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THE GREAT APOSTASY Considered in the Light of Scriptural and Secular History by James E. Talmage D.Sc.D., Ph.D., F.R.S.E. CHAPTER 5 CAUSES OF THE APOSTASY. EXTERNAL CAUSES, CONTINUED. 1. As already pointed out, it is convenient to study the causes leading to the great apostasy as belonging to two classes, external and internal, or (1) causes due to conditions operating against the Church from without; and (2) causes arising from dissension and heresy within the Church itself. We have summarized external causes under the general term persecution; and we have drawn a distinction between Judaistic and pagan persecution waged against...

SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY: 1 Peter 3:14-15 "But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." QUOTE OF THE DAY: Thomas S. Monson "My young friends, be strong. The philosophies of men surround us. The face of sin today often wears the mask of tolerance. Do not be deceived; behind that facade is...

THE GREAT APOSTASY Considered in the Light of Scriptural and Secular History by James E. Talmage D.Sc.D., Ph.D., F.R.S.E. CHAPTER 4 CAUSES OF THE APOSTASY. -- EXTERNAL CAUSES CONSIDERED 1. We are now to consider some of the principal causes contributing to apostasy from the Primitive Church and leading later to the apostasy of the Church as an earthly institution; and we are to study the manner in which those causes have operated. 2. In the scriptures before cited as proof of the early beginning of the apostasy, many of the contributing causes are indicated, such as the rise of...

Criticism Critics argue that Joseph Smith's polygamous marriages to young women are evidence that he was immoral, perhaps even a pedophile. Response The information we have on Joseph Smith's plural marriages is sketchy, simply because there were few official records kept at the time because of the fear of misunderstanding and persecution. What we do know is culled from journals and reminiscences of those who were involved. The most conservative estimates indicate that Joseph entered into plural marriages with 29–33 women, 7 of whom were under the age of 18. The youngest was Helen Mar Kimball, daughter of LDS apostle...

Review of The 1996 Directory of Cult Research Organizations: A Worldwide Listing of 752 Agencies and Individuals by Keith Edward Tolbert and Eric PementReviewed By: Louis MidgleyProvo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, 1998. Pp. 271–340 Keith Edward Tolbert and Eric Pement. The 1996 Directory of Cult Research Organizations: A Worldwide Listing of 752 Agencies and Individuals Trenton, Mich.: American Religions Center, 1996. xi + 76. $9.00.Reviewed by Louis Midgley Anti-Mormonism and the Newfangled Countercult CultureThe current manifestations of sectarian anti-Mormonism are in large measure part of a malady long present on American soil. The modern sectarian countercult movement, whose dimensions and...

The historian for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints took issue Monday with a New York Times opinion piece comparing FLDS polygamists in Texas to 19th century Mormons. In a statement released Monday, church historian Elder Marlin K. Jensen took exception to author Timothy Egan's portrayal in the Times. "Mr. Egan's cavalier comparison of FLDS polygamy practices with those of 19th century Latter-day Saints is historically unsupported and simply wrong," wrote Elder Jensen, a member of the church's Quorums of Seventy. "By implication, he also unfairly impugns the integrity of all Latter-day Saint marriages and families, the very...

“My Words . . . Never Cease” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles We invite all to inquire into the wonder of what God has said since biblical times and is saying even now.President Monson, may I claim a moment of personal privilege? As the first of the Brethren invited to speak following your singular message to the Church this morning, may I say something on behalf of all your Brethren of the General Authorities and indeed on behalf of all the Church.Of the many privileges we have had in this historic conference, including...

THE BOOK OF MOSIAH CHAPTER 12 Abinadi is imprisoned for prophesying the destruction of the people and the death of King Noah—The false priests quote the scriptures and pretend to keep the law of Moses—Abinadi begins to teach them the Ten Commandments. About 148 B.C.   1 And it came to pass that *after the space of two years that Abinadi came among them in disguise, that they knew him not, and began to aprophesy among them, saying: Thus has the Lord commanded me, saying—Abinadi, go and prophesy unto this my people, for they have hardened their hearts against my...

THE GREAT APOSTASY Considered in the Light of Scriptural and Secular History by James E. Talmage D.Sc.D., Ph.D., F.R.S.E. CHAPTER 3 EARLY STAGES OF THE APOSTASY 1. As shown in the preceding chapter a general apostasy from the Primitive Church was both foreseen and foretold. Prophets who lived centuries before the time of Christ predicted the great event, as did also the Savior Himself and the apostles who continued the work of the ministry after His resurrection and ascension. We are now to inquire as to the fulfillment of these predictions. 2. Evidence that the apostasy occurred as had been...

