Exploring the Divine-Human Partnership in Scripture Creation | Featuring the D&C

One of the biggest criticisms of scripture generally is the extent to which humans were involved in its production. On the one hand, we can’t really expect scripture to be effortlessly beamed down from heaven to flawed and imperfect humans and then interpreted flawlessly and recorded perfectly, can we? But on the other hand, how divine and trustworthy can scripture be if flawed humans were involved in writing it, compiling it, editing it, and publishing it? In this episode of Church History Matters, we discuss an important, albeit not foolproof, process to mitigate against human weakness and error in scripture, and that’s called canonization. We look at the difference between scripture, scripture canon, and what we call the harmonized scripture canon. We discuss why these distinctions matter, what’s involved in the process of scripture canonization, and we look at how the production of the Doctrine and Covenants itself offers us a valuable window into this important process.
This is the fifth episode of our 10-part podcast series on Joseph Smith's Revelations and Translations. For a full transcript of this episode, as well as show notes and additional resources, visit our website at doctrineandcovenantscentral.o...
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Originally published September 19, 2023
DISCLAIMER: While we try very hard to be historically and doctrinally accurate in what we say on this podcast, please remember that all views expressed in this and every episode are our views alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Scripture Central or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

[@briansmith9508]

Excellent scholastic work on church history. I have listened to all your podcasts and have learned a tremendous amount. Please keep the episodes coming!

[@user-sv4ue6iu7v]

Thank you so much for all the work you two put into your podcasts. One can tell you have done your "homework." And even though I enjoy podcasts on the Come Follow Me schedule, it is refreshing to keep studying about Church History and you two make it so interesting, never criticizing the works from the Lord or His Prophet since none of us really know all of the why's and where fore's for such changes, deleting's, etc that is sometimes required. Keep up the good work dear brothers and I will keep on listening.

[@RyanMercer]

☺ 👍

[@elizabethpeterson9914]

I've just recently discovered the Lectures on Faith. It's my understanding that there's some things in there that aren't doctrinal, perhaps words from Sidney Rigdon, but there's still some amazing stuff in there and I'm sad it's no longer part of our cannon. I wish it could be edited under apostolic inspiration and re-canonized. Note however, I'm only partway through reading it. I'm excited to see what you have to say about it.

[@andrewdurfee3896]

Those who read it with the Holy Spirit will benefit thereby like those who read the Apocrypha with the Holy Spirit.

[@WenaAnulao55]

❤❤❤❤

[@buckley9]

Any future plans to film these episodes? I'd love to watch as well!

[@MelindaLBrown1830]

I disagree that a patriarch is not a seer. In the home, glossary, under seer in the Joseph Smith Papers it's very clear a seer could know of things which has past and also things to come.

[@MelindaLBrown1830]

Women can also be seers for people under their stewardship.