That is to say, before the work of corruption by the great and abominable church, the scriptural records represented the mind of God, expressed the divine will in regard to doctrine and practice and proclaimed in writing what he might proclaim verbally if he were present.
To Sidney Rigdon the Lord explained concerning the significance of Sidney’s work with the Prophet Joseph Smith in the inspired translation of the Bible.
“And a commandment I give unto thee-that thou shalt write for him; and the scriptures shall be given, even as they are in mine own bosom, to the salvation of mine own elect”
(D&C 35:20; italics added).