An Examination of
Mormon Texts
Problem Issues to Discuss
When Speaking with Mormons
Jude 3-4
Galatians 1:6-9
Three Problems
The Book of Mormon cannot be “another
testament” because it simply is not true.
The Book of Mormon cannot compare with
the Bible because the Book of Mormon
cannot possibly be God’s word.
The whole Mormon religion cannot stand
because it is based on the false claims of the
Book of Mormon.
First Thessalonians 5:21
“Test all things;
hold fast what is
good.”
Doctrines and Covenants
They were supposedly given to Smith by
the Mormon God in order that he might
write them down for the benefit of all the
people (D&C 1:17-28).
It was originally published as The Book of
Commandments in 1833.
– Smith claimed that they were written down
perfectly as God directed him.
– 2000 changes were made to it (including the title
of it) just two years later.
Problem #1-- D&C132
D&C132 is all about “plural marriage.”
– “For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting
covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then ye are
damned; for no one can reject this covenant and permitted
to enter into my glory” (132:4).
– D&C132:15-28 discusses the eternal marriage
covenant sealed by God.
– D&C132:29-50 discuss how polygamy is not a sin to
those who God has given the command to take “many
wives and concubines.”
– D&C132:51-56 discusses Emma Smith’s responsibility
to this covenant.
Problem #1-- D&C132
The Two Manifestos (1890 and 1904)
– Woodruff and Joseph Fielding Smith both
taught and practices polygamy until their deaths.
Smith believed, practiced, and taught
polygamy from D&C132.
– Smith was married to at least 30 different
women at the same time.
– Nancy Winchester was 14 or 15 years old.
– Eleven of them were already married.
– All but five of them came before D&C132 was
made public.
Problem #1-- D&C132
In the 1835 to 1844 editions of the D&C
contained D&C101which explained
marriage.
– It has since been replaced by D&C132.
– “In as much as this church of Christ has been
reproached by fornication and polygamy: we
declare that we believe, that one man should have
one wife, and one woman, but one husband, except
in the case of death, when either is at liberty to
marry again” (D&C101, p251 of the 1835
edition).
Problem #1-- D&C132
Polygamy was publicly denounced by Smith
and the Mormon Church between 1835 and
1844.
Yet, polygamy was practiced by Smith and
other Mormon leaders secretly since 1831
and publicly since 1852 and has been a part
of the Mormon scriptures since 1871.
D&C132 contradicts other D&C’s.
Problem #1-- D&C132
D&C132 contradicts the BoM.
– “And now it came to pass that Zeniff conferred the
kingdom upon Noah, one of his sons; therefore
Noah began to reign in his stead; and he did not
walk in the ways of his father. 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 which was
abominable in the sight of the Lord. Yea, and they
did commit whoredoms and all manner of
wickedness” (Mosaiah 11:1-2).
Problem #1-- D&C132
D&C132 contradicts the BoM.
– “And now it came to pass that the people of Nephi,
under the reign of the second king, began to grow
heard 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” (Jacob 1:15).
Problem #1-- D&C132
D&C132 contradicts the BoM.
– “Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and
concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith
the Lord. Wherefore, thus saith the Lord, I have led this
people forth out of the land of Jerusalem, by the power of
mine arm, that I might raise up unto me a righteous branch
from the fruit of the loins of Joseph. Wherefore, I the Lord
God will not suffer that this people shall do like unto them
of old. Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to
the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among
you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have
none. For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of
women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me;
thus saith the Lord.” (Jacob 2:24-28).
Problem #1-- D&C132
D&C132 contradicts the New Testament.
– Monogamy was the original plan (Gen. 2:18-25).
– This is the only plan we are to follow today
according to Jesus (Matthew 19:4-6;
First Corinthians 7:2).
– The New Testament teaches the exact
opposite of what D&C132 teaches, namely that
one will NOT be damned if they do NOT
engage in this sexual immorality, but they WILL
be damned if they do (Revelation 21:8).
Problem #1-- D&C132
Mormon presidents, apostles, and prophets
all taught the necessity of polygamy in
The Journal of Discourses.
– Volume 3, page 266
– Volume 5, page 203
– Volume 11, page 239, 269
– Volume 13, page 166
– Volume 17, pages 224-225
– Volume 25, page 21
– Volume 26, page 115
Problem #2– D&C107
“There are, in the church, two priesthoods,
namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic,
including the Levitical Priesthood”
(D&C107:1).
– D&C107:2-10 explains the Melchizedek
priesthood in the Mormon Church.
– D&C107:13-21 explains the inferiority of the
Aaronic priesthood which is simultaneously in
effect with the Melchizedek priesthood.
