Category: Bible Translation
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A Guide to the Modern Translations Recommended by the LDS Church
In Decmeber 2019, the LDS Church declared that it would be profitable for its members to read modern translations of the Bible. Which versions? And what are the differences? Let’s talk a look at the possibilities of reading an easier-to-understand version of the Bible and help you see some of the strengths and weaknesses.
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Church Handbook Encourages Members To Read Several Modern English Translations
The leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have decided to encourage their members to read modern translations of the Bible in addition to the official King James Version (KJV). The change to the “General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” was announced on December 16, 2025…
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Top English Bibles you May Want to Consider Reading
When it comes to Bible translations, it can be a very daunting task to choose one to read because there are so many. In the article attached here, Christian scholar Rob Bowman covers 25 of his favorite Bibles and provides some ideas when choosing the right one for you!
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Why a Modern Translation of the Bible Can Be Beneficial
Officially The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints encourages its members to use the King James Version of the Bible (KJV). While the KJV was a fine version for its time, it can be difficult for modern English-speakers to understand many parts of what the translation is saying. Many readers skim over the archaic…
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What if the Bible Was Translated Correctly After All?
The eighth of Mormonism’s thirteen Articles of Faith found at the end of the Pearl of Great Price says, “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.” In other words, Mormons are taught to accept…
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Should I Stick With the King James Version of the Bible?
Should I stick with the King James Version of the Bible? By Eric Johnson
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The Joseph Smith Translation: An Improvement Over the Original? Or ‘Much Ado About Nothing’?
An article published in the April 2014 Ensign (“The Atonement of Jesus Christ: Insights from The Joseph Smith Translation,” written on pages 52-57, with no attribution to its authorship) explains that “Joseph Smith’s translation of the Bible enhances our understanding of the Savior’s suffering, death, and Resurrection.” To prove this point, the article covers five different events…
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Why Are There So Many Translations of the Bible?
Why are there so many Translations of the Bible?By Eric Johnson
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The Inspired Version: Why Isn’t It Officially Used Today?
According to Mormonism history, Joseph Smith was commanded by God to make a new translation of the Bible. Then, a few years later, these compiled changes were finished in 1833. While Mormon leaders continually cite from Smith’s work, the Joseph Smith Translation (or Inspired Version) is not officially used by the church. Instead, the King…
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King James Version of the Bible (Defined)
King James Version of the Bible. The official Bible version of the LDS Church. Although official Mormon sources also utilize the Joseph Smith Translation, or the Inspired Version, the church does not own the copyright and does not use this as its official version.For more information, see Joseph Smith Translation and the Bible.
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Ignorant Translators Commit Many Errors
Christian apologist Rob Bowman at the Institute for Religious Research’s Mormons in Transition web site has published a nine-page study of The Book of Hebrews and the Joseph Smith Translation. Mr. Bowman maintains, “My argument here is simple: a comparison of the JST [Joseph Smith Translation] to the KJV [King James Version of the Bible]…