The Great Apostasy - Revision history

SpencerMarsh at 04:35, 2 September 2026

2026-09-02T04:35:14Z

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	John then appeared with Peter and James, with apostolic keys "committed" to them, to give those keys to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery (Doctrine and Covenants 27:13).		John then appeared with Peter and James, with apostolic keys "committed" to them, to give those keys to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery (Doctrine and Covenants 27:13).

	John's and the Three Nephites' existence as ministering angels does not negate the Latter-day Saint belief in the loss of Apostolic authority or in the Great Apostasy. Still, it does show that one conception of Latter-day Saint belief is inaccurate: Latter-day Saints cannot affirm that apostolic authority was simply ''extinguished'' by the deaths of the Apostles. Latter-day Saints must affirm something else. One possibility is that the translated Apostles' authority to lead was taken away upon their translation (and then regranted to John, who ordained Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery). Another possibility is that they retained priesthood keys but lacked ''divine permission'' to exercise and bestow them.		John's and the Three Nephites' existence as ministering angels does not negate the Latter-day Saint belief in the loss of Apostolic authority or in the Great Apostasy. Still, it does show that one conception of Latter-day Saint belief is inaccurate: Latter-day Saints cannot affirm that apostolic authority was simply ''extinguished'' by the deaths of the Apostles. Latter-day Saints must affirm something else. One possibility is that the translated Apostles' authority to lead was taken away upon their translation (and then regranted to John, who ordained Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery). Another possibility is that they retained priesthood keys but lacked ''divine permission'' to exercise and bestow them. The latter is the correct view, since Doctrine and Covenants 7:7 states that John’s priesthood authority would not be taken away until He comes again.
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SpencerMarsh at 04:17, 2 September 2026

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	====Teeing the Ball Up: The Loss of Apostolic Authority====		====Teeing the Ball Up: The Loss of Apostolic Authority====
	The best way to make an error permanent is to ensure that there is no authoritative way to correct it. The death or removal of Apostles with priesthood authority from God from the earth ensured such a demise. The scriptures predict that the great and abominable church would fight against the Apostles of the Lamb (1 Nephi 11:34–36). After their death, the adversary sowed tares among the wheat, symbolizing those that rebelled against the true Church of Christ and its teachings (Doctrine and Covenants 86:1&~~ndash3~~). The Apostolic authority was restored to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery by Peter, James, and John (Doctrine and Covenants 27:13). It is clear from historical scholarship that apostolic authority was considered necessary to lead the church, that all valid Apostles died, and that there was no apostolic authority on the earth until it was restored to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.		The best way to make an error permanent is to ensure that there is no authoritative way to correct it. The death or removal of Apostles with priesthood authority from God from the earth ensured such a demise. The scriptures predict that the great and abominable church would fight against the Apostles of the Lamb (1 Nephi 11:34–36). After their death, the adversary sowed tares among the wheat, symbolizing those that rebelled against the true Church of Christ and its teachings (Doctrine and Covenants 86:1–3). The Apostolic authority was restored to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery by Peter, James, and John (Doctrine and Covenants 27:13). It is clear from historical scholarship that apostolic authority was considered necessary to lead the church, that all valid Apostles died, and that there was no apostolic authority on the earth until it was restored to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.

	=====The Necessity of Apostolic Authority=====		=====The Necessity of Apostolic Authority=====

SpencerMarsh at 03:18, 2 September 2026

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 ||John sees the Son of Man, who commands him to write to the seven churches. Ephesus has done many good things, is now fallen and must repent, having left the Lord (2:5-6). The church in Pergamos has held fast against Satan, but harbors proponents of the doctrine of Balaam who eat meat sacrificed to idols and commit fornication. There are also Christians there who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which the Lord hates (2:12-16). In spite of many good works, the church at Thyatira permits Jezebel to pass herself off as a prophetess while seducing the Lord’s servants to fornicate and to eat things sacrificed unto idols (2:18-20). There appear to be only a few members in Sardis who “have not defiled their garments” and who are worthy to walk with the Lord (3:1-6). Laodiceans focused on wealth, are comfortable, and do not recognize their need for the Lord’s aid. They are neither cold nor hot, and the Lord will spew them out (3:16-17).
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SpencerMarsh at 02:00, 2 September 2026

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	John then appeared with Peter and James, with apostolic keys "committed" to them, to give those keys to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery (Doctrine and Covenants 27:13).		John then appeared with Peter and James, with apostolic keys "committed" to them, to give those keys to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery (Doctrine and Covenants 27:13).

