Redefining the LDS View of the “Great Apostasy”

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Scholarship on Priesthood Succession

When it comes to arguments of priesthood succession, modern scholarship continues to prove the strength of the Catholic and early Christian Orthodox position. Articles like this one (“Early Church Fathers on Ordination to the Priesthood“) show hundreds of records which specifically mention priesthood ordinations and proper succession of Bishops & area authorites dating from less than a few decades after the death of Peter and other apostles. Online Libraries like “Early Christian Writings” show the abundance of Christian letters, defenses, apologists and apocryphal scripture beginning in times contemporary to the Pauline epistles and spanning with little interruption to the early pre and post Christian ecumenical councils. Christ’s “seventy disciples”—which LDS scripture place along with Stake High Council’s, “equal in authority” to the 12 apostles (D&C 107:25–26)—are historically documented as transitioning into Catholic cardinal presbyters less than 4 centuries after the death of the apostles (and likely earlier). Likewise, 2nd to 4th century texts such as The Recognitions of Clement, document Peter’s ordination of regional bishops (the ancient equivalent of LDS Stake Presidents) and “twelve presbyters” (uncannily similar to the LDS concept of a Stake High Council). It was from these traditionally accepted and ordained priesthood holders that the historically established synods from 325 AD to the present era began to codify Christian leadership, tradition and doctrine.

Simple common sense makes it pretty ridiculous to laud apostolic divine revelation and prophecy, and then in the next breath suggest that the divinity of the bible did not prepare for administrative succession before the martyrdom of the apostles. The Gospel of John has Christ himself prophesying the martyrdom of Peter (John 21:17–19). And Paul states that he was continually warned by revelation concerning the hardships that would face him (NIV Acts 20:23). In fact, LDS theology which suggests the immortality of John the Beloved (D&C 7; John 21:20–23) creates a serious contradiction when we suggest that the priesthood was somehow completely lost with the apostle’s death, when unlike with the Nephite narrative, history shows that there were scores of faithful isolated Christian groups who continued to grow in numbers, influence and willing obedience (to the point of martyrdom) to the faith right into the time Christianity began to take over the Roman empire in the 4rth and 5th centuries. So why wouldn’t the apostles appoint successors before they knowingly marched to their deaths?! Why wouldn’t God honor the Aaronic priesthood of the bishops like he did the often corrupt priests of Israel after Moses died? The logical conclusion (and the historically supported one) is that they did! (And even if they hadn’t—  D&C 107 suggest that the 70 have the authority to re-establish the quorum of the twelve).

Nephi’s vision of the Gentile dispensation as well as Joseph Smith’s first vision certainly necessitate a view of extensive Gentile doctrinal corruption and changing doctrinal perspectives, but to suggest that this merited the complete withdrawal of priesthood and divine favor from the Gentile Church is illogical and unscriptural and requires belief in a week, partial and contradictory Lord leading his failed Church. Both scriptural evidence and recent scholarship shows at least an equal change in doctrinal perspectives occurred among the ancient Israelites, and LDS theologians certainly don’t try to create a 1600 year “Great Apostasy” of priesthood and truth during the dispensation of Israel— although maybe they should!

Joseph Smith’s revelations to the rescue

The revelations to Joseph Smith in the Doctrine and Covenants concerning a higher priesthood versus a lower priesthood almost ironically help to reconcile the contradictions and inconsistencies we’ve been discussing found in LDS and protestant cultural understanding of the Great Apostasy. As mentioned in the previous article on The Priesthood of God and its Relationship to the Only True Church doctrine, by understanding the LDS scriptural distinction between the Higher and Lower priesthoods, a case can be made from LDS scripture that only the higher priesthood was taken from the national church and general populous during both the dispensation of Israel and that of the Gentiles (and all premillennial mortal history for that matter). D&C 84 explains this partial withdrawal of priesthood keys from Israel, which we can assume from our patterns was repeated during the Gentile dispensation in medieval times as well.

23 Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God;
24 But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory.
25 Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also;
26 And the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel;
27 Which gospel is… the law of carnal commandments, which the Lord in his wrath caused to continue with the house of Aaron among the children of Israel until John… (D&C 84:23–27)

The Doctrine and Covenants repeatedly refers to the “restoration” of the church as its “coming forth out of the wilderness” (D&C 5:14, 33:5, 86:3, 109:73, 124:32-39). It is an allusion to both Moses tabernacle with its lower preparatory priesthood as well as to the Gentile dispensation symbolized by John the Baptist and his lower preparatory voice in the wilderness (Matt 3:1–3; 4:1; Mark 1:2–13; John 3:13; 11:54; Acts 7:30–45; Heb 3:8,17), as well as by the “woman and man child” (or Christ’s church) of Revelation 12:1 who were nourished in the wilderness “a thousand two hundred and threescore days” or “for a time, and times, and half a time” (see also Dan 7:25, 12:7).

