FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Difference between revisions of "Question: Are Mormon scriptures full of contradictions?"
(mod) |
m |
||
(15 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
− | {{ | + | {{Main Page}} |
− | + | <onlyinclude> | |
− | + | ==Question: Are Mormon scriptures full of contradictions?== | |
− | == == | + | ===The supposed contradictions arise from 1) misinterpretation, 2) comparing two verses when are speaking of different things and 3) reading Protestant meanings into scriptural terminology=== |
− | |||
Many conservative Protestant critics have reproduced a table which purports to show how LDS scripture contradicts itself. | Many conservative Protestant critics have reproduced a table which purports to show how LDS scripture contradicts itself. | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
The table below examines the supposed contradictions, presents the scriptures cited in context, and demonstrates that claims of contradiction rest on: | The table below examines the supposed contradictions, presents the scriptures cited in context, and demonstrates that claims of contradiction rest on: | ||
Line 17: | Line 11: | ||
# comparing two verses which are speaking about different things | # comparing two verses which are speaking about different things | ||
# reading Protestant meanings into scriptural terminology | # reading Protestant meanings into scriptural terminology | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
===Supposed Contradictions in LDS scripture=== | ===Supposed Contradictions in LDS scripture=== | ||
Line 30: | Line 21: | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | | ||
− | ====1==== | + | ====1==== |
||'''One God''' | ||'''One God''' | ||
* {{s|2|Nephi|31|21}} | * {{s|2|Nephi|31|21}} | ||
Line 38: | Line 29: | ||
||'''Plural Gods''' | ||'''Plural Gods''' | ||
− | * {{s|| | + | * {{s||D&C|121|32}} |
− | * {{s|| | + | * {{s||D&C|132|18-20,37}} |
|| | || | ||
Line 50: | Line 41: | ||
| | | | ||
− | ====2==== | + | ====2==== |
||'''God is a Spirit''' | ||'''God is a Spirit''' | ||
* {{s||Alma|18|26-28}} | * {{s||Alma|18|26-28}} | ||
Line 56: | Line 47: | ||
||'''God Has A Body''' | ||'''God Has A Body''' | ||
− | * {{s|| | + | * {{s||D&C|130|22}} |
|| | || | ||
* The scriptures in Column A describe missionary efforts to teach the pagan Lamanites about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Missionaries begin their efforts by explaining that what the Lamanites called "The Great Spirit" was God. This is not an attempt to give a theological description of God's nature, but to build on common beliefs. | * The scriptures in Column A describe missionary efforts to teach the pagan Lamanites about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Missionaries begin their efforts by explaining that what the Lamanites called "The Great Spirit" was God. This is not an attempt to give a theological description of God's nature, but to build on common beliefs. | ||
Line 63: | Line 54: | ||
'''''To learn more''''' | '''''To learn more''''' | ||
* [[God is a Spirit/Book of Mormon teaches God is a spirit|Book of Mormon teaches God is a spirit?]] | * [[God is a Spirit/Book of Mormon teaches God is a spirit|Book of Mormon teaches God is a spirit?]] | ||
− | * [[ | + | * [[Jesus Christ/Divinity without a body|Premortal Jesus divine without physical body]] |
* [[God is a Spirit]] | * [[God is a Spirit]] | ||
− | * [[ | + | * [[Corporeality of God|God has a physical body]] |
|- | |- | ||
| | | | ||
− | ====3==== | + | ====3==== |
|| | || | ||
'''God dwells in the heart''' | '''God dwells in the heart''' | ||
Line 77: | Line 68: | ||
|| | || | ||
'''God does not dwell in the heart''' | '''God does not dwell in the heart''' | ||
− | *{{s|| | + | *{{s||D&C|130|3}} |
:''The appearing of the Father and the Son, in that verse ''[{{b||John|14|23}}]'', is a personal appearance; the idea that the Father and the Son dwell in a man's heart is an old sectarian notion, and is false." | :''The appearing of the Father and the Son, in that verse ''[{{b||John|14|23}}]'', is a personal appearance; the idea that the Father and the Son dwell in a man's heart is an old sectarian notion, and is false." | ||
