What does it mean to be the "true" church?

I came across this article and quite agree with it.

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A Different Way To Say “The Church Is True”

BY GREG TRIMBLE

For as long as I can remember, I have heard the same phrase regurgitated over and over again at church. It’s likely you’ve heard it thousands of times over the course of your life in the church as well.

That phrase is: “I know the church is true…”

I’ve used that phrase hundreds, maybe even thousands of times throughout my own life. But what does it all mean to say “the Church is true?” There are other related phrases you’ll be familiar with as well such as “I know I belong to the true church” or “I’m so glad I found the one and only true church.” But nothing might annoy a member of another Christian denomination more than when a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints makes that statement or claim. A new friend of mine and an adult convert to the church recalled that phrase almost as nails on a chalkboard during his investigative process.

Though an LDS member may not come out and say it, another person may interpret this “one true church” claim as an assault on their own faith or an attempt to make another’s faith or church irrelevant or inferior. A sort of Rameumptum if you will… with the insinuation of “I’m so glad I wasn’t born where you were born or raised in one of those other false churches.”

I don’t think that’s the intent of most of the members who use the phrase. I know when I have used that phrase, it has always been out of gratitude for my understanding of the fullness of the gospel and the restoration. But still, I can see how others might not interpret it the way I meant it when I said it.

So where did this language of “the one true church” come from anyway and why did we begin saying it so often?

It came out of Doctrine and Covenants Section 1, and in this case, the oft repeated phrase comes from the Lord. He says that this church is the “only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth with which I the Lord am well pleased.” Seems pretty cut and dry, right? The Lord is pleased with one church… the only true and living church. The restored Church. It’s kind of difficult to run away from or discount that language if you believe that the Doctrine and Covenants is indeed scripture, and if the Lord is saying it… then we should be able to say it too, right?

But I don’t think the Lord meant it in the way that it is so frequently conveyed over the pulpit and then interpreted by others.

If one says, “the Church is true”… what do they mean? Do they mean that the people are true? Or do they mean that the institution is true? Or maybe both?

If you say anything is “true,” what does it actually mean?

The etymology of the word “true” in the form of an adjective describes something as being “accurate or exact in relation to the direction.” That is key. “In relation to the direction.” It denotes making something “correctly positioned, balanced, or aligned; upright or level.” As a verb, the word “true” denotes “bringing something (an object, wheel, or other construction) into the exact shape, alignment, or position required.” A plane bearing 20 degrees west of north at 325 mph that has been calibrated to reach it’s intended destination, for example.

In effect, making something “true” is the act of taking something and correctly positioning it and then pointing it in the right direction. It’s less about where the church is now and more about the direction the church is headed in the future.

This is what the Lord is explaining to Joseph Smith in Hiram Ohio on November 1, 1831. He, (the Lord) is “well-pleased” that He was able to “position,” organize and restore an institution out of a broken, fragmented, and confused religious world, (obscurity and darkness) and then set a course for that church to go on. But even after having charted a “true” course, He knew that this church would have to make course corrections over time. So the Lord coupled the word “true” with the word “living” in order to further describe the nature of that church. The “living” part of the church is what continues to make that church move in a “true” direction. The “living” part of the church is what continually provides the course corrections, and without that, the church would no longer be true. The direction of the church is everything. Any institution that loses its direction becomes an institution that is not on a “true” course or trajectory. For instance, the Lord placed the whole church under condemnation for it’s neglect of the Book of Mormon in 1832. I’m assuming that the Lord was not well pleased with the direction of the church at that time, and his 1832 revelation to Joseph Smith about their neglect of the Book of Mormon is an example of a course correction made by the Lord through his “living” prophet in order to steer the ship back in a “true” direction.

That’s really what sets the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints apart from other denominations. Revelation. Living prophets. Direction. Direction. Direction. God picked up his church, out of the wilderness, out of the dust, out of the darkness… placed it on a secure and steadfast foundation of apostles, prophets, and revelation… and then pointed that church in the right direction. That is how the church became “true” in relation to the direction it was moving.

I believe we should specify what we mean when making a statement about the truthfulness of the church. If someone stands up and says that “we have all truth” contained within this church, then that is in direct contradiction to our basic beliefs. We don’t claim to have all truth, but in accordance with our articles of faith, we claim to be seekers of all truth. We are continually seeking after and embracing all truth from wherever it can be found. The church cannot be completely “true” in the sense of completeness or perfection. How can it be when we are anxiously waiting for more light and knowledge? “We believe that He (God) will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.” More truth, if you will. That is the “living” part of the church that keeps the church moving in a “true” direction.

