Unique Doctrines in the Book of Mormon
A common argument against the Book of Mormon is that there are no uniquely "Mormon" doctrines in the Book of Mormon, so therefore it and the subsequent revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants are inconsistent with each other and, thus, both false. (Or, alternatively, that the Book of Mormon is just a re-hash of Biblical themes, so it is nothing special).
We should remember that the Nephites lived in a different dispensation (actually two distinct dispensations). God "dispenses" His gospel according to the needs, obedience, and readiness of the people in a specific place and time. The Book of Mormon world was totally different than ours, and thus they lived according to what God gave them.
And to say that the Book of Mormon is just a re-hash of Biblical themes is to compare apples to oranges. Yeah, both books involve Jews living the Law of Moses and talking about God. But, the books are totally different - even theologically.
We also believe that God gives to man knowledge "line upon line". Revelation builds upon itself. Just because the early Church recieved the Book of Mormon doesn't mean that it couldn't recieve more. (For example, the Book of Moses started to be published by Joseph Smith just two months after the Book of Mormon was published.)
Anyway, the following are some doctrines and teachings that are unique to the Book of Mormon that popped into my head, in no particular order:
***These are just some of the unique doctrines found in the Book of Mormon. There are likely many that I have missed. There are countless more that are not necessarily 100% unique to the Book of Mormon, but that greatly clarify ambiguous doctrines and teachings found in the Bible.
We should remember that the Nephites lived in a different dispensation (actually two distinct dispensations). God "dispenses" His gospel according to the needs, obedience, and readiness of the people in a specific place and time. The Book of Mormon world was totally different than ours, and thus they lived according to what God gave them.
And to say that the Book of Mormon is just a re-hash of Biblical themes is to compare apples to oranges. Yeah, both books involve Jews living the Law of Moses and talking about God. But, the books are totally different - even theologically.
We also believe that God gives to man knowledge "line upon line". Revelation builds upon itself. Just because the early Church recieved the Book of Mormon doesn't mean that it couldn't recieve more. (For example, the Book of Moses started to be published by Joseph Smith just two months after the Book of Mormon was published.)
Anyway, the following are some doctrines and teachings that are unique to the Book of Mormon that popped into my head, in no particular order:
- Our pre-earth life was, in fact, a very real place where all of God's children were and where some progressed more than others: Alma 13
- Fore-ordination occurred there: Alma 13
- The Melchizedek Priesthood pertains to more than just Melchizedek and Christ (The men in the cities that Alma preached to had been ordained to this "Holy Order": Alma 13
- Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built on the North American continent.
- "The first shall be the last and the last shall be the first" will happen because of the Restoration among the Gentiles which then goes to the Jews.
- The Gentiles will eventually reject the restored gospel in the last days before it goes to the Jews.
- The Nephites and Lamanites are the other sheep spoken of by Jesus when He said they would see and hear Him.
- The American continent is a blessed and cursed land.
- The Plan of Salvation: After death, all are taken home to God and then go to either spirit paradise or spirit prison until the resurrection. After the resurrection, all will be judged. After judgement, the righteous will shine forth in the kingdom of God. (The other two kingdoms are not mentioned explicitly, but this is still a much more fleshed-out plan than just "you die and then go to Heaven or Hell". It is also consistent with what we learn from section 76 in the Doctrine and Covenants).
- Those who are without the law during their Earth life will not be judged for their ignorant transgressions. The Atonement of Christ covers them. All will be judged according to their hearts.
- Young children who die without baptism do not go to hell, but rather they are save through the Atonement of Christ.
- The Fall of Adam and Eve was a good and necessary thing.
- Monogamy is God's law, but polygamous marriages take place when God commands it under special circumstances.
- Jesus Christ is Jehovah, and His pre-mortal spirit looked like his future mortal self. So, spirits are not nebulous, but are in the shape of the human body.
- Prophets can literally speak with God face to face (Brother of Jared, Nephi, Moroni). Seeing the Lord in mortality is possible.
- Grace does not save the unrepentant sinner. God does not save us in our sins, but He does save us from our sins if we allow Him.
- There are other scriptural records besides the Bible and the Book of Mormon that we still do not have. God has inspired men from many ages and areas of the world - not just the Hebrews of the Bible.
- The specifics of how one is to be baptized are laid out clearly.
- The sacramental prayers are spelled out, and the purpose of the sacrament (3 Nephi 18:1-12) is expounded upon much more than in the New Testament.
- A utopian society (Zion) existed (and will come again) based on the teachings of Christ. In fact, that is the natural result when His teachings are followed to the fullest extent.
- Old Testament era prophets clearly and adamantly prophesied of the Anointed Messiah (Jesus Christ) in the way that we understand Him to be, but they were often rejected by the Jews.
***These are just some of the unique doctrines found in the Book of Mormon. There are likely many that I have missed. There are countless more that are not necessarily 100% unique to the Book of Mormon, but that greatly clarify ambiguous doctrines and teachings found in the Bible.