What Are the Scriptures?
Sacred writings, living words, and God’s continuing voice to His children
The Standard Works
The scriptures are sacred writings that contain the word of God as revealed to prophets throughout history. They serve as a spiritual guide, providing direction, comfort, and wisdom to those seeking to understand His will. Studying the scriptures is a fundamental practice in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, offering numerous blessings and strengthening one’s relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
These holy texts include the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. They record God’s dealings with His children and encompass teachings, commandments, prophecies, and testimonies of Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 3:16–17
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
The Origin of Scripture: Divine Revelation
The origin of the scriptures is divine revelation. God conveys His word through prophets who receive inspiration by the Holy Ghost. This process ensures that the messages are not merely historical accounts but living words applicable to all generations.
Doctrine and Covenants 68:4
“And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture… the will of the Lord, the mind of the Lord, the word of the Lord.”
Why the Scriptures Matter
Believing in the scriptures is essential because they are the authoritative words of God and consistently testify of Jesus Christ and His Atonement. Personal revelation through the Holy Ghost confirms their truthfulness. As Jesus Himself declared:
John 5:39
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”
The scriptures provide guidance in making righteous decisions and discerning truth from error. They offer spiritual strength to resist temptation and overcome adversity. As the Psalmist wrote, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). They illuminate the way forward, especially in times of confusion or moral ambiguity.
Regular scripture study leads to increased faith, understanding, and a closer relationship with God. They provide solace during times of trial, uncertainty, and sorrow. Jesus extends this invitation: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28–30). Through the scriptures we find that rest and peace that only He can provide — not merely through reading them, but by obeying them, incorporating their words into our lives, and doing that which they encourage us to do.
Furthermore, the scriptures assure us that God continues to reveal His word in modern times. In 2 Nephi 29:9, the Lord declares, “And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another.” This ongoing revelation is a testament to God’s unchanging nature and His desire to guide His children continually.
What the Scriptures Testify Of
The scriptures are more than historical records — they are a testament of Jesus Christ, pointing to Him as the Savior and Redeemer of the world.
2 Nephi 25:26
“And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ… that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.”
The Bible is a testament of Jesus Christ — and so is the Book of Mormon. On almost every page the Book of Mormon testifies of His divine mission and infinite Atonement, providing another testament of Jesus Christ to stand alongside the Bible. Both witness of the same Lord.
The Standard Works — The Four-Book Canon
Within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the accepted canon of scripture is known as the Standard Works. This canon is comprised of four sacred volumes, each a distinct witness of God’s dealings with His children, yet all unified in testifying of Jesus Christ. Together they form a complementary record — the ancient covenant peoples of the Old World and the New, alongside the revelations of the latter days — bearing a consistent witness across continents and centuries.
The Four Standard Works
- The Holy Bible — The Old Testament and New Testament, recording God’s covenant with ancient Israel and the ministry, Atonement, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
- The Book of Mormon — Another Testament of Jesus Christ, the record of God’s dealings with the peoples of the ancient Americas, witnessing of the same Lord as the Bible.
- The Doctrine and Covenants — A collection of modern revelations given through the Prophet Joseph Smith and his successors, addressing the Restoration and the building up of the Church in the latter days.
- The Pearl of Great Price — A selection of choice writings, including the books of Moses and Abraham, Joseph Smith—History, and the Articles of Faith.
A common objection to additional scripture is that the Bible alone is sufficient — that God has spoken and will speak no more. The Lord anticipated this very response. Through the prophet Nephi, He rebuked those who would limit His word, foreseeing a day when men would cry, “A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible” (2 Nephi 29:3–6). The canon, He teaches, is not closed by the will of man.
2 Nephi 29:9
“And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever.”
The principle of an open canon flows directly from the nature of a God who loves all His children equally. He has spoken before; He speaks still. To receive more of His word is not a burden to murmur against but a blessing to rejoice in.
2 Nephi 29:10
“Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another?”
This is why the Latter-day Saint canon embraces both the Bible and the Book of Mormon together as the word of God. The eighth Article of Faith declares the principle plainly: “We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God” (Articles of Faith 1:8). The two stand not in competition but in harmony, each confirming the other.
Nor is revelation confined to the written volumes of the past. The canon remains open through living prophets, for the Lord has promised that the words His servants speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost “shall be scripture… the will of the Lord, the mind of the Lord, the word of the Lord” (D&C 68:4). The Standard Works are therefore not a sealed book but the firm foundation of an ongoing conversation between God and His children.
How to Study the Scriptures
To study the scriptures effectively, begin with prayer to invite the Holy Spirit to enlighten and teach. Reflect on the teachings and how they apply personally — this makes the scriptures relevant to your life rather than a distant historical exercise. Consistency is key; regular, daily study builds spiritual habits and deepens understanding.
