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{{short description|Part of the canonical standard works of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}
{{Short description|Book of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}
{{Faith primary|date=November 2016}}
{{Faith primary|date=November 2016}}
{{Infobox religious text
| religion = [[Latter Day Saint movement]]
| image = Latter-day Saint Scripture Quadruple Combination.jpg
| size = 50 px
| alt = Pearl of Great Price
| language = English
| chapters = *[[Book of Moses]]
*[[Book of Abraham]]
*[[Joseph Smith–Matthew]]
*[[Joseph Smith–History]]
*[[Articles of Faith (Latter Day Saints)]]
| caption = The Pearl of Great Price is one of the four books composing the [[Standard Works]] of the [[LDS Church]].
| period = 19th century
| verses =
| wikisource1 = Pearl of Great Price (1851)
| wikisource2 = The Pearl of Great Price (1913)
}}


[[File:Latter-day Saint Scripture Quadruple Combination.jpg|right|thumb|150 px|The Pearl of Great Price is one of the four books composing the [[Standard Works]] of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]
The '''Pearl of Great Price''' is part of the canonical [[Standard Works]] of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church) and some other [[Latter Day Saint]] denominations.

The '''Pearl of Great Price''' is part of the canonical [[Standard Works|standard works]] of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church) and some other [[Latter Day Saint]] denominations.


The first paragraph of the Introductory Note in the LDS edition of the Pearl of Great Price states: "The Pearl of Great Price is a selection of choice materials touching many significant aspects of the faith and doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These items were produced by [[Joseph Smith]] and were published in the Church periodicals of his day."
The first paragraph of the Introductory Note in the LDS Church edition of the Pearl of Great Price states: "The Pearl of Great Price is a selection of choice materials touching many significant aspects of the faith and doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These items were produced by [[Joseph Smith]] and were published in the Church periodicals of his day."


The name of the book is derived from the [[Parable of the Pearl]] told by Jesus in [[Matthew 13]].<ref>Matthew 13:45–46 (KJV): "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it."</ref>
The name of the book is derived from the [[Parable of the Pearl]] told by Jesus in [[Matthew 13]].<ref>{{bibleverse|Matthew|13:45–46|KJV}} (KJV): "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it."</ref>


A copy of the Pearl of Great Price owned by NASA photographer M. Edward Thomas's wife Ruth C. Thomas traveled to the Moon and back in 1972 with astronaut [[John Young (astronaut)|John Young]] aboard [[Apollo 16]].<ref>Stephenson, Kathy. [https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2019/10/02/book-mormon-that-traveled/ "Book of Mormon that traveled to the moon makes a Utah landing"], ''[[The Salt Lake Tribune]]'', 2 October 2019. Retrieved on 26 March 2020.</ref><ref>"[https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/faith/book-of-mormon-that-traveled-in-astronaut-s-pant-leg/article_77eec2e8-b7f2-546f-9127-835987faf3c7.html Book of Mormon that traveled in astronaut's pant leg to the moon on display Friday in Provo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101011732/https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/faith/book-of-mormon-that-traveled-in-astronaut-s-pant-leg/article_77eec2e8-b7f2-546f-9127-835987faf3c7.html |date=2019-11-01 }}" by Genelle Pugmire. ''Daily Herald''. October 2, 2019. Accessed April 7, 2021.</ref>
A copy of the Pearl of Great Price owned by NASA photographer M. Edward Thomas's wife Ruth C. Thomas traveled to the Moon and back in 1972 with astronaut [[John Young (astronaut)|John Young]] aboard [[Apollo 16]].<ref>Stephenson, Kathy. [https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2019/10/02/book-mormon-that-traveled/ "Book of Mormon that traveled to the moon makes a Utah landing"], ''[[The Salt Lake Tribune]]'', 2 October 2019. Retrieved on 26 March 2020.</ref><ref>"[https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/faith/book-of-mormon-that-traveled-in-astronaut-s-pant-leg/article_77eec2e8-b7f2-546f-9127-835987faf3c7.html Book of Mormon that traveled in astronaut's pant leg to the moon on display Friday in Provo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101011732/https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/faith/book-of-mormon-that-traveled-in-astronaut-s-pant-leg/article_77eec2e8-b7f2-546f-9127-835987faf3c7.html |date=2019-11-01 }}" by Genelle Pugmire. ''Daily Herald''. October 2, 2019. Accessed April 7, 2021.</ref>


