A summary of Mormon Books must begin with Mormon scriptures. The Mormon Church has four volumes that it accepts as scripture and refers to as “the standard works.” These are the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.
The first of the Mormon books is the Bible. It is believed to be the word of God and a testament of Jesus Christ, who leads the Mormon Church. English-speaking Mormons use the King James Version of the Bible, because this is the version that Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon Church, used and was familiar with from his childhood. Smith undertook a revision of the King James Version after learning by revelation that many “plain and precious parts” (1 Nephi 13:38-40) had been lost or changed during centuries of transcribing and translating copy after copy. Called the “Joseph Smith Translation” or JST, references to these changes are included as footnotes in King James Version Bibles published for Mormon use. The only changes the Church has made to the King James Version are the special inclusions of footnotes, cross-references to other scriptures, appendices (dictionary, topical guide), and maps.
Second of the Mormon books is the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is an account of ancient people of the house of Israel who fled Jerusalem around 600 B.C. and traveled to the American continent, establishing a civilization there. These faithful believers obeyed the Law of Moses looking forward to the coming of Christ upon the earth. The pinnacle of the Book of Mormon is the visit of the resurrected Jesus Christ to this civilization on the American continent, where He taught them His gospel and established His Church. The record concludes around 400 A.D. and is named after the ancient prophet Mormon, who abridged the records of this people spanning 1,000 years. This abridgment was engraved on gold and brass plates and buried in the earth for future generations. Joseph Smith was shown the location of these plates in 1823 and subsequently published a translation into English he had accomplished by the gift and power of God. What resulted is the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ.
The Doctrine and Covenants is another of the Mormon books in the standard works, and consists of 138 revelations and two official declarations by the Mormon Church. The majority of the revelations were received by Joseph Smith, the first chronologically in 1823. Only three of the revelations and the two declarations were added to the Doctrine and Covenants after the death of Joseph Smith. Included in the revelations of the Doctrine and Covenants are doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ and instructions on the organization and administration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This compilation was originally titled The Book of Commandments and was changed to The Doctrine and Covenants in later printings. This book of scripture is different from the other Mormon books in that it is entirely comprised of modern revelation, with sections recorded between 1823 and 1978, and it doesn’t follow a narrative of a people or prophet. Most of the revelations were received as answers to prayers of Joseph Smith concerning the establishment of the Mormon Church. Unlike the Bible or Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants is more like an instruction manual than a record of the doings of a people.
The Pearl of Great Price is the last of the Mormon books contained in the standard works. All of the writings were produced by Joseph Smith and originally published in the Mormon Church periodicals of the day. First is the Book of Moses. It is derived from Joseph Smith’s revision of the Book of Genesis. Through revelation many things were added to the Book of Moses that were left out of the Book of Genesis. Next is the Book of Abraham. It is a translation of a papyrus that Joseph Smith acquired which contained some writings of Abraham. Together, the Book of Moses and the Book of Abraham clarify doctrines of Pre-Mortal Life, the Creation, the City of Enoch, and the destiny of man. Next is a section called Joseph Smith-Matthew. It is also from the revision of the Bible and is a much more detailed prophesy by the Savior of the destruction of Jerusalem, as contained in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 23. Joseph Smith-History contains Joseph Smith’s account of his early life and the circumstances that led to his heavenly vision, discovery of the Book of Mormon, and call to reestablish the church of Jesus Christ upon the earth. Last are the Articles of Faith. These are thirteen basic beliefs of the Mormon Church written by Joseph Smith in response to a newspaperman’s inquiry about the Mormons’ beliefs.
These are the four volumes that make up the canon of Mormon scripture. In addition to scripture, there are many Mormon books and volumes that explain the history and doctrines of Mormonism.