Can Murder Be Forgiven?

Written by John Carson

On February 9, 1831, Joseph Smith claimed that God had given him a revelation regarding forgiveness. In Doctrine and Covenants 42:18 God supposedly gave a revelation through Joseph that: 

“. . . he that kills shall not have forgiveness in this world, nor in the world to come.” 

And verse 79: 

“. . . for remember that he (the killer) hath no forgiveness.” 

Yet the Book of Mormon tells us something completely different. In Alma 24:10, it shows God forgiving murderers: 

“. . . he hath forgiven us of those our many sins and murders which we have committed.” 

When you place the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants side by side on this issue, it equates to contradiction. 

After King David confessed that he had sinned against God when he committed adultery and murder, it says in 2 Samuel 12:13: 

“The Lord also hath put away thy sin that thou shalt not die.” 

To keep to his theology, Joseph Smith changed it to read:

"The Lord also hath not put away thy sin that thou shalt not die." [JST]

That seems to be clearly saying that David shall not die because his sin is not forgiven. If unforgiven sin results in God's blessings, why would anyone seek forgiveness? 

The Bible tells us that David was indeed forgiven. The Bible teaches: 

“Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” [John 1:30] 

”. . . the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sins. . . If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” [1 John 1:7, 9] 

“. . . And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” [1 John 2:2] 

There is not one sin excluded from God's power to forgive. Jesus Christ's shed blood on the cross was sufficient to pay for all sin. Hebrews 10:10 reads: 

“. . . we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” 

What a contrast that is to what Mormon Doctrine says. On page 93, it reads: 

“. . . Joseph Smith taught that there were sins so grievous that men may commit, that they will place the transgressors beyond the power of the atonement of Christ. If these are committed, then the blood of Christ will not cleanse them from their sins even though they repent.” 

God says Christ's atonement is sufficient to pay for all sin, including murder; Mormonism says Christ's atonement is not sufficient to pay for all sin. Who are you going to believe? 

Please send your questions or comments to:

John@DoorwayChrisitanOutreach.info

Send prayer requests to:

PrayerRequests@DoorwayChristianOutreach.info

All our correspondences are treated respectfully and confidentially.