Study the Scriptures

The Book of Mormon Is a Second Witness of Jesus Christ (0:52)

Searching for Truth (1:24)

From the beginning, the Lord has commanded His prophets to keep records of His revelations? and His dealings with His children.  These sacred? records, recorded by the prophets under the influence of the Holy Ghost, are called scriptures?.  You demonstrate faith by studying, believing, and obeying God’s revealed word and diligently searching the scriptures to understand the truth.  As you feast upon the scriptures, they will teach you about Jesus Christ and His gospel? and will open the door to revelation, showing you what you need to do and become.

The approved scriptures of the Church, also called the standard works, are the Holy Bible?, the Book of Mormon?, the Doctrine and Covenants?, and the Pearl of Great Price?.  With divine assistance, Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon and recorded other revelations he received from God in two books of modern-day scripture: the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price.  These additional books of scripture show that God continues to give revelation through His chosen prophets to guide His children and that He has not left you alone.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recognizes the following books as scripture:

• The Bible?, a collection of sacred writings containing God’s revelations and accounts of His dealings with His children and testifying of Jesus Christ.  The historical accounts in the Bible cover many centuries, from the time of Adam through the death of the Apostles?.  The books of the Bible were written by and about prophets who lived at various times in the history of the world.
• The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ?, a record of God’s dealings with the inhabitants of ancient America.
• The Doctrine and Covenants?, a collection of revelations and inspired declarations given for the establishment and regulation of the Church of Jesus Christ in the last days.
• The Pearl of Great Price?, a selection of revelations, translations, and writings of Joseph Smith.

By studying these books daily, you will gain increased faith in Jesus Christ, will grow more like your Father in Heaven, and will be better able to live righteously.  The scriptures will bring you more joy, hope, and understanding of God’s plan and your place in it.

Jesus Christ invites you to “feast” upon His words ( 2 Nephi 32:3), which implies more than casually reading the scriptures.  It means to study them, ponder them, compare verses, learn passages by heart, treasure them, and delight in them.  As you feast upon the scriptures, asking God for understanding, the Holy Ghost will let you know they are true.

There are many witnesses of the resurrected Jesus Christ found in the Bible:

• The first witness was Mary Magdalene, a faithful woman who saw the Savior soon after He arose from His tomb.  She ran to tell His disciples in Jerusalem ( John 20:11–18).
• On the road to Emmaus, Christ walked and talked with two more of His disciples.  He later visited with them in their home ( Luke 24:13–35).
• That evening, He showed himself to a group of His Apostles.  The Apostle Thomas, who was not there, would not believe Christ was truly alive until a week later when he felt for himself the wounds in Christ’s body ( John 20:19–29).
• The Apostle Paul states that the resurrected Christ later appeared to “five hundred brethren at once” and, subsequently, to Paul himself ( 1 Corinthians 15:6–8).

The New Testament contains the accounts of many people who were personal witnesses of Jesus Christ. Among these are:

• Simeon, who was promised that he would not die “before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”  When Joseph and Mary brought the baby Jesus to the temple, Simeon held Him and knew the promise had been fulfilled ( Luke 2:25–35).
• Mary and Martha, who witnessed the miracle of Christ raising their brother Lazarus from the dead ( John 11:1–44).
• A woman from Samaria, who talked with Christ when they met at a well.  He told her that He was the Messiah called Christ that she had been anticipating ( John 4:6–26).
• Mary Magdalene, who was near the cross during Christ’s Crucifixion and was the first to see Him after His Resurrection ( John 20:13–18).
• Christ’s Apostles, who saw Him, talked with Him, and even ate with Him after His Resurrection ( Luke 24:36–48).

Prophets of the Old Testament knew of Christ centuries before His birth. Some had visions of His birth, life, ministry, and Second Coming. They taught the people to look forward to the coming of the Savior.

• Jacob blessed his son Judah that his descendants would rule until Christ (Shiloh) would come ( Genesis 49:10).
• Moses prophesied of Christ’s coming and commanded Israel to follow Him ( Deuteronomy 18:15).
• Isaiah foretold the birth and mission of the Savior and also prophesied of His Second Coming ( Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 53:4–5; Isaiah 40:5).
• Jeremiah taught that Christ would come through the line of David ( Jeremiah 23:5).
• Ezekiel taught Israel of the Resurrection that would come about because of Jesus Christ ( Ezekiel 37:11–14).