2 Nephi 32:3
“Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.”
The Prophet Joseph Smith exemplified this. When he read James 1:5 — “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God” — he was inspired to seek wisdom directly from God, leading to the First Vision (Joseph Smith — History 1:11–12). The scriptures are not just ancient texts — they are living words that speak to us today, offering insights and direction tailored to our individual needs.
A Foundation That Cannot Be Moved
In moments of doubt or difficulty, the scriptures stand as a firm foundation. Through them we can receive revelation on what we are to do, say, and how to respond to the trials and situations of this life.
Helaman 5:12
“And now… remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer… that ye must build your foundation… which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.”
By studying the scriptures diligently, we gain knowledge of God’s plan, develop faith in Jesus Christ, receive personal revelation, and find guidance and comfort. By embracing them, we align ourselves with God’s will, receive His guidance, and prepare for eternal life.
Embracing the scriptures invites us into a deeper relationship with our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. They are an indispensable tool for anyone seeking to understand the gospel and live according to God’s plan — providing a pathway to eternal life and joy. As we immerse ourselves in these sacred writings, we come to know their truthfulness and experience the promised blessings of wisdom, peace, and salvation.
What Makes a Writing Scripture
It is not the age of the page nor the binding of the book, but the voice of the Spirit speaking through authorized servants of God
Scripture Is the Word of God Spoken by Men
What is it that transforms ink and parchment into the living word of God? The answer is not found in the language a passage is written in, nor the century in which it was penned, nor whether it has been gathered into a leather-bound volume and set upon a pulpit. Scripture is scripture because of its source. It is the word of God delivered through men whose minds and tongues were moved upon by the Holy Ghost. The writing is sacred because the Spirit authored it; the prophet was merely the instrument.
The Apostle Paul taught this plainly to Timothy. The word of God is not the product of human genius or careful philosophy. It is breathed out by God Himself — given by His inspiration — and because of that divine origin it carries authority to teach, to correct, and to perfect those who receive it.
2 Timothy 3:16
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
Note the breadth of Paul’s declaration: all scripture. Wherever the genuine word of God is found, it shares this single common origin — the inspiration of God. That origin is what makes a writing scripture, and it is the same origin whether the words were spoken in Jerusalem, in the wilderness of the Americas, or through a living prophet in our own day.
Holy Men Moved Upon by the Holy Ghost
The Apostle Peter explained the mechanism of revelation with even greater precision. Prophecy — the revealed word — never came by the prophet’s own initiative, imagination, or private interpretation. It came as the Holy Ghost moved holy men to speak. The prophet did not invent the message; he was carried along by the Spirit, like a vessel borne upon the wind.
2 Peter 1:20–21
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
Two truths stand together in Peter’s words. First, scripture is not of man’s will — it does not originate in human opinion. Second, the men who delivered it were holy — they were sanctified, set apart, and authorized to receive and speak it. The Spirit does not move at random through any willing speaker. It speaks through those whom God has called and prepared.
This is why the antiquity of a writing cannot, by itself, make it scripture. Many ancient texts are old without being inspired. And it is why being bound into a familiar volume cannot, by itself, make a writing scripture either — for the Spirit was the author long before any binder gathered the pages. The test is the source, not the age and not the cover.
The Lord’s Own Definition
If men were left to argue over what qualifies as scripture, the question would never be settled. But the Lord has not left us to guess. In a revelation given through the Prophet Joseph Smith, He defined scripture in His own words — and His definition rests entirely upon the source.
D&C 68:3–4
“And this is the ensample unto them, that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost. And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, the mind of the Lord, the word of the Lord, the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation.”
Here is the matter settled by God Himself. The single qualifying condition is that the servant speaks “when moved upon by the Holy Ghost.” When that condition is met, the words are not merely good counsel — they are the will of the Lord, the mind of the Lord, the word of the Lord, the voice of the Lord, and the very power of God unto salvation. Notice that the Lord names no requirement of antiquity, no requirement that the words first be bound into a canon. The Spirit speaking through His authorized servant — that, and that alone, is what makes the writing scripture.
This definition is gloriously consistent with Paul and Peter. All three witnesses agree: scripture is the word of God, given by inspiration, spoken by holy men moved upon by the Holy Ghost. The Old World apostles and the latter-day revelation testify of the same principle across the centuries.
The Test Is the Source
Gather the witnesses together and the doctrine is unmistakable. Scripture is the word of God spoken by men who were moved upon by the Holy Ghost. The test of whether a writing is scripture is not how old it is, nor whether it has been printed within the covers of an accepted book. The test is its source: the Spirit of God, delivered through servants He has authorized.
