THE GREAT APOSTASY

Under the “The Restoration of Truth – The Great Apostasy” section of mormon.org we read:

“Following the death of Jesus Christ… The Apostles were killed and the priesthood authority—including the keys to direct and receive revelation for the Church—was taken from the earth (2 Thessalonians 2:1–3). Because the Church was no longer led by priesthood authority and revelation, error crept into Church teachings. Good people and much truth remained, but the gospel as established by Jesus Christ was lost, resulting in a period called the Great Apostasy. ”

 

WHAT MORMON.ORG DOES NOT TELL YOU ABOUT THE GREAT APOSTASY

Partial apostasy and Christ’s preservation of His Church

• It is TRUE that periods of “apostasy” occurred in some segments of Christ’s Church, but it is FALSE that this “apostasy” resulted in the complete loss of Christ’s “gospel” and “priesthood authority.” 1 Timothy 4:1 states that only “some”(not all) would fall away during the “apostasy.” Jesus promised that His Church would never be overcome by the evil forces of Hell (Matthew 16:18).  Jude promised that the gospel was delivered to the saints “once” for all time (Jude 3) and Ephesians 3:21 stated that Christ is to receive “glory” in His Church “throughout all ages.” If the Mormon claim is true that a complete apostasy occurred in Christ’s church, how would Christ have been able to receive “glory…throughout all ages”?

The Apostle John’s promise of life and his holding of Priesthood authority until Christ comes

• According to Mormon Scripture “Priesthood” authority could not have been lost from the earth because the Apostle John was promised that he would not die, but would live and hold the “keys” of ministry authority until Jesus returns.  Mormon Scripture, Doctrine and Covenants section 7 explains:

  “…the Lord said unto me: John, my beloved, what desirest thou? …And I said unto him: Lord, give unto me power over death… And the Lord said unto me: Verily, verily, I say unto thee, because thou desirest this thou shalt tarry until I come in my glory, and shalt prophesy before nations, kindreds, tongues and people… I say unto thee, Peter… and for thy brother James; and unto you three I will give this power and the keys of this ministry until I come.” —Doctrine and Covenants 7:1-3, 5, 7

The Book of Mormon’s 3 Nephites who live forever

• According to Book of Mormon Scripture, three Nephites who were part of the 12 Apostles that Jesus allegedly appointed in America, were also told that they would “never endure the pains of death” but would “be changed… from mortality to immortality” at Christ’s future coming (3 Nephi 28:8).  So, if Mormon Scripture is true and these four Apostles never died, Priesthood Authority could not have left the earth and there would be no need for this “authority” to be restored through Mormonism.

For more information see:

Was a “Restoration” of the Gospel Necessary?

Did Joseph Smith Possess the Proper Priesthood Authority to Restore Christ's Church in 1830?

Who Has the Proper Authority? - 20 Questions for Mormons on LDS Priesthood Authority (www.4witness.org)

Were the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods Restored through Mormonism? 

Did Joseph Smith Possess the Proper Priesthood Authority to Restore Christ's Church in 1830?

What is the "Restitution of All Things" mentioned at Acts 3:19-21?