A recent update to General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints includes new guidelines encouraging the use of a variety of Bible translations in personal study and church meetings—and BYU professor of ancient scripture John Hilton III (BS ’00, PhD ’10) couldn’t be more enthusiastic about it. A prolific gospel author and scholar, Hilton says he “can’t think of something that would improve your Bible study more than reading a translation you really understand.”
How can other Bible translations make the scriptures more accessible?
A: The average American adult struggles to read at a seventh-grade level, and the King James Version (KJV) is written at a 12th-grade level. In addition, younger readers, emerging English learners, and those with learning disabilities can all face accessibility gaps between their current reading abilities and the KJV. Modern Bible translations are much easier to read, shrinking the accessibility gap. Potential doctrinal issues between Bible translations are very small and are more than made up for in the ability to understand what the scriptures are saying. Bible study is about connecting with Jesus Christ, not reading a specific translation.
How can I integrate other translations into my studies?
A: I would use an online tool like Bible Gateway or the Bible app where you can read several different translations for free. Pick two or three translations that you think might be a good fit for you or your family, read a chapter in the KJV, and then read it in the other translations. Over time you’ll figure out what translations and approaches work best for you.
Which translation is best?
A: It depends on your purpose. The New International Version (NIV) is the bestselling Bible in America. This translation can help you build bridges with the many people who use it. Many of my colleagues prefer the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVue). It tends to be the one academics use in their publications because of its ecumenical nature. The English Standard Version (ESV) has strong connections to the KJV, so it’s a good one to test out if you’re uncertain about trying different translations. And if I were studying scripture with elementary school students, I would use the New International Reader’s Version (NIrV), because it’s written at a third-grade level.
