Latter-day Saint scripture
From FAIRMormon
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This page is a summary or index. More detailed information on this topic is available on the sub-pages below.
Latter-day Saint scripture canon
Overview of Latter-day Saint scripture
Completeness of Latter-day Saint scripture canon
- Open canon vs. closed canon—
Critics claim that the Church is in error because Christianity requires a "closed canon" (no more authoritative revelation) instead of the Church's "open canon" (potential for more binding revelation). The Bible is an important record of God's message to humanity. However, the Bible—or any other written text—cannot be the focus of the Christian's life or faith. Only One deserves that place: God. (Link) - Completeness of the Bible—
Critics claim the Bible contains all necessary or essential knowledge to assure salvation. Therefore, things like modern prophets or additional scripture (such as the Book of Mormon) are unnecessary or even blasphemous. (Link) - Lost scripture mentioned in the Bible—
There are several references to lost scripture mentioned in the Bible. What does the Book of Mormon mean when it says that "plain and precious" things have been taken out of the bible? What is this about, and what implications does it have for the doctrine of Biblical inerrancy and sufficiency? (Link)
Consistency of Latter-day Saint scripture canon
- Supposed contradictions—
Critics present two or more scriptures from LDS scripture, and insist that the scriptures contradict each other. This article examines the supposed contradictions, presents the scriptures cited in context, and demonstrates that claims of contradiction rest on: 1) a misinterpretation of LDS scripture, 2) comparing two verses which are speaking about different things or 3) reading Protestant meanings into scriptural terminology. (Link)- Contradictions in LDS scripture table—Many conservative Protestant critics have reproduced a table which purports to show how LDS scripture contradicts itself. (Link)
- Multiple versus single creators—Critics claim that LDS scripture is contradictory, since the Book of Mormon and Moses describe "God" as creating, while the Book of Abraham describes "Gods." The scriptures affirm that there is "One God" consisting of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. A great debate in Christian history has been the nature of this oneness. (Link)
- Remission of sins before or after baptism—Critics claim that LDS scriptures such as DC 20:37 (first case) and 2 Nephi 31:17, 3 Nephi 12:2, and Moroni 8:11 (second case) are contradictory about the order in which one receives baptism and a remission of sins. Some critics claim further that "Mormon theologians" have ignored this issue. However, these scriptures are not contradictory, for at least three reasons—any one of which is sufficient to disprove the critics' claim. In this article, we will first list the scriptural texts, and then discuss each of the three reasons for which they are not properly seen as contradictory. (Link)
Interpretation of Latter-day Saint scripture
- Interpretation—
A collection of quotes from Latter-day Saint leaders related to the interpretation of scripture. (Link) - Critical proof text—
These articles address specific scriptures used by critics as proof-texts. (Link)- John 4:24—This verse is used as a proof-text by critics of the LDS doctrine of the corporeal nature of God. Critics argue that this passage proves that God does not have a physical body. (Link)
- Revelation 22:18-19 (Link)
- Isaiah 43:10—This verse is used as a proof-text by critics of the LDS doctrines of the plurality of gods and the deification of man. Critics claim that this verse proves that there never has been or ever will be another being who could properly be called a god. (Link)
- Genesis 3:4—This verse is used by critics to attempt to show that the LDS doctrine of deification is a teaching of Satan. (Link)
The Bible as part of Latter-day Saint canon
Bible overview
Biblical accuracy
- Inerrancy and the Bible—
Critics claim the Bible texts, at least in their pristine form, were inerrant. Therefore, it is incorrect for Joseph Smith to teach that the Bible contains errors, mistakes, or omissions. (Link) - Textual criticism—
What can textual criticism tell us about the Bible? Does it have anything to say about the Bible being without error, as some Christians claim? (Link) - Translations—
The Church insists on using the Authorized ("King James") Version as its official Bible, even though more modern translations are easier to read, are more accurate, and include more recent manuscript discoveries. Critics sometimes complain that the eight Article of Faith about believing the Bible "as far as it is translated correctly," implies that Bible translators are trying to hide God's truth. (Link) - Transmission versus translation—
Critics try to show that by the term translation in the eighth Article of Faith, we really mean transmission. (Link) - Trustworthy?—
