Reconciling the Bible with the LDS 1st Article of Faith and select quotes about God from the Book of Mormon
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The LDS Church believes in more than one God. This is brought out in my first two statements below. Yet the Book of Mormon contradicts these statements (see quotes below).
From an official LDS page titled [Do Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Believe in the Trinity?](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/article/do-latter-day-saints-believe-in-the-trinity)
> **Three distinct beings**
>
> The Church’s first Article of Faith states, “We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.” We believe They are three distinct personages, not one singular being. We call Them the Godhead.
By definition this would be considered "Polytheism."
They further go on to say:
> Like many Christians, we believe in God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. However, we don't believe in the traditional concept of the Trinity. We believe that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are three separate beings who are one in purpose.
This statement, as well, is, by definition, "Polytheism."
**How do Mormons reconcile the above 2 statements from the following quotes from the Book of Mormon?**
[Alma 11:26-35](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/11?lang=eng) :
>26 And Zeezrom said unto him: Thou sayest there is a true and living God?
>
>27 And Amulek said: Yea, there is a true and living God.
>
>28 Now Zeezrom said: Is there more than one God?
>
>29 And he answered, No.
>
>30 Now Zeezrom said unto him again: How knowest thou these things?
>
>31 And he said: An angel hath made them known unto me.
>
>32 And Zeezrom said again: Who is he that shall come? Is it the Son of God?
>
>33 And he said unto him, Yea.
>
>34 And Zeezrom said again: Shall he save his people ain their sins? And Amulek answered and said unto him: I say unto you he shall not, for it is impossible for him to deny his word.
>
>35 Now Zeezrom said unto the people: See that ye remember these things; for he said there is but one God; yet he saith that the Son of God shall come, but he shall not save his people—as though he had authority to command God.
And [Alma 11:38-39](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/11?lang=eng) :
> 38 Now Zeezrom saith again unto him: Is the Son of God the very Eternal Father?
>
> 39 And Amulek said unto him: Yea, he is the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth, and all things which in them are; he is the beginning and the end, the first and the last;
Then there is [Ether 3:14](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/ether/3?lang=eng) :
> 14 Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters.
So how is it that the BoM teaches that Jesus Christ is actually God the Father, and at the same time the Son? This in view of the opening statements? Also, how is it that Amulek says Jesus will not save people from their sins when the Bible clearly teaches Jesus Christ is our Savior?
All of this contradicts the Bible big time! Are these examples of why Smith declared that the BoM is another testament of the Bible and the Bible needed restoring?
Asked by Mr. Bond
(6412 rep)
Apr 6, 2024, 11:28 PM
Last activity: Apr 7, 2024, 09:04 AM
Last activity: Apr 7, 2024, 09:04 AM