|| | || | ||
* Column B explains that when Jesus says that He and the Father will "make our abode" with those who "keep my words," this means that the righteous may physically behold them. It targets the false idea that God does not have any physicality, and cannot be seen. | * Column B explains that when Jesus says that He and the Father will "make our abode" with those who "keep my words," this means that the righteous may physically behold them. It targets the false idea that God does not have any physicality, and cannot be seen. | ||
− | * Column A describes the fact that the spirit of Satan or the Spirit of the Lord (i.e., the Holy Ghost) will "possess" or influence mortals depending upon their choices. The Holy Ghost ''can'' dwell in the heart of man, since he is a spirit (see {{b|2|Timothy|1|14}} and {{s|| | + | * Column A describes the fact that the spirit of Satan or the Spirit of the Lord (i.e., the Holy Ghost) will "possess" or influence mortals depending upon their choices. The Holy Ghost ''can'' dwell in the heart of man, since he is a spirit (see {{b|2|Timothy|1|14}} and {{s||D&C|130|22}}). |
* It is telling that the supposed "contradiction" is explained later in section 130, but the critics ignore it. | * It is telling that the supposed "contradiction" is explained later in section 130, but the critics ignore it. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | | ||
− | ====4==== | + | ====4==== |
||'''One God creates''' | ||'''One God creates''' | ||
* {{s|2|Nephi|2|14}} | * {{s|2|Nephi|2|14}} | ||
Line 103: | Line 94: | ||
| | | | ||
− | ====5==== | + | ====5==== |
|| | || | ||
'''God Cannot Lie''' | '''God Cannot Lie''' | ||
Line 113: | Line 104: | ||
: ''...22 And it came to pass when I was come near to enter into Egypt, the Lord said unto me: Behold, Sarai, thy wife, is a very fair woman to look upon; 23 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see her, they will say—She is his wife; and they will kill you, but they will save her alive; therefore see that ye do on this wise: 24 Let her say unto the Egyptians, she is thy sister, and thy soul shall live. 25 And it came to pass that I, Abraham, told Sarai, my wife, all that the Lord had said unto me—Therefore say unto them, I pray thee, thou art my sister, that it may be well with me for thy sake, and my soul shall live because of thee.'' | : ''...22 And it came to pass when I was come near to enter into Egypt, the Lord said unto me: Behold, Sarai, thy wife, is a very fair woman to look upon; 23 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see her, they will say—She is his wife; and they will kill you, but they will save her alive; therefore see that ye do on this wise: 24 Let her say unto the Egyptians, she is thy sister, and thy soul shall live. 25 And it came to pass that I, Abraham, told Sarai, my wife, all that the Lord had said unto me—Therefore say unto them, I pray thee, thou art my sister, that it may be well with me for thy sake, and my soul shall live because of thee.'' | ||
|| | || | ||
− | * Abraham misled the Egyptians by not disclosing all the facts. He did not disclose that Sarai was his wife. It was, however, true that she was his sister—more specifically, she was what anthropologists call a "parallel cousin," who under Jewish levirate law was considered his sister.{{ | + | * Abraham misled the Egyptians by not disclosing all the facts. He did not disclose that Sarai was his wife. It was, however, true that she was his sister—more specifically, she was what anthropologists call a "parallel cousin," who under Jewish levirate law was considered his sister.<ref>Arthur C. Custance, "Abraham and His Princess," ''Hidden Things of God's Revelation'' (Zondervan, 1977), {{link|url=http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/custance.htm}} ISBN 0310230217.</ref> |
