Joseph Smith Believes in the Bible (February 5, 1840)
He then took up the Bible. I believe, said he, in this sacred volume— In it the Mormon faith is to be found. We teach nothing but what the Bible teaches. We believe nothing but what is to be found in this Book
I believe in the fall of man, as recorded in the Bible. . . .
In the Bible a rule of conduct is laid down for him. In the Old and New testaments the law by which he is to be governed may be found. If he violates that law, he is to be punished for the deeds done in the body . . .
He closed by referring to the Mormon Bible, which, he said, contained nothing inconsistent or conflicting with the Christian Bible. And he again repeated, that all who would follow the precepts of the Bible whether Mormon or not, would assuredly be saved.
Discourse, 5 February 1840, p. 1-3, The Joseph Smith Papers. See also, History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842], p. 1014-1015, The Joseph Smith Papers.
Bible Change from God Repented to Noah Repented (October 15, 1843)
I belive the bible, as it ought to be, as it came from the pen of the original writers. as it reads it repented the Lord that he had made man. and. also God is not a man that he should repent.— which I do not believe.— but it repented Noah. that God made man.— this I belive. & then the other quotation stands fair.— if any man will prove to me by one passage of Holy writ. one item I beli[e]ve, to be false. I will renounce or disclaim it far as I have promulgated it.—
Discourse, 15 October 1843, as Reported by Willard Richards, p. 129, The Joseph Smith Papers.
German Translation of the Bible the Most Correct — Thomas Bullock (May 12, 1844)
I will now read it [Matthew 24] in German— (several persons said he translated it correct) . . . the Germans are an exalted people, the old German translators is the most correct, most honest and therefore I get testimony to bear me out in the revelations that I have preached for the last 14 years— the old German, Latin, Greek and Hebrew all say it is true, they cannot be impeached, and I am in good company—
Thomas Bullock, Discourse, 12 May 1844, as Reported by Thomas Bullock, p. 1, The Joseph Smith Papers. It should be noted that Samuel W. Richards and George Laub also created an account of Joseph Smith’s discourse given on May 12, 1844, but neither include a reference to the authenticity of the German translation of the Bible.
