It may be surprising to learn that the books from the small plates of nephi 1 nephi through words of mormon almost certainly came last in the translation process. Joseph smith reported that on the evening of september 21, 1823, while he prayed in the upper room of his. It is claimed that each sentence and word in the 1830 book of mormon had supposedly come directly from god. Joseph smith translated an ancient text by the gift and power of god to produce the book of mormon. Book of mormon central has released a new video affirming the truth of the book of mormon and the historical facts surrounding its translation. F only appears singly in one such noun which is familiar from the kjv l ucifer, but never begins a proper noun in. The answer to this question will involve a brief consideration of the translation process of the book of mormon. In conclusion, we feel that the move away from the actual facts of the translation process of the book of mormon demonstrates a lack of credibility on the part of lds. Apart from king james english spellings of biblical names in the book of mormon, the letters f, q, v, w, x, and y do not appear in transliterated. The gold plates and the translation of the book of mormon. I testify that the translation miracle of the book of mormon clearly evidences that joseph is a prophet of god, called to lay the foundation of christs church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth.
Reading your article got me curious as to whywith such direct and clear information on how the book of mormon was translatedtheres even a question about it. Translating the book of mormon into other languages commenced relatively soon after the first publication in 1830. This sacred ancient record was not translated in the traditional way that scholars would translate ancient texts by learning an ancient language. Thus the book of mormon was translated by the gift and power of god, and not. The translation of the book of lehi is completed, resulting in 116 pages of translated text. Joseph smith translates the book of mormon, dictating the text to his scribe oliver cowdery.
The angel charged joseph smith to translate the book from the ancient language in which it was written. Another testament of jesus christ, which is an english translation from the golden plates that was first published in 1830. The book of mormon came into the world through a series of miraculous events. The description of the book of mormon on the registration form is from the title page of the book of mormon, which joseph says is a literal translation taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the collection or book of plates see pjs 1. For a compilation of accounts by joseph smiths contemporaries, see john w. Joseph and emmas first child, alvin, was born but died shortly thereafter. Book of mormon translation as it actually happened since learning this disturbing new information and feeling betrayed, i have been attacked and gaslighted by revisionist mormon apologists claiming that its my fault and the fault of anyone else for not knowing this.
How facts about the translation of the book of mormon. Mormon is said to have received the charge of taking care of the records that had been hidden, once he was old enough. How facts about the translation of the book of mormon are. Interesting correspondence on the subject of the manual theory.
The book of mormon is published in 112 languages, and many of them are available in multiple formats online in march 1830, 5,000 copies of the book of mormon were printed in the e. He and several of his close associates testified that the translation was accomplished by the gift and power of. Welch, foundation for ancient research and mormon studies farms. Joseph remains with emma for two weeks after the death. Critics of the book of mormon have claimed that a variety of linguistic anachronisms exist in it which cast doubt upon its historical authenticity. These facts are now officially confirmed in the churchs december 20 book of mormon translation essay. The book of mormon s translation marks yet another essential miracle. The urim and thummim was preserved in a stone box, along with the gold plates, for over 1,500 years for the purpose of enabling joseph to translate the writings on the. Top 10 embarrassments of the mormon religion listverse.
Some may believe that the book of mormon must have been a translation in which nothing but formal equivalency word for word translation would be what god would provide as the translation. The papyri which joseph smith said he translated the book of abraham from have been exposed to be nothing more than funeral texts from ancient egypt at least eight egyptologists and semitists have studied the papyri and. Animals are mentioned in the book of mormon in different contexts. That collection of primary source documents is 102 pages long. A portion of the papyri used by joseph smith as the source of the book of abraham. There are several theories as to the origin of the book of mormon. They multiplied and eventually split into two groups.
As of april 2011, the book of mormon has been published in its entirety in 82 languages, with selections of the book available in an additional 25 languages. One of the most amazing facts about the book of mormon is that it took joseph smith only about sixtyfive working days to translate a book that, in the current. The prophet joseph smith answered questions pertaining to the translation of the book of mormon. Mormon is allegedly a prophethistorian who was the native american believed by mormons to have written the book of mormon the main religious text of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints mormonism. Joseph smith, a poor farm boy, had very little formal education.
The above donut chart shows percentages of the book of mormon translation section of letter to a ces director that fairmormon is in agreement, disagreement, and neutral on. The church later admitted these facts in its october 2015 ensign, where they include a photograph of the actual rock that joseph smith used to place in his hat for the book of mormon translation. Moroni, the person who deposited the plates from whence the book of mormon was translated, in a hill in manchester, ontario county. Peterson wrote an excellent article in which he cites witnesses to the book of mormon translation process, giving modern readers insight into what eyewitnesses saw regarding how joseph smith translated the book of mormon. All over the world people are seeking the witness of jesus christ as found in the book of mormon. Joseph smith said that the book of mormon translation was performed by the gift and power of god the lost 116 pages of the book of mormon manuscript. How did joseph smith translate the plates from which the.