==Contents==
==Contents==
{{Pearl of Great Price}}
The Pearl of Great Price contains five sections:
The Pearl of Great Price contains five sections:


===Book of Moses===
===Book of Moses===
{{Main|Book of Moses}}
{{Main|Book of Moses}}
The Book of Moses begins with the "Visions of Moses," a prologue to the story of [[Genesis creation narrative|the creation]] and the [[fall of man]] (Moses chapter 1), and continues with material corresponding to [[Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible|Smith's revision]] (JST) of the first six chapters of the [[Book of Genesis]] (Moses chapters 2–5, 8), interrupted by two chapters of "extracts from the prophecy of Enoch" (Moses chapters 6–7). Portions of the Book of Moses were originally published separately by the LDS Church in 1851, but later combined and published as the Book of Moses in the Pearl of Great Price. The same material is published by the [[Community of Christ]] as parts of its [[Doctrine and Covenants]] and [[Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible|Inspired Version of the Bible]].
The Book of Moses begins with the "Visions of Moses", a prologue to the story of [[Genesis creation narrative|the creation]] and the [[fall of man]] (Moses chapter 1), and continues with material corresponding to [[Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible|Smith's revision]] (JST) of the first six chapters of the [[Book of Genesis]] (Moses chapters 2–5, 8), interrupted by two chapters of "extracts from the prophecy of [[Enoch]]" (Moses chapters 6–7). Portions of the Book of Moses were originally published separately by the LDS Church in 1851, but later combined and published as the Book of Moses in the Pearl of Great Price. The same material is published by the [[Community of Christ]] as parts of its [[Doctrine and Covenants]] and [[Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible|Inspired Version of the Bible]].


===Book of Abraham===
===Book of Abraham===
⚫
[[File:Abraham Facsimile 1 1851 Denoised.png|right|thumb|150 px|Facsimile Number 1 from the Book of Abraham: an alternate woodcut which was printed in the 1851 edition of the Pearl of Great Price.]]
{{Main|Book of Abraham|Critical appraisal of the Book of Abraham}}
{{Main|Book of Abraham|Critical appraisal of the Book of Abraham}}
⚫
[[File:Abraham Facsimile 1 1851 Denoised.png|right|thumb|upright=0.7|Facsimile Number 1 from the Book of Abraham: an alternate woodcut which was printed in the 1851 edition of the Pearl of Great Price]]
The Book of Abraham is an 1835 work produced by [[Joseph Smith]]<ref name=autogenerated8>{{Harvnb|Gee|2000|pp=4–6}}</ref> that he said was based on Egyptian [[papyrus|papyri]] purchased from a traveling [[mummy]] exhibition. According to Smith, the book was "a translation of some ancient records ... purporting to be the writings of [[Abraham]], while he was in Egypt, called the Book of Abraham, written by his own hand, upon [[papyri|papyrus]]".<ref>{{Harvnb|Smith|1842|p=704}}</ref> The text that Smith produced describes a story of Abraham's early life, including a vision of the [[cosmos]].
The Book of Abraham is an 1835 work produced by [[Joseph Smith]]<ref name=autogenerated8>{{Harvnb|Gee|2000|pp=4–6}}</ref> who said it was based on Egyptian [[papyrus|papyri]] purchased from a traveling [[mummy]] exhibition. According to Smith, the book was "a translation of some ancient records... purporting to be the writings of [[Abraham]], while he was in Egypt, called the Book of Abraham, written by his own hand, upon papyrus".{{Sfn |Smith|1842 |p= 704}} The text that Smith produced describes a story of Abraham's early life, including a vision of the [[cosmos]].


