The Mormons (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) use the King James Bible as the official version of the Bible in English. However, they do have their own version of it. While the text is the same, there are a few special additions in the form of footnotes, summaries, a Bible Dictionary and other tools that help Mormons study the Bible. These tools are also valuable to non-Mormons who want to understand how Mormons view the Bible.
One such tool is the Bible Dictionary. The LDS , which is found in the LDS version of the Bible includes the usual definitions of Biblical terms, but it also refers to related scriptures and teachings from additional LDS scriptures, and from Joseph Smith. While it’s not considered official in any way, it is a helpful tool for getting a basic understanding of how Mormons see the writings of the Bible.
The dictionary includes a chronology of the Old Testament, which can help you to understand when things happened and who was or was not alive at any given time. Was Noah around to see the Tower of Babel? The chronology can help you figure it out.
There is also a harmony of the Gospels, giving students the location of each event and where it’s recorded in each of the four gospels. Additionally, it offers a link to any additional insights given in LDS modern revelation. If you’re trying to track down what Mormons say about the birth of the Savior and compare it to the information in the gospels, this chart will help you to compile that information.
You can visit the Bible Dictionary online. Go there now, and let’s explore a few entries. First, click on F, and then on Family. As you’re reading the Bible, you remember that Mormons are very family oriented. You wonder if they have anything to say about the scripture you’re reading, which is Genesis 18. As you read this entry, you might be startled to see a reference to a scripture in the Book of Moses. There’s no book of Moses in the Bible! You’re right, but the Mormons have a book of Moses in their scriptures. Aren’t you anxious to know what Moses has to say? Click on the link and find out.
As you study the rest of the entry, you’ll learn the LDS view of family life and be led to many Biblical scriptures that demonstrate God’s plans for families, and His instructions for good family life. You’ll also be able to explore a few LDS-specific scriptures on the subject. Below the explanation is a button that says, “Show references.” Clicking this gives you the text of each scripture referred to in the dictionary entry, with hyperlinks to the original scripture so you can study the context. This is a very convenient way to study the LDS Bible without needing to buy one.
The entire “Mormon Bible” is online for you to read, free and without registration of any kind. Simply follow the hyperlink above and decide where you want to start reading. If you hover over the footnoted words, you’ll be led to further references that can help you deepen your understanding of the Bible and of LDS teachings.
The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.
