The Bible: Teachings of Joseph Smith

Bible

1 He that can mark the power of Omnipotence, inscribed upon the heavens, can also see God's own handwriting in the sacred volume: and he who reads it oftenest will like it best, and he who is acquainted with it, will know the hand wherever he can see it; and when once discovered, it will not only receive an acknowledgment, but an obedience to all its heavenly precepts. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 vols. 2:14)

2 From what we can draw from the Scriptures relative to the teachings of heaven, we are induced to think that much instruction has been given to man since the beginning which we do not possess now. This may not agree with the opinions of some of our friends who are bold to say that we have everything written in the Bible which God ever spoke to man since the world began, and that if he had ever said anything more we should certainly have received it. But we ask, does it remain for a people who never had faith enough to call down one scrap of revelation from heaven, and for all they have now are indebted to the faith of another people who lived hundreds and thousands of years before them, does it remain for them to say how much God has spoken and how much he has not spoken? We have what we have, and the Bible contains what it does contain: but to say that God never said anything more to man than is there recorded, would be saying at once that we have at last received a revelation: for it must require one to advance thus far, because it is nowhere said in that volume by the mouth of God, that He would not, after giving what is there contained, speak again; and if any man has found out for a fact that the Bible contains all that God ever revealed to man he has ascertained it by an immediate revelation, other than has been previously written by the prophets and apostles. But through the kind providence of our Father a portion of His word which He delivered to His ancient saints, has fallen into our hands, is presented to us with a promise of a reward if obeyed, and with a penalty if disobeyed. That all are deeply interested in these laws or teachings, must be admitted by all who acknowledge their divine authenticity. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 vols. 2:18)

3 You may hug up to yourselves the Bible, but, except through faith in it you get revelation for yourself, the Bible will profit you but little. (Hyrum L. Andrus and Helen Mae Andrus, comps., They Knew the Prophet, p. 101)

4 "Is there anything in the Bible which licenses you to believe in revelation now-a-days?"
Is there anything that does not authorize us to believe so? If there is, we have, as yet, not been able to find it.
. . . "Is not the canon of the Scriptures full?"

If it is, there is a great defect in the book, or else it would have said so. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 vols. 3:30)

5 Report of Mathew L. Davis: He [Joseph Smith] then took up the Bible. "I believe," said he, "in this sacred volume. In it the 'Mormon' faith is to be found. We teach nothing but what the Bible teaches. We believe nothing, but what is to be found in this book." (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 vols. 4:78)

6 I will now turn linguist. There are many things in the Bible which do not, as they now stand, accord with the revelations of the Holy Ghost to me.
I will criticize a little further. There has been much said about the word hell, and the sectarian world have preached much about it, describing it to be a burning lake of fire and brimstone. But what is hell? It is another modern term, and is taken from hades. I'll hunt after hades as Pat did for the woodchuck. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 vols. 5:425)

7 There is no salvation between the two lids of the Bible without a legal administrator. (Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 319)

8 I believe the Bible as it read when it came from the pen of the original writers. Ignorant translators, careless transcribers, or designing and corrupt priests have committed many errors. As it read, Gen. vi. 6, "It repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth;" also, Num. xxiii. 19, "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the Son of man, that he should repent;" which I do not believe. But it ought to read, "It repented Noah that God made man." This I believe, and then the other quotation stands fair. If any man will prove to me, by one passage of Holy Writ, one item I believe to be false, I will renounce and disclaim it as far as I promulgated it.
The first principles of the Gospel, as I believe, are, faith, repentance, baptism for the remission of sins, with the promise of the Holy Ghost.
—"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection." If a man leaves the principles of the doctrine of Christ, how can he be saved in the principles? This is a contradiction. I don't believe it. I will render it as it should be—"Therefore not leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment." (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 vols. 6:57-58)

9 I have an old edition of the New Testament in the Latin, Hebrew, German and Greek languages. I have been reading the German, and find it to be the most nearly correct translation, and to correspond nearest to the revelations which God has given to me for the last fourteen years. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 vols. 6:307)

10 I thank God that I have got this old book; but I thank him more for the gift of the Holy Ghost. I have got the oldest book in the world; but I have got the oldest book in my heart, even the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 vols. 6:308)

Footnotes

211. Letter to the brethren scattered from Zion, Kirtland, 22 January 1834.

212. Letter to the brethren scattered from Zion, Kirtland, 22 January 1834.

213. David Osborn's recollection of an 1837 statement, published in the Juvenile Instructor, 15 March 1892.

214. Answers to questions frequently asked the Prophet, Far West, 8 May 1838.

215. A letter of Mathew L. Davis to his wife describing the Prophet's discourse in Washington, D.C., 6 February 1840.

216. Sabbath address, Nauvoo, 11 June 1843.

217. Sabbath address, Nauvoo, 23 July 1843.

218. Sabbath address, Nauvoo, 15 October 1843.

219. King Follett Discourse, Nauvoo, 7 April 1844.

220. King Follett Discourse, Nauvoo, 7 April 1844.