Canon Lds ChurchEdit
The canon of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the collection of scriptures considered authoritative by members of the church. Central to this understanding is the idea that God continues to reveal truth through prophets, so the canon is not a static relic but a framework that can be expanded and clarified through inspired guidance. The church’s standard framework consists of four primary texts, often called the Standard Works, alongside ongoing counsel from living prophets. For adherents, these works provide the theological backbone for personal faith, family life, and public conduct, while also guiding how members interpret history, race, and social questions in light of gospel principles.
The canon undergirds a practical religion. Members read, study, and apply scripture in daily life, in seminary and institute programs, and in public worship. The church emphasizes scripture study as essential to spiritual formation, while recognizing that the living prophet offers direction on contemporary issues. In doctrinal terms, the Bible is regarded as holy scripture, but "the Bible, as far as it is translated correctly" is understood within a broader compass that includes other revealed writings The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the ongoing guidance of church leadership. The interplay between the canon and living revelation is a distinctive feature of how this tradition interprets truth.
Canon and the Standard Works
Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is described as another testament of Jesus Christ and is regarded as scripture unique to the Latter-day Saint tradition. It tells of ancient peoples in the American continents and presents a theological narrative compatible with the Bible, emphasizing faith, repentance, baptism, and the atonement. The text was published in 1830 under the direction of Joseph Smith and is a foundational source for church doctrine and missionary work. See Book of Mormon for more on its origin, contents, and doctrinal themes.
The Holy Bible
The church uses the Bible alongside the other standard works. The Bible has historically been studied in conjunction with the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. The church typically uses the King James Version in originating texts and public worship, while encouraging critical study of ancient languages and modern translation issues. For readers, the Bible is a primary source of teaching about Jesus Christ and salvation, interpreted within the broader LDS canon. See King James Version and Bible for related discussions.
Doctrine and Covenants
Doctrine and Covenants is a collection of modern revelations—many received by church leaders in the 19th and 20th centuries—that address church governance, doctrine, and practice. It includes foundational documents like the Articles of Faith and a number of sections on ecclesiastical organization, temple worship, and moral teachings. The collection represents the church’s approach to ongoing revelation while maintaining continuity with earlier scriptures. See Doctrine and Covenants for a detailed catalog of contents and historical context.
Pearl of Great Price
The Pearl of Great Price comprises select writings that include expanded narratives about creation, redemption, and prophetic history, such as the books of Abraham and Moses, as well as Joseph Smith—History. These texts illuminate how the church understands divine revelation across different eras and cultures. See Pearl of Great Price for more background and content summaries.
Living revelation, canon, and interpretation
The LDS view holds that God continues to guide the church through a living prophet and a sustaining body of general authorities. While the Four Standard Works constitute the core canon, the counsel of living leaders—delivered in General Conference and other official channels—plays a crucial role in shaping how those scriptures are applied. This means doctrine and practice can be clarified or refined over time, even as core scriptural texts remain authoritative. See First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for organizational context, and General Conference for the ongoing process of modern revelation and guidance.
Controversies and debates
Like many religious movements with a long historical arc, the canon and its interpretation have been the subject of debate. From a broad, value-centered perspective common in many societies, there are several points of discussion:
Polygamy and later reform: The church’s early practice of polygamy and its formal discontinuation under political pressure and internal policy development are well documented. The transition culminated in the 1890 Manifesto, which effectively ended the practice in the United States, with later amendments and clarifications. Critics point to the historical tension between spiritual authority and social change, while supporters often frame the change as a necessary realignment with modern civil society and the church’s broader missionary and welfare goals. See Polygamy and Official Declaration 1 for more.
Race and the priesthood: A period of racial restrictions on priesthood and temple ordinances existed in church policy until 1978. Critics argue that historical policy reflected and reinforced racial hierarchies, while supporters emphasize the repudiation of past policy through Official Declaration 2 and ongoing efforts at unity and inclusion. Today the church teaches that race does not determine worthiness before God, even as some debates persist about how best to address past mistakes and present policies. See Priesthood and Official Declaration 2 for more.
Historical interpretation and scholarship: Critics and defenders alike discuss how to read early church history, the translation of ancient texts, and the nature of revelation. Proponents argue that faith communities should trust inspired leadership while encouraging open inquiry; detractors may push for fuller transparency or more critical historical analysis. See Joseph Smith and Book of Mormon for primary sources, and History of the Church (LDS) for scholarly discussions.
Public policy and social life: The church's positions on education, religious liberty, family life, and moral questions often intersect with political and cultural debates. Advocates contend that religious institutions should be free to define marriage, family, and moral norms, while critics may argue for more expansive inclusive standards. In many cases the church seeks to participate in civic life through charitable work, education, and advocacy for conscience protections, rather than endorsing partisan platforms. See Religious liberty and Family.
The canon in practice
Translation and dissemination: The church emphasizes careful translation, study, and dissemination of scripture through official channels, including online access to the Standard Works and related study helps. See Scripture and Online church resources.
Seminary and institute programs: Compulsory and optional programs help believers study canonical texts in a structured way, reinforcing doctrinal understanding and practical application in daily life. See seminary and Institute for more.
Culture and worship: Scriptural study shapes worship, missionary work, and lay leadership. The church emphasizes family life, service, and self-reliance as practical expressions of gospel teachings. See Family (Latter-day Saints) and Welfare system of the Church for related topics.