The Insufficient Atonement of Mormonism

According to the Mormon Church the blood of Jesus Christ does not wash away all sins. Joseph Smith himself first taught this.

"Joseph Smith taught that there were certain sins so grievous that man may commit, that they will place the transgressors beyond the power of the atonement of Christ. If theses offenses are committed, then the blood of Christ will not cleanse them from their sins even though they repent. Therefore their only hope is to have their own blood shed to atone, as far as possible, in their behalf. This is scriptural doctrine, and is taught in all standard works of the church" (Joseph F. Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:135).

Brigham Young the second prophet of the LDS church said.

"If you want to know what to do with a thief that you may find stealing, I say kill him on the spot and never suffer him to commit another inequity" (Journal of Discourses, 1:108).

"Suppose you find you brother in bed with your wife, and put a javelin through both of them, you would be justified, and they would atone for their sins. And be received into the kingdom of God. I would at once do so in such a case; and under such circumstances, I have no wife whom I love so well that I would not put a javelin through her heart, and I would do it with clean hands…. There is not a man or woman, who violates the covenants made with their God, that will not be required to pay the debt. The blood of Christ will never wipe that out, your own blood must atone for it; and the judgments of the Almighty will come, sooner or later, and every man and woman will have to atone for breaking their covenants" (Journal of Discourses, 3:247, italics added).

"I say that there are men and women that I would advise to go to the President immediately, and ask how to appoint a committee to attend to their case; and then let a place be selected, and let that committee shed their blood…. if they are covenant breakers we need a place designated, where we can shed their blood." (Journal of Discourses 4:49, 50, italics added).

"There are sins that men commit for which they cannot receive forgiveness in this world, or in the which is to come, and if they had their eyes open to see their true condition, they would be perfectly willing to have their blood spilt upon the ground…. I do know that there are sins committed, of such nature that if the people did understand the doctrine of salvation, they would tremble because of their situation. And furthermore, I know that there are transgressions, who if they knew themselves, and the only condition upon which they can obtain forgiveness, would beg of their brethren to shed their blood…. I say further; I have had men come to me and offer their lives to atone for their sins." (Journal of Discourses, 4:53-54, italics added).

Bruce R. McConkie, a member of the quorum of twelve said:

"Man may commit certain grievous sins-according to his light and knowledge-that will place him beyond the of the atoning blood of Christ. If then he would be saved he must make sacrifice of his own life to atone - so far as in his power lies - for that sin for the blood of Christ alone under certain circumstances will not avail" (Bruce McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 93).

While the Jesus of Mormonism cannot atone for all the sins of men, the Jesus of the Bible does.

"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).

Notice that John the Baptist does not say Jesus takes away "most of the sins of the world." The apostle John is even clearer regarding this issue:

"My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:1-2)

True believers rest assured that the blood of Jesus Christ covers ALL of their sins.

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