The Book of Abraham was [[biblical canon|canonized]] in 1880 by the LDS Church as part of the Pearl of Great Price.<ref name=autogenerated8 /> Thus, it forms a doctrinal foundation for the LDS Church and [[Mormon fundamentalism|Mormon fundamentalist]] denominations of the [[Latter Day Saint movement]]. It is not considered to be a [[religious text]] by the [[Community of Christ]]. Other sects in the [[Latter Day Saint movement]] have various opinions regarding the Book of Abraham, with some rejecting and some accepting the text as inspired scripture. The book contains several doctrines that are distinct to [[Mormonism]], such as the concept of God organizing eternal, pre-existing elements to create the universe instead of creating it ''[[ex nihilo]]''.
The Book of Abraham was [[biblical canon|canonized]] in 1880 by the LDS Church as part of the Pearl of Great Price.<ref name= autogenerated8 /> Thus, it forms a doctrinal foundation for the LDS Church and [[Mormon fundamentalism|Mormon fundamentalist]] denominations of the [[Latter Day Saint movement]]. It is not considered to be a [[religious text]] by the [[Community of Christ]]. Other sects in the [[Latter Day Saint movement]] have various opinions regarding the Book of Abraham, with some rejecting and some accepting the text as inspired scripture. The book contains several doctrines that are distinct to [[Mormonism]], such as the concept of God organizing eternal, pre-existing elements to create the universe instead of creating it ''[[ex nihilo]]''.


The Book of Abraham papyri were thought lost in the 1871 [[Great Chicago Fire]]. However, in 1966, several fragments of the papyri were found in the archives of the [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]] in New York, and in the LDS Church archives. They are now referred to as the [[Joseph Smith Papyri]]. Upon examination by professional Mormon and non-Mormon Egyptologists, these fragments were found to bear no resemblance to Smith's interpretation, and were identified as common [[Ancient Egyptian Funerary Texts|Egyptian funerary texts]], dating to about the first century BC. As a result, the Book of Abraham has been the source of significant controversy, with [[Critical appraisal of the Book of Abraham|criticism from Egyptologists]] and [[Mormon apologetics|Mormon apologists]] defending its authenticity.
The Book of Abraham papyri were thought lost in the 1871 [[Great Chicago Fire]]. However, in 1966, several fragments of the papyri were found in the archives of the [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]] in New York, and in the LDS Church archives. They are now referred to as the [[Joseph Smith Papyri]]. Upon examination by professional Mormon and non-Mormon Egyptologists, these fragments were found to bear no resemblance to Smith's interpretation, and were identified as common [[Ancient Egyptian Funerary Texts|Egyptian funerary texts]], dating to about the first century BC. As a result, the Book of Abraham has been the source of significant controversy, with [[Criticism of the Book of Abraham|criticism from Egyptologists]] and [[Mormon apologetics|Mormon apologists]] defending its authenticity.


===Joseph Smith–Matthew===
===Joseph Smith–Matthew===
{{Main|Joseph Smith–Matthew}}
{{Main|Joseph Smith–Matthew}}
Joseph Smith–Matthew (abbreviated JS–M) is an excerpt from Joseph Smith's "[[Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible|retranslation]]" of portions of the [[Gospel of Matthew]]. It was originally published in 1831 in [[Kirtland, Ohio]], in an undated [[broadsheet]] as "Extract from the New Translation of the Bible".
Joseph Smith–Matthew (abbreviated JS–M) is an excerpt from [[Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible|Joseph Smith's "retranslation]]" of portions of the [[Gospel of Matthew]]. It was originally published in 1831 in [[Kirtland, Ohio]], in an undated [[broadsheet]] as "Extract from the New Translation of the Bible".


Joseph Smith–Matthew includes Smith's retranslation of Matthew 23:39 and all of [[Olivet Discourse|Matthew chapter 24]]. The text deals mainly with [[Jesus in Christianity|Jesus']] prophecy of the coming destruction of [[Jerusalem]] and of similar calamities that will precede his [[Second Coming]]. Joseph Smith–Matthew contains significant changes and additions to the original biblical text.
Joseph Smith–Matthew includes Smith's retranslation of Matthew 23:39 and all of [[Olivet Discourse|Matthew chapter 24]]. The text deals mainly with [[Jesus in Christianity|Jesus']] prophecy of the coming destruction of [[Jerusalem]] and of similar calamities that will precede his [[Second Coming]]. Joseph Smith–Matthew contains significant changes and additions to the original biblical text.


