THE GREAT APOSTASY Chapt. 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 predicted is found in the sacred scriptures and in the records of history other than scriptural. From certain utterances of the early-day apostles it is made plain to us that the great "falling away" had begun even while those apostles were living. The preaching of false doctrines and the rise of unauthorized teachers were referred to as conditions then actually existing in the Church, and not as remote developments of the distant future.*

3. Scarcely had the gospel seed been committed to the soil before the enemy came, and by night sowed tares amongst the wheat; and so intimate was the growth of the two that any attempt to forcibly uproot the weeds would have threatened the life of the grain.*

*Study the parable of wheat and tares, Mat. 13:24-30. See Note 2, end of chapter.

4. Paul recognized the fact that the people amongst whom he labored were losing the faith they had professed, and were becoming victims of the deception practiced by false teachers. In his letter to the churches of Galatia he wrote: "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ." And then, to emphasize the sin of those who thus sought to "pervert the gospel of Christ," he continued: "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."*

5. The context of the passages just quoted shows the nature of the error into which "the churches of Galatia" were in danger of falling. They were embroiled in a discussion as to whether they were bound by certain requirements of the law of Moses, notably that respecting circumcision. The apostle instructs them to the effect that the gospel of Christ was superior to the law; and that moreover, they were inconsistent in contending for one item of the law and neglecting the rest. We have here indication of the effort so persisted in even by those who had joined the Church, to modify and change the simple requirements of the gospel by introducing the elements of Judaism. It must be remembered that even among the apostles some difference of opinion had existed as to the necessity of circumcision; but this had been settled by their prayerful effort to learn the Lord's will in the matter; and those who sought to foment dissension on this or any other matter of authoritative doctrine were declared to be enemies to the Church, seeking to "pervert the gospel of Christ."

6. In his second epistle to the "church of the Thessalonians" Paul declares that the spirit of iniquity was then already operative. After predicting the rise of the apostate church, with its blasphemous assumptions of power, as a condition antecedent to the second coming of Christ, the apostle continued as follows: "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming."*

7. The seemingly obscure expression, "he who now letteth will let," may be more readily understood by remembering that in the older style of English "let" had the meaning of "restrain" or "hinder."* The passage therefore may be understood as a declaration that the spirit of iniquity was already active though restrained or hindered for a time; and that later even this restraint would be removed and the evil one would be in power. In the Revised Version of the New Testament this passage is rendered thus: " --lawlessness doth already work: only there is one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way."

*An example of this old time use of the verb "let" is found in Shakespeare. Hamlet is made to say, "Unhand me, gentlemen. By heaven I'll make a ghost of him who lets me," i.e., of him who restrains or hinders me.

8. Just who or what is referred to as exercising a restraint on the powers of iniquity at that time has given rise to discussion. Some writers hold that the presence of the apostles operated in this way, while others believe that the restraining power of the Roman government is referred to. It is known that the Roman policy was to discountenance religious contention, and to allow a large measure of liberty in forms of worship as long as the gods of Rome were not maligned nor their shrines dishonored. As Roman supremacy declined "the mystery of iniquity" embodied in the apostate church operated practically without restraint.

9. The expression "mystery of iniquity" as used by Paul is significant.* Prominent among the early perverters of the Christian faith were those who assailed its simplicity and lack of exclusiveness. This simplicity was so different from the mysteries of Judaism and the mysterious rites of heathen idolatry as to be disappointing to many; and the earliest changes in the Christian form of worship were marked by the introduction of mystic ceremonies.

10. Paul's zeal as a missionary and a proselyter is abundantly shown in scripture; he was equally zealous in seeking to maintain the faith of those who had accepted the truth. The Pauline epistles abound in admonitions and pleadings against the increasing influence of false doctrines, and in expressions of sorrow over the growth of apostasy in the Church. His words addressed to Timothy are both emphatic and pathetic: "Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost, which dwelleth in us. This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me."*