What we do claim is that this church has been given the proper authority to administer the saving ordinances for the living and for the dead. That, coupled with a living prophet and continued revelation is what provides “direction” in a perplexed world. That is what most people mean when they say “the church is true.” But not everyone is going to understand that, especially if they’re visiting us for the first time.

Imagine how much more helpful and meaningful it would be for people if we were more precise in explaining what it means for our church to be “true” instead of just repeating the cliche over and over again. Imagine if we adopted phrases that were more effective in conveying the “true” value of what we derive from this restored Church of Jesus Christ.

Things like: “I am brought closer to Christ through the restoration of the gospel for these reasons…” (Direction = brought closer to Christ)

“I love that the doctrine of families brings me closer to my loved ones and closer to God.” (Direction = closer to family and God)

“I’m grateful for the temples that help me learn about my worth and potential in teaching me who I am and what I can become.” (from the Latin templum which denotes a “cutting” or intersection of two lines at right angles, or a place for one to get their bearings, or to chart a course to go in the right “direction”). (Direction = moving toward my greater potential.)

If Doctrine and Covenants 1:30 is going to be taught and reiterated in public places, then it should never be taught out of context and without the correct definitions. Most of all, it should never be taught without great humility and additional explanation. Being a part of the church doesn’t make anyone better than the next person or more important in the eyes of God. God is no respecter of persons… “But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”

Being a member of this church just means that you have a great responsibility to seek after and apply truth. To stay on the directional path of truth and to stay open to the “living” part of the church that keeps us on the correct course toward God. Just as the Jews have long felt like it was their calling and duty to spread the Ten Commandments abroad, it is our duty and responsibility to administer the saving ordinances and share with the world the “living” truths that have come from and continue to come from this ongoing restoration.

There are boundless ways to describe our joy and excitement for the restoration. Unfortunately, for too long, we’ve used those four traditional words, “the church is true” to describe our feelings about the church and left many an interested investigator in a quandary.

I hope we can find a better way to describe and convey the truthfulness and beauty of the restoration in our conversation with the world.

I was sitting in my parents' home in Mountain Springs watching conference with my dad. He had been falsely accused of a crime and the US Attorney was putting the screws on him. He wanted to fight it and prove his innocence. The USAO was threatening to go after every client, every business associate he had, and (most importantly) every member of his family. It was hell for him. He had no money, and had no way to prove that he was innocent. Because of his business partners' bad acts, the USAO could show circumstantial evidence that could tie him to the crime, and it would prove a costly gamble to fight it. This talk came on as we watched, and I could see it impacting him--it was physically evident in his face, his eyes, everything. Shortly after this talk ended, he announced that he had made his decision to take the plea. This talk was the kicker.

I won't say that I was crazy about the result, but I loved the message of this talk, and still do. Thankfully, Dad's sentence lasted only about 8 months. I think it may have been a "temple" experience for him, not unlike the way Elder Holland described Liberty Jail.

No matter the pain heaped upon me, my God will save me, but if not....

But If Not ...

Elder Dennis E. Simmons
Of the Seventy

Dennis E. Simmons, “But If Not …,” Ensign, May 2004, 73

Men accomplish marvelous things by trusting in the Lord and keeping His commandments—by exercising faith even when they don’t know how the Lord is shaping them.

