The Book of Mormon records that "many plain and precious" truths have been taken from the Bible. (See 1 Ne. 13:20-28.) Specifically, deletions and changes were made in the text of the Old Testament, such that passages regarding baptism, the priesthood and the coming of the Messiah cannot be found. (Bruce R. McConkie, A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, p. 405.)
Therefore, the Lord declared that He would bring forth other books which would "make known the plain and precious things" taken from the Bible. (See 1 Ne. 13:39-40.)While the Book of Mormon has certainly restored many of these precious truths, the Pearl of Great Price also is one of the books spoken of by the Lord. It has restored to us precious truths taken from the Old Testament. Among those truths are insights pertaining to the Fall and Atonement, prophecies of Jesus Christ once found in the Old Testament, the pre-mortal existence, the creation, the nature and objective of Satan, information pertaining to Adam and Eve after their transgression and fall, and the Abrahamic Covenant.
Fall and Atonement
The Book of Moses has restored some very important truths pertaining to the Fall and Atonement which were at one time included in the Old Testament. For example, in Moses 5 we read that both Adam and Eve considered their transgression to be positive, for a number of significant reasons. First, Adam and Eve would have the opportunity to experience joy in mortality, since their eyes were now opened. (See Moses 5:10.) Second, the Fall would allow them to have children. (See Moses 5:11.) Enoch also recognized this aspect of the Fall when he stated, "because that Adam fell, we are." (Moses 6:48.) Third, they would have the possibility of knowing good and evil, and fourth, they could anticipate the blessings of eternal life, made available through the Atonement of Christ. (See Moses 5: 11.)
The Fall of Adam produced physical and spiritual death for all mankind. (See Moses 6:48, 59.) The Pearl of Great Price makes it clear that God's Only Begotten Son, even Jesus Christ, was foreordained in the pre-mortal world to act as our Savior by redeeming us from the effects of Adam's transgression. (See Moses 4:2; Abr. 3:27.) Thus, the Savior's atonement is underscored in the Pearl of Great Price. For instance, the Book of Moses declares that the name of Jesus Christ is "the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men." (Moses 6:52; see also verse 59.) Further, God's plan of salvation is brought about through the blood of His Only Begotten Son, "who shall come in the meridian of time." (Moses 6:62.) Finally, Enoch saw in vision the crucifixion of Christ, the resurrection, and the preaching of the gospel to the sprits in prison, made possible because of the Savior's atoning sacrifice. (Moses 7:55-57.)
Pearl of Great Price Is Witness of Christ
At one time the name of Jesus Christ was in the Old Testament when the books comprising that volume were first written. (Bruce. R. McConkie, The Promised Messiah, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1978] p. 304.) However, it is clear that the Savior's name was removed from the Old Testament when many of the plain and precious truths were eliminated. Fortunately, the Pearl of Great Price has restored the unmistakable witness that Jesus Christ is God's Only Begotten Son; the foreordained Savior and Redeemer of the world. The writings of Moses, Abraham, and Joseph Smith bear witness of both the pre-mortal and the resurrected Christ. Indeed, within the Book of Moses alone, the Savior is mentioned 68 times, with at least 17 different titles given to Him, such as Man of Counsel, and Endless and Eternal. (Robert J. Matthews, "The Pearl of Great Price Encounters the Modern World - An Appraisal" in The Pearl of Great Price: Revelations From God, H. Peterson and C. Tate, eds., [Provo: Brigham Young University, 1989], p. 19.)
How clear and unmistakable is the testimony of Christ found within the pages of the Pearl of Great Price. (See Moses 1:6, 17; 4:1-2; 6:57.)
Abraham bore witness of Christ by stating that among the pre-mortal spirits of Heavenly Father, "there stood one among them that was like unto God." (Abr. 3:24.) And finally, Joseph Smith's First Vision provides us with a sure witness of the resurrected Christ. (Joseph Smith - History 1:17.)
Pre-Mortal Existence
The Pearl of Great Price has restored some of the "plain and precious truths" regarding the pre-mortal existence of Christ and of all mankind. Both the writings of Moses and Abraham confirm the doctrine of pre-mortality. For example, scriptural passages such as "my Beloved Son, which was my beloved from the beginning" (Moses 4:2), or "I am the only begotten of the Father from the beginning" (Moses 5:9), bear witness of the Savior's pre-mortal existence and of His foreordination to act as our Redeemer. Moreover, Abraham learned that among all of God's spirit children in the pre-mortal world, only Christ was like unto the Father. (See Abr. 3:24.)