	John's and the Three Nephites' existence as ministering angels does not negate the Latter-day Saint belief in the loss of Apostolic authority or in the Great Apostasy. Still, it does show that one conception of Latter-day Saint belief is inaccurate: Latter-day Saints cannot affirm that apostolic authority was simply ''extinguished'' by the ~~death~~ of the Apostles. Latter-day Saints must affirm something else. One possibility is that the translated Apostles' authority to lead was taken away upon their translation (and then regranted to John, who ordained Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery). Another possibility is that they retained priesthood keys but lacked ''divine permission'' to exercise and bestow them.		John's and the Three Nephites' existence as ministering angels does not negate the Latter-day Saint belief in the loss of Apostolic authority or in the Great Apostasy. Still, it does show that one conception of Latter-day Saint belief is inaccurate: Latter-day Saints cannot affirm that apostolic authority was simply ''extinguished'' by the deaths of the Apostles. Latter-day Saints must affirm something else. One possibility is that the translated Apostles' authority to lead was taken away upon their translation (and then regranted to John, who ordained Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery). Another possibility is that they retained priesthood keys but lacked ''divine permission'' to exercise and bestow them.
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SpencerMarsh at 01:59, 2 September 2026

2026-09-02T01:59:38Z

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	John then appeared with Peter and James, with apostolic keys "committed" to them, to give those keys to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery (Doctrine and Covenants 27:13).		John then appeared with Peter and James, with apostolic keys "committed" to them, to give those keys to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery (Doctrine and Covenants 27:13).

	John's and the Three Nephites' existence as ministering angels does not negate the Latter-day Saint belief in the loss of Apostolic authority or in the Great Apostasy. Still, it does show that one conception of Latter-day Saint belief is inaccurate: Latter-day Saints cannot affirm that apostolic authority was simply ''extinguished'' by ~~killing~~ the Apostles. Latter-day Saints must affirm something else. One possibility is that the translated Apostles' authority to lead was taken away upon their translation. Another ~~is that whatever valid priesthood authority was left after the non-translated Apostles were killed, God removed it from the translated Apostles. Yet another~~ possibility is that they retained priesthood keys but lacked ''divine permission'' to exercise them.		John's and the Three Nephites' existence as ministering angels does not negate the Latter-day Saint belief in the loss of Apostolic authority or in the Great Apostasy. Still, it does show that one conception of Latter-day Saint belief is inaccurate: Latter-day Saints cannot affirm that apostolic authority was simply ''extinguished'' by the death of the Apostles. Latter-day Saints must affirm something else. One possibility is that the translated Apostles' authority to lead was taken away upon their translation (and then regranted to John, who ordained Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery). Another possibility is that they retained priesthood keys but lacked ''divine permission'' to exercise and bestow them.
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SpencerMarsh at 09:09, 18 August 2026

2026-08-18T09:09:52Z

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	{{Summary1}} The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims to be the restored Church of Jesus Christ. Fundamental to that belief is that the Church was lost for a time. The period in which the Church was lost is known to Latter-day Saints as either the "Great Apostasy" or the "Falling Away."<ref>For a reference to the "Great Apostasy," see ''Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service'' (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2004), 35–36. For "Falling Away," see ''Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ'' (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2023), 37–38.</ref> Without such a loss, there could have been no "restitution of all things" (Acts 3:21). Critics, and especially those who are of Protestant, Orthodox, or Catholic Christian background, have argued that the Latter-day Saint belief in the Great Apostasy is erroneous on many grounds.		{{Summary1}} The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims to be the restored Church of Jesus Christ. Fundamental to that belief is that the Church was lost for a time. The period in which the Church was lost is known to Latter-day Saints as either the "Great Apostasy" or the "Falling Away."<ref>For a reference to the "Great Apostasy," see ''Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service'' (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2004), 35–36. For "Falling Away," see ''Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ'' (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2023), 37–38.</ref> Without such a loss, there could have been no "restitution of all things" (Acts 3:21). Critics, and especially those who are of Protestant, Orthodox, or Catholic Christian background, have argued that the Latter-day Saint belief in the Great Apostasy is erroneous on many grounds.