None of this scriptural motif and imagery point to universal apostasy, but to the character of the somewhat idolatrous preparatory gospel that the bible says mankind has been given on earth to serve as “a shadow (or symbol) of better things to come” (Col 2:17, Heb 10:1). These scriptures support the idea that both the nation of Israel from Moses to John and the Gentile (Catholic) Church from the apostolic age to Joseph Smith maintained a “lesser priesthood” and “preparatory gospel” which held the key to the ministering of angels and the keys to govern a system of carnal commandments (a moral code largely of their own invention). However because of their wickedness, neither were usually a perfect reflection or direct mouthpiece of the Church in Heaven. Both were essentially a dark reflection of heaven composed of what the majority of the people were ready to know, practice and accept (see Alma 12:9–11, Jacob 4:14, Acts 7:42, Rom 1:24).  Much like the Doctrine and Covenants says of early and modern Mormonism, neither dispensation’s populace maintained the level of economic, social, gender, racial, and spiritual equality required for the true fullness of the Gospel program (D&C 105:2–13; 38:30, 49:20, Moses 7:18).

These concepts woven into LDS scripture help to reconcile the differing perspectives of Orthodox Christianity versus Protestant Christianity concerning priesthood and apostasy. Instead of apostasy or priesthood authority being an all or nothing concept, it is a system of degrees. The dominate cultural church may in fact hold a legitimate lower priesthood or authority from heaven to be in charge of the church or symbolic system (despite any wickedness or idolatry). Common sense would suggest that this unifying authority should be respected and largely obeyed by all sects and schisms for the sake of religious cohesion. But equally self evident is the protestant concept that the heavenly church blesses the mother church as well as sectarian schisms with gospel truth and priesthood authority directly proportional to their righteousness and fitness to rule (Alma 12:9–11). Therefor, even illegitimate protestant sects which are denounced by the somewhat apostate national or culturally dominate church have direct personal access to the heavenly church and higher priesthood — being blessed impartially according to their righteousness. Regardless of whether a sect or schism contains more or less truth than the dominant temporal church, if they are founded upon Christ’s gospel or true system of morality and humbly move toward Christ by obeying the truth (D&C 10:67), they will eventually be be authorized and reconciled at Christ’s coming. [[ footnote- Ideally, the mother church’s job is to continually court and work to reconcile all schisms or divisions. Not to continually create them with excommunication! add references to the above paragraph]]

Elijah the Tishbite, Alma I in the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith/Mormonism are all great examples of the above principles. Elijah’s School of the Prophets is a great example of a protestant sect during the time of Israel who had more truth and priesthood than the predominate national church. We don’t know what kind of heavenly encounter gave him his authority, but we know from modern revelation that he became the head of a dispensation or renewed priesthood covenant with the heavenly church. Many of the prophets of the Old Testament and Israelite breakaway groups mentioned in the Book of Mormon (like Nephi) are also good examples of how protestant groups can actually have greater priesthoods and greater access to revelation and the power of God than the Mother Church. Alma the Elder in the Book of Mormon perhaps provides one of the best examples of mainstream apostasy, protestant restorationism, and later dispensational renewal and reestablishment of ecumenical communion. (see footnote ^[2] for a breakdown). Likewise Joseph Smith is said to have been priesthood authorized to usher in the final dispensation and restoration of the Northern Ephraimic kingdom of Israel. But none of this means that the formal Gentile dispensation was without heaven’s approval, priesthood, revelation or guidance!

The priesthood is never entirely lost during apostasy

Contrary to many prevalent teachings, LDS scripture suggests that priesthood is actually never entirely lost during apostacy. Despite the rather obvious idea that personal priesthood is invalidated by wickedness (D&C 121:45), LDS scriptures teach that social & patriarchal priesthood is “an everlasting covenant” (D&C 78:11), pertaining to one’s seed or descendants (Abr 2:9–11) that is never fully taken away. Regardless of individual loss of knowledge or keys, the responsibility/honor remains in one’s seed “throughout all their generations”.