Critics claim that Latter-day Saint leaders diminish the Bible as untrustworthy. (Link)
Biblical completeness
- Completeness and sufficiency—
Critics claim the Bible contains all necessary or essential knowledge to assure salvation. Therefore, things like modern prophets or additional scripture (such as the Book of Mormon) are unnecessary or even blasphemous. (Link) - "Adding to" or "taking away" from the Bible—
Critics claim that the Book of Mormon cannot be true because nothing should be "added to" or "taken away from" the Holy Bible. (Link) - Biblical inerrancy—
Does the Bible teach that it is "inerrant"? Is this an idea with any meaning? (Link) - Insufficient?—
Critics interpret a statement by Orson Pratt to mean that Latter-day Saints believe that the Bible is "insufficient." (Link) - Lost scripture—
I've heard about "lost scripture" mentioned in the Bible. What does the Book of Mormon mean when it says that "plain and precious" things have been taken out of the bible? What is this about, and what implications does it have for the doctrine of Biblical inerrancy and sufficiency? (Link) - Open canon vs. closed canon—
Critics claim that the Church is in error because Christianity requires a "closed canon" (no more authoritative revelation) instead of the Church's "open canon" (potential for more binding revelation). (Link)
Biblical interpretation by Latter-day Saints and critics
- Being "born again"—what does the Bible mean?—
When the Bible talks about being "born again," what does this mean? How did the first Christians understand this concept? (Link) - Christianity is a mystery—
Members of the Church believe that the gospel of Christ has been known since the days of Adam. Critics claim that the New Testament teaches that the Gospel of Christ was a mystery unknown until the advent of Christ. (In defense of this claim, they often cite such scriptures as Rom. 16:25; 1 Cor. 2:7, 1 Cor. 4:1; Eph. 3:1-10; Col. 1:25-27). (Link) - Cosmology of the Bible—
What do we know about how Bible authors viewed the earth and the universe? (Link) - Genealogy, condemnation of—
Critics of Mormonism charge that the Bible condemns genealogy, and therefore the Latter-day Saint practice of compiling family histories is anti-Biblical, often citing 1 Timothy 1:4 or Titus 3:9. (Link) - "Eternal" commands in the Bible that were changed by later revelation.—
Critics of Mormonism attack Joseph Smith for altering things that were "eternal," while ignoring other matters labeled "eternal" that were later changed by biblical prophets. (Link) - Hebrews 7 and the Aaronic Priesthood—
Hebrews 7 states that the Aaronic/Levitical Priesthood was "changed" to the unique priesthood "after the order of Melchizedek" held by Jesus Christ. Why then do Latter-day Saints still use the Aaronic Priesthood? (Link) - On-going divine revelation not necessary—
Critics of Mormonism claim that there is no need for on-going divine revelation today; some even charge that claims of visions from God or revelations to a modern prophet is a blasphemous idea. (Link) - Three degrees of glory not biblical—
Critics of Mormonism claim that the doctrine of three heavens has no basis in the Bible. (Link) - Textual criticism—
What can textual criticism tell us about the Bible? Does it have anything to say about the Bible being without error, as some Christians claim? (Link) - Translations—
What are the merits of various biblical translations? (Link) - Transmission versus translation—
LDS doctrine expresses belief in the Bible "as far as it is translated correctly." Does translated have a broader sense than the modern one? (Link) - Trustworthy?—
Do LDS regard the Bible as "untrustworthy"? (Link) - Old Testament practices (Link)
Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible
- Joseph Smith Translation—
A collection of articles responding to criticisms related to the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible. (Link)
Relationship of the Bible to the Book of Mormon
- Isaiah, multiple authors of—
The "Deutero-Isaiah" theory is the claim that parts of Isaiah were written later than others. The critical issue raised is that the Brass Plates of Laban quote from sections of Isaiah that this theory ascribes to Deutero-Isaiah, so how could the Nephites have these writings if they weren't written until after they left Jerusalem? (Link)
Science and the Bible
- Archaeology and the Bible—
Sectarian critics who accept the Bible, but not the Book of Mormon, sometimes claim that the Bible has been "proven" or "confirmed" by archaeology, and insist that the same cannot be said for the Book of Mormon. (Link) - Flood, global or local—
Modern scientific knowledge regarding the diversity of species, language and evidence of continuous human habitation does not support the Biblical story that a global flood wiped out most life as recently as 4,400 years ago (Link)
Book of Mormon
- Book of Mormon basics—
