Recovery to Mormonism

Mormon Books of Scripture

Mormons believe that prophets reveal the word and will of God to us.  Peter, Apostle of Christ, told us that “prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21).  And modern revelation only supports this (for, indeed, Mormons believe in present-day prophets):

And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation (D&C 68:4).

In Mormon beliefs, since prophets speak today—since God speaks to man and will continue to—scripture continues today.  Mormon doctrine and scripture isn’t static, but can be added to.  There are, however, four core books of scripture that, with the mild exception of the Doctrine and Covenants (which is added to, if rarely) remain the same. 

These are often called, as a group, the “standard works.”  Individually, they are the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. 

The Bible

Mormons believe the Bible to be the word of God and a testament of Christ and both Old and New Testament are considered very important and are carefully studied.

The King James Version of the Bible is the official Bible of the Church.  Additionally, Church founder Joseph Smith, made revisions to the Bible through revelation, correcting finer points of doctrine that were omitted or altered in the years and years of translation or retranslation.  These corrections are usually found in the footnotes of the Mormon edition of the King James (longer translations are in the appendix of the same).  These are, as a whole, called the Joseph Smith Translation. 

The Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon is a record of God’s dealings with an ancient people who lived somewhere on the American continent.  Their civilization lasted from 600 B.C. to 400 A.D. and it was one that looked to Christ—waited for His coming.  The civilization was, however, also one that suffered from pride and war and sin.  Eventually, it was destroyed.  But the focus of the book is not on history, but on the coming of Christ to this American people, and on the teachings of the prophets about Him.  As such, the Book of Mormon is also called another testament of Christ. 

The Doctrine and Covenants

The Doctrine and Covenants is a compilation of modern revelation, if it doesn’t represent every revelation ever given.  Most of the revelations are foundational doctrines—often essential to the organization and beliefs of the Church.  Here are the revelations about the priesthood, temples, the nature of life after death.  Although most of these revelations were received by Joseph Smith, other prophets have added to the book.  The last addition was in 1978. 

The Pearl of Great Price

The Pearl of Great Price is the smallest book of scripture and is divided into five section.  Three of these five sections are translations by Joseph Smith, one is his history, and the last is a summary of the core beliefs of the Mormon Church.  The first book is the Book of Moses—it expands on the book of Genesis and reveals some important aspects of God’s relationship to man.  The second book is the Book of Abraham.  Partly, it is Abraham’s account of the creation, what happened before—and of his own life.  This book also reveals important information about our relationship to God.  Joseph Smith-Matthew expands on Matthew 23:39 and Matthew 24.  Joseph Smith-History is the account that Joseph Smith wrote in 1838 of the creation of the Mormon Church and what led up to it—beginning with Joseph Smith’s first vision in 1820.  The Articles of Faith were also written by Joseph Smith—they are thirteen statements which summarize briefly what Mormons believe.

These are the core Mormon books of scripture.  Mormons are also to follow the living prophets—which does involve knowing what they say.  General Conference is a Church-wide meeting twice a year in which the prophets speak—their words are also published in official Church magazines, such as the Ensign and the Liahona.