My conversation has continued with my friend who I will call Jim.
Jim asked, “How do you reconcile the contradictions of the Book of Mormon to the Bible? There should be no disparity in the Word of God. One Word, one God.”
Jim, There are also many contradictions within the Bible itself. Here are some that I’ve found: God is not a man that He should “change his mind,” we read in Numbers 23:19 (NRSV). But a few books later, Jeremiah insists that if the people repent, “the Lord will change his mind” (Jeremiah 26:13, NRSV). Judas hangs himself in Matthew, but he falls headlong and dies in Acts. Jehoiachin was 18 years old when he began to reign according to one chronicler, but 8 years old according to another. “Answer a fool according to his folly,” we are admonished in one Proverb; but another verse had already instructed us, “Answer not a fool according to his folly.” Source: https://www.ldsliving.com/Why-Scriptures-Sometimes-Contradict-Each-Other-and-What-Do-When-That-Happens/s/87877
As the Bible was compiled, organized, translated, and transcribed, many errors entered the text. The existence of such errors becomes apparent when one considers the numerous and often conflicting translations of the Bible in existence today. Careful students of the Bible are often puzzled by apparent contradictions and omissions. Many people have also been curious about references by biblical prophets to books or scriptural passages that are not currently in the Bible. Source: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/bible-inerrancy-of?lang=eng
I do not worry about seeming contradictions. I believe that scripture is simply writings by men. We are all human. I might make mistakes on my blog. It doesn’t mean that what I’m saying isn’t true. In the scriptures there might be mistakes and faults, but they are of men, and not of God. God teaches us through the Holy Ghost. “I am but a man” Mormon told his son Moroni in the Book of Mormon. (Moroni 9:18) At the beginning of The Book of Mormon it says, “If there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God.” I do not want to condemn The Book of Mormon because something written might seem to contradict something in the Bible, especially when the Bible contradicts itself sometimes. Learn from what the message is of The Book of Mormon. Learn from the word of Jesus Christ as he spoke to this people after His Resurrection. Don’t seek after the faults. Search out the good.
As the prophet Mormon said to his son Moroni, “I am but a man.” So too am I but a man. I am not going to convince you of the truthfulness of The Book of Mormon by my mere writings. But a sure witness can and will come into your heart if you sincerely seek to know. It has to be sincere. God knows your heart. Read The Book of Mormon. Be humble. Ask God, sincerely, with real intent in the name of Jesus Christ, having faith in Jesus Christ and ask to know the truth, and then He will tell you in your heart. When that happens, nothing that any naysayer can say will persuade you differently, because your answer came from God Himself, through the Holy Ghost. I pray that you will accept my challenge. At the end of The Book of Mormon, the prophet Moroni gave this same challenge. He said, “By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.”
This is why I have a conviction of The Book of Mormon. This is why I read from it every day. I’ve had the Holy Ghost bear witness to me that it is the word of God. I know that it is true, and I know that God knows, that I know it is true.
Rocky Mountain Sunshine 