Part 5

Part 5 of the Restoration lesson is very important and is called "The Great Apostasy". In part 4, we went over and covered how the early Church of Jesus Christ was established and how he gave his authority to his apostles. At the conclusion of that lesson questions were posed as to the outcome of the early church and in this section we will cover the results.

"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...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."(PMG Pg. 35)

As we look and read through the New Testament of the Bible, there is an apparent struggle that is occurring in the church as the apostles, namely Paul, send letters to the different groups of the church helping them to see and correct issues of doctrine. As the apostles are killed off the church begins to break into pieces. "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;"(2 Thessalonians 2:3)

"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."(PMG Pg. 35) Because of the loss of gospel light and knowledge this period of time would  ironically be noted as the Dark Ages. But out of darkness comes light and people during that time searched for light and truth, with the ability to worship God freely. This desire brought about the Reformation and that over time lead to the emergence of Protestant churches, all having pieces of the truth and no priesthood authority. Without the priesthood authority, organization, and revelation men were left to search for light and truth on their own leading to philosophies, arguments. contentions, and conflicting doctrines. That is why there are so many different churches on the earth today.

"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." (PMG Pg. 35)

Additional Scriptures:
1 Nephi 13
2 Nephi 26:20–21
Mark 12:1–9
Amos 8:11–12
2 Timothy 4:3–4