Contradictions in Mormon Scriptures

Mormonism and Biblical Truth

CONTRADICTIONS IN MORMON SCRIPTURES

Because God personifies truth, His Word is truth. And the main characteristic of truth is its consistency. So although all else around us may change, God will never change and nor will His Word. Unlike customs, or trends that come and go, truth always remains constant. We can rely on it, because it stands the test of time.

The modern idea that truth is relative is a deception that has been foisted on to a world that, for the most, has turned its back on God.

..... A God of truth ..... (Deuteronomy 32:4, KJV)
For I am the Lord, I change not. (Malachi 3:6, KJV)
All thy commandments are truth (Psalm 119:151, KJV)
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. (Isaiah 40:8, KJV)
For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89, KJV)

THE LDS CLAIMS THAT THEY ALONE HAVE THE TRUTH

The LDS maintains that they are the only true church and that they alone have the true gospel. However, their doctrines have changed on an ongoing basis over the years, to the extent that Mormonism of today bears little resemblance to what it was in its early days. And that is not characteristic of truth.

One of their many changes has been to their doctrine of deity. Fourteen years after the inception of the LDS church, in a speech known as the King Follett Discourse, Joseph Smith persuaded his followers to turn their backs on their previous deity to follow and worship instead, a man of flesh and bone, who had progressed from being an ordinary mortal man, to godhood. The Book of Mormon, which he'd written earlier on, teaches the trinitarian spirit deity, thereby contradicting later Mormon scriptures that teach a God of flesh and bone.

If our ideas about God are wrong, then we'll be wrong about our other doctrines too, because ultimately all our beliefs stem from our view of God.

If the LDS was the true church and the only possessor of truth, as they claimed they were, how could they have worshipped the supposedly wrong God for over fourteen years? And if their church has the true teachings of God, why do they have to keep changing their doctrines?

This subject is too vast to tackle all at once. So we will only deal here with some, but not all, of the contradictions in the LDS scriptures alone, and not with the many contradictions between Mormon teachings and their doctrinal books, or between Mormon scriptures and the Bible. Therefore, it needs to be borne in mind that this is only the very small tip of a very deep iceberg.

The abbreviations used here are:

BOM = Book of Mormon
D&C = Doctrine and Covenants
POGP = Pearl of Great Price

THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD
Now Zeerom said: Is there more than one God? And he (Amulek) answered, No. Now Zeerom said unto him again: How knowest thou these things? And he said: An angel hath made them known unto me ..... Now Zeerum said unto the people: See that ye remember these things; for he said there is but one God (BOM, Alma 11:28-31, 35)
..... And shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God ...(BOM Alma 11:44)
..... and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. (BOM 2 Nephi 31:21)
..... to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God ..... BOM Mormon 7:7)
..... I say unto you, that the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one ..... (BOM 3 Nephi 11:27)
And he had sworn in his wrath unto the brother of Jared, that whoso should possess this land of promise, from that time henceforth and forever, should serve him, the true and only God ..... (BOM Ether 2:8)

THERE IS MORE THAN ONE GOD
According to that which was ordained in the midst of the Council of the Eternal God of all other gods before this world was ..... (D&C 121:32)
Then shall they be gods, because they have no end ..... Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject to them. (D&C 132:20)
..... They have entered into their exaltation, according to the promises, and sit upon thrones, and are not angels but are gods. (D&C 132:37)
..... And they, that is the Gods, organized and formed the heavens and the earth (POGP Abraham 4:1).

