S9 E4 Dispensations, Apostasy, and Restoration

Episode 4 of Changes explores the Mormon doctrine of dispensations, apostasy, and restoration in this episode. We examine how God reveals his plan through chosen messengers in distinct time periods, from Adam to Joseph Smith, and how each dispensation carries the same core message about Christ. We discuss the concept of the Great Apostasy following Christ's original apostles and the subsequent restoration through Joseph Smith. We also explore evolving interpretations of these doctrines and their implications for understanding God's ongoing relationship with humanity. 

Sources

• Essay_The Morming Breaks_BYU RSC
• Essay_The Preparation of Prophets_BYU RSC
• Essay_Joseph Smith Among the Prophets_BYU RSC
• Essay_Prophets and Apostasy
• Essay_A Pattern for All_Bateman_LDS Gen Conf
• Essay_Reflection of Apostasy and Restoration_BYU RSC
• Essay_The Great Apostasy_Mormon Resarch Ministry
• Podcast: Reconsidering the Great Apostacy_BYU Maxwell Inst
• Essay_Mormonism as Restoration_BYU RSC

AI Prompt
Explore the Mormon doctrine of dispensations, apostacy, and miraculous restoration of God's one true church. Discuss the role of prophets as God's chosen messenger for each dispensation. Discuss the role of scripture, revelation, priesthood ordinances, and the Holy Ghost. Is the apostacy and restoration doctrine contriversial? Why? Explore patterns of changing commandments, fallable prophets, new scriptures, new revelations, and unequal

Transcript

Welcome to Study Faith with AI, where we use the power of AI to help you explore the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I'm Meg Jensen.

And I'm Paul Carter,

and we're Google AIs. Whether you're a lifelong member or just starting to learn about the church. We're here to dive deep into its history, beliefs, and culture.

So, if you're ready to learn, you're in the right place.

That's right.

Let's get started. 

Welcome to the deep dive. Today we're tackling a uh a really big concept within Mormon theology, the doctrine of dispensations, apostasy, and restoration.

Think of it as the sort of foundational story that explains how God has interacted with humanity through different eras, you know, according to this belief system,

right? The overall framework.

Exactly. We're going to be sifting through a range of sources you've shared from core Mormon scriptures to academic analyses and uh even discussions about how this doctrine has evolved.

Yeah, there's quite a mix.

Our goal is really just to give you a clear understanding of this framework, its key components, and maybe why it's such a significant and sometimes debated aspect of Mormonism.

Absolutely.

We'll be looking at the roles of prophets, the importance of scripture and revelation,

uh the function of priesthood authority, and the guidance of the Holy Ghost within this whole narrative.

Sounds good.

So, where do we begin? Maybe just unpacking this idea of dispensations. What's the uh the central theme here?

Okay. Yeah. At its heart, the doctrine of dispensations basically says that God reveals his plan for humanity through chosen messengers, prophets in distinct time periods or well dispensations.

Got it?

Now, what's really consistent and I think interesting is the core message in each of these periods. Come unto Christ and be perfected in him. It's like this recurring invitation throughout history. As one of your sources, a pattern for all puts it, this call is universal, meant for all of God's children, emphasizing that the path to perfection and salvation lies through Jesus Christ.

So it's like God has communicated with humanity in different installments almost each with its own messenger but carrying the same essential message about Christ.

Precisely. That's a good way to put it. Different installments, same core message.

Can you give us some examples of these dispensations as uh outlined in our sources?

Certainly. Our sources detail several key ones. The first is the dispensation of Adam and Eve who received the initial plan of life with the atonement of Christ. Right. at its center. Then we have the dispensation of Noah where the gospel was sort of renewed after a period of widespread wickedness.

Right. The flood narrative.

Exactly. Following that, the gospel was renewed again through Abraham.

Abraham. Okay.

Then the dispensation of Moses saw the gospel offered specifically to the Israelites. Though uh our sources point out that a sterner taskmaster, the law of Moses was introduced partly because of a prior falling away among them.

Interesting. So um modification based on the people's state

kind of. Yeah. Then comes the pivotal meridian of time when Jesus Christ himself came to earth and brought the fullness of the gospel.

The central point in history according to Christianity.