17 Which priesthood continueth in the church of God in all generations, and is without beginning of days or end of years.
18 And the Lord confirmed a priesthood also upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all their generations, which priesthood also continueth and abideth forever with the priesthood which is after the holiest order of God. (D&C 84:17–18, see also Abr 1:4, 2:11)

The point is reiterated multiple times in scripture. In fact, just as D&C 10:53–54 has the Lord telling Joseph that his church already existed before Joseph even restored the LDS church (hidden in the wilderness because of wickedness – D&C 5:14; 33:5; 86:3; 88:66, 109:73), D&C 86 explains that Joseph already some aspect of the priesthood through his fathers BEFORE it was renewed (and keys were restored) by John the baptist ^[3] or Peter, James and John. In a revelation to Joseph Smith in 1832, Joseph is told he received the priesthood, not simply through heavenly beings, but through his father’s lineage.

8 Therefore, thus saith the Lord unto you [my servants], with whom the priesthood hath continued through the lineage of your fathers—
9 For ye are lawful heirs, according to the flesh, and have been hid from the world with Christ in God—
10 Therefore your life and the priesthood have remained, and must needs remain through you and your lineage until the restoration of all things spoken by the mouths of all the holy prophets since the world began. (D&C 86:8–10)

The heavenly visions which Joseph had concerning priesthood restoration, relate to the conferring of priesthood keys and renewal of the Israelite priesthood covenant (D&C 84:48). But because the power of the patriarchal order of the priesthood remains upon us and our posterity throughout all generations of time and throughout all eternity — “apostasy” does not necessarily take it away from a family line. This is an important principle that I think our church has lost sight of and is necessary if we are to more fully align ourselves with the church in heaven which has the job of gathering the rightful heirs of the lower priesthood and giving them keys so they can be unified. The High Priesthood’s responsibility is to follow the example of the Spiritual Church and early apostolic fathers who through diligent work of persuasion and extremely humble service (D&C 121:41–42), reconcile and gather together existing Jewish/Christian congregations into ONE body of Christ (see The Priesthood of God & Its Relationship to the Only True Church Doctrine).

Understanding this concept helps to clear up the LDS scriptural mandates to allow rightful heirs to the Aaronic priesthood to be permanent bishops over their congregations without counselors (D&C 68:14–20; D&C 107:15–17, 71–76). Both Christ’s early apostles and our latter-day apostles have been instructed by revelation to follow the example of the Spiritual Church in seeking out the literal descendants of Aaron who lead congregations and properly authorizing them to their service.

14 There remain hereafter, in the due time of the Lord, other bishops to be set apart unto the church, to minister even according to the first;
15 Wherefore they shall be high priests who are worthy, and they shall be appointed by the First Presidency of the Melchizedek Priesthood, except they be literal descendants of Aaron.
16 And if they be literal descendants of Aaron they have a legal right to the bishopric, if they are the firstborn among the sons of Aaron;
17 For the firstborn holds the right of the presidency over this priesthood, and the keys or authority of the same…
20 And a literal descendant of Aaron, also, must be designated by this Presidency, and found worthy, and anointed, and ordained under the hands of this Presidency, otherwise they are not legally authorized to officiate in their priesthood. (D&C 68:14–20)

16 No man has a legal right to this office, to hold the keys of this priesthood, except he be a literal descendant of Aaron….
69 Nevertheless a bishop must be chosen from the High Priesthood, unless he is a literal descendant of Aaron…
76 But a literal descendant of Aaron has a legal right to the presidency of this priesthood, to the keys of this ministry, to act in the office of bishop independently, without counselors… (D&C 107:16,69,76)

In the early apostolic church, these were obviously Rabbi’s of assorted existing Jewish synagogues; in our day these could be both Christian Pastors or Parish leaders in addition to Jewish or Islamic leaders.  As the coming gathering and restoration of Israel and “all things” unfolds; the church of heaven will increasingly unify with the churches of earth. And if the LDS church proves worthy, we can play a major role in that work of gathering all the assorted religions and schism of Abraham into one fold in Christ. (see Re-examining what LDS scriptures say about the ‘Only True Church’ doctrine)

Relooking at the Scriptural Basis for the Great Apostasy

A careful look at nearly all the scriptures generally used to support the LDS view of Universal apostasy, such as Isaiah 24:5–6; Amos 8:11–12, Acts 20:29–30; 2 Timothy 4:3–4; 2 Peter 2:1–3, Galatians 1:6–8; 2 Peter 2:1–3; 1 Corinthians 1:10–12; 11:18–19; 2 Timothy 1:15; Revelation 3:14–16 shows that all of these problems also existed within Israel throughout much of its dispensation— and yet none of it caused God to withdraw the kingdom or all of his priesthood or favor from them, until the appointed end of their 2000 year cycle. And even then it was not taken form the earth, just simply given to another more worthy people. The end of the age is harolded by a set of archetypes or messengers; the righteous one gathers the wheat from out of the old system, while the wicked one binds up the wicked and ultra-orthodox of the old system into chains for damnation.

