Restoration (Mormonism)

Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon church, prayed about which church to join. In a vision, two personages instructed him not to join any churches, for "all their creeds were an abomination."

For Support Mormons cite several passages in the Bible: Galatians 1:6-8 and 2 Thessalonians 2:3 concerning prophesy of total apostasy and Acts 3:20-21 as a promise of the restored church.

Opposing point of view

Critics argue:

• Galatians and 2 Thessalonians do not refer to a total apostasy of the church,
• The Bible does not promise a restored church,
• Mormons do not properly interpret The Bible by using exegesis[?], or deriving meaning from the content.

Critics argue the Mormon's interpretation of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 is an example of eisogeis[?], or adding new meaning to a passage. Critics say it refers to an end-time apostasy in the future, not to an event some 1800 years before the Mormon church. The text states the event is scheduled after the "man of lawless [the antichrist] is revealed."

Critics contend Galatians 1:6-8 refers to just a "different gospel" rather than total apostasy. In the context, the Christians at Galatia perverted the true gospel of salvation by grace only. The "different gospel" included works as a requirement.

Concerning Acts 3:20-21, the restoration of the Church by Joseph Smith is not appropriate. The context prefers either the restoration of Isreal[?] or restoration with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Furthermore, other passages do not allow total apostasy, such as Matthew 16:18: "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."