Reflections on Apostasy and the Restoration of the Church
Because Latter-day Saints believe in an apostasy and eventual restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth, it is too easy for us to speak in vague generalities as though “the lights went out” in AD 100 and did not come on again until 1820. What exactly is the Great Apostasy? What do we believe was lost during the centuries following the deaths of Jesus Christ and his Apostles? Are we, as Latter-day Saints, to assume that everything spoken, written, or declared on religious or spiritual matters for seventeen centuries is suspect, questionable, or patently false?
The Misconception of the "Dark Ages"
Many have come to think that God withdrew from the world at that time and remained distant through the Dark Ages until 1830, when Christ’s church was “restored” to its original form in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That is an overly simplistic, if not completely false, narrative about early Christians. As Jason R. Combs writes, “The narrative of widespread apostasy ignores evidence that good Christians continually served each other and worshipped God throughout the history of Christianity.”
President Boyd K. Packer taught, "The idea that with the Crucifixion of Christ the heavens were closed and they were opened in the First Vision is not true...The Holy Ghost would visit seeking souls. The prayers of the righteous would not go unanswered." This period of time was not actually the “Dark Ages” in the sense that no spiritual light, no sacred truth, no divine manifestations were had or enjoyed by men and women for some seventeen centuries.
Defining the "Only True and Living Church"
In the first section of the Doctrine and Covenants, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is referred to as “the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth” (D&C 1:30). It is helpful to consider briefly what the phrase means and what it does not mean:
- It does not mean that men and women of other Christian faiths are not sincere believers in truth and genuine followers of the Christ.
- It does not mean we believe that most of the doctrines in Catholic or Protestant Christianity are false or that the leaders of the various branches of Christianity have improper motives.
- It does not mean that Latter-day Saints are the only ones entitled to personal illumination and divine guidance for their lives.
Joseph Smith stated: “In reality and essence we do not differ so far in our religious views, but that we could all drink into one principle of love.”
Historical Origins of the Apostasy Narrative
History shows that Latter-day Saints did not originate the idea of a Great Apostasy but rather inherited it from Protestants. It started with the concept of the Dark Ages, developed in the 1400s with European humanists. Early Protestant reformers then adopted this notion in their critique of the Catholic Church—they argued that the church had fallen into darkness. Better knowledge of ancient Christians would free today’s Latter-day Saints from spending their time “trying to prove other churches and religions wrong or apostate.”
Comparison of Perspectives on Christian History
| Concept | Historical Context and Perspectives |
|---|---|
| The Dark Ages | Developed in the 1400s by European humanists; later adopted by Protestant reformers. |
| The First Vision | Corrected the idea that heavens were closed; Joseph Smith never used the term "Great Apostasy." |
| Ancient Christians | Viewed as spiritual ancestors and seekers who worshipped God throughout history. |
| Christian Creeds | Described as an "abomination," but this does not imply mass corruption or loss of all good things. |
The Primitive Church and Modern Continuity
Did Jesus during his mortal ministry and immediately after his resurrection gather disciples and give some of them power and authority? New Testament writers would answer absolutely, yes. If, by “church,” it means regular weekly meetings in which followers of Jesus gathered to celebrate their shared faith, then the answer would be mostly, yes. However, did the church change from its first century to its second and third centuries? Absolutely. And so has The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Becoming more familiar with our shared ancient Christian history will enable us to communicate better with other Christians today and understand better what truly makes Latter-day Saints unique. This is an act of turning our hearts to our spiritual fathers and mothers so that we can learn to love and appreciate them.