What We Believe

The Scriptures Teach and Testify of Jesus Christ

The scriptures contain counsel from prophets, inspired accounts of God’s dealings with people, and revelations from God to His prophets. Scriptures teach that we are children of our Heavenly Father, who loves us. As part of His plan for our eternal happiness, we have come to earth. While we are here, the scriptures are a spiritual lifeline to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

The main purpose of the scriptures is to testify of Christ, helping us come unto Him and receive eternal life (see John 5:39). Thus Latter-day prophets counsel us to study the scriptures every day, both individually and with our families. President Thomas S. Monson said: “Participate in daily scripture study. Crash courses are not nearly so effective as the day-to-day reading and application of the scriptures in our lives. Become acquainted with the lessons the scriptures teach. … Study them as though they were speaking to you, for such is the truth.”¹

Through the words of the scriptures, we can come to know and love our Heavenly Father and the Savior Jesus Christ. We can read Their commandments and, as a result, learn to see the difference between right and wrong. We gain strength to resist the temptation to sin. We increase our desire to obey God’s laws. The scriptures comfort us and teach us while we are on earth, and they show us the way back to our heavenly home.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints accept the following as scripture:

1. The Bible is a collection of sacred writings containing God’s revelations to ancient prophets in the Holy Land. Our eighth article of faith states, “We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly.”

2. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ contains God’s revelations to ancient prophets in the Americas. It contains the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ (see D&C 20:9).

3. The Doctrine and Covenants is a book of revelations regarding the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, given to modern prophets beginning with Joseph Smith.

4. The Pearl of Great Price contains additional revelations from God to Moses, Abraham, and Joseph Smith.

5. God continues to reveal truths to living prophets through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. These truths are considered scripture (see D&C 68:4). They come to us primarily through general conference, held the first weekend in April and October, when members throughout the world hear addresses from our prophet and other Church leaders.

Note

1. Thomas S. Monson, “Be Your Best Self,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2009, 68.

For more information, see Gospel Principles (2009), 45–49; and True to the Faith (2004), 155–59.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

“The central purpose of all scripture is to fill our souls with faith in God the Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ. …

“… Faith comes by the witness of the Holy Spirit to our souls, Spirit to spirit, as we hear or read the word of God. And faith matures as we continue to feast upon the word. …

“… Study the scriptures carefully, deliberately. Ponder and pray over them. Scriptures are revelation, and they will bring added revelation.”

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Blessing of Scripture,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2010, 34, 35.

Clockwise from top left: photo illustration by Derek Israelsen © 2002; Christ in Gethsemane, by Harry Anderson © IRI; Three Nephites, by Gary Kapp © 1996 IRI; Jesus Christ Appears to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, by Walter Rane, courtesy of Church History Museum; The First Vision, by Del Parson © 1987 IRI; photograph by Craig Dimond © IRI; photo illustration by Christina Smith © IRI