D&C 91:1-3 “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; 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 Apocrypha should be translated.“
Study Insights
D&C 91:1–3 — Guidance on the Apocrypha (March 9, 1833)
Context and Setting
In Kirtland, Ohio, Joseph Smith was deep into his inspired translation of the Bible when a practical question surfaced: what should be done with the Apocrypha—those ancient Jewish and early Christian writings included in some Bible traditions but not universally accepted as scripture? Section 91 answers with remarkable clarity and balance. The Lord acknowledges the Apocrypha’s mixed character: it contains truths, is “mostly translated correctly,” and yet also bears “interpolations by the hands of men.” The instruction is not to produce a new translation, but to approach the material with discernment.
What the Lord Affirms
These verses validate that truth can be found beyond the standard canon. “There are many things … that are true” is a generous, expansive stance. It invites Latter-day Saints to appreciate the Apocrypha’s historical value, moral insights, and devotional passages. The phrase “mostly translated correctly” signals that transmission hasn’t been uniformly corrupted; much of what we read remains reliable enough to inform faith and scholarship. This is a model for engaging broader religious literature: respect the good, recognize the limits, and let revealed truth anchor interpretation.
What the Lord Warns
At the same time, the Lord cautions that “many things … are not true,” identifying human additions as a real risk. Interpolations—later insertions, expansions, or edits—can bend a text toward theology, politics, or folklore. Section 91 doesn’t demonize the Apocrypha; it teaches how to read it. Without spiritual guidance and wise judgment, a seeker can mistake embellishment for doctrine. The cure isn’t censorship; it’s discernment.
“Not Needful” and Why That Matters
The directive that “it is not needful that the Apocrypha should be translated” reframes the project. Joseph Smith’s inspired work aimed to clarify scripture essential to the Restoration’s mission. The Apocrypha, though valuable, was not central to that task. For modern readers, this principle shapes priorities: major on the revealed canon while remaining educated about adjacent texts. It’s a stewardship approach to study time—focus first on what God has marked as vital, then supplement thoughtfully.
How to Read the Apocrypha Today
Section 91 offers a timeless reading strategy: take what is edifying, test everything against revealed doctrine, and seek the Holy Ghost as the interpreter. When the Spirit confirms truth, keep it; when a passage conflicts with revealed principles, let it go. That posture—humble, curious, and guided—turns potentially confusing material into a springboard for stronger testimony. In just three verses, the Lord teaches a mature, confident way to engage complex religious texts without fear and without naivete.
