AboutMichael Kelley Expertise For a different viewpoint on Mormonism for your questions, try me. I am a staunch believer in the Book of Mormon and belong to another church (the Church of Christ)that is set up identically to the Biblical church. If there are things about traditional Mormonism that trouble you or you have questions about, just ask and you might find the answers from the Book of Mormon to be quite surprising. I have been studying the scriptures diligently for 16 years under the school of hard knocks... I may not have all of the answers but will sure go find them if I don`t. I`m strongest on Biblical and Book of Mormon doctrines, and am also somewhat familiar with Mormon history and archaeology.
Question QUESTION: Do mormons believe The book of mormon is the word of God and it along with the doctrines and covenants are on par with the Bible?
ANSWER: Hi Robert,
I will be happy to answer your questions. Please note I am ex-LDS and belong to the Church of Christ that believes in the Bible and Book of Mormon only.
In answer to your question... Yes the LDS Utah Mormons believe the Book of Mormon is the word of God, on similar standing as the Bible. The LDS also believe in additional books called the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. The Church of Christ believes in the Bible and Book of Mormon only.
While the LDS Mormons profess the Bible and Book of Mormon, they give more importance to the Doctrine and Covenants. The Doctrine and Covenants is a compilation of Latter Day Revelations which almost all came through Joseph Smith. Originally the early portion of these revelations were contained in the book titled the Book of Commandments, yet many of these revelations were altered from their originals, and the name of the book was changed. The Doctrine and Covenants contains many doctrines that are contrary to both the Bible and Book of Mormon such as the practice of polygamy, Celestial Marriage, Baptism for the Dead and many other doctrines that Bible only Christians (and myself) find objectionable.
The LDS Mormons rely primarily on their latter day "prophets" as their guide, while the Bible and Book of Mormon take second or 3rd place. They may not admit or even be aware of doing this, but in word and deed that is exactly what is happening. The Book of Mormon not once teaches many LDS doctrines, and in many ways openly rebukes them. The very reason why I left the Utah faction is because I believe in the Book of Mormon (and Bible). The Book of Mormon teaches the very same fundamental Christianity that the Bible teaches... which was it's very reason for coming forth... to be a 2nd witness that the Bible is true.
Today there are some 100 different churches or factions that believe in the Book of Mormon. Most are similar to a Protestant Bible only church and have similar beliefs. The Utah LDS faction is by far the largest and most well known.
I hope this helps answer your question, feel free to ask other questions if you wish.
God Bless,
Mike
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QUESTION: Im still confused on a couple things. Its not clear to me how ,in my study of the book of Mormon,that one could believe it and the Bible both to be inspired when clearly there are contidictions between the two.
If the book of Mormon was written by prophets and seers, some living before Abraham, then how are they able to quote Shakespeare, the Popes essays on man... etc.
Answer Hi Robert,
I am not aware of any of the quotes you mention existing in the Book of Mormon. Are you referring to the Pearl of Great Price or Doctrine and Covenants (which I don't believe is scripture)?
I am aware of a few... one or two... word anachronisms in the Book of Mormon such as the word Adieu. Remember the Book of Mormon is a translation of an ancient language into a modern (1830) language. In all translations there are words that do not perfectly match, thereby introducing a small degree of imperfection. The same is true for the Bible that has been translated from Hebrew and Aramaic into Greek, Latin, and then English. There are certain Nephite (Book of Mormon) words that the intended meaning best fits a more modern English word and that is how God caused the word to be translated. Who knows what the original Nephite word was... it could have been pronounced "Iwannahockaloogie" as far as I know... I only know that in some cases a translation uses a modern word that did not exist when the original work was written. The Bible itself is probably riddled with such anachronisms... after all the entire English Language did not exist when the Old Testament was being written!
