GREAT APOSTACY AND RESTORATION

The Great Apostasy
After the death of Jesus Christ, wicked people persecuted the Apostles and Church

members and killed many of them. With the death of the Apostles, priesthood keys and

the presiding priesthood authority were taken from the earth. The Apostles had kept the

doctrines of the gospel pure and maintained the order and standard of worthiness for

Church members. Without the Apostles, over time the doctrines were corrupted, and

unauthorized changes were made in Church organization and priesthood ordinances,

such as baptism and conferring the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Without revelation and priesthood authority, people relied on human wisdom to

interpret the scriptures and the principles and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

False ideas were taught as truth. Much of the knowledge of the true character and nature

of God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost was lost. The doctrines of faith

in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost became distorted or

forgotten. The priesthood authority given to Christ’s Apostles was no longer present on

the earth. This apostasy eventually led to the emergence of many churches.

After centuries of spiritual darkness, truth-seeking men and women protested against

current religious practices. They recognized that many of the doctrines and ordinances of

the gospel had been changed or lost. They sought for greater spiritual light, and many

spoke of the need for a restoration of truth. They did not claim, however, that God had

called them to be a prophet. Instead, they tried to reform teachings and practices that

they believed had been changed or corrupted. Their efforts led to the organization of many

Protestant churches. This Reformation resulted in an increased emphasis on religious

freedom, which opened the way for the final Restoration.

The Savior’s Apostles foretold this universal apostasy. They also foretold that the

gospel of Jesus Christ and His Church would be restored once more upon the earth.

1 Nephi 13 Acts 20:28–30 Topical Guide: “Apostasy of

2 Nephi 26:20–21 Galatians 1:6–9 the Early Christian Church”

2 Nephi 28 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12

4 Nephi 1:27 (JST verses 2, 3, 7–9)

D&C 86:1–3 1 Timothy 4:1–3

Matthew 24:9–11 2 Timothy 4:3–4 “The Long Night of Apostasy”

Mark 12:1–9 2 Peter 2:1–2

Acts 3:19–21 Amos 8:11–12

True to the Faith, “Apostasy,” pages 13–14Our Search for Happiness, pages 23–32Jesus the Christ, chapter 40,

Scripture Study

Articles of Faith 1:5 Luke 6:13 Hebrews 5:4

Matthew 10:1–10 John 15:16

The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Joseph Smith

When the circumstances were right, Heavenly Father once again reached out to His

children in love. He called a young man named Joseph Smith as a prophet. Through him

the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth.

Joseph Smith lived in the United States, which was perhaps the only country to enjoy

religious freedom at the time. It was at a time of great religious excitement in the eastern

United States. His family members were deeply religious and constantly sought for truth.

But many ministers claimed to have the true gospel. Joseph desired “to know which of

all the sects was right,” (Joseph Smith—History 1:18). The Bible taught there was “one

Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5). Joseph attended different churches, but he

remained confused about which church he should join. He later wrote:

“So great were the confusions and strife among the different denominations, that it was

impossible for a person young as I was . . . to come to any certain conclusion who was

right and who was wrong. . . . In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions,

Investigators must understand that a universal apostasy occurred following the death of Jesus

Christ and His Apostles. If there had been no apostasy, there would have been no need of a

Restoration. As a diamond displayed on black velvet appears more brilliant, so the Restoration

stands in striking contrast to the dark background of the Great Apostasy. As guided by the Spirit,

teach investigators about the Great Apostasy at a level of detail appropriate to their needs and

circumstances. Your purpose is to help them understand the need for the Restoration of the

gospel of Jesus Christ.

Key Points

• The Church of Jesus Christ is built on the foundation of apostles and prophets (see Ephesians

2:19–20; 4:11–14). These leaders have divine priesthood authority. Through revelation they

direct the affairs of the Church. They maintain doctrinal purity, authorize the administration

of ordinances, and call and confer upon others the priesthood authority.

• People rejected and killed Jesus Christ and the Apostles (see Matthew 24:9; 1 Nephi 11:32–34;

2 Nephi 27:5). With the death of the Apostles, the presiding priesthood authority was absent

from the Church. Consequently, there was no longer authority to confer the Holy Ghost or

perform other saving ordinances. Revelation ceased, and doctrine became corrupted.

• Even before the death of the Apostles, many conflicts concerning doctrine arose. The Roman

Empire, which at first had persecuted the Christians, later adopted Christianity. Important

religious questions were settled by councils. The simple doctrines and ordinances taught by

the Savior were debated and changed to conform to worldly philosophies (see Isaiah 24:5).

They physically changed the scriptures, removing plain and precious doctrines from them

(1 Nephi 13:26–40). They created creeds, or statements of belief, based on false and changed

doctrine (see Joseph Smith—History 1:19). Because of pride, some aspired to positions of

influence (see 3 John 1:9–10). People accepted these false ideas and gave honor to false

teachers who taught pleasing doctrines rather than divine truth (see 2 Timothy 4:3–4).

• Throughout history, many people have sincerely believed false creeds and doctrines. They have

worshiped according to the light they possessed and have received answers to their prayers.

