In the Book of Revelation, Jesus addresses seven churches in Asia Minor, offering commendations, rebukes, and calls to repentance. Among these, the message to the church in Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) stands out as particularly fitting for introducing this compilation of doctrinal contradictions between Mormonism (including the Book of Mormon) and the New Testament. Jesus, describing Himself as "the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass," commends Thyatira for their works, love, service, faith, and patience, noting that their "last works are more than the first." However, He rebukes them sharply for tolerating "that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols." This false prophetess leads believers into doctrinal and moral compromise, drawing parallels to how Mormonism accepts Joseph Smith as a true prophet despite teachings that diverge from New Testament doctrines.
Jesus warns of severe judgement on her and her followers unless they repent, emphasising the need to "hold fast what you have till I come" and promising rewards to those who overcome, including authority over nations and the morning star. Just as Thyatira was called to reject false prophetic influences that corrupted core truths, this document examines contradictions that arise from accepting additional revelations and prophets beyond the New Testament's sufficiency, urging discernment against such seductions in line with Jesus' exhortation: "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Mormon perspectives are noted for balance, often viewing these as restorations of lost truths, but the focus highlights direct divergences. Archaeological claims are briefly addressed but de-emphasised, as they pertain more to historical validation than direct NT doctrinal contradictions.
New Testament Doctrine: The New Testament affirms strict monotheism—one singular God. For example, in 1 Timothy 2:5 and John 1:1, the Greek text emphasises "one God", with no allowance for multiple gods or progression to godhood.
Mormon Doctrine Contrast: Mormonism teaches a plurality of gods, with God the Father as an exalted man with a physical body, Jesus as His literal firstborn spirit child (along with all humans and even Lucifer as spirit siblings), and the potential for faithful humans to become gods (exaltation).
New Testament Doctrine: Salvation is presented as a gift of grace through faith, explicitly excluding human works (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 11:6).
Mormon Doctrine Contrast: Mormonism teaches salvation (general resurrection is universal, but exaltation to higher kingdoms requires faith plus works like baptism, temple ordinances, tithing, and obedience to laws). The Book of Mormon states grace comes "after all we can do" (2 Nephi 25:23).
New Testament Doctrine: Marriage is earthly and does not continue in the resurrection (Matthew 22:30).
Mormon Doctrine Contrast: Mormonism emphasises eternal marriage through temple sealings, where worthy couples remain married eternally.
New Testament Doctrine: All believers form a royal priesthood without need for a separate ordained class (1 Peter 2:9).
Mormon Doctrine Contrast: Mormonism requires an exclusive Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthood, held only by worthy males.
New Testament Doctrine: The Scriptures are sufficient for doctrine and equipping believers (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Galatians 1:8).
Mormon Doctrine Contrast: Mormonism holds an open canon, with the Book of Mormon as "another testament of Jesus Christ" and ongoing revelations.
New Testament Doctrine: In Christ, ethnic distinctions are erased (Galatians 3:28).
Mormon Doctrine Contrast: The Book of Mormon links dark skin to a divine curse, and the LDS Church restricted priesthood from those of African descent until 1978.
New Testament Doctrine: Jesus was born specifically in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1).
Book of Mormon Contrast: Alma 7:10 prophesies Jesus "shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers."
New Testament Doctrine: Darkness covered the land for three hours during the crucifixion (Matthew 27:45).
Book of Mormon Contrast: Helaman 14:20,27 and 3 Nephi 8:3,23 describe three days of darkness.
New Testament Doctrine: Only one high priest served at a time, with Jesus as the ultimate singular high priest (Hebrews 8:6-7, Matthew 26:3).
Book of Mormon Contrast: Mosiah 11:11, Alma 13:9-10, and Helaman 3:25 describe multiple high priests serving concurrently.
New Testament Doctrine: NT texts were composed post-resurrection (e.g., 1 Corinthians 12:4-11).
Book of Mormon Contrast: Moroni 10:8-17 and Moroni 7:48 reproduce NT passages anachronistically.
New Testament Doctrine: The Lord's Prayer ends without a doxology in the earliest manuscripts (Matthew 6:13).
Book of Mormon Contrast: 3 Nephi 13:13 includes the full KJV doxology.
New Testament Doctrine: Acts 3:22-26 paraphrases Deuteronomy but adds unique elements.
Book of Mormon Contrast: 3 Nephi 20:23-26 presents Peter's NT additions as original prophecy.
New Testament Doctrine: The church as the body of Christ forms after Jesus' resurrection (Ephesians 1:22-23).
Book of Mormon Contrast: Mosiah 18:17 and Mosiah 15:5 refer to "the church of God" and "body of Christ" before Jesus' birth.