	In recent years, there has been a new kind of critic of Latter-day Saint Apostasy narratives. A strain of Latter-day Saint scholars ~~have~~ argued that Latter-day Saint Apostasy narratives suffer from intellectual deficiencies and pastoral sensitivity. They have been ~~sensitve~~ to notions, promoted by the likes of B.H. Roberts, Joseph Fielding Smith, and James E. Talmage, that the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages Middle Ages] represented an age of spiritual rot and intellectual imbecility. They have also argued that the Lord may not have intended to restore the Church of Jesus Christ, but rather ~~intended~~ to restore a ''people'', and established a Church to that end in the last days.		In recent years, there has been a new kind of critic of Latter-day Saint Apostasy narratives. A strain of Latter-day Saint scholars has argued that Latter-day Saint Apostasy narratives suffer from intellectual deficiencies and pastoral sensitivity. They have been sensitive to notions, promoted by the likes of B.H. Roberts, Joseph Fielding Smith, and James E. Talmage, that the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages Middle Ages] represented an age of spiritual rot and intellectual imbecility. They have also argued that the Lord may not have intended to restore the Church of Jesus Christ, but rather to restore a ''people'', and established a Church to that end in the last days.

	~~Its~~ a valuable exercise for Latter-day Saints to consider the historical, scriptural, and theological grounding for their belief in the Great Apostasy. While some aspects of this belief lie beyond what can be known from the existing documents (and thus beyond the ken of academics), Latter-day Saint belief is not contradicted by existing historical or scriptural evidence. Both the New Testament and other documents establish that an internal rebellion began in the Church in its first century. Those who rebelled did so to gain dominion over others and have the praise of the world. They changed scripture ~~in order~~ to support movements away from the Church. Because of these new movements, many of our Christian forefathers and foremothers innocently languished for centuries devoting their intellectual and devotional energy to systems that did not have the power to save and exalt them. They "[were] blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and [were] kept from the truth because they [knew] not where to find it" (Doctrine and Covenants 123:12).		It is a valuable exercise for Latter-day Saints to consider the historical, scriptural, and theological grounding for their belief in the Great Apostasy. While some aspects of this belief lie beyond what can be known from the existing documents (and thus beyond the ken of academics), Latter-day Saint belief is not contradicted by existing historical or scriptural evidence. Both the New Testament and other documents establish that an internal rebellion began in the Church in its first century. Those who rebelled did so to gain dominion over others and have the praise of the world. They changed scripture to support movements away from the Church. Because of these new movements, many of our Christian forefathers and foremothers innocently languished for centuries, devoting their intellectual and devotional energy to systems that did not have the power to save and exalt them. They "[were] blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and [were] kept from the truth because they [knew] not where to find it" (Doctrine and Covenants 123:12).

	However, showing that a mass internal rebellion occurred only gives us half of the puzzle. Why did God wait so long to inaugurate the Restoration after the Apostasy? Did He abandon humanity during that time? What happens to all those who did not have the Gospel during the time of the Apostasy? These are also questions we take up in this article.		However, showing that a mass internal rebellion occurred only gives us half of the puzzle. Why did God wait so long to inaugurate the Restoration after the Apostasy? Did He abandon humanity during that time? What happens to all those who did not have the Gospel during the time of the Apostasy? These are also questions we take up in this article.

