More and more error crept into Church doctrine, and soon the dissolution of the Church was complete. The period of time when the true Church no longer existed on earth is called the Great Apostasy.
Soon pagan beliefs dominated the thinking of those called Christians Gospel Principles , , p. After the Savior ascended into heaven, men changed the ordinances and doctrines that He and His Apostles had established. Because of apostasy, there was no direct revelation from God. The true Church was no longer on the earth. Men organized different churches that claimed to be true but taught conflicting doctrines.
There was much confusion and contention over religion. They shall. Ellipses in original. Joseph Smith claimed that he, as a year-old boy, saw God the Father and Jesus in a grove of trees near his home.
In this event known as the First Vision, Smith explained in Joseph Smith-History a found in the Pearl of Great Price how he was told that the Christian churches in his area had been completely corrupted:. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong —and which I should join.
The Savior told him not to join any church because the true Church was not on the earth. Fortunately, according to Mormonism, it was possible for all authority to be reestablished through Joseph Smith:. Ordinances were changed or abandoned. The line was broken, and the authority to confer the Holy Ghost as a gift was gone. Why do you think it is important to understand the Great Apostasy and its consequences?
Explain that although there will not be another general apostasy from the truth, we must each guard against personal apostasy by keeping covenants, obeying the commandments, following Church leaders, partaking of the sacrament, and constantly strengthening our testimonies through daily scripture study, prayer, and service see True to the Faith, 13— President Henry B.
Eyring of the First Presidency explained that one reason the Apostasy occurred was lack of faith among Church members:. The Apostles, after the Ascension of Christ, continued to exercise the keys He left with them. So this is a day of historical significance and of eternal importance in the history of the world and to the children of our Heavenly Father. The Lord was well pleased with the Church at the beginning of the Restoration, as He is today.
But He cautioned the members then, as He does now, that He cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance. Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that even during times of darkness and apostasy, Heavenly Father does not turn His back on His children:.
The collapse was so great we have come to know it as the Great Apostasy, which led to the centuries of spiritual stagnation and ignorance called the Dark Ages. Our Heavenly Father loves all of His children, and He wants them all to have the blessings of the gospel in their lives. Spiritual light is not lost because God turns His back on His children. Rather, spiritual darkness results when His children turn their collective backs on Him. It is a natural consequence of bad choices made by individuals, communities, countries, and entire civilizations.
This has been proven again and again throughout the course of time. Lesson 3: The Great Apostasy. Lesson Doctrine and Covenants —; — This apostasy resulted in the formation of many churches with conflicting teachings. During this time, many men and women sought the truth, but they were unable to find it. Many good people believed in God and Jesus Christ and tried to understand and teach truth, but they did not have the full gospel or priesthood authority.
God knew there would be an apostasy. Footnotes 2 Thessalonians Some manuscripts sin 2 Thessalonians Some manuscripts because from the beginning God chose you 2 Thessalonians Or traditions. More on the NIV. Buy Now. View more titles.
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