Other Books of Scripture
Although the Book of Mormon is the most famous Mormon book of scripture, it is far from the only scripture Mormons recognize and use. They also use the Bible extensively, both Old and New Testament. Two other books of scripture are recognized as “standard works,” the scriptural core of the faith. These are the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price.
The Bible
Like most Christian faiths, the Mormon faith puts great importance on the Bible and its teachings. They use the King James Version of the Bible, officially. However, they do believe that the King James Version suffered some errors in translation. Joseph Smith Jr., the founder of the Church, made another translation—the Joseph Smith Translation. This agreed with the King James Translation for the most part, but made some important clarifying changes and additions. These changes can be found in the footnotes of the Bible released by the Mormon Church, as well as in the appendix.
Faith in Christ is the keystone of Mormon religion, so the Bible is very important to them. They see it as an indispensable witness of Christ, along with the Book of Mormon. In a sense, the two books tell parallel stories with parallel themes. The cycle of a chosen people through wickedness and righteousness, obedience and rebellion, rise and fall, and the power of Christ to save us all from our sins, if we follow Him.
The Doctrine and Covenants
Joseph Smith did more than translate, at the Church’s founder. Mormons believe that Christianity went through a slow apostasy after the deaths of the Apostles and that many things had to be restored for Christ’s Church to be fully and truly again on the earth. The Lord revealed these to Joseph Smith—among them the priesthood (or the authority to act in God’s name), Mormon temples (where important saving ordinances are performed), and the general organization of the Church. These revelations and many others are compiled in the Doctrine and Covenants. The Doctrine and Covenants also contains a few revelations written by other prophets, but it is rarely added to, reserved for foundational doctrines and policies of the Church.
The Pearl of Great Price
The Pearl of Great Price is made up of several smaller books, as follows. The Book of Moses is a long excerpt from the Joseph Smith Translation, which Joseph Smith made by revelation of the Lord. It details a confrontation between Moses and Satan and a visitation of the Lord. It also retells the creation story. The Book of Abraham was translated from papyri which Joseph Smith purchased. It reveals an early part of Abraham’s life and the Mormon doctrine that we existed before we came. It also retells the creation story.
Joseph Smith-Matthew is another lengthy excerpt from the Joseph Smith Translation, translating Matthew 23: 39 and Matthew 24. It details the Second Coming, among other things. Joseph Smith-History is a brief account of the events leading up to the founding of the Church, and after, written by Joseph Smith’s own hand. The Articles of Faith are a concise description of Mormon basic beliefs.