The Great Apostasy - Revision history

SpencerMarsh: /* Did Joseph Smith intend to restore a church? */

2026-08-11T22:15:19Z

Did Joseph Smith intend to restore a church?

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:15, 11 August 2026
Line 3,154:		Line 3,154:
	Combs says, "Moreover, the Lord could also say very positive things about ministers from other Christian churches (see Doctrine and Covenants 35:3–4; 39:7–8), and the Lord could speak of his [sic] 'church' already existing at the time that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was being established (see Doctrine and Covenants 5:14; 10:52–56, 67–69)."<ref>Combs, "Introduction," 11.</ref>		Combs says, "Moreover, the Lord could also say very positive things about ministers from other Christian churches (see Doctrine and Covenants 35:3–4; 39:7–8), and the Lord could speak of his [sic] 'church' already existing at the time that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was being established (see Doctrine and Covenants 5:14; 10:52–56, 67–69)."<ref>Combs, "Introduction," 11.</ref>

	Again, it is not entirely clear what motivation these scholars have for making this claim. Whatever their motivations are, it is clear that their claims cannot be sustained. In a famous canonized statement, God the Father told Joseph Smith that all the creeds of the denominations that existed at that time were an "abomination" (Joseph Smith-History 1:18–19).<ref>John W. Welch, “[https://rsc.byu.edu/prelude-restoration/all-their-creeds-were-abomination ‘All Their Creeds Were an Abomination’: A Brief Look at Creeds as Part of the Apostasy],” in ''Prelude to the Restoration: From Apostasy to the Restored Church'' (Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University and Deseret Book, 2004), ~~228–249~~.</ref> Joseph Smith restored priesthood keys. He revealed that people who were baptized in another church could not count those baptisms as valid, and had to be rebaptized into the Lord's Church (Doctrine and Covenants 22). The Book of Mormon calls any other system that does not subscribe to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as revealed in the Book of Mormon, part of the church of the devil or the great and abominable church.		Again, it is not entirely clear what motivation these scholars have for making this claim. Whatever their motivations are, it is clear that their claims cannot be sustained. In a famous canonized statement, God the Father told Joseph Smith that all the creeds of the denominations that existed at that time were an "abomination" (Joseph Smith-History 1:18–19).<ref>John W. Welch, “[https://rsc.byu.edu/prelude-restoration/all-their-creeds-were-abomination ‘All Their Creeds Were an Abomination’: A Brief Look at Creeds as Part of the Apostasy],” in ''Prelude to the Restoration: From Apostasy to the Restored Church'' (Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University and Deseret Book, 2004), 228–49.</ref> Joseph Smith restored priesthood keys. He revealed that people who were baptized in another church could not count those baptisms as valid, and had to be rebaptized into the Lord's Church (Doctrine and Covenants 22). The Book of Mormon calls any other system that does not subscribe to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as revealed in the Book of Mormon, part of the church of the devil or the great and abominable church.

	====How Would We Know Whether the Church is in Apostasy Today?====		====How Would We Know Whether the Church is in Apostasy Today?====

SpencerMarsh: /* Did Joseph Smith intend to restore a church? */

2026-08-11T22:14:41Z

Did Joseph Smith intend to restore a church?

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:14, 11 August 2026
Line 3,154:		Line 3,154:
	Combs says, "Moreover, the Lord could also say very positive things about ministers from other Christian churches (see Doctrine and Covenants 35:3–4; 39:7–8), and the Lord could speak of his [sic] 'church' already existing at the time that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was being established (see Doctrine and Covenants 5:14; 10:52–56, 67–69)."<ref>Combs, "Introduction," 11.</ref>		Combs says, "Moreover, the Lord could also say very positive things about ministers from other Christian churches (see Doctrine and Covenants 35:3–4; 39:7–8), and the Lord could speak of his [sic] 'church' already existing at the time that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was being established (see Doctrine and Covenants 5:14; 10:52–56, 67–69)."<ref>Combs, "Introduction," 11.</ref>