Revelation

The making known of divine truths by communication from God.

Sacred

Regarded with reverence; holy.

Scripture

A sacred writing or book; the word of God as revealed to His inspired prophets.

Gospel

The “good news” of God’s plan for the salvation of mankind. At the center of His plan is the Atoning sacrifice of His son Jesus Christ, in whom alone salvation is possible. In its fulness, the gospel includes all of the commandments, principles, ordinances, and covenants whereby human beings can be forgiven of sin, overcome the world, and attain immortality and eternal life in the kingdom of God.

Bible

One of the volumes of scripture included in the standard works of the Church. The Holy Bible is divided into two main books: the Old Testament, which contains a history of God’s people before the birth of Jesus Christ, and the New Testament, which is a record of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and His disciples. Each of these books is broken up into smaller books, which are divided into chapters and verses. A reference from the Bible may look like this: Matthew 7:21.

Book of Mormon

A volume of scripture included in the standard works of the Church. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ is a collection of writings and teachings of the ancient prophets and followers of Jesus Christ who lived in the Americas from approximately 590 B.C. to 421 A.D. The Prophet Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by divine inspiration from gold plates that he received from the angel Moroni. Books in the Book of Mormon are named after the prophets who kept the records, such as Nephi, Mosiah, Alma, and Mormon. A reference from the Book of Mormon may look like this: Alma 37:35-37.

Doctrine and Covenants

One of the volumes of scripture included in the standard works of the Church. The Doctrine and Covenants is a collection of modern-day revelations and inspired declarations given by God to the Church through the Prophet Joseph Smith and other latter-day Presidents of the Church. The Doctrine and Covenants is divided into sections, and into verses within those sections. A reference in the Doctrine and Covenants may look like this: Doctrine and Covenants 9:7-9, or D&C 9:7-9.

Pearl of Great Price

One of the volumes of scripture included in the standard works of the Church. The Pearl of Great Price includes extracts from Joseph Smith’s Translation (inspired version) of the Bible as well as a translation of some Egyptian papyri containing the writings of the prophet Abraham, excerpts from Joseph Smith’s testimony and history, and the Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A reference from the Pearl of Great Price may look like this: Moses 5:19.

Apostle

One sent forth to serve as a special witness of Jesus Christ. There are fifteen Apostles living on the earth today. They make up the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church.

Bible

One of the volumes of scripture included in the standard works of the Church. The Holy Bible is divided into two main books: the Old Testament, which contains a history of God’s people before the birth of Jesus Christ, and the New Testament, which is a record of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and His disciples. Each of these books is broken up into smaller books, which are divided into chapters and verses. A reference from the Bible may look like this: Matthew 7:21.

Book of Mormon

A volume of scripture included in the standard works of the Church. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ is a collection of writings and teachings of the ancient prophets and followers of Jesus Christ who lived in the Americas from approximately 590 B.C. to 421 A.D. The Prophet Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by divine inspiration from gold plates that he received from the angel Moroni. Books in the Book of Mormon are named after the prophets who kept the records, such as Nephi, Mosiah, Alma, and Mormon. A reference from the Book of Mormon may look like this: Alma 37:35-37.

Doctrine and Covenants

One of the volumes of scripture included in the standard works of the Church. The Doctrine and Covenants is a collection of modern-day revelations and inspired declarations given by God to the Church through the Prophet Joseph Smith and other latter-day Presidents of the Church. The Doctrine and Covenants is divided into sections, and into verses within those sections. A reference in the Doctrine and Covenants may look like this: Doctrine and Covenants 9:7-9, or D&C 9:7-9.

Pearl of Great Price

One of the volumes of scripture included in the standard works of the Church. The Pearl of Great Price includes extracts from Joseph Smith’s Translation (inspired version) of the Bible as well as a translation of some Egyptian papyri containing the writings of the prophet Abraham, excerpts from Joseph Smith’s testimony and history, and the Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A reference from the Pearl of Great Price may look like this: Moses 5:19.