Updated Book of Mormon Seminary Scriptures

With no public announcement or explanation that I am aware of, CES has modified LDS seminary scriptures for all four courses of study. Some old favorites like 1 Nephi 19:23 (liken all scriptures unto us) are gone. New additions include 2 Nephi 25:25 (we talk of Christ, we preach of Christ). I have heard speculation that the changes were intended to give a better match with the topics covered in the new youth curriculum or to give more focus on preparing seminary students for earlier missionary service, but there is no official comment or explanation for the changes. LDS.org now lists the new Book of Mormon scriptures. A nicely formatted table showing changes for all four years is available here.

Below is a list of the changes for the Book of Mormon, this year's course of study. I have put the retained scriptures in regular font, bolded the new or modified scriptures, and italicized and indented the scriptures that were dropped.

• 1 Nephi 3:7 - I will go and do what God has commanded.
•      Dropped: 1 Nephi 19:23 - Liken all scriptures unto us.
• 2 Nephi 2:25 - Adam fell that men might be.
• 2 Nephi 2:27 - We are free to choose liberty and eternal life.
• 2 Nephi 9:28-29 - To be learned is good, if you hearken to the counsels of God.
• NEW: 2 Nephi 25:23, 26 - By grace we are saved, after all we can do. We talk of Christ, we preach of Christ.
• 2 Nephi 28:7-9 - Many will teach false and foolish doctrines.
• NEW: 2 Nephi 31:19-20 - Press forward with hope and love, feasting on the word of Christ and enduring to the end, and you shall have eternal life.
• 2 Nephi 32:3 - The words of Christ will tell you what to do.
• 2 Nephi 32:8-9 - The Spirit teaches us to pray.
•      Dropped: Jacob 2:18-19 - Seek the kingdom of God before riches.
• Mosiah 2:17 - Serving your fellow man is serving God.
• Mosiah 3:19 - The natural man is an enemy to God.
• Mosiah 4:30 - Watch your thoughts, words, and deeds.
• NEW: Alma 7:11-13 - The Son of God shall suffer pains and afflictions, and take upon him the sins of his people to blot out their transgressions.
• Alma 32:21 - Faith is hope in unseen things, not perfect knowledge.
•      Dropped: Alma 34:32-34 - Do not procrastinate your repentance.
•      Dropped: Alma 37:6-7 - Small things bring to pass great things.
• Alma 37:35 - Learn in youth to keep the commandments of God.
• NEW: Alma 39:9 - Go no more after the lusts of your eyes.
• Alma 41:10 - Wickedness never was happiness.
• Helaman 5:12 - Build your foundation on the rock of our Redeemer.
•      Dropped: 3 Nephi 11:29 - The spirit of contention is not of God.
• NEW: 3 Nephi 12:48 - Be perfect.
• NEW: 3 Nephi 18:15, 20-21 - Watch and pray always, lest you be tempted by the devil.
•      Dropped: 3 Nephi 27:27 - What kind of person should you be? Even as Jesus.
• Ether 12:6 - Faith is in things hoped for, not seen; you receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.
• Ether 12:27 - God will make weak things become strong for those who have faith and humility.
•      Dropped: Moroni 7:16-17 - The Spirit of Christ is given to all to know good from evil.
• NEW: Moroni 7:41 - Hope for eternal life, through faith in God and hope in the Atonement of Christ.
• MODIFIED: Moroni 7:45, 47-48 - Charity is patient and kind, hoping and enduring all things (v. 45, retained). Charity is the pure love of Christ; pray to be filled with this love (v. 47-48, new).
• Moroni 10:4-5 - If you ask with sincerity, determination, and faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit will confirm to you the truth of the Book of Mormon and of all things.

Comments

[Armand Mauss]

The new inclusions seem to me primarily intended to close the gap somewhat between the LDS and the Evangelicals. No harm done, I guess, but the harder we (or CES)try to close that gap, the more like the Evangelicals we become and the less we retain our "peculiar" LDS discourse and culture.

[Armand Mauss]

By the way, my last post required me to use an obsolete e-mail address, since it refused to accept the one that I have had for the past four years! If you want to know my current e-mail address, let me know, and I'll be glad to give it to you.

-- Armand

[Dave]

Yes, forward me your new email address, Armand.

[Daniel Ortner]

The added scriptures are all Christ Centered and ones that I use as a missionary on a regular basis. These seem like some wise changes.

Most people on the street don't care about the difference theologically between mormons and evangelicals. They are lacking knowledge of the savior or lacking faith in him. These verses bear simple witnesses of the savior and have the power to bring the spirit immensely.

[Ben S]

It's interesting to watch these change. Seems like it happens more often than other things, as I recall some shifting just 4-5 years ago.