	Again, it is not entirely clear what motivation these scholars have for making this claim. Whatever their motivations are, it is clear that their claims cannot be sustained. In a famous canonized statement, God the Father told Joseph Smith that all the creeds of the denominations that existed at that time were an "abomination" (Joseph Smith-History 1:18–19).<ref>John W. Welch, “[https://rsc.byu.edu/prelude-restoration/all-their-creeds-were-abomination ‘All Their Creeds Were an Abomination’: A Brief Look at Creeds as Part of the Apostasy],” in ''Prelude to the Restoration: From Apostasy to the Restored Church'' (Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University and Deseret Book, 2004), 228–249.</ref> Joseph Smith restored priesthood keys. He revealed that people ~~that~~ were baptized to another church could not count The Book of Mormon calls any other system that does not subscribe to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as revealed in the Book of Mormon, part of the church of the devil or the great and abominable church~~. He has commanded that all people be rebaptized if they have not been united to the Lord's church (Doctrine and Covenants 22)~~.		Again, it is not entirely clear what motivation these scholars have for making this claim. Whatever their motivations are, it is clear that their claims cannot be sustained. In a famous canonized statement, God the Father told Joseph Smith that all the creeds of the denominations that existed at that time were an "abomination" (Joseph Smith-History 1:18–19).<ref>John W. Welch, “[https://rsc.byu.edu/prelude-restoration/all-their-creeds-were-abomination ‘All Their Creeds Were an Abomination’: A Brief Look at Creeds as Part of the Apostasy],” in ''Prelude to the Restoration: From Apostasy to the Restored Church'' (Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University and Deseret Book, 2004), 228–249.</ref> Joseph Smith restored priesthood keys. He revealed that people who were baptized in another church could not count those baptisms as valid, and had to be rebaptized into the Lord's Church (Doctrine and Covenants 22). The Book of Mormon calls any other system that does not subscribe to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as revealed in the Book of Mormon, part of the church of the devil or the great and abominable church.

	====How Would We Know Whether the Church is in Apostasy Today?====		====How Would We Know Whether the Church is in Apostasy Today?====

SpencerMarsh: /* Did Joseph Smith intend to restore a church? */

2026-08-11T22:13:43Z

Did Joseph Smith intend to restore a church?

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:13, 11 August 2026
Line 3,152:		Line 3,152:
	Latter-day Saint scholar Patrick Q. Mason, in his book ''Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World'' (2020), notes that the term ''restored church'' does not appear in the Latter-day Saint canon of scripture.<ref>Patrick Q. Mason, ''Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World'' (Faith Matters, 2020), 11–37.</ref> Latter-day Saint scholar Jason R. Combs explains, "When Latter-day Saints use that unscriptural phrase, ''restored church'', it should be understood as shorthand for the ''restorations'' the Doctrine and Covennats does address—namely, the bestowal of priesthood power, authority, and keys associated with making sacred covenants, establishing Zion (Moses 7:18), gathering scattered Israel on both sides of the veil (that is, in this life and beyond), and binding up all dispensations in preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ."<ref>Jason R. Combs, "Introduction: Understanding Ancient Christians, Apostasy, and Restoration," in ''Ancient Christians: An Introduction for Latter-day Saints'' ed. Jason R. Combs, Mark D. Ellison, Catherine Gines Taylor, and Kristian S. Heal (Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, 2022), 10.</ref> Combs also takes time to emphasize that the term ''great apostasy'' does not appear in the Latter-day Saint canon.<ref>Combs, "Introduction," 10.</ref>		Latter-day Saint scholar Patrick Q. Mason, in his book ''Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World'' (2020), notes that the term ''restored church'' does not appear in the Latter-day Saint canon of scripture.<ref>Patrick Q. Mason, ''Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World'' (Faith Matters, 2020), 11–37.</ref> Latter-day Saint scholar Jason R. Combs explains, "When Latter-day Saints use that unscriptural phrase, ''restored church'', it should be understood as shorthand for the ''restorations'' the Doctrine and Covennats does address—namely, the bestowal of priesthood power, authority, and keys associated with making sacred covenants, establishing Zion (Moses 7:18), gathering scattered Israel on both sides of the veil (that is, in this life and beyond), and binding up all dispensations in preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ."<ref>Jason R. Combs, "Introduction: Understanding Ancient Christians, Apostasy, and Restoration," in ''Ancient Christians: An Introduction for Latter-day Saints'' ed. Jason R. Combs, Mark D. Ellison, Catherine Gines Taylor, and Kristian S. Heal (Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, 2022), 10.</ref> Combs also takes time to emphasize that the term ''great apostasy'' does not appear in the Latter-day Saint canon.<ref>Combs, "Introduction," 10.</ref>