* Conservative protestant critics are disingenuous in posing this question, since Abraham twice uses this tactic in the Bible (though God is not said to explicitly command it). God no where condemns Abraham for this supposed "lie." Furthermore, the explanation for Abraham's claim is also included in the Bible—see {{b||Genesis|11|25-29}} and {{s||Genesis|20|11-12}}). | * Conservative protestant critics are disingenuous in posing this question, since Abraham twice uses this tactic in the Bible (though God is not said to explicitly command it). God no where condemns Abraham for this supposed "lie." Furthermore, the explanation for Abraham's claim is also included in the Bible—see {{b||Genesis|11|25-29}} and {{s||Genesis|20|11-12}}). | ||
− | * The Bible also contains similar examples of God commanding a prophet to make a "strictly true" statement intended to deceive the wicked and protect the lives of the innocent, and other cases in which God ratified a decision to withhold the truth to save innocents. | + | * The Bible also contains similar examples of God commanding a prophet to make a "strictly true" statement intended to deceive the wicked and protect the lives of the innocent, and other cases in which God ratified a decision to withhold the truth to save innocents.<ref>See, for example, the examples of the Egyptian midwives and Moses discussed [http://www.fairlds.org/Misc/Polygamy_Prophets_and_Prevarication.html#head12 here].</ref> |
|- | |- | ||
| | | | ||
− | ====6==== | + | ====6==== |
|| | || | ||
'''God's Word Unchangeable''' | '''God's Word Unchangeable''' | ||
Line 128: | Line 119: | ||
: ''Wherefore I, the Lord, command and revoke, as it seemeth me good; and all this to be answered upon the heads of the rebellious, saith the Lord.'' | : ''Wherefore I, the Lord, command and revoke, as it seemeth me good; and all this to be answered upon the heads of the rebellious, saith the Lord.'' | ||
− | * {{s|| | + | * {{s||D&C|56|4-5}} |
|| | || | ||
Line 137: | Line 128: | ||
| | | | ||
− | ====7==== | + | ====7==== |
|| | || | ||
'''No Pre-Existence of Man''' | '''No Pre-Existence of Man''' | ||
Line 146: | Line 137: | ||
||'''Pre-Existence''' | ||'''Pre-Existence''' | ||
− | * {{s|| | + | * {{s||D&C|93|23,29-33}} |
* {{s||Abraham|3|21-23}} | * {{s||Abraham|3|21-23}} | ||
|| | || | ||
Line 167: | Line 158: | ||
||'''Chance for repentance after death''' | ||'''Chance for repentance after death''' | ||
− | * {{s|| | + | * {{s||D&C|128|5|17-18}} |
|| | || | ||
− | * Column A scriptures speak of those who have had the opportunity to accept the gospel in this life, and have rejected it. Such people lose their chance for exaltation in LDS doctrine (see {{s|| | + | * Column A scriptures speak of those who have had the opportunity to accept the gospel in this life, and have rejected it. Such people lose their chance for exaltation in LDS doctrine (see {{s||D&C|76|73-78}}). They are those who "have known and...been taught all these things....[coming] out in open rebellion against God." Alma cautions those who "have had so many witnesses" against putting off the repentance and conversion which they ''know'' they need to undertake. |
* Column B describes those who have never had this opportunity. | * Column B describes those who have never had this opportunity. | ||
* If one cannot accept the gospel beyond the grave, then all those who have not heard of Christ in this life must be damned for all eternity—the critics may be comfortable with such an outcome, but the Latter-day Saints do not believe that a merciful God would condemn His children for that which they never had the full chance to receive. | * If one cannot accept the gospel beyond the grave, then all those who have not heard of Christ in this life must be damned for all eternity—the critics may be comfortable with such an outcome, but the Latter-day Saints do not believe that a merciful God would condemn His children for that which they never had the full chance to receive. | ||
Line 176: | Line 167: | ||
| | | | ||
− | ====9==== | + | ====9==== |
||'''Heathen Saved Without Baptism''' | ||'''Heathen Saved Without Baptism''' | ||
