The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Hermeneutics:
By JK Sellers
April 17, 2019
Here are some excellent discourses by LDS General authorities on the interpretation of scriptures plus an article on Symbolism and Typology:
Scripture Reading and Revelation, by Elder Dallin H. Oaks
"Latter-day Saints' belief in continuing revelation gives them a different approach to reading and using the holy scriptures."
Teaching and Learning by the Spirit, by Elder Dallin H. Oaks
"If we teach and learn in the manner the Lord has prescribed, he will send his Spirit to edify and enlighten us as we do so."t;
My Words … Never Cease, by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
"We invite all to inquire into the wonder of what God has said since biblical times and is saying even now."
The Doctrine of Christ, by Elder D. Todd Christofferson
"In the Church today, just as anciently, establishing the doctrine of Christ or correcting doctrinal deviations is a matter of divine revelation."
Because We Have Them before Our Eyes, by Elder David A. Bednar
"Applying five principles to your scripture study can help you not only learn more about the Savior but also become more like Him."
Symbolism and Typology in the Old Testament, Old Testament Student Manual Genesis-2 Samuel
LDS Study Tools:
Harmony of the Four Gospels: These tables compare the teachings of the Savior as found in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and latter-day revelation. An effort has been made to give these in chronological order. This is not always possible because the authors of the four Gospels do not always agree in matters of chronology.
Bible Chronology: Bible chronology deals with fixing the exact dates of the various events recorded. For the earliest parts of Old Testament history, we rely entirely on the scripture itself; but the Hebrew Bible, the Septuagint or Greek translation, and the Samaritan Pentateuch do not agree together, so that many dates cannot be fixed with certainty. From the time of David onwards we get much assistance from secular history, such as inscriptions on monuments and other state records. Much work has still to be done in this direction. The dates found at the top of many printed English Bibles are due to Archbishop Ussher (1581–1656). Some of them have been shown to be incorrect.
Study Helps on LDS.Org
LDS Scripture Citation Index
"Welcome to the LDS Scripture Citation Index. This index, found on the right side of your browser window, links from scriptures to the general conference talks, Journal of Discourses speeches, and writings in Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith that cite those scriptures. So, for example, suppose you want to know who has cited 1 Ne. 3:7 in general conference; tap on the First Nephi button followed by the 1 Ne. 3 button; there you'll find the answer. Who has quoted Matt. 5:48? Use the New Testament index to find out.
The panel on the left side of your browser lets you read the scriptures, including the King James Version and Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. This is not the official LDS version of the standard works. Go to LDS.org/scriptures for the official publication. Among the differences between this version and the Church's official version are that we do not include their footnotes, chapter summaries, and study helps such as the Bible Dictionary and Topical Guide.
We have indexed the scriptures cited by speakers in LDS General Conference between 1942 and the present, and those cited by speakers recorded in the Journal of Discourses between 1839 and 1886. The citations in Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith come from the special edition, Scriptural Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, edited by Richard C. Galbraith and published by Deseret Book in 1993 (ISBN 0875796478)." (https://scriptures.byu.edu/)
The Holy Bible Containing the Old and New Testaments (KJV)
"The Bible is the word of God. It is a witness for God and Jesus Christ. Members of the Church are encouraged to study it and follow its teachings. The Church uses many translations of the Bible in various languages. In English, the King James Version is used as the official Bible of the Church.
The Bible is a collection of sacred writings containing many of God's revelations. It is a record of His dealings with some of His children from the Creation through the ministries of Jesus Christ and His Apostles. It was written by prophets and historians who knew God and testified of Jesus Christ. It is read and revered by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and they study it regularly. (LDS.org)
The LDS edition of the Bible (1979) contains the King James Version supplemented and clarified by footnotes, study aids, and cross-references to the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. These four books are the standard works of the Church. We encourage all members to have their own copies of the complete standard works and to use them prayerfully in regular personal and family study, and in Church meetings and assignments. (First Presidency Statement on the King James Version of the Bible)
The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ:
"Since it was first published in English in 1830, the Book of Mormon has been fully translated into 82 languages, and printed copies have totaled more than 150 million. It has been described as the "keystone" of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From the beginning, Church members have accepted it as scripture.
This doesn't mean the Book of Mormon replaces the Bible as scripture for members of the Church. The Bible and the Book of Mormon are used side by side in their preaching and personal study.
Latter-day Saints also consider the Book of Mormon to be a record of great ancient-American civilizations.
According to the record, one of these civilizations stemmed from a man named Lehi who left Jerusalem with his family around 600 B.C. They traveled to the sea, built a boat and continued over sea to the Americas.
