Pearl of Great Price (Mormonism)

The Pearl of Great Price is one of four books accepted as scripture by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), commonly known as the Mormon Church. It is a collection of sacred writings that were translated or produced by Joseph Smith Jr., the church's founder and first prophet. The book serves as part of the "standard works" of Mormon scripture, alongside the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants [1][2].

The Pearl of Great Price contains what Latter-day Saints consider "choice materials touching many significant aspects of the faith and doctrine" of their church [2]. Unlike the other standard works, which are single cohesive texts, the Pearl of Great Price is an anthology of diverse religious writings that address fundamental questions about the nature of God, humanity's origins, and prophetic revelation.

Historical Development

The first collection bearing the title "Pearl of Great Price" was compiled in 1851 by Franklin D. Richards, an LDS apostle serving a mission in Liverpool, England [3]. Richards gathered various writings and revelations by Joseph Smith that had been previously published in church periodicals during the 1830s and 1840s. His compilation was intended to make these important texts more accessible to church members, particularly those in Britain who had limited access to American Mormon publications.

The collection underwent several revisions throughout the 19th century. In 1878, the Pearl of Great Price was formally accepted as scripture by a vote of the LDS Church membership during the church's semi-annual General Conference. This canonization elevated the text from a useful compilation to official doctrine, placing it on equal footing with the other standard works.

The most significant modern revision occurred in 1979, when the LDS Church removed several sections and reorganized the content. The Lectures on Faith, which had been included since the early editions, were removed because they were considered instructional rather than revelatory. Some revelations were transferred to the Doctrine and Covenants, streamlining the Pearl of Great Price to its current form.

Contents and Structure

The Pearl of Great Price consists of five distinct sections, each addressing different aspects of Mormon theology and history [4]:

The Book of Moses comprises eight chapters that present Joseph Smith's inspired revision of the early chapters of Genesis. This text expands significantly on the biblical account of creation, the fall of Adam and Eve, and the early history of humanity. It includes the story of Enoch and his city of Zion, which Mormons believe was taken up to heaven. The Book of Moses also contains what Latter-day Saints consider the most complete account of Moses' vision of God and his works.

The Book of Abraham consists of five chapters that Joseph Smith claimed to have translated from Egyptian papyri he acquired in 1835. The text presents itself as Abraham's own account of his early life, including his near-sacrifice by idolatrous priests, his vision of the pre-mortal existence of souls, and his understanding of the creation. This book is particularly significant in Mormon theology as it introduces concepts about the eternal nature of human souls and the plurality of gods.

Joseph Smith—Matthew is Smith's inspired translation of Matthew chapter 24, focusing on Jesus Christ's prophecies about the destruction of Jerusalem and his second coming. This section reflects Smith's belief that the Bible had been corrupted over time and needed prophetic clarification.

Joseph Smith—History is an autobiographical account written by Joseph Smith describing the events leading to the founding of the LDS Church. It covers his first vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ in 1820, visits from the angel Moroni, and the translation of the Book of Mormon. This narrative serves as the official church account of its origins [7].

The Articles of Faith are thirteen concise statements of belief written by Joseph Smith in 1842 in a letter to John Wentworth, editor of the Chicago Democrat newspaper. These articles summarize core Mormon doctrines including beliefs about the Godhead, salvation, revelation, and the restoration of primitive Christianity [7].

Theological Significance

Within Mormon theology, the Pearl of Great Price addresses several doctrines that distinguish Latter-day Saint beliefs from mainstream Christianity. The Book of Abraham introduces the concept of eternal progression, suggesting that human souls existed before birth and can progress to become like God. It also presents a cosmology involving multiple gods and worlds.

The Book of Moses emphasizes the doctrine of continuing revelation, demonstrating that God continues to reveal truth beyond what is contained in the Bible. It also introduces the concept that all humans are literal spirit children of God, a fundamental tenet of Mormon theology.

Joseph Smith—History establishes the foundational claim of the LDS Church: that God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith to restore true Christianity after centuries of apostasy. This account serves as the basis for the church's authority claims and its position as the only true church on earth.

Contemporary Role and Study

Modern Latter-day Saints study the Pearl of Great Price as part of their regular scripture study and in church educational programs. The text is included in the church's four-year Sunday School curriculum rotation and is frequently referenced in sermons and church publications.

The book plays a crucial role in missionary work, as it contains Joseph Smith's first vision account and the Articles of Faith, which missionaries use to explain basic Mormon beliefs to investigators. Seminary and institute programs for LDS youth and young adults dedicate significant time to studying the Pearl of Great Price.

Scholarly and Critical Perspectives

The Pearl of Great Price has been subject to considerable scholarly scrutiny, particularly the Book of Abraham. Critics point to evidence that the Egyptian papyri from which Smith claimed to translate the text are actually common funerary documents that bear no relationship to the published content. Egyptologists who have examined the papyri conclude they are typical burial texts dating to the Ptolemaic period.

Defenders of the text offer various explanations, including the possibility that the papyri served as a catalyst for revelation rather than a direct translation source, or that the relevant portions of the papyri have been lost. The LDS Church has acknowledged that the papyri do not contain the text of the Book of Abraham but maintains the book's scriptural status.

Historical criticism has also examined the development of doctrines found in the Pearl of Great Price, noting how concepts like the plurality of gods and eternal progression evolved in Smith's thinking over time. Some scholars view these texts as products of 19th-century religious and philosophical currents rather than ancient revelations.

Related Topics

• Book of Mormon
• Doctrine and Covenants
• Joseph Smith Jr.
• Standard Works (Mormonism)
• Book of Abraham
• First Vision
• Articles of Faith (Latter Day Saints)
• Mormon theology

Summary

The Pearl of Great Price is a collection of sacred writings accepted as scripture by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, containing revelations and translations by Joseph Smith that address fundamental Mormon doctrines about God, humanity's origins, and the restoration of Christianity.