The 5 Books of Moses is a compilation of sacred text within the Latter-day Saint faith. These excerpts primarily focus on the creation, genealogy, and early history of mankind, emphasizing the importance of God’s covenants and the teachings of righteous figures like Adam, Enoch, and Noah. The text also details the establishment of the Priesthood and the significance of sacrifice and obedience in achieving salvation. It further outlines God’s promises to his people and the consequences of disobeying his commandments, while concluding with Moses’ blessings upon the children of Israel before his death.
Read the Joseph Smith Translation (JST), or Inspired Version (IV) of the Bible here.
Watch our video discussing these scriptures here.
Joseph Smith’s translation of the Bible, the JST or IV, was a revelatory process that resulted in significant additions and revisions to the text of the King James Version.These changes impacted the development of Mormon doctrine in several key ways:
- Doctrinal Insights: Many changes made in the JST/IV provided new doctrinal insights. These were either added as expansions to existing text or as clarifications to existing scripture.
- Revelations: Smith stated that he received many revelations pertinent to himself, his associates, and the early Latter Day Saint church while working on the JST/IV. Roughly half of the revelations contained in the Doctrine and Covenants, a book of scripture in the Latter Day Saint movement, are related to the JST/IV translation process in some way.
- Book of Moses: One of the most significant additions is the Book of Moses in the Latter-day Saint canon, which comprises the first chapters of the JST/IV. This book contains an expanded account of Moses’s visions and revelations, including teachings about the Creation, the Fall of Adam and Eve, and the pre-mortal existence.
- Genesis: The Book of Genesis also underwent extensive revision, particularly in the first 24 chapters. These changes provided a more detailed account of the patriarchs and introduced new doctrines related to the plan of salvation and the nature of God.
- Priesthood: Several revelations connected to the JST/IV, like Latter-day Saints D&C sections 84, 88, and 107, centered on priesthood. These sections clarified the organization and authority of the priesthood and introduced the concept of different degrees of glory.
- Temple Theology: The source posits that the amount of changes made to Genesis may be related to the introduction of early temple doctrine to Joseph Smith, as he was working on the JST/IV around the same time.
The JST/IV, through its additions, revisions, and the revelations received during its translation, played a crucial role in shaping the distinctive doctrines of Mormonism. It provided a scriptural foundation for beliefs and practices that set Mormonism apart from other Christian traditions.
