Let Your Time Be Devoted to the Studying of the Scriptures

I recently listened to a discussion of the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, and the presenter Anthony Sweat discussed how frequently this translation was mentioned in the revelations of the Doctrine and Covenants. Joseph began his work in the summer of 1830 shortly after the Book of Mormon was published and the church was organized. The Lord told Joseph this in July: “And thou shalt continue in calling upon God in my name, and writing the things which shall be given thee by the Comforter, and expounding all scriptures unto the church” (Doctrine and Covenants 24:5). This likely was an allusion to the work of the translation of the Bible that Joseph was called to bring forth. Later that year a revelation to Sidney Rigdon said this: “And a commandment I give unto thee—that thou shalt write for him; and the scriptures shall be given, even as they are in mine own bosom, to the salvation of mine own elect” (Doctrine and Covenants 35:20). Sidney was to be a scribe in this translation process of the Bible as Joseph brought forth the Lord’s word. The Lord again mentioned the project as He commanded Joseph to head to Ohio with the Saints: “Behold, I say unto you that it is not expedient in me that ye should translate any more until ye shall go to the Ohio, and this because of the enemy and for your sakes” (Doctrine and Covenants 37:1). As soon as He was in Ohio, the Lord immediately emphasized the need for Joseph to continue the translation: “And again, it is meet that my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., should have a house built, in which to live and translate” (Doctrine and Covenants 41:7). Clearly it was at the top of the Lord’s list for things He wanted the Prophet Joseph to do.

               A few other passages similarly refer to the Lord’s command that Joseph translate the Bible. In a revelation relating to events of the last days, the Lord said this: “And now, behold, I say unto you, it shall not be given unto you to know any further concerning this chapter, until the New Testament be translated, and in it all these things shall be made known; Wherefore I give unto you that ye may now translate it, that ye may be prepared for the things to come” (Doctrine and Covenants 45:60-61). This is when Joseph switched to working on the New Testament. The Lord referred to the need for His prophet to continue the work of translation in another revelation early in 1832: “Now, verily I say unto you my servants, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon, saith the Lord, it is expedient to translate again; And, inasmuch as it is practicable, to preach in the regions round about until conference; and after that it is expedient to continue the work of translation until it be finished” (Doctrine and Covenants 73:3-4). The work of translating the Bible was as important as preaching the gospel itself. The Lord expressed an urgency again in another revelation the next year: “And, verily I say unto you, that it is my will that you should hasten to translate my scriptures, and to obtain a knowledge of history, and of countries, and of kingdoms, of laws of God and man, and all this for the salvation of Zion” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:53). All of these passages highlight the Lord’s interest in bringing forth scriptures to His Saints and the need for us to spend time with and understand His word. If it was that important for Joseph to spend the first three years studying the Bible and bringing forth inspired corrections, clarifications, and additions—after having already spent so much time bringing us the Book of Mormon—then it must imperative for us likewise to devote significant time to the study of the scriptures. At the beginning of the translation process the Lord had given this commandment to Joseph: “Behold, I say unto you that you shall let your time be devoted to the studying of the scriptures” (Doctrine and Covenants 26:1). Surely that directive is meant to similarly guide our lives no matter how busy we are with other things.