===Joseph Smith–History===
===Joseph Smith–History===
⚫
[[Image:Priesthood03080u.jpg|thumb|250px|A 19th century depiction of [[John the Baptist]] conferring the [[Aaronic priesthood (Latter Day Saints)|Aaronic priesthood]] to [[Joseph Smith]] and [[Oliver Cowdery]]. This event is also recorded in [[Joseph Smith–History]].]]
{{Main|Joseph Smith–History}}
{{Main|Joseph Smith–History}}
⚫
[[Image:Priesthood03080u.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|A 19th century depiction of [[John the Baptist]] conferring the [[Aaronic priesthood (Latter Day Saints)|Aaronic priesthood]] to [[Joseph Smith]] and [[Oliver Cowdery]]. This event is also recorded in [[Joseph Smith–History]].]]
Joseph Smith–History (abbreviated JS–H) is an excerpt from the autobiographical record of some of the early events in Joseph Smith's life. Like many of Smith's publications, it was dictated to a scribe.
Joseph Smith–History (abbreviated JS–H) is an excerpt from the autobiographical record of some of the early events in Joseph Smith's life. Like many of Smith's publications, it was dictated to a scribe.


Line 43: Line 59:
===Articles of Faith===
===Articles of Faith===
{{Main|Articles of Faith (Latter Day Saints)}}
{{Main|Articles of Faith (Latter Day Saints)}}
The Articles of Faith are a [[creed]] composed by Joseph Smith as part of [[The Wentworth Letter|an 1842 letter]] sent to [[John Wentworth (mayor)|"Long" John Wentworth]], editor of the ''[[Chicago Democrat]]'', and first published in the Latter Day Saint newspaper ''[[Times and Seasons]]''. It is a concise listing of thirteen fundamental doctrines of [[Mormonism]]. Most [[Latter Day Saint]] denominations view the articles as an authoritative statement of basic theology. For some sects, they are known collectively as "An Epitome of Faith and Doctrine".
The Articles of Faith are a [[creed]] composed by Joseph Smith as part of [[The Wentworth Letter|an 1842 letter]] sent to [[John Wentworth (mayor)|"Long" John Wentworth]], editor of the ''[[Chicago Democrat]]'', and first published in the Latter Day Saint newspaper ''[[Times and Seasons]]''. It is a concise listing of the thirteen fundamental doctrines of Mormonism. Most [[Latter Day Saint]] denominations view the articles as an authoritative statement of basic theology. For some sects, they are known collectively as "An Epitome of Faith and Doctrine".


