Is "The History of the Church" by Joseph Smith considered scripture or doctrine?

Question

I'm looking for a LDS perspective on whether on the "The History of the Church" by Joseph Smith is considered doctrine or scripture or something else by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That's it. I'm not interested in general views on the Church, just on this specific question.

Again: I'm only interested in answers from Latter-day Saints. I don't need opinions on how the Church is a cult, untrue, etc. so anything by Joseph Smith is untrue. That doesn't answer my question, that only gives me your opinion, and I'm looking for something more credible then that. This is from a LDS perspective, that's all I'm interested in. If you have disagreements with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, air them elsewhere, I'm not interested.

When I look at deseretbooks.com it says that it was written by Joseph Smith, Jr.

Since I'm getting some good answers, I'll elaborate. I'm LDS, but my husband is not. Especially because he isn't Christian in general, I'm learning a lot trying to answer his questions, but after he took the first two lessons he had questions about things that I can't find reference to in the scriptures, such as what happened to the plates, so I'm trying to figure out where some of these answers might be if they aren't in scripture. I've searched the church website to no avail, unfortunately.

Answer 1

It is just that, History. There is some docterine within the pages. However, scripture to us is the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Docterine & Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. There is some more modern docterine that we follow. You can find out more from the official church web site. I've put a link for you below:

And the answer above me is correct. There have been several books written with that title. The one I have a copy of was written by Brigham Young.

Answer 2

According to Joseph Smith, anything spoken by the prophets or apostles of the Church in the name of the Lord is scripture. That includes the following:

Ensign messages
General Conference talks
Journal of Discourses
Teachings of Joseph Smith, the
History of the Church
Answers to Gospel Questions

It also includes testimony given by the leaders of the Church.

Go to http://www.mormonquotes.com for more.

EDIT: You might be hard-pressed to find answers to all of your husband's questions. Yes, you can look in the above resources. They are official statements of doctrines, tenets, beliefs, etc. However, you probably won't be able to answer a lot of his questions.

When you start the quest to find answers to the "tough questions", you will inevitably fall upon some information that is quite challenging to your faith. You will find that you have just as many questions as he has. You'll ask yourself "so, if all of this information is true, why doesn't the Church ever talk about it?"

When you find information about the Book of Abraham, for example, you'll ask yourself why, if the papyri have been discovered, doesn't the Church ever tell its members that Joseph Smith's inspired translation was verified by Egyptologists and historians? The answer is because the modern translation shows that the papyri actually have nothing to do with Abraham whatsoever, but that they are a funerary script.

Be careful before going down this road. You have to decide what is more important to you: the answers, or your faith. You can't have both, because they are mutually exclusive. If you have questions on anything that I have said (or anything else on the subject), please don't hesitate to contact me. I'd love to help.

Answer 3

We consider The History of the Church a book that is good to read. It is not scripture, and it is not doctrine. The books that I am thinking of as The History of the Church were written by B. H. Roberts, and were commissioned by the Church. I am not familiar with the History by Joseph Smith, though I have seen it referenced in many Church materials. As far as I know, it is not scripture or doctrine, but a reference book.

Answer 4

Hi, I'm LDS, I'll try and answer your question.

"The History of the Church" by Joseph Smith is considered doctrine because it was written and given by the prophet, but it is also considered as scripture as well, for the same reasons it is considered doctrine. We consider the teachings of our prophets as doctrine and modern day scripture. As for the authorship of this book, it was written by Joseph Smith Jr.

Answer 5

Most of the book is not written by Joseph Smith, but by his scribes and then collated by B. H. Roberts. I view the sermons that are recorded by multiple scribes (the book documents where the content came from) as doctrine. In particular, the Sermon in the Grove and the King Follet Discourse. I view all his words as scripture, as the Doctrine and Covenants tells us. However, it is definitely not like the standard works.

Answer 6

it's not doctrine. it's just that, the history of joesph smith. there is nothing doctrine about it. The only things considered doctrine are teachings in both the book of mormon and the bible. anyother revisements that are now also considered doctrine are in the doctrine of covenants. the joesph smith history is an account of how joesph smith came to restore the church. and his vision and other key elements to the restoration of the church. to fully understand doctrine, and why there is a book of mormon and why the Lord wanted His church to be restored, you must understand the story behind it. The Book of Mormon is true with or without the history of the church, but it allows us to understand a little better the importance of the book with the knowledge of the restoration. And with the knowledge of the restoration comes knowledge of joesph smith. It all goes hand in hand and that is why it is included. but no, it is not doctrine. hope that helped!

