How LDS Scholars Approach Biblical Criticism: Methods & Faith

LDS Perspective

LDS scholars approach biblical criticism with a perspective that harmonizes faith with scholarly inquiry, recognizing both the divine inspiration of scripture and the value of academic methodologies. They acknowledge that the Bible, while containing the word of God, has passed through human hands and centuries of transmission, which necessitates careful textual and historical analysis. This approach does not diminish spiritual value but rather seeks to understand the scriptures within their original contexts while maintaining belief in their religious significance. LDS scholars often address geographical and historical misconceptions about biblical events, as demonstrated in their analysis of "the city of David" designation applying to both Bethlehem and Jerusalem across different time pe

Historical Perspective

LDS engagement with biblical criticism has historically been marked by institutional tension and methodological distinctiveness. During the mid-20th century, church leadership often viewed higher criticism with suspicion, exemplified by Joseph Fielding Smith's tenure as Church Historian, where he employed "anti-intellectual arguments especially against science evolution and biblical studies biblical criticism" and actively suppressed historical documents that challenged orthodox narratives. This gatekeeping approach created an environment where professional biblical scholarship was viewed as potentially threatening to faith, leading to restricted access to archives and discouragement of critical methodologies that questioned traditional authorship claims or historical readings of scripture