With other Christians, we affirm the Bible as the foundational scripture for the church. Eightĭisciples are called to grow in their knowledge and understanding of the scriptures so that they may ever increase in love for God, neighbor, and self (Matthew 22:37–40 Mosiah 1:49), uphold the dignity and worth of all persons (Doctrine and Covenants 16:3c–d), and faithfully follow the way of Jesus Christ. By the Spirit, the ancient words of scripture can become revelatory, allowing us to grasp what may not have been seen or heard before.
Jesus promised that the Spirit would guide his disciples into new truth (John 16:12–15). SevenĪs the church tries to interpret scripture responsibly, it seeks the help of the Holy Spirit. In wrestling to hear and respond to the witness of scripture, the church must value the light that each of these sources may offer. Sixįaith, experience, tradition, and scholarship each have something to contribute to our understanding of scripture. For these purposes, scripture is unfailingly reliable (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Rather, generations of Christians have found scripture simply to be trustworthy in keeping them anchored in revelation, in promoting faith in Christ, and in nurturing the life of discipleship. Scripture makes no such claim for itself.
Scripture is vital and essential to the church, but not because it is inerrant (in the sense that every detail is historically or scientifically correct). If Jesus came to serve, how much more should the books that point to him be treated as a servant of the saving purposes of God. Therefore, the authority of scripture is not the authority to oppress, control, or dominate. Scripture’s authority is derived from the model of Christ, who came to be a servant (Mark 10:45). In the earthen vessels of scripture we have been given the treasure of divine love and grace (2 Corinthians 4:7). God’s revelation through scripture does not come to us apart from the humanity of the writers, but in and through that humanity. These books were written in diverse times and places, and reflect the languages, cultures, and conditions under which they were written. Scripture is a library of books that speaks in many voices.
The church formed the canon of scripture so that it might always have a way to hear the good news, nurture its faith, measure its life, test its experience, and remember its identity. Scripture is the indispensable witness of the saving, transforming message that God has entrusted to the church. We find the Living Word in and through scripture. It is Christ whom we must hear (Mark 9:7). It is through Christ that we have life (John 5:39–40). We declare that Jesus Christ-who lived, was crucified, was raised from the dead, and comes again-is the Living Word of God. Its witness guides us to eternal life and enables us to grow spiritually, to transform our lives, and to participate actively in the life and ministry of the church. Scripture helps us believe in Jesus Christ. Scripture provides divine guidance and inspired insight for life when responsibly interpreted and faithfully applied.
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