Doctrines and works of a church that show it is approved by God and is the means the Lord has established for His children to gain the fulness of His blessings. Some of the signs of the true Church are as follows:
Correct understanding of the Godhead
First principles and ordinances
Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, John 3:3–5 .
Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, Acts 2:38 .
Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost, Acts 8:14–17 .
Become children of God by faith in Jesus Christ, Gal. 3:26–27 .
Proper priesthood is needed to baptize and to give the gift of the Holy Ghost, JS—H 1:70–72 .
The first principles and ordinances of the gospel are described, A of F 1:4 .
Where there is no vision, the people perish, Prov. 29:18 .
The Lord reveals his secrets to his prophets, Amos 3:7 .
The Church is built upon the foundation of Apostles and prophets, Eph. 2:19–20 .
Apostles and prophets are essential to the Church, Eph. 4:11–16 .
The prophet is to receive commandments for the Church, D&C 21:4–5 .
No one may preach the gospel or build up the Church unless he is ordained by someone who has authority, D&C 42:11 .
The elders are to preach the gospel, acting in authority, D&C 68:8 .
Additional scriptures to come forth
The Church is built upon the foundation of Apostles and prophets, Eph. 2:19–20 .
Apostles and prophets are essential to the Church, Eph. 4:11–16 .
Christ is the head of the Church, Eph. 5:23 .
Elders are to go forth, preaching my gospel, two by two, D&C 42:6 .
The gospel must be preached unto every creature, D&C 58:64 .
They began to speak with other tongues, Acts 2:4 .
The elders are to heal the sick, James 5:14 .
I will make a covenant and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them forevermore, Ezek. 37:26–27 .
The Lord shall suddenly come to his temple, Mal. 3:1 .
The Saints were chastened for failing to build the house of the Lord, D&C 95 (D&C 88:119 ).
The Lord’s people always build temples for the performance of holy ordinances, D&C 124:37–44 .
Building temples and performing ordinances are parts of the great latter-day work, D&C 138:53–54 .