	Combs says, "Moreover, the Lord could also say very positive things about ministers from other Christian churches (see Doctrine and Covenants 35:3–4; 39:7–8), and the Lord could speak of his "church" already existing at the time that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was being established (see Doctrine and Covenants 5:14; 10:52–56, 67–69)."<ref>Combs, "Introduction," 11.</ref>		Combs says, "Moreover, the Lord could also say very positive things about ministers from other Christian churches (see Doctrine and Covenants 35:3–4; 39:7–8), and the Lord could speak of his [sic] 'church' already existing at the time that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was being established (see Doctrine and Covenants 5:14; 10:52–56, 67–69)."<ref>Combs, "Introduction," 11.</ref>

	Again, it is not entirely clear what motivation these scholars have for making this claim. Whatever their motivations are, it is clear that their claims cannot be sustained. In a famous canonized statement, God the Father told Joseph Smith that all the creeds of the denominations that existed at that time were an "abomination" (Joseph Smith-History 1:18–19).<ref>John W. Welch, “[https://rsc.byu.edu/prelude-restoration/all-their-creeds-were-abomination ‘All Their Creeds Were an Abomination’: A Brief Look at Creeds as Part of the Apostasy],” in ''Prelude to the Restoration: From Apostasy to the Restored Church'' (Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University and Deseret Book, 2004), 228–249.</ref> Joseph Smith restored priesthood keys. He revealed that people that were baptized to another church could not count The Book of Mormon calls any other system that does not subscribe to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as revealed in the Book of Mormon, part of the church of the devil or the great and abominable church. He has commanded that all people be rebaptized if they have not been united to the Lord's church (Doctrine and Covenants 22).		Again, it is not entirely clear what motivation these scholars have for making this claim. Whatever their motivations are, it is clear that their claims cannot be sustained. In a famous canonized statement, God the Father told Joseph Smith that all the creeds of the denominations that existed at that time were an "abomination" (Joseph Smith-History 1:18–19).<ref>John W. Welch, “[https://rsc.byu.edu/prelude-restoration/all-their-creeds-were-abomination ‘All Their Creeds Were an Abomination’: A Brief Look at Creeds as Part of the Apostasy],” in ''Prelude to the Restoration: From Apostasy to the Restored Church'' (Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University and Deseret Book, 2004), 228–249.</ref> Joseph Smith restored priesthood keys. He revealed that people that were baptized to another church could not count The Book of Mormon calls any other system that does not subscribe to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as revealed in the Book of Mormon, part of the church of the devil or the great and abominable church. He has commanded that all people be rebaptized if they have not been united to the Lord's church (Doctrine and Covenants 22).

SpencerMarsh: /* Did Joseph Smith intend to restore a church? */

2026-08-11T22:13:21Z

Did Joseph Smith intend to restore a church?

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:13, 11 August 2026
Line 3,151:		Line 3,151:

	Latter-day Saint scholar Patrick Q. Mason, in his book ''Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World'' (2020), notes that the term ''restored church'' does not appear in the Latter-day Saint canon of scripture.<ref>Patrick Q. Mason, ''Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World'' (Faith Matters, 2020), 11–37.</ref> Latter-day Saint scholar Jason R. Combs explains, "When Latter-day Saints use that unscriptural phrase, ''restored church'', it should be understood as shorthand for the ''restorations'' the Doctrine and Covennats does address—namely, the bestowal of priesthood power, authority, and keys associated with making sacred covenants, establishing Zion (Moses 7:18), gathering scattered Israel on both sides of the veil (that is, in this life and beyond), and binding up all dispensations in preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ."<ref>Jason R. Combs, "Introduction: Understanding Ancient Christians, Apostasy, and Restoration," in ''Ancient Christians: An Introduction for Latter-day Saints'' ed. Jason R. Combs, Mark D. Ellison, Catherine Gines Taylor, and Kristian S. Heal (Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, 2022), 10.</ref> Combs also takes time to emphasize that the term ''great apostasy'' does not appear in the Latter-day Saint canon.<ref>Combs, "Introduction," 10.</ref>		Latter-day Saint scholar Patrick Q. Mason, in his book ''Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World'' (2020), notes that the term ''restored church'' does not appear in the Latter-day Saint canon of scripture.<ref>Patrick Q. Mason, ''Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World'' (Faith Matters, 2020), 11–37.</ref> Latter-day Saint scholar Jason R. Combs explains, "When Latter-day Saints use that unscriptural phrase, ''restored church'', it should be understood as shorthand for the ''restorations'' the Doctrine and Covennats does address—namely, the bestowal of priesthood power, authority, and keys associated with making sacred covenants, establishing Zion (Moses 7:18), gathering scattered Israel on both sides of the veil (that is, in this life and beyond), and binding up all dispensations in preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ."<ref>Jason R. Combs, "Introduction: Understanding Ancient Christians, Apostasy, and Restoration," in ''Ancient Christians: An Introduction for Latter-day Saints'' ed. Jason R. Combs, Mark D. Ellison, Catherine Gines Taylor, and Kristian S. Heal (Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, 2022), 10.</ref> Combs also takes time to emphasize that the term ''great apostasy'' does not appear in the Latter-day Saint canon.<ref>Combs, "Introduction," 10.</ref>