* {{s|2|Nephi|9|25-26}} | * {{s|2|Nephi|9|25-26}} | ||
Line 183: | Line 174: | ||
||'''Baptism for the Dead''' | ||'''Baptism for the Dead''' | ||
− | * {{s|| | + | * {{s||D&C|128|5,17-18}} |
|| | || | ||
Line 195: | Line 186: | ||
| | | | ||
− | ====10==== | + | ====10==== |
||'''Only options are heaven or hell''' | ||'''Only options are heaven or hell''' | ||
* {{s|1|Nephi|15|35}} | * {{s|1|Nephi|15|35}} | ||
Line 205: | Line 196: | ||
||'''Three degrees of glory, with most people "saved"''' | ||'''Three degrees of glory, with most people "saved"''' | ||
− | * {{s|| | + | * {{s||D&C|76|43,70-112}} |
|| | || | ||
* The Book of Mormon teaches that one must accept Christ's sacrifice, or be damned: its focus is on either exaltation, or damnation. The Doctrine and Covenants explains how those who do not accept exaltation through Christ are judged according to their works. All who do not fully accept Christ will be blocked ("damned") from receiving some of the gifts which they could have enjoyed. Yet, it would be unjust for God to impose identical punishment on the vast range of human sins. | * The Book of Mormon teaches that one must accept Christ's sacrifice, or be damned: its focus is on either exaltation, or damnation. The Doctrine and Covenants explains how those who do not accept exaltation through Christ are judged according to their works. All who do not fully accept Christ will be blocked ("damned") from receiving some of the gifts which they could have enjoyed. Yet, it would be unjust for God to impose identical punishment on the vast range of human sins. | ||
Line 216: | Line 207: | ||
| | | | ||
− | ====11==== | + | ====11==== |
||'''Murder can be forgiven''' | ||'''Murder can be forgiven''' | ||
* {{s|3|Nephi|30|2}} | * {{s|3|Nephi|30|2}} | ||
: ''Turn, '''all ye Gentiles''', from your wicked ways; and repent of your evil doings, of your lyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your secret abominations, and your idolatries, and of your murders, and your priestcrafts, and your envyings, and your strifes, and from all your wickedness and abominations, and '''come unto me, and be baptized in my name''', that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people who are '''of the house of Israel'''.'' | : ''Turn, '''all ye Gentiles''', from your wicked ways; and repent of your evil doings, of your lyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your secret abominations, and your idolatries, and of your murders, and your priestcrafts, and your envyings, and your strifes, and from all your wickedness and abominations, and '''come unto me, and be baptized in my name''', that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people who are '''of the house of Israel'''.'' | ||
||'''Murder cannot be forgiven'' | ||'''Murder cannot be forgiven'' | ||
− | * {{s|| | + | * {{s||D&C|42|18}} |
: ''...And now, behold, '''I speak unto the church'''. Thou shalt not kill; and he that kills shall not have forgiveness in this world, nor in the world to come.'' | : ''...And now, behold, '''I speak unto the church'''. Thou shalt not kill; and he that kills shall not have forgiveness in this world, nor in the world to come.'' | ||
Line 230: | Line 221: | ||
| | | | ||
− | ====12==== | + | ====12==== |
||'''Polygamy condemned''' | ||'''Polygamy condemned''' | ||
* {{s||Jacob|1|15}} | * {{s||Jacob|1|15}} | ||
Line 238: | Line 229: | ||
||'''Polygamy commanded''' | ||'''Polygamy commanded''' | ||
− | * {{s|| | + | * {{s||D&C|132|1,37-39|61}} |
|| | || | ||
* The critics are careful to omit the verse of scripture that explains this apparent contradiction, {{s||Jacob|2|30}}. This scripture from column A makes it clear that God may, under some conditions, command polygamy: "For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, '''I will command my people; otherwise''' they shall hearken unto these things." | * The critics are careful to omit the verse of scripture that explains this apparent contradiction, {{s||Jacob|2|30}}. This scripture from column A makes it clear that God may, under some conditions, command polygamy: "For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, '''I will command my people; otherwise''' they shall hearken unto these things." | ||
