What Is Apostasy?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to the book of Galatians by the Apostle Paul and a lesson titled “Walk in the Spirit.” The lesson was preceded by the following counsel: As you read Galatians, record the impressions you receive. Doing so will help you remember and ponder them in the future.” The lesson was introduced by this paragraph: 

The gospel of Jesus Christ offers freedom from spiritual bondage. But sometimes people who have experienced the freedom of the gospel turn away from it and “desire again to be in bondage” (Galatians 4:9). This is what some Galatian Saints were doing—they were turning away from the liberty Christ had offered them (see Galatians 1:6). Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians, then, was an urgent call to come back to “the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free” (Galatians 5:1). This call is one we also need to hear and heed because while circumstances change, the struggle between freedom and bondage is constant. As Paul taught, it’s not enough to be “called unto liberty” (Galatians 5:13); we must also “stand fast” in it (Galatians 5:1) by relying on Christ.

The principle for this discussion is found in Galatians 1-5: “The law of Christ makes me free.” Paul wrote to the Galatian Saints after he learned that they were being led astray by false teachings.

6 I marvel that ye are so soon are moved from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 

7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any bother gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 

9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 

Paul heard that the Galatians were heading into apostasy because of false teachings and sent a letter to warn them. One of the false teachings was that Gentiles who had accepted the gospel needed to be circumcised and to keep other traditions of the law of Moses to be saved (see Galatians 2). In Galatians 5:1, Paul called these traditions the “yoke of bondage.” This site described apostasy as follows. 

When individuals or groups of people turn away from the principles of the gospel, they are in a state of apostasy. One example is the Great Apostasy, which occurred after the Savior established His Church. After the deaths of the Savior and His Apostles, men corrupted the principles of the gospel and made unauthorized changes in Church organization and priesthood ordinances. Because of this widespread apostasy, the Lord withdrew the authority of the priesthood from the earth. This apostasy lasted until Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son appeared to Joseph Smith in 1820 and initiated the Restoration of the fulness of the gospel. (Emphasis added.)

 

Latter-day Saints believe that, through the priesthood conferred to Joseph Smith by the ministering of angels, the authority to act in God’s name was brought back to the earth. This is “restored,” not “reformed,” Christianity. Their belief in a restored Christianity helps explain why most Latter-day Saint converts, from the 1830s to the present, converted from other Christian denominations. (Emphasis added.)

 

None of these converts thought they were leaving Christianity; they are simply grateful to learn about, and become part of, the restored Church of Jesus Christ, which they believe offers a more complete and rich Christian Church spiritually, organizationally, and doctrinally. (Emphasis added.)

 

During the Great Apostasy, people were without divine direction from living prophets. Many churches were established, but they did not have priesthood power to lead people to the true knowledge of God the Father and Jesus Christ. Parts of the holy scriptures were corrupted or lost, and no one had the authority to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost or perform other priesthood ordinances. (Emphasis added.)

 

We now live in a time when the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored. But unlike the Church in times past, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will not be overcome by general apostasy. The scriptures teach that the Church will never again be destroyed (see Doctrine and Covenants 138:44; see also Daniel 2:44). (Emphasis added.)

 

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. 

What Is the Answer to Avoid Apostasy?

            My Come, Follow Me studies for this week took me to Isaiah 13-35 with a lesson title of “A Marvellous Work and a Wonder.” This lesson was introduced by this statement from President Bonnie H. Cordon: “Scriptures enlighten our minds, nourish our spirits, answer our questions, increase our trust in the Lord, and help us center our lives on Him” (“Trust in the Lord and Lean Not,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 7). The lesson was further introduced by the following introduction: 

One of the things the Lord asks prophets to do is to warn about the consequences of sin. In the case of Old Testament prophets, this often meant telling the powerful rulers of mighty kingdoms that they must repent or be destroyed. It was a dangerous task, but Isaiah was fearless, and his warnings to the kingdoms of his day – including Israel, Judah, and surrounding nations – were bold (see Isaiah 13-23).

However, Isaiah also had a message of hope. Even though the prophesied destructions eventually did come upon these kingdoms, Isaiah foresaw a chance for restoration and renewal. The Lord would invite His people to return to Him. He would make “the parched ground … become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water” (Isaiah 35:7). He would perform “a marvellous work and a wonder” (Isaiah 29:14), restoring to Israel the blessings He had promised them. Neither Isaiah nor anyone else alive at that time lived to see this marvelous work. But we are seeing its ultimate fulfillment today. In fact, we are part of it!

