God's Pattern in Scripture

Book oF
Mormon

Teachings &
Commandments

Lectures
oF Faith

New Translation
of the Bible

Throughout time God has called and chosen servants from among His people to deliver His message to them. Most often, the message of God's authorized servants is one of repentance or a changing of direction. As the people correctly discern true prophets and receive the messages they impart, they are likewise blessed to know God. Many books of scripture describe the personal accounts of individuals who have come to know the reality of the existence of God for themselves. These accounts tell of the growth, light, and miracles, as well as the opposition, darkness, and lows that are experienced as one progresses to know God.

Ultimately, the accounts recorded in the scriptures testify of the reality of God, that those who earnestly seek to come into His presence can do so, and that it is possible to be redeemed from the Fall while in the flesh. Such individuals have the promise of eternal life and therefore possess the words of eternal life. When such words are then communicated to others, they convey to the spirit of men and women the desire to be meek, humble, and penitent, and likewise come unto Christ, know Him individually, and be perfected in Him. This is God's pattern in scripture. We view the messages imparted by God's servants as gifts of knowledge, truth, and redemption, which He is offering if we will only receive them.

Standard Works

We believe that the Bible is the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly, and revised through revelation by Joseph Smith Jr. We also believe in the Book of Mormon, as translated and edited by Joseph Smith Jr., and containing other inspired corrections, to be the word of God. We believe that God has continued to speak to individuals in our time, who serve as messengers or prophets, imparting God's will to us, and bearing a message of repentance to all. We also believe in the word of God as contained in all other good books.

In 2017, the standard works were revised to be more faithful to the labor performed by the Lord through Joseph Smith in the early period of the restoration. This included extensive work in recovering the original content of the 1840 Book of Mormon as well as the New Translation of the Bible by Joseph Smith. Additionally, the Doctrine & Covenants and Pearl of Great Price were reworked and combined into a single volume, Teachings & Commandments, which primarily includes the teachings, revelations, and visions of Joseph Smith, Jr. and Denver Snuffer, Jr. We believe that the Lectures of Faith, which once formed the doctrine portion of the Doctrine & Covenants, were composed by and approved of Joseph Smith and are indeed scripture. The Lectures of Faith have been included in the Teachings & Commandments.