A common assumption of many of the critics of Mormonism is that God does
not change, and therefore anything which has come from God does not change.
This assumption has motivated these critics to search for changes in
Mormonism convinced that to demonstrate a change or development is to prove Mormonism is not of divine origin.

   One of the areas of focus is the changes which have been made in the Book
of Mormon since the first (1830) edition. Since doctrine seems to be the
area of greatest concern four changes made in the second (1837) edition of
the Book of Mormon, which allegedly alter the Book of Mormon doctrine of the Godhead, are the changes most frequently cited. It is claimed that in
Joseph Smith's 1830 concept of the Godhead he did not distinguish between the Father and the Son. It is further alleged that within seven years he changed
his mind and then altered the second edition of the Book of Mormon so as to
harmonize with his new doctrine. 

   Following are the passages in question as they read in all editions except
for the 1830 edition. The bold (and blue) words are those which
were added in the 1837 edition:

Behold, the virgin which thou seest is the mother of the son of God...(1
Nephi 11:18).

Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the son of the Eternal Father! (1 Nephi 11:21).

And I looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he was taken by the people; yea, the son of the everlasting God...(1 Nephi 11:32).

...the Lamb of God is the son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world ...(1 Nephi 11:32).

These verses are frequently quoted in isolation from the rest of the Book
of Mormon giving the impression that a change of doctrine was made in the
second edition. Jerald and Sandra Tanner in The Changing World of Mormonism (Chicago: Moody Press, 1980), p. 183 asserts:

...the Mormons claim that a voice from heaven told the witnesses to the
Book of Mormon that the translation was correct. In spite of this Joseph
Smith tried to change the Book of Mormon to support his concept of a plurality of Gods. Four important changes were made in the second edition of the Book of Mormon concerning the Godhead.

They then cite the changes and conclude that:

These additions begin to distinguish the Son from the Father and are part
of the process that ultimately led Joseph Smith to declare the Father and
the Son as two separate gods.

   While there are many reasons to deny that change equals uninspired, the
question to be considered here is: Has the Book of Mormon doctrine of the
Godhead been altered by the changes made in the second edition?

   Although the fact of the changes cannot be questioned, the reason for them
and their significance as asserted by the Tanners are certainly
questionable. In fact when the Tanners state that "Joseph Smith tried to change the Book of Mormon to support his concept of a plurality of Gods," they are
merely guessing. Since there is no known statement of Joseph Smith, or any one connected with the second edition, as to the reason for these changes, the
accuracy of the Tanners' mind reading is dubious at best.

   If the doctrine of the 1830 edition had been that Jesus is God and the
Father, but not the son of God nor the son of the Father; and if the doctrine
of the 1837 edition had been that Jesus was the son of God and the son of
the Father, but not God nor the Father, then the Tanners' claim of doctrinal
alteration of the Book of Mormon would have substantial support.

   However, their argument is devastated by a closer look at the first and
second editions. Both editions teach that Jesus is the son of God, and the
son of the Father, and both editions teach that Jesus is God, and that he is
the Father. The following references, which are found in all editions teach
that Jesus is God, and that he is the Father. The following references,
which are found in all editions of the Book of Mormon, establish this point.

1. Jesus is the Son of God. 1 Ne 10:17; 11:6-7, 24; 25:16, 19; 31:11-21; Jac 4:5-11; Hel 3:28; 3 Ne 9:15.
2. Jesus is the Son of the Father. Al 5:48; 3 Ne 11:7; 12:19; 14:21; 18:27; 28:8, 10; Mro 4:3, 5:2; etc.
3. Jesus is God. Title page; 2 Ne 10:3-7; 11:7; Mos 27:31; Mn 3:21; Eth 3:18; etc.
4. Jesus is the Father. The Eternal Father: Mos 15:4; 16:15; Al 11:38, 39. Father of all things, Father of heaven and earth: 2 Ne 25:12; Mos 3:8; 7:27; 15:4; Al 11:39; Eth 4:7; Hel 14:12; 16:18. Father of the redeemed: Mos 5:7; Eth 3:14.
5. Jesus is both the Father and the Son. Mos 15:2-3; 3 Ne 1:14; Mn 9:12; Eth 3:14; 4:12.
6. Jesus has a Father and God who is a separate and distinct person. Jac 4:5; 3 Ne 11:7, 32; 17:16; 19:18-31; 20:46; 26:2, 15; 27:28-30; Mro 7:27; 9:26.

   Since these six points are supported by all editions, the claim that
Joseph Smith changed the doctrine of the Godhead in the Book of Mormon is
clearly erroneous. The doctrine found in one is also found in all of the others.
A thorough reading of the Book of Mormon does reveal some ambiguity
concerning the Father and the Son which has been clarified in other LDS writings. But, in spite of the ambiguity, the Book of Mormon does clearly teach that Jesus is the son of God, and the son of the Father; that he is
appropriately addressed by the titles "God" and "Father;" and, that he has a Father and God who is a separate and distinct person. What ever the ambiguities may be, there is no movement to discard any Book of Mormon verses. Mormons from Joseph Smith to the present have continued to view the Book of Mormon doctrine of the Godhead as harmonious with all later developments.