Line 252: | Line 243: | ||
| | | | ||
− | ====13==== | + | ====13==== |
||'''Against Paid Ministries''' | ||'''Against Paid Ministries''' | ||
* {{s|2|Nephi|26|31}} | * {{s|2|Nephi|26|31}} | ||
Line 260: | Line 251: | ||
||'''For Paid Ministries''' | ||'''For Paid Ministries''' | ||
− | * {{s|| | + | * {{s||D&C|42|71-73}} |
: those working full-time in the Church's temporal affairs are "''to have a just remuneration''" for their work. [Bishops and councilors, at the time, were full-time jobs. Many bishops today would probably agree that such callings could be full time nowadays as well!] | : those working full-time in the Church's temporal affairs are "''to have a just remuneration''" for their work. [Bishops and councilors, at the time, were full-time jobs. Many bishops today would probably agree that such callings could be full time nowadays as well!] | ||
− | * {{s|| | + | * {{s||D&C|43|12-13}} |
− | * {{s|| | + | * {{s||D&C|51|13-14}} |
|| | || | ||
Line 281: | Line 272: | ||
| | | | ||
− | ====14==== | + | ====14==== |
||'''Corrupt Churches Promise Forgiveness For Money''' | ||'''Corrupt Churches Promise Forgiveness For Money''' | ||
* {{s||Mormon|8|32}} | * {{s||Mormon|8|32}} | ||
:''31 Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be great pollutions upon the face of the earth; there shall be murders, and robbing, and lying, and deceivings, and whoredoms, and all manner of abominations; when there shall be many who will say, '''Do this, or do that, and it mattereth not''', for the Lord will uphold such at the last day. But wo unto such, for they are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity. 32 Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be churches built up that shall say: Come unto me, and for your money you shall be forgiven of your sins.'' | :''31 Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be great pollutions upon the face of the earth; there shall be murders, and robbing, and lying, and deceivings, and whoredoms, and all manner of abominations; when there shall be many who will say, '''Do this, or do that, and it mattereth not''', for the Lord will uphold such at the last day. But wo unto such, for they are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity. 32 Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be churches built up that shall say: Come unto me, and for your money you shall be forgiven of your sins.'' | ||
||'''Church Members Who Pay Tithing Will Not Burn''' | ||'''Church Members Who Pay Tithing Will Not Burn''' | ||
− | * {{s|| | + | * {{s||D&C|64|23}} |
:''23 Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming. 24 For after today cometh the burning—this is speaking after the manner of the Lord—for verily I say, tomorrow all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, for I am the Lord of Hosts; and I will not spare any that remain in Babylon.'' | :''23 Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming. 24 For after today cometh the burning—this is speaking after the manner of the Lord—for verily I say, tomorrow all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, for I am the Lord of Hosts; and I will not spare any that remain in Babylon.'' | ||
Line 296: | Line 287: | ||
| | | | ||
− | ====15==== | + | ====15==== |
||'''Adam in the Americas''' | ||'''Adam in the Americas''' | ||
− | * {{s|| | + | * {{s||D&C|107|53}} |
− | * {{s|| | + | * {{s||D&C|116|1}} |
− | * {{s|| | + | * {{s||D&C|117|8}} |
||'''Adam in the Old World''' | ||'''Adam in the Old World''' | ||
* {{s||Moses|3|8,10-15}} | * {{s||Moses|3|8,10-15}} | ||
Line 307: | Line 298: | ||
