1 Nephi 13:23-29

[pam]

1 Nephi 13

23 And he said: Behold it proceedeth out of the mouth of a Jew. And I, Nephi, beheld it; and he said unto me: The book that thou beholdest is a record of the Jews, which contains the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel; and it also containeth many of the prophecies of the holy prophets; and it is a record like unto the engravings which are upon the plates of brass, save there are not so many; nevertheless, they contain the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel; wherefore, they are of great worth unto the Gentiles.

24 And the angel of the Lord said unto me: Thou hast beheld that the book proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew; and when it proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew it contained the fulness of the gospel of the Lord, of whom the twelve apostles bear record; and they bear record according to the truth which is in the Lamb of God.

25 Wherefore, these things go forth from the Jews in purity unto the Gentiles, according to the truth which is in God.

26 And after they go forth by the hand of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, from the Jews unto the Gentiles, thou seest the formation of that great and abominable church, which is most abominable above all other churches; for behold, they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away.

27 And all this have they done that they might pervert the right ways of the Lord, that they might blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men.

28 Wherefore, thou seest that after the book hath gone forth through the hands of the great and abominable church, that there are many plain and precious things taken away from the book, which is the book of the Lamb of God.

29 And after these plain and precious things were taken away it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles; and after it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles, yea, even across the many waters which thou hast seen with the Gentiles which have gone forth out of captivity, thou seest—because of the many plain and precious things which have been taken out of the book, which were plain unto the understanding of the children of men, according to the plainness which is in the Lamb of God—because of these things which are taken away out of the gospel of the Lamb, an exceedingly great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them.

Quotes for Discussion

The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “I believe the Bible as it read when It came from the pen of the original writers. Ignorant translators, careless transcribers, or designing and corrupt priests have committed many errors.”

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 327: see also History of the Church, 1:245<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Plain and precious parts were taken from the gospel of the Lamb (New Testament), and also many covenants (Old Testament) (v. 26). The Prophet Joseph Smith observed: “From sundry revelations which had been received, it was apparent that may important points touching the salvation of men, had been taken from the Bible, or lost before it was compiled” (TPJS, 9-10). These revelations would include but not be limited to, “the fullness of John’s record is hereafter to be revealed” (D&C 93:6), the things that “were all written in the book of Enoch, and are to be testified of in due time (D&C 107:57). The Book of Moses and the Book of Abraham, already restored in the Pearl of Great Price, give further support to the loss of plain and precious things. A few other examples will illustrate the errors or deletions in the texts. A comparison of the sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), and the same sermon given to the Nephites (3 Nephi 12:1-15), or a comparison of the discourse of the signs of his coming (Matthew 24) with the JST, Matthew 24 in the Pearl of Great Price and D&C 45 each show some of the losses in the New Testament. The covenants lost from the Old Testament are verified in the Book of Mormon where Lehi quotes some of the great covenants made to Joseph (2 Nephi 3). Also a more complete account of the covenant made to Abraham is found in the Book of Abraham 2:8-11 than is found in Genesis 12:2-3.

Monte S. Nyman, I Nephi Wrote a Record, p. 179<o:p></o:p>

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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Does the Bible contain enough detail to instruct them fully regarding the original Christian Church and its doctrines, so that they really may accomplish this return?

On this latter point, the clerics say that the Bible is sufficient, for it contains all of God's word. And yet the Bible itself admits that it is an incomplete record and does not contain all of God's word. It mentions other books of scripture which are not within its covers and therefore are not available for study by anyone seeking the full truth of the gospel.

Moses spoke of the "Book of the Covenant," which we do not have. He also mentions the "Book of the Wars of Israel," which has never been found.

We might not miss reading about their wars, but it would be most helpful in a return to God if mankind had the book of the sacred covenants which the Almighty made with his people.

The "Book of Jasher," referred to by Joshua, is not in the Bible. The same is true of the "Book of the Acts of Solomon," referred to in First Kings.

The books of Nathan and Gad, both of whom were prophets and seers, are missing. As inspired men, their writings would be an enlightening guide on the way of truth.

Ahijah and Iddo were prophets and seers likewise. Would their works not inspire modern people if they were available? But where are they? Can we say that our Bible is actually complete without them?

The "Book of Jehu" is mentioned in the Old Testament but is not included in it. Isaiah wrote a second book known as the "Acts of Uzziah," but where is it? Will anyone say that Isaiah's writings are not inspirational? His second book might prove to be most invaluable if we had it.

"The Sayings of the Seers," another book of sacred writings, is referred to in the Bible. Where is it now? Would it not be good for today's Christians in their spiritual meanderings?

Paul wrote letters, in addition to those we have in our Bible, and speaks of them. He wrote a third letter to the Corinthians, and at least another one to the Ephesians. Where are they? He also wrote an Epistle to the Laodiceans, but it is not in our possession. Is the Bible then complete? Does it contain all of God's word?

Jude wrote another Epistle in addition to the one in the New Testament. He also mentions a volume of scripture known as the "Prophecies of Enoch" to which he evidently had access, but which we do not have today.

Then there is the matter of the Savior's teachings. He lived an intensive and full life during the three years of his public ministry. He preached to multitudes repeatedly. He conversed with individuals almost constantly, and gave many intimate instructions to the Twelve.

Can anyone say that his three years of instruction are contained in the Bible? May they be read in the few hours it takes to peruse what he said in the four Gospels? Can three years of the Savior's eloquent teachings be condensed into three hours of reading material? The Apostle John says twice in his Gospel that not a fraction of the Savior's ministry is recorded.

Much as we love it, sincerely as we believe it, can we in all truth say that the Bible is complete, that it contains all of God's word, or even the full text of the Savior's instructions?

Obviously the Lord gave other revelations anciently. He had prophets in addition to those usually mentioned in the Bible. They spoke for him. They gave enlightenment to ancient men and they would give us light, too, if only we had their writings.

Elder Mark E. Petersen, Conference Report, April 1964, First Day—Morning Meeting, p.18-19<o:p></o:p>

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[prospectmom]

I am sure there are many books not yet found... I look foreard to them being reveiled.