Digital Only: News
Changes in Printed Scripture Products
To allow members to focus on the core purposes of the gospel in their personal and family study, the Church continues to simplify and improve scripture materials.
To help spread the gospel to “every nation, kindred, tongue, and people” (Mosiah 3:20; 15:28; Alma 37:4), to establish equity across languages for printed scriptures (most languages have three or four style options), and to allow Church members to focus on the core purposes of the gospel in their personal and family study, the Scriptures Committee, under the direction of the First Presidency, has been working to reduce the costs of printing and producing various scripture materials.
Accordingly, the number of styles available for English editions of the scriptures will be reduced from 38 to 24. Styles that will no longer be produced include snap quads in all colors, sizes, and materials; compact-size scriptures (although military pocket-size products will continue); and brown or burgundy genuine leather covers. This is a total reduction of 14 styles in English. In Spanish, the number of styles will be reduced by six, and in Portuguese, Japanese, and Korean, by one.
In recent years, the Church has made steady improvements to websites; mobile applications, such as the Gospel Library app; scripture products; curricula; and other Church-produced materials, allowing widespread access to the scriptures in a conscious effort to enable members to focus on the core principles of the gospel in their personal and family study.
“The leaders of the Church are setting an example in simplifying the work to help extend and increase the blessings of the Lord to individuals and families around the world,” explained Michelle D. Craig, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency and a member of the Scriptures Committee. “We can feel the Lord hastening His work to gather Israel. And with this hastening comes the joyful imperative to simplify and focus.”