Why don’t we use the Book of Enoch?

Question

Gramps,

If Jesus and others cited the Book of Enoch, why don’t we use these books?

Bernie

Answer

Bernie

The Lord had this to say about Apocryphal books D&C 91

1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you concerning the Apocrypha—There are many things contained therein that are true, 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.

 

3 Verily, I say unto you, that it is not needful that the Apocrypha should be translated.

 

4 Therefore, whoso readeth it, let him understand, for the Spirit manifesteth truth;

 

5 And whoso is enlightened by the Spirit shall obtain benefit therefrom;

 

6 And whoso receiveth not by the Spirit, cannot be benefited. Therefore it is not needful that it should be translated. Amen.

This places the Apocryphal books like the Book of Enoch into the category of personal study.  Those who are ready for it can; those who aren’t will not be benefited.  The Church is focused on helping and teaching at the most basic of levels which is why they don’t get into it.

As for Enoch, we did get more about him.  As Joseph Smith went through the Bible as the Lord commanded him to do, he clarified many things that were confusing and returned things that had been lost.  One of those things was an account of Enoch and what he did.  That account we do use and study.

Gramps