	Lastly, some might note that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not follow practices ~~that are~~ taught in ~~their~~ scriptures. While some might believe this is evidence that the Church has apostasized, it is not. The early Church apostasized from key, essential doctrines. The restored Church has not.		Lastly, some might note that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not follow practices taught in its scriptures. While some might believe this is evidence that the Church has apostasized, it is not. The early Church apostasized from key, essential doctrines. The restored Church has not.
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	In recent years, there has been a growing strain of Latter-day Saint scholars who have called for new approaches to the Apostasy. Some are concerned that traditional approaches—which have emphasized a dark pall of intellectual and spiritual rot that essentially covered all people from the death of the last Apostles to Joseph Smith's First Vision—are neither "pastorally productive," nor "intellectually defensible."<ref>Nicholas J. Frederick and Joseph M. Spencer, “[https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/remnant-or-replacement-outlining-a-possible-apostasy-narrative Remnant or Replacement? Outlining a Possible Apostasy Narrative],” ''BYU Studies Quarterly'' 60, no. 1 (2021): 106 For more on these scholars' views, see the summary in John Gee, "[https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/ten-views-on-the-falling-away Ten Views on the Falling Away]," ''BYU Studies Quarterly'' 63, no. 2 (2024): 157–60.</ref> This Apostasy narrative has been productively deconstructed.<ref>See generally Miranda Wilcox and John D. Young, eds., ''Standing Apart: Mormon Historical Consciousness and the Concept of Apostasy'' (Oxford University Press, 2014).</ref> Another concern is the portrayal of the Middle Ages as a time of spiritual darkness and imbecility.<ref>Eric R. Dursteler, "[https://scripturecentral.org/archive/books/book-chapter/inheriting-great-apostasy-evolution-latter-day-saint-views-middle-ages-and-renaissance Inheriting the 'Great Apostasy': The Evolution of Latter-day Saint Views on the Middle Ages and Renaissance]," in ''Early Christians in Disarray: Contemporary LDS Perspectives on the Christian Apostasy'', ed. Noel B. Reynolds (FARMS, 2005), 29–65; Miranda Wilcox, “[https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/narrating-religious-heritage Narrating Religious Heritage: Apostasy and Restoration],” ''BYU Studies Quarterly'' 60, no. 3 (2021): 213–28.</ref>		In recent years, there has been a growing strain of Latter-day Saint scholars who have called for new approaches to the Apostasy. Some are concerned that traditional approaches—which have emphasized a dark pall of intellectual and spiritual rot that essentially covered all people from the death of the last Apostles to Joseph Smith's First Vision—are neither "pastorally productive," nor "intellectually defensible."<ref>Nicholas J. Frederick and Joseph M. Spencer, “[https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/remnant-or-replacement-outlining-a-possible-apostasy-narrative Remnant or Replacement? Outlining a Possible Apostasy Narrative],” ''BYU Studies Quarterly'' 60, no. 1 (2021): 106. For more on these scholars' views, see the summary in John Gee, "[https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/ten-views-on-the-falling-away Ten Views on the Falling Away]," ''BYU Studies Quarterly'' 63, no. 2 (2024): 157–60.</ref> This Apostasy narrative has been productively deconstructed.<ref>See generally Miranda Wilcox and John D. Young, eds., ''Standing Apart: Mormon Historical Consciousness and the Concept of Apostasy'' (Oxford University Press, 2014).</ref> Another concern is the portrayal of the Middle Ages as a time of spiritual darkness and imbecility.<ref>Eric R. Dursteler, "[https://scripturecentral.org/archive/books/book-chapter/inheriting-great-apostasy-evolution-latter-day-saint-views-middle-ages-and-renaissance Inheriting the 'Great Apostasy': The Evolution of Latter-day Saint Views on the Middle Ages and Renaissance]," in ''Early Christians in Disarray: Contemporary LDS Perspectives on the Christian Apostasy'', ed. Noel B. Reynolds (FARMS, 2005), 29–65; Miranda Wilcox, “[https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/narrating-religious-heritage Narrating Religious Heritage: Apostasy and Restoration],” ''BYU Studies Quarterly'' 60, no. 3 (2021): 213–28.</ref>

	The article will aim to provide a narrative that is both intellectually defensible and pastorally productive. Without diminishing the seriousness of the loss of authority and precious truths that came with the Falling Away, this article will also show that there is much room for a full and loving embrace of "our kindred Christian saints;" "our believing mothers and fathers;" "our ancient Christian sisters and brothers."<ref>Jason R. Combs, Mark D. Ellison, Catherine Gines Taylor, and Kristian S. Heal, ''Ancient Christians: An Introduction for Latter-day Saints'' (BYU Maxwell Institute, 2022), viii.</ref>		The article will aim to provide a narrative that is both intellectually defensible and pastorally productive. Without diminishing the seriousness of the loss of authority and precious truths that came with the Falling Away, this article will also show that there is much room for a full and loving embrace of "our kindred Christian saints;" "our believing mothers and fathers;" "our ancient Christian sisters and brothers."<ref>Jason R. Combs, Mark D. Ellison, Catherine Gines Taylor, and Kristian S. Heal, ''Ancient Christians: An Introduction for Latter-day Saints'' (BYU Maxwell Institute, 2022), viii.</ref>

