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THE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS
SECTION 91
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, March 9, 1833. HC 1: 331—332. The Prophet was at this time engaged in the translation of the Old Testament. Having come to that portion of the ancient writings called the Apocrypha, he inquired of the Lord and received this instruction.
1—3, The Apocrypha is mostly translated correctly but contains many interpolations by the hands of men that are not true; 4—6, It benefits those enlightened by the Spirit.
1 VERILY, thus saith the Lord unto you concerning the Apocrypha—< [ Means hidden away or sacred. ] There are many things contained therein that are true, [ So it does or is of value - the problem is what is true and what is not. The bible that Joseph Smith had at the time had the Apocrypha in it with 14 books from the Apocrypha. This was the Duetro canon of scripture that was part of the Catholic bible. Interesting enough that the first thing that the Protestant religions did was to remove this apocrypha from the scriptures - you know doing what they always challenge us on which is the nothing is to be added or taken away from the bible. Any way this would be what Joseph Smith would have been referring to as the apocrypha in his day. What we have today that is also known as the apocrypha includes all of these texts that have come to light after the time of Joseph Smith 1833. The bible was written starting around about 500-550 BC and goes until roughly 300AD. In 1530 Martin Luther takes the Duetro canon(Catholic apocrypha) out of the bible claiming they do not belong, then turns and says that we can only judge by what is found in the holy scriptures. So he adjusts the rules mid game and then declares we need to be hold fast to the rules as they are. Then about 300(1829AD) years later along comes Joseph Smith and the Book Of Mormon which in essence declares to the world that the bible is not complete, that a restoration is taking place. Right after this we start to get all of these new tablets, plates, writings all beginning to come forth, and they are coming consistently and from all over the old world. These writings are different from what is in the catholic bible, so these apocryphal writings are not what Joseph Smith was asking the Lord about because he knew nothing about them. These were ancient texts like The Books OF Enoch, The Book OF Jasher, Book OF Jubliees, The Ascention OF Isaiah, The Apocalypse of Elijah. May of these come after Josephs lifetime. There is a record in the millennial star July 1840. That a rumor starts floating across the Atlantic in the Navuoo years this rumor starts floating across the Atlantic that they've discovered the Ethiopian Book of Enoch. Which is what we know is one Enoch. This is right after Joseph Smith started rewriting Genesis. Which we know today as the book of Moses which we have in Pearl of the great price. And inside of that we find the writings of Enoch. ] and it is mostly translated correctly;
2 There are many things contained therein that are not true, which are interpolations by the hands of men. [ Un-inspired and without permission. ]
3 Verily, I say unto you, that it is not needful that the Apocrypha should be translated. [ Or I take this to read, there is nothing for your salvation that is in there that you do not already have or will have. ]
4 Therefore, whoso readeth it, let him understand, [ Understand comes from two fundamental principles 1) They are read and understood by the spirit 2) , if they support gospel fundamentals then the spirit can confirm their worth. When there are contrary to gospel truths they are likely the works of men. ] for the Spirit manifesteth truth; [ If you decide you are going to study the Apocrypha then do so with the spirit. Let the other scriptures be your guide. ]
5 And whoso is enlightened by the Spirit shall obtain benefit therefrom; [ There are things that we can learn from their reading, so we need to read them in light of gospel truths. ]
6 And whoso receiveth not by the Spirit, cannot be benefited. Therefore it is not needful that it should be translated. Amen.
[ Historical Material Pertaining to Doctrine & Covenants 91 Excerpt from History of the Church March 9.-Having come to that portion of the ancient writings called the Apocrypha, I received the following: [Text of D&C 91 quoted] (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, volume 1, page 331) Respecting the Apocrypha, the Lord said to us that there were many things in it which were true, and there were many things in it which were not true, and to those who desire it, should be given by the Spirit to know the true from the false. (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, volume 1, page 363) Excerpt from the Juvenile Instructor I was present when the books, writings, etc., were deposited in the southeast cornerstone of the Nauvoo Temple. Joseph was there overseeing the selection made for deposit. Perhaps two hundred persons were collected around the place. When a Bible was presented for deposit it was thought necessary that it should be complete--containing the Apocrypha. As there seemed to be none within reach, except large, highly-prized family Bibles, Brother Reynolds Cahoon volunteered to go to his home, which was nearby and cut out the Apocrypha from his large family Bible, which was accepted and the Bible thus made complete. (Milton V. Backman and Keith W. Perkins, Writings of Early Latter-day Saints, Juvenile Instructor, Recollections of the Prophet Joseph Smith, quotation of Samuel Price, page 174). ]