11. An excellent summary of important utterances by the Apostle Paul relating to the beginning of the apostasy as a fact in the early apostolic age, has been made by one of the latter-day apostles, Orson Pratt. He writes as follows: "The great apostasy of the Christian Church commenced in the first century; while there were yet inspired apostles and prophets in their midst; hence Paul, just previous to his martyrdom, enumerates a great number who had `made shipwreck of their faith,' and `turned aside unto vain jangling;' teaching `that the resurrection was already past,' giving `heed to fables and endless genealogies,' `doubting about questions and strifes of words whereof came envyings, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness.' This apostasy had become so general that Paul declares to Timothy, `that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me;' and again he says, `at my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me;' he further says that `there are many unruly, and vain talkers, deceivers, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.' These apostates, no doubt, pretended to be very righteous; for, says the apostle, `they profess that they know God: but in words they deny Him, being abominable and disobedient and unto every good work reprobate.'"

12. Jude admonished the saints to be on their guard against men who were in the service of Satan seeking to corrupt the Church. Addressing himself "to them that are sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ," he said: "It was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ."* It is plain that Jude considered "the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" as in danger; and he urges the faithful to contend for it and openly defend it. He reminds the saints that they had been told "there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts;" and adds "These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit."** Clearly he is referring to the apostates of the time, who, because of sensual appetites and lustful desires, had separated themselves from the Church.

13. During the banishment of John the Revelator on the isle of Patmos, when nearly all the apostles had been taken from the earth, many of them having suffered martyrdom, the apostasy was so wide-spread that only seven "churches," i.e., branches of the Church, remained in such condition as to be considered deserving of the special communication John was instructed to give. In a marvelous vision he beheld the seven churches typified by seven golden candlesticks, with seven stars representing the presiding officers of the several churches; and in the midst of the golden candlesticks, with the stars in his hand, stood "one like unto the Son of Man."

14. The church at Ephesus was approved for its good works, specifically for its rejection of the Nicolaitean heresies; nevertheless reproof was administered for disaffection and neglect, thus: -- "thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."*

15. To the church at Pergamos John was commanded to write, denouncing the false doctrines of certain sects and teachers, "which thing I hate" said the Lord.* The church of the Laodiceans was denounced as "lukewarm," "neither hot nor cold," and as priding itself as rich and not in need, whereas it was in reality "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked."**

16. The foregoing scriptures are ample as proof that even before the ancient apostles had finished their earthly ministry, apostasy was growing apace. The testimony of the early "Christian fathers" who wrote in the period immediately following the passing of the apostles, is to the same effect. According to the generally accepted chronology, the prophetic message of John the Revelator to the churches of Asia was given in the last years of the first century.*

17. Among the historians of that period whose writings are not regarded as canonical or scriptural, but which are nevertheless accepted as genuine and reliable, was Hegesippus, who, "flourished nearest the days of the apostles." Writing of the conditions marking the close of the first century and the beginning of the second, Eusebius cites the testimony of the earlier writer as follows: -- "The same author, [Hegesippus] relating the events of the times, also says, that the Church continued until then as a pure and uncorrupt virgin; whilst if there were any at all that attempted to pervert the sound doctrine of the saving gospel, they were yet skulking in dark retreats; but when the sacred choir of apostles became extinct, and the generation of those that had been privileged to hear their inspired wisdom had passed away, then also the combinations of impious error arose by the fraud and delusions of false teachers. These also, as there were none of the apostles left, henceforth attempted, without shame to preach their false doctrine against the gospel of truth. Such is the statement of Hegesippus."*

18. There call be little doubt that the false teachers referred to in the testimony last cited, were professed adherents of the Church, and not outside opponents, inasmuch as they were restrained by the influence and authority of the apostles, and waited the passing of the authorized leaders as an opportunity to corrupt the Church by evil teachings.

19. A later writer commenting on the schisms and dissensions by which the Church was rent in the latter part of the first century-the period immediately following that of the apostolic ministry, says: "It will easily be imagined that unity and peace could not reign long in the Church, since it was composed of Jews and Gentiles, who regarded each other with the bitterest aversion. Besides, as the converts to Christianity could not extirpate radically the prejudices which had been formed in their minds by education, and confirmed by time, they brought with them into the bosom of the church more or less of the errors of their former religions. Thus the seeds of discord and controversy were easily sown, and could not fail to spring up soon into animosities and dissensions, which accordingly broke out and divided the Church."*

*Mosheim, "Eccl. History," Cent. 1, Part 2; chapter 3:11. See Note 4, end of chapter.