Obama's big disconnect By Salena Zito TRIBUNE-REVIEW For Barack Obama, closing the deal with Democrat voters has become like herding cats: He just can't get them all lined up and coordinated on his side. This nation has a history of looking closely at its candidates and taking their measure before they vote for them. It is a process that Obama shuns and rival Hillary Clinton thrives on -- and therein lies the problem for Democrats. Obama, who leads both in pledged delegates and in the popular vote, cannot close the gap with lunch-pail Democrats, older voters and (for lack of...

THE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS SECTION 87 Revelation and prophecy on war, given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, December 25, 1832. HC 1: 301–302. This section was received at a time when the brethren were reflecting and reasoning upon African slavery on the American continent and the slavery of the children of men throughout the world. 1–4, War foretold between the Northern States and the Southern States; 5–8, Great calamities shall fall upon all the inhabitants of the earth. 1 Verily, thus saith the Lord concerning the wars that will shortly come...

GUIDE TO THE SCRIPTURES Alma, Son of Alma See also Alma the Elder; Amulek; Mosiah, Sons of In the Book of Mormon, the first chief judge and prophet in the Nephite nation. In his early years he sought to destroy the Church (Mosiah 27: 8-10). However, an angel appeared to him and he was converted to the gospel (Mosiah 27: 8-24; Alma 36: 6-27). Later he gave up his position as chief judge in order to teach the people (Alma 4: 11-20). The book of Alma: A separate book in the Book of Mormon, comprising an abridgment of the records...

Brent L. Top and Lawrence R. Flake, “‘The Kingdom of God Will Roll On’: Succession in the Presidency,” Through Joseph Smith, the Lord taught fundamental principles of succession that would be needed following the Prophet’s death. As the immediate shock and horror accompanying the news of the Martyrdom of Joseph the Prophet and Hyrum the Patriarch subsided and the bodies of the fallen leaders were laid to rest, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was confronted with a challenge unlike any other it had faced before. The Saints had endured persecution from their enemies—both from within and outside...

The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth. He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made...

Thousands of women filled most of the Brigham Young University Marriott Center on Friday to hear from Sister Julie B. Beck, general president of the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sister Beck spoke to the theme "Strengthen Thy Stakes: Standing Strong and Immovable in Faith" for BYU's Women's Conference, which is co-sponsored by the LDS Relief Society. "Our task is great in this world," said Sister Beck. She is also the former counselor in the Young Women general presidency for the LDS Church. Sister Beck told a story about her mother, who was living...

Martin Luther (1483-1546) is one of the most important persons in history. He fearlessly opposed Roman Catholic teachings and practices that ran counter to what is found in the Bible and early Christianity. His rebellion against Rome was the greatest single event leading to the Reformation and the establishment of Protestantism. Ironically, the Reformation, with its emphasis on scripture and rejection of long-standing tradition, led to schisms within Protestantism itself. In many cases, this was because some Protestant leaders emphasized some things, while others emphasized different ideas. John Calvin, for example, emphasized the concept of predestination, an idea also advanced...

Shortly after the death of President Gordon B. Hinckley, the 14 men, Apostles, who had had conferred upon them the keys of the kingdom, gathered together in the upper room of the temple in order to reorganize the First Presidency of the Church. There was no question about what would be done, no hesitancy. We knew that the senior Apostle was the President of the Church. And in that sacred meeting, Thomas Spencer Monson was sustained by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as the President of the Church. He nominated and named his counselors. They likewise were sustained, and...

<p>The events that took place after the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor led to the assassination of Joseph Smith by an angry mob.</p> <p>Joseph Smith is vilified by people who are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or the other Restorationist groups that split off from the main organization after its founder's death. But those who belong to what is termed the Restorationist Movement remember him as a martyr, and the prophet's assassination lives on as an important moment in their faith.</p>

THE GREAT APOSTASY Considered in the Light of Scriptural and Secular History by James E. Talmage D.Sc.D., Ph.D., F.R.S.E. Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, Deseret Book Publishing Company, 1909 PREFACE The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints proclaims the restoration of the Gospel, and the re-establishment of the Church as of old, in this, the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. Such restoration and re-establishment, with the modern bestowal of the Holy Priesthood, would be unnecessary and indeed impossible had the Church of Christ continued among men with unbroken succession of Priesthood and power, since the "Meridian of time."...

THE GREAT APOSTASY Considered in the Light of Scriptural and Secular History by James E. Talmage D.Sc.D., Ph.D., F.R.S.E. CHAPTER 2 THE APOSTASY PREDICTED. 1. In proceeding with our present inquiry we accept as demonstrated facts the establishment of the Church of Christ under the Savior's personal administration and the rapid growth of the Church in the early period of the apostolic ministry. 2. A question of the utmost importance is: Has the Church of Christ, thus authoritatively established, maintained an organized existence upon the earth from the apostolic age to the present? Other questions are suggested by the first....