The Key to Avoiding Apostasy

Kristy Krueger taught the lesson last Sunday on Apostasy.

Around the time the Kirtland temple was completed in 1836, the Saints experienced remarkable peace, harmony and a "rich outpouring of the gifts of the Spirit". The devil seemed to be bound and some even thought the millennium had begun. Joseph Smith warned the Saints that opposition was sure to come and if they did not draw and stay near the Lord, they would be overcome and even apostatize.

Sure enough, by the end of the year, some of the members had become "proud, greedy, and disobedient" to the commandments. In 1837, "a banking panic swept across the United States" (whoa does that sound familiar?) and some blamed Church leadership for their economic problems. Joseph Smith said "as the Saints drank in the love and spirit of the world, the Spirit of the Lord withdrew from their hearts". More than two hundred members fell away from the church in Kirtland, some even joining the forces who had persecuted them. "The knees of many of the strongest men in the Church faltered."

Members who apostatize "lose the Spirit of God, break their covenants, and often persecute members of the Church". Joseph Smith said, "when once that light which was in them is taken from them they become as much darkened as they were previously enlightened".

In Kristy's lesson she cautioned us about criticizing our leaders or thinking we are exempt from certain council. We are encouraged to take council we've been given, pray about it and find out for ourselves if it is true. If someone is in disagreement with council they have been given, they have a responsibility to further search, ponder and pray about that council. "Losing confidence in Church leaders, criticizing them, and neglecting any duty required by God lead to apostasy".

Here's the good news! Joseph Smith said, "The Lord would never suffer a majority of this people to be led away or deceived by imposters, nor would He allow the records of this Church to fall into the hands of the enemy". If we want to insure ourselves against apostasy, we only need to follow the prophet and apostles and heed their council. Joseph Smith called this a "key that will never rust" - that is to stay in line with the majority of church.