==Changes==
==Changes==
The original contents of the Pearl of Great Price were significantly different, reproducing material found in the [[Doctrine and Covenants]] and a poem entitled "Oh Say What is Truth?" (which is now found in the [[Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1985 book)|LDS Church hymnal]]). In 1878, some material was added to the [[Book of Moses]]. The Pearl of Great Price was canonized by the LDS Church in 1880. In 1902, the material reproduced in the Doctrine and Covenants was removed. Two other documents, ''Vision of the Celestial Kingdom'' and ''Vision of the Redemption of the Dead'',<ref>{{citation|mode=cs1|url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1976/05/scriptural-text-for-visions-added-to-pearl-of-great-price?lang=eng|work=Ensign|issue=May 1976|title=Scriptural Text for Visions Added to Pearl of Great Price|publisher=LDS Church}}</ref> were added to the Pearl of Great Price in 1976 and moved to the LDS Church edition of the Doctrine and Covenants (sections 137 and 138) in 1979.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/introduction?lang=eng|title=Introduction|work=Pearl of Great Price|publisher=LDS Church}}</ref>
The original contents of the Pearl of Great Price were significantly different, reproducing material found in the [[Doctrine and Covenants]] and a poem entitled "Oh Say What is Truth?" (which is now found in the [[Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1985 book)|LDS Church hymnal]]). In 1878, some material was added to the [[Book of Moses]]. The Pearl of Great Price was canonized by the LDS Church in 1880. In 1902, the material reproduced in the Doctrine and Covenants was removed. Two other documents, ''Vision of the Celestial Kingdom'' and ''Vision of the Redemption of the Dead'',<ref>{{citation|mode=cs1|url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1976/05/scriptural-text-for-visions-added-to-pearl-of-great-price?lang=eng|work=Ensign|issue=May 1976|title=Scriptural Text for Visions Added to Pearl of Great Price|publisher=LDS Church}}</ref> were added to the Pearl of Great Price in 1976 and moved to the LDS Church edition of the Doctrine and Covenants (sections 137 and 138) in 1979.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/introduction?lang=eng|title=Introduction|work=Pearl of Great Price|publisher=LDS Church}}</ref> Minor changes to introductions were made in the 2013 edition.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/scriptures/approved-adjustments_eng.pdf |title=Summary of Approved Adjustments for the 2013 Edition of the Scriptures |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2013 |publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |access-date=20 April 2024 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319102929/http://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/scriptures/approved-adjustments_eng.pdf |archive-date=19 March 2013}}</ref>


==1851 edition==
==1851 edition==
The Pearl of Great Price was first compiled by [[Franklin D. Richards (Mormon apostle)|Franklin D. Richards]] in [[Liverpool]], England. Some items duplicated text that was already available in the Doctrine and Covenants. It contained the following entries (the placement of the text in today's LDS Church publications is noted in parenthesis):
The Pearl of Great Price was first compiled by [[Franklin D. Richards (Mormon apostle)|Franklin D. Richards]] in [[Liverpool]], England. Some items duplicated text that was already available in the Doctrine and Covenants. It contained the following entries (the placement of the text in today's LDS Church publications is noted in parentheses):


*Extracts from the Prophecy of [[Enoch (ancestor of Noah)|Enoch]] ([https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/moses/6.43?lang=eng Moses 6:43–7:69])
*Extracts from the Prophecy of [[Enoch (ancestor of Noah)|Enoch]] ([https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/moses/6.43?lang=eng Moses 6:43–7:69])
Line 149: Line 165:
*The {{Sourcetext|source=Pearl of Great Price}} at [[Wikisource]]
*The {{Sourcetext|source=Pearl of Great Price}} at [[Wikisource]]
*[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/title-page?lang=eng The Pearl of Great Price], full HTML text, official LDS Church edition, churchofjesuschrist.org
*[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/title-page?lang=eng The Pearl of Great Price], full HTML text, official LDS Church edition, churchofjesuschrist.org
*[http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/lds-scriptures/the-pearl-of-great-price/the-pearl-of-great-price-eng.pdf The Pearl of Great Price] official LDS Church edition (pdf)
*[https://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/lds-scriptures/the-pearl-of-great-price/the-pearl-of-great-price-eng.pdf The Pearl of Great Price] official LDS Church edition (pdf)
*Digitized copy of [https://www.loc.gov/resource/rbc0001.2015gen15653/?r=-1.534,0.404,4.068,2.376,0 The Pearl of Great Price] (1851) in the [https://www.loc.gov/rr/rarebook/ Rare Book and Special Collections Division] in the [[Library of Congress]]
*Digitized copy of [https://www.loc.gov/resource/rbc0001.2015gen15653/?r=-1.534,0.404,4.068,2.376,0 The Pearl of Great Price] (1851) in the [https://www.loc.gov/rr/rarebook/ Rare Book and Special Collections Division] in the [[Library of Congress]]
*[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/introduction?lang=eng Introductory note to The Pearl of Great Price], churchofjesuschrist.org
*[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/introduction?lang=eng Introductory note to The Pearl of Great Price], churchofjesuschrist.org
*[http://www.boap.org/LDS/LDS-scriptures/Pearl_of_GP "historical notes on The Pearl of Great Price"], boap.org
*[http://www.boap.org/LDS/LDS-scriptures/Pearl_of_GP "historical notes on The Pearl of Great Price"], boap.org
*[http://www.xmission.com/~research/central/resscri5.htm Pearl of Great Price] - Contents listed by edition
*[https://user.xmission.com/~research/central/resscri5.htm Pearl of Great Price] - Contents listed by edition
*[[s:Pearl Of Great Price (1851)|The 1851 Pearl of Great Price]] (first edition) at [[Wikisource]]
*[[s:Pearl Of Great Price (1851)|The 1851 Pearl of Great Price]] (first edition) at [[Wikisource]]
* {{librivox book | title=Pearl of Great Price| author=Smith}} (1920 edition)
* {{librivox book | title=Pearl of Great Price| author=Smith}} (1920 edition)