One of the clearest statements regarding the pre-mortal existence of mankind is found in the Book of Abraham. Here we learn that we lived as spirits with the Father and the Son prior to our earthly birth. We are also informed that among all of God's spirit children were many that were "noble and great ones," such as Abraham, who were foreordained to assist others in their quest for exaltation during mortality. (See Abr. 3:22-23.)
The Creator, the Creation, and Its Purpose
The Lord's creation of the earth is described in 34 verses of the Old Testament. (See Gen. 1:1-31; 2:1-3.) However, these verses are limited to a brief description of only the six creative periods, as well as the seventh day, on which the Lord rested from His labors. Fortunately, the Pearl of Great Price has provided us with a more complete account of the creation. (See Abr. 4; 5:1-3.)
Further, the writings of Moses teach us that it was God's "Only Begotten Son," or the "word of my power" who created this world, as well as other worlds. (See Moses 1:32-33; 2:1.) Additionally, we also learn of the extent and scope of God's creations when the Lord stated that "worlds without number have I created . . . and by the Son I created them." (See Moses 1:4, 33, 38; 7:30; Abr. 3:12.) Even so, while God's creations are innumerable to man they are, nevertheless, all known to God. (See Moses 1:35.)
While the Genesis account does not discuss the purpose for God's creations, the Book of Moses teaches us that Heavenly Father has created this world in order "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39.) It is instructive to note that despite the Lord's innumerable creations, Heavenly Father's children are the central focus of His creations. We are also instructed from the writings of Abraham that an important purpose for the creation of this world was to provide a place for us to be tested. (See Moses 3:25.)
One of the most important truths the Pearl of Great Price has restored to us is the knowledge that the creation of this earth was twofold. First, it was a spiritual creation, and secondly, it was a temporal, or physical creation. (See Moses 3:5.)
Finally, the writings of Abraham make it clear that there is a divine order and organization to the Lord's creations. Thus, as Abraham learned, there are governing planets, such as Kolob, which were created to govern the revolutions or movements of other planets, such as this earth. (See Abr. 3:2-5, 9.)
Nature of Satan and His Objective
The Old Testament does not give us a great deal of information about the personality of Satan, his objective, nor his involvement in important biblical events, such as Adam and Eve's transgression and Fall, or Cain's brutal murder of his brother, Abel.
The Pearl of Great Price, however, clearly depicts the nature of Satan, his objective, and the circumstances leading to his fallen condition. For example, the Book of Moses informs us that a part of Satan's plan is to have all mankind worship and love him more than God. (Moses 1:12, 19; 5:13.) Indeed, "Satan is irrevocably committed to countering and overcoming the influence of the Spirit of Christ upon men. He is the representative, promoter, and advocate of that `opposition in all things' referred to by Lehi in his instructions to his son Jacob." (Marion G. Romney, in Conference Report, April 1971, p. 24.)
Second, Moses learned that Satan can transform himself into an angel of light in order to deceive people. (See 2 Ne. 9:9.) However, the glory of Satan is darkness when contrasted with God's glory. (Moses 1:13-15, 20; Joseph Smith - History 15.)
Third, Satan seeks to emphasize our mortal and fallen state, rather than our divine natures as children of God. For example, in the Book of Moses, Satan refers to Moses as "son of man," or "earthly" or "mortal" man. In contrast, when the Lord spoke with Adam, Moses, Enoch, and Abraham, He emphasized their heavenly parentage and Godly potential by referring to them as "a son of God," or "my son." (See Moses 1:4, 6, 7, 40; 6:27, 68; Abraham 1:17; 3:12.)
Fourth, while the Genesis account of the Fall of Adam and Eve does not mention the name of Satan or the Devil, the Pearl of Great Price clearly describes Satan's role in the Garden of Eden. (See Moses 4:1-6.)
Fifth, the Genesis account provides us with very little information regarding Cain or the reasons for his brutal murder of his brother, Abel. However, the book of Moses restores some very important truths regarding Cain and Satan's involvement in the death of Abel. In Moses 5 we learn that Cain rejected the Lord's words (Moses 5:16), loved Satan more than God (Moses 5: 18), obeyed Satan's commands (Moses 5:18), and refused to listen to the counsel of his brother Abel, who "walked in holiness before the Lord" (Moses 5.26). We also learn that Cain was the first to enter into a covenant or secret combination with Satan (Moses 5:29-30, 51) and that it was Satan who suggested to Cain that he kill his brother in order to obtain Abel's flocks (Moses 5:31-33, 38).
