What is the "great apostasy" that Mormons claim to have apparently caused Peter to loose the keys to the kingdom?

Zundrah from London, 6/19/2009

AllAboutMormons.com Webmaster from La Jolla, California:

The apostle Peter, the leader of Christ's ancient church after the Savior's death.

Hi Zundrah. Mormons do not believe the “Great Apostasy” occurred during Peter's lifetime. We believe that Christ gave the keys of the kingdom to Peter, as described in Matthew 16:19, and that he held those keys until his death.

Following the death of the apostles, Christendom was in crisis. Many disperse Christian congregations were departing from Christ's gospel, as described in multiple Bible verses (see, for example, 2 Timothy 1:15, Galatians 1:6, 1 Timothy 1:6-7, Galatians 2:4, 1 Corinthians 1:11-13, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, 2 Timothy 2:16-18, Titus 1:10-11, 1 John 2:18, and Jude 1:3-4). Outside influences like the Greek and Roman empires began to taint Christ's original teachings, as most objective biblical scholars will attest. Many noble Christians tried valiantly to preserve Christ's original authority, the keys He'd given to Peter, but they could not stem the tide of Hellenization and fragmentation. Consequently, the keys of the kingdom were taken from the Earth. Noble Christians continued to keep many of Christ's teachings, but, in the absence of the keys and in the absence of direct revelation from God, the church slowly drifted from Christ's original organization. This departure from Christ's original church is called the “Great Apostasy.”

To learn more about the apostasy and how Christ restored His church in our days, please read my article entitled, “Apostasy/Restoration.” For additional Bible verses that describe the apostasy, please see my page entitled “Scripture-Study List: The Great Apostasy.”

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Zundrah from London:

Thank you for your indepth answer to my questions - I can only guess you are a mormon. But I do have a friend called lydia who I only recently discovered was "mormon". She was hiding her religeon from me. Kept telling me for 8 months that she was just a Christian, God only knows why... Any way, she has sent me scriptures from the Book of Mormon and they very often are quite long. I have read some of them and seriously find them "uneeded". Also (do not be offended) I have the impression that mormons are quite cultish in the sense that you tend to be paying more attention to the Book of Mormon and it's prophets then you do to the Bible and Christ! It's blaspemy... Isn't it? When my mormon friend preaches to me she spends more time talking about the "prophets" then she does speak of Christ.

But he was the ultimate payment and no other human can match him and yet you have this man called "Thomas s Monson" who you call a prophet and you are in awe of him? Why? Jesus paid the price for our sins, he died! Isn't that enough for you!? Don't listen to these cultish "prophets". You have been forgiven so now go and live in forgiveness. Why the need for these mormon temples? e.t.c. they were not built in Jesus's name but in your own design for the Book of Mormon.

Obviously I have not read the whole Book of Mormon.

I am not catholic, I am a Christian. This mormon church seems very much to just be a mind of it's own. Strayed from the truth. Made up your own beliefs. My friend lydia tells me that she believes that God is the same today as he was yesterday and tomorrow. That he is dorment and will do nothing, and that he only works through human intervention. Is this your normal mormon beliefs or is her interpritation wrong?

Also tell me honestly; what according to your beliefs will become of my soul if I do not follow this mormon religeon?

Is it essential for me to read this Book of Mormon or do you agree that it is unnecessary?

I did after all come on this website to ask and get answers and I did not come here to insult you. Do not be offended by me using the word "cult". Just see it as a figure of speech from my point of view.

I am researching this for the sake of my friends relationship. So that I can better understand what she believes so that we can talk to each other in more understanding. I do not care that she is a mormon and I can't understand why she hid this from me for so long. Perhaps she thought I would not befriend her any more. But I don't care if some one is mormon, catholic or what ever else. Why worship the same God in the end. I hope that you do feel that same way too. Even though I will not be converted to follow her beliefs, I still talk to her about it as though I understood her. She finds it a great relief that she can talk to me about her faith and that makes me very happy that she feels that way. And I really feel that God has blessed me with her as a friend.

