The Book of Mormon is a sacred text used by members of the Latter Day Saint movement, including Mormons. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, who claimed to have translated the text from golden plates that contained a record of ancient inhabitants of the Americas. The Book of Mormon tells the story of some of these people, including the prophets Nephi, Jacob, Enos, Jarom, Omni, Mosiah, Alma, Helaman, Nephi son of Helaman, and Mormon, as well as the rise and fall of their civilizations between approximately 600 BC and 400 AD. The book’s narrative ends in approximately 421 AD with the destruction of the Nephites by the Lamanites. Today, the Book of Mormon is considered scripture by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other Latter Day Saint denominations.
How should Christians view the Book of Mormon? Here are some key considerations from a biblical perspective:
1. The Book of Mormon’s view of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit differs from orthodox Christianity.
The Book of Mormon teaches that God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are three separate divine beings united in purpose (see 2 Nephi 31:21; Alma 11:44; 3 Nephi 11:27). This view conflicts with the orthodox Christian understanding of the Trinity as one God existing in three co-equal, co-eternal, and consubstantial persons.
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4).
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
The Book of Mormon’s tri-theistic view of the Godhead aligns more with the late antiquity heresy of modalism, which views God as one being who manifests Himself in three different modes or aspects.
2. There are historical and archeological problems with the Book of Mormon.
According to the Book of Mormon, ancient Hebrews sailed to the Americas and established great civilizations numbering in the millions across North and South America. However, genetic studies show no Hebrew DNA among Native Americans. Also, archeological evidence for these civilizations described in the Book of Mormon has not been found.
For example, the Book of Mormon mentions technologies like steel, horses, chariots, wheat, and barley that did not exist in the pre-Columbian Americas during Book of Mormon times. The civilizations described do not match what is known about actual ancient American civilizations like the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec.
There is also no archeological evidence for the cataclysmic battles involving millions of soldiers mentioned in the Book of Mormon, or for the existence of Nephite and Lamanite civilizations themselves.
3. There are textual problems with the translation of the Book of Mormon.
According to Latter Day Saint accounts, Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon from Reformed Egyptian written on golden plates. However, Reformed Egyptian is not an actual historical language and there is no evidence such golden plates existed. Furthermore, portions of the Book of Mormon are extensively copied from the King James Bible, including translation errors and idiosyncratic diction found only in the 1769 edition that Smith owned.
For example, compare these KJV verses with Book of Mormon verses:
“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth” (James 3:14 KJV).
“And if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth” (Alma 38:12).
This and other textual evidence indicates the Book of Mormon was not an ancient document but a 19th century production by Smith.
4. The Book of Mormon adds to God’s final revelation in the Bible.
The Christian Bible repeatedly affirms its completeness and sufficiency for teaching, correction and training in righteousness (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Revelation 22:18-19). As God’s final revelation to mankind, no new scripture or prophecy is needed.
However, a foundational belief of Mormonism is that the Book of Mormon contains Christ’s revelations to ancient American peoples and is another testament of Jesus Christ. This implies the Bible is insufficient and its authority diminished.
“Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3).
From a biblical perspective, Christians must reject any book that claims to add to the once-for-all delivered faith.
5. The Book of Mormon promotes false doctrines.
Beyond issues with its origins and text, the Book of Mormon teaches doctrines that contradict the Bible, such as:
- God the Father was once a mortal man who became an exalted God.
- Jesus Christ and Satan are spirit brothers.
- The blood of Christ does not atone for all sin.
- Dark skin is a sign of God’s curse and curse of Cain.
- Polygamy is morally acceptable.
These doctrines all contradict clear biblical teaching. The Bible also warns repeatedly against false prophets and doctrines.
“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8).
6. Joseph Smith is a false prophet by biblical standards.
As the founder of Mormonism and primary author of the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith fails to meet the standards of a true prophet set forth in the Bible (Deuteronomy 13:1-5; 18:20-22). The numerous failed prophecies and historical problems plaguing the Book of Mormon also indicate Smith is a false prophet.
Jesus warned that “false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24). Based on biblical standards, Christians must consider Joseph Smith a false prophet.
7. The gospel of the Book of Mormon conflicts with salvation by grace through faith.
The Book of Mormon teaches a works-based gospel centered around human effort and obedience to Latter Day Saint teachings and ordinances, including baptism, confirmation, temple rituals, tithing, Word of Wisdom adherence, and missionary work.
However, the Bible clearly teaches salvation is “not a result of works, so that no one may boast” and is received “by grace through faith” in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9; see also Romans 3:20-28; Galatians 2:16). Good works naturally result from salvation but do not produce it.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
This is an irreconcilable conflict between the gospel of the Book of Mormon and the gospel of Jesus Christ found in the Bible.
8. Belief in the Book of Mormon leads people away from Christ.
Because of the numerous problems with the Book of Mormon outlined above, belief in its divine origins requires a suspension of logic, history, archeology, genetics, and textual criticism. It also requires trusting in Joseph Smith despite his failed prophecies and unbiblical teachings.
Tragically, placing faith in the Book of Mormon diverts faith away from Jesus Christ. The Son of God warned there would be false Christs who would lead people astray through deceptive signs and wonders (Matthew 24:24). The apostle Paul also warned the Galatians not to depart from the gospel revealed through him even if an angel delivers a contrary gospel (Galatians 1:8).
The Bible declares Jesus as the one and only foundation and eternal Rock (1 Corinthians 3:11). Christians cannot build faith on additional texts like the Book of Mormon that detract from the centrality and sufficiency of Christ.
“For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11).
Conclusion
In summary, Christians should reject the Book of Mormon as lacking historical, archeological, textual, and spiritual credibility. Most importantly, the Book of Mormon directs people away from the biblical gospel revealed through Jesus Christ. Christians are called to contend for the faith delivered once for all through Christ, revealed in His finished and sufficient Word (Jude 1:3). Belief in additional scriptures like the Book of Mormon undermines faith in the all-authoritative and eternal Bible.
