Questions

[LittleWyvern]

I understand the LDS canon includes the KJV (only KJV?) Bible, along with the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenant, and the Pearl of Great Price? Is this correct?

It's an open canon, but yes, that is what is in our canon so far. You can search through any of our books of scriptures over here if you're interested. :)

[Maxel]

LittleWyvern hit the nail on the head with his remarks about open canon- I also recommend the site he linked if you ever wish to peruse our scriptures.

In addition to the KJV bible (and the only bible officially used by the Church is the KJV) we have excerpts from what's called the 'Joseph Smith Translation' (hereafter JST) of the Bible, or the 'Inspired Version'. In his lifetime, Joseph Smith read the Bible with the intent of clarifying points of doctrine found within, adding new prophetic insight, and correcting mistakes or malicious injuries made to the text of the Bible made over the years by careless (or evil-minded) scribes and translators. Usually, if a verse from the KJV Bible reads differently in the JST version, there's a footnote indicating so, and the JST version reading at the bottom of the page. Occasionally, a section of the JST is so long that it has been put into a specific 'JST' appendix at the back of the Bible.

I should note here that all LDS use an LDS-specific printing of the Bible that includes footnotes containing references to LDS scripture, explanation of meaning, and referrals to the various appendices found in the LDS scriptures. It is unique in that, when reading the Book of Mormon, if one follows a footnote they may well find themselves referred to a Bible passage related to the one from the BoM.

One side note: Joseph Smith's translation of the Bible is not a 'translation' in the common sense: the word 'translation' in the title comes from another of its meanings common in the 19th century but obsolete now. The word used to mean 'clarification' as well.

[The_Branch]

All good to know. I tend to use the NIV, because it is the most common among Protestant churches, but I also really like the NASB. I don't have my KJV Bible accesible at the moment, since I just moved, so it's likely that any references I make will come from NIV or NASB. If there are significant or key differences or nuances of meaning in the KJV, feel free to point them out. As to readings in the Mormon canon, anyone have some suggested starting points? Any particularly important or influential sections or books? As I mentioned, just jumping in, not having a lot of direction, can be overwhelming.

[jolee65]

Its sounding like a 'you dont believe in christ thread again'.

[LittleWyvern]

All good to know. I tend to use the NIV, because it is the most common among Protestant churches, but I also really like the NASB. I don't have my KJV Bible accesible at the moment, since I just moved, so it's likely that any references I make will come from NIV or NASB. If there are significant or key differences or nuances of meaning in the KJV, feel free to point them out.

You're free to use whatever you feel comfortable with. I've never read any of these translations, but if there's something completely different in any scriptures you quote I'll let you know. :)

As to readings in the Mormon canon, anyone have some suggested starting points? Any particularly important or influential sections or books? As I mentioned, just jumping in, not having a lot of direction, can be overwhelming.

Hm... that's a good question, and I have two suggestions. First, my favorite part of the Book of Mormon is when Jesus visits the Nephites. This event runs from 3 Nephi chapter 8 to 4 Nephi chapter 1. Another suggestion is the first part of the Book of Mormon, which runs from 1 Nephi through Omni, which focuses more on doctrine. If that's too big of a block I'd just start with 1 Nephi and move forward from there as you feel comfortable. If there's anything specific you want to learn about first, let me know and I'll suggest a good place to start.

[The_Branch]

Its sounding like a 'you dont believe in christ thread again'.

I don't understand. Could you elaborate?

You're free to use whatever you feel comfortable with. I've never read any of these translations, but if there's something completely different in any scriptures you quote I'll let you know. :)

Hm... that's a good question, and I have two suggestions. First, my favorite part of the Book of Mormon is when Jesus visits the Nephites. This event runs from 3 Nephi chapter 8 to 4 Nephi chapter 1. Another suggestion is the first part of the Book of Mormon, which runs from 1 Nephi through Omni, which focuses more on doctrine. If that's too big of a block I'd just start with 1 Nephi and move forward from there as you feel comfortable. If there's anything specific you want to learn about first, let me know and I'll suggest a good place to start.

Thank you for the suggestions. I'll look into those. I'm mostly just looking for kinda the basics. For example, if a non-christian apporached me, asking what to read first in the Bible, I'd likely recommend Matthew, since it's one of the more accesible gospels, and Luke and Acts, since they tell a continuous narrative of Christ's life and the formation of the early church. And as I mentioned previously, I'd started trying to read some Mormon scripture when I was in college, but as it was my freshman year, and I had a lot of adjusting to do otherwise, jumping into a completely unfamiliar theological tradition was a bit of a stretch then. I'll see if I can find my Book of Mormon, since I like to read things in book form rather than electronically, and look those up here soon. Any other suggestions, I'm open to, although it may take me a while to get through those already suggested.

[Iggy]

If anyone has other thoughts on this, feel free to comment, but I'd like to move on to another of my questions.

It would be better if you would start a new thread for each of your new questions. That way the questions can each be addressed thoroughly and none would get lost in all of the replys.

[Hemidakota]

First off, any mods, if this is not in the appropriate section, could you please move it? I wasn't sure where to go with this.

Secondly, let me explain why I'm here. I'll be as honest as I can. I am not a troll, promise (I'm aware you've had your share of those lately), and I'm not here spoiling for a fight. I am a protestant believer in Jesus Christ, born and rasied in Baptist churches. I am not considering switching to LDS. Let me be upfront about that. If that's an issue, I understand, and will happily go about my own way.

However, I am somewhat curious about your faith. One of the youth workers in my church growing up had been raised in a Mormon home, and a very good friend of mine in high school, and for a few years after, was a Mormon. This is what initially piqued my interest, and in college, I obtained a Book of Mormon and began reading parts of it. However, I quickly got bogged down. I think part of my interest stems from the fact that there is so much misinformation about the LDS faith in particular, sorting truth from half-truth becomes difficult for one such as me, not raised in the culture of the Mormon church.

All of that said, I found my way to this particular site tonight because I participate in another forum with a visitor you've had recently, Jono. I know he caused some trouble, and I don't blame any flared tempers for that. He was looking to rock the boat. I'm not. I told you I'd be honest, and if my association with him causes you to not want to reply to me, again, I understand. He posted a link here, and I thought this might be a good place to go for some honest discussion. (I've recently discovered online forums... great way to talk to actual people!)

Now, my real purpose. I'm wondering if there are people on here who can talk civily (not a veiled jab, really) and to whom I can bring some of the lingering questions I've had. I'm really not trying to cause problems, because, while I do not believe a lot of the things many of you do, the important thing is Christ. I take the attitude of Paul in the New Testament saying "let each one be convinced in his own mind and live at peace with the brothers." So. If anyone would like to talk, or if I can shoot some questions out there, PM me or reply to this thread I suppose.

Welcome to the forum...