Sunday, May 19, 2019

How the Book of Mormon Contains the Fullness of the Gospel


The introduction to the Book of Mormon states that it "contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel," a concept and phrase that is also found in a number of scriptures in the Doctrine and Covenants (see D&C 20:8-9). This phrase occasionally causes some confusion among those who read it. Many suppose that a “fulness” must mean that the Book of Mormon must contain a comprehensive catalog of all LDS doctrines, beliefs, and teachings.  This often leads some to wonder why the Book of Mormon does not deal with certain key doctrines of the faith, such as baptisms for the dead, celestial marriage, or exaltation. Others assume that this statement about the fulness must represent some kind of exclusivist truth claim, or a shot at the truth of the Bible. I believe that this confusion stems from a misconception concerning what the gospel actually entails, and a misunderstanding about what the Book of Mormon is actually supposed to do.
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