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.