Some church art of the book of mormon translation shows joseph studiously looking at the plates with one finger on the engraved letters as if he could actually read what each character said. Facts on the book of mormon witnesses part 2 mormons in. It was released by the church to help explain how the book of mormon was translated, and to explain why the true story of the translation differs so greatly from the official church narrative taught since its founding. The pearl of great price is composed of two lost books from the bible, a translation of the gospel of matthew, joseph smiths history, and the articles of faith. How long did it take to translate the book of mormon. He moved in with the smiths in the winter of 1828 to act as scribe for joseph smith. Book of mormon translations the encyclopedia of mormonism. Some had waited all of their lifetimes to read the book of mormon in afrikaans. The story contained in the book of mormon is a shortened version written by a man named mormon of the record of two groups of people called the nephites and the lamanites. By its own terms, the book of mormon is a translation of an ancient book. Apr 02, 2020 each of the historical facts in the miraculous timing of the translation of the book of mormon is established by sources mentioned in the footnotes or in the document section quoting 206 documents. This divine spark from heaven, over 165 years ago, has ignited a flame that is dawning a new day. He lacked the ability to translate the record on his own, so he needed divine assistance. Most adherents of the latter day saint movement view the book as a work of inspired scripture.
Many readers of the book of mormon naturally assume that joseph smith translated its books in the order that we find them today, that is, beginning with the title page, and then translating 1 nephi 1. A seer stone and a hat translating the book of mormon. Mormonism and the biblejoseph smith translationrelationship. The 116 pages of the book of lehi were borrowed and then lost by martin harris. According to martin harris, an angel commanded joseph smith to stop these activities, which he did by 1826. We ought to look at the process more like a revelation with the aid of physical instruments provided by the lord. The language in the sections of the book of mormon that correspond to parts of the bible is quite regularly selected by joseph smith, rather than obtained through independent translation. While this was a late recollection on cannons part, anderson justifies using it by stating that cannon had a remarkable intellect and a. How long did it take joseph smith to translate the book of. It relates the history of a group of hebrews who migrated from jerusalem to america about 600 bce, led by a prophet, lehi. The approximate book of mormon translation timeline was an interesting article to research. Much can be known about the coming forth of the english text of the book of mormon through a careful study of statements made by joseph smith, his scribes, and others closely associated with the translation of the book of mormon. The translation of the book of mormon into afrikaans.
The book of mormon is a book that latter day saints believe is the word of god along with the bible the original english version of the book of mormon was published in march 1830 by a man named joseph smith, jr. In reality the major difference between the averagememberview of the book of mormon translation joseph looked into the crystals in the interpreters vs the historical view joseph looked into a seer stone in a hat is the hatone is a stone or crystal out of the hat. Introduction to the approximate book of mormon translation. The most common theory accepted by adherents is that promoted by joseph smith, who said he translated the work from an ancient set of golden plates inscribed by prophets. The following letters on the subject are, therefore, both timely and engagingeditors. Book of mormon translation by joseph smith the encyclopedia. The translation process of the book of mormon lds scripture.
Unless otherwise indicated, the translation was financed and the resulting text published by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church. Skeptics of the book of mormon, on the other hand, often dismiss reformed egyptian as a fabrication by joseph smith. Joseph smith restored the lds church in the early 1800s, and one of his endeavors was to translate the book of mormon from engraved metal. His early work on the translation, with emma smith and martin harris serving as the main scribes, was lost in 1828. The book of mormon stands as a miraculous work for the world to examine. The title page of the book of mormon declares that the book is a translation of an. The book of abraham is part of the pearl of great price, which mormons consider scripture. Their ancestors left jerusalem with their father lehi about 600 years before the birth of christ, sailed across a very big ocean, and settled in the new world. At a meeting in johannesburg on may 14, 1972, when the afrikaans boek van mormon was introduced to the south african saints, it was a happy and, at the same time, an emotionpacked experience for those in attendance. Ten littleknown facts about the book of mormon meridian. Linguistic anachronisms in the book of mormon are words that represent concepts that are not believed to have existed in the americas between 2500 b. Book of mormon translator converted the mormon urban. Among the many amazing facts about the book of mormon is how little time it.