* Since Genesis does not match a real world geography, rather than seeing these descriptions as literal, most Bible scholars have seen them as a symbolic tool to place Eden at the "center" of creation. Given that the Bible was written in the Old World, it is unsurprising that the symbols therein use Old World sites. Such symbols, however, are of little use in establishing a literal geographic location in either the Old or New World. | * Since Genesis does not match a real world geography, rather than seeing these descriptions as literal, most Bible scholars have seen them as a symbolic tool to place Eden at the "center" of creation. Given that the Bible was written in the Old World, it is unsurprising that the symbols therein use Old World sites. Such symbols, however, are of little use in establishing a literal geographic location in either the Old or New World. | ||
'''''To learn more:''''' | '''''To learn more:''''' | ||
− | * [[ | + | * [[Garden of Eden in Missouri?|Location of the Garden of Eden?]] |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
Line 313: | Line 304: | ||
As we have seen, none of these paired scriptures contradict each other. This list misunderstands and misrepresents LDS doctrine. | As we have seen, none of these paired scriptures contradict each other. This list misunderstands and misrepresents LDS doctrine. | ||
− | + | {{Seealso|Question: How can one view contradictions in Scripture in a faithful way?|Latter-day Saint scripture/Supposed contradictions}} | |
− | + | ||
− | + | </onlyinclude> | |
− | + | ||
− | [[de:HLT-Schriften | + | |
− | [[ | + | {{Critical sources box:Latter-day Saint scripture/Supposed contradictions/Contradictions in LDS scripture table/CriticalSources}} |
+ | {{endnotes sources}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | <!-- PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE ANYTHING BELOW THIS LINE --> | ||
+ | |||
+ | [[de:Frage: HLT-Schriften dass sich die Schriften gegenseitig widersprechen?]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Questions]] |
Latest revision as of 22:24, 30 April 2024
Contents |
Question: Are Mormon scriptures full of contradictions?
The supposed contradictions arise from 1) misinterpretation, 2) comparing two verses when are speaking of different things and 3) reading Protestant meanings into scriptural terminology
Many conservative Protestant critics have reproduced a table which purports to show how LDS scripture contradicts itself.
The table below examines the supposed contradictions, presents the scriptures cited in context, and demonstrates that claims of contradiction rest on:
- a misinterpretation of LDS scripture
- comparing two verses which are speaking about different things
- reading Protestant meanings into scriptural terminology
Supposed Contradictions in LDS scripture
Number | Column A: Book of Mormon... | Column B: "Contrasting" scripture... | Response and Comments |
---|---|---|---|
1 |
One God | Plural Gods |
To learn more: |
2 |
God is a Spirit | God Has A Body |
To learn more |
3 |
God dwells in the heart
|
God does not dwell in the heart
|
|
4 |
One God creates | Multiple Gods create |
To learn more |
5 |
God Cannot Lie |
God Commands Lying
|
|
6 |
God's Word Unchangeable
|
God's Word Can Change
|
|
7 |
No Pre-Existence of Man
|
Pre-Existence |
To learn more: |
8 |
Death seals man's fate
|
Chance for repentance after death |
|
9 |
Heathen Saved Without Baptism | Baptism for the Dead |
To learn more: |
10 |
Only options are heaven or hell | Three degrees of glory, with most people "saved" |
'To learn more:
|
11 |
Murder can be forgiven
|
'Murder cannot be forgiven
|
|
12 |
Polygamy condemned | Polygamy commanded |
To learn more: |
13 |
Against Paid Ministries
|
For Paid Ministries
|
To learn more:
|
14 |
Corrupt Churches Promise Forgiveness For Money
|
Church Members Who Pay Tithing Will Not Burn
|
|
15 |
Adam in the Americas | Adam in the Old World |
To learn more: |
As we have seen, none of these paired scriptures contradict each other. This list misunderstands and misrepresents LDS doctrine.
Critical sources |
The table is found, with few if any variations, on multiple internet sites. FAIR does not link to anti-Mormon sites, but a Google search makes it easy to find.
Some sources credit the initial table to:
Other sources that use it, with and without attribution to Tanner, include:
|
Notes