Lastly, the Pearl of Great Price informs us of Satan's pre-mortal plan to be God's son and to "redeem all mankind" in exchange for the Father's honor. (See Moses 4:1.) Consequently, because of Satan's rebellion, and his desire to "destroy the agency of man," he was "cast down," thus becoming Satan, the devil, "the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will." (Moses 4:1-4; 6:49; Abraham 3:27-28.)
Adam and Eve After the Fall
The book of Genesis provides us with only three verses pertaining to Adam and Eve following their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. (See Gen. 4:1-2, 25.) In contrast, the Pearl of Great Price has restored some very important truths which shed a great deal of light on Adam and Eve's mortal existence after their transgression and Fall. For example, the Book of Moses informs us that Adam and Eve were very righteous individuals who continually called upon the name of the Lord (Moses 5:4, 16), were taught the gospel of Jesus Christ, were given commandments to offer animal sacrifice to the Lord, and understood the symbolic meaning of those sacrifices through the instructions of an angel. (Moses 5:5-8.)
The Book of Moses also tells us that Adam and Eve clearly understood the purpose of the Fall and the Atonement of Christ (Moses 5:9-10; 6:51-52, 59-62), taught the gospel to their children (Moses 5:12; 6:58), understood and participated in saving ordinances, such as baptism (Moses 6:64-66), and were informed by the Lord that He had forgiven their transgression in the Garden of Eden. (Moses 6:53.) We are informed that Adam and Eve were intelligent and enlightened individuals, "having a language that was pure and undefiled" (Moses 6:6), who kept a written record and taught their children to read and write. (See Moses 6:5-6.)
Abraham and the Abrahamic Covenant
Abraham is considered to be one of the great prophets of the Old Testament, Yet, a great deal of information regarding Abraham is missing from the Genesis account. For instance, it does not tell us anything concerning Abraham's early life, family background, nor why the Lord commanded him to "get out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house." (Gen. 12:1.) Consequently, how blessed we are to have the actual writings of Abraham to provide us with additional truths pertaining to his life.
From the Book of Abraham we first learn that Abraham was a "follower of righteousness" (Abr. 1:2), who sought for and received the holy priesthood from Melchizedek. (See Abr. 1:2-3; D&C 84:14). Second, Abraham was commanded by the Lord to leave the house of his fathers since they had "turned from their righteousness and from the holy commandments . . . unto the worshiping of the gods of the heathens." (Abr. 1:5.) Third, Abraham's father attempted to have Abraham sacrificed to false gods. However, the Lord miraculously intervened in order to spare his life. (See Abr. 1:12-20.) Fourth, in addition to the information pertaining to the Abrahamic Covenant found in the Book of Genesis (see Gen. 12:2-3; 17:2-9), we also learn that the Lord's covenant with Abraham included a promise that the priesthood would be given to the descendants of Abraham (see Abr. 2:9); that those not of the lineage of Abraham who accept the gospel will be adopted into the lineage of Abraham in order to inherit the blessing promised to Abraham's seed; and the descendants of Abraham have been given the responsibility to perform missionary work in order for the "families of the earth to be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel." (See Abr. 2:10-11.)
Additional Truths Found in Pearl of Great Price
In addition to the truths already discussed, there are a number of other important doctrines taught in the Pearl of Great Price. In brief, they are:
The nature of God. (See Moses 1:1, 31; 6:9, 39; 7:28; Abraham 3.11; Joseph Smith History 1:17.)
God's creations bear witness of Deity. (See Moses 6:63.)
Enoch and the establishment of Zion. (See Moses 7.)
Information regarding Noah and his family. (See Moses 8.)
The reasons for the great flood. (See Moses 8:14-16, 22, 28-29.)
The doctrine of human agency. (See Moses 4.3; 6:56; 7:32.)
Information regarding Egypt and the early pharaohs. (See Abr. 1:21-27.)
Why Abraham told Pharaoh that Sarai was his sister. (See Abr. 2:21-25.)
The last days. (See Joseph Smith - Matthew 10.)
The Second Coming of Christ. (See Joseph Smith - Matthew.)
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