Navigating the Canon: How to Approach Texts Outside the Standard Scriptures

Brothers and sisters, as we continue in the work, we are constantly encountering new information—new questions, new doctrines, and yes, sometimes, new books. It can feel like wading through a river of texts, and it’s easy to get caught up trying to determine which currents are strong and which are just ripples.

I was recently looking into some material regarding the Book of Enoch, and it brought up a vital principle for every disciple: discerning the inspired word from the historically interesting, but uninspired, writings. When we are out in the field, or even just doing our personal study at home, we must be diligent stewards of our focus.

It’s a good reminder that just because a passage *references* something, or because a respected scholar *quotes* it, doesn't automatically grant it the same weight as the revealed word of the Lord found in the standard canon. This is a truth that helps us keep our testimonies strong and our focus pure.

Keeping the Focus on the Word

The principle here is simple, yet profound: Our anchor must always be the inspired scriptures—the Bible as we know it, guided by the Spirit and illuminated by modern revelation. When we examine texts like the Book of Enoch, we learn to treat them as what they are: fascinating, sometimes prophetic, but ultimately fallible historical documents, not the inspired Word of God.

The Apostle Paul and others have quoted passages from sources that weren't originally canonized, but we must remember the distinction. The quote itself might be true, as the Spirit testifies, but the entire book surrounding that quote carries no divine authority. We are taught to build our testimonies on the rock of revealed truth, not on shifting sand of tradition.

A Bite-Sized Mission Prep Skill: Source Authority

Here’s a skill we can all practice this week: When studying any doctrine or scripture, always ask yourself, "Where does this authority come from?" Is it directly from the Book of Mormon? Is it from a revelation given through modern prophets? Is it from the established canon? This habit of source-checking will serve you better than any flashcard when you are in a missionary discussion.

It’s about developing that spiritual discernment—that ability to feel the Spirit guiding you to the *right* source of truth. Don't be afraid to pause a discussion and say, "That's an interesting point; let's look at what the scriptures say about that." That gentle redirection is a powerful act of discipleship.

Moving Forward in the Work

My friends, the Lord calls us to be Internet missionaries everywhere, all the time. Whether you are studying for your mission, serving as a returned missionary, or simply living your life as a disciple in your own home, remember this: Our calling is to point people back to the restored gospel, and the scriptures are our primary tools. We can learn so much from studying how scholars approach these questions, which is why I highly recommend checking out the book, *The Canon of Scripture* by F.F. Bruce, available in LivingBook. It's an excellent resource for understanding the boundaries of inspired scripture.

If you want to deepen your study skills and practice this discernment with me, I invite you to join our next Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces. It’s a wonderful place to wrestle with tough questions together, and we can even bring Davee in to role-play some investigator questions!

Remember, we are building a movement of discipleship, one inspired discussion at a time. Keep the Spirit close, and keep studying the pure, revealed Word.