Funny how most everyone that answered my question has a different view. I guess the cross reference is a mixture of scripture and help tips. For instance in some places you have the JST verses and others just a historical fact. It's really handy for grouping related scriptures together.
I would never call the cross-references "scripture" but at the same time they do make up a big part of the scriptures so I wouldn't discount them either. Someone made a comment earlier about it being someone's personal input into it. My view is if that's so then modern day leders can alway change it if that's true, but since they haven't I guess I'll keep on using it.
Who or what says that they are not scripture?
I will agree with thomaslee in many of his arguments... Why would the church allow them if they are not scripture?
Again I think we are misunderstanding what is considered scripture
DYC 68:3-5
Are they the ultimate and last word of course not, because we believe in modern revelation.