• The Bible = Original • “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” (1 John 5:7) – About A.D. 90–95.
• The Book Of Mormon = Plagiarism • “And after this manner shall ye baptize in my name; for behold, verily I say unto you, that the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one; and I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one.” (3 Nephi 11:27) – About A.D. 34.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and I bear record of it from the Father; and whoso believeth in me believeth in the Father also; and unto him will the Father bear record of me, for he will visit him with fire and with the Holy Ghost. And thus will the Father bear record of me, and the Holy Ghost will bear record unto him of the Father and me; for the Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost are one.” (3 Nephi 11:35,36) – About A.D. 34.
Verses from the King James Version of 1 John, chapter 5, were copied and pasted into the Book of Mormon. These verses can be found in 3 Nephi, chapter 11. Details of what took place can be found below…
In 3 Nephi, chapter 11, we learn how that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one. However, Mormons would disagree with this teaching. But let’s read this verse for ourselves and find out the truth. It is written, “And after this manner shall ye baptize in my name; for behold, verily I say unto you, that the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one; and I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one.” (3 Nephi 11:27) Please note that in this book, Joseph Smith is talking about Jesus coming to the people in America. He had ascended down from heaven and immediately starts to teach the people. This sounds good on paper until we look at what was taught. First off, the phrase, “the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one” comes from 1 John 5:7. That passage reads, “for there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” (1 John 5:7) This passage is referring to the Holy Trinity teaching. Where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exist as three different persons in one God. The Father is not the Son or the Holy Spirit and vice versa. This is why Jesus could pray to the Father, as they are not the same person.
The Jesus of the Bible said, “I am in the Father, and the Father in me” (John 14:11). These passages read, “believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.” (John 14:10,11) As Christians, we use 1 John 5:7 and John 14:10,11 as proof texts for the Trinity. How interesting that we see the same teachings in the Book of Mormon. However, those who are LDS say that God is one in purpose, not that there is one true God. But how do Mormons deal with Jesus saying the Father dwells in Him? This is clearly talking about the Father’s Spirit dwelling in the Son, which makes Him Spirit. This is a contradiction to Mormon teachings, not the Bible. It is also a plagiarism to the Biblical text. The question I have is why don’t the Mormon people believe in what their own book teaches. I am not saying it is true, but this is interesting to see.
The doctrine of the Trinity is taught throughout the Bible and surprisingly in the Book of Mormon. I find it interesting that Mormons reject the doctrine of the Trinity, even though their own book mentions it clearly. I wonder what they think when they read verses in their Book of Mormon that refer to the Trinity. I am speaking of 2 Nephi 31:21, Alma 11:44, 3 Nephi 11:35,36, and Mormon 7:7. These verses all have one thing in common and that is that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one God. They exist as one, not one in purpose. Let’s read it now to see if it speaks of the Trinity. It is written, “verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and I bear record of it from the Father; and whoso believeth in me believeth in the Father also; and unto him will the Father bear record of me, for he will visit him with fire and with the Holy Ghost. And thus will the Father bear record of me, and the Holy Ghost will bear record unto him of the Father and me; for the Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost are one.” (3 Nephi 11:35,36) Therefore, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one. I am not adding to these verses by saying one in purpose.
Mormons interpret the phrase "the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one" as one in purpose. This happens when they read the Bible and Book of Mormon. It is written, “in God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. However, we don’t believe in the traditional concept of the Trinity. We believe that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are three separate beings who are one in purpose. We call them the Godhead.” (Do Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Believe in the Trinity?) Speaking of the Godhead, we are taught, “beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” (Colossians 2:8,9) This is speaking of Christ’s body, of which the Father and Holy Spirit can dwell. Jesus said “believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.” (John 14:10) John also wrote, “for there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. ” (1 John 5:7) This is what we call the Trinity, the true meaning of the Godhead. Not one in purpose, but one God indeed. Amen.
Let us pray: Oh Lord, I pray that people will stop adding to the Bible and simply read the chapters and verses as they actually read. And not just do this, but do so with the help of the Holy Spirit. Only with Your Spirit in us can we properly interpret scripture and have it be beneficial to us and others. I know that many people want to be missionaries, evangelists, teachers, preachers, and pastors in the faith. However, this is a huge calling that a person is undergoing in their lives. For this reason, these individuals need to make sure what they believe in is from You and not from man. What we have are many false witnesses in the world we live in. They can teach a good sermon or seem to know the Bible well, but if they do not have Your Spirit with them, they cannot be trusted. I have seen so many people that appear to be righteous on the outside, but inwardly are so vile and wicked just like unto the world. It is a shame to even speak of the things they believe in and teach also. Lord, have mercy upon these lost souls. You know that I have been trying to be a light in the darkness, but only a few people are willing to hear You in the days we are living in. People want to live their own lives and don’t want us to be interrupted. So I ask that You make a way for me and others to reach those who are ready to receive You. I love You, Lord. Amen.
