What is apostasy? The English word apostasy comes from the Greek apostasia, which means “rebellion”, “abandonment”, or “defection.” With the understanding of the roots of apostasy, we will notice there are varying degrees of ‘abandonment’ or ‘defection’ from truth aka apostasy. Generally speaking, apostates can be placed into three groups: Complete Apostates, Christian Apostates, and Protestant Apostates. These groups are named after their defining characteristics.
If I could have the readers of this article come away with only one thing it would be an understanding that there are different groups of apostates and that in order to help them come back, you need to ensure you are addressing the correct root issues. Otherwise, you will be like a Doctor giving out ibuprofen to a gunshot victim needing triage.
Complete Apostates
When we think of apostates, we often jump to Complete Apostates. Those who completely reject the Prophetic Keys, the Restoration, and even Jesus Christ. They almost always become atheists. Many of these make anti-Mormonism their religion. They leave the church but can’t leave it alone. In a militant level of hate they live, breathe, and post contempt for the Church.
When you look at a Complete Apostate, it is obvious they are the quintessential apostates. They are often extremely vocal and full of anger, and frequently post online spewing their hate. Whereas they do produce the majority of the noise against the Church, they are in actuality a vocal minority when it comes to apostates.
Christian Apostates
Christian Apostates, like Complete Apsotates, reject Prophetic Keys, and the Restoration in its entity, or so they claim, most still cling to a few favorite doctrines. They reject the Joseph Smith story, First Vision, Book of Mormon, etc. The key difference between Complete and Christian Apostates is that Christian Apostates still believe in Jesus Christ. Some may join other denominations, others become anti-Mormons, or simply nondenominational. This group is the smallest group of apostates. It is hard to go from full Restoration to the empty husks of post-apostolic Christianity.
Protestant Apostates
The final group of apostates are Protestant Apostates. Unlike the other apostates, these accept the basic concepts of the Restoration. IE These apostates still accept Christ, and Joseph Smith was called to restore the gospel, but from there, all bets are off. Some of these apostates still want to practice plural marriage, while others openly advocate for gay marriage. But they all reject the accepted doctrine in favor of their own opinions. These apostates often claim to be ‘faithful members’ who simply have “issues” or “disagreements” with the Church, its leaders, policies, or doctrine. They excuse away their apostasy by citing their belief in Jesus and Joseph Smith as proof they can’t have apostatized.
The hallmark of Protestant Apostates is they have rejected the living prophet along with Prophetic Keys. These people still profess a belief in Jesus Christ, and many even in Joseph Smith, but for one reason or another have decided to protest current orthodoxy, doctrine, policies, and ultimately the Priesthood Keys. This protesting of the priesthood keys bears striking similarities with the Protestant vs Catholic strife. For this reason, many people including myself, refer to these apostates as Protestant Mormons, because they are protesting Priesthood Authority.
Many many many people fall into this group. But one of the perfect examples is the Three Witnesses. They do not deny the Restoration or the Authenticity of the Book of Mormon, even though they all leave the Church. There are a lot of Schism groups that broke off from the Church when Brigham Young became the prophet, these are another example of Protestant Apostates (IE those protesting Brigham Young).
It is important to realize that the overwhelming majority of apostates are not Complete Apostates, but rather Protestant Apostates. But because most people only think of Complete Apostates when the word “Apostasy” is used, both Christian and Protestant Apostates often cite the fact they are not Complete Apostates to deflect accountability and claim they are not apostates. How many times has someone like Julie Hanks or Michelle Stone cited their belief in the Restoration to deflect accountability for their attacks on the Living Prophet? It is not just Michelle or Julie, the majority of apostate Latter-day Saint influencers are in this group. This is why they are so dangerous (See The Most Dangerous Apostates are Social Media Influencers).
Why These Groups Matter
It is vital to understand the differences and the root concerns of these different groups. Because, the different types of apostasy dictate the warning signs, as well as the proper response to help rescue them. Simply treating all apostates the same would be like treating all sicknesses the same. It would be like giving an antibiotic to a patient struggling with a viral infection, ie ineffective. So too is treating a Protestant Apostate as a Complete Apostate. For example; talking about Priesthood Keys would be meaningless to a Complete Apostate as they don’t even believe in Christ, let alone delegated authority. Inversely, focusing ‘just on Jesus Christ’ with a Protestant Apostate would also be ineffective as they often claim to be receiving personal revelations and to have a personal relationship with Christ already.
Helping Complete Apostates
With Complete Apostates, there is rarely anything you can do for them other than to pray for them, and simply love them. Until the pain that causes them to turn away from Christ dies down and they are ready to accept Jesus, there is little else you can do. DO NOT waste time arguing with Complete Apostates. It gets you nowhere, often devolving into contention rapidly.
