Which book of Scripture is most esteemed by the LDS church?
Upvote:9
As mentioned over in this answer, they're not regarded higher or lower than the others, since they are all the word of God. Everyone's individual experience will vary with which scriptures are emphasized. Usually, the Book of Mormon and Bible are read from most often.
The Doctrine & Covenants are mentioned for a more recent, historical account of God's revelations and on matters of things that are not clearly covered already in ancient scripture. The Pearl of Great Price is probably least often cited, but contains important clarifications and expansion of some of the events in Genesis, Joseph Smith's personal history, and a better account of Matthew 23-24. Not because it's least important, but because it's the smallest book.
The Book of Mormon is probably the most practical to apply in one's life since it is the only canonized book of LDS scripture which was written not only as a historial record like the others, but the authors of the Book of Mormon indicate they saw our day and wrote their record for us in our time.
Upvote:14
Because Mormons believe in an open canon of scripture (i.e., that God continues to provide scripture through His living prophet), the words of the living prophet (or president of the church) are esteemed more valuable than ancient records. Every six months the leaders of the church formally address the church and their words in these general conferences are considered modern scripture. (see http://gc.lds.org/)
It's important to emphasize that this doesn't devalue the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, or Pearl of Great Price. Each is singly taught as the official Sunday School curriculum for a year on a four-year rotation (actually Old Testament; New Testament; Book of Mormon; Church History, incl. Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price; see http://www.lds.org/manual/sunday-school?lang=eng). The words of the living prophet are just considered more timely.
The path to salvation will always be the same (the gospel of Jesus Christ), but present-day temptations like debt and drug use aren't explicitly warned about by Abraham or Noah or Moses because they weren't prevalent during their time. Because they are prevalent today, God speaks His warnings the same way He spoke His warnings in times past, through a living prophet who can and does explicitly condemn things like drug use and excessive consumer debt—modern temptations that can make it difficult to live the teachings of Jesus Christ.
See also: http://www.lds.org/liahona/1981/06/fourteen-fundamentals-in-following-the-prophet?lang=eng
More post
- 📝 What is biblical view on curiosity?
- 📝 Does Catholicism consider body building to be a sin?
- 📝 Was Onan really struck dead by God for masturbating?
- 📝 What exactly was the purpose of the Council of Nicea?
- 📝 Had the Catholic Church a tradition of commemorating Abraham's sacrifice?
- 📝 What's the position of main Christian churches about brothers of Jesus?
- 📝 St. Augustine's view on transmission of original sin?
- 📝 Why is “faith” omitted as a doctrinal consideration in TULIP (five point) Calvinism?
- 📝 What is the definition of being offensive according to bibile.?
- 📝 What prominent Christian thinkers (if any) held to polygenism and if so how did these thinkers view original sin?
- 📝 What type of Christianity does Hans Christian Andersen depict in *The Red Shoes*?
- 📝 How did the Roman Punishment "cross" became a holy symbol to Christians?
- 📝 Does Luke 6:30 imply that the person asking has a genuine need?
- 📝 How can I find this letter from Ambrose?
- 📝 How does calling someone an "idiot" make one bound for Gehenna?
- 📝 Have any married couples been canonized at the same time?
- 📝 Did Swedenborg believe in a bodily resurrection?
- 📝 History of the doctrine of religious vocation in Catholic Church
- 📝 Throughout church history, what have been the major, influential translations of the Bible?
- 📝 What is the reason to genuflect when the Incarnation is mentioned?
- 📝 According to Evangelicals, before the Reformation, who were Christians if “Catholics are not Christians”?
- 📝 The task of interpreting the Word of God - The Pope
- 📝 In which one of the four Gospels is the Old Testament quoted the most?
- 📝 In Matthew chapter 26 verse 64 was Jesus saying that He would one day be their judge?
- 📝 How do Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians evangelize?
- 📝 Besides Satan, was Jesus alone in the desert?
- 📝 At what point did the Eastern Church start self-identifying as the Orthodox Church?
- 📝 Does the Bible give the reasons (if any) for God choosing Abraham?
- 📝 According to the Catholic Church, can a tattoo be considered a sacramental?
- 📝 What are the 'things offered to idols'?
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- 📝 Which book of Scripture is most esteemed by the LDS church?
- 📝 Why does the LDS church (Mormon) put so much more emphasis on the family than most other denominations do?
- 📝 According to the LDS Church (Mormons), how specifically did Joseph Smith translate the Book of Mormon?
- 📝 Which is the book in the Protestant Bible containing most quotes of verses from other Bible books?
- 📝 Which interpretation(s) of the book of Revelation did the church fathers who accepted it into the canon hold?
- 📝 Which manuscript was the LDS Book of Moses translated from?
- 📝 How does the LDS Church reconcile their understanding of the "Godhead" which is three beings/three gods with the Bible stating there is only one God?
- 📝 How does the LDS church respond to the similarities between the book of Nephi and the book of Napoleon?
- 📝 In what countries is it illegal to own a Bible (the most banned book in the world)?
- 📝 Do LDS believe other churches to be the church of Satan?
- 📝 How does the Catholic church explain Matthew 19:9, which seems to allow divorce in case of sexual misconduct?
- 📝 Why does the LDS Church put an emphasis on prepping?
- 📝 What does the LDS Church (Mormon) teach about marriage and polygamy in the afterlife?
- 📝 What has the LDS Church (Mormons) historically taught about the Curse of Cain and dark skin?
- 📝 What works do the LDS Church recognize as Scripture?
- 📝 According to the LDS Church (Mormons), what role do secret handshakes and passwords play into a person's entrance into heaven?
- 📝 Where does the Catholic church procure most of its Bibles?
- 📝 Why does the LDS church believe that alcohol was forbidden, despite being common in the Bible?
- 📝 How does the LDS Church decide what is included in their scriptural canon?
- 📝 On the topic of marriage in heaven, how does the LDS church reconcile Matthew 22:23-33?
- 📝 How many witnesses are there who physically saw and/or touched the golden plates from which the Book of Mormon was reportedly translated?
- 📝 What actions does the LDS church (Mormon) take when a member does not pay tithing?
- 📝 LDS Church and Genealogy Research (What is the connection?)
- 📝 Which church father first taught the perpetual virginity of Mary?
- 📝 Which year did Jesus die? What is the most commonly held view
- 📝 Which canon did the Early Church recognize?
- 📝 What misconceptions about the LDS church are a product of Mark Hofmann's forgeries?
- 📝 Does the Catholic Church allow a professor in a Catholic university to support an idea which is seemingly contrary to Catholic teaching?
- 📝 What evidence does the LDS Church offer regarding claims of degradation of Biblical texts?
- 📝 Does the LDS Church teach that murder is unforgivable?