20. Another recognized authority on ecclesiastical history, and one whose avowed purpose was to present the truth respecting the Church in its most favorable light, is Joseph Milner, author of a comprehensive "History of the Church of Christ." He comments on the state of the Church at the close of the first century in this wise: "Let us keep in view what that [the spirit of the gospel] really is. The simple faith of Christ as the only Savior of lost sinners, and the effectual influences of the Holy Ghost in recovering souls altogether depraved by sin -- these are the leading ideas. When the effusion of the Holy Ghost first took place, these things were taught with power; and no sentiments which militated against them could be supported for a moment. As, through the prevalence of human corruption and the crafts of Satan, the love of truth was lessened, heresies and various abuses of the gospel appeared; and in estimating them we may form some idea of the declension of true religion toward the end of the [first] century." The same writer continues: "Yet a gloomy cloud hung over the conclusion of the first century. The first impressions made by the effusion of the Spirit are generally the strongest and the most decisively distinct from the spirit of the world. But human depravity, over-born for a time, arises afresh, particularly in the next generation. Hence the disorders of schism and heresy. Their tendency is to destroy the pure work of God."*

21. The purpose of this chapter has been that of demonstrating the early beginning of the apostasy, so soon to become general, and later, universal. The specific causes directly contributing to the degradation of the Church are reserved for future consideration.

22. Now let us see what was the condition of the Church established by the Resurrected Lord aniong the descendants of Lehi on the American continent. In this undertaking we shall not restrict ourselves to the beginning of the disruption alone. Inasmuch as the course of apostasy among the Nephites was so rapid, and the period intervening between the establishment of the Church and the destruction of the nation was so brief, we shall consider the history of the Church to its close, and thus obviate the necessity of recurring to the subject in later chapters. We read that the Church had prospered until about 200 AD. Then apostasy became general, as evidence of which note the following:

23. "And now in this two hundred and first year, there began to be among them those who were lifted up in pride ... And they began to be divided into classes, and they began to build up churches unto themselves, to get gain, and began to deny the true Church of Christ. And it came to pass that when two hundred and ten years had passed away there were many churches in the land: yea, there were many churches which professed to know the Christ, and yet they did deny the more parts of his gospel, insomuch that they did receive all manner of wickedness, and did administer that which was sacred unto him to whom it had been forbidden because of unworthiness. And this church did multiply exceedingly, because of iniquity, and because of the power of Satan who did get hold upon their hearts. And again, there was another church which denied the Christ, and they did persecute the true Church of Christ because of their humility and their belief in Christ; and they did despise them because of the many miracles which were wrought among them."*

24. The Book of Mormon record is definite in its specifications of the immediate reasons for, or causes of the great apostasy on the western hemisphere. While the members of the Church remained faithful to their covenants and obligations, they as individuals and the Church as an organization prospered; and their enemies were unable to prevail against them. With prosperity, however, came pride and class distinctions, the rich dominated the poor, and earthly gain became the object of life.* Secret organizations of evil purpose flourished;** the people were divided into two opposing factions, those who still professed a belief in Christ being known as Nephites and their enemies as Lamanite without regard to actual descent or family relationship. With the growth of pride and its attendant sins, the Nephites became as wicked as the non-professing Lamanites;*** and in their wickedness these people sought each other's destruction. Consider the pathos and dire tragedy expressed in the words of Moroni, the solitary survivor of a once blessed and mighty nation:

25. "Behold, four hundred years have passed away since the coming of our Lord and Savior. And behold, the Lamanites have hunted my people, the Nephites, down from city to city, and from place to place, even until they are no more, and great has been their fall: yea, great and marvelous is the destruction of my people, the Nephites. And behold, it is the hand of the Lord which hath done it. And behold also, the Lamanites are at war one with another; and the whole face of this land is one continual round of murder and bloodshed; and no one knoweth the end of the war. And now behold, I say no more concerning them, for there are none save it be the Lamanites and robbers that do exist upon the face of the land; and there are none that do know the true God save it be the disciples of Jesus, who did tarry in the land until the wickedness of the people was so great that the Lord would not suffer them to remain with the people; and whether they be upon the face of the land no man knoweth."

