Most of us Mormons are familiar with the idea that the Bible might not be completely reliable. We get this from the 8th Article of Faith, which states that it is true "as far as it is translated correctly." So whenever we come across a biblical passage or story which is hard to believe, we just assume that it wasn't "translated correctly" and move on. The possibility of error is sometimes used as a cop-out when discussing Biblical passages or stories, and in the end we have some doubt that it's really the word of God. But is this really how Mormons should deal with the Bible? Should we regard the Bible with any authority at all? And why do we even read it, seeing as it's full of so many mistakes?
As far as I can see, this way of thinking comes partly from reality and partly from tradition. Below are a few quotes from Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon on this subject.
The prophet Joseph Smith said the following things in relation to the Bible:
"From sundry revelations which had been received, it was apparent that many important points touching the salvation of men, had been taken from the Bible, or lost before it was compiled. ... I believe the Bible as it read when it came from the pen of the original writers. Ignorant translators, careless transcribers, or designing and corrupt priests have committed many errors" (HC 1:245).
"He that can mark the power of Omnipotence, inscribed upon the heavens, can also see God's own handwriting in the sacred volume: and he who reads it oftenest will like it best, and he who is acquainted with it, will know the hand [of the Lord] wherever he can see it" (HC Volume 2 p. 14).In addition, anyone who believes in the Book of Mormon is obligated to believe the Bible also. In reference to the two scriptures, Mormon states:
"For behold, this is written for the intent that ye may believe that; and if ye believe that ye will believe this also; and if ye believe this ye will know concerning your fathers, and also the marvelous works which were wrought by the power of God among them" (Mormon 7:9).When we compare Joseph Smith's inspired version of the Bible with the common one used in the world today, we see that the "errors" in the Bible are places where the original text was missing. As far as I can tell, there is no reason to think any of the existing text is false, and leaders of the Church have always relied on it as a source of historical and prophetic truth. Joseph Smith's inspired version of the Bible only adds new things which the Lord wanted us to understand about the meaning of a word or insight into some additional things that happened.
Faith in the Bible isn't that big of a problem among people in the Church. But we just need to remember that any translation errors (i.e. missing words and passages) are no reason to doubt the text that we do have as we study it and learn more about God's dealings with His covenant people, and study the life of the Savior Jesus Christ.
