The Great Apostasy [Paperback]

James E. Talmage (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2001

James E. Talmage's thorough discussion of the significance of the great apostasy as a condition for the reestablishment of the Church in modern times. A summary of the most important evidences of the decline and final extinction of the primitive church. Helpful for missionaries and investigators. Offers a clear understanding of the apostasy and the restoration of the priesthood.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Great book

Eirck, UTAH - December 27, 2001

I am 16 years old, this is a great book but very hard to read. This book is full of great information, if you are going on a mission this is a must read before you head out.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Deseret Book Co (September 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875798438
• ISBN-13: 978-0875798431
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #498,399 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "New Wine In Old Bottles", January 26, 2002

By 

Kendal B. Hunter (Provo, UT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Great Apostasy (Hardcover)

Elder James E. Talmage makes a survey of the Latter-day Saint view of the Great Apostasy. Many, in fact all western churches recognize that there was a falling-away from what Jesus Christ taught. The idea of an apostasy was the basis for the Protestant Reformation. Luther recognized that something was not quite right with the Universal Church, so his attempts at reformation indicate that the church had been changed from its original character. And the Roman Catholic Counter-Reformation is a tacit compliment and tacit consent to the notion of a falling away. The Great Schism (AD 1054) shows that the Eastern and western Churches thought that the other branch had become corrupt. By the way, the Koran mentions that some of the Christian practices, such as adoration of Mary (Surah 5:116, 9:31), and the resurrection (Surah 4:157), and Jesus’ divine nature (Surah 5:72, 6:101) were wrong, so Mohammed may in fact be the first Reformer!

Soren Kierkegaard said, “O Luther, you had 95 theses . . . The matter is far more terrible—there is only one thesis. The Christianity of the New Testament does not exist at all. Here there is nothing to reform.” (The Essential Kierkegaard, 428) Furthermore, Mr. K always laments that he is one without authority to be a preacher, although he does it anyways, calling himself a poet instead of an apostle. (The Essential Kierkegaard, p. 84, 267-68, 385, 450, 454)

So, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not a lone voice, but part of a chorus.

In this book, Elder Talmage covers the external and the internal causes of the falling away from the Church and Gospel that Jesus Christ established. External causes are the Jewish persecution and the Pagan persecution, and internal causes being the inclusion of worldly philosophies in the doctrines, the change in the sacraments (ordinances) of the Church, and the change in church government and organization. He then brings us through the Apostasy to the Restoration in the 1800’s by Joseph Smith.

Elder Talmage uses his rather sesquipedalian style keeps you going for the dictionary, and can, at times, be a thick steak to chew on. However, the book has slim chapters, and is well organized, so you can get back on track quickly. The only complaint I would have is that it would be nice to have some illustrations and pictures.

As I said, this is nothing new, since all Christian denominations believe that something happened to the Church between the end of the Book of Revelation and now. The pressing question, however, is not “Did it happen?” but “What are we now to do?” Elder Talmage expresses his faith—and mine also—that there needed to be a restoration of everything that was lost, and that Joseph Smith was called to be the prophet that resorted Christ’s Church. “New wine in old bottles . . .”

As with all books, you need to read it to understand it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, January 21, 2012

By 

Reddcaboose (LA, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Great Apostasy (Hardcover)

I thoroughly enjoyed this small volume - an quick read and very logically laid out.
It does required a belief in modern scripture and revelation - The Book of Mormon is referenced as much as The Bible and several other well-respected books written regarding ancient prophets, Christ's life time and the Dark Ages.
It is wonderfully written. I highly recommend it.

7 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An interesting perspective, March 17, 2006

By 

Peter Miller "Bored guy" (Kandahar, Afghanistan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Great Apostasy (Paperback)

All personal religious feelings aside, this is an interesting look at the early catholic church. Several reviewers have condemmed it as purely anti-Catholic rhetoric. The author makes a point in the book to say that it is a history of the corrupt nature of the Catholic church in the past, not a judgement on the present Catholic church. Differences obviously remain between Catholics and Mormons, but the Catholic church has come a long way from the history presented in the book.
Everyone agrees that the Pope these days is a gnarly guy and that the Catholic church is a wonderful organization now that they're not torturing and burning folks. This history points out that the Pope's of old weren't quite so gnarly; orgies in the Vatican, murder, bribery, etc.
The author cites work mainly from prominent non LDS historians so the only argument someone can really have is how the history is presented, ah well. To a Mormon or Catholic (or anyone else for that matter), this book is pretty interesting. It's pretty deep reading though.