Conference tecrus::mormonism

    Re: Note 141.0 by NWD002::JOLMAMA 

    Hi Matt,
    
>   "... What you were told about the Bible is partly true, but it is
>   not one of the four standard works accepted by the Church as cannon.
>   One could easily go for many years, as I have, without ever using
>   it or needing to use it, and not miss it."
>                   
>   This extract, from note 48.1, is worthy of a new topic.  What,
>   according to Mormon teaching, is only "partly true" regarding
>   the orthordox Christian teaching on the bible?  What are
>   the four stanard works accepted by the "Church" as cannon?
>   Can and/or should one go "for many years" without using it (the
>   Bible?).                                       

    In note 48.0, Lorenzo asked about the church having their own Bible
    along with the Holy Bible. In 48.1 Richard Allen is refering to this
    'other' Bible, which is commonly referred to in the church as the
    Inspired Version of the Bible. The church does not recognize the
    Inspired Version of the Bible as cannon, because Joseph Smith never
    completed it. It is used for reference purposes mostly. Instead, the
    church generally uses the King James Version of the Bible. Richard is
    saying that one could go for years without needing to use the Inspired
    Version of the Bible. 
    
    The four standard works accepted as scripture by the church are: The
    Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great
    Price. Members of the church are encouraged to delve into these
    scriptures on a daily basis. One should not go for years without using
    all of these, but should use them regularly. I think that you will find
    that active members of the church do use the Bible often. 
    
    Regards,
    Rich

    
    However, Joseph Smith-Matthew, found in the Pearl of Great Price,
    is a 'cannonized' portion of Joseph Smith's inspired New Testament
    translation. 
    
    Also, the KJV published by the Church, has the Prophet's translations
    as footnotes and as appendices. However, I'm not sure if these are
    all the inspired translations or not.
    
    

I thought I would mention as a cross reference that note 23 is discussing
the statement in the 8th Article of Faith, "We believe the Bible to be
the Word of God as far as it is translated correctly..."

    
>    Also, the KJV published by the Church, has the Prophet's translations
>    as footnotes and as appendices. However, I'm not sure if these are
>    all the inspired translations or not.

The footnotes and appendices in the LDS KJV are some of the verses from the
Inspired Translation (also known as the Joseph Smith Translation) that the
General Authorities felt should be in common use among the saints.  The
Inspired Version, however, contains many other changes that Joseph Smith
made under inspiration.

I have a copy of the Inspired Version and use it regularly along with the
KJV in my personal study.

Allen    
    

    For what it's worth, I am now reading 'The Complete Works of Josephus'
    who was a Jewish historian that lived from about 34 AD to about
    100 AD.  His record is one of the few non-Biblical references
    available.  Like some translations of the Bible, this record has faults
    - perhaps more as it makes no direct claims to inspired sources.  But,
    by studying it I hope to enlarge my understanding of the scriptures.
    The Church encourages us to study such good books so that our understanding
    can be enlarged.  
    
    Steve