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Question: Since John the Apostle and the three Nephites did not die, then how could there have been a "complete apostasy" on the earth?
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Question: Since John the Apostle and the three Nephites did not die, then how could there have been a "complete apostasy" on the earth?
Latter-day Saints believe these men were "translated," meaning that their bodies were changed to a higher state, preliminary to the resurrection, and now "they are as the angels of God"
Does the existence of these four men on the earth, John the Apostle and the Three Nephites, who were obviously "church members," contradict the notion of a "complete apostasy?" The fact is that Latter-day Saints believe these men were "translated," meaning that their bodies were changed to a higher state, preliminary to the resurrection, and now "they are as the angels of God." (3 Nephi 28꞉30
) If, as Joseph Smith said, translated beings are "held in reserve to be ministering angels,"[1] how could the fact that God left priesthood-holding angels on the Earth (who did not transmit their priesthood to others) have any bearing on the question of whether the apostasy was "total?" Rather, this illustrates the LDS belief in God's loving concern for His children even during periods of apostasy. The Three Nephites and John the Apostle were not necessarily authorized to do the work of the Church as we know it today during the great apostasy such as performing baptisms and other ordinances. They were to be ministering angels. John the Apostle "desired [of Christ] that he might bring souls unto [him]," or "that he might do more, or a greater work yet among men than what he has before done" (Doctrine & Covenants 7:4-5). He was made "as a flaming fire and a ministering angel" to "minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation who dwell on the earth" (Doctrine & Covenants 7:6). The Three Nephites were made to do a similar work that John the Apostle did. Prior to the great apostasy, Mormon records that they ministered unto "all the people," uniting and baptizing as many as would believe into the Church (3 Nephi 28:18). They apparently ministered unto Mormon and Moroni (3 Nephi 28:26; Mormon 8:11). The Lord took them away from the Nephites, though, because of their prevailing wickedness (Mormon 1:13). Mormon tells us that there would be a moment in the Lord's timetable in which they would again "minister unto all the scattered tribes of Israel, and unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, and shall bring out of them unto Jesus many souls, that their desire may be fulfilled, and also because of the convincing power of God which is in them" (3 Nephi 28:29). By praying to God they can show themselves unto whomever seems good to them (3 Nephi 28:30). A ministering angel is not necessarily one that has to convert you to the religion. They can comfort you in times of affliction, annoyance, or discomfort. They can guide you and instruct you gently toward the light in moments of confusion. They don't have to baptize and convert you. They likely were not given the authority to baptize, perform other ordinances, and receive revelation on behalf of the whole human family. That authorization was given to Joseph Smith at the commencement of the dispensation of the fulness of times 200 years ago.
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