter Day Saints" adopted and in 1838 the name of the Church was again changed to: the 
"Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.'"

 
The Revelations as originally given had been published in 1833 in the "Book of 
Commandments," but in 1835 they were published in their changed form as the "Doctrine and 
Covenants." The corrupted Revelations wrought much evil in the church, confusing the minds of 
the people, and were largely responsible for the disruption that followed the death of Joseph 
Smith.

 
At the breaking up of the church, Brigham Young led the largest faction to Utah. William B. 
Smith and J. J. Strang led a faction also. Later Z. H. Gurley left Strang, and Jason W. Briggs left 
William B. Smith. These two united and were the chief promoters in forming another organization 
in 1852 which they named the "New Organization." To this body Joseph Smith, the son of the 
slain prophet, came in 1860 and became its President, and its name was changed to the "Re
organized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints." In 1925, this faction voted to give its 
President supreme directional control over the church, with the power of discipline. This continues 
to cause much dissatisfaction .... and many transferred their membership from that organization 
to the "'Remnant" on the Temple Lot who were holding to the original name of the church and 
were seeking the old, old paths. The Lord spoke to them in April, 1926, telling them that the time 
had come for the church to go forward and to choose out the new apostles, that the Lord would send his angels to direct. Seven men were chosen to occupy; one of these men was Otto Fetting. 

 

At the 1927 spring Conference, Brother Fetting announced that a heavenly Messenger had 
appeared to him twice and he read the two messages to the people and there was great rejoicing. 
The Remnant has continued with the Message believers from that time onward. 
After the Messenger who said that he was John the Baptist, the Elias that was for to come 
and restore all things, had brought (Thirty (30) Messages Brother Fetting passed from this life. 
Four (4) years later, the Messenger came again to continue his unfinished mission. This time he 
came to a young Elder, W. A. Draves. After W. A. Draves passing the Lord sent the Messenger to Norman D. Lyles an Apostle in the Church in 2018. To date, of this reprint, there are One Hundred fifty-four Messages full of inspiration, instruction, warnings, and prophecy. The Remnant continues with the Message believers. His sheep know the Shepherd's voice and there is safety in the Word of the Lord. 

The Call goes out to all: "Whomsoever will may come and partake of the water of life freely." 
The Church of Christ is not a faction, but a Remnant of the Church of 1830, bearing the same 
name teaching the same doctrine, believing the same truths, practicing the same virtues, and 
enjoying the same Spirit and a new touch of the Angel's hands--and his continued visits bring 
peace and directions from the Lord to prepare us for Christ's soon coming. 

"Behold, the Lord soon comes and I shall be with Him when He comes to his temple that shall 
be built by a people of clean hands and pure hearts." Message 37:7. 

 

"By his Spirit he has felt after the honest and those that hear the servants the Lord has 
chosen will hear Him."... The heart of the righteous shall be filled and their bosom shall overflow 
with gladness. 

 

"This is a day when much must be done that the ways and means of a real Zion shall be 
brought about .... None shall take part in that which is holy until they have humbly prepared. 
"O ye of my ancient (Israel) people, for I design to bring you out in gladness and rejoicing; 
deliverance will come to them that call upon me. Seek the Lord and ye shall live. 
"'Behold! I have sent my Spirit among you and opened the gate, (baptism) even designing 
your deliverance and a way of preparation. To the humble, the upright and just, my faithful, I shall 
give unto thee the greater light and power to carry on, for by my Spirit I shall use you to my 
name's honor and glory. I shall deliver my people, Israel, from whence the evil one has bound 
them, and those that stretch forth their hands toward my holy place of peace shall find 
deliverance .... Message 48: 

 

"Behold, this is Christ's Church and shall be his Bride, the Remnant. She shall be made 
ready. The message is given-the authority is entrusted with man. The call goes out; the cry is 
given. The warning must be heard. The work must be carried on." Message 66:23. 

 

"'Come ye that seek the truth. Christ will come to his own and his Church. Remember there is 
safety in the light I have brought. The Lord's covenant shall be fulfilled and the nation cleansed 
and Zion be set up with gladness. "This is the Mid-night cry." Message 49:11, 12. 
"There are many that have long represented Christ. Those that will hear His voice in very 
deed will come into the Church of Christ that is again being established with all its gifts and 
blessings, and represent Christ and His Church." Message 49:9. 
“Heed ye my words even the voice of my Messenger. Make ready for I your Lord soon comes 
to claim all that know and obey my voice.' '" Message 39:7.

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