The King James Version of the Bible (KJV) has been printed ten times more than any other book. It has done more good over its 400-plus years than any other book. AMAZING! The authenticity of the bible can be proven in many ways.
I listened to Jordan Peterson’s podcast about the Bible, ethics, AI, etc. He makes a profound statement that perhaps all books tie back to the Bible. As Jordan points out, western ethics derive from the Bible. Presumably, independent of ethics, scientists work with data (facts).
The number of facts is infinite; artificial intelligence (AI) cannot deal with infinite. So, artificial intelligence is a function of the computer architects that designed whatever versions of AI. For example, because of the infinite set of facts, there will never be a perfect self-driving car. Only God understands all the facts—never AI. This is why we must trust in Him. As the Lord inspired me to share, “Trust in the Lord” is the central message of the KJV Bible. This finding shows the Lord’s fingerprint in the KJV of the Bible.
The KJV is our most accurate English translation. Yet we know the KJV has mistakes, and there are other books of scripture mentioned in the Bible, but they are not there. For instance, the Bible misses the great Prophet Enoch, “who walked with God.” Jude shares from the writings of Enoch that are not in the Bible, “Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand of His saints, To execute judgement upon all…” (Jude 14-16)
Is the Bible a Myth?
One survey showed that 93% of the leading American scientists believe the Bible is a myth. The Book of Mormon prophesied that this would happen. (1 Nephi 13:38-40; 2 Nephi 3:11) Along with the Bible, the Book of Mormon is another testament that Jesus is the Christ. And one of God’s many purposes for the Book of Mormon coming forth is to validate the Bible—thus proving these doubting scientists wrong.
I have found direct evidence in our scriptures of 1,800 phrases that tie back to the language of Adam. The distribution and use of these phrases by the prophets gives zero probability that the scriptures are a myth. Adam spoke the language of God and taught it to his children. Over the world’s history and in both the eastern and western hemispheres, we see God’s fingerprint in the scriptures with these phrases. I am pleased that the importance of this profound message is shared also on the LDS Living’s website.
I see the Holy Scriptures being of infinite depth. They are designed by an infinitely loving Heavenly Father to help each of His children to come back home to Him. Even though everyone has a different paradigm, the honest in heart will find relevant truths to their lives therein.
Sir Isaac Newton, the greatest scientist in known history, said, “We account the scriptures of God to be the most sublime philosophy. I find more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible than in any profane history whatever… No sciences are better attested than the religion of the Bible.” Newton knew several languages and had access to many ancient apocryphal writings and found mistakes in Bible translations.
Hugh Nibley shared that Acts 1:3 is the most unusual verse in the Bible. That verse tells of Jesus ministering to the saints for forty days after His resurrection. “To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”
Nibley, from apocryphal literature, shared a two-hour lecture on the glorious things the resurrected Lord taught the saints. None of these marvelous insights he shared are in the Bible.
Other Books
The Prophet Nephi also prophesied of “other books” to come forth. We are seeing a major fulfillment of that in our day. I am privileged to help as best I can my good friend, David Hocking, who is our champion of Annotated Editions of sacred writings. I consider these to be some of the “other books” Hocking has produced six “Annotated Editions” and is working on a seventh. I share their titles here:
1) The Annotated Edition of the Book of Mormon. Rod Meldrum assisted with this edition. I believe this edition is the best book we now have to bring people to Christ and to know where the Book of Mormon took place. This book shows that North America is the “Promised Land” spoken of in the Book of Mormon. There is an incredibly important prophecy in this book that if the people of “this land” do not repent and “serve God” they “shall be swept off.” (Ether 2:7-11)
2) The Annotated Edition of the Book of Jasher. In Hebrew, this means, The Book of the Upright or the Correct Record. It covers 2,500 years from the Garden of Eden to the Judges—parallel to the Bible record. It was published in English in 1840, yet the Book of Mormon has information from it. The Lehites left Jerusalem in 600 B.C. with the Brass Plates of Laban, which apparently contained the Book of Jasher. They settled in North America–“a land which is choice above all other lands.” (2 Nephi 1:5-12) They fulfilled a promise the Lord gave Joseph in Egypt as a place for his descendants. (Gen. 49:22-27)
3) The Annotated Edition of the Book of Enoch. This is an amazing book containing all three known books of Enoch (Ethiopic, Slavonic, and Hebrew) including the writings of Enoch found in The Book of Jasher and the writings of Enoch in The Book of Moses. This book “substantiates” Joseph Smith as a revelatory prophet. (p ix) The Prophet Joseph Smith had already received a revelation of the writings of Enoch shared in the The Book of Moses when the Lord told him, “These things were written in the book of Enoch, and are to be testified of in due time.” (D&C 107:57) My good friend, the late Dr. John Pratt—probably the best expert on the Hebrew and Enoch calendars—determined the date of the First Vision of the Prophet Joseph Smith from the Enoch calendar. (26 March 1820)
4) The Annotated Edition of the Book of Isaiah. The Savior said, “Great are the words of Isaiah.” (3 Nephi 23:1) Nephi prophesied that in the last days, “Nevertheless, in the days that the prophecies of Isaiah shall be fulfilled men shall know of a surety, of the times when they shall come to pass.” (2 Nephi 25:7) David Hocking and Avraham Gileadi both point out that the Book of Mormon is the best commentary on the Book of Isaiah. My Jewish convert friends, Rob Kay and David Doane, have taught me about the beautiful Hebrew Midrash commentaries in the Book of Mormon on the Book of Isaiah.