Mhm. And finally, Mormon theology describes the dispensation of Joseph Smith where the fullness of the gospel is believed to have been restored once more in what are called the latter days often referred to as the dispensation of the fullness of times.

Okay. So, this recurring pattern shows God actively engaging with humanity through these defined periods and in each one a prophet plays a key role. What exactly is their function within this structure?

Prophets are absolutely foundational. They serve as God's authorized representatives on earth during their specific dispensation. Right?

Their main job really is to receive revelation directly from God and then to teach and guide the people based on that divine communication.

Makes sense.

Our sources give numerous examples starting with Adam, Noah, Abraham, and Moses in earlier times. Then Jesus Christ in the meridian of time and uh culminating with Joseph Smith in the latter dispensation

and Joseph Smith is called the choice seer sometimes. Right. That sounds significant.

It is. Yeah. That title deliberately draws a parallel to the role and significance of Moses in his era. It suggests a really high level of divine trust and responsibility.

Our sources also emphasize that every prophet acts as a witness of Christ.

What does that mean in practical terms within this framework?

Essentially, the head of each dispensation has the crucial role of revealing Christ and his significance to the people of their time.

Okay.

Subsequent prophets within that dispensation then serve to reinforce and uh further explain the revelations given to that central figure.

So like building on the foundation.

Exactly. As one of our religious study center articles puts it quoting a discourse. Every dispensation head is a revealer of Christ for his day and every other prophet or apostle who comes is a reflection and an echo and an exponent of the dispensation head. This ensures a consistent focus on Jesus Christ throughout these different periods of God's interaction with humanity.

And the source Joseph Smith among the prophets even quotes the Savior saying directly to Joseph Smith, "This generation shall have my word through you."

Yes,

that really underscores his central and kind of unique role in this final dispensation, doesn't it?

It absolutely does. That same source emphasizes how critical Joseph Smith's role is believed to be. It states that if the knowledge and power of God are to be had in this final dispensation. They will be had through the work set in motion and the truths which flowed and the authorities which were transmitted by Joseph Smith or they will be had not at all.

Wow, that's quite a statement.

It really is. It paints him not just as someone who received divine truth, but as the essential legal administrator through whom the very authority of God's kingdom has been conferred in these latter days.

Okay. So, we have these periods of divine interaction dispensations each led by a prophet who testifies of Christ. But this doctrine also includes the concept of a great apostasy. What precisely does that refer to?

Right. The apostasy within Mormon theology. It describes a period of widespread wickedness and rejection of the gospel that follows a time of righteousness within a dispensation.

So a falling away.

Exactly. This falling away is believed to lead to a departure from core teachings, a corruption of sacred practices. They call them ordinances. And significantly a loss of what's called priesthood authority. That's the authority to act in God's name. The traditional Mormon perspective, as we see in our sources, paints a pretty stark picture of this period, particularly uh after the deaths of Christ's original apostles.

Yes. The traditional view holds that after the apostles passed away, the original teachings of the gospel were corrupted by, you know, human interference and priesthood ordinances were altered without divine sanction.

Right?

Because of this widespread unrighteousness, it's believed that God withdrew priesthood authority from the earth

completely.

That's the tradition. view. Yeah. Leaving humanity without direct divine guidance from living prophets. The sources note that while many churches emerged during this time, they lacked the necessary priesthood power.

Okay.

Furthermore, it's believed that scriptures were either corrupted or lost and essential spiritual gifts like the ability to confer the Holy Ghost through priesthood ordinances couldn't be properly administered anymore.

But it seems our sources, particularly um that YouTube discussion with Miranda Wilcox and John Young and the Mormonism research ministry article suggests that this understanding of the apostasy might have well evolved over time.

That's a really important observation. Yeah.

The Mormonism Research Ministry source points out that early Mormon teachings didn't initially focus quite so much on a complete withdrawal of priesthood authority.

Oh.

Instead, they more closely mirrored like contemporary evangelical perspectives at the time, emphasizing moral decline and a distortion of Christ's original teachings. The idea of priesthood being entirely taken from the earth seems to have developed later, specifically after 1834.

Interesting. And the YouTube discussion really gets into how modern historical scholarship has challenged this traditional narrative of a complete and universal apostasy, especially that older characterization of the Middle Ages as just a monolithic dark age.

