I have to note that there are problems within modern LDS scriptures. Problems concerning the Bible are accepted in Mormondom, because one of the (decreasing number of) things which the church still retains from Joseph’s teachings is that wicked and inept men altered the Bible over time.
But it is also true that mischief, ineptitude and attempts to “correct” the scriptures have altered the text of at least the Doctrine and Covenants and the Book of Mormon (a topic far too large to expound within this single post, I will do some bits and pieces as posts later on). These alterations are simply fact, too well documented to dispute at this point. This is not to say everything has been wildly altered, but some things have, while others remain relatively untouched.
What we have available to us though, which is not available in regards to the Bible, is very early—and in some cases original—transcripts and publications of these texts. The Joseph Smith Papers project is one good source for many of these. Unfortunately, their commentary grants Joseph assumed credit for all changes between initial transcripts and publications.
While some changes can be cleanly attributed to Joseph, many cannot. In some cases, the distinct writing voices of some of Joseph’s contemporaries is pronounced. When there is no clear author of changes, or they are clearly not from Joseph directly, it adds a layer of difficulty in determining how trustworthy the connection was between heaven and the editor.
No church leader since Joseph has proven to be nearly as visionary and connected to heaven as Joseph, so directly informed of the eternal views. The Lord also vouches for Joseph’s words, and his alone in this generation, as far as LDS canon dictates (D&C 28:2). Therefore it seems that anything which is not clearly the product of Joseph is simply less trustworthy than what actually came through him.
Yet even though we acknowledge Joseph as a dispensation head, he do him an injustice we do to no other dispensation heads, in assuming that his successors have been better informed of heaven than he is, allowing his words and status to be displaced by subsequent men of his dispensation. We do not do this with Adam, Moses, Abraham, Christ, or any others we acknowledge as dispensation heads, outside of Joseph.
But even with the flawed hand of man infringing as it does, the scriptures we have are still sufficient and valuable (“Most Answers are in the Scriptures,” Denver Snuffer, May 18, 2010). We can use our current scriptures to fill our minds with information on gospel subjects. With prayer and guidance from the Spirit, tapping into that same Mind responsible for placing them into the scriptures (2 Peter 1:20-21; LoF 5:2), we can sort through our information and have any incorrect alterations of man exposed to our minds. This clarity lays a stronger foundation for the Lord to build upon for greater revelations and understanding.
