4/22/2018 - Section 91:1-6

April 22, 2018

Section 91:1-6

Apocrypha, Scripture Study,

I didn’t know the scope of the Apocrypha until I read something by Bruce R McConkie: It consists of ‘scriptures’ from ancient times that “are not held equal to the sacred scriptures” due to doubtful authenticity or even of a spurious nature.. In some editions of the Bible they have been included because they were thought to be “useful and good for reading” “They are generally accepted to be: 1^st & 2^nd Esdras (sometimes called 3^rd and 4^th Esdras, because in the Douay Bible, Ezra is 1st Esdas, and Nehemiah, 2^nd Esdras); Tobit; Judith; the rest of the chapters of Esther; Wisdom of Solomon; Wisdom of Jesus the son of Sirach or Ecclesiasticus; Baruch and the Epistle of Jeremiah; additional parts of Daniel, including the Song of the Three Holy Children, the History os Susanna, and the History of the Destrution of Bel and the Dragon; Prayer of Manasses; 1^st and 2^nd Machebess).” WHEW!

In his work of translating the Bible, Joseph came to the Apocrpha and inquired of the Lord about this section of scripture that is not included in all Bibles. The Lord’s reply was that there were many truths within it, And there were many things “contained therein that are not true, which are interpolations by the hands of men.” The Lord continued saying that it was not needful that the Apocrypha be translated. (although for curiosity’s sake, I think a translation would have been very interesting). But I feel the most important segment of this revelation to me, are the last three verses. They certainly concern the Apocrypha, but they also concern how we should approach any religious reading—and probably any reading at all: “Therefore, whoso readeth it, let him understand, for the Spirit manifesteth truth.   And whoso is enlightened by the Spirit shall obtain benefit therefore;   And whoso receiveth not by the Spirit, cannot be benefited.”

This helps me in at least 2 ways: 1) there are books I read for pleasure that I have put down because of the way they are written --- I can’t say it’s the content, for it is important for us to read about hard things, and even evil things….but it is the WAY it is written: is it written to pull the reader to a lower level, or is it written to help the reader understand the evil efforts of mankind and therefore work to thwart those influences. 2) when applying these verses to scripture reading, I have learned that if I don’t start --and end-- my scripture readings with prayer, my studying is often not as enlightening. The spirit, along with my intents, and my desires, and my efforts make a huge difference.

8/26/2021 - Section 91 

During this time, Joseph was now going through the Old Testament. He came to the Apocrypha, which at that time was located between the Old and the New Testament in the King James edition. He wondered whether he was to translate the Apocrypha and received Section 91. 

V’s 1-3 tell its history: “Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you concerning the Aprocrypha—There are many things contained therein that are true, and it is mostly translated correctly; There are many things contained therein that are not true, which are interpolations by the hands of men. Verily, I say unto you, that it is not needful that the Aprocrypha should be translated.” I looked up the definition of interpolations and found that “it is the insertion of something of a different nature into something else”.

The Lord went on to tell Joseph that it was important to read this with the Spirit “for the Spirit manifesteth truth” (v 4). And I would think that that statement can be applied to all scripture. If, before we start to read the scriptures, we ask the Lord to let us have the Spirit to guide us in our understanding, then we “shall obtain benefit therefrom” (v 5)