Mormonism
The Book of Mormon vs The Bible

by Jack H. Williams

Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 7:21)

Isn’t it sad that, as the above passage points out, not all who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ are actually following Him. Tragically the above passage points out that one may even be deceiving self into believing they are right, when they are in reality following a false way. One such organization in which we find such people is Mormonism. Recently I heard that their membership now exceeds six million! The group itself was formed in 1836 by Joseph Smith, Jr. The religion of Mormonism (and those groups associated with it ... Reorganized Latter Day Saints, Temple Lot Church of Christ, etc.) is based on Joseph Smith’s claim to have received golden plates from an angel of God (Moroni), which plates it is claimed he translated by the "gift and power of God" (title page to the Book of Mormon). The purpose of this tract is to examine the Book of Mormon, to see if it is in fact what it claims to be—of divine origin. In this examination we will follow the premise that truth harmonizes with truth; that is, if these words are of divine origin, they should all agree with the Bible. If, as the Mormons often claim, the Bible and the Book of Mormon are completely compatible there should be no contradictions. Let us see if such is true.

• The Bible affirms that "Aaron and his sons" were the only ones qualified to "wait on their priest’s office" (Numbers 3:10) and others of the tribe of Levi were to minister unto the priests (Numbers 3:5-9). Any other tribe which "cometh nigh shall be put to death" (Numbers 3:10).
• The Book of Mormon states in 2 Nephi 5:26, "I, Nephi, did consecrate Jacob and Joseph, that they should be priests . . .." These supposed men were descendants of Lehi (1 Nephi 18:7) who was of the tribe of Joseph (1 Nephi 6:14). It seems that Mormonism also "walks in the ways of Jereboam" (cf. 1 Kings 12:31).

• The Bible claims to be the complete (Jude 3) and all sufficient (2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:3) Word of God. Paul even states that those who would dare to teach "another gospel" "pervert the gospel of Christ" and will be "accursed" (Galatians 1:6-9).
• The Book of Mormon ridicules one who would make such a claim (2 Nephi 29:3) and denies that it contains all of God’s written revelation to man (2 Nephi 29:6,10). It even unbelievably attributes the origin of the Bible to the Jews (2 Nephi 29:6)!

• The Bible in Luke 24:46-47 states very clearly that "repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." This was fulfilled in Acts 2:5-38.
• The Book of Mormon in 2 Nephi 31:11-17 has this occurring between B.C. 559 and 545 and thousands of miles away from Jerusalem!

• The Bible records that the Lord plainly affirmed while upon this earth, "I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18), a prophecy fulfilled in Acts 2 wherein we find that "the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (verse 47). It is clear the Lord did not consider the church in existence, even in His time on earth.
• The Book of Mormon states, "they were called the church of God, or the church of Christ, from that time forward" (Mosiah 18:17). This supposedly occurred about 147 years before Christ was born!

• The Bible tells us that Jesus was to be and was born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1).
• The Book of Mormon says "he shall be born of Mary at Jerusalem" (Alma 7:10). Lest they say that Jerusalem is an area and not a city, in 1 Nephi 1:4 their own works call it a city.

• The Bible affirms Melchisedec was "without father, without mother, without descent [genealogy - ASV]" (Hebrews 7:1-3).
• The Book of Mormon in Alma 13:18 states "he [Melchisedec - JHW] did reign under his father."

• The Bible affirms that the "disciples were called Christians first in Antioch" (Acts 11:26).
• The Book of Mormon misses that by several thousand miles and nearly 100 years in having believers in Christ called Christians in 73 B.C. (Alma 46:15).

• The Bible tells us in 2 Kings 25:7 "they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes."
• The Book of Mormon has one supposed son of Zedekiah (Mulek) living and in the America’s (Heleman 8:21).

• The Bible records in Mark 15:33 that at Jesus’ crucifixion there was darkness for 3 hours.
• The Book of Mormon has darkness for 3 days (3 Nephi 8:20-23).

• The Bible tells us in Acts 2:34-35 and 3:20-21 that Jesus is to remain in heaven after his ascension "until" his foes are made his footstool, and "until the times of restitution."
• The Book of Mormon has Him appearing in the America’s after his ascension (3 Nephi 10:18-19).

More could be said about how the Book of Mormon does not agree with the Bible, but this is sufficient to show that one cannot take both as being the Word of God. The Mormon claim that the Book of Mormon is "another testament of Jesus Christ" is false. It is a book that contradicts the Bible. God has given us "all things pertaining to life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3). These things are found in the inspired word of God, the Holy Bible.

Mormonism - Book of Mormon vs The Bible by Jack H. Williams © 1999

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