Precisely. Miranda Wilcox and John Young talk about how their own academic research revealed significant intellectual, cultural, and spiritual activity happening during the Middle Ages. and that led them to question the simplistic portrayal of that era as one of total spiritual darkness. They highlight that the term dark ages itself is now considered largely inaccurate and outdated by most historians today.

It's quite striking how early Mormon descriptions of Christianity seem to have been influenced by the um the 19th century religious and political landscape, including, you know, prevalent anti-atholic sentiment as that Mormonism Research Ministry article points out.

That's right. Eric Durst Eller, who's quoted in that article, observes that early LDS writings on the apostasy were clearly shaped by the polemical and anti-clerical literature that was common back in the 18th and 19th centuries.

So context matters.

Absolutely. That historical context is crucial for understanding where the traditional Mormon view came from.

And it appears there's a noticeable shift among some LDS writers today. Maybe moving away from this idea of complete spiritual darkness during the apostasy.

Yes, Durstellar notes a growing inclination to define the apostacy primarily as a loss of priesthood authority rather than a total absence of spiritual light and truth among all Christians.

Ah, more nuanced to you.

Exactly. This allows for acknowledging that individuals during that period may have had sincere faith and possessed what's referred to as the light of Christ even without the specific priesthood authority as understood in Mormonism.

Right.

The Mormonism Research Ministry article contrasts this more accommodating soft view with the historically more prevalent, harsh view which tended to condemn all other Christian denominations as corrupt and lacking God's authority.

It's interesting to note, as mentioned in that YouTube discussion, that Joseph Smith's early views seemed maybe more optimistic, viewing the past as containing fragmented truths that he aimed to gather together and build upon through new revelation.

That's a key distinction. Yeah. Given who they discuss in the YouTube video, suggest that Joseph Smith initially saw the history of Christianity not as a complete break, but more like a repository of scattered truths,

okay?

Truths that could be unified and expanded upon through new divine communication. He even drew on various ancient traditions and spiritual concepts, viewing his work as one of gathering and restoring rather than a complete reinvention from scratch.

This understanding then leads directly to the concept of the miraculous restoration. If there was this great apostasy, however defined, then a restoration of what was lost would logically be necessary within this theological framework. Precisely. Given the perceived great apostasy, the loss of the fullness of the gospel, the necessary priesthood authority, the true church, a divine restoration was deemed essential. And this is where the role of Joseph Smith becomes absolutely central again.

And our sources clearly state that God called Joseph Smith to be a prophet in these latter days, just as he called prophets in earlier dispensations. The first vision in 1820 is considered the foundational event that kicked off this restoration.

Yes. The appearance of Heavenly Father in Jesus Christ to Joseph Smith in 1820 is regarded as the pivotal moment marking the beginning of the restoration. Through him, it is believed that the gospel of Jesus Christ was brought back to the earth in its completeness.

Right.

Our sources outline several key elements that make up this restoration.

Let's explore those key elements. The first one that really stands out is the introduction of new scripture, the Book of Mormon. What's its significance within this doctrine?

The Book of Mormon is presented as a new volume of sacred scripture translated by Joseph Smith from golden plates which he stated he received from an angel named Moroni.

Okay. The golden plate story,

right? It's considered another testament of Jesus Christ and is seen as crucial evidence of ancient civilizations in the Americas and as a vital companion to the Bible.

So not replacing the Bible but adding to it.

Exactly. The Mormonism as a restoration article highlights its intricate nature and its apparent alignment with ancient patterns noting details like ancient names not found in the Bible, realistic description, of military tactics, Hebrewisms in the language, the concept of sealed and doubled documents, even potential connections to ancient Jewish New Year celebrations.

The fact that Joseph Smith, who had, you know, limited formal education, could produce a text with such alleged connections to the ancient world is often presented as compelling evidence for its divine origin, isn't it?

Absolutely. The article emphasizes that the Book of Mormon contains numerous details that seem to reflect the ancient, Neareastern, and American worlds. It claims to come from

like what?

Well, cultural and linguistic elements that would likely have been unknown to Joseph Smith through the available scholarship of his time. For example, the presence of authentically ancient names not found in the Bible, detailed descriptions of say guerilla warfare strategies that predate modern understanding and underlying Hebraic linguistic structures. Those are all cited as persuasive evidence by believers.

