Otto Fetting
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Otto Fetting was an apostle in the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) when he was visited by the angel John the Baptist on February 4, 1927. The angel directed the church to begin building the temple.
The church had a history of moving as directed by revelation and angel visits, and was originally receptive to the visits of John the Baptist. They published the text of his messages in their newsletter Zion's Advocate. They also began building the temple, but work stopped in 1929 when the angel directed some members to be rebaptised, including Otto Fetting. The church divided over this issue, with some apostles and a couple thousand members following Otto Fetting's testimony, and others remaining with the Temple Lot. The temple is presently unfinished, and the existing foundation work was filled in.
Fetting continued to receive messages for the church, delivered in person by the angel until his death on January 30, 1933, for a total of 30 messages. The church became the Church of Christ with the Elijah Message, distinguishing it from the Church of Christ (Temple Lot).
Otto Fetting was originally baptised on February 9, 1891, and anointed with priesthood authority in 1899. He wrote the following testimony:
- TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
- I make this solemn declaration before God this day, God being my witness, and I expect some day to stand before the judgement bar to answer for this statement.
- The manifestation and words of the visits of the Messenger are true. I have seen him from time to time. I heard his voice, I've seen his face, I saw the light, I felt his hand on my head and the slap on my shoulder. I was enwrapt in that wonderful Heavenly and Divine power, and the words I have given you are not my words, but the words God sent by John the Baptist.
- I want to make this statement, so that everyone may know that this is true; it matters little what will become of me hereafter, but I cannot, nor will not, deny the things I have seen and heard from the Heavenly Messenger as long as I have my right mind, and God gives me life and His grace to endure here on Earth.
- Others may make statements about me, but I want this to be understood that this statement is true. And I shall abide by the advice and instructions given by the Messenger regardless of what men may say.
- Signed Otto Fetting
- Independence, Missouri, October 9, 1929
Four other people saw the angel during his final visit to Fetting, and their testimony was notarized. It is published with the collected messages, in a book called The Word of the Lord Brought to Mankind by an Angel.