1. THE EARLY APOSTASY RECOGNIZED. The fact of the early beginning of the apostasy is generally recognized by theologians and authorities on biblical interpretation. Clarke's commentary on the declaration of Paul as to the "mystery of iniquity" then at work (See 2 Thess. 2:7) is as follows:

"For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: There is a system of corrupt doctrine which will lead to the general apostasy, already in existence; but it is a mystery; it is as yet hidden; it dare not show itself because of that which hindereth or withholdeth. But when that which now restraineth is taken out of the way, then shall that wicked one be revealed; it will then be manifest who he is and what he is."

2. EARLY DISSENSIONS IN THE CHURCH. As instances of the disagreements and differences that troubled and disturbed the Church even in apostolic days Mosheim says: "The first of these controversies, which was set on foot in the church of Antioch, regarded the necessity of observing the law of Moses, and its issue is mentioned by St. Luke in the Acts of the Apostles (chap. 15). This controversy was followed by many others, either with the Jews who were violently attached to the worship of their ancestors, or with the votaries of a wild and fanatical sort of philosophy, or with such as, mistaking the true genius of the Christian religion, abused it monstrously to the encouragement of their vices, and their indulgence of the appetites and passions. St. Paul and the other apostles have, in several places of their writings, mentioned these controversies, but with such brevity that it is difficult at this distance of time to come at the true state of the question in these various disputes. The most weighty and important of all these controversies was that which certain Jewish doctors raised at Rome, and in other Christian churches concerning the means of justification and acceptance with God, and the method of salvation pointed out in the word of God. The apostles, wherever they exercised their ministry, had constantly declared all hopes of acceptance and salvation delusive, except such as were founded on Jesus the Redeemer, and his all-sufficient merits; while the Jewish doctors maintained the works of the law to be the true efficient cause of the soul's eternal salvation and felicity. This latter sentiment not only led to many other errors extremely prejudicial to Christianity, but was also injurious to the glory of the divine Savior." (Mosheim, "Ecclesiastical History," Cent. 1, Part 2, 11:12.)

3. UNAUTHORIZED WRITINGS IN THE APOSTOLIC AGE. Paul's reference to "another gospel" in his epistle to the Galatians (1:6) suggested to Dr. Adam Clarke the following commentary on the passage:

"Another gospel: It is certain that in the very earliest ages of the Christian Church, there were several spurious gospels in circulation; and it was the multitude of these false or inaccurate relations that induced St. Luke to write his own (see Luke 1:1). We have the names of more than seventy of these spurious narratives still on record, and in ancient writers many fragments of them remain; these have been collected and published by Fabricius in his account of the apocryphal books of the New Testament (3 vols, 8 vo.) In some of these gospels the necessity of circumcision and subjection to the Mosaic law, in unity with the gospel, were strongly inculcated." (Clarke, "Bible Commentary.")

4. SOME AUTHORITIES ON ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. Among the authorities cited in the text are those named below. A brief note as to each may be of interest.

Eusebius: Eusebius Pamphilus, bishop of Caesarea in Palestine. He lived from about 260 to about 339 AD, though there is some uncertainty as to the exact time of his death. He was an eyewitness of and a participant in some of the sufferings incident to heathen persecution of the Christians, and has been called the "Father of Church History." He was the author of several works, among them one of the earliest on "Ecclesiastical History." The quotations from this work by Eusebius, as given in the text, are from the version translated from the Greek by C. F. Cruse.

Mosheim: Dr. J. L. von Mosheim, chancellor of the University of Gottingen; a German writer, noted for his contributions to church history. He is the author of an exhaustive work on "Ecclesiastical History" (6 vols), dated 1755. The excerpts from Mosheim's "Ecclesiastical History" given in the text are taken from the version translated into English by Dr. Archibald Maclaine, dated 1764.

Milner: Rev. Joseph Milner. An English authority on church history, and author of a comprehensive "History of the Church of Christ" (5 vols.), from which the excerpts in the text are taken.