Yet they are “kept from the truth because they know not where to find it” (D&C 123:12).

• Therefore, a restoration, not a reformation, was required. Priesthood authority did not continue

in an unbroken line of succession from the Apostle Peter. To reform is to change what already

exists; to restore is to bring back something in its original form. Thus, restoration of priesthood

authority through divine messengers was the only possible way to overcome the Great Apostasy.

I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they

all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it?”

(Joseph Smith—History 1:8, 10).

As Joseph sought truth among the different faiths, he turned to the Bible for guidance.

He read, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally,

and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). Because of this passage, Joseph

decided to ask God what he should do. In the spring of 1820 he went to a nearby grove

of trees and knelt in prayer. He described his experience:

“I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which

descended gradually until it fell upon me. . . . When the light rested upon me I saw two

Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the

air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—

is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!

In this vision God the Father and His Son,

Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph Smith. The Savior

told Joseph not to join any of the churches, for

they “were all wrong” and “all their creeds were

an abomination.” He stated, “They draw near to

me with their lips, but their hearts are far from

me, they teach for doctrines the commandments

of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny

the power thereof” (Joseph Smith—History 1:19).

Even though many good people believed in Christ

and tried to understand and teach His gospel, they

did not have the fulness of truth or the priesthood

authority to baptize and perform other saving

ordinances. They had inherited a state of apostasy

as each generation was influenced by what the

previous one passed on, including changes in the doctrines and in ordinances such as

baptism. As God had done with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and other prophets, He

called Joseph Smith to be a prophet through whom the fulness of the gospel was restored

to the earth.

After the appearance of the Father and the Son, other heavenly messengers, or angels,

were sent to Joseph Smith and his associate Oliver Cowdery. John the Baptist appeared

and conferred upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery the Aaronic Priesthood, which

includes the authority to perform the ordinance of baptism. Peter, James, and John (three

of Christ’s original Apostles) appeared and conferred the Melchizedek Priesthood upon

Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, restoring the same authority given to Christ’s Apostles

anciently. With this priesthood authority, Joseph Smith was directed to organize the Church

of Jesus Christ again on the earth. Through him, Jesus Christ called twelve Apostles.

The time in which we live is referred to by Bible prophets as the last days, the latter

days, or the dispensation of the fulness of times. It is the period of time just before the

Second Coming of Jesus Christ. It is the final dispensation. This is why the Church is

named The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A living prophet directs the Church today. This prophet, the President of The Church

of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the authorized successor to Joseph Smith. He and

the present Apostles trace their authority to Jesus Christ in an unbroken chain of

ordinations through Joseph Smith.

This” (Joseph Smith—History 1:16–17).  

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

Knowing that doubt, disbelief, and

misinformation would remain after centuries of

darkness, our loving Heavenly Father brought

forth an ancient volume of holy scripture

comparable to the Bible, which contains the

fulness of the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ.

This volume of holy scripture provides

convincing evidence that Joseph Smith is a true

prophet of God. This record is the Book of

Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

Joseph Smith was directed by a heavenly

messenger named Moroni to a hill where gold

plates had lain hidden for centuries. These gold

plates contained the writings of prophets giving

an account of God’s dealings with some of the

ancient inhabitants of the Americas. Joseph Smith

translated the contents of these plates by the power of God. The prophets in the Book of

Mormon knew about the mission of the Savior and taught His gospel. After His

Resurrection, Christ appeared to these people. He taught them His gospel and established

His Church. The Book of Mormon proves that “God does inspire men and call them to

his holy work in this age and generation, as well as in generations of old” (D&C 20:11). In

order to know that the Book of Mormon is true, a person must read, ponder, and pray

about it. The honest seeker of truth will soon come to feel that the Book of Mormon is the

word of God.

Reading, pondering, and praying about the Book of Mormon are critical for an enduring

conversion. Those who begin reading the Book of Mormon for the first time take

important steps toward coming to know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and that

the true Church has been restored to the earth.

2 Nephi 3 Ephesians 4:5 Brochure,

The Testimony

D&C 112:30 James 1:5

of the Prophet Joseph Smith

Ephesians 1:10

 

Pray to Know the Truth through the Holy Ghost

This message of the Restoration is either true

or it is not. We can know that it is true by the

Holy Ghost, as promised in Moroni 10:3–5. After

reading and pondering the message of the Book

of Mormon, any who desire to know the truth

must ask in prayer to our Heavenly Father in the

name of Jesus Christ if it is true. In order to do

this, we address our Heavenly Father. We thank

Him for our blessings and ask to know that the

message of the Book of Mormon is true. No one

can know of spiritual truths without prayer.

In answer to our prayers, the Holy Ghost will

teach us truth through our feelings and thoughts.

Feelings that come from the Holy Ghost are

powerful, but they are also usually gentle and quiet. As we begin to feel that what we are

learning is true, we will desire to know all that we can about the Restoration.

Knowing that the Book of Mormon is true leads to a knowledge that Joseph Smith was

called as a prophet and that the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored through him.