THE SONG OF SOLOMON & THE BOOK OF JASHER, Ch 6 of As It Is Translated Correctly

THE SONG OF SOLOMON AND

THE BOOK OF JASHER, Chapter 6 of As It Is Translated Correctly 

Pages 60 to 69

The book of Jasher, like all other ancient writings, has suffered from liberties taken by scribes and translators who sought to change or “improve” the manuscript for the benefit of its readers. There is also reason to believe that many apocraphal additions were made, as well. These inserted elaborations were traditional and characteristic of the Jewish people, as they loved to embellish their favorite stories. However, the merit or fault can easily be [69] accepted or glossed over without harm to the facts of its history. It is clearly shown to be a record of antiquity, containing much valuable information.

The Prophet Joseph Smith purposely neglected to put the Song of Solomon in his Inspired Translation of the Bible, while on the other hand he spoke favorably of the Book of Jasher. At least on one occasion, he quoted from it as a valid historical document. He also published a statement about its publication in New York. (Times and Seasons 1:127) The Prophet once stated that “the book of Jasher, which has not been disproved as a bad author,” must have merit as an historical work. (TPJS, p. 260)

How great the difference between the Song of Solomon and the Book of Jasher! The former is without history; it lacks inspiration or moral instruction; and it fails to even mention God or His laws and commandments. The Book of Jasher, on the other hand, coincides with the Bible, beginning with the creation of the earth and continuing up to the children of Israel being led out of Egypt. It is a continuous history of God’s dealings with man; it contains God’s commandments and His laws; it corroborates the stories as recorded in the Bible; and it reveals further information and spiritual incidents in the lives of the great patriarchs and prophets of the Old Testament.