SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced updates to the introductory sections of two of its sacred texts — the Doctrine and Covenants and the Book of Mormon — reflecting recent findings from historical research.
Most of the revisions focus on the Doctrine and Covenants, where 25 section introductions were updated to correct dates, clarify historical settings, and resolve minor factual discrepancies. The updates were made after years of study through the Joseph Smith Papers Project, a comprehensive effort that has documented, analyzed, and published the writings and records of the church’s founding prophet, Joseph Smith.
According to Elder Kyle S. McKay, a General Authority Seventy and the Church Historian and Recorder, the updates are designed to help readers better understand the historical and spiritual context surrounding these revelations.
“We hope the contextual additions help readers better understand why and how the Lord communicated with the Church through His Prophet,” Elder McKay said.
The project, spanning nearly two decades, has provided new clarity about the chronology and circumstances of key revelations that shaped early church history. The updated introductions aim to reflect that deeper accuracy while preserving the faith-based nature of the scriptures.
In addition to the Doctrine and Covenants updates, two chapter summaries in the Book of Mormon have also been slightly revised. These changes are intended to offer clearer descriptions of Jesus Christ’s ministry among the Nephite people following His resurrection — ensuring the summaries align more precisely with the scriptural text.
The updated digital versions of both scriptures are already live on the Church’s official platforms, including ChurchofJesusChrist.org and the Gospel Library app. Church officials emphasized that members are not required to replace printed editions, as the updates are primarily contextual and factual rather than doctrinal.
These modest yet meaningful adjustments reflect the Church’s ongoing commitment to historical accuracy and transparency in presenting its foundational texts.
