Polygamy
The main point here: The Book of Mormon clearly and emphatically calls polygamy an abomination to God - the LDS Church had to contradict the Book of Mormon in Doctrine and Covenants 132 in order to make polygamy acceptable.
Jacob 2:33 [LDS 2:24] Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives, and concubines, which thing was
abominable before me, saith the Lord
The Book of Mormon condemns polygamy. Joseph Smith never taught or practiced polygamy and always condemned polygamy. [
reference]
After the Book of Mormon was published, a revelation received by Joseph Smith Jr. in 1831, God specified that monogamy is lawful indicating that polygamy is unlawful - "for marriage is ordained of God unto man; wherefore, it is lawful that he should have
one wife" The bylaws of the LDS Church (Doctrine and Covenants Section 49) still reflect this statement and have never been changed by any mormon church.
Four months before his death, Joseph Smith Jr. published to the church that polygamy was a false doctrine, "Hyram Brown, has been preaching
polygamy, and other false and corrupt doctrines" Times and Seasons, Vol. 5, No. 3, February 1, 1844, page 423
Secrecy
The main point here: All that Jesus taught was sacred and open for the world to see the truth.
Helaman 2:149 [LDS 6:25] "Now behold, it is these secret oaths and covenants, which Alma commanded his son should not go forth unto the world, lest they should be a means of bringing down the people unto destruction."
John 18:20 "Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and
in secret have I said nothing."
The Bible is confirmed by the Book of Mormon in
1 Nephi 6:23 [LDS 20:16] which restates Jesus speaking in
Isaiah 48:16, Come ye near unto me;
I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was declared, have I spoken; and the Lord God, and his Spirit hath sent me.
All things spoken and performed in secret are not of God or Jesus.
Changeable God
The main point here: The Old Testament, New Testament, and Book of Mormon have specific verses that state that God does not change. Perfection has no need to change. If there were any change in perfection, then either it was not perfect before the change, or it was not perfect after the change, or it was never perfect at all. Any statements that say God changes are not scripture.
Moroni 8:19 [LDS 8:18] "For I know that God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but
he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity."
If God ever changed, then His promises would not be the same for people in different times. And if God’s promises are not the same for everyone, then God would not be perfect.
2 Samuel 22:31 As for God,
his way is perfect…
More Than One God
The main point here: The Old Testament, New Testament, and the Book of Mormon are explicit that there is only one God. Any statements that say there is more than one God are not scripture.
The LDS (Brigham Young) initiated a doctrine in 1852 that there is more than one God and that men can become Gods
2 Nephi 13:32 [LDS 31:21] "And now behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,
which is one God, without end. Amen."
A Creator that created the universe must have existed before there was anything else or anyone else. All things and creatures that come after the creation of the universe are all subject to the one Creator.
Matthew 23:6 And call no one your creator upon the earth, or your heavenly Father; for
one is your creator and heavenly Father, even he who is in heaven.
Finite God
The main point here: A finite god would not be able to create an entire universe. Thus He would not have control over the entire universe. We see in Doctrine and Covenants 17:4a [LDS 20:17] "By these things we know that there is a God in heaven who is infinite and eternal, from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God, the framer of heaven and earth and all things which are in them, and that he created man male and female;"
Alma 16:215 [LDS 34:14] "And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law; every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God; yea,
infinite and eternal; and thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name;"
A finite God would have limitations and have a lack of power to guarantee salvation to all people. But we see in
Matthew 28:17 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,
All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Finite Atonement
The main point here: The New Testament and the Book of Mormon are clear that there are no limitations or restrictions in Jesus' atonement - His atonement is able to cover anyone that believes in Him and are willing to follow God's commandments
2 Nephi 6: 11 - 17 [LDS 9:6 - 7]
11 [6] For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfill the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection.
12 And the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall;
13 And the fall came by reason of transgression;
14 And because man became fallen, they were cut off from the presence of the Lord;
15 [7]
Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement.
16 Save it should be an infinite atonement, this corruption could not put on incorruption.
17 Wherefore, the first judgment which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration.
Sacrament for Children / Open Communion
The main point here: Communion is a sacrament for those who have been baptized. Young children less than the age of accountability (8 years old) have no need for repentance or baptism. God does not impute sin to those children, so they have no need to repent or be baptized.The Book of Mormon makes it clear that those who repent and are baptized may have communion (the bread and the wine) administered to them
3 Nep 8:32 [LDS 18:5] "And when the multitude had eaten and were filled, he said unto the disciples, Behold, there shall one be ordained among you, and to him will I give power that he shall break bread, and bless it, and give it unto the people of my church, unto all those who shall believe
and be baptized in my name."
3 Nephi 8:60-62 [LDS 18:28-30] "[60/28] And now behold, this is the commandment which I give unto you, that
ye shall not suffer any one knowingly, to partake of my flesh and blood unworthily, when ye shall minister it, [29] for whoso eateth and drinketh my flesh and blood unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to his soul; [61] Therefore if ye know that a man is unworthy to eat and drink of my flesh and blood, ye shall forbid him; [30]nevertheless ye shall not cast him out from among you, but ye shall minister unto him, and shall pray for him unto the Father, in my name, [62] And
if it so be that he repenteth, and is baptized in my name, then shall ye receive him, and shall minister unto him of my flesh and blood;"
The Communion Sacrament is only for those that have been baptized.
Topics NOT in the Book of Mormon
Progression: ![](../images/welcome/wood-arrow-learn-more.jpg)
Baptism for the Dead: ![](../images/welcome/wood-arrow-learn-more.jpg)
Eternal Families / Celestial Marriage: ![](../images/welcome/wood-arrow-learn-more.jpg)
Temple Rites: ![](../images/welcome/wood-arrow-learn-more.jpg)
Heavenly Mother: ![](../images/welcome/wood-arrow-learn-more.jpg)