Also, do not pray for them to find happiness or joy in their sin/apostasy either. When you do that, you are asking God to help them find happiness in wickedness. To do what never was, nor ever will be. Instead, like Alma the Elder, simply pray that they recognize the void or the dark ‘abyss’ like Alma the Younger, and that they will turn to Christ realizing only He can fill that void in their life.
Helping Christian Apostates
When a Christian Apostate rejects the Restoration, they rarely reject the entire thing. It is hard to give up all the doctrines of the Restoration as they resonate with Eternal Truth in our souls. So whereas they say they reject the Restoration, you can often find traces of unique restoration theology in their belief system. When you find these embers, blow on them. Don’t try to shove anything down their throat, but testify that you know not only that it is true, but where it came from. (For Three Doctrines Only The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Teaches But Every Christian Wants to Believe click HERE).
Helping Protestant Apostates
Helping Protestant Apostates will be radically different based on what they are protesting. It is NOT a one-size-fits-all program. You must find where they splinter (schism) away from the Restoration to help triage their apostasy. Ultimately, regardless of why they left, they will only come back if they gain/regain a testimony of Priesthood Keys and the role of the living prophet.
For example, on my mission, I taught a young lady who was part of a polygamous sect. She believed in the First Vision, Joseph’s prophetic role, even in the Book of Mormon. But it was not until she was taught the doctrines found in D&C 138 that she started to realize that her sect was missing something, they did not have temple work and it had always felt ‘off’ to her. Learning about the temple, brought true intent as she prayed to gain a testimony. Not of Jesus Christ, nor of Joseph Smith, or even the Book of Mormon, as she already had those. She prayed to gain a testimony of the prophet (Thomas S. Monson at the time). She was baptized after receiving a witness he held the Priesthood Keys.
Do Differences of Opinions with the Prophet = Apostasy?
In relating the concepts of this article to others one question I got was “What about those who believe women should be ordained to the Priesthood Offices (or any other disagreement)? Does that belief make them apostate?” The short answer is simple, “No. Belief alone does not make one apostate.” But I must caution, holding beliefs at odds with the prophets will put one into an extremely dangerous position. I think the best reply on this topic came from George Q. Cannon. He related:
A friend came to us this morning to question us respecting our reviews concerning apostasy. He wished to know whether we had said that we considered an honest difference of opinion between a member of the Church and the authorities of the Church apostasy, as he said, we had been credited with having made a statement to that effect.
We replied that we have not stated that an honest difference of opinion between a member of the Church and the authorities constituted apostasy; for we could conceive of a man honestly differing in opinion from the authorities of the Church and yet not be an apostate; but we could not conceive of a man publishing those differences of opinion, and seeking by arguments, sophistry and special pleading to enforce them upon the people to produce division and strife, and to place the acts and counsels of the authorities of the Church, if possible, in a wrong light, and not be an apostate, for such conduct was apostasy as we understood the term.
We further said that while a man might honestly differ in opinion from the authorities through a want of understanding, he had to be exceedingly careful how he acted in relation to such differences, or the adversary would take advantage of him and he would soon become imbued with the spirit of apostasy, can be found fighting against God and the authority which He had placed here to govern His Church.
Elder George Q. Cannon (Deseret Evening News, 3 November 1869.)
THEREFORE WHAT?
Now that you understand the groups of apostates and how to help them, it is time to get to work! You might be thinking that is not your job, but J. Reuben Clark Jr. taught: “There are among us, my brothers and sisters, men and women who have become discouraged, men and women who are straying away from the paths of truth. They need your help and mine. We may not simply sit idle and say: ‘Here are the principles, take them or leave them.’ It is the duty of each and every one of us, wherever we find the brother or the sister wandering aside from the straight and the narrow road, to go to that brother and that sister, and in humility, unselfishness, and righteousness try to bring him or her back into the fold.” (GC: Apr. 1936, page 63)
In conclusion, I echo the words of the beloved Hymn “Dear to the heart of the Shepherd”
Dear to the heart of the Shepherd,
Dear are the “ninety and nine”;
Dear are the sheep that have wandered
Out in the desert to pine.
Hark! he is earnestly calling,
Tenderly pleading today:
“Will you not seek for my lost ones,
Off from my shelter astray?”
Out in the desert they wander,
Hungry and helpless and cold…
Off to the rescue we’ll hasten,
Bringing them back to the fold.
Brothers and sisters, let’s answer His call and go bring ’em in!!!