This understanding guards us from two errors. It guards us from worshipping the antiquity of a text rather than its Author — for a thing is not true merely because it is old. And it guards us from supposing that God’s voice fell silent once the familiar volumes were bound — for the same Spirit that moved holy men of old still moves the Lord’s servants today.
A writing becomes scripture when God speaks it. And because God lives and loves His children, He speaks still. The word that proceeds from His mouth through His holy servants — whenever and wherever it is given — is, and will always be, scripture: the will, the mind, the word, the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation.
Feasting Upon the Word
To search the scriptures is not a burden laid upon us but the sweetest of invitations — for in the word is the path of life and the power to be made new
Feast, Do Not Merely Taste
The Lord did not invite His children merely to glance at His word, nor to sample it occasionally as one might pick at a meal. Through the prophet Nephi He commanded us to feast — to come to the words of Christ hungry, and to eat until we are filled. A feast is abundant, joyful, and unhurried. So should our communion with scripture be.
2 Nephi 32:3
“Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.”
Consider the promise attached to the command. The words of Christ “will tell you all things what ye should do.” The scriptures are not a record of history alone; they are a personal guide for the perplexed soul. When we do not know which way to turn, the word of Christ — searched prayerfully — answers. There is no decision too small and no trial too great for the word to reach.
Search, and You Will Find Christ
The Savior Himself directed those who sought eternal life to search the scriptures — for the scriptures point unfailingly to Him. To read them merely as literature is to miss their whole purpose; their every page was given to lead the reader to the Redeemer.
John 5:39
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”
The word “search” implies effort. We are not merely to read but to dig, to ponder, to seek out the treasures hidden in the text. And the Lord joins to this a promise of constancy. To Joshua, on the threshold of his life’s great labor, the Lord commanded that the word remain ever upon his lips and in his heart, day and night.
Joshua 1:8
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
The promise to Joshua is the promise to us: as the word stays continually with us — meditated upon day and night, and obeyed — our way is made prosperous and our path made sure. The blessing flows not from reading alone, but from reading that issues in doing.
Delighting in the Word
When the word truly takes hold of a soul, study ceases to be a duty and becomes a delight. Nephi, that great searcher of scripture, confessed that his very soul delighted in the things of the Lord, and that his heart pondered continually the things he had seen and heard.
2 Nephi 4:15–16
“And upon these I write the things of my soul… For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children. Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.”
This is the heart the Lord would cultivate in each of us — a soul that delights, a heart that ponders continually. Such delight is not summoned by willpower; it is awakened as we taste the goodness of the word and find that it satisfies.
The Word Leads to the Tree of Life
The scriptures do more than instruct; they lead. They are the iron rod by which we hold fast through the mists of darkness and arrive safely at the love of God. In the days of great wickedness recorded by the Nephites, it was the preaching of the word — above every other influence — that turned hearts to Christ.
Helaman 3:29–30
“Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course… to land their souls… at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven.”
The word of God is “quick and powerful” — living and active. It cuts through the deceptions of the adversary and steers the disciple along the strait and narrow course that leads to the tree of life and the kingdom of heaven. To hold to the word is to be led, step by step, into the very presence of God.
Without the Word, We Are Deceived
If the word leads the faithful to safety, the lack of it leaves the soul exposed. The Savior warned that in the last days deception would grow so subtle that even the chosen would be in danger of being led astray. Our only sure defense is to be so grounded in His word that we are not deceived.
Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:37
“And whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived, for the Son of Man shall come, and he shall send his angels before him with the great sound of a trumpet…”
To “treasure up” the word is to store it in the heart against the day of need, as one lays up provisions for a coming storm. Those who have feasted are not blown about by every wind of doctrine; they know the voice of the Shepherd because they have lived in His word. The neglect of scripture is therefore no small thing — it leaves the soul defenseless in an age of deception.
The Power of the Word to Change the Heart
There is no greater testament to the power of scripture than its effect upon the human heart. Alma, facing the apostasy of the Zoramites, did not reach first for the sword or for the arm of the law. He reached for the word — for he knew, by experience, that nothing on earth changes a soul as the word of God does.
Alma 31:5
“And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just — yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them — therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.”
The sword can compel a body, but it cannot soften a heart. The word of God can do what no force, no fear, and no compulsion ever could: it can change the very desires of the soul, leading men and women freely to do that which is just. This is the “virtue of the word” — its quiet, transforming power to make new creatures of those who feast upon it.
So we are not commanded to search the scriptures merely to know more, but to become more. The word feeds the hungry soul, guides the perplexed mind, guards against deception, leads to the tree of life, and changes the heart from within. Let us, then, feast upon the words of Christ — not sparingly, but daily and joyfully — for in them is the very power of God unto our salvation.