Answer 7

Let's look at what the terms scripture and doctrine mean first. By establishing that, we can answer this question. I'll be using www.dictionary.com for these two definitions:

1. Scripture
Scrip·ture (skrĭp'chər) Pronunciation Key
n.
1. a. A sacred writing or book.
1. b. A passage from such a writing or book.
2. The sacred writings of the Bible. Often used in the plural. Also called Holy Scriptures.
3. "scripture" A statement regarded as authoritative.

2. Doctrine
doc·trine [dok-trin]
–noun
1. a particular principle, position, or policy taught or advocated, as of a religion or government: Catholic doctrines; the Monroe Doctrine.
2. something that is taught; teachings collectively: religious doctrine.
3. a body or system of teachings relating to a particular subject: the doctrine of the Catholic Church.

[Origin: 1350–1400; ME < AF < L doctrīna teaching, equiv. to doct(o)r doctor + -īna -ine2]
—Synonyms 1. tenet, dogma, theory, precept, belief.

Now, as we look at the different scriptures given to mankind, we can see a sort of historical account of different peoples, within the context of Judaism, Christianity, and the Latter Day Saints.

What is interesting is that the account of Joseph Smith's First Vision and the visitations of Moroni are recorded as core events in Joseph Smith - History as part of the first chapter. This in turn is part of The Pearl of Great Price, and that itself is considered canonical in terms of what's inside the Standard scripture works for the LDS church.

So, being a Latter Day Saint myself, I surely know that a significant part of the History of the Church, which is the First Vision and Moroni's visitations, is safely placed in the parameters known as scripture. The ideas of God visiting man again face to face, the calling of a simple farm boy to become the Prophet of the Restoration, and the ministering of angels, which in this case the angel in question is Moroni, are doctrines found within this part of The History of the Church as well.

In short, if scriptures are containers for ideas and beliefs known as doctrine, then definitely parts of "The History of the Church" are scriptures that contain restored doctrines.

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Looking back at clarifying what you and hour husband want to know about the plates, here is chapter 1, verses 59 and 60 from Joseph Smith - History:

59 At length the time arrived for obtaining the plates, the Urim and Thummim, and the breastplate. On the twenty-second day of September, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven, having gone as usual at the end of another year to the place where they were deposited, the same heavenly messenger delivered them up to me with this charge: that I should be responsible for them; that if I should let them go carelessly, or through any neglect of mine, I should be cut off; but that if I would use all my endeavors to preserve them, until he, the messenger, should call for them, they should be protected.

(Alvin's note: easier to read date - 22nd Sept. 1827)

60 I soon found out the reason why I had received such strict charges to keep them safe, and why it was that the messenger had said that when I had done what was required at my hand, he would call for them. For no sooner was it known that I had them, than the most strenuous exertions were used to get them from me. Every stratagem that could be invented was resorted to for that purpose. The persecution became more bitter and severe than before, and multitudes were on the alert continually to get them from me if possible. But by the wisdom of God, they remained safe in my hands, until I had accomplished by them what was required at my hand. When, according to arrangements, the messenger called for them, I delivered them up to him; and he has them in his charge until this day, being the second day of May, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight.

(Alvin's note: easier to read date - 2nd May, 1838)

That should explain where the plates are now.
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I hope this clear things up and I wish you and your husband well in the learning of the Restored Gospel. If you wish, send me an email so we can put your names on the temple prayer roll so that those prayers can help you two.

And I leave that with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sincerely,
Alvin R.

Answer 8

The only things considered doctorine by the church are the Book of mormon, doctorine and covenants, and the bible. If it is to be cannonized it is included in the doctorine and covenants. Everything else is oppinion (although we highly respect the oppinion of our prophets and apostles).

Side Node: I don't think Joseph Smith ever wrote that book. Are you sure you don't mean Joseph F Smith or Joseph Fielding Smith?

Answer 9

I've found that this issue largely depends on who is making the argument. If you're giving a talk in sacrament, quoting from the any of the books written by relatively recent apostles and prophets is fine, and the consensus is they are speaking by the spirit of god.

However, if *I* quote from them, I'm told that that the words of the living prophet supersede the words of dead ones. This tells me that the doctrine can remain fluid if one attempts to demonstrate areas of controversy or contradiction.

Answer 10

ex-mormon, when I bring up things like joseph smith married a teenage girl, or the sealing of men to men in the mormon temples, the excise was, "that was, then, this is now" Soem of his stuff is still considered ok and sime of his stuff is considered for back then. Thats what I keep getting. Things change in the mormon church because of prophecy, one day the black people cannot have the priesthood, the next day they can. And so on and so on.