			Combs says, "Moreover, the Lord could also say very positive things about ministers from other Christian churches (see Doctrine and Covenants 35:3–4; 39:7–8), and the Lord could speak of his "church" already existing at the time that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was being established (see Doctrine and Covenants 5:14; 10:52–56, 67–69)."<ref>Combs, "Introduction," 11.</ref>

	Again, it is not entirely clear what motivation these scholars have for making this claim. Whatever their motivations are, it is clear that their claims cannot be sustained. In a famous canonized statement, God the Father told Joseph Smith that all the creeds of the denominations that existed at that time were an "abomination" (Joseph Smith-History 1:18–19).<ref>John W. Welch, “[https://rsc.byu.edu/prelude-restoration/all-their-creeds-were-abomination ‘All Their Creeds Were an Abomination’: A Brief Look at Creeds as Part of the Apostasy],” in ''Prelude to the Restoration: From Apostasy to the Restored Church'' (Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University and Deseret Book, 2004), 228–249.</ref> Joseph Smith restored priesthood keys. He revealed that people that were baptized to another church could not count The Book of Mormon calls any other system that does not subscribe to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as revealed in the Book of Mormon, part of the church of the devil or the great and abominable church. He has commanded that all people be rebaptized if they have not been united to the Lord's church (Doctrine and Covenants 22).		Again, it is not entirely clear what motivation these scholars have for making this claim. Whatever their motivations are, it is clear that their claims cannot be sustained. In a famous canonized statement, God the Father told Joseph Smith that all the creeds of the denominations that existed at that time were an "abomination" (Joseph Smith-History 1:18–19).<ref>John W. Welch, “[https://rsc.byu.edu/prelude-restoration/all-their-creeds-were-abomination ‘All Their Creeds Were an Abomination’: A Brief Look at Creeds as Part of the Apostasy],” in ''Prelude to the Restoration: From Apostasy to the Restored Church'' (Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University and Deseret Book, 2004), 228–249.</ref> Joseph Smith restored priesthood keys. He revealed that people that were baptized to another church could not count The Book of Mormon calls any other system that does not subscribe to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as revealed in the Book of Mormon, part of the church of the devil or the great and abominable church. He has commanded that all people be rebaptized if they have not been united to the Lord's church (Doctrine and Covenants 22).

SpencerMarsh: /* Did Joseph Smith intend to restore a church? */

2026-08-11T21:57:19Z

Did Joseph Smith intend to restore a church?

