Lost Books

Some books of scripture are mentioned in the Bible in such a way that it seems they were considered authentic and valuable, but they’re not found in today’s Bible. [1]  Sometimes called missing scripture, the following books are some of the ones that have been lost:

• the Wars of the Lord (Numbers 21:14)
• the Book of Jasher (Joshua 10:13; Samuel 1:18)
• the Acts of Solomon (1 Kings 11:41)
• the Book of Samuel the Seer (1 Chronicles 29:29)
• the Book of Gad the Seer (1 Chronicles 29:29)
• the Book of Nathan the Prophet (1 Chronicles 29:29; 2 Chronicles 9:29)
• the Prophecy of Ahijah (2 Chronicles 9:29)
• the visions of Iddo the Seer (2 Chronicles 9:29)
• the Book of Shemaiah (2 Chronicles 12:15)
• the Book of Jehu (2 Chronicles 20:34)
• Sayings of the Seers (2 Chronicles 33:19)
• an Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians predating 1 Corinthians (1 Corinthians 5:9)
• possibly an earlier epistle to the Ephesians (Ephesians 3:3)
• an epistle to the Church at Laodicea (Colossians 4:16)
• prophesies of Enoch known to Jude (Jude 1:14)

This attests to the fact that our present Bible does not contain all of the word of the Lord that He gave to people in former times, and they remind us that our Bible is incomplete.  Matthew mentioned a prophecy in Jewish scripture that predicted Christ would be a Nazarene.  We do not have that scripture.

The Book of Mormon makes reference to scripture of Old Testament times that are not found in the Bible or in the Book of Mormon, although Book of Mormon peoples brought scriptures with them from the Holy Land to the Americas.  References are made to the unknown writings of Zenock, Zenos, and Neum, extensive writings and prophecies of Joseph who was sold into Egypt, and a prophecy of Jacob.  These writings were probably found in the scriptures had among the Book of Mormon peoples.

The Book of Mormon is an abridgment of important scriptures, and much has been held back by the Lord for a later time, when people are worthy to receive them.  Part of the Book of Mormon has been sealed, and Joseph Smith was not allowed to translate it.  Included in that portion are the writings of the Brother of Jared (Mahonri Moriancumr), who saw “the beginning from the end.” The Book of Mormon also mentions that the Ten Lost Tribes who were led away by the Lord have their own scriptures, which they will bring with them when they miraculously return (2 Nephi 29).

The Doctrine and Covenants mentions the writings of John the Baptist, and an account of the experience at the Mount of Transfiguration, which scripture has not yet been entrusted to men.

See more at the LDS Bible Dictionary.