Okay. Another crucial element of the restoration is the restoration of priesthood authority. How did that occur? According to our sources, the sources explain that the authority to act in God's name, the priesthood, was conferred upon Joseph Smith and others through visitations from heavenly messengers.

Heavenly messengers.

Yes. This includes the restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood, which is said to have been bestowed by the ancient apostles Peter, James, and John, and the Arronic Priesthood restored by John the Baptist. The preparation of prophets article underscores the lineage of this priesthood authority tracing it back through a succession of prophets all the way to Adam. It highlights the importance of this unbroken chain of divine authorization.

And this authority is needed for

in Mormon theology. This authority is considered essential for administering saving ordinances like baptism or temple ordinances.

Got it. And alongside new scripture and restored priesthood authority, we also have the principle of ongoing revelation. How does that fit into the narrative of the restoration?

The belief in continuing revelation is really a cornerstone of Mormonism. Latter-day Saints believe that God continues to communicate his will to humanity today through living prophets and apostles.

So, not just in the past,

no, right now specifically through the first presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles who are recognized as prophets, seers, and revelators.

Okay.

Importantly, the senior apostle is acknowledged as the prophet uniquely authorized to speak for the Lord. This is seen as a mechanism for ensuring doctrinal consistency within the church.

So, there a clear line of authority.

Yes, the reflections on apostasy and restoration article emphasizes that final authority on matters of doctrine rests with these living prophets and apostles.

So, the restoration isn't just about bringing back something from the past, but about establishing a continuous line of communication between God and humanity right now. And the Holy Ghost plays a vital role in this process, too. Correct.

Absolutely. Just like in previous dispensations, the Holy Ghost continues to serve as a teacher and a confirmer of truth to individuals.

How does that work?

Well, prayer is presented as the primary means through which individuals can personally receive a witness of spiritual truths. The Preach My Gospel manual emphasizes that as we sincerely pray, the Holy Ghost can teach us and confirm the truthfulness of the principles we're learning. It's about personal testimony.

Okay. Finally, our sources discuss the restoration of temple ordinances. What is the significance of those?

Temples are considered very sacred buildings where specific ordinances are both revealed and administered ordinances that are described as having been hid from before the world was and pertaining specifically to this dispensation of the fullness of times. The preparation of prophets article mentions that Adam received an endowment, a gift of sacred knowledge and power in the Garden of Eden, which was then shared by subsequent priesthood holders. Modern temple ordinances are seen as a restoration of these ancient practices, providing pathways to greater spiritual understanding, eternal blessings, and and uh connection with God.

So the restoration encompasses the emergence of new scripture, the reestablishment of divine authority, ongoing communication from God, the guidance of the Holy Ghost, and the return of temple ordinances.

Yeah.

All pointing towards this being the final dispensation of the fullness of times, which isn't expected to end in another apostasy.

That's the comprehensive picture presented by the doctrine. Yes. It's viewed as a complete restoration of all that was lost during the apostasy, ushering in the final era of God's dealings with humanity before the anticipated second coming of Christ.

This doctrine of dispensations, apostasy, and restoration certainly provides a distinctive framework for understanding religious history,

but it's also a doctrine that has faced uh scrutiny and raised some controversial aspects, hasn't it?

Indeed, several facets of this doctrine have definitely been subjects of debate and critical analysis. One significant area is the nature of God itself.

How so?

Mormonism's belief in a god with a glorified resurrected body of flesh and bone and the associated doctrine of exaltation, the potential for humans to progress and become like God that differs substantially from traditional Christian theology

which usually emphasizes

which often emphasizes a more transcendent perhaps incorporeal and immutable divine being. The Mormonism as a restoration article touches upon this noting some alignment between Latter-day Saint beliefs and certain early Christian thinkers regarding the fundamental kinship between God in humanity which forms the basis for this doctrine of exaltation.

Okay. Another key point of divergence and potential controversy lies in the role and authority of the Bible within Mormonism.

Right. While Mormons hold the Bible in high regard, believing it contains the word of God and the power to lead people to Christ, but they don't subscribe to the doctrine of biblical inherency or sola scriptura, the idea that the Bible is the sole source of religious authority.

So they believe more is needed.

