Gospel Fullness
We have got a Bible, and we need no more Bible!
It is understandable that the Book of Mormon would not purport itself to teach all the deep mysteries of God.1 2 While the Bible contains the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon is supposed to contain the “fullness of the everlasting gospel” of Jesus Christ. 3 4 5 6 Unfortunately, the meaning of the fullness of the gospel can be ambiguous since the Church of Jesus Christ has used this term differently depending on the context in relation to the Book of Mormon.
There are three explanations that I know of in which the Book of Mormon purportedly teaches the fulness of the gospel:
Possibility One: The Book of Mormon prophecies and testifies the good news of Jesus Christ, who is the fulness of the gospel 7 8
Possibility Two: The Book of Mormon explains the bare minimum to enter the lowest tier of the Celestial Kingdom
Possibility Three: The Book of Mormon explains the basic aspects of the plan of salvation (which essentially covers the bare minimum for exaltation)
Possibility One
For possibility number one, I believe it is a good faith assessment that the Bible both prophecies and testifies of Jesus Christ in an archaeologically more reliable way compared to the Book of Mormon. I would make the case that the Book of Mormon does not offer new theological insight into Jesus Christ compared to the Bible under possibility one.
The gospel is explained in the Book of Mormon best in 3rd Nephi, 27.9 In this chapter, Jesus defines “the gospel” in the chart below on the left hand side. Accompanying it on the right hand side, I have included a comparable biblical alternative.
| The Book of Mormon | The Bible |
|---|---|
| Behold, I have given unto you my gospel. And this is the gospel which I have given unto you, that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me. | Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God 10 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.11 |
| And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil… | And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me 12 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 13 |
| And it shall come to pass that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled. And if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world. | Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 14 15 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 16 |
| Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do; | For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 |
| Therefore, if ye do these things blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day. | And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up cat the last day. 18 |
For Possibility One, the gospel of Jesus Christ as explained in the Book of Mormon seems to be redundant when compared to the Bible. All gospel points seem to make it into the Bible very abundantly. Since each point of doctrine seems to have a corresponding biblical alternative, it would appear that the Book of Mormon is redundant on this particular issue.
Possibility Two
For possibility number two, this assumes that the fullness of the gospel only teaches us what we needed to do to gain entrance into the lowest level of the Celestial Kingdom including faith, repentance, baptism and confirmation, and enduring until the end. If this is the case, the Bible would seem to contain the fullness of the gospel.
| Ordinance | Bible | Book of Mormon |
|---|---|---|
| Faith | Romans 10:9-10 among other verses | Alma 32:21 |
| Repentance | Acts 2:38 among other verses | Alma 34:17-18 |
| Baptism | Acts 2:38 among other verses | 3 Nephi 11:23-26 |
| Confirmation | Acts 2:38 among other verses | 3 Nephi 12:1-2 |
| Enduring to the end | Matthew 24:13-14 among other verses | 3 Nephi 15:9 |
For Possibility Two, faith in Christ, repentance, baptism and confirmation, and enduring to the end seem to be in the Bible quite abundantly!
Possibility Three
The gospel according to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:19
The gospel is our Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness. The central doctrine of the gospel is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “The first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Articles of Faith 1:4).
In its fulness, the gospel includes all the doctrines, principles, laws, ordinances, and covenants necessary for us to be exalted in the celestial kingdom. The Savior has promised that if we endure to the end, faithfully living the gospel, He will hold us guiltless before the Father at the Final Judgment (see 3 Nephi 27:16).
The Church’s current stated position on the meaning of the gospel includes all doctrinal parts necessary for exaltation within the Plan of Salvation. For possibility number three, we need to analyze whether or not the Book of Mormon actually fulfills the requirements put forth by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The bare minimum Plan of Salvation20 in the Book of Mormon:
The principles presented below are from Preach my Gospel and are described as “[t]he doctrinal foundation” that you might teach people in 15-25 minutes.
| Principle | Book of Mormon source |
|---|---|
| We are all spirit children of God. He created us in His own image. | No explicit Book of Mormon scripture saying we are spirit children of God |
| We lived with God before we were born on earth. We are members of His family. He knows and loves each of us. | The scripture that mentions premortality most explicitly is Alma 13:3 which can be cross referenced with Ephesians 1:4 |
| God has provided a plan for our happiness and progress in this life and in eternity. | Mentioned several times, most explicitly in several Alma verses, including Alma 12:30, Alma 22:13 |
| In our premortal life, we chose to follow God’s plan. This meant coming to earth so we could take the next step in our eternal progression. | No explicit Book of Mormon scripture about agency during premortality |
| Jesus Christ is central to God’s plan. He makes it possible for us to have immortality and eternal life. | Mentioned several times, most explicitly in several Alma verses, also 2 Nephi 9:6 |
| Principle | Book of Mormon source |
|---|---|
| Under God’s direction, Jesus Christ created the earth. | While there are Book of Mormon scriptures about God creating the Earth (Alma 30:44), there is no Book of Mormon scripture about Jesus Christ doing the creating. Notice how no Book of Mormon scriptures are referenced here. |
| Principle | Book of Mormon source |
|---|---|
