In his vision, Lehi saw a rod of iron, by means of which the wanderers on Life’s narrow path, surrounded by dark, delusive mists of error, could find their way to the tree of life. (I Ne. 8:19) This “rod,” Nephi says, was the Word of God.
This term, as I understand it, comprehends all that God has revealed to man, and more especially that which belongs to the plan of salvation. Some of the revelations have been preserved in written volumes, of which we then can properly say that they contain the Word of God.
Among the ancient books so known are the Old and New Testaments, and, as we, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe, the Book of Mormon, and the writings of Moses and Abraham, as preserved in the Pearl of Great Price. All these, we claim, are inspired, which means that they were written by “holy men of God,” who spake [as they were] moved by the “Holy Ghost” (2 Tim. 3:16).
Modern volumes, similarly inspired, are, The Doctrine and Covenants and the writings of Joseph, the Prophet, as preserved in the Pearl of Great Price.
Let us hear some testimonies concerning the Word of God, universally known as the “Bible.”
“Here is a book whose ante-mundane voices had grown old, when voices spoke in Eden. A book which has survived not only with continued but increasing lustre, vitality, vivacity, popularity, rebound of influence. A book which comes through all the shocks without a wrench, and all the furnaces of all the ages—like an iron safe—with every document in every pigeon hole, without a warp upon it, or the smell of fire ... a book dating from days as ancient as those of the Ancient of Days, and which, when all that makes up what we see and call the universe shall be dissolved, will still speak on in thunder-tones of majesty, and whisper-tones of love, for it is wrapping in itself the everlasting past, and opening and expanding from itself the everlasting future; and, like an all-irradiating sun, will roll on, while deathless ages roll, the one unchanging, unchangeable revelation of God.” (The Rev. George S. Bishop, D.D., East Orange, N.J.)
“Young man, my advice to you is that you cultivate an acquaintance with and firm belief in the Holy Scriptures, for this is your certain interest. I think Christ’s system of morals and religion, as he left them with us, the best the world ever saw or is likely to see.” (Benjamin Franklin)
“I have said and always will say that the studious perusal of the sacred volume will make better citizens, better fathers, and better husbands.” (Thomas Jefferson)
“The Bible is the book of all others for lawyers as well as divines, and I pity the man who cannot find in it a rich supply of thought and rule of conduct.” (Daniel Webster)
“The farther the ages advance in civilization the more will the Bible be used.” (Goethe)
“All countries that refuse the cross wither, and the time will come, when the vast communities and countless myriads of America and Australia, looking upon Europe as Europe now looks upon Greece, and wondering how so small a space could have achieved such great deeds, will find music in the songs of Zion and solace in the parables of Galilee.” (Benjamin Disraeli)
As Latter-day Saints we believe that such testimonies are applicable to all revelations of God to man.