Abstract
Following the completion of work on the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith began his work on expanding the Bible’s scope. Unlike many of his contemporary Bible thinkers who were also working on translations of the Bible, Smith expanded the text in unique ways, breathing life into archaic and mysterious figures and developing themes far beyond the Biblical scope. Within the first year of the Church of Jesus Christ, Smith introduced significant information concerning a vision of the pseudepigraphical character of Enoch and additional information concerning the creation narrative. These additions give insight into Smith’s understanding of his theology and his views on the environment. These additional writings connect environmental care and social injustice. The unique theological implication is that the treatment of the marginalized and downtrodden is closely related to the environment.
Highlights
The theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has stood apart from many denominations
Besides a cadre of sermons and doctrinal discourses delivered over a fourteen-year career (1830–1844), Smith produced additional volumes of scripture along with additions to existing texts from the Bible. These additional texts give an expanded and unique perspective on human responsibility toward the earth. These extra-biblical texts become foundational to a Latter-day Saint perspective on the theology of environmental stewardship
The Book of Mormon may be the keystone of Mormonism, but the prophecy of Enoch is its doctrinal foundation.” (Givens and Hauglid 2019)
Summary
The theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has stood apart from many denominations. Besides a cadre of sermons and doctrinal discourses delivered over a fourteen-year career (1830–1844), Smith produced additional volumes of scripture along with additions to existing texts from the Bible These additional texts give an expanded and unique perspective on human responsibility toward the earth. This paper will look at the Latter-day Saints’ distinctive and insightful theological connection of human accountability toward the earth and their responsibility to care for the wellbeing of its inhabitants, especially the neglected and marginalized. This connection was instituted by Smith and other early church leaders and continues to expand and be taught today
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