GOD IS SPIRIT (WITHOUT A BODY)
And then Ammon said: Believest thou that there is a Great Spirit? And he said, Yea. And Ammon said: This is God. And Ammon said unto him again: Believest thou that this Great Spirit, who is God, created all things ......? (BOM Alma 18:26-28)
And the king said: Is God that Great Spirit that brought our fathers out of the land of Jerusalem? And Aaron said unto him: Yea, he is that Great Spirit, and he created all things both in heaven and in earth ..... (BOM Alma 22:9-11)

GOD HAS A BODY
The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's ..... (D&C 130:22)

GOD DWELLS IN OUR HEARTS
And this I know, because the Lord hath said he dwelleth not in unholy temples, but in the hearts of the righteous doth he dwell ..... (BOM Alma 34:36)

GOD DOES NOT DWELL IN OUR HEARTS
..... And the idea that the Father and the Son dwell in a man's heart is an old sectarian notion, and is false (D&C 130:3)

GOD ALONE CREATED ALL THINGS
..... for there is a God and he hath created all things (BOM 2 Nephi 2:14)
For behold, by the power of his word man came upon the face of the earth, which was created by the power of his word (BOM Jacob 4:9)
..... I am the Beginning and the End, the Almighty God; by mine Only Begotten I created these things; yea in the beginning I created the heaven, and the earth upon which thou standest. (POGP Moses 2:1)
And I, God, said: Let there be light; and there was light. And I, God, saw the light; and that light was good. And I, God, divided the light from the darkness. (POGP Moses 2:3, 4)

CREATION OF THE EARTH WAS BY PLURAL GODS
And they (the Gods) said: Let there be light; and there was light. And they (the Gods) comprehended the light, for it was bright; and they divided the light, or caused it to be divided, from the darkness. (POGP Abraham 4:3, 4)

GOD'S WORD IS UNCHANGEABLE
Now, the decrees of God are unalterable (BOM Alma 41:8)

GOD'S WORD IS CHANGEABLE
Wherefore I, the Lord, command and revoke, as it seemeth me good ....... For behold, I revoke the commandment that was given unto my servants (D&C 56:5-6)

JESUS AND GOD ARE ONE ETERNAL GOD
..... God himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people. And because he dwelleth in flesh he shall be called the Son of God, and having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father, being the Father and the Son — The Father, because he was conceived by the power of God; and the Son, because of the flesh thus becoming the Father and the Son — And they are one God; yea, the very eternal Father of heaven and earth. (BOM, Mosiah 15:1-4). (Emphasis by editor).
..... for behold I [Jesus] am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world. (BOM, Ether 4:12).
..... Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God..... (Alma 11:44)
It must needs be that the Gentiles be convinced also that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God (2 Nephi 26:12)
(Joseph Smith changed his theology after he had written the Book of Mormon, from which the above quotes are taken. But if he had restored the true church, and if the Book of Mormon is "the most correct book on earth." why did he have to keep changing the LDS church's doctrines? Bear in mind that the Christian church of today still teaches exactly the same doctrines that were taught by the apostles and the primitive church, in the New Testament, because truth never changes.)

JESUS, GOD AND THE HOLY GHOST ARE THREE SEPARATE GODS
Therefore we know that both the Father and the Son are in form and stature perfect men; each of them possesses a tangible body . . . of flesh and bones (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 38).
The trinity is three separate Gods: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. "That these three are separate individuals, physically distinct from each other, is demonstrated by the accepted records of divine dealings with man" (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, page 35; Gospel Through the Ages, page 15)
Three separate personages — Father, Son, and Holy Ghost — comprise the Godhead... As each of these persons is a God, it is evident from this standpoint alone, that a plurality of Gods exists. To us...these three are the only Gods we worship (Mormon Doctrine, LDS Apostle Bruce McConkie, pages 576-577).
(According to the LDS doctrine of eternal progression, God and Christ have to be separate beings, as the LDS God was once a mortal man, who lived in obedience to the same laws and ordinances that apply to Mormons today, thereby earning his right to be exalted to godhood. But the doctrine of eternal progression didn't exist at the start of the LDS church. Mormonism of today bears little resemblance to what it was at the start. With hindsight, it is obvious that Joseph Smith invented Mormonism as he went along. So it became an evolving religion, hence their ongoing changes in theology. At the moment they have evolved to the stage where they are claiming to be a Christian denomination – see Mormonism's Claim to be a Christian Denomination .)

