Does the Book of Mormon itself restore—or even mention—doctrines missing from the Bible? No, in fact, the theology of the Book of Mormon isn’t Mormon – at least, not twenty-first century Mormonism. Latter-day Saints quote Doctrine and Covenants 20:9, 42:12, and 135:3 which claim that the Book of Mormon has “the fullness” of the everlasting Gospel. But as ex-Mormon writer Bob Witte has pointed out, most of the elements that make modern Mormonism distinctive aren’t in that book. In addition to temple worship, plural marriage, and the Negro-priesthood issue, Witte notes that the Book of Mormon also does not teach the following recently-advocated LDS doctrines:
- God has a body of flesh and bones
- God is an exalted man
- God is a product of eternal progression
- There is a plurality of gods (polytheism)
- Men may become gods
- The Trinity consists of three separate Gods
- There is no eternal hell and punishment
- “Intelligences”[i] are eternal
- The pre-existence of humans as spirits
- Marriage for eternity
- Three degrees of glory[ii]
- A mother in heaven
- A New Testament-era “Melchizidek Priesthood” with the offices and functions of elder, high priest, seventy, patriarch, and apostle
- A New Testament-era “Aaronic Priesthood” with the offices and functions of deacon, teacher, priest and bishop
- The functions and offices of evangelists, bishoprics, stake presidencies, apostles, a first presidency and president of the church
- Baptism for the dead and “second-chance salvation”[iii]
Authors Gruss and Thuet add to this list the requirements for LDS exaltation (that is, entrance into the Celestial Kingdom) that aren’t commanded in the Book of Mormon: LDS baptism and confirmation, paying of tithes, priesthood ordinances, and eternal polygamy; among other doctrines.[iv]
This matter of “plain and precious parts,” that the Book of Mormon supposedly restored, has puzzled Christians since 1830. A kind way to put it is to say that it is certainly no easier to understand than the Bible. Nor does it explain in any greater detail any biblical tenet.
[i] According to LDS doctrine, each human existed first as pure intelligence, then as a soul with a spirit body, and then came to earth to be clothed with a physical body.
[ii] In other words, merited levels of heaven.
[iii] Bob Witte, compiler, Where Does It Say That? (Safety Harbor, Fla: Ex-Mormons for Jesus, n.d.), 4. This is a very useful and compact compilation of photo-reprints of LDS documents and other materials. It has various other printing dates and places of publication.
[iv] Emond A. Gruss and Lane A. Thuet offer an excellent and detailed discussion concerning the historical inconsistencies regarding, and Biblical teachings countering, LDS priesthood claims. What Every Mormon (and Non-Mormon) Should Know (n.p.: Xulon Press, 2006),96-97.
For more information, see The Mormon Mirage 3rd Edition: A Former Member Looks at the Mormon Church Today(Zondervan, 2009). Also available as an audiobook and as an expanded-text E-book for Nook, Kindle and other reading devices.
