In the Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 13:18 states “…that there are many plain and precious things taken away from the book, which is the book of the Lamb of God.” Can you tell me – what are those “plain and precious things” missing from the Bible?
There are about 18 books mentioned within the Bible itself that aren’t found anywhere in our current Old or New Testament canon of Scripture. Latter-Day Saints refer to these as “lost books” or “missing Scriptures”.
List of “Lost Books”
- book of the Wars of the Lord
- book of Jasher
- book of the acts of Solomon
- book of Samuel the seer
- book of Gad the seer
- book of Nathan the prophet
- prophecy of Ahijah
- visions of Iddo the seer
- book of Shemaiah
- book of Jehu
- sayings of the seers
- earlier epistle of Paul to the Corinthians
- earlier epistle to the Ephesians
- epistle to the Church at Laodicea
- some prophecies of Enoch
- book of the covenant
- the manner of the kingdom, written by Samuel
- the rest of the acts of Uzziah written by Isaiah
Are they really “lost”, or were they simply omitted or rejected when the Bible was being compiled?
Why would they be omitted or rejected if they are mentioned in the Bible? Shouldn’t they be included? This is why the LDS member believes that the Bible is incomplete.
In, order for those so-called “lost books” to support the L.D.S position, there must first be some evidence those books were once considered part of the canon of Scripture to begin with. The fact is, there’s no evidence to support that claim.
Mormon leaders have taught that these “lost” books are a result of a Great Apostasy, when many “plain and precious things” that were once part of the Bible are no longer there.
Yet, the L.D.S Church has made no effort to “restore” any of these so-called missing books to the Bible. Instead, it’s prophet Joseph Smith “restored” other lost documents such as the Book of Mormon, Book of Moses, and the Book of Abraham. All which are not mentioned in the Bible.
The LDS Church doesn’t seem to be concerned about the Bible being incomplete. They are more concerned about defending books as Scripture that were never part of the Bible at all.
How then how do you explain the mention of those other books in the Bible text?
Those alleged “lost books” were known by the Jews in Old Testament times as well as by Christians of the New Testament era, but they were not considered inspired Scripture. 2 Peter 1:20-21 says, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” Every book in the New Testament was either written by an apostle or someone who was close to an apostle – like Mark and Luke.
Most of those “lost books” lacked apostolic or prophetic authorship and they did not claim to be the Word of God. They are just a sidelight in the text. There are literally hundreds of historical and religious books written during the same time, period as the books of the Bible. However, they were not inspired of God.
To say the Bible is missing “plain and precious truths” is an argument from silence. Just because some writing is mentioned in the Bible does not prove it is supposed to be included in the Bible.
LDS members believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God? – For the most part and as long as it is translated correctly.
When I think of the Holy Bible as the inspired Word of God, I cannot believe that it would incomplete. I know the Spirit of God worked through inspired men to write the books of the Bible.
Any books that were rejected – even though they were mentioned in the text of the Bible – were never part of the Bible to begin with. They were never lost!
Calling them “lost books” is not the correct definition. The Early Christian Church had within its authority to reject as non-canonical certain writings and books. They are not lost – they were merely discarded.
The Bible has One Creator – God. He would not allow vital and pertinent teachings to be lost in any way. He promised He would preserve His Word forever!