5. COMMENTARY ON THE PASSAGE FROM JUDE. -- The passage quoted in the text -- "For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men," etc. (Jude: 4), has given rise to discussion, the question at issue being as to whether the principle of pre- appointment or fore-ordination is here involved. A hasty and casual reading of the passage may suggest the inference that the "ungodly men" referred to had been appointed or "ordained" in the providence of God to sow the seeds of discord and dissension in the Church. A careful study of this scripture shows that no such inference is warranted. The "ungodly men" "Who were before of old ordained to this condemnation" were men who had already, i.e., previously, been denounced, proscribed and condemned for the very heresies which now they were endeavoring to perpetuate in the Church, they having crept in unawares, or in other words, they having become members of the Church by false pretenses and profession, and being able because of their membership, to spread their false teachings more effectively. Dr. Adam Clarke, in his Bible Commentary, thus treats the passage under consideration:

"For there are certain men crept in unawares." They have got into the church under specious pretenses, and when in; began to sow their bad seed.

"Before of old ordained: Such as were long ago proscribed and condemned in the most public manner; this is the import of the [original] word in this place, and there are many examples of this use of it in the Greek writers.

"In the sacred writings all such persons, false doctrines and impure practices have been most openly proscribed and condemned, and the apostle immediately produces several examples, viz., the disobedient Israelites, the unfaithful angels, and the impure inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah. This is most obviously the apostle's meaning, and it is ridiculous as it is absurd, to look into such words for a decree of reprobation, etc., such a doctrine being as far from the apostle's mind as from that of Him in whose name he wrote." (Clarke, "Bible Commentary, Jude, 4.)

In the Revised Version of the New Testament the passage is rendered thus: "I was constrained to write unto you, exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in privily, even they who were of old set forth unto this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

More embarrasing exegesis on the part of an LDS "apostle."

Here are some very specific examples to how this LDS general authority misused the Bible:

Matt. 13: 25 his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat.

Look again at Matthew 13. Jesus talks about several groups of people here. Are some these groups unfaithful & fall away? (Yes) Do ALL of them (no). Therefore this passage doesn’t apply to a TOTAL apostasy...But that never stops poor Biblical interpretation processes by Mormon leaders & their minions, does it?

Gal. 1: 6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him.

Boy, it's quite interesting that Talmage cites Gal. 1:6-9. I can't think of a better passage of Scripture that fits Joseph Smith & the LDS "church" than this one:

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! •

“It is true that many of the Christian churches worship a different Jesus Christ than is worshipped by the Mormons.” – LDS publication, Ensign Magazine, May 1977, p. 26

Gordon B. Hinckley, LDS "prophet": As a Church we have critics, many of them. They say we do not believe in the traditional Christ of Christianity. There is some substance to what they say. (Gordon B. Hinckley, "We Look to Christ", April 2002 General Conference.)

Hinckley: The traditional Christ of whom they [evangelical Christians] speak is not the Christ of whom I speak. For the Christ of whom I speak has been revealed in this the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times.. Gordon B. Hinckley, LDS Church News, June 20, 1998, p. 7

When Galatians is reviewed in its entirety, we see exactly what Paul was challenging. Gal. 3:1 says who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey?

It's the LDS church that has done what the Galatians were doing, turning the good news of the gospel into a vast system of works, deeds, command-keeping, ritual-keeping of the flesh, etc: "v. 3, 5-6, 10: "Are you so foolish? After beginning w/the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?..Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? Consider Abraham: 'He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.'...'Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do EVERYTHING written in the Book of the Law.'"

Jude 3-4 ...it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was ONCE delivered unto the saints. (Jude 3)

OK. It kind of becomes obvious that the true faith only needed a SINGLE delivery…not a double dosage via a 14 yo kid.

Grig, what’s with all the references of the earlier threads and this one (see Talmage, #2) re: Talmage’s usage of THE DEFINITE ARTICLE in conjunction with “THE apostasy” (#2), “THE great falling away” (#2), “THE deception” (#4), “THE apostate church” (#6), etc.???

Maybe, just maybe if Mormons could cite any verse which talks about a total apostasy…they could let the authority ride upon that verse and let that verse speak for itself & that would be that. But, no…LDS leaders have to try, by hook and by crook, to piece together a tangled web to try to reach a conclusion the Bible itself never reaches. LDS introduce its grand straw man.