SpencerMarsh at 07:27, 18 August 2026

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	====The Rebellion: Doctrines Rejected, Scripture Corrupted, Groups Formed, Priesthood Keys and Spiritual Gifts Lost====		====The Rebellion: Doctrines Rejected, Scripture Corrupted, Groups Formed, Priesthood Keys and Spiritual Gifts Lost====
			The internal rebellion that occurred was against certain key doctrines adopted by the first-century Church. Rebellion against these doctrines was supremely blasphemous. The cumulative effect of these changes was to (1) change God's nature (which had far-reaching ramifications), (2) shut His mouth so that He cannot speak and correct error, and (3) separate us from important tools that teach us about and allow us to participate in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. While other changes could be cited—such as baptism for the dead, multiple heavens, and the meaning of grace—the changes that follow have greater, more fundamental impacts. Instead of asking how much error crept into the Church before it was considered in Apostasy, we are establishing the case on the ''kind'' of error that crept into the Church. This allows us to affirm that much truth remained intact after the Great Apostasy. Not all truth was lost. It also allows us to defend against those who might say the Church is in apostasy today for not living by certain doctrines revealed in its earlier days.

			We might also ask, "How many Christians had to rebel in order for the Apostasy to be 'great'"? In this case, probably a simple majority of over 50%.

	=====The Key Doctrines=====		=====The Key Doctrines=====
	As mentioned before, the Apostasy resulted from the rejection of key doctrines. Below, we explore some of the possibilities. It is important that we do not overclaim regarding what needs to be a part of the ancient Church. Joseph Smith explained that the dispensation of the fullness of times was "a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories," that this dispensation included all dispensations, keys, powers, and glories "from the days of Adam even to the present time. '''And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent''', shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times" (Doctrine and Covenants 128:18, emphasis added). The Restoration does not need to be a one-for-one match to the primitive church to be an authentic restoration.		As mentioned before, the Apostasy resulted from the rejection of key doctrines. Below, we explore some of the possibilities. It is important that we do not overclaim regarding what needs to be a part of the ancient Church. Joseph Smith explained that the dispensation of the fullness of times was "a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories," that this dispensation included all dispensations, keys, powers, and glories "from the days of Adam even to the present time. '''And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent''', shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times" (Doctrine and Covenants 128:18, emphasis added). The Restoration does not need to be a one-for-one match to the primitive church to be an authentic restoration.

	The cumulative effect of these changes is to (1) change God's nature (which has far-reaching ramifications), (2) shut His mouth so that He cannot speak and correct error, and (3) separate us from important tools that teach us about and allow us to participate in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. While other changes could be cited—such as baptism for the dead, multiple heavens, and the meaning of grace—the changes that follow have greater, more fundamental impacts.

	======An Embodied God======		======An Embodied God======

SpencerMarsh at 07:16, 18 August 2026

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	<h1><b>The Great Apostasy</b></h1>		<h1><b>The Great Apostasy</b></h1>
	<small>Last updated August 14, 2026</small>		{{UnderConstructionSuggestions}}
			<small>Last updated August 18, 2026</small>

	{{Summary1}} The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims to be the restored Church of Jesus Christ. Fundamental to that belief is that the Church was lost for a time. The period in which the Church was lost is known to Latter-day Saints as either the "Great Apostasy" or the "Falling Away."<ref>For a reference to the "Great Apostasy," see ''Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service'' (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2004), 35–36. For "Falling Away," see ''Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ'' (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2023), 37–38.</ref> Without such a loss, there could have been no "restitution of all things" (Acts 3:21). Critics, and especially those who are of Protestant, Orthodox, or Catholic Christian background, have argued that the Latter-day Saint belief in the Great Apostasy is erroneous on many grounds.		{{Summary1}} The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims to be the restored Church of Jesus Christ. Fundamental to that belief is that the Church was lost for a time. The period in which the Church was lost is known to Latter-day Saints as either the "Great Apostasy" or the "Falling Away."<ref>For a reference to the "Great Apostasy," see ''Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service'' (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2004), 35–36. For "Falling Away," see ''Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ'' (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2023), 37–38.</ref> Without such a loss, there could have been no "restitution of all things" (Acts 3:21). Critics, and especially those who are of Protestant, Orthodox, or Catholic Christian background, have argued that the Latter-day Saint belief in the Great Apostasy is erroneous on many grounds.

SpencerMarsh at 07:10, 18 August 2026

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SpencerMarsh at 07:05, 18 August 2026

2026-08-18T07:05:43Z

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