Bro Gramps, do you know if the LDS Headquarters use the “Lost Books of the Bible” and The “Forgotten Books of Eden”? I have had this bible for about 15 years and it is very very interesting. The reason these books wasn’t published is due to the Authors thought these books wasn’t as important as the Standard Bible. The bible can be search on Facebook in the Bing Search. I read the name Laban in it and could be the Laban in the Book of Mormon. These bibles are early christian writings. Thanks.
Helena
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Helena,
The First Presidency and the Apostles haven’t invited me to their book club lately, so I’m not really privy to what books they read and use in their discussions. I have read some of these “lost books” and find them to be quite the mixed bag. Some aspects fall in line well the doctrine of Christ and some deviate. We don’t use these books in our church curriculum, but instead focus on canonized scripture and the teachings of modern prophets. LDS scholars and gospel enthusiasts use these apocryphal works in their personal and professional studies, and I think they’ve found great benefit from it. The Brethren may read such books, but in determining doctrine and teachings rely on the spirit of revelation. Elder Christofferson shared this insight in the workings of the Twelve:
“We value scholarship that enhances understanding, but in the Church today, just as anciently, establishing the doctrine of Christ or correcting doctrinal deviations is a matter of divine revelation to those the Lord endows with apostolic authority”
By the way, you can also find the name Laban in our canonized Bible. He was Jacob’s (Israel’s) father-in-law. You can read all about their strained relationship in Genesis 24, 27-31.
-Gramps
