Under the reign of King Josiah, a renovation of the temple was undertaken. During this time, Hilkiah, the high priest, made an important discovery. (See 2 Chron. 34:19.) He found a book of the law of the Lord. By this time in the history of Judah, the written law had apparently been lost and was virtually unknown.
So important were these rediscovered scriptures to Josiah that he called all the people to the temple and read the scriptures to them.Centuries later, after the coming of Christ and His death and resurrection, the scriptures were still treasured by the covenant people of God. The apostle Paul, in writing to Timothy, declared: "The holy scriptures . . . are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
"That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Tim. 3:15-17.)
From Paul's words, it can be inferred that scripture in a broad sense consists not just of ancient writings, but of all words that are given by God under inspiration through His servants. This is obvious from a revelation given through the Prophet Joseph Smith in November 1831:
"And whatsoever they
who bear the priesthoodT shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation." (D&C 68:4.)
