The Living Word: Why Our Canon is Always Growing

Brothers and sisters, sometimes when we’re deep in the study—maybe we’re wrestling with a tough passage in the Doctrine and Covenants, or perhaps we’re preparing for those pivotal missionary discussions—it can feel like we’ve reached the end of the line. Like we’ve read every word we need to read, and the divine instruction is complete.

I was recently reflecting on a talk by Brother Jeffrey R. Holland, and it hit me right where the Spirit needed it to. The idea that the canon of scripture might be "closed" is a concept that has been debated, and it’s a topic that sometimes makes us feel like we need to defend the boundaries of our faith.

But as returned missionaries, as disciples who have seen the breadth of the work, we know better. We know that the gospel is not a static museum exhibit; it is a living, breathing river of revelation. The Spirit is the ultimate guide, and that guidance continues to flow!

The Ongoing Nature of Revelation

When we hear arguments for a closed canon, they often center on specific verses, pointing to definitive conclusions. But what Brother Holland so eloquently pointed out is that these arguments often misinterpret the context of those scriptures. He reminded us that the warnings regarding adding to Revelation apply specifically to that book, not to the entirety of divine revelation.

Think about it. Our journey as Latter-day Saints is defined by *receiving* revelation. We have the Bible, yes, but we also have the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price—all gifts that testify of Christ and expand our understanding of the Atonement. And that doesn't even account for the ongoing guidance we receive through our modern prophets and apostles.

This isn't just academic theology; this is missionary preparation in action. When we are in the field, we are taught to listen. We are taught to discern. We are taught to look for the whisperings of the Spirit that point us to the next necessary truth, the next scripture, the next service.

Be Christlike and Keep Learning

This principle—that we must always be learning and always be ready to receive—is perhaps the most Christlike posture we can adopt. It means that even when we feel confident in our testimony, we remain humble enough to study, to ask questions, and to be taught.

This is where our community shines. We are not just absorbing information; we are *doing* discipleship. Whether you are in a Book Club in HolyPlaces diving deep into Isaiah, or you're working through a challenging question with Davee using the AI Investigator role, you are practicing the art of continuous learning. You are practicing how to be an Internet missionary!

The Church has always been characterized by its capacity to gather Israel, and that gathering requires us to be perpetually ready to learn the gospel in all its facets. We must never assume the last word has been spoken.

A Bite-Sized Mission-Prep Skill: The Art of the Follow-Up Question

If you take one thing away today, let it be this: When someone asks you a challenging question—the kind that makes you pause and think, "Wow, I didn't think about it that way"—don't rush to the answer. Instead, try asking them a thoughtful follow-up question. For example, if they say, "But what about X?" You could respond, "That's a very important point. To help me understand your perspective better, could you tell me what your understanding of Y is?" This invites dialogue, it shows respect for their intelligence, and it keeps the Spirit moving the conversation forward.

My friends, the work is never finished. The Spirit is always speaking. Let's commit to keeping our hearts open, our minds curious, and our scriptures close.

If this talk stirred your spirit, please consider joining our weekly Disciple Challenge! It's a wonderful, low-pressure way to deepen your study habits and connect with fellow disciples who share this hunger for truth. Or, if you prefer structured study, dive into a Book Club or Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces this week!