The Book of Mormon expressly cautions readers: “Because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written.” ( 2 Nephi 29:10.) Its appearance established that God still speaks through prophets and that the Bible is not an exhaustive collection of scripture. The translation of the Book of Mormon assured from the birth of the Church an openness to scriptural texts outside the Bible. Unlike traditional Christianity, which remains a religion of the book (the Bible), the restored gospel from its beginning has been a religion of books. Joseph Smith’s contribution to the concept of scripture is important and unique. Welch-at the time, all professors at Brigham Young University-wrote: The influx of additional scripture began with Joseph Smith, the organizing prophet of the Restoration. When this channel was restored, so was the open scriptural canon. The lines of communication between God and His prophet were again opened as The Church of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth through Joseph Smith. From the days of Adam, God has always spoken to His people through His prophets. Mormonism was founded upon the doctrine of continuing revelation. In the end, the central purpose of all scripture is to fill our souls with faith in God the Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ-faith that They exist faith in the Father’s plan for our immortality and eternal life faith in the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which animates this plan of happiness faith to make the gospel of Jesus Christ our way of life and faith to come to know “the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom sent” ( John 17:3). Mormons believe that studying the words of prophets both ancient and modern is an integral part of their religion. And not only that, but every man, woman, and child may possess and study his or her own personal copy of these sacred texts, most in his or her own language. I suppose that never in history has a people been blessed with such a quantity of holy writ. Then consider that, in addition, the words of prophets spoken as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost in settings such as this, which the Lord calls scripture (see Doctrine & Covenants 68:2–4), flow to us almost constantly by television, radio, Internet, satellite, CD, DVD, and in print. Consider the magnitude of our blessing to have the Holy Bible and some 900 additional pages of scripture, including the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. Scriptures are revelation, and they will bring added revelation. Todd Christofferson, said during the April 2010 Latter-day Saint General Conference: Latter-day Saints are encouraged to study these words-which are printed in the LDS Church’s Ensign and Liahona magazines-in addition to the other books in the standard works.Įlder D. Every six months, in April and October, modern prophets and Apostles speak to The Church of Jesus Christ in what is called General Conference. They include the words-both written and spoken-of modern-day prophets. Mormon scriptures are more than the words of ancient prophets. The Mormon canon, which is often called the “standard works,” is the Bible, which includes the Old and New Testaments the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. An open scriptural canon includes other books besides the Bible as well as the words of modern-day prophets. Scriptures are, literally, “words, both written and spoken, by holy men of God when moved upon by the Holy Ghost.” Thus, the Mormon scriptural canon is open because God is again speaking to the people of the earth through His prophets. … The word of the Lord in the scriptures is like a lamp to guide our feet (see Psalms 119:105), and revelation is like a mighty force that increases the lamp’s illumination manyfold. The ultimate knowledge comes by revelation. Oaks explained:įor us, the scriptures are not the ultimate source of knowledge, but what precedes the ultimate source. Continuing revelation-the belief that God speaks to His prophets and Apostles on the earth today-“mandates an open canon of scripture,” according to Elder Jeffrey R. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is unique among Christian denominations for its belief in continuing revelation and an open scriptural canon-two intertwining doctrines which often cause concern for those of other faiths.
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