POLYGAMY IS CONDEMNED
And it came to pass that the people of Nephi, under the reign of the second king, began to grow hard in their hearts, and indulge themselves somewhat in wicked practices, such as like unto David of old desiring many wives and concubines, and also Solomon, his son (BOM Jacob 1:15)
For behold, thus saith the Lord: This people begin to wax in iniquity; they understand not the scriptures, for they seek to excuse themselves in committing whoredoms, because of the things which were written concerning David, and Solomon his son. Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord. (BOM Jacob 2:23-24)
Behold the Lamanites your brethren, whom ye hate because of their filthiness and the cursing which hath become upon their skins, are more righteous than you; for they have not forgotten the commandment of the Lord, which was given unto our father — that they should have save it were one wife, and concubines they should have none, and there should not be whoredoms committed among them. (BOM Jacob 3:5).
For behold, he did not keep the commandments of God, but he did walk after the desires of his own heart. And he had many wives and concubines. And he did cause his people to commit sin, and do that which was abominable in the sight of the Lord. Yea, and they did commit whoredoms and all manner of wickedness. (BOM Mosiah 11:2)
And it came to pass that Riplakish did not do that which was right in the sight of the Lord, for he did have many wives and concubines. (BOM Ether 10:5)

POLYGAMY IS JUSTIFIED
Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servant Joseph, that inasmuch as you have inquired of my hand to know and understand wherein I, the Lord, justified my servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as also Moses, David and Solomon, my servants, as touching the principle and doctrine of their having many wives and concubines ..... (D&C 132:1)
Abraham received concubines, and they bore him children; and it was accounted unto him for righteousness ..... (D&C 132:37)
David also received many wives and concubines, and also Solomon and Moses my servants, as also many others of my servants from the beginning of creation until this time; and in nothing did they sin save in those things which they received not of me. (D&C 132:38)
David's wives and concubines were given unto him of me, by the hand of Nathan, my servant, and others of the prophets who had the keys of power; and in none of these things did he sin against me ..... (D&C 132:39)
And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood — if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give her consent, and if he spouses the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is he justified; he cannot commit adultery with that that belongeth unto him and to no one else. And if he have ten virgins given unto him by this law, he cannot commit adultery, for they belong to him, and they are given to him; therefore is he justified. (D&C 132:61, 62)

GOD CONDEMNS LYING
Wo unto the liar, for he shall be thrust down to hell. (BOM 2 Nephi 9:34)
And he answered: Yea, Lord I know that thou speakest the truth for thou art a God of truth, and canst not lie (BOM Ether 3:12).

GODS COMMANDS LYING
..... The Lord said unto me: Behold, Sarai, thy wife, is a very fair woman to look upon; Therefore it shall come to pass when the Egyptians shall see her they will say — She is his wife; and they will kill you, but they will save her alive; therefore see that you do on this wise: Let her say unto the Egyptians, she is thy sister, and thy soul shall live. (POGP Abraham 2:22-24)

Although Sarai was Abraham's half-sister, they were a married couple. And their relationship was that of husband and wife, not sister and brother. Abraham's lie resulted in the Egyptians being punished for something that wasn't their fault — see Genesis 12:17-19.

As with any other sin, when we lie we are ultimately responsible for the consequences, and very often our sins causes ripples that spread far and wide, sometimes touching the lives of innocent folk we don't even know.

It would not have been just for God to have punished the Egyptians, as the Bible reveals that He did, for having believed the deception that the LDS's Book of Abraham insists was instigated by God Himself. That would have been wicked, and a God of goodness and holiness would never stoop that low. Yet the Book of Abraham would have us believe that God is as devious as any sinful man. And by so doing, it besmirches both His name and His integrity.

The God of the Bible is all powerful, and was quite capable of safeguarding both Abraham and Sarah, without having to resort to lies and trickery. As the Bible reveals, it was Abraham who had lied, not the righteous God of truth.

