Latter-day Saint scripture/Supposed contradictions

The FAIR Wiki Defending Mormonism by providing well-researched answers to challenging questions within a faithful context

Criticism

Critics present two or more scriptures from LDS scripture, and insist that the scriptures contradict each other.

Summary conclusion

The links below examine the supposed contradictions, presents the scriptures cited in context, and demonstrate that claims of contradiction rest on:

1. a misinterpretation of LDS scripture
2. comparing two verses which are speaking about different things
3. reading Protestant meanings into scriptural terminology

Topics

• 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)

Supporting Data

Holy Bible scriptures

Scripture	Scripture	Scripture	Scripture
Matthew 6:13

Book of Mormon scriptures

1 Nephi - 2 Nephi	Jacob - Mosiah	Alma	3 Nephi - Moroni
3 Nephi 13:12 1 Nephi 15:35 2 Nephi 2:14 2 Nephi 9:25-26 2 Nephi 9:34 2 Nephi 26:31 2 Nephi 28:22 2 Nephi 31:17 2 Nephi 31:21	Jacob 1:15 Jacob 2:24 Jacob 3:5 Jacob 4:9 Jacob 4:9 (2nd) Mosiah 2:36-39 Mosiah 11:2 Mosiah 16:11 Mosiah 25:24-27 Mosiah 27:5 Mosiah 27:31	Alma 11:27-39, 44 Alma 18:26-28 Alma 18:28, 34-36 Alma 22:8-11 Alma 34:32-35 Alma 34:36 Alma 41:4-8 Alma 41:8 Alma 42:16	3 Nephi 11:27 3 Nephi 12:2 3 Nephi 30:2 Mormon 7:7 Mormon 8:32 Ether 3:12 Moroni 8:22-23

Doctrine and Covenants scriptures

Sections 1-25	Section 26-50	Section 51-100	Section 100+
D&C 20:37	D&C 42:18 D&C 42:71-73 D&C 43:12-13	D&C 51:13-14 D&C 56:4-5 D&C 64:23 D&C 76:43, 70-112 D&C 93:23, 29-32	D&C 107:53 D&C 116:1 D&C 117:8 D&C 121:32 D&C 128:5 D&C 128:5, 17-18 D&C 130:3 D&C 130:22 D&C 132:1, 37-39 D&C 132:18-20,37

Pearl of Great Price scriptures

Moses	Abraham	Joseph Smith History	Articles of Faith
Moses ch. 2 Moses 3, 8, 10-15	Abraham 2:22-25 Abraham ch. 3-4 Abraham 3:21-23	None	None

Further reading and additional sources responding to these claims

This article is still under construction. We welcome your suggestions for improving the content of this FAIR Wiki article.