The Book of Mormon is not Mormonism

The Book of Mormon does Not Teach Mormonism

Not all people who believe the Book of Mormon are 'Mormons.'

Many have found the words to be true and everything it claims to be: an inspired record of Israelites with a profound and relevant testimony of Jesus Christ. These people have found the record to be true, yet have no association with the strange theologies many have come to know as 'Mormonism.'

But because many have formed biases against the Book of Mormon before ever opening its cover, assurances are required, chiefly: The Book of Mormon is Not Mormonism.

Mormonism is associated with strange practices—strange to the Christian walk—like polygamy, celestial marriage, plurality of Gods, etc.

But the Book of Mormon teaches none of these doctrines, and many who believe The Book of Mormon's authenticity have no association with these practices. It simply does not teach them.

Assuming that all Book of Mormon believers espouse strange doctrines (polygamy, etc.) or that the Book of Mormon teaches these ideas is like assuming that historically all Americans were slave holders and advocated slavery because the constitution encouraged it. Slavery was not practiced by all Americans; some espoused it, most despised it, yet the constitution taught none of it.

In the American civil war, some fought for slavery, and many fought against slavery, yet both would go home and read the same bible at night. Yet the U.S. constitution never advocated slavery. Slavery was a historical practice adopted by some outside the country's written constitution.

Similarly, practices of 'Mormonism' have no association with the Book of Mormon.

To assume anyone who believes the Book of Mormon must advocate 'Mormonism' is akin to assuming any American citizen must have advocated slavery in its day, or abortion in our day, just because they are US citizens. Because some practiced these crimes, does not mean every citizen advocated, and more importantly the crimes were not advocated by the original 'doctrine.'

Such is also true of the Book of Mormon. Strange doctrines of polygamy, celestial marriage, plurality of Gods, temple ordinances—none of these ideas come from the Book of Mormon. They were all ideas instituted and practiced by men separate from the Book of Mormon's teachings.

Does the Book of Mormon teach of 'a different Jesus' than the Bible?

No. The Book of Mormon teaches of only one Jesus, he is the same who was born of Mary at Jerusalem.

Does the Book of Mormon teach there is more than one God?

While some Book of Mormon believing Gentiles have distorted understandings regarding this, the Book of Mormon teaches and advocates this Jesus of the Book of Mormon is the only savior.