The Apostasy

"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord" Amos 8:11

All throughout history there has been a pattern between the Lord and man:

• God teaches His gospel to man through His prophets
• The people grow prideful and wicket
• The people reject and kill the prophets
• God does not send prophets among the people for a time
• The people fall into a state of apostasy—living in darkness, not knowing the truth

After the death of Jesus Christ, His Apostles continued to administer the Church and spread the gospel for a time. However, even they knew that another apostasy must soon come. Paul taught, concerning the second coming: "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first" (2 Thessalonians 2:3). He also taught: "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them" (Acts 20:29-30).

For some reason many Christians believe that the great falling away, or apostasy, did not occur for several hundred years after the death of Christ. However, Paul's teachings suggest that apostasy would happen much sooner. Many people falsely and unjustly accuse the Catholic church of perverting the pure doctrine of Christ and bringing about the great apostasy. The Apostles had died and the priesthood authority had been taken from the earth long before that time, however, and many of the plain and precious truths had already been lost. The church had already been lost, and although the children of men still had many great truths within the Bible, the fullness of the gospel would need to be restored through another prophet, following the age-old pattern set forth in the scriputres. I know that our loving Heavenly Father has reached out to us again in these latter-days and has again called prophets upon the earth.