those crazy mormons: christ's ministry and the great apostasy

"Those Crazy Mormons" is a blog series dedicated to answering common questions about Mormon beliefs, culture, and history. If you have further comments or questions, please feel free to 
email me at brooklynjolley@hotmail.com. 



How does God reveal His gospel?

God reveals His gospel in every dispensation. This includes calling a prophet and giving Him priesthood authority. The priesthood is the power and authority given to man to act in God's name for the salvation of His children. Prophets learn the gospel by revelation and in turn teach the gospel to others and testify of Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer.

What is apostasy?

The Bible has recorded many instances of God speaking to prophets and it also tells of instances of apostasy. Apostasy refers to a time when the people turn away from the truth, rebel against authority and reject prophets. Each period of apostasy is ended when God shows His love by calling another prophet.

What is a prophet?
A prophets is called by God, given priesthood authority, and acts as a steward to oversee the household of God here on earth. The first prophet on earth was Adam. Through revelation He learned of mankind's proper relationship with God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. He learned of the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and of the first principles and ordinances of the gospel. Other biblical prophets include Noah, Abraham and Moses. Each prophet was called by God to begin a new dispensation of the gospel.

Scriptures about Prophets
Amos 3:7
Acts 10:34-43

Did Christ start a new dispensation?

Yes. A few hundred years before the birth of Jesus, people again fell into apostasy. When He began His mortal ministry He established His church again on the earth.

What did His earthly ministry consist of?

 During His earthly ministry, the Savior taught His gospel and performed many miracles. He called twelve men to be His Apostles and gave them the priesthood authority by laying His hands on their head. He organized His church, fulfilled prophecy and was rejected and crucified. He fulfilled the Atonement which allows us all to repent of our sins, and eventually live with Him and our Heavenly father again.

What happened when Christ died?

Before His death, Christ gave His Apostles the authority to teach His gospel, perform the ordinances of salvation, and establish His Church in the world.  But wicked people persecuted the apostles and killed many of them. With their death, priesthood keys and presiding priesthood authority were taken from the earth. (Matthew 24:9, 2 Nephi 27:5)

Over time, without the apostles, doctrines of the gospel were corrupted, and unauthorized changes were made in Church organization and priesthood ordinances such as baptism and conferring the gift of the Holy Ghost. Much of the knowledge of God, Christ and the Holy Ghost was corrupted or lost. Priesthood authority was no longer on earth which led to the creation of many churches.

The world was again in a state of apostasy.

Other Posts in This Series:


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1 comment:

Sierra @ Sierra's View said...

I love these so much, Brooklyn! Keep posting!!