What is the Book of Mormon? This article orients new readers to the nature and content of this volume of scripture. (Link) - List of editions (Link)
Translation of the Book of Mormon
- Translation—
What do we know about the method used to translate the Book of Mormon? Were the plates sometimes not in the room while Joseph was translating them? Critics claim that each sentence and word in the 1830 Book of Mormon "had supposedly come directly from God." (Link) - Witnesses—
The world was not left with Joseph Smith's testimony alone. The Book of Mormon provided multiple official and unofficial witnesses who corroborated aspects of Joseph's account.Critics have long tried to dismiss or destroy the witnesses' witness. This page links to subpages which discuss various attacks in detail. (Link) - Urim and Thummim and seer stones—
Joseph Smith used the Nephite Interpreters as well as his own seer stone (both of which were later referred to as "Urim and Thummim") to translate the Book of Mormon. (Link)
Publication of the Book of Mormon
- Author and proprietor listed as Joseph Smith—
Joseph Smith is listed as the "Author and Proprietor" of the first edition of the Book of Mormon. Critics use this to claim that Joseph wrote the book himself, despite that fact that the following page clearly states that he translated the book. (Link) - Attempt to sell Book of Mormon copyright in Canada—
David Whitmer claimed that Joseph Smith received a revelation and prophesied that Oliver Cowdery and Hiram Page should go to Canada where they would find a man willing to buy the copyright to the Book of Mormon. When they failed to sell the copyright, Whitmer states that Joseph admitted that the revelation had not come from God. (Link) - Printing timeframe—
"I've heard that the rate at which the first edition of the Book of Mormon was printed could only have occurred miraculously. Is there anything to this claim?" (Link)
Secular authorship theories to explain the Book of Mormon
- Authorship theories—
An overview of the various authorship theories that critics have created to explain the existence of the Book of Mormon. (Link) - B.H. Roberts and "Studies of the Book of Mormon—
B.H. Roberts produced several critical examinations of the Book of Mormon. These were later published after his death under the title Studies of the Book of Mormon. (Link) - B.H. Roberts' testimony—
Critics claim that B.H. Roberts lost his testimony of the Book of Mormon as the result of his work on the material contained in Studies of the Book of Mormon. (Link) - An analysis of early critical reaction—
Early critical reaction to the Book of Mormon is instructive, both because of what it did say (e.g., Joseph Smith could not have produced it unaided) and what it did not say. (Link) - Early claims about Joseph Smith as author—
Some early critics claimed Joseph was clearly the Book of Mormon's only author; others felt it was clear he could not have written it. (Link) - Plagiarism accusations—
Joseph Smith is often accused of creating the Book of Mormon by plagiarizing various contemporary sources such as the Spalding Manuscript or Ethan Smith's View of the Hebrews. (Link)
Language used in the Book of Mormon
- As a "familiar spirit"—
Critics ask why, if the words "familiar spirit" in Is. 29:4 refer to the Book of Mormon (as used in 2_Ne. 26:16, why does "familiar spirit" always refer to occult practices such as channeling and necromancy everywhere else in the Old Testament? (Link)
Revisions to the Book of Mormon
- Textual changes—
The claim is often heard that there are more than 4000 changes to the Book of Mormon text. The majority of these are typographical. Few of the changes are significant. We examine the more noteworthy changes. (Link)
Completeness of the Book of Mormon
- As the most correct book—
Critics claim that since Joseph stated that it was "the most correct book," that the Book of Mormon should not have contained any errors. Yet, Mormon himself states in the preface that any mistakes contained therein are the mistakes of men. (Link) - Contains the fulness of the gospel—
If the Book of Mormon contains the "fulness of the gospel," then why are certain ordinances such as baptism for the dead and eternal marriage not mentioned? (Link)
Archaeology and the Book of Mormon
- Archaeology—
Critics charge that what is known about ancient American archaeology is not consistent with the Book of Mormon account. Sectarian critics often add the claim that the Bible has been "proven" true by archaeology, unlike the Book of Mormon. (Link)
Anachronisms claimed to exist in the Book of Mormon
- Anachronisms—
Critics point to some items or concepts in the Book of Mormon which they claim are not consistent with what is known about ancient American geography, history, or anthropology. They claim that these "errors" prove that Joseph Smith was producing the Book of Mormon in the 19th century, and that the Book of Mormon is therefore not an ancient record. (Link) - Deutero-Isaiah in the Book of Mormon?—
