What if some of the most important books for understanding the Bible were never included in the Bible?
Most Latter-day Saints know the stories of Adam, Eve, Enoch, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, and Solomon. But what happened when ancient Jews continued telling those stories? What did they believe about Enoch's heavenly visions? Abraham's encounters with God? The rebellion of angels? The origins of evil? The fate of the righteous? The coming judgment? The heavenly world beyond mortal sight? For centuries, Jewish communities produced a remarkable body of literature that expanded, explored, and reimagined the world of the Old Testament. These writings, known today as the Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, preserve some of the most fascinating religious texts from the centuries before Christ.
In An Introduction to the Old Testament Pseudepigrapha and New Testament Apocrypha for Latter-day Saints: Volume 1, Worlds Before Christ, Taylor Halverson, Ph.D., provides an accessible guide to sixteen influential ancient texts, including:
- 1 Enoch
- 2 Enoch
- 3 Enoch
- Life of Adam and Eve
- Apocalypse of Abraham
- Testament of Abraham
- Testament of Adam
- Ladder of Jacob
- Prayer of Joseph
- Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs
- Testament of Moses
- Testament of Job
- Apocalypse of Adam
- Testament of Solomon
- Lives of the Prophets
- Sibylline Oracles
Drawing upon biblical scholarship, ancient history, theology, and Restoration scripture, Halverson explores what these texts teach, how they illuminate the world of the Bible, where they resonate with Restoration teachings, and where caution is warranted. A unique four-part framework helps readers distinguish between strong correspondence, meaningful resonance, general ancient background, and weak or misleading parallels.
Along the way, readers will discover:
- Why Jude quotes 1 Enoch
- How ancient Jews understood angels, demons, and heavenly councils
- The development of traditions surrounding Adam, Enoch, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, and Solomon
- The religious world that shaped early Christianity
- Important connections between ancient Jewish literature and Restoration scripture
- How non-canonical texts can deepen biblical understanding while preserving confidence in revealed scripture
Whether you are a scripture student, teacher, scholar, seminary instructor, institute teacher, tour participant, or lifelong learner, this volume opens a window into the broader theological landscape that surrounded the Bible and helps readers better understand the world from which Christianity emerged.
The Bible did not appear in isolation. It emerged from a rich world of stories, traditions, visions, and theological reflection. Discover the world behind the world of scripture.
