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Turning from Truth: A New Look at the Great Apostasy

Alexander B. Morrison, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, 2005, 6x9" hardbound, 190 pages. ISBN: 1590383958

Find out what recent research reveals about the causes of the apostasy from the true Church.

The concept of a universal apostasy—a falling away from the truth of ChristÆs Church as he established it—is fundamental to the faith of Latter-day Saints. Had an institutional apostasy not occurred, there would be no need for a Restoration or for the Prophet Joseph Smith. In a careful and compelling manner, Elder Alexander B. Morrison establishes the occurrence of the great apostasy, identifying key factors that show readers why and how it happened. He also bears witness that, beginning with the appearance of the Father and the Son to Joseph Smith, the gospel was restored and ChristÆs Church was reestablished on the earth, never again to be taken away.

Contents:

Preface

Introduction

The Social Setting of the Early Church

The Prophets Warn of Apostasy to Come

Loss of Priesthood Authority: The Deadliest Injury

Corruption of the Scriptures

Persecution and Martyrdom

Constantine and the Great Council

The Corruption of Power

Hersey and Heretics

Conclusions

Appendix: Factors Leading Persons to Reject God

Bibliography

Index

Review Excerpts:

"Alexander Morrison has done a marvelous job collecting the ancient evidence and summarizing the latest in biblical and patristic scholarship, combining them to illuminate that relatively dark and little-known period of Christian history between the first and fourth centuries. In doing so, he has contributed new insights and uncovered fresh evidence on the doctrine of the Apostasy as Latter-day Saints believe it occurred in those early centuries." --Stephen E. Robinson, author and religious educator

"Latter-day Saints have longed for an in-depth yet engaging, non-technical history and explanation of the universal apostasy in the meridian dispensation. Elder Morrison has finally given us such a volume, one that helps us to see why a restoration through the Prophet Joseph Smith was necessary. Turning from the Truth not only builds on the foundation laid by Elder James E. Talmage in The Great Apostasy but also marshals the wealth of evidence, not presented in this way before, to help us see that what happened beginning in 1820 in the Sacred Grove was both restoration and revolution in the face of the previous eighteen centuries. This is a book that confirms the truth in a marvelous way." --Andrew C Skinner, author and religious educator

"This important new book draws upon contemporary scholarship and early Christian writings to produce an updated and deeper LDS understanding of the great apostasy. It corrects many misperceptions while promoting greater appreciation for the contributions of faithful Christians across the centuries." --Noel B. Reynolds, Executive Director of the Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS)

Elder Alexander B. Morrison was sustained to the First Quorum of the Seventy in April 1987 and was named emeritus General Authority in October 2000. With masterÆs degrees from the University of Alberta and the University of Michigan and a doctorate from Cornell University, he became an internationally recognized scientist and directed several committees of the World Health Organization.

He is the author of Dawning of a Brighter Day: The Church in Black Africa, Feed My Sheep: Leadership Ideas for Latter-day Shepherds, His Name Be Praised: Understanding Christ's Ministry and Mission, Valley of Sorrow: A Layman's Guide to Understanding Mental Illness, Visions of Zion, and Zion: A Light in the Darkness. He and his wife, Shirley, are the parents of eight children.

Title: Turning from Truth: A New Look at the Great Apostasy

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