The Great Apostasy: A Defining Work in Latter-day Saint Thought

A Defining Work in Latter-day Saint Thought - The Case for the Restoration of the Gospel

First published in 1909, The Great Apostasy by James E. Talmage, a prominent LDS apostle and scholar, presents a bold and historically grounded argument: that the early Christian church lost its divine authority and doctrinal purity, resulting in centuries of spiritual decline. This apostasy, Talmage contends, made the Restoration through the Prophet Joseph Smith not only possible-but necessary.

This updated and reformatted edition includes:

Modernized layout with chapter headings and footnotes for clarity

Ideal for Latter-day Saint study groups, seminary students, and comparative religion readers

Includes key Scripture references and citations from early Christian writers

In this volume, Talmage explores:

The decline of apostolic authority after the deaths of the original Twelve

The rise of creeds, councils, and theological division

Doctrinal shifts in baptism, priesthood, revelation, and Church structure

The prophetic necessity of the Restoration

Whether you are a lifelong Latter-day Saint or studying Restoration theology for the first time, The Great Apostasy is essential reading for understanding the LDS worldview of Christian history.