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:57, 11 August 2026
Line 3,152:		Line 3,152:
	Latter-day Saint scholar Patrick Q. Mason, in his book ''Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World'' (2020), notes that the term ''restored church'' does not appear in the Latter-day Saint canon of scripture.<ref>Patrick Q. Mason, ''Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World'' (Faith Matters, 2020), 11–37.</ref> Latter-day Saint scholar Jason R. Combs explains, "When Latter-day Saints use that unscriptural phrase, ''restored church'', it should be understood as shorthand for the ''restorations'' the Doctrine and Covennats does address—namely, the bestowal of priesthood power, authority, and keys associated with making sacred covenants, establishing Zion (Moses 7:18), gathering scattered Israel on both sides of the veil (that is, in this life and beyond), and binding up all dispensations in preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ."<ref>Jason R. Combs, "Introduction: Understanding Ancient Christians, Apostasy, and Restoration," in ''Ancient Christians: An Introduction for Latter-day Saints'' ed. Jason R. Combs, Mark D. Ellison, Catherine Gines Taylor, and Kristian S. Heal (Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, 2022), 10.</ref> Combs also takes time to emphasize that the term ''great apostasy'' does not appear in the Latter-day Saint canon.<ref>Combs, "Introduction," 10.</ref>		Latter-day Saint scholar Patrick Q. Mason, in his book ''Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World'' (2020), notes that the term ''restored church'' does not appear in the Latter-day Saint canon of scripture.<ref>Patrick Q. Mason, ''Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World'' (Faith Matters, 2020), 11–37.</ref> Latter-day Saint scholar Jason R. Combs explains, "When Latter-day Saints use that unscriptural phrase, ''restored church'', it should be understood as shorthand for the ''restorations'' the Doctrine and Covennats does address—namely, the bestowal of priesthood power, authority, and keys associated with making sacred covenants, establishing Zion (Moses 7:18), gathering scattered Israel on both sides of the veil (that is, in this life and beyond), and binding up all dispensations in preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ."<ref>Jason R. Combs, "Introduction: Understanding Ancient Christians, Apostasy, and Restoration," in ''Ancient Christians: An Introduction for Latter-day Saints'' ed. Jason R. Combs, Mark D. Ellison, Catherine Gines Taylor, and Kristian S. Heal (Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, 2022), 10.</ref> Combs also takes time to emphasize that the term ''great apostasy'' does not appear in the Latter-day Saint canon.<ref>Combs, "Introduction," 10.</ref>

	Again, it is not entirely clear what motivation these scholars have for making this claim. Whatever their motivations are, it is clear that their claims cannot be sustained. In a famous canonized statement, God the Father told Joseph Smith that all the creeds of the denominations that existed at that time were an "abomination" (Joseph Smith-History 1:18–19).<ref>John W. Welch, “[https://rsc.byu.edu/prelude-restoration/all-their-creeds-were-abomination ‘All Their Creeds Were an Abomination’: A Brief Look at Creeds as Part of the Apostasy],” in ''Prelude to the Restoration: From Apostasy to the Restored Church'' (Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University and Deseret Book, 2004), 228–249.</ref> Joseph Smith restored priesthood keys. The Book of Mormon calls any other system that does not subscribe to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as revealed in the Book of Mormon, part of the church of the devil or the great and abominable church.		Again, it is not entirely clear what motivation these scholars have for making this claim. Whatever their motivations are, it is clear that their claims cannot be sustained. In a famous canonized statement, God the Father told Joseph Smith that all the creeds of the denominations that existed at that time were an "abomination" (Joseph Smith-History 1:18–19).<ref>John W. Welch, “[https://rsc.byu.edu/prelude-restoration/all-their-creeds-were-abomination ‘All Their Creeds Were an Abomination’: A Brief Look at Creeds as Part of the Apostasy],” in ''Prelude to the Restoration: From Apostasy to the Restored Church'' (Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University and Deseret Book, 2004), 228–249.</ref> Joseph Smith restored priesthood keys. He revealed that people that were baptized to another church could not count The Book of Mormon calls any other system that does not subscribe to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as revealed in the Book of Mormon, part of the church of the devil or the great and abominable church. He has commanded that all people be rebaptized if they have not been united to the Lord's church (Doctrine and Covenants 22).

	====How Would We Know Whether the Church is in Apostasy Today?====		====How Would We Know Whether the Church is in Apostasy Today?====

SpencerMarsh: /* Did Joseph Smith intend to restore a church? */

2026-08-11T21:16:55Z

Did Joseph Smith intend to restore a church?

