Most modern Bibles (or Jewish people) do not include the Apocrypha in their canon of scriptures. However a few books add some value in connecting the time between the Old and New Testaments.

 

D&C 91 states: "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...Therefore, whoso readeth it, let him understand, for the Spirit manifesteth truth; And whoso is enlightened by the Spirit shall obtain benefit therefrom. And whoso receiveth not by the Spirit, cannot be benefited. Therefore it is not needful that it should be translated. Amen."

 

The Books of Maccabees are included on this website to fill in historical gaps in the intertestamental period. 

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• ​Wikipedia | Bible Dictionary | Guide to the Scriptures

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The records include:

 

BOOK OF JASHER / SEFER HAYASHAR (≈ 4000 – 1300 BC)

• Covers same period of time and storyline as Genesis through Judges, but adds a few interesting stories and insights into the patriarchs

• Because its manuscript can't be traced before 1600s AD, it's generally not included in modern scriptures, although many believe it originated from ancient Hebrew texts.

• Wikipedia 

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BOOK OF WISDOM (≈ 940 BC)

• Supposedly from Solomon, but most likely written in the 1st century AD

• It encourages righteous living and emphasizes God's providence

• Wikipedia | BLB

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BOOK OF JUDITH (≈ 730 BC)

• Considered religious fiction about a woman who helped defeat the Assyrians

• Wikipedia | BLB

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BOOK OF TOBIT (≈ 700 BC)

• Considered religious fiction set in Nineveh during the Assyrian captivity; teaches how a man still lived the Jewish laws while in captivity)

• Wikipedia | BLB

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PRAYER OF MANASSEH (≈ 650 BC)

• A prayer named after the king of Judah about penitence and seeking God's forgiveness; see 2 Chr. 33:12–13

• Wikipedia | BLB

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1 & 2 ESDRAS (≈ 620 BC – 444 BC)

• Record of Josiah's religious reforms and events through the exile 

• Esdras = Ezra and the narrative closely follows the books of Ezra and Nehemiah

• Wikipedia | BLB​​

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ADDITIONS TO DANIEL (≈ 550 BC)

• Includes 3 sections:

• The Prayer of Azariah and the Song of the Three Children, about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego's deliverance from the fiery furnace

• Story of Susanna, which describes how Daniel saved a woman after she was falsely accused

• Bel and the Dragon, which ridicules idol worship in Babylon, Daniel is cast in the lion's den but God protects him

• Wikipedia | BLB

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BOOK OF BARUCH and THE LETTER OF JEREMY (≈ 530 BC)

• Set 50 years after Jerusalem's destruction (about 530 BC), supposedly written by Jeremiah's scribe Baruch living in exile

• It urges repentance, confession, and faith in God's mercy.

• Included with the book is a letter written by Jeremiah that warns against idolotry and calls all to faithfulness

• Wikipedia | BLB

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ADDITIONS TO ESTHER (≈ 450 BC)

• Explains in greater detail the deliverance of the Jews including the following:

• Mordecai's Dream

• The King's Edict Against the Jews

• Prayers of Mordecai and Esther

• Esther's Appearance Before the King

• The King's Second Edict

• Interpretation of Mordecais Dream

• Wikipedia | BLB

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ECCLESIASTICUS (≈ 200 – 175 BC)

• Resembles Proverbs and focuses on living a life of integrity, rooted in the fear of the Lord

• Written around 200-175 BC by Jesus ben Sira, a Jewish sage

• Wikipedia | BLB

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1 & 2 MACCABEES (≈ 175 – 134 BC)

• A history of the Jews and the Maccabean movement

• Considered crucial for understanding the Jewish history between the Old and New Testaments

• Chronicles the events culminating in rededicating the temple, an event which is celebrated today by the festival of Hanukkah

• Emphasizes loyalty to God, prayer, faithful observance of the Torah, and the importance of religious purity

• Wikipedia | BLB​​

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