Latest revision as of 06:45, 2 July 2024

Pearl of Great Price
Pearl of Great Price
The Pearl of Great Price is one of the four books composing the Standard Works of the LDS Church.
Information
ReligionLatter Day Saint movement
LanguageEnglish
Period19th century
Chapters
Wikisource

The Pearl of Great Price is part of the canonical Standard Works of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and some other Latter Day Saint denominations.

The first paragraph of the Introductory Note in the LDS Church edition of the Pearl of Great Price states: "The Pearl of Great Price is a selection of choice materials touching many significant aspects of the faith and doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These items were produced by Joseph Smith and were published in the Church periodicals of his day."

The name of the book is derived from the Parable of the Pearl told by Jesus in Matthew 13.[1]

A copy of the Pearl of Great Price owned by NASA photographer M. Edward Thomas's wife Ruth C. Thomas traveled to the Moon and back in 1972 with astronaut John Young aboard Apollo 16.[2][3]

Contents

[edit]
Part of a series on the
Pearl of Great Price
Facsimile 2 from the Book of Abraham
Books
Related topics
Origins
Analysis
Contents and Persons

The Pearl of Great Price contains five sections:

Book of Moses

[edit]
Main article: Book of Moses

The Book of Moses begins with the "Visions of Moses", a prologue to the story of the creation and the fall of man (Moses chapter 1), and continues with material corresponding to Smith's revision (JST) of the first six chapters of the Book of Genesis (Moses chapters 2–5, 8), interrupted by two chapters of "extracts from the prophecy of Enoch" (Moses chapters 6–7). Portions of the Book of Moses were originally published separately by the LDS Church in 1851, but later combined and published as the Book of Moses in the Pearl of Great Price. The same material is published by the Community of Christ as parts of its Doctrine and Covenants and Inspired Version of the Bible.

Book of Abraham

[edit]
Main articles: Book of Abraham and Critical appraisal of the Book of Abraham
Facsimile Number 1 from the Book of Abraham: an alternate woodcut which was printed in the 1851 edition of the Pearl of Great Price

The Book of Abraham is an 1835 work produced by Joseph Smith[4] who said it was based on Egyptian papyri purchased from a traveling mummy exhibition. According to Smith, the book was "a translation of some ancient records... purporting to be the writings of Abraham, while he was in Egypt, called the Book of Abraham, written by his own hand, upon papyrus".[5] The text that Smith produced describes a story of Abraham's early life, including a vision of the cosmos.

The Book of Abraham was canonized in 1880 by the LDS Church as part of the Pearl of Great Price.[4] Thus, it forms a doctrinal foundation for the LDS Church and Mormon fundamentalist denominations of the Latter Day Saint movement. It is not considered to be a religious text by the Community of Christ. Other sects in the Latter Day Saint movement have various opinions regarding the Book of Abraham, with some rejecting and some accepting the text as inspired scripture. The book contains several doctrines that are distinct to Mormonism, such as the concept of God organizing eternal, pre-existing elements to create the universe instead of creating it ex nihilo.