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:16, 11 August 2026
Line 3,152:		Line 3,152:
	Latter-day Saint scholar Patrick Q. Mason, in his book ''Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World'' (2020), notes that the term ''restored church'' does not appear in the Latter-day Saint canon of scripture.<ref>Patrick Q. Mason, ''Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World'' (Faith Matters, 2020), 11–37.</ref> Latter-day Saint scholar Jason R. Combs explains, "When Latter-day Saints use that unscriptural phrase, ''restored church'', it should be understood as shorthand for the ''restorations'' the Doctrine and Covennats does address—namely, the bestowal of priesthood power, authority, and keys associated with making sacred covenants, establishing Zion (Moses 7:18), gathering scattered Israel on both sides of the veil (that is, in this life and beyond), and binding up all dispensations in preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ."<ref>Jason R. Combs, "Introduction: Understanding Ancient Christians, Apostasy, and Restoration," in ''Ancient Christians: An Introduction for Latter-day Saints'' ed. Jason R. Combs, Mark D. Ellison, Catherine Gines Taylor, and Kristian S. Heal (Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, 2022), 10.</ref> Combs also takes time to emphasize that the term ''great apostasy'' does not appear in the Latter-day Saint canon.<ref>Combs, "Introduction," 10.</ref>		Latter-day Saint scholar Patrick Q. Mason, in his book ''Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World'' (2020), notes that the term ''restored church'' does not appear in the Latter-day Saint canon of scripture.<ref>Patrick Q. Mason, ''Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World'' (Faith Matters, 2020), 11–37.</ref> Latter-day Saint scholar Jason R. Combs explains, "When Latter-day Saints use that unscriptural phrase, ''restored church'', it should be understood as shorthand for the ''restorations'' the Doctrine and Covennats does address—namely, the bestowal of priesthood power, authority, and keys associated with making sacred covenants, establishing Zion (Moses 7:18), gathering scattered Israel on both sides of the veil (that is, in this life and beyond), and binding up all dispensations in preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ."<ref>Jason R. Combs, "Introduction: Understanding Ancient Christians, Apostasy, and Restoration," in ''Ancient Christians: An Introduction for Latter-day Saints'' ed. Jason R. Combs, Mark D. Ellison, Catherine Gines Taylor, and Kristian S. Heal (Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, 2022), 10.</ref> Combs also takes time to emphasize that the term ''great apostasy'' does not appear in the Latter-day Saint canon.<ref>Combs, "Introduction," 10.</ref>

	Again, it is not entirely clear what motivation these scholars have for making this claim.		Again, it is not entirely clear what motivation these scholars have for making this claim. Whatever their motivations are, it is clear that their claims cannot be sustained. In a famous canonized statement, God the Father told Joseph Smith that all the creeds of the denominations that existed at that time were an "abomination" (Joseph Smith-History 1:18–19).<ref>John W. Welch, “[https://rsc.byu.edu/prelude-restoration/all-their-creeds-were-abomination ‘All Their Creeds Were an Abomination’: A Brief Look at Creeds as Part of the Apostasy],” in ''Prelude to the Restoration: From Apostasy to the Restored Church'' (Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University and Deseret Book, 2004), 228–249.</ref> Joseph Smith restored priesthood keys. The Book of Mormon calls any other system that does not subscribe to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as revealed in the Book of Mormon, part of the church of the devil or the great and abominable church.

	====How Would We Know Whether the Church is in Apostasy Today?====		====How Would We Know Whether the Church is in Apostasy Today?====

SpencerMarsh: /* Did Joseph Smith intend to restore a church? */

2026-08-11T21:01:01Z

Did Joseph Smith intend to restore a church?

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:01, 11 August 2026
Line 3,150:		Line 3,150:
	Some Latter-day Saint scholars today doubt that Joseph Smith intended to restore the Church of Jesus Christ. The reasons for their doubt are not entirely clear, but they have encouraged Church members to rethink their use of the term.		Some Latter-day Saint scholars today doubt that Joseph Smith intended to restore the Church of Jesus Christ. The reasons for their doubt are not entirely clear, but they have encouraged Church members to rethink their use of the term.

