The Bible contains a record of God’s early work on earth, His first creations, and His first laws. It shares the amazing story of prophets, courage, sacrifice, and faith. It preserves for us the record of the Savior’s time on earth, His sacred mission, His teachings, and His atoning sacrifice.

Mormons believe in the Bible. Although they are better known for their belief in another sacred record called the Book of Mormon, they also consider the Bible to be the sacred word of God. The Book of Mormon testifies of the Bible and provides additional witness to the Savior’s divinity and reality.

The Mormons use the King James Version of the Bible in the English language, and other versions in other languages. While they acknowledge that the Bible, as originally written, was God’s word, they also recognize that translation is a subjective work. The Bible wasn’t written in English, and over the years, various people have translated it. Others based new translations not on the original documents, but on the translations, allowing even more errors and opinions into the writing. There are many, many different versions of the Bible on the market today, all interpreting scriptures in different ways. The precise wording chosen can influence how the reader understands the doctrine being taught. None of the translators have been prophets, and so they translate with the understanding of man, doing the best they can, but with the potential for human error or interpretation to slip in. Those who have done translation know it isn’t a precise art.

For this reason, Mormons state that they believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it’s correctly translated. They also state that it is not God’s final word. He didn’t finish the Bible and then retreat, leaving us to flounder alone as we face new situations not covered by biblical teachings. The Bible also mentions prophets and books that we don’t have today, helping us to know that the men who compiled the Bible didn’t include everything God taught the prophets. This is only one example of missing books and writings:

29 Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer against Jeroboam the son of Nebat? (2 Chronicles 9:29)

And so, while the Bible is a wonderful and sacred record of the dealings of God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost with the children of God, it is not the final word. God has continued to be an active participant in the lives of His children. Continue exploring this site and learn more about it.