– It continues to discuss the Quorum of Twelve
and “The Seventy” in the Mormon Church.
Problem #2– D&C107
This organization does not match the
organization found in the New Testament.
– Jesus is the Head of the Body, aka the Church
(Ephesians 1:22).
– Elders and deacons (Philippians 1:1).
– All Christians are a “royal priesthood”
(First Peter 2:9).
Problem #2– D&C107
There is no way for a Jew to prove their
lineage after the Temple and its records
were destroyed in 70AD.
– There is no way to prove Levitical ancestry.
– Granted, Smith claimed that he was visited by
John the Baptist and the Aaronic priesthood
was confirmed upon him (Joseph Smith 1832
History, p1).
– However, he still wasn’t a Levite and the Old
Law was already done away with (Col. 2:14).
Problem #2– D&C107
Smith claimed that the Melchizedek
priesthood was “restored” to him in 1831 by
the apostles, Peter, James and John.
– Psalm 110 prophesied that the Messiah would
be a “priest forever according to the order of
Melchizedek” (110:4).
– Hebrews 4:14-5:11 and 7:1-10 shows how
Jesus is the only One who could possibly be a
priest after Melchizedek.
Problem #3– D&C87
God’s TEST for us to use in determining
the authenticity of a prophet.
– Deuteronomy 18:20-22
– If someone said they were from God and what
they prophesied about came true, then they were
from God.
– If someone said they were from God and what
they prophesied about did NOT come true,
they were to be put to death.
Problem #3– D&C87
Joseph Smith claimed to prophesy about
the things of God.
– He said Jesus would return in 1891 (History of
the Church, vol.2, p.182).
– It is reported that Smith prophesied that there
were Quakers living on the moon who lived to be
1000 years old (The Young Woman’s Journal,
vol.3, pgs.263-264).
– D&C87 is another one of those prophecies.
Problem #3– D&C87
In D&C87, Smith “prophesied” that “The
Southern States shall be divided against
the Northern States, and the Southern
States shall call upon other nations, even
the nation of Great Britain” (87:3).
– The Civil War did not turn into a World War as
Smith prophesied it would.
Other failed prophecies that are a part of
the D&C are 45, 57, 84, 97, 104, 105, 111,
112, 121, 130, and 117.
Problem #3– D&C87
“A prophet is a prophet only when he is
acting as such.”
– The Teachings of the prophet Joseph Smith ,
section 5, 1842-1843, pg.278
The “fulfilled” prophesies of Smith.
– D&C29:8
– Joseph Smith- History 1:33
– Smith, 1902, 6:319
– And D&C87????
Conclusion
The D&C often contradicts itself, other
Mormon scriptures, and most importantly,
the Bible.
The organization of the Mormon Church
does not match the organization of the True
Church of Jesus Christ.
Smith is a failed and false prophet and
should not be listened to by anyone.
The D&C just cannot be “from God.”
Book Sources
“Three Standard Works” and Journal of Discourses
What Do Mormons Believe by Rex E Lee
No Man Knows My History by Fawn M Brodie
The Complete Joseph Smith Translation of the New
Testament edited by Thomas E Wayment
Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer
Handbook of Biblical Evidences by Ankerberg and Weldon
Mormonism Exposed by GB Hancock
The God Makers by Decker and Hunt
The Truth about the God Makers by Sharffs
Historical Atlas of Ancient America by Bancroft and Hunt
Book Sources
Becoming Gods by Richard Abanes
Mormonism 101 by Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson
One Nation Under Gods by Richard Abanes
Mormon Polygamy: A History by Richard S Van Wagoner
10 Questions and Answers on Mormonism by Rose Publishing
Mormon Doctrine by Bruce McConkie
Evidences and Reconciliations by John Widtsoe
Internet Sources
Christian Research and Counsel www.crcmin.org
Living Hope Ministries www.lhvm.org
Mormonwiki www.mormonwiki.org
Mormons in Transition www.irr.org/mit
Utah Lighthouse Ministries www.utlm.org
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Official
Website www.lds.org
FAIRLDS www.fairlds.org
FARMS www.maxwellinstitute.byu.edu
Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry www.carm.org
20 Truths about Mormonism www.20truths.info
Testing Mormonism www.bibletruths.org
Book of Mormon in Mesoamerica
www.mormonmesoamerica.com
Video Sources
The Bible vs The Book of Mormon (lhvm)
DNA vs The Book of Mormon (lhvm)
Mormonism’s Greatest Problems (tid)
The Lost Book of Abraham (irr)*
Lifting the Veil of Polygamy (lhvm)**