            As with all scripture blocks, Israel 13-35 teaches numerous principles. This essay will focus on the following principle: “Apostasy means turning away from the Lord and His prophets.” The information will come from several chapters in Isaiah. Isaiah used a variety of metaphors to warn about the consequences of turning away from the Lord and rejecting His prophets. Some of the metaphors used in this scripture block are an empty earth (Isaiah 24:1-12), drunkenness (Isaiah 28:7-8), hunger and thirst (Isaiah 29:7-10), and a broken wall or vessel (Isaiah 30:8-14).

Isaiah 24:1

1 Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof.

Isaiah 28:7-8

7 But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of win, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

8 For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.

Isaiah 29:7-10

7 And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision.

8 It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.

9 Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.

Isaiah 30:8-14

8 Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:

9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord:

10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

11 Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.

12 Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon:

13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.

14 And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters’ vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit.

            The above verses show the importance of keeping the covenants made with God. God sets the conditions for the covenants, and His children decide whether or not to make and keep the covenants. When His children keep the covenants that they make with Him, Heavenly Father sends blessings to them. However, when His children rebel, He can no longer bless them, and they are left to the consequences of their decisions. President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gave the following counsel to help us stay faithful to the Lord and His Church.

We need to experience a continuing conversion by increasing our faith in Jesus Christ and our faithfulness to His gospel throughout our lives – not just once but regularly [see Alma 5:26]….

… The words of the Lord are found in the scriptures and the teachings of the apostles and prophets. They provide us counsel and direction that, when followed, will act like a spiritual life jacket, and will help us know how to hold on with both hands….

In addition to developing the habit of personal scripture reading, we need to be like the sons of Mosiah and give ourselves “to much prayer, and fasting” [Alma 17:3] (“Stay in the Boat and Hold On!” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 90-91). 

            President Ballard gave us counsel on hold to avoid apostasy. He said that we need to continuously be renewing our faith in Jesus Christ by “much prayer and fasting” and by developing a habit of studying the scriptures. I know that President Ballard’s counsel works because I practice it. We can maintain and strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ and in the words of His prophets by doing the simple things, such as prayer, scripture study, and fasting. 

Apostasy

                Many gospel truths were changed or lost during the Great Apostasy, and they were restored in our day through the Prophet Joseph Smith.  Even though the events of the Apostasy and the Restoration occurred many years ago, we can learn from them and improve our own lives.  When we study the word of God and are willing to listen to and obey the promptings from God, the Holy Ghost can help us recognize the difference between truths of the restored gospel and falsehoods taught by the world.

                “Apostasy” has been defined as a turning away from the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  This condition can take place individually or as groups.  The Great Apostasy, which occurred after the Savior established His Church, is one example of apostasy.  The Great Apostasy took place after the deaths of the Savior and His Apostles when men corrupted the principles of the gospel and made unauthorized changes in the organization of the Church and the ordinances of the priesthood.  This apostasy was so widespread that the Lord withdrew the authority of the priesthood from the earth; it lasted until Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith in 1820 and began the restoration of the fullness of the gospel.

                The Apostle Paul foretold that there would be an apostasy or “falling away” from the gospel of Jesus Christ in his second letter to the Thessalonians:  “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him.

                “That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

                “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).

                Jesus Christ called and ordained twelve Apostles to help Him in his ministry.  When Judas Iscariot betrayed the Lord and his calling, a new Apostle named Matthias was called and ordained to take his place.  This pattern could have continued from the time of Jesus Christ until our day except the Apostles were killed faster than new Apostles could be called and ordained.  Eventually, all the Apostles were killed except John the Beloved who was exiled to the Isle of Patmos and later translated.  Since the gospel of Jesus Christ could not remain on the earth without Apostles to administer the principles and ordinances of it, the true gospel of Jesus Christ was taken from the earth within a few hundred years after His death.

                The people were left without divine direction from living Prophets and Apostles.  People established many churches, but they were without proper priesthood authority and power.  There was no one with the authority to perform priesthood ordinances or to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Without proper priesthood authority, they corrupted or lost parts of the Holy Scriptures.

                We are fortunate to live in a time when the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth once again.  We are also fortunate to know that the gospel will never be taken from earth again.  We know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will not be overcome by general apostasy or be destroyed.

                The prophet Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream wherein he saw a great image and then saw a stone cut out of the mountain without hands that destroyed the image.  In his interpretation, Daniel told the king, “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

                “Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass thereafter:  and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure” (Daniel 2:44-45).