| Adam and Eve were the first of God’s spirit children to come to earth. God created their bodies and placed them in the Garden of Eden. | While the Book of Mormon describes Adam and Eve as our first parents (1 Nephi 5:11), there is no explicit scripture in the Book of Mormon describing them as the first of God’s spirit children |
| Adam and Eve transgressed, were cast out of the garden, and were separated from God’s presence. This event is called the Fall. | Explained in 2 Nephi 2 and Alma 42 |
| After the Fall, Adam and Eve became mortal. As mortals, they were able to learn, progress, and have children. They also experienced sorrow, sin, and death. | Explained in 2 Nephi 2 and Alma 42 |
| The Fall was a step forward for humankind. The Fall made it possible for us to be born on earth and progress in Heavenly Father’s plan. | Touched on in 2 Nephi 2:25. This interpretation of a net positive fall of Adam is called felix culpaand was used as early as the 4th century AD. |
| Principle | Book of Mormon source |
|---|---|
| In God’s plan, we needed to come to earth to receive physical bodies, learn, and grow. | There are some Book of Mormon scriptures about using mortality to prepare to meet God (Alma 34:32). There may be implications in Alma 40 that one of the reasons for mortality is to gain a body |
| On earth, we learn to walk by faith. However, Heavenly Father has not left us alone. He has provided many gifts and guides to help us return to His presence. | Explained across the Book of Mormon |
| Principle | Book of Mormon source |
|---|---|
| Each of us sins, and each of us will die. Because God loves us, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to redeem us from sin and death. | Explained across the Book of Mormon, most explicitly in Alma 34:8-9 |
| Because of Jesus’s atoning sacrifice, we can be forgiven and cleansed of our sins. Our hearts can be changed for the better as we repent. This makes it possible for us to return to God’s presence and receive a fulness of joy. | Explained across the Book of Mormon, most explicitly in Mosiah 26.29-30, Mosiah 4:2-3 |
| Because of Jesus’s Resurrection, we will all be resurrected after we die. This means that each person’s spirit and body will be reunited, and each of us will live forever in a perfected, resurrected body. | Explained in Alma 11:42 and Alma 40:23 |
| Jesus Christ offers comfort, hope, and healing. His atoning sacrifice is the ultimate expression of His love. All that is unfair in life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. | Explained and generally implied across the Book of Mormon |
| Principle | Book of Mormon source |
|---|---|
| When our physical body dies, our spirit continues to live in the spirit world. This is a temporary state of learning and preparation before the Resurrection. | There is some explanation of the state of the soul between death and resurrection in Alma 40:11-14 |
| The gospel of Jesus Christ is taught in the spirit world, and we can continue to grow and progress. | Alma 40:11 is one of the most explicit scriptures referring to the postmortal spirit world. It refers to the souls who go to “spirit prison” as being “cast out into outer darkness”. Contradictorily, spirits in spirit prison are described as having “no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord” and “being led captive by the will of the devil”. It seems like there is no implication of spirit prison being a place to continue our growth and progression. |
| Principle | Book of Mormon source |
|---|---|
| After our time in the spirit world, the Resurrection is the next step in our eternal journey. | This is implied throughout the Book of Mormon |
| The Resurrection is the reuniting of our spirit and body. Each of us will be resurrected and have a perfected physical body. We will live forever. This is made possible by the Savior’s Atonement and Resurrection. | Again, explained in Alma 11:42 and Alma 40:23 |
| Principle | Book of Mormon source |
|---|---|
| When we are resurrected, Jesus Christ will be our judge. With very few exceptions, all of God’s children will receive a place in a kingdom of glory. | Explained in 3 Nephi 27:14-5 |
| Although we will all be resurrected, we will not all receive the same eternal glory. Jesus will judge us according to our faith, works, and repentance in mortality and in the spirit world. We can return to live in God’s presence if we are faithful. | While the Book of Mormon describes the final state of souls between the wicked (outer darkness) and the righteous (any degree of glory) (1 Nephi 15:35, Alma 34:35), it does not mention any different Kingdom of Glory |
The preach my gospel section I am pulling the doctrinal foundations from do not include a separate bullet point on exaltation. Further in Preach My Gospel, they explain that, “Exaltation means living with God forever in eternal families. It is to know God and Jesus Christ, to become like Them, and to experience the life They enjoy”. None of these concepts are explicitly outlined in the Book of Mormon
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Judgment and Kingdoms of Glory
| Ordinance | Detail Level |
|---|---|
| Baptism and Confirmation | Explained |
| Melchizedek priesthood | Some information (no mention as a requirement for eternal life) |
| Endowment | Almost no detail |
| Celestial Marriage | Almost no detail |
| Exaltation | Almost no detail |
If a text is purported to be the fullness of the gospel, it must at least contain the bare minimum. The Book of Mormon completely omits topics necessary for exaltation and eternal life.
Between the Bible and Book of Mormon, it seems that the Bible is more extensive on aspects of the Plan of Salvation and saving ordinances.
- Premortality is discussed much more heavily in the Bible than the Book of Mormon.22
- Both the Bible and the Book of Mormon discuss the importance of baptism- though the authority to perform is usually mentioned in passing. In the Book of Mormon, it is implied that authority is needed for baptism and conferring priesthood authority.23 In some biblical text it is hinted that a higher amount of authority is requisite for confirmation.24 25 The existence and functionality of the Melchizedek priesthood is hinted at in both the Bible and Book of Mormon- 26 however, in both of these texts, it is never stated that the Melchizidek priesthood is a requisite for eternal life and exaltation. It seems that the priesthood is more thoroughly explained in the Bible than the Book of Mormon. 27 28 29
- The temple endowment and celestial marriage are also requisite for eternal life and exaltation. These saving ordinances are never detailed in the Book of Mormon- though the Bible seems to at least hint on both the endowment and celestial marriage. 30 31 Interestingly, it seems that the Bible covers exaltation, 32 kingdoms of glory 33 and temples 34 better than the Book of Mormon.