As a young man, I returned home from an eighth-grade basketball tournament dejected, disappointed, and confused. I blurted out to my mother, “I don’t know why we lost—I had faith we’d win!”
I now realize that I did not then know what faith is.
Faith is not bravado, not just a wish, not just a hope. True faith is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ—confidence and trust in Jesus Christ that leads a person to follow Him. 1
Centuries ago, Daniel and his young associates were suddenly thrust from security into the world—a world foreign and intimidating. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego refused to bow down and worship a golden image set up by the king, a furious Nebuchadnezzar told them that if they would not worship as commanded, they would immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. “And who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?” 2
The three young men quickly and confidently responded, “If it be so [if you cast us into the furnace], our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand.” That sounds like my eighth-grade kind of faith. But then they demonstrated that they fully understood what faith is. They continued, “But if not, … we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” 3 That is a statement of true faith.
They knew that they could trust God—even if things didn’t turn out the way they hoped. 4 They knew that faith is more than mental assent, more than an acknowledgment that God lives. Faith is total trust in Him.
Faith is believing that although we do not understand all things, He does. Faith is knowing that although our power is limited, His is not. Faith in Jesus Christ consists of complete reliance on Him.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego knew they could always rely on Him because they knew His plan, and they knew that He does not change. 5 They knew, as we know, that mortality is not an accident of nature. It is a brief segment of the great plan 6 of our loving Father in Heaven to make it possible for us, His sons and daughters, to achieve the same blessings He enjoys, if we are willing.
They knew, as we know, that in our premortal life, we were instructed by Him as to the purpose of mortality: “We will make an earth whereon these may dwell; And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.” 7
So there we have it—it’s a test. The world is a testing place for mortal men and women. When we understand that it’s all a test, administered by our Heavenly Father, who wants us to trust in Him and to allow Him to help us, we can then see everything more clearly.
His work and His glory, He told us, is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” 8 He has already achieved godhood. Now His only objective is to help us—to enable us to return to Him and be like Him and live His kind of life eternally.
Knowing all this, it was not difficult for those three young Hebrews to make their decision. They would follow God; they would exercise faith in Him. He would deliver them, but if not—and we know the rest of the story.
The Lord has given us agency, the right and the responsibility to decide. 9 He tests us by allowing us to be challenged. He assures us that He will not suffer us to be tempted beyond our ability to withstand. 10 But we must understand that great challenges make great men. We don’t seek tribulation, but if we respond in faith, the Lord strengthens us. The but if nots can become remarkable blessings.
The Apostle Paul learned this significant lesson and declared, after decades of dedicated missionary work, “We glory in tribulations … knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed.” 11
He was assured by the Savior, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” 12
Paul responded: “Most gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. … I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 13 When Paul met his challenges the Lord’s way, his faith increased.
“By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac.” 14 Abraham, because of his great faith, was promised posterity greater in number than the stars in the heavens, and that that posterity would come through Isaac. But Abraham immediately complied with the Lord’s command. God would keep His promise, but if not in the manner Abraham expected, he still trusted Him completely.
Men accomplish marvelous things by trusting in the Lord and keeping His commandments—by exercising faith even when they don’t know how the Lord is shaping them.
“By faith Moses … refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
“Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
“Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt. …
“By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king. …
“By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land. …
“By faith the walls of Jericho fell down.” 15
Others “through faith subdued kingdoms, … obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
“Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight.” 16
But in the midst of all those glorious outcomes hoped for and expected by the participants, there were always the but if nots:
“And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, … bonds and imprisonment:
“They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about … being destitute, afflicted, tormented; … 17
“God having provided some better things for them through their sufferings, for without sufferings they could not be made perfect.” 18
Our scriptures and our history are replete with accounts of God’s great men and women who believed that He would deliver them, but if not, they demonstrated that they would trust and be true.
He has the power, but it’s our test.
What does the Lord expect of us with respect to our challenges? He expects us to do all we can do. He does the rest. Nephi said, “For we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” 19
We must have the same faith as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.
Our God will deliver us from ridicule and persecution, but if not. … Our God will deliver us from sickness and disease, but if not … . He will deliver us from loneliness, depression, or fear, but if not. … Our God will deliver us from threats, accusations, and insecurity, but if not. … He will deliver us from death or impairment of loved ones, but if not, … we will trust in the Lord.
Our God will see that we receive justice and fairness, but if not. … He will make sure that we are loved and recognized, but if not. … We will receive a perfect companion and righteous and obedient children, but if not, … we will have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, knowing that if we do all we can do, we will, in His time and in His way, be delivered and receive all that He has. 20 I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Notes

1. See Guide to the Scriptures, “Faith,” 80; Heb. 11:1; Alma 32:21; Ether 12:6.
2. Dan. 3:15.
3. Dan. 3:17–18; emphasis added.
4. See Mosiah 7:33.
5. See Alma 7:20; 3 Ne. 24:6; Morm. 9:19; Moro. 8:18.
6. See 2 Ne. 11:5; Alma 12:25; D&C 84:35–38.
7. See Abr. 3:24–25.
8. Moses 1:39.
9. See 2 Ne. 2:27; Hel. 14:30; D&C 101:78.
10. See 1 Cor. 10:13; Alma 13:28.
11. Rom. 5:3–5.
12. 2 Cor. 12:9.
13. 2 Cor. 12:9–10.
14. Heb. 11:17; emphasis added.
15. Heb. 11:24–27, 29–30; emphasis added.
16. Heb. 11:33–34; emphasis added.
17. Heb. 11:36–37.
18. Joseph Smith Translation, Heb. 11:40.
19. 2 Ne. 25:23.
20. See D&C 84:35–38.