Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of Mormonism, first published by Joseph Smith, Jr. in March 1830 in Palmyra, New York. The book's self-declared main purpose is to testify of Jesus Christ, through the writings of ancient American prophets. It asserts that it was abridged and compiled by the prophet Mormon and his son Moroni in the 4th century, for "the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God." Joseph Smith claimed to have translated the record by divine inspiration with assistance from the Urim and Thummim.

Role of the Book of Mormon in Mormonism

Many find the role of the Book of Mormon in Mormonism enigmatic in that it does not receive the expected central focus indicated by its purported history, origin, and role in the beginning of Mormonism.

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Apologetic Point of View

This phenomenon (of not placing enough emphasis on the Book of Mormon or ignoring it all together) was decried in a revelation to Joseph Smith that pronounced a condemnation on the "whole church" for treating the Book of Mormon "lightly," until they should "repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written, that they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father's kingdom" (Doctrine and Covenants 84:55-58). The importance of studying the Book of Mormon has been stressed by every church president since Joseph Smith, who stated that the Book of Mormon was "the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book."

Related Topics:
Joseph Smith - Repent - Lord - Father's - Kingdom - Doctrine and Covenants - President - Keystone - Religion

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The Book of Mormons significance was reiterated in the late 20th century by Ezra Taft Benson, Apostle and 13th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In July 2005, current LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley challenged each member of the church to reread the Book of Mormon again before year end. The book's importance is commonly stressed at the twice-yearly General Conference and at special devotionals by General Authorities in the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the several Quorums of the Seventy.

Related Topics:
Ezra Taft Benson - Apostle - President - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Gordon B. Hinckley - General Conference - General Authorities - First Presidency - Quorum of the Twelve Apostles - Quorums of the Seventy

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Alleged inconsistencies between the Book of Mormon and Latter-day Saint doctrine

Critics of Mormonism have claimed that the Book of Mormon does not seem entirely consistent with Mormon (and/or more specifically, LDS) doctrine. The book's Introduction states that the Book of Mormon "contains, as does the Bible, the fullness of the everlasting gospel," though it does not dictate certain specific doctrines important to Latter-day Saints, including the origin of God, Baptism for the dead and other temple ordinances, and the pre-existence. It also does not dictate the doctrine of plural marriage, or polygamy, which a few 'fundamentalist' splinter sects maintain; however, the Book of Mormon does mention polygamy, and Jacob says concerning it:

Related Topics:
Critics of Mormonism - Latter-day Saints - God - Baptism for the dead - Temple - Ordinance - Pre-existence - Plural marriage - Polygamy - Jacob

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:"I the Lord God will not suffer that this people shall do like unto them of old...For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none...For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise, they shall hearken unto these things" (Jacob 2:26-27,30).

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The saints believe that the Lord commanded polygamy for a time, but when the 1890 Manifesto revoked that commandment, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began to excommunicate members who entered into polygamous relationships.

Related Topics:
1890 Manifesto - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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To counter the accusation that the Book of Mormon does not contain "the fullness of the everlasting gospel," some LDS members point to a statement made by Joseph Smith to the effect that the basic and essential doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are Faith, Repentance, Baptism, and Confirmation, which are taught in the Book of Mormon, and all other doctrines and practices are but appendages to those tenets. Another interpreation of the phrase "fullness of the everlasting gospel" is that the Book of Mormon contains, as does the Bible, the true gospel (the message of Christ's Atonement and of the plan of salvation), untarnished by centuries of misinterpretation.

Related Topics:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Faith - Repentance - Baptism - Confirmation - Gospel - Atonement - Salvation

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The following passages appear to casual observers to conflict with Mormon (and more specifically, LDS) doctrines:

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• The Father and the Son are one God (Mosiah 15:4). Critics argue that this means the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit cannot be three individuals and that mankind cannot be made like God. Most Latter Day Saints, however, will point out that this passage is a reference to Jesus Christ as both the Father and the Son (see Mosiah 15:1-3). The prophet Abinadi is teaching corrupt priests about the Law of Moses, and how it is in preparation for the coming of the Messiah. This Book of Mormon teaching, in effect, shows that the God of Israel and the Messiah are one and the same being, Jesus Christ; He is of the Old Testament ("Father," representing God the Father) and Lord of the New Testament ("Son"), which is exactly what the LDS church teaches.
• God is "the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Mormon 9:9). So, critics argue, he could not have once been a man. Most Latter Day Saints believe the phrase "God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, is used in reference to the constancy of the gospel; from before the time of Adam until the end of the world and beyond, there has only been one true gospel preached. In other words, because the gospel is constant, God is as well; thus, because the phrase does not refer to the nature of God, it is not a contradiction of the doctrine of eternal progression.
• Desiring many wives is "wicked" (Jacob 1:15). Critics argue that the doctrine of plural marriage contradicts the Book of Mormon. Few Latter Day Saints would argue that desiring multiple wives is good. What the critics should notice, however, is that it is the desire that is condemned, not the practice, which the Lord has commanded from time to time.

Latter Day Saints believe it makes no sense to claim that a book so complex and revolutionary as the Book of Mormon might contradict itself within the span of a few pages. Moreover, Latter Day Saints find it equally ridiculous when critics claim that Joseph Smith, who was intimately aware of the Book of Mormon's teachings, taught doctrines contrary to the teachings of the book on which rests the whole validy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Therefore, it seems irrational that these "contradictions" exist, and problems or confusion must stem from a person's misinterpretation of the passage or teaching.

Related Topics:
Joseph Smith - Validy - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Irrational

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