The Book of Abraham papyri were thought lost in the 1871 Great Chicago Fire. However, in 1966, several fragments of the papyri were found in the archives of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and in the LDS Church archives. They are now referred to as the Joseph Smith Papyri. Upon examination by professional Mormon and non-Mormon Egyptologists, these fragments were found to bear no resemblance to Smith's interpretation, and were identified as common Egyptian funerary texts, dating to about the first century BC. As a result, the Book of Abraham has been the source of significant controversy, with criticism from Egyptologists and Mormon apologists defending its authenticity.

Joseph Smith–Matthew

[edit]
Main article: Joseph Smith–Matthew

Joseph Smith–Matthew (abbreviated JS–M) is an excerpt from Joseph Smith's "retranslation" of portions of the Gospel of Matthew. It was originally published in 1831 in Kirtland, Ohio, in an undated broadsheet as "Extract from the New Translation of the Bible".

Joseph Smith–Matthew includes Smith's retranslation of Matthew 23:39 and all of Matthew chapter 24. The text deals mainly with Jesus' prophecy of the coming destruction of Jerusalem and of similar calamities that will precede his Second Coming. Joseph Smith–Matthew contains significant changes and additions to the original biblical text.

Joseph Smith–History

[edit]
Main article: Joseph Smith–History
A 19th century depiction of John the Baptist conferring the Aaronic priesthood to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. This event is also recorded in Joseph Smith–History.

Joseph Smith–History (abbreviated JS–H) is an excerpt from the autobiographical record of some of the early events in Joseph Smith's life. Like many of Smith's publications, it was dictated to a scribe.

The incidents described in Joseph Smith–History include the First Vision and the visitation of the angel Moroni. In its current form, the narrative ends with Smith translating the Book of Mormon, shortly before the foundation of Smith's Church of Christ, though the original Times and Seasons serial it is based on continued the story until the mid-1830s.

Articles of Faith

[edit]
Main article: Articles of Faith (Latter Day Saints)

The Articles of Faith are a creed composed by Joseph Smith as part of an 1842 letter sent to "Long" John Wentworth, editor of the Chicago Democrat, and first published in the Latter Day Saint newspaper Times and Seasons. It is a concise listing of the thirteen fundamental doctrines of Mormonism. Most Latter Day Saint denominations view the articles as an authoritative statement of basic theology. For some sects, they are known collectively as "An Epitome of Faith and Doctrine".

Changes

[edit]

The original contents of the Pearl of Great Price were significantly different, reproducing material found in the Doctrine and Covenants and a poem entitled "Oh Say What is Truth?" (which is now found in the LDS Church hymnal). In 1878, some material was added to the Book of Moses. The Pearl of Great Price was canonized by the LDS Church in 1880. In 1902, the material reproduced in the Doctrine and Covenants was removed. Two other documents, Vision of the Celestial Kingdom and Vision of the Redemption of the Dead,[6] were added to the Pearl of Great Price in 1976 and moved to the LDS Church edition of the Doctrine and Covenants (sections 137 and 138) in 1979.[7] Minor changes to introductions were made in the 2013 edition.[8]

1851 edition

[edit]

The Pearl of Great Price was first compiled by Franklin D. Richards in Liverpool, England. Some items duplicated text that was already available in the Doctrine and Covenants. It contained the following entries (the placement of the text in today's LDS Church publications is noted in parentheses):

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Matthew 13:45–46 (KJV): "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it."
  2. ^ Stephenson, Kathy. "Book of Mormon that traveled to the moon makes a Utah landing", The Salt Lake Tribune, 2 October 2019. Retrieved on 26 March 2020.
  3. ^ "Book of Mormon that traveled in astronaut's pant leg to the moon on display Friday in Provo Archived 2019-11-01 at the Wayback Machine" by Genelle Pugmire. Daily Herald. October 2, 2019. Accessed April 7, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Gee 2000, pp. 4–6
  5. ^ Smith 1842, p. 704.
  6. ^ "Scriptural Text for Visions Added to Pearl of Great Price". Ensign. No. May 1976. LDS Church.
  7. ^ "Introduction". Pearl of Great Price. LDS Church.
  8. ^ "Summary of Approved Adjustments for the 2013 Edition of the Scriptures" (PDF). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 2013. Archived from the original on 19 March 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

References

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Further reading

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