Apostasy: To abandon God is apostasy

Prophets have been rejected or killed due to apostasy

Historically, prophets of God have seldom been followed during their lifetimes. People have typically rejected prophets and finally have appreciated their message only when the prophets are gone. Often, prophets have perished at the hands of those that they have tried to teach and warn. Always, however, the prophets’ astounding prophecies have been validated and their teachings have proven to be true.

History of apostasy

Speaking of the history of apostasy, Elder Merrill J. Bateman said,

The Father's plan of life, with its central focus on Christ's Atonement, was prepared before the foundation of the world. It was given to Adam and Eve, and they were commanded to teach it to their children. Over time, the posterity of Adam rejected the gospel, but it was renewed through Noah and then again through Abraham. The gospel was offered to the Israelites in Moses's day. But a sterner taskmaster was required to bring them to Christ, given centuries in apostasy. The fulness of the gospel was finally restored to Israel by the Savior Himself in the meridian of time....Following the Savior's death and those of His Apostles, doctrines and ordinances were changed, and apostasy set in again [the Great Apostasy]. This time spiritual darkness lasted for hundreds of years before rays of light would once more penetrate the earth....The Lord directed the Restoration of the gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith. The 'restitution of all things' began in the Sacred Grove with the Father and the Son appearing to Joseph Smith.

The dangers of apostasy

People reject prophets at the own peril. Destruction—temporal and spiritual—has always resulted. 1 The heavens have withdrawn and people have been left alone to face misery and spiritual darkness. This is called Apostasy. Apostasy is to abandon God, his word and his servants, the prophets. Apostasy is to disregard, disobey or distort any gospel principle or ordinance.

When widespread apostasy occurs, God removes his prophets and his priesthood authority to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to administer the saving ordinances. All former gospel dispensations--periods of time when prophets have been on earth and have taught the gospel--have ended in apostasy.2

Questions about 'Apostasy: To abandon God is apostasy'

• How popular are prophets in their lifetimes?



• How often has apostasy occurred?



• With what amazing event did the Great Apostasy end?



• What are some dangers of apostasy?



• What is apostasy?



• When widespread apostasy occurs, what does God remove from the earth?

References for 'Apostasy: To abandon God is apostasy'

1. D&C 1:14-16 – And the arm of the Lord shall be revealed; and the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people; For they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant; They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall.
2. D&C 136:36-38 – For they killed the prophets, and them that were sent unto them; and they have shed innocent blood, which crieth from the ground against them. Therefore, marvel not at these things, for ye are not yet pure; ye can not yet bear my glory; but ye shall behold it if ye are faithful in keeping all my words that I have given you, from the days of Adam to Abraham, from Abraham to Moses, from Moses to Jesus and his apostles, and from Jesus and his apostles to Joseph Smith, whom I did call upon by mine angels, my ministering servants, and by mine own voice out of the heavens, to bring forth my work; Which foundation he did lay, and was faithful; and I took him to myself.