The "Deutero-Isaiah" theory is the claim that parts of Isaiah were written later than others. This theory claims that there were three individual authors, whose works were later compiled together under the name of the first author Isaiah (referred to as "Proto Isaiah"). The critical issue raised is that the Brass Plates of Laban quote from sections of Isaiah that this theory ascribes to Deutero-Isaiah, so how could the Nephites have these writings if they weren't written until after they left Jerusalem? (Link) - Dead Sea Scrolls and their relationship to the Book of Mormon—
Mistranslations of the King James version of Isaiah have been corrected using the Isaiah version found with the Dead Sea scrolls. Why is it that the quotes from Isaiah contained in the Book of Mormon have the same translation errors contained in the King James version instead of matching the original ancient text? (Link) - Demographics and population numbers—
Do Book of Mormon population numbers grow too rapidly? (Link)
- Plain and precious doctrines—
Critics claim that the Book of Mormon is nothing more than a "bad copy of the Bible"; that anyone could have churned out such pedestrian, warmed-over ideas by borrowing liberally from the Bible and his own personal experiences. (Link) - Great and abominable church—
What is the "great and abominable church" referred to in the Book of Mormon? Critics claim that Latter-day Saints believe that the scriptural terms "church of the devil," the "great and abominable church," and the "whore of all the earth" refer to a specific religion. Critics claim that the Book of Mormon teaches that "all mainstream Christians fall into the world system know as the devil's church (or Satan's kingdom)." (Link) - Nephi's killing of Laban—
How can Latter-day Saints point to Nephi's killing of Laban as an example of a positive example of a Book of Mormon character? Wasn't this cold-blooded murder? And doesn't this passage then justify the killing of "the wicked" by anyone who feels that God has told them to do so? (Link)
Book of Mormon Geography
- Geography—
The geographical setting of the Book of Mormon has been the subject of serious study and casual speculation since before the book was first published. We describe the various theories and examine the strengths and weaknesses of each. (Link) - Location of the Hill Cumorah—
If Mormon chapter 6 is a literal description of the destruction of the Nephites by the Lamanites — approximately 100 thousand were killed by swords and axes — why hasn't any evidence of the battle been found at the site that was traditionally identified as the hill Cumorah in western New York state? (Link)
Historicity of the Book of Mormon
- Calendar—
The Book of Mormon calendar is not identical to the calendar used by modern peoples. Learn about Nephite calendar(s) here. (Link)- Was the idea of a "week" unknown in the Americas?—Despite claims to the contrary, there is evidence for a seven-day week among the early Maya, though the Book of Mormon does not require such a correlation. (Link)
- Historicity—
Several efforts have been made to "prove" that what the Book of Mormon has to say about the history of the new world cannot possibly have been the case. (Link) - Warfare in the Book of Mormon—
Some criticisms of Book of Mormon warfare are anachronistic; other elements of Book of Mormon warfare contain authentic ancient elements about which Joseph Smith could not have known. (Link) - Evidences—
Summary page for evidences supporting the Book of Mormon (Link) - Hebraisms in the Book of Mormon—
The Book of Mormon does indeed have authentic Semitic constructions in it, but LDS need to tread cautiously in establishing them. Each must be evaluated on its own merits. Hebraisms that could have been known to Joseph Smith may still be authentic, and may still enhance our appreciation of the text, but they are weak evidence for Book of Mormon antiquity. (Link)- If-and conditionals—The first edition of the Book of Mormon contained several examples of a grammatical structure not known in English, but common in Hebrew: the so-called if/and conditional. (Link)
- Names: authentic Old World names in the Book of Mormon (Link)
- Chiasmus—A literary structure known as "chiasmus" exists in the Book of Mormon. Critics claim that the presence of chiasmus in the Book of Mormon is either coincidental, an artifact of the observer, or not impressive since examples of chiastic patterns have been found in the Doctrine and Covenants or other 19th century writing. (Link)
- Sami Hanna on the Book of Mormon—I have read a talk written by Elder Russell M. Nelson in which he discusses a friend of his who translated the Book of Mormon back into Arabic. What are the facts behind this story and the talk? (Link)
Lamanites and the Book of Mormon
- DNA evidence—
DNA samples taken from modern Native Americans do not match the DNA of modern inhabitants of the Middle East. Critics argue that this means the Book of Mormon's claim that Native Americans are descended from Lehi must be false, and therefore the Book of Mormon is not an ancient record as Joseph Smith claimed. (Link) - Lamanites (Link)