AllAboutMormons.com Webmaster from La Jolla, California:

Sorry for my very delayed answer to your comment, posted on May 18th. Just wanted to make a few comments of my own:

1) I'm not sure why your friend Lydia hid the fact that she was Mormon, but she was not being dishonest. Mormonism is a Christian religion. The official name of the church is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

2) "I have read some of them and seriously find them 'uneeded'." I'm not quite sure what criteria you're using to make that assessment. Millions have read the Book of Mormon and found it quite theologically useful. :)


A Mormon leader, Elder M. Russell Ballard, discusses the importance of the Holy Bible.

3) "I have the impression that mormons are quite cultish in the sense that you tend to be paying more attention to the book of mormon and it's prophets then you do to the bible and christ!" With all due respect, your impression is wrong. The Bible is used together with the Book of Mormon; both are equally valid books of scripture. We teach from and study both books. Christ is certainly the central figure in our theology.


A Mormon leader, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, preaches about Jesus Christ.

4) "When my mormon friend preaches to me she spends more time talking about the 'prophets' then she does speak of Christ." That is likely because she recognizes that you are already familiar with Christ. She is trying to present new information, trying to explain what makes her unique. All you need to do is listen to some of the talks given at our General Conferences to see that we are very much a Christ-centric church.

5) "But He was the ultimate payment and no other human can match him and yet you have this man called 'Thomas S Monson' who you call a prophet and you are in awe of him?" I don't think you've correctly understood Mormon doctrine. We do have a modern day prophet, but he is not considered divine, just as Moses, Peter, and other ancient prophets were not considered divine in their day. We worship God only (God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Ghost).

6) "Why? Jesus paid the price for our sins, he died! Isn't that enough for you!?" As a Christian religion, this is obviously the central tenet of our faith... I don't think I understand where you're coming from.

7) "Why the need for these Mormon temples? e.t.c They were not built in Jesus's name but in your own design for the book of mormon." Actually, they are built in Jesus name. On the front it says, "Holiness to the Lord." Additionally, the Book of Mormon provides little information about the temple and the form of worship that takes place there.

8) "I am not catholic, I am a christian." In all fairness, just as Mormons are a kind of Christian, Catholics, too, are a kind of Christian. Perhaps this dictionary entry for the word "Christian" will be helpful.

9) "My friend Lydia tells me that she believes that God is the same today as he was yesterday and tomorrow. That he is dorment and will do nothing, and that he only works through human intervention. Is this your normal Mormon beliefs or is her interpritation wrong?" We do believe God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Humans change, however, and through modern revelation God helps us adapt His eternal principles to our ever shifting human circumstances. Mormons definitely do not believe that God is dormant and will do nothing, working only through human intervention. We believe in a God that is actively involved in the Universe He created. You may have misunderstood your friend's statement.

10) "Also tell me honestly; What according to your beliefs will become of my soul if I do not follow this Mormon religeon?" Mormons believe that those who through no fault of their own are not able to accept Christ's gospel in this life will have the opportunity in the next. Even those who reject that gospel in the next life will not go hell, though their future spiritual progress may be impeded. This contrasts starkly with some other Christian religions that teach that those who reject their particular brand of Christianity will burn forever in hell.

11) "Is it essential for me to read this book of mormon or do you agree that it is unnecessary?" Given the fact that I am the webmaster of a pro-Mormon website called "AllAboutMormons.com," you can imagine that I am generally in favor of reading the Book of Mormon. Both the Bible and the Book of Mormon are accounts of God's dealings with ancient prophets. Both contain the divine message, and both should be read and studied.

12) "I did after all come on this website to ask and get answers and I did not come here to insult you. Do not be offended by me using the word 'cult'. Just see it as a figure of speech from my point of view." I am not offended easily, but surely you can see that words like "cult" are insulting. For others' sake, you may wish to use another figure of speech.

13) "I do not care that she is a Mormon and I can't understand why she hid this from me for so long." You may wish to try to rephrase and/or rethink your approach to Mormon culture and doctrine. You clearly know little about our beliefs but have already formed some very strong opinions. Perhaps your friend was concerned that you would disrespect the things she holds most sacred. I think you are a good person with a very strong personality. I invite you to have an open and understanding mind. No offense :)

14) "We worship the same God in the end. I hope that you do feel that same way too." I definitely do agree with this statement.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

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What is the "great apostasy" that Mormons claim to have apparently caused Peter to loose the keys to the kingdom?

Zundrah from London: