Standard works

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Quadruple combination format of the Standard Works: the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price. The LDS Church regards approved versions of these works in any language to be just as authentic as the originals. Latter-day Saint Scripture Quadruple Combination.jpg
Quadruple combination format of the Standard Works: the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price. The LDS Church regards approved versions of these works in any language to be just as authentic as the originals.

The Standard Works of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church, the largest in the Latter Day Saint movement) are the four books that currently constitute its open scriptural canon. The four books of the standard works are:

Contents

The Standard Works are printed and distributed by the LDS Church both in a single binding called a quadruple combination and as a set of two books, with the Bible in one binding, and the other three books in a second binding called a triple combination. Current editions of the Standard Works include a number of non-canonical study aids, including a Bible dictionary, photographs, maps and gazetteer, topical guide, index, footnotes, cross references, and excerpts from the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible.

The scriptural canon is "open" due to the Latter-day Saint belief in continuous revelation. Additions can be made to the scriptural canon with the "common consent" of the church's membership. [5] Other branches of the Latter Day Saint movement reject some of the Standard Works or add other scriptures, such as the Book of the Law of the Lord and The Word of the Lord Brought to Mankind by an Angel.

Differences in canonicity across sects

Canons of various Latter Day Saint denominations reject some of the Standard Works canonized by the LDS Church or have included additional works. For instance, the Bickertonite sect does not consider the Pearl of Great Price or D&C to be scriptural. Rather, they believe that the New Testament scriptures contain a true description of the church as established by Jesus Christ, and that both the King James Version of the Bible and the Book of Mormon are the inspired word of God. [6] Some Latter Day Saint denominations accept earlier versions of the Standard Works or work to develop corrected translations. Others have purportedly received additional revelations.

The Community of Christ points to Jesus Christ as the living Word of God, [7] and it affirms the Bible, along with the Book of Mormon, as well as its own regularly appended version of D&C as scripture for the church. While it publishes a version of the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible—which includes material from the Book of Moses—Community of Christ also accepts the use of other English translations of the Bible, such as the standard King James Version and the New Revised Standard Version.

Like the Bickertonites, the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) rejects the D&C and the Pearl of Great Price, as well as the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, preferring to use only the King James Bible and the Book of Mormon as doctrinal standards. The Book of Commandments is accepted as being superior to the D&Cs as a compendium of Smith's early revelations but is not accorded the same status as the Bible or the Book of Mormon.

The Word of the Lord and The Word of the Lord Brought to Mankind by an Angel are two related books considered to be scriptural by Fettingite factions that separated from the Temple Lot church. Both books contain revelations said to be given to former Church of Christ (Temple Lot) apostle Otto Fetting by an angelic being who said he was John the Baptist. The latter title (120 messages) contains the entirety of the former's material (30 message) with additional revelations (90 messages) said to be given to William A. Draves by this same being, after Fetting's death. Neither are accepted by the larger Temple Lot body of believers. [8]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite) considers the Bible (when correctly translated), the Book of Mormon, and editions of the D&C published prior to Joseph Smith's death (which contained the Lectures on Faith) to be inspired scripture. They also hold the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible to be inspired, but do not believe modern publications of the text are accurate. Other portions of the Pearl of Great Price, however, are not considered to be scriptural—though are not necessarily fully rejected either. The Book of Jasher was consistently used by both Joseph Smith and James Strang, but as with other Latter Day Saint denominations and sects, there is no official stance on its authenticity, and it is not considered canonical. [9] This sect likewise holds as scriptural several prophecies, visions, revelations, and translations printed by James Strang, and published in the Revelations of James J. Strang. [10]

An additional work, called The Book of the Law of the Lord, is also accepted as inspired scripture by the Strangites. They likewise hold as scriptural several prophecies, visions, revelations, and translations printed by James Strang, and published in the Revelations of James J. Strang. Among other things, this text contains his purported "Letter of Appointment" from Joseph Smith and his translation of the Voree plates.

The Church of Jesus Christ (Cutlerite) accepts the following as scripture: the Inspired Version of the Bible (including the Book of Moses and Joseph Smith–Matthew), the Book of Mormon, and the 1844 edition of the D&C (including the Lectures on Faith). However, the revelation on tithing (section 107 in the 1844 edition; 119 in modern LDS Church editions) is emphatically rejected by members of this church, as it is not believed to be given by Joseph Smith. The Book of Abraham is rejected as scripture, as are the other portions of the Pearl of Great Price that do not appear in the Inspired Version of the Bible.

Many Latter Day Saint denominations have also either adopted the Articles of Faith or at least view them as a statement of basic theology. (They are considered scriptural by the LDS Church and are included in the Pearl of Great Price.) At times, the Articles of Faith have been adapted to fit the respective belief systems of various faith communities.

Process of addition or alteration

The D&C teaches that "all things must be done in order, and by common consent in the church". [11] This applies to adding new scripture. LDS Church president Harold B. Lee taught "The only one authorized to bring forth any new doctrine is the President of the Church, who, when he does, will declare it as revelation from God, and it will be so accepted by the Council of the Twelve and sustained by the body of the Church." [12] There are several instances of this happening in the LDS Church:

When a doctrine undergoes this procedure, the LDS Church treats it as the word of God, and it is used as a standard to compare other doctrines. Lee taught:

It is not to be thought that every word spoken by the General Authorities is inspired, or that they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost in everything they speak and write. Now you keep that in mind. I don't care what his position is, if he writes something or speaks something that goes beyond anything that you can find in the standard works, unless that one be the prophet, seer, and revelator—please note that one exception—you may immediately say, "Well, that is his own idea!" And if he says something that contradicts what is found in the standard works (I think that is why we call them "standard"—it is the standard measure of all that men teach), you may know by that same token that it is false; regardless of the position of the man who says it. [20]

The Bible

Quadruple combination format of the Standard Works opened to the Book of Isaiah. Note the cross references between Biblical and Latter-day Saint scripture in the footnotes. Standard Works Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.jpg
Quadruple combination format of the Standard Works opened to the Book of Isaiah. Note the cross references between Biblical and Latter-day Saint scripture in the footnotes.

English-speaking Latter-day Saints typically study a custom edition of the KJV, which includes custom chapter headings, footnotes referencing books in the Standard Works, and select passages from the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible. [21]

Though the KJV was always commonly used, it was officially adopted in the 1950s when J. Reuben Clark, of the church's First Presidency, argued extensively that newer translations, such as Revised Standard Version (RSV) of 1952, were of lower quality and less compatible with LDS Church tradition. [22] After publishing its own KJV edition in 1979, the First Presidency announced in 1992 that the KJV was the church's official English Bible, stating: "[w]hile other Bible versions may be easier to read than the King James Version, in doctrinal matters latter-day revelation supports the King James Version in preference to other English translations." [23] In 2010, this statement was written into the church's Handbook , which directs official church policy and programs. [22] [24]

A Spanish version, with a similar format and using a slightly revised version of the 1909 Reina-Valera translation, was published in 2009. [25] Latter-day Saints in other non-English speaking areas may use other versions of the Bible.

Though the Bible is part of the LDS Church's canon and members believe it to be the word of God, they believe that errors, omissions, and mistranslations are present in even the earliest known Biblical manuscripts. They state that the errors in the Bible have led to incorrect interpretations of certain passages. Thus, as Joseph Smith explained, the church believes the Bible to be the word of God "as far as it is translated correctly". [26] The LDS Church teaches that "[t]he most reliable way to measure the accuracy of any biblical passage is not by comparing different texts, but by comparison with the Book of Mormon and modern-day revelations". [23]

The manuscripts of the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible state that "the Songs of Solomon are not inspired scripture," [27] and therefore it is not included in the LDS Church's canon and is rarely studied by its members. However, it is still printed in every version of the KJV published by the church.

The Apocrypha

Although the Apocrypha was part of the 1611 edition of the KJV, the LDS Church does not currently use the Apocrypha as part of its canon. Joseph Smith taught that while the contemporary edition of the Apocrypha was not to be relied on for doctrine, it was potentially useful when read with a spirit of discernment. [28]

Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible

Joseph Smith translated selected verses of the Bible, working by subject. His complete work is known as the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, or the Inspired Version. Although this selected translation is not generally quoted by church members, the English Bible issued by the church and commonly used by Latter-day Saints contains cross-references to the Joseph Smith Translation (JST), as well as an appendix containing longer excerpts from it. Excerpts that were too long to include in the Bible appendix are included in the Pearl of Great Price as the Book of Moses (for Genesis 1:1-6:13) and Joseph Smith-Matthew (for Matthew 23:39-24:51 and Mark 13).

The Book of Mormon

Cover page of the Book of Mormon from an original 1830 edition, by Joseph Smith
(Image from the U.S. Library of Congress Rare Book and Special Collections Division) The Book of Mormon- An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi.jpg
Cover page of the Book of Mormon from an original 1830 edition, by Joseph Smith
(Image from the U.S. Library of Congress Rare Book and Special Collections Division)

LDS Church members, and others in the Latter Day Saint movement, consider the Book of Mormon a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It contains a record of God's dealings with the prophets and ancient inhabitants of the Americas. The introduction to the book asserts that it "contains, as does the Bible, the fullness of the everlasting gospel. The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Their words, written on gold plates, were quoted and abridged by a prophet-historian named Mormon."

Segments of the Book of Mormon provide an account of the culture, religious teachings, and civilizations of some of the groups who immigrated to the New World. One came from Jerusalem in 600 B.C., and afterward separated into two nations, identified in the book as the Nephites and the Lamanites. Some years after their arrival, the Nephites met with a similar group, the Mulekites who left the Middle East during the same period. An older group arrived in America much earlier, when the Lord confounded the tongues at the Tower of Babel. This group is known as the Jaredites and their story is condensed in the Book of Ether. The crowning event recorded in the Book of Mormon is the personal ministry of Jesus Christ among Nephites soon after his resurrection. This account presents the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and offers men peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come. The latter segments of the Book of Mormon detail the destruction of these civilizations, as all were destroyed except the Lamanites. The book asserts that the Lamanites are among the ancestors of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas.

According to his record, Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by gift and power of God through a set of interpreters, later referred to as the Urim and Thummim. Eleven witnesses signed testimonies of its authenticity, which are now included in the preface to the Book of Mormon. The Three Witnesses testified to have seen an angel present the golden plates and to have heard God bear witness to its truth. Eight others stated that Joseph Smith showed them the golden plates and that they handled and examined them.

The Doctrine and Covenants

The LDS Church's D&C is a collection of revelations, policies, letters, and statements given to the modern church by past church presidents. This record contains points of church doctrine and direction on church government. The book has existed in numerous forms, with varying content, throughout the history of the church and has also been published in differing formats by the various Latter Day Saint denominations. When the church chooses to canonize new material, it is typically added to the D&C; the most recent changes were made in 1981.

The Pearl of Great Price

The Pearl of Great Price is a selection of material produced by Joseph Smith and deals with many significant aspects of the faith and doctrine of the church. Many of these materials were initially published in church periodicals in the early days of the church.

The Pearl of Great Price contains five sections:

Table of canonicity

All denominations in the Latter Day Saint movement listed below use the same canon of the Book of Mormon. Other uses and content vary among their respective canons.

Books The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

(LDS Church)

Community of Christ (RLDS) Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite) Church of Christ (Temple Lot) Church of Christ (Fettingite) Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite) Church of Jesus Christ (Cutlerite)
Doctrine and Covenants
Book of Commandments YesYesNoNoNoYesYes
Moroni's visit to Joseph Smith YesNoNoNoNoNoYes
Conferral of Aaronic priesthood by John the Baptist YesNoNoNoNoNoYes
To Three Witnesses YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
To Parley P. Pratt and Ziba Peterson YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Property divisionYesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Location of Zion at Jackson County, Missouri YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Prayer of Joseph Smith; keys of the kingdomYesYesNoNoNoNoYes
To William E. McLellin YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Testimony of the Book of Commandments YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
To Orson Hyde, Luke S. Johnson, Lyman E. Johnson, and William E. McLellin; bishops; parentsYesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Assignments for John Whitmer YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Stewardship; equalityYesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon called to preachYesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Bishops YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Explanation of 1 Corinthians 7:14; salvation of childrenYesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Missionary work; families of missionariesYesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Jesus Christ; resurrection; degrees of glory; origin of Satan YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Explanation of certain verses in Revelation YesNoNoNoNoNoYes
United Order; equalityYesYesNoNoNoNoYes
To Jared Carter YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
To Stephen Burnett and Eden SmithYesYesNoNoNoNoYes
To Jesse Gause; on 18 Mar 1833 its application was transferred to Frederick G. Williams YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Obedience; United Order; equalityYesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Husbands and fathers; widows and orphansYesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Priesthood YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Letter from Joseph Smith to W. W. Phelps; United Order; One Mighty and Strong; equalityYesNoNoNoNoNoYes
Parable of the Tares explainedYesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Prophecy of war and calamityYesNoNoNoNoNoYes
The "olive leaf"; "Lord's message of peace"YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
A "Word of Wisdom"YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Keys of the kingdom; First Presidency YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
The Apocrypha YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
To Frederick G. Williams YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
John's record of Christ; intelligence; innocence of childrenYesYesNoNoNoNoYes
To Hyrum Smith, Reynolds Cahoon, and Jared Carter; construction of various buildings commandedYesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Kirtland Temple to be built; purpose of temples YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Division of propertyYesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Saints in Jackson County, Missouri; temple to be built in Jackson CountyYesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Promises and warnings; martyrs; when war is justified; forgiving enemiesYesYesNoNoNoNoYes
To John Murdock YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon to preach gospel; Rigdon to be Smith's spokesman; welfare of Orson Hyde and John Gould YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Redemption of Zion; parables; United States and the U.S. Constitution; Saints to seek redressYesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Minutes for first high council meetingYesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Redemption of Zion; organization of Zion's Camp YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
United Order YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Redemption of Zion; purpose of Kirtland Temple; peaceYesYesNoNoNoNoYes
To Warren A. Cowdery; Second Coming YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Priesthood; quorums YesYesNoNoNoNoNo
To Lyman Sherman YesNoNoNoNoNoYes
Dedicatory prayer for Kirtland Temple YesNoNoNoNoNoYes
Visitation of Jesus Christ to accept Kirtland Temple; conferral of priesthood keys; coming of Moses, Elias, and Elijah YesNoNoNoNoNoYes
temporal needs of the churchYesNoNoNoNoNoYes
To Thomas B. Marsh; Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; First Presidency YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Answers to questions on the Book of Isaiah YesNoNoNoNoNoYes
Concerning David W. Patten YesNoNoNoNoNoYes
Name of the church; stakes; temple to be built at Far West, Missouri YesNoNoNoNoNoYes
Adam-ondi-Ahman YesNoNoNoNoNoYes
Concerning William Marks, Newel K. Whitney, and Oliver Granger; property; sacrificeYesNoNoNoNoNoYes
Vacancies in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles filledYesNoNoNoNoNoYes
Tithing YesYesNoNoNoNoNo
Council on the Disposition of the Tithes YesNoNoNoNoNoYes
Prayer and prophecies of Joseph Smith; why many are called but few chosenYesNoNoNoNoNoYes
Destiny of Joseph Smith YesNoNoNoNoNoYes
Letter to church; duty in relation to their persecutorsYesNoNoNoNoNoYes
Nauvoo Temple and Nauvoo House to be built; baptism for the dead YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Saints in Iowa YesNoNoNoNoNoYes
To Brigham Young YesNoNoNoNoNoYes
Letter to church; baptism for the dead YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Letter to church; baptism for the dead YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Distinguishing the nature of angels and disembodied spiritsYesNoNoNoNoNoYes
Various items of instruction; corporeal nature of God and Jesus Christ; intelligence; seer stones YesNoNoNoNoNoYes
Various items of instruction; celestial marriage; eternal life YesNoNoNoNoNoYes
Plural marriage; celestial marriage; sealing power; exaltation YesNoNoNoNoNoYes
Original "Appendix"; Second Coming; missionary workYesYesNoNoNoNoYes
secular governments and laws in generalYesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Martyrdom of Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith YesYesNoNoNoNoYes
Organization of Mormon pioneer westward journeyYesNoNoNoNoNoYes
Salvation for the dead; salvation of little childrenYesNoNoNoNoNoYes
Jesus Christ preached to spirits in prison; salvation for the deadYesNoNoNoNoNoYes
Cessation of plural marriage YesNoNoNoNoNoYes
1978 Revelation on Priesthood: cessation of priesthood restrictions based on raceYesNoNoNoNoNoYes
God's words to Moses Yes
(Pearl of Great Price)
YesNoNoNoNoNo
Prophecy of Enoch Yes
(Pearl of Great Price)
YesNoNoNoNoNo
General meeting of the quorums of the church to consider the labors of the committee charged with organizing publication of the revelations into a bookNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Declaration on marriage; one spouse onlyNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Tithing NoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Calling of William Marks NoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Priesthood ordination of other racesNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Changes in leadership positionsNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Foreign missionsNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Instructions to the eldersNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Branch and district presidentsNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Changes in leadership positionsNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Duties of quorums NoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Lamoni College; church publications; relations with the LDS Church; doctrinal tracts; interpretation of various scriptures; gospel boat; branch in DetroitNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Changes in leadership positionsNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Patriarchs; foreign missionsNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Quorums NoYesNoNoNoNoNo
SanitariumNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Organization and colonizationNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Changes in leadership positionsNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Changes in leadership positionsNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Presiding Bishopric NoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Presiding Bishop NoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Missionary workNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Changes in leadership positionsNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Changes in leadership positionsNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Changes in leadership positions; unityNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Changes in leadership positionsNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Changes in leadership positions; work toward Zion NoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Changes in leadership positionsNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Changes in leadership positions; Zion NoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Changes in leadership positions; counselNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Commendation; urge to workNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Changes in leadership positions; counselNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
New President of the Church namedNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Changes in leadership positionsNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Changes in leadership positions; unity commendedNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Changes in leadership positions; stewardshipNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Changes in leadership positions; counselNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Changes in leadership positions; relationship between ministerial programs; prepare to build temple at Independence NoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Clarification of 149NoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Changes in leadership positions; counsel on culture; Independence Temple preparation; ecologyNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Changes in leadership positions; reconciliationNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
New precedent on presidential succession; presidential successor named; changes in leadership positions; reconciliationNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
New President of the Church; changes in leadership positions; counsel on outreachNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Changes in leadership positions; counsel on outreachNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Changes in leadership positions; counsel on witnessNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Purpose of Independence Temple; priesthood opened to women; changes in leadership positionsNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Changes in leadership positions; unity; humilityNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Changes in leadership positions; the spiritual lifeNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Changes in leadership positions; trusting the Spirit; Independence Temple acceptedNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
New President of the Church namedNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Proclaim peace; reach out; patience; embrace differences; respect traditionNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Be a prophetic people; diversity; tithing NoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Strive for peace; missionary work; use and misuse of scripture; equality; generosityNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Effects of baptism, confirmation, and sacrament of the Lord's Supper; cultural awareness and sensitivity; flexibility in number of quorums of seventy; accelerate evangelismNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Expand community, promote peace, and end poverty; tithing; unity in diversity; act in accordance to beliefsNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Pearl of Great Price
Book of Moses YesYesNoNoNoYesYes
Book of Abraham YesNoNoNoNoNoNo
Joseph Smith–Matthew YesYesNoNoNoYesYes
Joseph Smith–History YesNoNoNoNoNoNo
Articles of Faith YesInspiredNoNoNoInspiredInspired
Latter Day Saint movement other religious text
The Word of the Lord NoNoNoNoYesNoNo
The Word of the Lord Brought to Mankind by an Angel NoNoNoNoYesNoNo
Lectures on Faith NoNoNoNoNoYesYes
Book of Jasher NoNoNoNoNoNo - not considered canonical [29] No
The Book of the Law of the Lord NoNoNoNoNoYesNo
Letter of Appointment NoNoNoNoNoYesNo

See also

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that Adam and Eve were the first man and the first woman to live on the earth and that their fall was an essential step in the plan of salvation. Adam in particular is a central figure in Mormon cosmology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Comparison of the Community of Christ and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</span>

Community of Christ and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are two denominations that share a common heritage in the Church of Christ founded by Joseph Smith on April 6, 1830. Since Smith's death in 1844, they have evolved separately in belief and practices. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, and claims more than 17 million members worldwide; Community of Christ is headquartered in Independence, Missouri, and reports a worldwide membership of approximately 250,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Smith–Matthew</span> Book in the Pearl of Great Price; part of the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible

Joseph Smith–Matthew is a book in the Pearl of Great Price, a scriptural text used by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other Latter Day Saint denominations. Joseph Smith–Matthew consists of Joseph Smith's "retranslation" of portions of the Gospel of Matthew. It was originally published in 1831 in Kirtland, Ohio, in an undated broadsheet as "Extract from the New Translation of the Bible".

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other adherents in the Latter Day Saint movement, believe that there will be a Second Coming of Jesus Christ to the earth sometime in the future. The LDS Church and its leaders do not make predictions of the actual date of the Second Coming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beliefs and practices of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</span> Beliefs and practices in the LDS Church

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints focuses its doctrine and teaching on Jesus Christ; that he was the Son of God, born of Mary, lived a perfect life, performed miracles, bled from every pore in the Garden of Gethsemane, died on the cross, rose on the third day, appeared again to his disciples, and now resides, authoritatively, on the right hand side of God. In brief, some beliefs are in common with Catholics, Orthodox and Protestant traditions. However, teachings of the LDS Church differ significantly in other ways and encompass a broad set of doctrines, so that the above-mentioned denominations usually place the LDS Church outside the bounds of orthodox Christian teaching as summarized in the Nicene Creed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Criticism of Mormon sacred texts</span>

The standard works of Mormonism—the largest denomination of which is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints —have been the subject of various criticisms. Latter-day Saints believe the Book of Mormon is a sacred text with the same divine authority as the Bible; both are considered complementary to each other. Other Mormon sacred texts include the Pearl of Great Price and Doctrine and Covenants, which are also recognized as scripture. Religious and scholarly critics outside Mormonism have disputed Mormonism's unique scriptures, questioning the traditional narrative of how these books came to light and the extent to which they describe actual events. Critics cite research in history, archeology, and other disciplines to support their contentions.

Islam and Mormonism have been compared to one another since the earliest origins of the latter in the nineteenth century, sometimes by detractors of one or both religions, but also at least once by Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, himself. Smith was also frequently referred to as "the Modern Muhammad" by several publications of the era, notably in the New York Herald, shortly after his assassination in June 1844. This epithet repeated a comparison that had been made from Smith's earliest career, one that was not intended at the time to be complimentary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LDS edition of the Bible</span> Bible of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

The LDS edition of the Bible is a version of the Bible published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. The text of the LDS Church's English-language Bible is the King James Version, its Spanish-language Bible is a revised Reina-Valera translation, and its Portuguese-language edition is based on the Almeida translation. The editions include footnoting, indexing, and summaries that are consistent with the doctrines of the LDS Church and that integrate the Bible with the church's other canonized Latter-day Saint scriptures. The LDS Church encourages its members to use the LDS Church edition of the Bible.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian fellowships of "the Remnants" movement</span> American Mormon denomination (2013-)

Remnant fellowships are a loosely organized branch of the Latter Day Saint movement formed by individuals who accept alleged divine revelations received by Denver Snuffer Jr.. The Remnant Fellowships generally feel called to personal and social renewal preparatory to Christ's eventual second coming. According to movement beliefs, participants anticipate a coming time when remnants remain within the full restored covenant with Jesus Christ: an allusion to a belief that "The Bible, Book of Mormon, and modern revelation through the Prophet Joseph Smith, prophesy that the gospel of Jesus Christ would shift from the Gentile stewards of the gospel back to Israel in the last days." The movement places a renewed focus on individual communion with God, gifts of the spirit, tangible expressions of faith, and the eventual establishment of Zion. While the movement has no official name, the term "Snufferite" has been used to denote followers. Other designations include covenant of Christ movement and Denver Snuffer movement. Participants sometimes reference each other as "covenant Brother," "covenant Sister".

The following outline is an overview and topical guide for the Doctrine and Covenants.