                In our day another prophet, even President Joseph F. Smith, saw Daniel in a vision and wrote:  “Daniel, who foresaw and foretold the establishment of the kingdom of God in the latter days, never again to be destroyed nor given to other people” (Doctrine and Covenants 138:44).

                People and nations pass through cycles of righteousness and wickedness; these cycles are often called pride cycles.  The Book of Mormon – Another Testament  of Jesus Christ is full of examples of these cycles.  The cycles began with blessings and prosperity (Helaman 3:25-26, 32; 11:20-21; 3 Nephi 6:1-9) and then move through other stages - pride and wickedness (Helaman 3:33-36; 4:11-12; 6:16-17; 3 Nephi 6:13-18), destruction and suffering (Helaman 4:1-2, 11, 13; 11:1-6; 3 Nephi 9:1-12), and finally to humility and repentance (Helaman 4:14-15, 20-26; 11:7-11, 15; 3 Nephi 5:1-6).  We can avoid the bad parts of the cycle by learning from past history and “checking” ourselves when we first recognize that we are becoming prideful or sinning.  Unfortunately, our nation is currently in the “pride and wickedness” part of the cycle and quickly heading to “destruction and suffering.”  We can still “check” our progress and move back to “blessings and prosperity” by turning our hearts to God, but we are quickly running out of time.  It is very possible that the United States of America will follow the same path that destroyed ancient Greece and the Roman Empire because our leaders and citizens have forgotten history.

                Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, “I guess one of the greatest mysteries of mortality is why mankind fails to learn from history” (Ensign, Nov. 1992, 16).

                George Santayana stated the same principle using different words:  “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” (The Life of Reason; or the Phases of Human Progress, 5 vols. [1905], 1:284).

                Elder Bruce R. McConkie, then a member of the Seventy and later a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, explained:  “In all ages the Lord pours out his judgments upon the children of disobedience.  Famines, captivity, plagues, floods, lightnings, hailstorms, pestilences, tempests, earthquakes, wars, fire and brimstone raining from heaven – all these and infinitely more are sent of God upon men who forsake him and his laws.  (Lev. 26; Deut. 28; 29; 30; 3 Ne. 8; 9; 10; D&C 43:25; 63:3233; 88:88-91.)  Obviously these judgments come upon peoples and nations to punish them for their rebellion and to humble them that peradventure they will turn to righteousness.  And obviously also a righteous minority group may be called upon to suffer with those who are receiving a just reward for their unholy deeds (Teachings [of the Prophet Joseph Smith], pp. 162-163; Dan. 11:35.)” (Mormon Doctrine, 2^nd ed. [1966], 404-5).

                Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles explained that we can avoid personal apostasy when we are “willing to listen and learn” to those who have gone before us.  “They have walked where you are walking and have experienced many of the things you are experiencing.  If you listen and respond to their counsel, they can help guide you toward choices that will be for your benefit and blessing and steer you away from decisions that can destroy you….

                “Learning the lessons of the past allows you to walk boldly in the light without running the risk of stumbling in the darkness.  This is the way it’s supposed to work.  This is God’s plan:  father and mother, grandfather and grandmother teaching their children; children learning from them and then becoming a more righteous generation through their own personal experiences and opportunities.  Learning the lessons of the past allows you to build personal testimony on a solid bedrock of obedience, faith, and the witness of the Spirit….

                “… Nourished by testimony and watered with faith, the lessons of the past can take root in your hearts and become a vibrant part of who you are.

                “And so it returns, as it always does, to your own personal faith and testimony.  That is the difference-maker….  That is how you know.  That is how you avoid the mistakes of the past and take your spirituality to the next level.  If you are open and receptive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit in your lives, you will understand the lessons of the past, and they will be burned into your souls by the power of your testimonies….

                “And how do you get such a testimony?  … You gain a vibrant, life-changing testimony today the same way it has always been done.  The process hasn’t been changed.  It comes through desire, study, prayer, obedience, and service.  That is why the teachings of prophets and apostles, past and present, are as relevant to your life today as they ever have been” (“Learning the Lessons of the Past,” Ensign, May 2009, 31-34).

                Even though we know that there will never be another general apostasy, we know that individuals can and will fall away from the truth.  In order to stay true to the gospel of Christ, we must daily guard against personal apostasy by obeying the commandments of God, keeping the covenants we make, following the counsel of living prophets and apostles, partaking of the sacrament, and strengthening our testimonies by daily scripture study, personal prayer, and service to others.