Contradictions in the 3 Standard Books
“The relationship between the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants is one of mutual support. All three books complement each other and each has its particular value…Members of the Saints [RLDS/CoC] Church invite others to become familiar with what these books have to say.” (Peter A. Judd and A. Bruce Lindgren, Who Are the Saints? An Introduction to the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Herald House, 1976, p. 18)
Those of us who grew up in the RLDS/CoC Church were taught and believed the preceding statement. But upon upon closer examination of our “Three Standard Books” we discovered that this statement was not true. Instead, the books routinely contradicted each other. Please consider the following examples:
Creation
Spiritual first…
“For I, the Lord God, created all things of which I have spoken, spiritually, before they were naturally upon the face of the earth….” (Joseph Smith’s Inspired Version of the Bible)
…or natural first?
“Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.” (Doctrine and Covenants, Section 110:14a) (LDS Sec. 128: 14)
Birthplace of Christ
Bethlehem…
“…Joseph also went up… out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;…to be taxed, with Mary…and so it was, that while they were there…she brought forth her first born son…” (Joseph Smith’s Inspired Version of the Bible, Luke 2:4-7, 11, 15 )
…or Jerusalem?
“…he shall be born of Mary at Jerusalem….” (Book of Mormon, Alma 5:19) (LDS Alma 7:10)
God’s decrees
Unalterable…
“Now the decrees of God are unalterable; therefore the way is prepared, that whosoever will, may walk therein and be saved.” (Book of Mormon, Alma 19:71)
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall not return unto me void….” (Joseph Smith’s Inspired Version of the Bible, Isaiah 55:11)
…or not?
“…I the Lord command and revoke, as it seemeth me good….”
“…I revoke the commandment which was given…and give a new commandment….” (Doctrine and Covenants, Section 56:2 a, b) (LDS Sec. 56: 3-5)
Who doeth good
Some…
“And there are none that doeth good except those who are ready to receive the fullness of my gospel, which I have sent forth unto this generation.” (Doctrine and Covenants, Sec. 34:3e) (LDS Sec. 35:12)
…or none?
“They are all gone aside, they are together become filthy, thou canst behold none of them that are doing good, no, not one.” (Joseph Smith’s Inspired Version of the Bible, Psalms 14:3)
Forgive one another
Yes…
“…forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother…standeth condemned before the Lord…of you it is required to forgive all men.” (Doctrine and Covenants, Sec. 64:2d) (LDS Sec. 64:9)
…or no?
“…but if he doeth it again, he shall not be forgiven, but shall be cast out.” (Doctrine and Covenants, Sec. 42:7e) (LDS Sec. 42:24-26)
“…if he trespass against thee the fourth time thou shalt not forgive him….” (Doctrine and Covenants, Sec. 95:7d) (LDS Sec. 98:44)
After Death
Second chance…
“Behold, these are they who…received not the testimony of Jesus in the flesh but afterwards [after death] received it….” (Doctrine and Covenants, Sec. 76:6c) (LDS Sec. 76:72-74)
…or not?
“…it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement…” (Joseph Smith’s Inspired Version of the Bible, Hebrews 9:27)
Salvation
By works…
“For we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” (Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 11: 44) (LDS 2 Nephi 25:23)
“Thou shalt take the things which thou hast received [Joseph Smith’s teachings],… for a law, to be my law, to govern my church; and he that doeth according to these things, shall be saved….” (Doctrine and Covenants, Sec. 42:16 a, b) (LDS Sec. 42:59-61)
…or not?
“…it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved.” (Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 7: 42) (LDS 2 Nephi 10:24)
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; but it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Joseph Smith’s Inspired Version of the Bible, Ephesians 2:8, 9)
The Bible
Altered…
“For behold, they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and most precious;And also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away…from the book, which is the book of the Lamb of God.” (Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 3:168, 169, 171) (LDS 1 Nephi 13:26, 28)
…or not?
“What I, the Lord, have spoken I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled.” (Doctrine and Covenants, Sec. 1:8a) (LDS Sec. 1:38)
“I know that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever; nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it….” (Joseph Smith’s Inspired Version of the Bible, Ecclesiastes 3:14)
We, too, were once members of the RLDS/CoC church. We were honored to be a part of the one true church, proud of our ancestors who helped shape the history of the church Joseph Smith founded. We earnestly defended the Book of Mormon and the doctrines of the RLDS/CoC church. Then we were presented with some aspects of church history that didn’t match what we had been taught. Further study uncovered more discrepancies — not only in the history, but also in the area of doctrine. We discovered that, in many cases, the Three Standard Books did not agree with each other, contrary to the statement above by authors Peter Judd and Bruce Lindgren.
We are sharing this information with you because we care about you enough to tell you the truth. The truth is — the Three Standard Books routinely contradict each other on such important issues as forgiveness, salvation, life after death and more.
The Latter Day Saint movement was founded on the supposed inadequacy of the Bible. Joseph Smith’s scriptures were to restore the plain and precious things allegedly deleted from the Bible or distorted down through the ages. However, archeological finds such as the Dead Sea Scrolls have disproved the allegations of a corrupted Bible. Basic Bible doctrines remain unchanged from when they were written centuries ago. In contrast, in the less than 200 years since Joseph Smith founded his church, Latter Day Saint scriptures have been repeatedly changed, corrected, amended and even deleted as church teachings changed.
We invite you to investigate the trustworthiness of the Bible. Like the God who inspired its many co-authors, its message is the same; yesterday, today and tomorrow. It points us to Jesus, the only mediator between God and man; there is no need for a modern-day prophet. Everything we need to be complete is found within the pages of God’s written Word. God has promised that if we sincerely seek the truth, He will help us to find it. That is our prayer for you.