Following the party's arrival in the New World, growing disharmony caused family groups to fragment into clans that evolved eventually into two opposing nations. Conflicts ensued during the recorded 1,000 years, leading to the eventual demise of one of these nations.
Within the context of this story is a series of prophecies and testimonies about Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world, including, strikingly, a visit by the risen, resurrected Jesus to the people in the New World.
The Book of Mormon records that during Christ's ministry to the people of ancient America, He established His church, as in the Old World.
According to the record, the people lived in unity and prosperity for nearly 200 years following Christ's visit.
Then, over time, many people began to abandon Christ's teachings. Wickedness prevailed among them, and a war of extermination resulted in the destruction of an entire nation.
The Book of Mormon tells how these events were meticulously recorded on metal plates. The responsibility for maintaining and adding to this record, begun by the first people who left Jerusalem, was passed along from generation to generation.
One of the last record-keepers was an ancient American prophet named Mormon who abridged the centuries of records into a more concise account on gold plates.
This abridged record was passed from Mormon to his son Moroni (pronounced Mo-RONE-eye), the last known survivor of his nation, who, near the end of his life, buried the plates in a hillside located in what centuries later became upstate New York.
Latter-day Saints believe that it was to this hillside, today called the Hill Cumorah, near Palmyra, New York, that Moroni returned in 1823 as an angel to lead the teenage boy Joseph Smith to the hidden plates. Joseph Smith later founded The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Early Church history records that Moroni eventually gave temporary custody of the gold plates to Joseph Smith, who permitted three men to see them and another eight men to handle them. These witnesses' written testimonies follow the Book of Mormon's introduction.
Joseph translated the plates in about three months after which he returned them to the angel Moroni. The Book of Mormon was first published in English in New York in 1830.
In 1851 the Book of Mormon was translated into Danish, its first translation to a non-English language. And in 2000, the Church achieved a milestone, bringing the total number of translations of the Book of Mormon to 100, including English. The book is published in its entirety in 81 non-English languages, with selections of it published in another 25 languages.
To help clarify and emphasize the purpose of the Book of Mormon, a subtitle was added in 1982. The full title reads, The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. In addition to translating the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith recorded other revelations he received from God. Many of these revelations are found in two other books of modern-day scripture called the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price." (Mormon Newsroom)
The Doctrine and Covenants:
A volume of Latter-day Saint scripture, mostly comprising selections from the revelations given to Joseph Smith.
Pearl of Great Price:
A volume of Latter-day Saint scripture that includes writings of Abraham, Moses and Matthew as translated by Joseph Smith, as well as excerpts from the writings of Joseph Smith.
Institute Manuals:
Old Testament Student Manual Genesis-2 Samuel
Old Testament Student Manual Kings-Malachi
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2019
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2020
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021
Introduction:
"The aim of all gospel learning and teaching is to deepen our conversion and help us become more like Jesus Christ. For this reason, when we study the gospel, we're not just looking for new information; we want to become a "new creature" (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). This means relying on Christ to change our hearts, our views, our actions, and our very natures.
But the kind of gospel learning that strengthens our faith and leads to the miraculous change of conversion doesn't happen all at once. It extends beyond a classroom into an individual's heart and home. It requires consistent, daily efforts to understand and live the gospel. True conversion requires the influence of the Holy Ghost.
The Holy Ghost guides us to the truth and bears witness of that truth (see John 16:13). He enlightens our minds, quickens our understanding, and touches our hearts with revelation from God, the source of all truth. The Holy Ghost purifies our hearts. He inspires in us a desire to live by truth, and He whispers to us ways to do this. Truly, "the Holy Ghost … shall teach [us] all things"(John 14:26).
For these reasons, in our efforts to live, learn, and teach the gospel, we should first and foremost seek the companionship of the Spirit. This goal should govern our choices and guide our thoughts and actions. We should seek after whatever invites the influence of the Spirit and reject whatever drives that influence away—for we know that if we can be worthy of the presence of the Holy Ghost, we can also be worthy to live in the presence of Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ."
The New Testament: A Translation for Latter-day Saints, Wayment, Thomas A.
"This new translation from the best available Greek manuscripts renders the New Testament text into modern English and is sensitive to Latter-day Saint beliefs and practices. This translation is readable and accessible for a wide range of readers. The original paragraph structure of the New Testament is restored and highlights features such as quotations, hymns, and poetic passages. New and extensive notes provide alternate translations, commentary on variant manuscript traditions, and historical insights. Where applicable, the Joseph Smith Translation has been included. The notes contain the most complete list of cross-references to New Testament passages in the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants that has ever been assembled." (FairMormon Bookstore)
Come Follow Me for Individuals and Families
For More on hermeneutics go to: Hermeneutics: The Study of Biblical Interpretation
JK Sellers