The Timeline
From the early church to the Restoration — a visual journey through two thousand years of history.
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Christ's Church
Jesus Christ calls twelve Apostles, ordains them with authority, and establishes His church with specific offices and ordinances.
Read more →The Savior completes the Atonement, rises from the dead, and ascends to heaven, leaving the Apostles as custodians of His authority.
James, the brother of John, becomes the first Apostle martyred — beheaded by King Herod Agrippa. The pattern of violent persecution begins.
Read more →Peter crucified upside down and Paul beheaded in Rome under Emperor Nero. The two greatest leaders of the early church are gone.
Read more →The last living Apostle is exiled to the island of Patmos, where he receives the Book of Revelation. He leaves no successor with apostolic keys.
Read more →The Apostasy
With no living Apostles to lead, local bishops make theological decisions independently. The mechanism for divine revelation is removed.
Read more →Emperor Constantine convenes bishops to resolve the Arian controversy. The Nicene Creed — crafted by committee — defines God in language not found in scripture.
Read more →The Christian church splits into Roman Catholic (West) and Eastern Orthodox (East) — the first major institutional fracture.
Read more →The Reformation
Peter Waldo and his followers begin translating scripture into common language. Centuries of persecution follow as they hide in Alpine valleys to preserve their faith.
Read more →John Wycliffe produces the first complete English translation of the Bible. So hated by the Church that 44 years after his death, his body is exhumed and burned.
Read more →Czech reformer Jan Huss is burned at the Council of Constance for challenging Church practices. He reportedly sang hymns as the flames consumed him.
Read more →Martin Luther nails his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, challenging indulgences and papal authority. The Protestant Reformation begins.
Read more →William Tyndale, who gave his life to translate the Bible into English, is strangled and burned at the stake. His dying prayer: 'Lord, open the King of England's eyes.'
Read more →Fleeing religious persecution, the Pilgrims establish Plymouth Colony — beginning the preparation of a land of religious freedom where the Restoration could occur.
Read more →The Restoration
Fourteen-year-old Joseph Smith kneels in a grove of trees and asks God which church to join. God the Father and Jesus Christ appear to him in person.
Read more →The angel Moroni appears to Joseph Smith and reveals the location of ancient gold plates containing the record of God's dealings with people in the Americas.
Read more →John the Baptist restores the Aaronic Priesthood (May 15). Peter, James, and John restore the Melchizedek Priesthood — the authority to act in God's name returns to earth.
Read more →531 pages of scripture, translated in approximately 65 working days — another testament of Jesus Christ, fulfilling Ezekiel's prophecy of two sticks becoming one.
Read more →The Church of Jesus Christ is formally organized with six members. The stone cut without hands begins its rolling.
Read more →Moses, Elias, and Elijah appear in the Kirtland Temple, restoring additional priesthood keys — including the keys of the gathering of Israel and the sealing power.
Read more →Joseph and Hyrum Smith are killed by a mob at Carthage Jail. Joseph seals his testimony with his blood, saying 'I go as a lamb to the slaughter.'
Read more →Led by Brigham Young, the Saints establish a home in the Salt Lake Valley. 'This is the right place,' he declares.
Through revelation to President Spencer W. Kimball, the priesthood is extended to all worthy male members regardless of race — a living example of continuing revelation.
Read more →The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints operates in 195+ countries with over 50,000 missionaries. The stone continues to roll forth.
Read more →