(comunicado de prensa en español) The Latter-day Saint edition of the Holy Bible in Spanish, a project that has spanned several years, is now available, and a print run of 800,000 copies has already been completed. It is one of the most significant scripture projects ever undertaken by the Church. The volume contains new chapter headings, footnotes and cross-references to all scriptures used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In a letter read on Sunday in thousands of Spanish-speaking Latter-day Saint congregations, the Church’s First Presidency said: “We encourage each of you to obtain a personal copy of this new edition and to use it in your regular personal and family study and at Church. As you prayerfully learn and teach from the scriptures, your knowledge and testimony will increase, your love of family will expand, your ability to serve others will enlarge, and you will receive greater spiritual strength.”
This release marks the culmination of years of translation work and coincides with the 100-year anniversary of the 1909 edition of the Reina-Valera translation, on which the 2009 Latter-day Saint edition of the Spanish Bible is based. The text underwent a very conservative revision, focusing on modernizing some of the outdated grammar and vocabulary that had shifted in meaning and acceptability.
Church leaders began the process of producing a Spanish Latter-day Saint Bible in response to the increasing number of Spanish-speaking members of the Church. The volume is similar in purpose to the Church’s 1979 English edition of the King James Bible, which, with its cross-references and study helps, made the scriptures much more accessible to English-speaking Latter-day Saints. The Spanish Bible will provide similar study aids to the 4.5 million Spanish-speaking members of the Church.
Church president Thomas S. Monson said: “This new publication will bring about a significant increase in gospel scholarship among Spanish-speaking members of the Church. I can see our young people learning from the scriptures at an early age as families read and discuss together the Lord’s teachings. I envision our people being diligent with their personal study and becoming self-reliant in their understanding of the gospel.”
Elder Carlos H. Amado of the First Quorum of the Seventy, speaking of the impact this will have on Spanish-speaking Mormons, said, “This is a miracle … it is a marvel that the people can have the complete scriptures in Spanish, the Bible — the Doctrine and Covenants, the Book of Mormon, and the Pearl of Great Price—all joined together with the Bible.”
Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles participated extensively in the project. “The Bible is a resource of tremendous importance—of doctrine, of examples, of worthy lives,” Elder Scott said. “My prayer is that this volume may become a source of inspired instruction.”
Elder Scott’s love and concern for Spanish-speaking Latter-day Saints grew in Uruguay, where he served as a full-time missionary, and later when he was the president of a mission in Argentina.
Apostles are charged with being special witnesses of Jesus Christ. Part of that charge entails administrative responsibilities, including making the gospel readily accessible to the entire world. Just as their counterparts in ancient times were sent throughout the world, apostles today travel the world to strengthen Church members, organize new congregations and conduct the business of the Church. One such sacred responsibility has been the publishing of the Latter-day Saint edition of the Spanish Bible.
This new edition is available in printed, electronic and audio formats. Additional information about obtaining the Latter-day Saint edition of the Holy Bible in Spanish is available at SantaBiblia.lds.org .