The leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints leadership 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 in a Newsroom article titled “New Guidance on Bible Translations for Latter-day Saints.” Source
Stilll, the KJV is not going away as the official version, which a church manual makes clear is the official version: “Because the Bible has been translated many times, it is printed in different versions. In English, the King James Version of the Bible is accepted as scripture by the Church” (True to the Faith: A Gospel Reference, 2004, 157).
The handbook agrees, saying that “generally, members should use a preferred or Church-published edition of the Bible in Church classes and meetings.” But the article goes on to state, “The adjusted handbook section also points to examples of English Bible translations that members can consider as they seek to better understand the teachings of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament.”
Of course, the best way to understand the exact meaning of the biblical text would be to master both Hebrew and Koine Greek, the main languages of both the Old and New Testaments. But, for many, learning these languages is not likley, so reading a more understandable English translation is a definite step in the right direction.
Apostle Dale G. Renlund, who chairs the LDS Church’s Scriptures Committee, said that the KJV is “beautiful and powerful.” However, because it was first published in 1611 and modified several times until the current version was finished in the 1769 version currently is used by the LDS Church, it use of the antiquated Elizabethan English can be difficult to understand.
Perhaps many Latter-day Saints had never before considered using a modern translation produced by Protestant scholars. Seventy Jörg Klebingat, a member of the Scriptures Committee, said this should not be considered a problem at all:
There’s a misconception that modern translations of the Bible are less than faithful to the ancient sources — that in modernizing the language, translators have compromised or dumbed down the doctrine. In many cases, that simply isn’t true. Modern translators often have access to manuscripts that were not available to early translators. And most modern translations were produced by faithful scholars and linguists who are utterly convinced that the Bible is the word of God. The simplified language they use supports — rather than compromises — understanding of the doctrine of Jesus Christ.
As Evangelical Christians, we agree with this assessment that is the impetus for the change to the church’s handbook. Added Tamara W. Runia, the First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency:
We can all benefit from translations made by our Christian brothers and sisters to enhance our study and faith as disciples of Christ. Our hope is that everyone will feel welcome and respected, no matter the translation they connect with and choose to use. What matters most is how the scriptures speak to our spirits and draw us closer to God as we read every day.
The article provided several testimonials of members who claimed that they were better able to comprehend their Bible reading through modern translations. It only makes sense that the Bible can have the power it is intended to have when it is put into words and sentences that makes sense to the reader.
List of approved modern translations
The church provided a list of six modern translations, though the article did say this list is not necessarily complete. The recommended translations are:
Ages 14 and Above
English Standard Version (ESV)
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Ages 11–13
New International Version (NIV)
New Living Translation (NLT)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Ages 8 and Above
New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)
A new policy?
The article stated that “using multiple translations of the Bible is not new for the Church.” But is this case?
First, I should make it clear that just because the LDS Church never previously suggested reading modern translations, this doesn’t mean that members weren’t already using these in their personal study. This is not the point. Members will do whatever they want to do. The point is that the church has never before approved of the use of these other translations outside the KJV.
While what he said might not be considered “official” in any sense, Apostle Bruce R. McConkie crticially disapporved of modern translations:
What of the Other Translations of the World? In answer we say: Forget them; they are of so little value that it is almost a waste of time to delve into them. We take a liberal view to even rate them as one on our scale. They are not binding upon us, and in general they simply set forth the religious predilections of their translator. Some, for instance, have Christ born of a young woman rather than a virgin. There may be an occasional instance in which one of these alien translations throws some light on a particular point; they are not all bad; but there are so many things to study and learn that I question the wisdom of treasuring up the translation views of the wise and the learned who really have nothing in the inspired sense to contribute to an understanding of eternal truth (Sermons and Writings of Bruce R. McConkie, 1989, 288. Ellipsis mine).
In 1992, the First Presidency agreed that modern translations were not helpful in understanding “latter-day revelation” and encouraged the sole use of the KJV. Their statement read,
Many versions of the Bible are available today. Unfortunately, no original manuscripts of any portion of the Bible are available for comparison to determine the most accurate version. However, the Lord has revealed clearly the doctrines of the gospel in these latter days. The most reliable way to measure the accuracy of any biblical passage is not by comparing different texts, but by comparison with the Book of Mormon and modern-day revelations. While other Bible versions may be easier to read than the King James Version, in doctrinal matters latter-day revelation supports the King James Version in preference to other English translations. All of the Presidents of the Church, beginning with the Prophet Joseph Smith, have supported the King James Version by encouraging its continued use in the Church. In light of all the above, it is the English language Bible used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Ezra Taft Benson, Gordon B. Hinckley, and Thomas S. Monson, “Letter Reaffirms use of King James Version Bible,” LDS Church News, June 20, 1992, 3).
Two decades later the official church magazine concurred when it explained,
Today, English-speaking Church members use the Latter-day Saint edition of the King James Version of the Bible. Based on the doctrinal clarity of latter-day revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Church has held to the King James Version as being doctrinally more accurate than recent versions (“Joseph Smith and the King James Bible,” Ensign, August 2011, 45).
I could find nothing in any church publication or general conference talk that ever encouraged members to use a modern translation of the Bible. Consider the title of the article in Newsroom: “New guidance…” Obviously, the church’s encouraging the use of the modern Bible translations is “new”!
What about the Inspired Version of the Bible?
Many Latter-day Saints know that Joseph Smith used a copy of the KJV to make revisions in what is called the “Inspired Version,” also known as the “Joseph Smith Translation.” It was completed in July 1833 (HOC 1:368) and, for some, is considered to be a better translation of the Bible.
For instance, Apostle Bruce R. McConkie claimed the following, with his words actually being cited in a church seminary manual:
The Joseph Smith Translation, or Inspired Version, is a thousand times over the best Bible now existing on earth. It contains all that the King James Version does, plus pages of additions and corrections and an occasional deletion. It was made by the spirit of revelation, and the changes and additions are the equivalent of the revealed word in the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants (Sermons and Writings of Bruce R. McConkie, 1989, 289. See also Teaching Seminary: Preservice Readings. Religion 370, 471, and 475, 2004, 128-129).
LDS theologian Joseph Fielding McConkie felt the same way:
The Joseph Smith Translation is the most complete and perfect Bible translation ever known to the world. It contains thousands of additions to and clarifications of the King James Version. Many of the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants came as the Prophet labored over difficulties presented by Old and New Testament texts (Answers: Straightforward Answers to Tough Gospel Questions, 1998, 203-204).
Needless to say, those who wrote the Handbook had the perfect opportunity to tout Smith’s version. Somehow “the most complete and perfect Bible translation ever known to the world” was completely ignored in this announcement. Perhaps this “version” is not what some have built it up to be.
Conclusion
Make no mistake that we at MRM have no animosity against the KJV. For its time especially, it was a wonderful translation. But, for practical purposes, the archaic language used in the 1769 version is too difficult for most modern readers to understand. We applaud the move by the LDS Church to encourage its members to read good modern translations of God’s Word.
As Christians, we ought to encourage our LDS friends and neighbors to read the Bible for themselves in a translation that does not involve the use of “thees” and “thous” as well as words that are no longer used by most 21st century people.
In fact, if you are a Christian believer, why not buy a modern version of the Bible and hand it to your LDS friend? After all, the church is now encouraging them to read something other than the KJV! Provide the opportunity for them to actually own a copy.
An entire Reformation took place more than five centuries ago once Christians began to read the Bible for themselves. Making it possible for church members to better understand what God’s Word says is something we can celebrate!