MANKIND IS ETERNAL AND HAD A PRE-EXISTENCE PRIOR TO HIS EARTHLY LIFE
Ye were also in the beginning with the Father ..... (D&C 93:23)
Man was also in the beginning with God D&C 93:29).
Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones; And God saw these souls that they were good, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born. (POGP Abraham 3:22-23).

MANKIND WAS CREATED AND HIS EXISTENCE ONLY BEGAN ON EARTH
(Something that already exists cannot be created.)
For behold by the power of his word man came upon the face of the earth, which earth was created by the power of his word. Wherefore, if God being able to speak and the world was, and to speak and man was created ..... (BOM Jacob 4:9).
And Ammon said: Yea, and he looketh down upon all the children of men; and he knows all the thoughts and intents of the heart; for by his hand were they all created from the beginning. (BOM Alma 18:32)
Ammon said unto him: I am a man; and man in the beginning was created after the image of God ..... (BOM Alma 18:34).
Now when Ammon had said these words, he began at the creation of the world, and also the creation of Adam ..... (BOM Alma 18:36).

Creation and procreation are two different things. Mankind didn't come into being through God breeding with his plural wives. Both the Book of Mormon and the Bible teach that mankind is a species that was created by God, as per the record in Genesis.

NO PAID MINISTRY
But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money they shall perish. (BOM 2 Nephi 26:31)
Yea, and all their priests and teachers should labor with their own hands for their support, in all cases save it were in sickness, or in much want ..... (BOM Mosiah 27:5)

PAID MINISTRY
And the elders or high priests who are appointed to assist the bishop as counselors in all things, are to have their families supported out of the property which is consecrated to the bishop, for the good of the poor, and for other purposes, as before mentioned; Or they are to receive a just remuneration for all their services, either a stewardship or otherwise, as may be thought best or decided by the counselors and bishop. And the bishop, also, shall receive his support, or a just remuneration for all his services in the church (D&C 42:71-73)
And if ye desire the glories of the kingdom, appoint ye my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and uphold him before me by the prayer of faith. And again, I say unto you, that if ye desire the mysteries of the kingdom, provide for him food and raiment, and whatsoever thing he needeth to accomplish the work wherewith I have commanded him (D&C 43:12-13)
And again, let the bishop appoint a storehouse unto this church; and let all things both in money and in meat, which are more than is needful for the wants of this people, be kept in the hands of the bishop. And let him also reserve unto himself for his own wants, and for the wants of his family, as he shall be employed in doing this business. (D&C 51:13-14)

LDS MEMBERS WHO TITHE WON'T BE BURNED
..... It is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming. (D&C 64:23)

CORRUPT CHURCHES PROMISE FORGIVENESS FOR MONEY
Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be churches built up that shall say: Come unto me, and for your money you shall be forgiven of your sins. O ye wicked and perverse and stiff necked people, why have ye built up churches unto yourself to get gain? ..... (BOM Mormon 8:32,33)

CONCLUSION

Although members of the LDS will have been aware of most, if not all of the above contradictions, this doesn't mean that they should be complacent about them. The existence of contradictions and/or changed doctrines in every area of their theology, especially regarding deity, should alert them to the fact that something is radically wrong. It sends out a clear message that the LDS church could not have been the possessor of God's truth in the first place. How could truth contradict itself? And if a religion is built on a foundation of deception and error, there is little chance that it could ever evolve into truth.

If God had been guiding their prophet, Joseph Smith, when he had started up the LDS church, their doctrines would have been correct from the beginning, and there would have been no need to have kept on changing them. According to the Bible it is only false prophets who give incorrect revelations. One can only conclude that Mormonism either originated in the mind of Joseph Smith, or else that he was guided by spiritual forces whose aim it was to deceive.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12, KJV)

The following link leads to an article on the LDS's changing deity doctrines (that have resulted in many of their earlier scriptures contradicting those that were written later):

The Mormon Gods, Past and Present

To access a comprehensive index of articles comparing various aspects of Mormonism with what the Bible teaches, click on the "home" button at the bottom of this page.

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