5) The Annotated Edition of the New Testament of Jesus Christ, The Joseph Smith Translation. Hocking did this with Shawn Hugh. Many major prophetic insights are herein as well.
6) The Five Books of Moses, The Joseph Smith Translation. Shawn Hugh and Russell H. Barlow also contributed. This book just came out this year (2023).
7) The Annotated Edition Revelations of Joseph Smith, Jr. The Chronological History of The Restoration as Recorded in His Journal is presently in production. This edition will come out next year (2024), and I believe it will be the best one yet of David’s “Annotated” books—a “game changer.”
Apocryphal Literature
The apocryphal literature now available gives us greater insights into the Savior’s incomprehensible infinite atonement. My research here has been most rewarding. Here are some of my findings:
Two Hundred Names for Jesus
The Full Infinite Atonement
The Infinite Atonement and Paradise
What is Apocryphal Literature?
From Moses to Joseph Smith to Jesus
David Hocking’s The Book of Enoch
The Glorious Resurrection Diminished
The Apostle Peter’s counsel is most appropriate, as we read apocryphal literature, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:20-21) And Prophet Moroni declares, “And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.” (Moroni 10:5) Having the Holy Ghost is essential as we read apocryphal literature. When we ask in faith, we find real answers for our happiness and joy and solutions to our everyday problems.
The Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is unique in that it was translated once from ancient records that “came out of the dust” (Isaiah 29:4). Both the translation and the printing were major miracles. The young prophet Joseph Smith translated these sacred records by the gift and power of God. Nephi, the first prophet mentioned writing in the book tells us, “Therefore, they [the writings of Isaiah quoted in the Book of Mormon] are of worth unto the children of men, and he that supposeth that they are not, unto them will I speak particularly,… for I know that they shall be of great worth unto them in the last days; for in that day shall they understand them; wherefore, for their good have I written them.” (2 Nephi 25:8)
The Future Promises Many More Sacred Records
Now, it is so exciting—given all the good the Bible has done—to anticipate an era where much greater good will come. The Savior prophesied of a “great and marvelous work” (3 Nephi 21:9) before His Second Coming. In addition to the Book of Mormon, we anticipate many more scriptures to come forth sharing the end from the beginning. They also will be translated by the gift and power of God. God’s Spirit in these new records yet to come forth will sanctify the righteous and condemn the wicked. Many “shall be read upon the house tops; and they shall be read by the power of Christ.” (2 Nephi 27:11)
Those who believe in the gospel of the Bible have the promise of making it into the millennium. The fullness of the gospel contained in the Book of Mormon and in all that the Lord is yet to bring forth will provide a path into celestial realms of glory after the millennium for those who hearken to His word. As we treasure up his word—past, present, and future (D&C 93:24)—we have the sure promise that we will not be deceived. (JS-M 37) And He has declared: “Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, the Great I AM, whose arm of mercy hath atoned for your sins; Who will gather his people even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, even as many as will hearken to my voice and humble themselves before me and call upon me in mighty prayer.” (D&C 29:1-2)
A Pure in Heart Society
How blessed we are to live at this time in preparation for our Savior’s glorious return. A Zion (pure in-heart society) will be prepared to meet Him at His Coming. It will be as it was with the City of Enoch: “And the Lord called his people ZION, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.”
(Moses 7:18) “And it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God; And the glory of the Lord shall be there, and the terror of the Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the wicked will not come unto it, and it shall be called Zion.” (D&C 45:66-67)
As we truly come unto Christ, we can be part of this ideal society. The Bride will gloriously meet the Bridegroom at His Coming. Indeed, there will be tumultuous times as the wicked are destroyed. But the Lord has promised that “he will not suffer that the wicked shall destroy the righteous.” (1 Nephi 22:16) Chapter 22 of 1 Nephi is a Hebrew Midrash of Isaiah 48 and 49; I suggest you read the whole chapter.
The BYU scripture citation index allows you to read the whole chapter. It is most insightful as Nephi saw our day. As the Prophet Nephi shared this Hebrew Midrash on the preceding chapters of Isaiah, we see that the most exciting times in the history of the earth are ahead. Thanks to the Bible, the latter-day had its great beginning–led by the LOGOS (Jesus the Christ). We should be most grateful for all Christ has done, is doing, and will to as He leads us back to our infinitely loving Heavenly Father. Let us all come unto Him. (2 Nephi 25:26)
David W. Allan
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