The Great Apostacy Doctrine or Not

[_Jersey Girl]

This came up in discussion. I'd like to know what you think.

[_The Nehor]

Since I think I brought it up I'll vote first and say no. I think the Apostasy is an explanation for the Restoration which is a Doctrine.

[_Dr. Shades]

Yes, definitely. No apostasy, no restoration.

[_Jersey Girl]

Are "apostasy" and "apostacy" accepted spellings? Should I change it?

[_The Nehor]

Are "apostasy" and "apostacy" accepted spellings? Should I change it?

Apostasy is the common spelling. Apostacy might be a correct alternative spelling though.

[_skippy the dead]

Are "apostasy" and "apostacy" accepted spellings? Should I change it?

Apostasy is the common spelling. Apostacy might be a correct alternative spelling though.

I think it's just apostasy. If anybody has access to the OED, that may shed some light on the use of apostacy. From what I can tell, though, the latter is no longer used.

[_guy sajer]

Yes, definitely. No apostasy, no restoration.

In concur with Shades. It was all part of the plan, estabishment, apostacy, restoration.

Why there had to be an apostacy in the first place is beyond me. Doesn't strike me as a very well-thought-out plan.

[_KimberlyAnn]

I voted yes. The great apostasy is foundational to Mormonsim.

[_Gazelam]

Its a foundational doctrine.

1 Ne. 13: 26
26 And after they go forth by the hand of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, from the Jews unto the Gentiles, thou seest the formation of that great and abominable church, which is most abominable above all other churches; for behold, they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away.

From the church website:

Apostasy
When individuals or groups of people turn away from the principles of the gospel, they are in a state of apostasy. One example is the Great Apostasy, which occurred after the Savior established His Church. After the deaths of the Savior and His Apostles, men corrupted the principles of the gospel and made unauthorized changes in Church organization and priesthood ordinances. Because of this widespread apostasy, the Lord withdrew the authority of the priesthood from the earth. This apostasy lasted until Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son appeared to Joseph Smith in 1820 and initiated the restoration of the fulness of the gospel.

Additional Information

During the Great Apostasy, people were without divine direction from living prophets. Many churches were established, but they did not have priesthood power to lead people to the true knowledge of God the Father and Jesus Christ. Parts of the holy scriptures were corrupted or lost, and no one had the authority to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost or perform other priesthood ordinances.

We now live in a time when the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored. But unlike the Church in times past, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will not be overcome by general apostasy. The scriptures teach that the Church will never again be destroyed (see D&C 138:44; see also Daniel 2:44).

Although there will not be another general apostasy from the truth, we must each guard against personal apostasy by keeping covenants, obeying the commandments, following Church leaders, partaking of the sacrament, and constantly strengthening our testimonies through daily scripture study, prayer, and service.

See also Church Administration; Priesthood; Restoration of the Gospel

—See True to the Faith (2004), 13–14
Isaiah 24:5; Amos 8:11–12; Matthew 24:4–14; Acts 20:28–30; 2 Timothy 3:1–5, 14–15; 4:3–4; 1 Nephi 13:24–29; Mormon 1:13–14; D&C 1:15–17; Joseph Smith History 1:17–19


Apostle Neal A Maxwell on the topic, from the Ensign: http://LDS.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.b12f9d18fae655bb69095bd3e44916a0/?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=950a425e0848b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____

[_JAK]

This came up in discussion. I'd like to know what you think.

Apostasy:

abandonment

Synonyms:
alienation, apostasy, backsliding, deficiency, dereliction, desertion, disaffection, disloyalty, disownment, divorce, estrangement, failing, failure, faithlessness, forsaking, lack, parting, rebellion, recreancy, rejection, repudiation, retreat, revolt, separation, tergiversation, withdrawal

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Virtually all the reconstruction groups claim to reconstruct. Simplistic as that may sound or circular, these groups found fault with all other interpretations to the extent that they constructed a different doctrine (formed a group) and claimed their reconstruction was “true” and other doctrines were false.

The above synonyms strongly support a “yes” vote to Jersey Girl’s question.

Nevertheless, all such claims by religious groups are well within the traditions of the Protestant Reformation.

Reform:

Synonyms: ameliorate, amend, better, clean up, convert, correct, cure, emend, go straight, improve, make amends, make over, mend, rearrange, rebuild, reclaim, reconstitute, reconstruct, rectify, redeem, refashion, regenerate, rehabilitate, remake, remedy, remodel, renew, renovate, reorganize, repair, resolve, restore, revise, revolutionize, rework, shape up, standardize, swear off, transform, uplift

Reconstruct:

Synonyms: build up, copy, deduce, do up*, doctor*, fix, fix up, make over, modernize, overhaul, patch, piece together, re-establish, reassemble, rebuild, recast, recondition, reconstitute, recreate, refashion, reform, regenerate, rehabilitate, rejuvenate, remake, remodel, remold, renovate, reorient, repair, replace, reproduce, reshuffle, restore, retool, revamp, rework

Note the similarities in synonyms for reform and for reconstruct.

JAK