Question
Gramps,
D&C 91:1-3 states that it isn’t necessary for the Apocrypha (or Deuterocanon) to be translated, despite the truth contained within the texts. Why does the Lord say not to translate the Apocrypha and include it as part of our scripture?
David
Answer
David,
The term “Apocrypha” traditionally refers to a collection of ancient religious books that are included in some editions of the Bible but not others. Apocryphal texts are accepted in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles (sometimes referred to as deuterocanonical books) but are absent from the Hebrew Bible and most Protestant translations. The Gnostic texts, such as the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Mary, are ancient writings that claim to possess esoteric knowledge and teachings outside the mainstream early Christian tradition.
The history of these books and their disputed status stretches back to the early centuries of Christianity. For example, when St. Jerome translated the Bible into Latin (the Vulgate) around 450 AD, he chose not to include the Apocryphal books, because no Hebrew versions existed at the time, even though they were present in the Greek Septuagint. Later, the Catholic Council of Trent (1546) declared many Apocryphal books scriptural, while most Protestant Reformers rejected them as lacking divine authority, relegating them to an appendix or omitting them altogether.
Gnostic texts, often unearthed much later (like the Nag Hammadi library in the mid-20th century), contain teachings that diverged sharply from early Christian orthodoxy and, as such, were never widely accepted as scripture by mainstream Christianity or Jewish tradition.
One might expect The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which adds the Book of Mormon and other revealed works to its canon, to have a unique openness to apocryphal and extra-biblical writings. However, the Church’s stance is clear: its official teaching is grounded in scriptural texts that are explicitly validated through modern revelation. This principle is pivotal. Only those books confirmed as scripture by divine revelation and prophetic authority are canonized and taught to the collective body of the Church.
The Church’s approach to the Apocrypha was set forth through revelation received by Joseph Smith in 1833, recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 91. In the midst of the Prophet’s translation of the Bible, he reached the Apocrypha and asked whether these books should also be translated further or considered scripture. In response, the Lord declared:
There are many things contained therein that are not true… whoso is enlightened by the Spirit shall obtain benefit therefrom; And whoso receiveth not by the Spirit, cannot be benefited. Therefore it is not needful that it should be translated.
This revelation provided several crucial guidelines:
Not All Truth Is Canon: The Apocrypha contains both truths and errors. Inspiration and discernment are required to glean value from them.
Personal Study vs. Corporate Doctrine: While individuals enlightened by the Spirit may benefit, there is no need for these books to become part of the official teaching canon.
Prophetic Authority: Canonization is reserved for texts specifically validated by revelation to Church prophets.
This approach has been consistently applied to new discoveries. For instance, regarding “new” scriptures like the Gospel of Thomas, the Book of Enoch, or the Book of Jasher, Church authorities have maintained that unless explicitly revealed and sanctioned by God through His prophet, such texts are not accepted as scripture. This policy upholds both the necessity and sufficiency of revelation, preventing confusion and disagreement.
Church leaders have acknowledged that non-canonical texts can provide valuable insights—if approached with care and spiritual maturity. Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught that “to gain any real value from a study of apocryphal writings, the student must first have an extended background of gospel knowledge, a comprehensive understanding of the standard works of the Church, plus the guidance of the Spirit.” The doctrine here is that legitimate spiritual benefit from these writings comes not from institutional endorsement but from personal discernment—undergirded by the Spirit and supplemented by sound gospel knowledge.
The Church’s caution is grounded in experience. Many apocryphal and Gnostic texts contain not only truths but also plain errors or ideas at variance with revealed doctrine. Even the canonical Bible, through centuries of transmission, bears traces of “interpolations by the hands of men” (D&C 91). For instance, Steven Harper points out the famous Comma Johanneum (1 John 5:7-8) was a later addition to the text, not present in the earliest manuscripts—a prime example of how scribal errors or doctrinal insertions can affect even standard works.
There is another dimension to consider: revealed restraint. In the case of the Book of Enoch, while biblical and pseudepigraphal versions exist, Joseph Smith received by revelation considerable additional information on Enoch (now contained in the Pearl of Great Price, Moses 6–7), which the Church does use. This illustrates that when the Lord deems a text (or the truths contained therein) vital for His people, He reveals it through appropriate prophetic channels.
Gnostic gospels and other “lost books” are not incorporated for at least two reasons:
1. They have not been endorsed by revelation as authoritative or necessary.
2. The Church’s focus remains on strengthening the basics of faith in Christ and the doctrinal foundation, not on esoteric or speculative texts.
Notably, the Bible itself references several lost books, including the Book of Gad the Seer, the Book of Nathan the Prophet, and the Epistle to the Laodiceans, among others. This demonstrates that not all inspired writings have survived or been included in the current canon. Furthermore, the Book of Mormon teaches that God speaks to many nations, each of which may have their own sacred records (2 Nephi 29:13):
And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews; and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Nephites and the Jews.
For The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the concept of a closed canon does not apply in the rigid human sense. The Lord can and will reveal further scripture as needed and when His people are prepared. Thus, while there is a yearning for more knowledge, the revealed principle is to first “feast” on what has already been given. When it is the Lord’s will, He will make more available.
In this context, the role of prophets and apostles is central: they are tasked with distinguishing between true and spurious sources. Until more is revealed, members are encouraged to focus on the existing canon and prepare themselves spiritually for further light and knowledge.
Gramps