Mormons when they do this act like the Supreme Court in 1973 who used a "penumbra" logic to try to justify abortion-on-demand...well, maybe we can find it here hidden under the rocks of "privacy"...or maybe we can find here hidden under...

(What they've found instead is simply snakes)

Mormons seem to have HUGE problems delineating between the qualifiers of “partial” and “complete”—between “localized” and “universal” when it comes to reading what the Bible has to say about "apostasy." (What? When your Moms told you that you could have a “piece” of pie, you ate the whole thing because you thought "piece" = devouring its entirety?)

Why is it that LDS have to conclude that apostasy is ALWAYS an all-or-nothing interpretation?

LDS, knowing their weakest foundation is to build a grave for all of Christianity and then have the utter gall to try to build its church on a tombstone it’s created for us is the ultimate “Scripture snipping” job I’ve ever seen!

But “we” understand. Hey, as the LDS leader overwhelmingly-elected-by-Utah-Mormon-voters-but-who-got- booted-from-Congress-before-serving for doing something he should have been ex-communicated for--marrying yet a third wife said: "Nothing less than a complete apostasy from the Christian religion would warrant the establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" (Brigham Roberts, Introduction to the History of the Church 1:XL).

Don’t we all see the sheer desperation of the Mormon church?
No total apostasy, no need for a “restoration.”
No graveyard of Christianity, no “restoration.”
No full creedal "abominations" before the Lord, no need for a "restorationist" like a 14 yo boy to be convicted glass looker, treasure seeker, womanizer, First Amendment suppresser via printing press destruction.

Note the grand “straw men” of Talmage:

(Oh, yeah, we “get it.” LDS believe & teach the following judgmentalism upon all souls living in the following centuries: 5th century: No REAL Christians in an authorityless Christian Church 6th century: No REAL Christians in the authorityless Christian Church 7th century: No REAL Christians in the Christian Church 8th century: No REAL Christians in the Christian Church 9th century: No REAL Christians in the Christian Church 10th century: No REAL Christians in the Christian Church 11th century: No REAL Christians in the Christian Church 12th century: No REAL Christians in the Christian Church 13th century: No REAL Christians in the Christian Church 14th century: No REAL Christians in the Christian Church 15th century: No REAL Christians in the Christian Church 16th century: No REAL Christians in the Christian Church 17th century: No REAL Christians in the Christian Church 18th century: No REAL Christians in the Christian Church 19th century: No REAL Christians in the Christian Church--at least, not until 14 year old glass looker, treasure-seeker Joe Smith came along.)

(I tell you: based on the above, only the LDS church rivals Satan as the grand accuser of millions of men's hearts!!!)

4. were becoming victims of the deception practiced by false teachers…

(Note to LDS: False teachers are never limited to just one deception or type of deception).

6. (citing 2 Th 2:7-8): After predicting the rise of the apostate church, with its blasphemous assumptions of power, as a condition antecedent to the second coming of Christ.

What’s Talmage saying here? He links (a) the apostate church with (b) a rise in its power and (c) prior to Christ’s return. But how is Talmage showing his beyond-the-grave ignorance here? He cites 2 Th. 2:7-8…but somehow skipped over verse 4… a verse describing “that man of sin…the son of perdition who exalts himself above all as God.” (Well, who on earth are the only people who call themselves “gods” on earth or “gods-in-embryos?” The Mormons do!!!)

Christians see 2 Th. 2:4 as applying to the anti-Christ. Gee, if these Mormons even back in Talmage day were describing his times as the day of the anti-Christ, who is he, then? Talmage can’t have it both ways. He can’t on the earlier thread posted by Grig say that 2 Th. 2:3-4 applied only to the “Thessalonian saints,” and then apply it to 19th century/early 20th century Christians. For those who think this applied to Christians who lived a century ago, note what the Joseph Smith supposedly “inspired” version (JST) says: “That man of sin…the son of perdition…exalteth himself above all…showing himself that he is God.” (2 Th. 2:4) [Any Mormon care to tell us who that is & when he has appeared in history? Ah, I thought not]

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