The Lost Gems of Genesis: How Apocryphal Texts Prove Joseph Smith Fixed the Bible

by Jonah Barnes, Michael Day (Foreword)

The Bible is the most important book in the world, and the most important book of the Bible is Genesis. So when an uneducated farmhand in backwoods Pennsylvania purported to receive revelations from God rewriting the Genesis story, he was touching a nerve. Long after Joseph Smith Jr.'s Bible-loving neighbors had murdered him, few of his critics ever paid any mind to these alleged gems of Genesis.

But also overlooked was the steady creep of new archaeological discoveries that trickled into museums and libraries in subsequent centuries. Unbeknownst to the world is how impossibly these new texts illuminate the stories of Genesis in precisely the ways Joseph Smith claimed.

Today, using philology and paleography, independent researcher Jonah Barnes has harmonized these texts against the Genesis revelations of Joseph Smith Jr. Together they illuminate the answers to questions • Who the heck are the Giants mentioned in Genesis 6?

• Why did God flush the entire human race down with the Great Flood?

• What specifically were they doing that was so wicked?

• How could God command the slaughter of the Canaanites?

• What’s the straight story on the mysterious prophet Enoch?

• What really happened to Isaac on Mount Moriah? ( not what you think)

• Is the Book of Abraham authentically ancient or is it a fraud?

• Why is Jacob the Captain America of the Bible?

• Have the lost 116 pages been right under our noses all along?

Anything but boring, The Lost Gems of Genesis will illuminate how Joseph Smith Jr. filled the biggest gaps in the most important book in the world. This book will show that the genuine Genesis is crucial to understanding the rest of the Bible and that it was originally centered around the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. After reading Gems, you’ll never look at the Bible the same way again.

Genres: Religion

487 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 13, 2025

Reviews

[LeeAnn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I will be reading this text again with my scriptures and highlighter out. It has deepened my desire to read the apocrypha myself (or at least some of it.) The inclusion of the apocrypha has answered questions I have stuttered over and decided that I'll figure it out eventually because so far, that theory has worked out for me. I have found answers sometimes years later to some of my questions. He is a God who loves us unconditionally but also a God of law. Eternal law, and he understands all of them.

Update: I’ve now gone back to comb through the data and conclusions more carefully and have found I take issue with some of the author’s conclusions. I have no issue with his basic premise or with the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I’m not sure my conclusions are even very material. However, i also disagree with his mode of delivery and with the amount of time he spends mocking his anti-Mormon podcasters and other critics. A book that is focused on shedding light and further support of modern day revelations should not use such tactics at the same time. If your desire is to underscore God’s love and mercy, surely you should extend the same. Giving notice to someone you think doesn’t merit notice should not be done . In the words of PT Barnum, “There is no such thing as bad press.”

I will be continuing my pursuit of uplifting scholarship such as the recent publication like “Abraham and His Family in Scripture, History, and Tradition” because I really want to learn more about Abraham and that time without being dragged down by the heavy atmosphere of sarcasm and mockery.

[Judy Packard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I love learning things that help me see scriptures from other angles. Truth is truth. God will tell us all the facts about creation and ancient history when he wants to. Until then, Joseph Smith said, "Thy mind, O man! if thou wilt lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost heavens, and search into and contemplate the darkest abyss, and the broad expanse of eternity — thou must commune with God.” Jonah Barnes helps me see possibilities in scripture stories. Scriptures, Prophets, and Personal Revelation will help me learn what God wants me learn and to live how He wants me to live.

[Benji Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonah asks the questions all of us should be asking- why does the devil disappear and is downgraded in the rest of the Bible? What is going on with Enoch? Why doesn’t Enoch get more attention? How could one book cover thousands of years and be so short on details? He does a great job delving into these questions and many many more and doing some thorough work to triangulate a perspective based on apocryphal works that have been coming out of the woodwork like termites in the last century and are being quietly dismissed and swept under the rug by people who don’t like the content of these voices speaking from the dust. I look forward to reading more by Jonah Barnes!

[Sarah Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm glad this book was written, and it makes me want to read many of the apocryphal books he cited. I just didn't like his writing style. It's cool if you want to be funny, but when there's too much snark in a book it makes it hard for me to understand. I feel like some of the points he was trying to make were ambiguous or not very well explained. He definitely should have done more in depth exposition.

[Dallin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonah does a fantastic job at taking a lot of intimidating information and references, and turning them into an interesting read that flows well and captures the readers attention. he also keeps it fun, funny, punny and lighthearted to keep the reader engaged. This is a fantastic read that will get your brain thinking and deepen your testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ.

[MykeWeber · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing, eye opening examination of The Pearl of Great Price, Genesis and myriad Apocryphal records! I will be referring to this book and it’s references for the rest of my life! The restoration soothes, settles and explains it all! It’s a must read!!!