New Testament Doctrine: The NT does not teach pre-mortal existence (1 Corinthians 15:46, John 1:3).
Book of Mormon Contrast: Alma 13:3-5 and LDS theology teach pre-mortal spirit existence.
New Testament Doctrine: God and Christ are unchanging (Hebrews 13:8; Romans 8:17 refers to inheritance, not deification).
Book of Mormon Contrast: 3 Nephi 28:10, D&C 132:19-20 teach progression to god-like status.
New Testament Doctrine: Baptism is for the living; posthumous judgement follows death (Hebrews 9:27).
Book of Mormon Contrast: Doctrine and Covenants 128 allows proxy baptism for the dead.
New Testament Doctrine: Oaths are prohibited (Matthew 5:34-37).
Book of Mormon Contrast: Ether 8:14-19, Helaman 6:22-26, and LDS temple ceremonies involve sacred covenants.
New Testament Doctrine: Afterlife is binary—eternal life or punishment (Matthew 25:46).
Book of Mormon Contrast: Doctrine and Covenants 76 introduces three degrees of glory.
New Testament Doctrine: Jesus' post-resurrection appearances are limited (Acts 1:3).
Book of Mormon Contrast: 3 Nephi 11-26 describes Jesus visiting the Americas.
New Testament Doctrine: Leaders should be monogamous (1 Timothy 3:2).
Book of Mormon Contrast: Jacob 2:24-27 condemns polygamy, but allows if God commands.
New Testament Doctrine: NT settings align with historical evidence.
Book of Mormon Contrast: Describes pre-Columbian American civilisations lacking archaeological support.
| No. | Topic | New Testament Doctrine | Mormon/Book of Mormon Doctrine | Key Contradiction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nature of God | Strict monotheism; one God | Plurality of gods, God as an exalted man | Monotheism vs. polytheism |
| 2 | Salvation | By grace through faith alone | Grace after works, exaltation by effort | Salvation by faith vs. works-based salvation |
| 3 | Marriage and the Afterlife | No marriage in resurrection | Eternal marriage and procreation | Temporal marriage vs. eternal marriage |
| 4 | Priesthood Authority | Universal priesthood of believers | Exclusive Aaronic & Melchizedek priesthood | Universal vs. hierarchical priesthood |
| 5 | Sufficiency of Scripture | Scripture completes the believer | Need for additional revelations | Closed canon vs. open canon |
| 6 | Racial/Ethnic Distinctions | All are equal in Christ | Curses/restrictions based on race | Equality vs. distinctions |
| 7 | Birthplace of Jesus | Bethlehem | Jerusalem (land of forefathers) | Specific vs. general location |
| 8 | Darkness at Crucifixion | Three hours | Three days | Duration difference |
| 9 | High Priesthood Structure | One high priest at a time | Multiple high priests simultaneously | Singular vs. plural priesthood |
| 10 | Anachronistic NT Citations | NT written post-resurrection | Pre-NT texts citing NT passages | Historical sequence vs. anachronism |
| 11 | Lord’s Prayer Doxology | Absent in originals | Included in BOM | Textual variant inclusion |
| 12 | NT Commentary as OT Prophecy | Distinct historical sources | Blended quotations in BOM | Misattribution |
| 13 | Existence of the Church | Post-resurrection formation | Pre-resurrection establishment | Chronology conflict |
| 14 | Pre-mortal Existence | No pre-existence of souls | Spirit children in heaven | Natural vs. spiritual order |
| 15 | Eternal Progression/Exaltation | Unchanging God | Humans becoming gods | Divine nature vs. human progression |
| 16 | Baptism for the Dead | Personal baptism | Proxy ordinances for dead | Finality vs. posthumous rites |
| 17 | Secret Combinations/Oaths | No swearing oaths | Sacred covenants with secrecy | Openness vs. secrecy |
| 18 | Afterlife Structure | Binary afterlife | Three degrees of glory | Binary vs. graded afterlife |
| 19 | Location of Christ’s Ministry | Limited to Judea | Visit to Americas | Regional vs. global appearances |
| 20 | Polygamy | Monogamy standard | Conditional allowance | Monogamy vs. polygamy |
| 21 | Archaeological Claims | Corroborated settings | Unsubstantiated BOM civilisations | Supported vs. unsupported history |
From the Mormon perspective, their doctrines align with the NT by restoring "plain and precious" truths lost from the original texts due to transmission errors, as they believe the Bible is reliable only insofar as translated correctly. However, the NT Greek does not indicate such incompleteness or need for additions. These contrasts highlight fundamental divergences based solely on the original NT language. For a comprehensive view, consulting full texts is recommended, as Mormons maintain the BOM complements the NT despite these apparent conflicts.