Book of Mormon textual analysis
- Wordprint studies—
What are wordprints? What do they have to do with the Book of Mormon? (Link)
Truthfulness of the Book of Mormon
- Moroni's promise—
Critics claim that praying about the Book of Mormon is not an objective standard for determining if the book is true or not, and should therefore not be trusted. They claim that many people have read and prayed about the Book of Mormon and have either received no answer, or that they have received an answer from God that it is false. (Link) - Stick of Ephraim—Erastus Snow statement—
How is it that the prophesy of the sticks found in Ezekiel 37 is fulfilled in the Book of Mormon if Lehi and Nephi are descendants of Manasseh and not of Ephraim? (Link)
Doctrine and Covenants
Textual changes
- Textual changes—
Joseph Smith and others made revisions, additions, and deletions to his early revelations when preparing them for publication. Critics claim that revelations from God are inerrant and should never be changed, and this proves that Joseph Smith did not receive revelation. (Link) - Oliver Cowdery and the "rod of nature"—
Critics claim that a revelation received by Joseph praised Oliver Cowdery's gift of using divining talents. It is claimed that the revelation was published in the Book of Commandments in its original form, then subsequently modified in the Doctrine and Covenants in order to hide the reference to the "rod of nature." Therefore, Joseph attempted to "cover up" Oliver Cowdery's work with a divining rod by changing a revelation. (Link) - Direct quotation from God?—
Is the wording of the D&C revelations a direct word-for-word quotation from God? Critics note that if the Doctrine and Covenants contained quotations from God, why would Joseph Smith later edit God's words? (Link)
Criticism of the Doctrine and Covenants
- Contradiction between Section 132 and Jacob 2—
Critics note that D&C 132 speaks favorably about some Old Testament practitioners of plural marriage, while Jacob 2 is negative. Critics claim that this discrepancy is a contradiction, suggesting that Joseph Smith's ideas about plural marriage changed, and the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants are not inspired. (Link) - D&C 84 states that God cannot be seen without priesthood—
How could Joseph Smith has seen God the Father and Jesus Christ during the First Vision if he had not yet received the priesthood? (Link)
Doctrine and Covenants and Book of Mormon geography
- References to Lamanites in the D&C—
Since in the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord refers to American Indians in North America as "Lamanites" (e.g., DC 28:8-9,14, DC 30:6, DC 32:2, DC 54:8), does this cause problems for the Limited Geography Theory (LGT) or issues of Amerindian genetic data? (Link)
Polygamy
- 1835 Doctrine and Covenants denies polygamy—
The 1835 edition of the D&C contained a statement of marriage which denied the practice of polygamy. Since this was published during Joseph Smith's lifetime, why might the prophet have allowed it to be published if he was actually practicing polygamy at that time? (Link)
Book of Abraham
The Book of Abraham. An inspired translation of the writings of Abraham. Joseph Smith began the translation in 1835 after obtaining some Egyptian papyri. The translation was published serially in the Times and Seasons beginning March 1, 1842, at Nauvoo, Illinois.
—Introduction, Pearl of Great Price (2013 edition). off-site
Production of the Book of Abraham
- Timeline—
A timeline of events related to the Book of Abraham and Kirtland Egyptian Papers (Link) - "By his own hand"—
Critics claim that the Book of Abraham's claim to have been written by Abraham's "own hand upon papyrus" is falsified since the papyrus dates to after the Abrahamic period. (Link) - Joseph Smith Papyri—
Joseph Smith had in his possession three or four long scrolls, plus a hypocephalus (Facsimile 2). Of these original materials, only a handful of fragments were recovered at the Metropolitan Museum. The majority of the papyri remains lost, and has likely been destroyed. (Link) - Book of Abraham plagiarism accusations—
Critics claim that contemporary sources were used by Joseph Smith as sources for the Book of Abraham. (Link)
Content of the Book of Abraham
- Astronomy and the Book of Abraham—
The Book of Abraham makes several references to astronomy which draw criticism. These articles address specific issues related to Book of Abraham astronomical concepts. (Link)
Evidences of the Book of Abraham
- Evidence for antiquity—
What did the Book of Abraham get right that Joseph couldn't have known? (Link)
Latter-day Saint interpretation of scripture
New Testament
- First Corinthians 15 and spirit bodies—
Why does the LDS Church teach that man first existed as spirits in heaven when 1 Cor. 15:46 says that the physical body comes before the spiritual? (Link)