	Latter-day Saint scholar Patrick Q. Mason, in his book ''Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World'' (2020), notes that the term ''restored church'' does not appear in the Latter-day Saint canon of scripture.<ref>Patrick Q. Mason, ''Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World (Faith Matters, 2020), 11–37.</ref> Latter-day Saint scholar Jason R. Combs explains, "When Latter-day Saints use that unscriptural phrase, ''restored church'', it should be understood as shorthand for the ''restorations'' the Doctrine and Covennats does address—namely, the bestowal of priesthood power, authority, and keys associated with making sacred covenants, establishing Zion (Moses 7:18), gathering scattered Israel on both sides of the veil (that is, in this life and beyond), and binding up all dispensations in preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ."<ref>Jason R. Combs, "Introduction: Understanding Ancient Christians, Apostasy, and Restoration," in ''Ancient Christians: An Introduction for Latter-day Saints'' ed. Jason R. Combs, Mark D. Ellison, Catherine Gines Taylor, and Kristian S. Heal (Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, 2022), 10.</ref> Combs also takes time to emphasize that the term ''great apostasy'' does not appear in the Latter-day Saint canon.<ref>Combs, "Introduction," 10.</ref>		Latter-day Saint scholar Patrick Q. Mason, in his book ''Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World'' (2020), notes that the term ''restored church'' does not appear in the Latter-day Saint canon of scripture.<ref>Patrick Q. Mason, ''Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World'' (Faith Matters, 2020), 11–37.</ref> Latter-day Saint scholar Jason R. Combs explains, "When Latter-day Saints use that unscriptural phrase, ''restored church'', it should be understood as shorthand for the ''restorations'' the Doctrine and Covennats does address—namely, the bestowal of priesthood power, authority, and keys associated with making sacred covenants, establishing Zion (Moses 7:18), gathering scattered Israel on both sides of the veil (that is, in this life and beyond), and binding up all dispensations in preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ."<ref>Jason R. Combs, "Introduction: Understanding Ancient Christians, Apostasy, and Restoration," in ''Ancient Christians: An Introduction for Latter-day Saints'' ed. Jason R. Combs, Mark D. Ellison, Catherine Gines Taylor, and Kristian S. Heal (Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, 2022), 10.</ref> Combs also takes time to emphasize that the term ''great apostasy'' does not appear in the Latter-day Saint canon.<ref>Combs, "Introduction," 10.</ref>

	Again, it is not entirely clear what motivation these scholars have for making this claim.		Again, it is not entirely clear what motivation these scholars have for making this claim.

	====How Would We Know Whether the Church is in Apostasy Today?====		====How Would We Know Whether the Church is in Apostasy Today?====

SpencerMarsh at 20:59, 11 August 2026

2026-08-11T20:59:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:59, 11 August 2026
Line 3,146:		Line 3,146:

	The Restoration restored the ordinances and authority necessary for the salvation of all God’s children, including those who lived during periods when the fullness of the gospel was unavailable. Through Christ’s Atonement, missionary work in the spirit world, and temple ordinances performed on behalf of the dead, God provides every person with a fair opportunity to accept or reject the gospel.		The Restoration restored the ordinances and authority necessary for the salvation of all God’s children, including those who lived during periods when the fullness of the gospel was unavailable. Through Christ’s Atonement, missionary work in the spirit world, and temple ordinances performed on behalf of the dead, God provides every person with a fair opportunity to accept or reject the gospel.

			====Did Joseph Smith intend to restore a church?====
			Some Latter-day Saint scholars today doubt that Joseph Smith intended to restore the Church of Jesus Christ. The reasons for their doubt are not entirely clear, but they have encouraged Church members to rethink their use of the term.

			Latter-day Saint scholar Patrick Q. Mason, in his book ''Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World'' (2020), notes that the term ''restored church'' does not appear in the Latter-day Saint canon of scripture.<ref>Patrick Q. Mason, ''Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World (Faith Matters, 2020), 11–37.</ref> Latter-day Saint scholar Jason R. Combs explains, "When Latter-day Saints use that unscriptural phrase, ''restored church'', it should be understood as shorthand for the ''restorations'' the Doctrine and Covennats does address—namely, the bestowal of priesthood power, authority, and keys associated with making sacred covenants, establishing Zion (Moses 7:18), gathering scattered Israel on both sides of the veil (that is, in this life and beyond), and binding up all dispensations in preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ."<ref>Jason R. Combs, "Introduction: Understanding Ancient Christians, Apostasy, and Restoration," in ''Ancient Christians: An Introduction for Latter-day Saints'' ed. Jason R. Combs, Mark D. Ellison, Catherine Gines Taylor, and Kristian S. Heal (Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, 2022), 10.</ref> Combs also takes time to emphasize that the term ''great apostasy'' does not appear in the Latter-day Saint canon.<ref>Combs, "Introduction," 10.</ref>

			Again, it is not entirely clear what motivation these scholars have for making this claim.

