Originally Posted by
Bob Betts
Libby, according to LDS scriptures, as I've already pointed out, John and the three Nephites were the Apostles, with priesthood keys. And, Mormon and Moroni were successive prophets, with the priesthood authority, all the way up to A.D. 421. Prophets and apostles in the BoM, performing ordinances. What's missing, Libby?
Preach My Gospel claims that all the Apostles died. But, four did not.
Preach My Gospel states that the deaths of all the Apostles, triggered the universal apostasy, because the priesthood keys and presiding priesthood authority taken from the earth.
Preach My Gospel does NOT say, "Some priesthood keys and authority were taken from the earth," so that the four living priesthood holders could do everything but organize churches and perform temple ordinances. Preach My Gospel claims, without stipulations, that the priesthood keys and presiding priesthood authority were taken from the earth, triggering a COMPLETE and UNIVERSAL apostasy. That's all inclusive, no exceptions.
In Mormonism, the authority to prophesy, bring souls to Christ, baptize them both in water and the Holy Ghost, requires priesthood keys and authority, which the four Apostles and two prophets had, according to D&C 7:7 and 3 Nephi 28:6-9, and the books of Mormon and Moroni.
Therefore, at least the priesthood keys and presiding priesthood authority required to bring souls to Christ, baptize them both in water and the Holy Ghost, were NOT taken from the earth, making Preach My Gospel wrong, and the doctrine of a COMPLETE and UNIVERSAL apostasy, false.
Otherwise, all of the prophesying, evangelizing (bringing souls to Christ), and baptizing in water and the Holy Ghost that those four living Apostles, along with what the prophets Mormon and Moroni had performed, were performed WITHOUT ANY priesthood keys and presiding priesthood authority. Therefore, the ordinances they performed were invalid.
You can't have it both ways.