This Precious Gems teaching has been developed in response to a question submitted by a reader for the Ask Victoria column in the KALEIDOSCOPE Newsletter.
Question: Why does the Bible talk about different books that are not in the Bible? It seems like people have taken things out. – T
Answer: It’s true, there are several books mentioned in the Bible that are not included in the Bible. And while it may appear that “people have taken things out,” it is more likely in my mind that these manuscripts were lost or destroyed over time. Remember, we are talking about documents recorded on parchment scrolls with rudimentary writing instruments and existing in very harsh climates and conditions and in times of great political and cultural turmoil.
One must also consider when Solomon’s Temple was destroyed in 587 BC, much of the sacred writings were destroyed while other writings were scattered throughout Judea and Babylonia. It was Ezra, the prophet and scribe who went throughout the land and collected these remaining sacred scrolls and began to copy them. Although it is possible that some conspiracy of the early church or the Jewish spiritual leaders were responsible for the non-inclusion of these books, I feel certain the Almighty knew exactly what He was doing in the creation of the Holy Scriptures—inspired writings that have withstood the test of time and have become the foundation on which rests the most sacred revelations of God to all His creation.