References

  1. "LDS Edition of The Holy Bible in Spanish". churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
  2. Scott Taylor, "LDS Church publishes new Spanish-language Bible", Deseret News , 13 September 2009.
  3. Michael Morris, "President Eyring Announces 'Great Blessing' for Portuguese-Speaking Saints", churchofjesuschrist.org, 15 September 2015.
  4. "§21.1.7 Bible", Handbook 2: Administering the Church , LDS Church, 2010
  5. The only one authorized to bring forth new doctrine is the President of the Church, who, when he does, will declare it as revelation from God, and it will be accepted the church's First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and then sustained by the body of the church. (Harold B. Lee, The First Area General Conference for Germany, Austria, Holland, Italy, Switzerland, France, Belgium, and Spain of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, held in Munich Germany, August 24–26, 1973, with Reports and Discourses, 69. OCLC   59671066.)
  6. Lovalvo, V. James (1986). Dissertation on the Faith and Doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ. Bridgewater, Michigan: The Church of Jesus Christ. pp. 115–16.
  7. "Scripture in the Community of Christ". Community of Christ Theology Task Force. Saints Herald. August 2006. p. 15.
  8. Sheldon, William. "A Synopsis of the Church of Christ Beliefs and Practices as Compared to Other Latter Day Saint Churches". The Interactive Bible. Refers to the Bible and Book of Mormon as "the only safe standards".
  9. "Strangite Scriptures" Archived 21 October 2013 at Archive-It . Strangite.org. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  10. "Strangite Scriptures" Archived 21 October 2013 at Archive-It . Strangite.org. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  11. Doctrine and Covenants 28:13
  12. Harold B. Lee, The First Area General Conference for Germany, Austria, Holland, Italy, Switzerland, France, Belgium, and Spain of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, held in Munich Germany, August 24–26, 1973, with Reports and Discourses, 69. OCLC   59671066.
  13. http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/articles-and-covenants-circa-april-1830-dc-20/1#historical-intro "The minutes of that meeting recorded, “Articles and Covenants read by Joseph Smith jr. and received by unanimous voice of the whole congregation, which consisted of most of the male members of the Church.” http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/minutes-9-june-1830/1
  14. Joseph Smith, B. H. Roberts (ed.) (1902). History of the Church , 2:243–246.
  15. Introduction, Pearl of Great Price
  16. "I hold in my hand the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and also the book, The Pearl of Great Price, which books contain revelations of God. In Kirtland, the Doctrine and Covenants in its original form, as first printed, was submitted to the officers of the Church and the members of the Church to vote upon. As there have been additions made to it by the publishing of revelations which were not contained in the original edition, it has been deemed wise to submit these books with their contents to the conference, to see whether the conference will vote to accept the books and their contents as from God, and binding upon us as a people and as a Church." Cannon, George Q. (15 November 1880), "Comments", Millennial Star , vol. 42, no. 46, p. 724. (10 October 1880, General Conference)
  17. Doctrine and Covenants Official Declaration 1
  18. "Scriptural Text for Visions Added to Pearl of Great Price". Ensign . May 1976.
  19. Doctrine and Covenants Official Declaration 2
  20. Harold B. Lee, "The Place of the Living Prophet, Seer, and Revelator," Address to Seminary and Institute of Religion Faculty, Brigham Young University, 8 July 1964.
    As quoted in "Section 68 - Scripture Is the Will, Mind, Word, Voice, and Power of God unto Salvation", Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student Manual: Religion 324 and 325, Church Educational System, LDS Church, 2001
  21. Mortimer, William James, "Bible: LDS Publication of the Bible", Encyclopedia of Mormonism, pp. 110–111
  22. 1 2 Stack, Peggy Fletcher (February 18, 2011). "LDS sticking with King James Version". The Salt Lake Tribune . Retrieved 2010-02-21.
  23. 1 2 "First Presidency Statement on the King James Version of the Bible", Ensign , News of the Church: 80, August 1992
  24. "21.1.7 Bible", Selected Church Policies, Handbook 2: Administering the Church, LDS Church, 2010
  25. Santa Biblia: Reina-Valera 2009" (Holy Bible: Reina-Valera 2009)
  26. Articles of Faith 8
  27. "Song of Solomon", Bible Dictionary, KJV (LDS), LDS Church, p. 776
  28. Doctrine and Covenants 91
  29. "Strangite Scriptures" Archived 21 October 2013 at Archive-It . Strangite.org. Retrieved 3 March 2012.