The latest updates to the Church’s General Handbook includes an adjustment to a section about editions and translations of the Holy Bible.
The handbook notes that “generally, members should use a preferred or Church-published edition of the Bible in Church classes and meetings. This helps maintain clarity in discussions and consistent understanding of doctrine.” In English, the Church publishes the King James Version, with helpful footnotes, subject indexes, and other study aids.
However, “other Bible translations may also be used” to better understand the teachings of the Bible. “Some individuals may benefit from translations that are doctrinally clear and also easier to understand. Examples of such translations can be found in the Church’s Holy Bible list.”
That Bible list includes the following examples of translations in English that achieve both readability and doctrinal clarity:
9th–11th grade reading level:
6th–8th grade reading level:
3rd grade reading level:
When you click one of the Bible translations above, you can read them on Bible.com, which provides the option of viewing two Bible translations side by side, such as the following example of Genesis 1 with the King James Version on the left and the New Living Translation on the right.
“When members encounter doctrinal discrepancies between Bible translations, they should refer to the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and teachings of latter-day prophets.”
Below is the full text of the section of the General Handbook about scriptures:
38.8.40 Scriptures
38.8.40.1 Editions and translations of the Holy Bible
The Church identifies editions of the Bible that align well with the Lord’s doctrine in the Book of Mormon and modern revelation (see Articles of Faith 1:8). A preferred edition of the Bible is then chosen for many languages spoken by Church members.
In some languages, the Church publishes its own edition of the Bible. Church-published editions are based on standard Bible texts. Examples include:
- The King James Version in English.
- The Reina-Valera (2009) in Spanish.
- The Almeida (2015) in Portuguese.
Church-published editions of the Bible include footnotes, subject indexes, and other study aids.
Generally, members should use a preferred or Church-published edition of the Bible in Church classes and meetings. This helps maintain clarity in discussions and consistent understanding of doctrine. Other Bible translations may also be used. Some individuals may benefit from translations that are doctrinally clear and also easier to understand. Examples of such translations can be found in the Church’s Holy Bible list. When members encounter doctrinal discrepancies between Bible translations, they should refer to the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and teachings of latter-day prophets.
38.8.40.2 Scripture Translation
The Lord directed His prophets and apostles to preserve the scriptures in safety (see Doctrine and Covenants 42:56). The Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles closely supervises the translation of Church scriptures. Using approved processes helps ensure doctrinal accuracy and preserve evidence of the text’s origins.
Area Presidencies submit official requests for new translations of the scriptures to the Church Correlation Department.
Any other efforts to translate scripture text are not authorized. This policy applies to translations accomplished by traditional methods, artificial intelligence, or other means.
38.8.40.3 Simplified or Modernized Scriptures
The Church publishes simplified scripture stories intended for children. The Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has not authorized any other efforts to update or rewrite scripture text into modern or informal language. This policy applies to efforts accomplished by traditional methods, artificial intelligence, or other means.
38.8.40.4 Accessing Scriptures
Printed copies of scriptures, including some preferred editions of the Bible, are available from Church Distribution Services. Preferred editions of the Bible may also be available at local booksellers, online, and in Bible mobile applications. Electronic text and audio recordings of Church-published editions and some preferred editions are available in the Gospel Library app and at scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. These resources also provide lists of scriptures that are available by language.
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