PROVO, Utah -- The Bible has lost significant details important to the Plan of Salvation, said Brian L. Smith during the 28th annual Sidney B. Sperry Symposium Nov. 12.
For example, said Brother Smith, a Church Educational System instructor, there are no references to the Holy Ghost in the Old Testament and only three references to Satan in the Old Testament (found in 1 Chronicles, Job and Psalms)."Are we to believe that for 4,000 years of biblical history neither the Holy Ghost nor the devil influenced anyone?" he asked. "Latter-day Saints know that the Holy Ghost inspired worthy saints anciently and continues to do so in modern times. We know through modern scripture that Satan has tempted man through all dispensations. Yet, a significant part of the biblical text seems to ignore them."
Brother Smith noted that Church members learn from Nephi that the modification of scripture was incremental. He added that because of the changes made in the Bible, many of the covenants of the Lord have been ignored or lost.
"Once the understanding of gospel principles was lost and the covenants lost their sacred meanings, scribes sought to clarify, expand or delete some part of the text," he explained. "The original meanings were lost and scribes' opinions were substituted in place of correct doctrines."
Brother Smith said many plain and precious truths from early times have been restored and can be found today. The Book of Mormon, translated by Joseph Smith, is the most doctrinally correct book on earth, he said.
"Other scripture revealed to the prophet, including the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price and the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, also restore lost truths of the gospel. Each of these texts is a witness of Christ."