By revelation to
His Prophet Joseph, the Lord pronounced "just and holy
laws" to guide the people "that in due time He might take
them to Himself." In addition to the Book of
Mormon, Joseph Smith was an instrument in the hands of
God to bring forth additional scriptures including the
Doctrine and
Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and
the Joseph Smith
Translation of the Bible.
In the Doctrine
and Covenants is heard "the tender but firm voice of
the Lord Jesus Christ, speaking anew in the dispensation of
the fulness of times." Its messages, warnings and
exhortations are for all God's children. The Pearl of
Great Price, revealed through the Prophet Joseph,
includes his own history, as well as selections from
the Book of Moses and the Book of Abraham. With divine help,
Joseph translated the latter book from ancient
Egyptian papyri that came into his hands. The Joseph
Smith Translation restored to the Bible lost truths
and a fuller understanding of hundreds of passages.
"It is
unnecessary to say anything respecting these works,"
Joseph emphasized in 1840. "Those who have read them and who
have drunk of the stream of knowledge which they
convey, know how to appreciate them."
Doctrine and Covenants
A collection of latter-day divine revelations and inspired declarations. The Lord gave these to Joseph Smith and several of his successors for the establishment and regulation of the kingdom of God on the earth in the last days. The Doctrine and Covenants is one of the standard works of scripture in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, along with the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Pearl of Great Price (The Guide to the Scriptures, "Doctrine and Covenants," 68).
Pearl of Great Price
The Pearl of Great Price is the name given to one of four volumes of scripture called the "standard works" of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The first edition of the Pearl of Great Price was published in 1851 and contained some material that is now in the Doctrine and Covenants. Editions published since 1902 contain (1) excerpts from Joseph Smith's translation of Genesis, called the book of Moses, and of Matthew 24, called Joseph Smith—Matthew; (2) Joseph Smith's translation of some Egyptian papyrus that he obtained in 1835, called the book of Abraham; (3) an excerpt from Joseph Smith's history of the Church that he wrote in 1838, called Joseph Smith—History; and (4) the Articles of Faith, thirteen statements of belief and doctrine (The Guide to the Scriptures, "Pearl of Great Price," 189).
Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible
A revision or translation of the King James Version of the Bible in English, which the Prophet Joseph Smith began in June 1830. He was commanded by God to make the translation and regarded it as part of his calling as a prophet. The Joseph Smith Translation has restored some of the plain and precious things that have been lost from the Bible (see 1 Nephi 13). Although it is not the official Bible of the Church, this translation does offer many interesting insights and is very valuable in understanding the Bible. It is also a witness for the divine calling and ministry of the Prophet Joseph Smith (The Guide to the Scriptures, "Joseph Smith Translation [JST]," 136–37).
