Should a Catholic pray about the Book of Mormon?
A Catholic friend says Moroni’s invitation to read, ponder, and pray about the Book of Mormon is inappropriate because Christ gave the fullness of public revelation through the Apostles. Patrick Madrid applies that Catholic position to the Book of Mormon, while Jimmy Akin’s Catholic Answers dialogue distinguishes a seeker who has not identified God’s revelation from a Catholic who has already accepted Scripture and Apostolic Tradition. The friend also invokes Galatians 1:6–9 as a warning against a different gospel.
Your question from the walkthrough
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Exchange 1 of 3
“What do CCC §§65–67 say about Christ and later revelation?”
Exchange 2 of 3
“Does this Catholic position mean a person who is still seeking should never pray about a religious claim?”
Exchange 3 of 3
“What would show that the Book of Mormon fails Paul’s test?”
A response you could give
Catholics hold that public revelation is complete in Christ and handed on through Scripture and Apostolic Tradition; CCC 65–67 explains why they do not expect a new public revelation to complete it. Akin distinguishes someone still trying to identify God’s revelation from a Catholic who has already accepted an authoritative source. Moroni’s invitation is to read, remember, ponder, and ask God with sincere intent and faith in Christ. Galatians 1:6–9 is a serious test for any claim to preach another gospel, but saying the Book of Mormon fails that test requires showing how particular teachings contradict the apostolic gospel. Patrick Madrid argues that application from a Catholic standpoint; it should not be conflated with the Catechism’s general teaching about revelation.