Latter-day Saints are unique and well-identified by their firm recognition that there is scripture that is missing from the Bible. The Bible that is used and read by Protestants (and Latter-day Saints) includes 66 books. The Catholic Bible contains an additional 7 books that are known as the deuterocanonical books, also known as the “Apocrypha.” Modern revelation identifies the divine authority of these books as limited since “there are many things contained therein that are true, and it is mostly translated correctly” and “there are many things contained therein that are not true, which are interpolations by the hands of men” (Doctrine & Covenants 91:1–2).

The Bible Dictionary published in Latter-day Saint scriptures identifies other works that are referenced in the Bible, and are considered authoritative by the Bible’s writers, but that are lost to the world today. These include book of the Wars of the Lord (Numbers 21:14); book of Jasher (Joshua 10:13; 2 Samuel 1:18); book of the acts of Solomon (1 Kings 11:41); book of Samuel the seer (1 Chronicles 29:29); book of Gad the seer (1 Chronicles 29:29); book of Nathan the prophet (1 Chronicles 29:29; 2 Chronicles 9:29); prophecy of Ahijah (2 Chronicles 9:29); visions of Iddo the seer (2 Chronicles 9:29; 12:15; 13:22); book of Shemaiah (2 Chronicles 12:15); book of Jehu (2 Chronicles 20:34); and sayings of the seers (2 Chronicles 33:19).

More than merely recognizing the incompleteness of the Bible as a repository of all authoritative and divine works, Latter-day Saints make the bold claim that they possess some writings that should be in the Bible. Among these writings are those of the prophets Zenos, Zenoch, and Neum in the Book of Mormon.

‍Zenock

Zenock was a prophet who apparently lived after the lifetime of Abraham (Helaman 8:19–20). His teachings were included on the brass plates obtained by Nephi and his brothers from the wicked Laban (1 Nephi 19:10, 21). Thus, he must have lived sometime at or before 600 BC. He taught that the Savior would be a Redeemer to his people (Alma 34:7; Helaman 8:18–20), that he would be crucified (1 Nephi 19:10, that much destruction would come at the time of the Savior’s death (3 Nephi 10:14–16), and that the Lord was angry because of people’s refusal to understand the grace and mercy that had been shown to them in his divine Son (Alma 33:14–17). Alma recounts that “[because] the people would not understand his words they stoned [Zenock] to death” (Alma 33:17).

‍Neum

Neum was likewise a prophet cited on the brass plates and foretold the crucifixion of the God of Israel (1 Nephi 19:10). “Neum’s prophecy was confirmed by Nephi’s own vision of the crucifixion (1 Nephi 11:33).”³⁹

‍Zenos

The most well-attested of these prophets is Zenos. Zenos’ writings were contained on the brass plates and taught regarding redemption in Christ (Alma 33:11; 34:7), destruction at the time of the Savior’s death (1 Nephi 19:10–12; cf. Helaman 14:20–28) and Second Coming (1 Nephi 2:15, 23; 2 Nephi 25:13; 26:9), prayer and worship (Alma 33:2–11), and the destiny of Israel (1 Nephi 19:15–16; Helaman 15:11–13). The most extensive of Zenos’ writings is contained in Jacob 5. “The Book of Mormon prophet Jacob employed the [allegory] to explain to his people (and indirectly to the latter-day readers of the Book of Mormon) how those who have rejected Jesus Christ as their foundation stone can return and build on him.”⁴⁰ The allegory is traditionally known as “The Allegory of the Tame and Wild Olive Trees.”

These writings, as well as the other writings restored from ancient prophets to us by Joseph Smith, are truly unique blessings to believers in the Book of Mormon and provide us with treasurable insights into God’s plan for His children.