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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 January 2010
Joseph Smith's true Church, born through his visionary experience, was established in the same year as the Book of Mormon was published. Church and book confirmed Joseph as a prophet as he engaged in the numerous relationships that mark a charismatic leader and his followers. At the outset, prophet and texts emerge together as the basis of Mormon religion. Still, today, while teachers, preachers and priests hold significant offices, their work is ultimately constrained by the prophet-leader who can, in a moment, render previous interpretations of past writings quite redundant.
All theology depends upon a particular source of authority and for Mormonism that authority comes from the belief that God has established the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the restored source of true teaching and ritual practice needed for ultimate salvation, the state described as exaltation. This restoration itself depends upon a committed belief in prophets, especially Joseph Smith Jnr, and in the scriptures produced through prophecy as God's chosen method of communicating the truths of the Restoration. This chapter explores both the key texts of Mormonism and its view of prophecy.
A TEXTUAL CONTINUUM
The earlier text of Mormon theology emphasizes ‘relations’ whereas the later ones emphasize ‘principles’. The early text – the Book of Mormon – was published in 1830 and expressed a general Christian doctrine of salvation rooted in repentance, faith and baptism, all framed by a dynamic millenarian expectation of an imminent return of Christ. For this Christians should prepare by gathering together.
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