Pastor's FIRST TIME Reading Pearl of Great Price Introduction

Summary

The video explores the foundational beliefs and processes behind the creation of the Pearl of Great Price, a key scripture in Latter-day Saint faith. It discusses Joseph Smith’s role as a prophet and the revelations he received, particularly the Book of Moses and other texts. The conversation emphasizes the role of scribes in transcribing Smith’s revelations and how these writings are seen as divinely inspired by Latter-day Saints. The discussion also touches on Joseph Smith’s Articles of Faith and how they encapsulate core beliefs, offering viewers a deeper understanding of Latter-day Saint theology and scripture.

Takeaways

• 😀 Joseph Smith's writings, such as the Pearl of Great Price, are seen as divinely inspired revelations rather than personal views, which is central to understanding Latter-day Saint scripture.
• 😀 The concept of modern prophets is crucial in determining whether Joseph Smith's work should be accepted as scripture, especially if one believes he received revelations from God.
• 😀 Joseph Smith's history, as included in the Pearl of Great Price, serves to clear up misconceptions about his life and the founding of the Latter-day Saint Church.
• 😀 The Articles of Faith, written by Joseph Smith in response to a newspaper inquiry, succinctly outline the core beliefs of Latter-day Saints.
• 😀 Joseph Smith rarely wrote his revelations by hand; he relied on scribes like Oliver Cowdery and Sidney Rigdon to transcribe his revelations as he received them.
• 😀 The Book of Moses in the Pearl of Great Price begins with a vision of Moses and includes additional narrative details that were not in the Bible, such as a more detailed account of the creation story.
• 😀 The process of translating or revealing scriptures involved Joseph Smith receiving insights as he studied the Bible, which led to new revelations being added to existing biblical texts.
• 😀 Early revelations received by Joseph Smith, especially those related to the Book of Moses, were expansive, offering entirely new content and visions, like the story of Enoch.
• 😀 Over time, the nature of Joseph Smith's revelations became more focused, with less new material being added to the scriptures as the translation process evolved.
• 😀 The Pearl of Great Price serves as an important text for Latter-day Saints, not only for its content but for understanding how Joseph Smith viewed and received divine revelations.
• 😀 The dynamic nature of Joseph Smith’s revelation process is reflected in the way he worked with multiple scribes and adapted his approach over time as he translated the Bible and other texts.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the *Pearl of Great Price* in Latter-day Saint doctrine?

The central theme of the *Pearl of Great Price* is the additional scriptures and revelations that Joseph Smith received, which include the *Book of Moses*, the *Book of Abraham*, *Joseph Smith—Matthew*, and the *Articles of Faith*. These texts are seen as part of the foundational scriptures of the Latter-day Saint faith, providing insights into God's will, the nature of humanity, and the restoration of true Christianity.

How does Joseph Smith's method of translation differ between the *Book of Mormon* and the *Pearl of Great Price*?

Joseph Smith's method of translation involved using scribes, with Oliver Cowdery being a primary scribe for the *Book of Mormon*. For the *Pearl of Great Price*, Smith worked with multiple scribes, such as Emma Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and others. The translation of the *Pearl of Great Price* was more focused on receiving revelations as Smith studied the Bible and was less about direct dictation compared to the *Book of Mormon*.

What is the significance of the *Book of Moses* in the *Pearl of Great Price*?

The *Book of Moses* is a unique revelation received by Joseph Smith, which expands upon the biblical account of Moses and the creation story. It includes new visions and insights, such as a detailed narrative about Enoch and a vision he had, which are not found in traditional scripture. This work emphasizes the restoration of truths that were believed to be lost from the Bible.

What are the *Articles of Faith*, and why were they written?

The *Articles of Faith* are a brief summary of the core beliefs of the Latter-day Saint movement, written by Joseph Smith in response to questions posed by a newspaper editor in Chicago. They consist of thirteen statements that outline fundamental principles such as the nature of God, the role of Jesus Christ, and the necessity of ordinances like baptism.

Why does the speaker emphasize the role of modern prophets in understanding Joseph Smith's revelations?

The speaker stresses that belief in Joseph Smith as a modern prophet is key to accepting his revelations as authoritative scripture. Without this belief, the writings like the *Book of Moses* and *Book of Abraham* would be seen merely as interesting historical writings rather than divinely inspired texts.

What was the role of Sidney Rigdon in the translation process of the *Pearl of Great Price*?

Sidney Rigdon played a significant role as one of Joseph Smith's scribes during the translation of the *Pearl of Great Price*. Rigdon, who had a strong belief in the restoration of original Christianity, helped transcribe the revelations Smith received, particularly as Smith translated portions of the Bible and received new insights.

What distinguishes the early revelations in the *Pearl of Great Price* from later ones?

Early revelations, like those in the *Book of Moses*, were expansive, offering detailed narratives and new insights not found in the Bible. Over time, as Joseph Smith continued his translation work, the revelations became more focused, with less new material and more revisions and clarifications to existing scripture.

How does the speaker view Joseph Smith's method of translation?

The speaker acknowledges that Joseph Smith's method of translation, where he relied on scribes and received ongoing revelations, was unique and integral to the creation of the *Pearl of Great Price*. Smith's process was not about writing a traditional text but rather about receiving divine insights that were then transcribed by others.

What is the connection between the *Book of Moses* and the traditional Bible narrative?

The *Book of Moses* in the *Pearl of Great Price* expands upon the biblical account, particularly the Genesis creation story, by adding new details and visions, such as those involving Enoch. These additions are seen as restoring lost knowledge and providing deeper understanding beyond the standard biblical text.

How does the speaker plan to further explore the *Pearl of Great Price* in future discussions?

The speaker plans to continue exploring the individual books within the *Pearl of Great Price*, such as the *Book of Moses* and *Book of Abraham*. They aim to delve deeper into these texts and examine their content, significance, and how they relate to the broader Latter-day Saint teachings.