Yes. They believe that additional scriptures like the Book of Mormon and ongoing revelation through living prophets are necessary for a complete understanding of God's truth. This perspective can obviously be a point of contention with other Christian traditions that view the Bible as the complete and final word of God.

Yeah, I could see that.

The Reflections on Apostasy and Restoration article directly addresses this, stating that while Latter-day Saints don't believe the Bible is without error due to translation and transmission issues over centuries, they do believe God has watched over its preservation. The concept of fallible prophets also brings up intriguing questions within this theological framework.

While prophets are considered God's chosen messengers, Mormon teachings acknowledge that they are still human beings capable of making mistakes.

That's a critical point. Yeah. The recognition that prophets are human and therefore not infallible raises questions about how to reconcile their pronouncements with potential errors or even changes in doctrine over time.

Right? How does that work?

It necessitates a sort of nuanced understanding of the process of revelation and the role of prophetic leadership. It's not always seen as a direct dictation.

And the idea that God can issue new commandments or reveal new truths in our time can also be controversial for those who adhere to the belief in a fixed and unchanging divine law.

Yes, the notion of continuing revelation allowing for the possibility of new commandments and evolving understanding of doctrine definitely challenges the traditional concept of a static and immutable divine divine law revealed fully in the past.

But for Mormons, it's central.

It's a core tenant of Mormonism's belief in a living God who actively guides his children today. But yes, it can be a point of friction with other faith traditions that emphasize the unchanging nature of God's past pronouncements.

Finally, the emphasis on specific ordinances, particularly temple ordinances requiring priesthood authority as essential for exaltation

that can raise concerns about the salvation and blessings of those who live during the apostasy or who, you know, don't have access to these ordinances today.

This is a valid and important question people ask. However, Mormon theology addresses this by teaching that opportunities for these essential blessings will be extended to all of God's children, whether in this life or in the afterlife through vicarious ordinances performed in temples by living members on behalf of the dead. The underlying belief is that God's plan is ultimately just and provides a way for everyone to receive all necessary opportunities for salvation and exaltation. Eventually,

it seems that the evolving understanding of the great apostasy, as we discussed earlier, really highlights the dynamic relationship between historical narratives and theological beliefs within Mormonism.

Yeah.

And how interpretations can shift over time in response to new information and perspectives.

Absolutely. The ongoing re-evaluation of the historical claims surrounding the apostasy underscores the importance of what the YouTube discussion with Willcox and Young termed historical consciousness.

Meaning,

meaning how our understanding of the past shapes our present beliefs and identity and the need for both empathy towards past perspectives and a critical engagement with historical evidence as it becomes available.

So to summarize our deep dive, the Mormon doctrine of dispensations, apostasy, and restoration offers a comprehensive narrative of God's interactions with humanity. It's characterized by recurring cycles of revealed truth through prophets, periods of falling away, and divine intervention leading to restoration.

Prophets serve as vital messengers. Scripture and ongoing revelation provide guidance. Priesthood authority enables essential ordinances and the Holy Ghost offers personal confirmation of truth.

A good summary.

However, this doctrine also includes aspects that are viewed as controversial and have been the subject of critical perspectives, particularly concerning the nature of God, the role of the Bible, the concept of fallible prophets and changing commandments, and the implications of access to specific blessings.

That's a concise and accurate overview. Yeah. And as our sources indicate, The interpretation and understanding of these foundational doctrines continue to be discussed and refined within Mormonism, reflecting an ongoing engagement with both scripture and historical understanding.

Which leads us to our final reflection for you, the listener. Considering the ongoing nature of revelation within this dispensation, as our sources have illuminated, what implications does that have for your understanding of truth and the ways in which God might communicate with humanity today?

H, good question.

And how do you personally reconcile the concept of a restored fullness with the continuous evolution of understanding and practice that seems inherent within the church based on this principle of ongoing revelation. It's definitely a complex and thoughtprovoking set of ideas.

Indeed, these are crucial questions that invite ongoing personal reflection and a deeper engagement with the nuances of this whole doctrine.

Well, that brings us to the close of this deep dive. We trust this exploration has provided you with valuable insights. If you have any further questions or specific aspects of this topic you'd like us to explore in future discussions, please let us know. Thank you for joining us.

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