Whom Did the Lord Choose?
Ensign, Jan. 2006, 34-35; “In a surprisingly short time, the [ancient] Church disassembled. Without Apostles, the Church lost its anchor and began to drift on every wind of doctrine. Spiritual gifts disappeared, revelations ceased, the keys to the priesthood were lost, ordinances changed. Ultimately, the purity of our Lord’s gospel began to meld with other doctrines, beliefs, and practices. Philosophies and political influences began to infiltrate and transform the Church.
“During the centuries that followed, the light dimmed even further. President Thomas S. Monson . . . explained: ‘The dark ages of history seemed never to end.’ . . .
“At first a few great reformers began to speak out. When John Wycliffe completed the first English translation of the entire Bible, those in authority did all they could to destroy it. Many of Wycliffe’s followers were severely punished.
“Jan Hus, another fearless reformer who spoke against corruption in the church, was chained by the neck to a stake and burned.
“Thousands of others heroically searched for the truth and risked their all as they sought to worship God according to the dictates of their consciences.” – Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The Restoration and Faith”
