Great and abominable church
Encyclopedia
In the Latter Day Saint movement
, the great and abominable church (also called the great whore of all the earth) is an actual or metaphorical church described in the Book of Mormon
and other revelations by Joseph Smith, Jr. The church is usually identified with the whore of Babylon
described in the Book of Revelation
.
According to the Book of Mormon, the great and abominable church was formed soon after the life of Jesus
and is responsible for killing the Apostles, and for the Great Apostasy
(1 Ne. 13:5-6). The church was said to be instrumental in corrupting the Bible and removing from it "the most plain and precious parts of the gospel of the Lamb" (1 Ne. 13:34).
Although some writers understand the great and abominable church to refer to the Catholic church or Protestantism
, the references in the Book of Mormon could have been metaphorical, because, according to the book,
A book entitled Mormon Doctrine
, originally published in 1958 by Bruce R. McConkie
, contains references linking the Roman Catholic Church
to the Whore of Babylon. McConkie became an apostle twelve years after its publication, and was a respected scholar and authority regarding the doctrines and beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is said that some leaders in the LDS Church at the time urged McConkie not to identify the Roman Catholic Church as such, but the initial publications went out unchanged as McConkie intended. A later edition published in 1966 removed the reference.
The great and abominable church, also known as the whore of all the earth, is, "...he that fighteth against Zion, both Jew and Gentile, both bond and free, both male and female...for they are they who are the whore of all the earth; for they who are not for me are against me, saith our God.". The men and/or women, who took out "plain and precious" parts out of the Bible, belonged to the great and abominable church.
The great and abominable church is also referred to as "The church of the devil" because "The devil founded the great and abominable church,..." .
References:
1. 2 Nephi 10:16
2. 1 Nephi 13:28
3. D&C 18:20
4. 1 Nephi 13:6
Additional References:
1 Nephi 13:29
Latter Day Saint movement
The Latter Day Saint movement is a group of independent churches tracing their origin to a Christian primitivist movement founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. in the late 1820s. Collectively, these churches have over 14 million members...
, the great and abominable church (also called the great whore of all the earth) is an actual or metaphorical church described in the Book of Mormon
Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2600 BC to AD 421. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr...
and other revelations by Joseph Smith, Jr. The church is usually identified with the whore of Babylon
Whore of Babylon
The Whore of Babylon or "Babylon the great" is a Christian allegorical figure of evil mentioned in the Book of Revelation in the Bible. Her full title is given as "Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes and Abominations of the Earth." -Symbolism:...
described in the Book of Revelation
Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation is the final book of the New Testament. The title came into usage from the first word of the book in Koine Greek: apokalupsis, meaning "unveiling" or "revelation"...
.
According to the Book of Mormon, the great and abominable church was formed soon after the life of Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
and is responsible for killing the Apostles, and for the Great Apostasy
Great Apostasy
The Great Apostasy is a term used by some religious groups to describe a general fallen state of traditional Christianity, especially the Papacy, because it allowed the traditional Roman mysteries and deities of solar monism such as Mithras and Sol Invictus and idol worship back into the church,...
(1 Ne. 13:5-6). The church was said to be instrumental in corrupting the Bible and removing from it "the most plain and precious parts of the gospel of the Lamb" (1 Ne. 13:34).
Although some writers understand the great and abominable church to refer to the Catholic church or Protestantism
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
, the references in the Book of Mormon could have been metaphorical, because, according to the book,
- "there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church, which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth" (1 Ne. 14:10-11).
A book entitled Mormon Doctrine
Mormon Doctrine (book)
Mormon Doctrine is an encyclopedic work written in 1958 by Bruce R. McConkie, a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was intended primarily for a Latter-day Saint audience and is often used as a reference book by church members because of its comprehensive nature...
, originally published in 1958 by Bruce R. McConkie
Bruce R. McConkie
Bruce Redd McConkie was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1972 until his death...
, contains references linking the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
to the Whore of Babylon. McConkie became an apostle twelve years after its publication, and was a respected scholar and authority regarding the doctrines and beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is said that some leaders in the LDS Church at the time urged McConkie not to identify the Roman Catholic Church as such, but the initial publications went out unchanged as McConkie intended. A later edition published in 1966 removed the reference.
The great and abominable church, also known as the whore of all the earth, is, "...he that fighteth against Zion, both Jew and Gentile, both bond and free, both male and female...for they are they who are the whore of all the earth; for they who are not for me are against me, saith our God.". The men and/or women, who took out "plain and precious" parts out of the Bible, belonged to the great and abominable church.
The great and abominable church is also referred to as "The church of the devil" because "The devil founded the great and abominable church,..." .
References:
1. 2 Nephi 10:16
2. 1 Nephi 13:28
3. D&C 18:20
4. 1 Nephi 13:6
Additional References:
1 Nephi 13:29