Does the Book of Mormon foretell the apostasy of the LDS Church?

[_sethpayne]

And blessed are the Gentiles, because of their belief in me, . . . in the latter day shall the truth come unto the Gentiles, that the fulness of these things shall be made known unto them.
* * *
And thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you: "At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth . . . ; and if they shall do all those things, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, Behold," saith the Father, "I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them."

--3 Nephi 16:6-7, 10-16 (Jesus speaking)

Consig -- isn't this a prophecy of Joseph Smith, being a Gentile, bringing forth the restoration?

I suppose I've always read this as referring to Gentiles in the pre-1920s but perhaps I am not reading carefully enough.

Certainly the Bickertonites interpret the verse as you have suggested.

[_consiglieri]

I didn't know about the Bickertonites, Seth.

And in the interests of full disclosure, it should be noted that a caveat is added that if the Gentiles repent, none of this will happen.

But it seems the history of those types of "if they repent" caveats go largely unfulfilled.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

[_Drifting]

Church leaders today have to negotiate a middle-road, and that is never easy. It's kind of like straddling a fence. They have to keep the church corporation solvent, and this involves doing things that perhaps do not appear Christlike...or even are frankly un-Christlike, like City Creek. Like I said, I think it is a very tough time.

Church leaders do not have to negotiate a middle-road.

Church leaders, under the direct guidance of God are to lead the Church as He instructs them. The question is, why did God want City Creek because not only does it not feed the poor, it doesn't help solvency of the Church. Think of the content of the recent Conference, was that the best that could be offered up for the cost of producing it?

How do the Church leaders rate on delivering the stated four fold mission of the Church?
1. Preach the Gospel - poor conversion and retention rates.
2. Perfect the Saints - how knowledgeable and engaged are the members?
3. Redeem the dead - think holocaust debacle and temples operating only part time.
4. Care for the poor & needy - don't get me started on that one...

Their performance on every aspect of their job role is poor and has been poor for a long time. UNICEF is a more Christlike organization.

[_Nightlion]

I weep.