The Gospel: REJECTED

Long ago, prophets, the spokesmen of God, were called to warn the people of dangers that would come upon them if they did not change their ways. There would be some that would listen, but over time, most would not. The prophet would then be killed, the city of people would be destroyed and/or would suffer in unusual ways. This pattern was set from the beginning of the world. God would call a prophet, the people wouldn't listen after a while, and they would reject the words of the prophet. This rejecting of the words of God is called an Apostasy.

During Jesus Christ's ministry, He told His apostles about the signs that would happen from that time, until end of the world. He said, "Then shall they deliver you up" (the apostles) "to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many" (Matthew 24:9-11). This took place not too long after He said this. Jesus Christ was rejected and put on trial on false charges, then crucified and killed. The apostles from Peter on down the line to Paul were killed in many different and gruesome ways: upside-down crucifixion, beheaded, stoned, lanced, burned, hanged, etc. The apostles couldn't pass on their authority quick enough because of heavy persecution. The Great Apostasy begun.

It's called the Great Apostasy because it was the greatest period of time when the gospel wasn't on the earth. The some of the apostles had talked about his when they wrote their epistles. Concerning the second coming of Jesus Christ, Paul said, "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come, a falling away first" (2 Thessalonians 2:3). That "falling away," or apostasy, did happen. It is no coincidence that this time in our world's history is known as the Dark Ages. There was no light of the Gospel to bring people closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

"For [Christ] is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him" (1 Nephi 10:18).

Just as prophets were called by the Lord in time's past, he has again called another prophet to the earth. He has again brought back the authority to say, "Thus saith the Lord..." because he speaks with Him. I know that a restoration (not a reformation) had to happen in order to come closer to Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. We have the authority again, we have continuing revelation again, we have the truth again.