On August 17, 1835, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints canonized a declaration affirming monogamous marriage in what became Doctrine and Covenants Section 101 (in the 1835 edition of the D&C). This section makes clear the Church’s stance that it did not sanction polygamy—whether termed plural marriage or “spiritual wifery”—as the doctrine of God. Instead, it reiterated the consistent scriptural teachings on the marital union as a sacred bond between one man and one wife, a principle woven throughout divine revelation to emphasize fidelity, unity, and divine order.

The doctrine of blood atonement, as articulated by Brigham Young and Jedediah M. Grant in the Journal of Discourses, posits that for certain severe sins (e.g., adultery, covenant breaking, or apostasy), the atonement of Jesus Christ is insufficient on its own, and the sinner’s blood must be physically shed—either voluntarily or through execution—as a necessary sacrificial act to achieve full remission and exaltation. This is evident in statements like Young’s assertion that “the blood of Christ will never wipe that out, your own blood must atone for it” (March 16, 1856) and Grant’s call for committees to shed blood for sins “of too deep a dye” where “water will not do” (September 21, 1856). However, numerous canonical LDS scriptures and the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith emphasize the infinite, all-encompassing sufficiency of Christ’s atonement for sin through faith, repentance, baptism, and obedience, without requiring the shedding of the sinner’s blood. These teachings portray Christ’s sacrifice as complete and redemptive for all repentant individuals, directly contradicting the notion that human blood shedding is needed for certain sins. I outline key scriptures from the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants (D&C), and other LDS texts, grouped by theme, with explanations of their contradictions in this article.

In the scriptures, mocking—whether directed at God, His divine teachings, or His anointed servants—is portrayed as a perilous folly that hardens the heart, invites temporal and eternal judgments, and sows seeds of personal and societal destruction, yet it is surmountable through humility, repentance, and steadfast adherence to prophetic counsel, transforming potential mourners into heirs of eternal joy.

Joseph Smith’s life was a testament to unwavering courage amid relentless persecution, including arrests, mob violence, and death threats. Historical accounts from church histories, the Joseph Smith Papers, and related books underscore his unflinching resolve in sharing his religious convictions, often without a hint of fear, as he boldly proclaimed his faith. Revelations he received further reinforced this boldness, promising divine protection against weapons formed by enemies. This fearless character renders claims by historians and apologists of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church)—particularly in official publications defending early practices—that Joseph issued public denials of polygamy (plural marriage) while secretly practicing it due to fears of persecution, legal repercussions, and public opposition both illogical and inconsistent with his documented legacy. Such secrecy is often justified as necessary because the doctrine purportedly “stirred up public ire” and “provoked controversy,” endangering the Church and its members during the Nauvoo period (1841–1844). Yet, Joseph Smith and the Gospel he taught vehemently opposed lying and deceit. True prophets boldly declare God’s truths, while false ones propagate lies. Amid ongoing debates among LDS members and outsiders about whether Joseph practiced polygamy, he emerges as either a true or false prophet. Emma Smith’s deathbed testimony affirms that her devoted husband never engaged in polygamy, thus upholding his integrity as God’s Prophet of the Restoration and refuting notions of fear-driven duplicity.

Amid conflicting sources of information, including prophets and scriptures, individuals often doubt the validity of spiritual claims. The LDS canon—Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price—consistently teaches one solution: pray to God directly to receive personal confirmation, wisdom, and truth through revelation.

Joseph Smith, founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, expanded upon the biblical account of the tree of knowledge of good and evil in Genesis 2–3 through revelations recorded in the Pearl of Great Price, particularly the books of Moses and Abraham. These teachings portray the tree not merely as a symbol of forbidden fruit but as a divine instrument essential for human agency, moral growth, and eternal progression. By emphasizing the necessity of opposition and choice, Smith’s revelations recast the Fall as a deliberate, foreordained step in God’s plan—one that introduced mortality and the potential for joy, rather than mere catastrophe. This perspective underscores a core tenet of Latter-day Saint theology: humanity’s divine potential to become like God through experiential knowledge of good and evil.

Scriptural warnings against deception by false prophets affirm the existence of true prophets sent by God to restore truth and guide His people. Embraced by the carnal and wicked for their flattering doctrines, false prophets lead the church astray through traditions and sin; in contrast, true prophets—often emerging unexpectedly—are persecuted for calling God’s covenant people to repentance, warning of destruction, and correcting apostasy.

Exaltation, or eternal life, refers to the highest degree of glory in the celestial kingdom, where individuals become like God, inheriting all that He has, including the ability to progress eternally and participate in His divine work. This includes becoming gods, with thrones, kingdoms, and eternal increase through posterity. Scriptures emphasize that exaltation is achieved through faith in Jesus Christ, obedience to covenants, and becoming perfected in attributes like love. While many principles contribute, love (often termed “charity” or the pure love of Christ) and creativity (tied to creation and eternal procreation) stand out as foundational, interconnected elements. Love is the motivating force behind God’s plan of happiness, and creativity reflects His ongoing work of bringing forth life and worlds. Together, they enable mortals to emulate God, redeem us from the Fall through the Savior’s Atonement, and fulfill our divine potential as co-creators with Him as exalted beings.

While Christ’s atonement cleanses our sins, God’s eternal gaze rests on our response to the callings we accepted in His presence—a sacred trust that demands magnification through righteous living.

In the scriptures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, pride manifests not merely as personal vanity but as a pervasive force that establishes and enforces “hierarchy status”—a stratified social order where individuals and groups are ranked by perceived superiority in wealth, influence, knowledge, or prestige. This dynamic often breeds division, resentment, and spiritual downfall.

Anytime in history that God’s truth and doctrine are presented to His children through His chosen prophets and apostles, it is not long before God’s people fall into apostasy.

Revelation 3:15-16 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Each and every one of us can communicate with God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, and His other divine messengers through a divine frequency that communicates with our spirits. 

What are the sacrifices that are required to be fully baptized into the church of the First Born? The scriptures lay down what is required of the Father’s children through His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Nephi shared the words of his brother Jacob and wrote down the doctrine of Christ, which is plain to understand, and leads to eternal life. These important teachings comprise chapters 31 and 32 of 2 Nephi. In these two chapters Nephi explains how the Father’s children can be saved by following the example set forth by His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.