LDS Great Apostacy

What do LDS believe and teach

The claims of LDS about the great apostacy.

Christianity lost priesthood authority on the earth.

Christianity lost prophetic revelation

Doctrine was corrupted

The Gospel of Christ was lost

The Cannon was closed.

Scripture was corrupted.

1, 2, 3, 4.           The Great Apostasy (Website) https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/the-restoration/the-great-apostasy?lang=eng

The Apostles were killed, and priesthood authority—including the keys to direct and receive revelation for the Church—was taken from the earth. Because the Church was no longer led by priesthood authority, error crept into Church teachings. Good people and much truth remained, but the gospel as established by Jesus Christ was lost.

5            Joseph Feilding Smith said, “Religious denominations relied entirely on the dead letter of the Bible for their authority. They closed the heavens against themselves, and their interpretations of scripture without divine guidance led them into division.”

6.           Joseph Smith Jnr said “I believe the Bible as it is read when it came from the pen of the original writers. Ignorant translators, careless transcribers, or designing and corrupt preists have committed many errors” Chapter 17: The Great Plan of Salvation. … Look at [Hebrews 6:1] for contradictions—‘Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection.’ If a man leaves the principles of the doctrine of Christ, how can he be saved in the principles? This is a contradiction. I don’t believe it. I will render it as it should be—‘Therefore not leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection.’”

Letter reaffirms use of King James version of Bible – Church News  The Bible, as it has been transmitted over the centuries, has suffered the loss of many plain and precious parts.

LDS people have varying views as to the degree of apostacy.

McConkie - Doctrinal New Testament Commentary5. There is to be absolute, total, complete apostasy after John's day and before the angelic ministrations commence. The falling away shall be complete, the apostasy universal. Gross darkness shall be everywhere. The gospel shall not be found in any nation, among any kindred; no tongue shall teach its truths, and no people rejoice in its blessings, for all these shall receive it as a result of the angelic ministrations. See 2 Thess. 2:1-12; 2 Tim. 3:1-13

History of the Church vol1:XL. Nothing less than the complete apostacy from the Christian religion would warrant the establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Some LDS hold a softer view

Gordon B Hinkley said, “you bring with you all the good that you have, and let us see if we can add to it.”

But Basically LDS are taught, Truth was distorted and true authority was lost.

LDS Definition of the Church

”The true church is Exclusively a visible world-wide Earthly institution.”

1. The church was intended to have a singular world-wide institutional structure.

2. This institutional structure was intended to continue forever.

LDS often claim that they are following the model of the early church,

We Have 12 apostles.

We Worship in temples

Biblical Definition of the Church

To understand the Church we first need understand it’s parts and how it came to be.

The church exists locally and universally and is made up of people who have been changed by God into new creations under the New Covenant.

This change and relationship between man and God was referred to by Jesus as the “Kingdom of God/heaven”.

Therefore, the Church is visible thing and is made up the Kingdom within believers, which is not visible.

The Church is the BODY and BRIDE of Christ

Joseph Smith seemed to not understand this distinction and it has coloured his worldview.