The Lord has brought forth more scripture through the Prophet Joseph Smith than through any other prophet, ancient or modern. His work in giving us the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and his inspired revision of the Bible (the Joseph Smith Translation) continues to bless our lives a century and a half after his ministry.
The Prophet was not only a restorer and revealer of scripture, but he was a serious student of scripture as well. For many years, studying the Bible was one of his major preoccupations. And he was successful in his efforts.The records of contemporary witnesses reveal that he learned the Bible so well that he could quote or paraphrase scores of passages without even looking at his text. His speeches were punctuated with biblical lessons and biblical examples, showing not only a knowledge of the Bible itself but also a profound understanding of its doctrines that far exceeded that of any other individual of his day.
The Prophet knew that a mastery of the scriptures cannot come without paying the price of serious study. For example, in his personal journals he often recorded his efforts to learn Hebrew so he could understand the Old Testament better. During the period in which he was engaged in his Hebrew study, it was one of the most compelling and urgent interests in his life, as his journal attests. (See Dean C. Jessee, The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, pp. 91-181.)
Three important results of Joseph Smith's Bible study are not well-known among Latter-day Saints but are very important nonetheless:
1. The Joseph Smith Translation - the Prophet's inspired revision of the Bible - is a direct result of several years of his study, pondering, prayer and inspiration. From this inspired enterprise we have "Selections from the Book of Moses" and "Joseph Smith - Matthew" in the Pearl of Great Price, and we have hundreds of other significant changes and additions, most of which are now included in the footnotes and appendix of the Church's 1979 publication of the King James Bible.
2. Several of the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants resulted from questions raised in the Prophet's mind while he was engaged in study and revision of the Bible. Sections 76, 77 and 91 are obvious examples, but likely there are many others.
3. To a great extent it was in the process of his inspired study of the Bible that the Prophet learned the gospel. And when he taught out of the Bible he passed his knowledge on to others. Based on his recorded sermons, a significant portion of his public and private teaching consisted in expounding on biblical passages. (See Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook, comp., The Words of Joseph Smith.) It was in these Bible-based sermons and teaching moments that he transmitted much of his revealed knowledge to those who in turn passed it on to later generations. We are, through this process, heirs to what was revealed to him.
The Prophet took the Bible very seriously, yet he was aware of its limitations and often pointed out problems that resulted through its transmission from the original sources. The following quotations are representative of his thoughts concerning this matter:
"Many important points touching the salvation of men had been taken from the Bible or lost before it was compiled." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 10.)
"There are many things in the Bible which do not, as they now stand, accord with the revelations of the Holy Ghost to me." (Teachings, p. 310.)
"I believe the Bible as it read when it came from the pen of the original writers. Ignorant translators, careless transcribers, or designing and corrupt priests have committed many errors." (Teachings, p. 327.) In this statement the Prophet identified three sources of inaccuracies caused by the transmission of the Bible. Those who have had the experience of trying to learn a new language can sympathize with "ignorant translators," as can those who type or take notes with "careless transcribers." Only the errors introduced by "designing and corrupt priests" were done with evil intent.
The eighth Article of Faith provides a succinct summary: "We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly."
Based on these quotations, it appears that "translated" includes the whole process of translation - from revelation received by the original ancient prophets, through generations of manuscript copies, to publication in modern translations.
While Joseph Smith was frank to point out limitations in the Bible and spent much of his life restoring precious truths that God had revealed to its ancient authors, still his love for it never wavered. He viewed his study of the Bible as a significant part of his prophetic calling, and he taught from the Bible not only with power but also with conviction and affection. This remark summarizes his feeling and should serve as a challenge to all students of the Bible today:
"He who reads it oftenest will like it best." (Teachings, p. 56.)