All too often, Protestant critics of Latter-day Saint theology will (1) assume the doctrine of Sola Scriptura and (2) assume (rather falsely) their Latter-day Saint opponents hold such an epistemology. One example from the works of the Tanners is the following:
As we indicated earlier, the Bible does not support the idea of a First Presidency. While this presents a problem for Mormon apologists, the problem becomes even more serious when we learn that the Book of Mormon does not have a word to say about a First Presidency. (Jerald and Sandra Tanner, Mormonism: Shadow or Reality? [5th ed.; Salt Lake City: Utah Lighthouse Ministry, 1987, 2008], 181, emphasis in original)
There are many problems with the following criticism by the Tanners. Firstly, it is Protestants, such as themselves, who expect all their doctrines to be explicated in the biblical texts, not Latter-day Saints. For a full-length refutation of this doctrine, see:
I will note that nowhere in their book do they even attempt a defence of this, the formal doctrine of Protestantism.
Secondly, Latter-day Saints do no view the ecclesiologies in the New Testament and the Book of Mormon to be the “final word” on Church structure and governance. Indeed, as it is written about this, the Dispensation of the Fulness of times:
. . . for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time. And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times. (D&C 128:18)
Latter-day Saints should not expect a one-to-one correspondence between our Church practices and governance, for instance, as it was to be found amongst the New Testament Church and that of the peoples in the Book of Mormon. For instance, the Nephites did not have the Aaronic Priesthood while we do.
Thirdly, even the Book of Mormon rejects its own formal sufficiency, so the Tanners claim the differences between modern Latter-day Saint ecclesiology and that of the Nephites is fallacious. In 3 Nephi 26:1-12, for example, the passage states that only the lesser things (the basic teachings) are to be found in the main text of the Book of Mormon:
And now it came to pass that when Jesus had told these things he expounded them unto the multitude; and he did expound all things unto them, both great and small. And he saith: These scriptures, which ye had not with you, the Father commanded that I should give unto you; for it was wisdom in him that they should be given unto future generations. And he did expound all things, even from the beginning until the time that he should come in his glory-- yea, even all things which should come upon the face of the earth, even until the elements should melt with fervent heat, and the earth should be wrapt together as a scroll, and the heavens and the earth should pass away; And even unto the great and last day, when all people, and all kindreds, and all nations and tongues shall stand before God, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil--If they be good, to the resurrection of everlasting life; and if they be evil, to the resurrection of damnation; being on a parallel, the one on the one hand and the other on the other hand, according to the mercy, and the justice, and the holiness which is in Christ, who was before the world began. And now there cannot be written in this book even a hundredth part of the things which Jesus did truly teach unto the people; But behold the plates of Nephi do contain the more part of the things which he taught the people. And these things have I written, which are a lesser part of the things which he taught the people; and I have written them to the intent that they may be brought again unto this people, from the Gentiles, according to the words which Jesus hath spoken. And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them. And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation. Behold, I was about to write them, all which were engraven upon the plates of Nephi, but the Lord forbade it, saying: I will try the faith of my people. Therefore I, Mormon, do write the things which have been commanded me of the Lord. And now I, Mormon, make an end of my sayings, and proceed to write the things which have been commanded me.
Finally, with respect to Latter-day Saint theology of the Priesthood itself (the subject matter of the chapter in which one finds this “criticism”), contra the Tanners and other Protestant critics, there is overwhelming biblical evidence for such. For a book-length treatment, see:
One will find responses to the arguments one finds in the works of Ron Rhodes, Marian Bodine, the Tanners, Sharon Banister, and other critics of Latter-day Saint theology on this important issue.
