The LDS Bible Dictionary: A Scholarly Companion

🏛️ An Official Publication

The Bible Dictionary is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Since its introduction in 1979, it has been included as an appendix in most copies of the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible printed by the Church. This resource is specifically designed to offer teachers and students a concise collection of definitions and explanations for terms and concepts associated with the Bible.

🎯 Purpose and Scope

Its primary objective is to provide clarity and context for biblical study, addressing items mentioned within or related to the Bible. The publication aims to enhance understanding by offering accessible explanations, thereby supporting deeper engagement with the scriptures for members of the Church.

📏 Dimensions of the Work

This comprehensive dictionary contains approximately 1285 entries, spanning 196 pages in its standard printed format. Its substantial content provides a rich resource for those seeking detailed information on biblical subjects within the framework of Latter-day Saint understanding.

📅 The 1970s Initiative

The genesis of the LDS Bible Dictionary can be traced back to the 1970s, initiated by the Scriptures Publications Committee of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This committee was tasked with enhancing the study resources available to Church members.

👨‍🏫 Leadership and Direction

The committee was chaired by Elder Thomas S. Monson, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He delegated the crucial responsibility of developing the dictionary to Professor Robert J. Matthews, a distinguished scholar in Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University.

🤝 Collaboration and Adaptation

Professor Matthews secured permission from Cambridge University Press to utilize their Bible dictionary as a foundational template. This collaboration allowed for a robust starting point, which Matthews then meticulously adapted, incorporating specific Latter-day Saint theological perspectives and adding entries pertinent to Church doctrine.

📜 Not Part of Open Canon

Despite its official publication and widespread use within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Bible Dictionary is not considered part of the Church's open canon of scripture. This distinction is crucial for understanding its authoritative weight.

⚠️ Preface Statement

The preface of the Bible Dictionary explicitly states its intended purpose: "It is not intended as an official or revealed endorsement by the Church of the doctrinal, historical, cultural, and other matters set forth." This clarifies that while informative and aligned with Church teachings, it does not carry the same authority as the Standard Works.

📝 Citation Details

The following notes provide specific citations for the information presented, referencing the sources used in the development of this resource.

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📜 Important Notice for Learners

This educational resource has been generated by Artificial Intelligence. Its content is derived from publicly available data, specifically the Wikipedia article on the LDS Bible Dictionary, and is intended for informational and academic purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the source material, this content is not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, nor does it represent revealed doctrine.

This is not official Church doctrine or a substitute for personal study. The information presented here should not be considered a replacement for consulting the official Bible Dictionary, other Standard Works, or guidance from Church leaders. Users are encouraged to engage in their own diligent study and seek spiritual confirmation.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any inaccuracies, omissions, or interpretations derived from this AI-generated content. Always refer to authoritative Church sources for official doctrine and guidance.