	====How Would We Know Whether the Church is in Apostasy Today?====		====How Would We Know Whether the Church is in Apostasy Today?====

SpencerMarsh: /* The Reformed View */

2026-08-09T09:12:05Z

The Reformed View

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:12, 9 August 2026
Line 3,071:		Line 3,071:

	The Reformation view holds that Christianity experienced a significant falling away from original teachings and practices, particularly within medieval Catholicism, but not a complete apostasy in which Christ’s Church ceased to exist. Reformers believed God preserved the true faith through Scripture and faithful Christians, while Latter-day Saints argue that the loss of priesthood authority required a divine Restoration rather than merely a reform movement.		The Reformation view holds that Christianity experienced a significant falling away from original teachings and practices, particularly within medieval Catholicism, but not a complete apostasy in which Christ’s Church ceased to exist. Reformers believed God preserved the true faith through Scripture and faithful Christians, while Latter-day Saints argue that the loss of priesthood authority required a divine Restoration rather than merely a reform movement.

			One Protestant attempted to support her view of the limited Apostasy as follows:

			<blockquote>While the Mormon Church goes on to try to justify their reasons for rejecting the historic Christian faith by claiming that Christianity apostasized (fell away from the truth) after the death of the apostles, the Bible is clear that during the apostasy, only a few people would fall away from the faith. In 1 Timothy 4:1, the Bible says, “Not the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times, '''some shall depart''' from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”<ref>Christina R. Darlington, ''Misguided by Mormonism But Redeemed by God’s Grace: Leaving the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for Biblical Christianity'', 2nd ed. (n.p., 2019), 5. Emphasis in original.</ref></blockquote>

			There are two problems with this analysis.<ref>Robert S. Boylan, "Refuting Christina Darlington on 1 Timothy 4:1 and LDS Belief in the Great Apostasy," ''Scriptural Mormonism'', August 17, 2019, https://scripturalmormonism.blogspot.com/2019/08/refuting-christina-darlington-on-1.html?m=1.</ref>

			# Biblical scholars agree that this verse is more aptly applied to the ''end times'' rather than the near future, i.e., the Apostasy.<ref>I Howard Marshall and Philip H. Towner, ''A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Pastoral Epistles'' (International Critical Commentary; T&T Clark International, 2004), 537.</ref>
			# The Greek word translated as "some," ''τινες'' (TEE-nehs), does not have the force of ''selecting a specific group''. Rather, it is an indefinite: "anyone."

	====Why Did God Allow the Great Apostasy to Happen?====		====Why Did God Allow the Great Apostasy to Happen?====

SpencerMarsh: /* The Apostasy Predicted */

2026-08-09T09:11:20Z

The Apostasy Predicted

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:11, 9 August 2026
Line 228:		Line 228:
	\|\|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).		\|\|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).
	\|}		\|}

	~~One anti-Latter-day Saint author believes that Latter-day Saints misread scripture:~~

	<blockquote>While the Mormon Church goes on to try to justify their reasons for rejecting the historic Christian faith by claiming that Christianity apostasized (fell away from the truth) after the death of the apostles, the Bible is clear that during the apostasy, only a few people would fall away from the faith. In 1 Timothy 4:1, the Bible says, “Not the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times, '''some shall depart''' from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”<ref>Christina R. Darlington, ''Misguided by Mormonism But Redeemed by God’s Grace: Leaving the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for Biblical Christianity'', 2nd ed. (n.p., 2019), 5. Emphasis in original.</ref></blockquote>

	There are two problems with this analysis.<ref>Robert S. Boylan, "Refuting Christina Darlington on 1 Timothy 4:1 and LDS Belief in the Great Apostasy," ''Scriptural Mormonism'', August 17, 2019, https://scripturalmormonism.blogspot.com/2019/08/refuting-christina-darlington-on-1.html?m=1.</ref>

	# Biblical scholars agree that this verse is more aptly applied to the ''end times'' rather than the near future, i.e., the Apostasy.<ref>I Howard Marshall and Philip H. Towner, ''A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Pastoral Epistles'' (International Critical Commentary; T&T Clark International, 2004), 537.</ref>
	~~# The Greek word translated as "some," ''τινες'' (TEE-nehs), does not have the force of ''selecting a specific group''. Rather, it is an indefinite: "anyone."~~

	====Teeing the Ball Up: The Loss of Apostolic Authority====		====Teeing the Ball Up: The Loss of Apostolic Authority====