The LDS Church teaches that Christian writings know as the "Apocrypha," although they were never accepted into the Biblical canon hundreds of years ago, are often inspired writings and can be very beneficial to our understanding of the things of God. Section 91 of the Doctrine and Covenants of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gives this wise advice about the Apocrypha:
4 Therefore, whoso readeth it, let him aunderstand, for the Spirit manifesteth truth;
LDS Prophet Joseph Smith taught that good doctrine tastes good to our spirits. One of the Apocryphal works that "tastes good" to my spirit is Esdras. A lot of things that Esdras talks about in the 13th chapter of the 2nd book of Esdras, match up wonderfully with what was revealed in the 45th Section of the Doctrine and Covenants and other Mormon scripture. In 2 Esdras 13, we find where the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel went--north of what was then called Assyria. Esdras had a vision, where he learned that
40 Those are the ten tribes, which were carried away prisoners out of their own land in the time of Osea the king, whom Salmanasar the king of Assyria led away captive, and he carried them over the waters, and so came they into another land.41 But they took this counsel among themselves, that they would leave the multitude of the heathen, and go forth into a further country, where never mankind dwelt,42 That they might there keep their statutes, which they never kept in their own land.43 And they entered into Euphrates by the narrow places of the river.44 For the most High then shewed signs for them, and held still the flood, till they were passed over.45 For through that country there was a great way to go, namely, of a year and a half: and the same region is called Arsareth.
In the same vision, he learned that angry multitudes from all over the earth would come in the last days of the earth to battle against "a man waxed strong with the thousands of heaven". But they were no match for the "man waxed strong" and the forces of nature.
8 ...and, lo, all they which were gathered together to subdue him were sore afraid, and yet durst fight.9 And, lo, as he saw the violence of the multitude that came, he neither lifted up his hand, nor held sword, nor any instrument of war:10 But only I saw that he sent out of his mouth as it had been a blast of fire, and out of his lips a flaming breath, and out of his tongue he cast out sparks and tempests.
Later in his dream, Esdras learned that the "man waxed strong" was Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who would return in the end of the earth during a time when groups of people were battling with each other over all the earth. His coming would signal them to focus their energies no longer against each other, but against Christ himself.
33 And when all the people hear his voice, every man shall in their own land leave the battle they have one against another.34 And an innumerable multitude shall be gathered together, as thou sawest them, willing to come, and to overcome him by fighting.35 But he shall stand upon the top of the mount Sion.
During this time, those who are not fighting against Christ will be helping to build a more beautiful earth, which is called Zion.
36 And Sion shall come, and shall be shewed to all men, being prepared and builded, like as thou sawest the hill graven without hands.
This group of peaceful earth stewards will be the only group that is not in perpetual war.
It is during this time of dichotomy between war and peace that the Ten Tribes will return to augment the forces of peace and liberty.
46 Then dwelt they there until the latter time; and now when they shall begin to come,47 The Highest shall stay the springs of the stream again, that they may go through: therefore sawest thou the multitude with peace.48 But those that be left behind of thy people are they that are found within my borders.
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