Even a close look at the namesake and ‘most used’ scripture for supporting the gentile apostasy doctrine shows that it simply does not makes sense to apply it in a universal apostasy context. Because of this, the very protestant religions that first used it to support their rejection of the Catholic Church have all but abandoned its defense in lieu of dispensationalism— and as we go through it you can see why. Concerning the Second Advent, or “day of Christ” Paul said in Thessalonians,

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first [gr. apostasia or rebellion/revolt/departing], and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition… (2 Thes. 2:3)

The purpose of this verse was for Paul to introduce the reader to “the man of sin” or “son of perdition” which he speaks about at length in the following verses.  This revolt or departing from the truth is said to reveal this ‘son of perdition’. Verses 4-12 explain this prophesied individual in detail, and make it pretty clear that it was to be an archetype, not some 2nd or 3rd century despot.

4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thes. 2:4–33)

This archetype and his spiritual kingdom is also alluded to in Rev 13, 17 19:20, 1 John 4:4, 2:18, 2 John 1:7 (see also Dan 7:8 & Dan 9:27). Any attempts to call the early apostolic church or some 1st to 3rd century Pope or priest the “Son of Perdition” or Antichrist who fulfills these prophecies get frustrated by Moroni 7:16–18 and a careful look at the Thessalonians verse itself. An emperor like Nero or Antiochus also fails when we note that Thessalonians and Doctrine and Covenants 76 show clearly that the “Son of Perdition” or Antichrist is a title for an archetype like Lucifer (v.23) who is a fallen Saint sitting in the temple or church. The title is further defined as those who have “been made partakers of [my Power], and suffered themselves through the power of the devil to be overcome… having denied the Holy Spirit after having received it, and having… crucified him unto themselves and put him to an open shame (v. 31,35). In fact used together D&C 76:23 and 1 John 2:18, make it fairly clear that the terms “antichrist” or “Son of Perdition” are titles that can be applied to a group of people and not simply a singular person per se (although a singular person may act as the archetype for that group of like-minded individuals).

18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us… 22 Who is the liar? it is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. (1 John 2:18–22 NIV)

The scriptural parallelism explained in the first half of this article actually helps to make all these prophecies and titles quite clear. If we understand how the dispensation of Israel ended with the corruption of the Israeli priesthood into an “anti-Christ” organization bringing about the desolation of God’s temple or people, then we can see how Paul prophesied that this would be repeated at the close of the Gentile dispensation. Peter and Christ himself alluded to Judas and his Jewish leader accomplices as the end-age “Son(s) of Perdition” for the dispensation of Israel in John 17:12 & John 13:18–21 (see also Acts 1:16–18, Luke 22:3, GOHT). Christ’s reference to the ‘Son of Perdition’ is clearly a dualistic reference to Satan (see 3 Ne 27:32) as well as Judas and their followers— individuals or archetype who would “eat Christ’s bread with him” (John 13:18), hold God’s religious priesthood/partake of his power, have the Holy Spirit (D&C 76:31–32) and then actively corrupt their own religious law by killing God’s end-age innocent miracle working messengers (see John 6:70; 13:17-30; 16;2; Matt 26:21). The end-time Son(s) of Perdition stand in, and defile the temple (a symbol of the religion itself) and consequently bring about its total destruction or desolation (Dan 11:31; 12:11, JS-M 1:12,32; D&C 29:21; 50:4; 84:117; 88:94). This coming of the son of God and son of Perdition archetypes at the end of an age or dispensation fully separates the wheat from the tares (the true humble followers of God with the self-righteous hypocrites). If the historical repetition holds, the Gentile dispensation anti-Christ will be a group of ultra-orthodox religionists (either Islamic, Catholic or Protestant) who murder the end-dispensation messengers and declare war on their peaceful followers. This historic type may have already had partial fulfillment with Mormonism’s Joseph Smith and the Bahá’í Faith’s Siyyid Shírází matching the execution of John the Baptist (both have channelings which repeatedly refer to their movements as ‘the one going before, to make the Lord’s paths straight). However, the final repeated historical type is prophesied to be fulfilled in  Jachanan Ben Kathryn’s prophesy concerning the coming destruction of Jerusalem and miracles done by his servant (sometime in the next 30 years).