In my book, the biggest contradiction in the Book of Mormon comes from Mosiah, chapter 4. Joseph Smith must have forgotten that in the Old Testament Times/Old Covenant, animals were being offered up as an atonement for the sins of the people. For in 124BC, these people were already asking that Jesus’s atoning blood would cover their sins. See for yourself in the verses below. “And now, it came to pass that when king Benjamin had made an end of speaking the words which had been delivered unto him by the angel of the Lord, that he cast his eyes round about on the multitude, and behold they had fallen to the earth, for the fear of the Lord had come upon them. And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men.” (Mosiah 4:1,2) Ah oh! Jesus hadn’t even been born yet, let alone died for our sins. Can you see an issue with this?
Paul helps us understand when the atoning blood of Jesus would cover people’s sins instead of animal sacrifices. It was in His death, which was on the cross, that the sins of all men, women, and children sins were paid for. It is written, “but God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” (Romans 5:8-11) However, not everyone will receive Jesus into their lives and therefore be sanctified through His blood. Truly, the moment that Jesus became that Lamb who would die for our sins, the blood atonement of animals was fulfilled. However, in the times of King Benjamin in the book of Mormon, at 124BC, these people would have been doing animal sacrifices. Joseph Smith surely blundered in writing about Jesus’s blood atonement covering people’s sins even before His sacrifice had not even happened yet. Amen.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that You will open the eyes to the blind. So many people think they can already see but are so blind when it comes to the things of God. Lord, I love my family, but most of them are lost and very hard to reach with the truths of the gospel. They believe that they are already saved in Mormonism, although the Holy Spirit speaks against their false teachings. So give each one of them dreams and visions, and if possible, give me more opportunities to witness to them. If not me, may more Christians come into their lives, in order to shine their light also. Father, there are many Mormon missionaries that You have placed in my life, and I pray that I will be able to reach a few of them also. I know that most of them are unreachable and will remain this way until they die, but if just one or two of them hear the true teachings of the Bible and believe, this would mean everything to me. It is my prayer that these young men, my family, and others I come to know will come to a saving faith in You, Jesus. Being religious or doing our own works does not help us, but having a real relationship with You, Jesus, our King. I love You, Lord. Have Your way in my life. I want more of You and less of me. Lead me from temptation. Thank You, Lord. Amen.