Stewart, and olivas aoy completed the translation of the entire book of mormon. The young man, however, had very little formal education. The main events described within the book of mormon take place between 600bc to 421ad, although parts go right back to the tower of babel, some 2,000 years ago. Mormons read the christian bible king james translation or kjv and the book of mormon. Since the book of mormon s publication in 1830, significant progress has been made in the fields of egyptology, near eastern and precolumbian american archaeology, linguistics, and latterday saint history. The translation of the book of mormon was truly a miraculous event in the history of mormonism. Yet with sufficient searching it later became known that they in fact did live there. Translating the book of mormon religious studies center. The translation of the book of mormon, from dan vogel, ed. Jul 20, 2018 i appreciate reading the firsthand accounts from the prophet himself and oliver cowdery, and, of course, the scriptural references to the translation of the book of mormon. The portion of the greater book of mormon called the book of mormon is an account of the events during mormons life. How did joseph smith translate the plates from which the book. The article is fairly brief and only superficially addresses the problem.
Martin harris, a book of mormon scribe for the lost 116 pages of the bom, also one of the three witnesses to the book of mormon, provided this information to his friend edward stevenson, who would later become part of the lds first council of seventy. Grandin in palmyra, new york, to print it only after martin harris, in an act of great faith and sacrifice, mortgaged his farm as collateral for the printing costs. The story of the divine origin of the book of mormon as taught by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints is undercut by several keys facts about joseph smith, his supporters, the translation process, potential contemporary sources, and the content of the book itself. He and oliver cowdery later purchased a bible, which suggests given josephs straitened financial situation that he did not already own one. Book of mormon translation the church of jesus christ of latter. The lds church recognizes four main texts as divinely inspired and authoritative scripture.
Portions of the book have been translated into another 20 languages. One of the most amazing facts about the book of mormon is that it took joseph smith only about sixtyfive working days to translate a book that, in the current edition, is 531 pages long. Book of mormon translation that the church portrayed and still portrays to its members. That story of the book of mormon translation will be consistent with all of the various forms of evidence. Church members believe that the book of mormon is more correct than the bible because the bible was the result of a multiplegeneration translation process and the book of mormon was not. I am answering these questions by publication for the reason they are asked me thousands of times. Joseph smith claimed that in 1827 an angel named moroni led him to a set of golden plates which he then translated by the gift and power of. He and several of his close associates testified that the translation was accomplished by the gift and power of god hc 1. Sep 17, 2016 seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon duration. Book of mormon translation response to an essay on the mechanical process in which the book of mormon was translated was put in the topical guide of the website on 1230. Joseph smith faced much opposition in printing the book of mormon as its translation came to an end.
For further discussion on the book of mormon and the translation process, see the introduction to documents, volume 1. Joseph smiths translation and publication of the book of mormon. Most lds church members were taught that joseph smith used seer stones referred to as the urim and. One of the greatest single achievements of the south african saints was the translation of the book of mormon into afrikaans. If one assumes that fairmormons undisputed silence is acceptance of the facts, fairmormon agrees with 100% of the ces letters book of mormon translation section. From that humble beginning, today the church prints over 3 million copies a year on large web presses. No wonder the spirit of god like a fire is burning. Joseph began translating again in 1829, and almost all of the present book of mormon text was translated during a threemonth period between april and june. Isaiah and nephi both prophesied that the book of mormon would be translated by him that is not learned so that the lord could show that he is able to do his own work and is a god of miracles 2 nephi 27. Truly, the translation of the book of mormon was a miracle and was accomplished by miraculous means.
Historical details about the time it took to translate the book are remarkably well preserved. Translating the book of mormon book of mormon facts. The same goes for oliver cowderys use of the terms in his description of the translation process. Mason allred and mark ashurstmcgee discuss the various historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process, including accounts of joseph smith using a. Translations of the book of mormon the book of mormon is published in 112 languages, and many of them are available in multiple formats online. The book of mormon resembles the bible in its length and complexity and in its division into books named for individual prophets. Some show joseph reading the characters to his scribe oliver cowdery with the plates exposed in full view of them both. In march 1830, 5,000 copies of the book of mormon were printed in the e. The following essay is the official lds released essay entitled book of mormon translation. Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon. Some readers of the book of mormon and other students of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints have become concerned with issues that might, in their view, preclude the view that the translation of the book of mormon was given wordforword, directly by god such as the presence of language from the king james bible in the text.
The video presents two distinct pieces of evidence for the truthfulness of the book of mormon. The manuscript joseph smith dictated to oliver cowdery and others is. After the prophet joseph smiths original translation of the book of mormon from the gold plates into english in 1829 and the return of those plates to the angel moroni, no translations from english into other languages appeared until the 1850s. The book of mormon has been translated in its entirety into 97 languages. Included in this count are names that normally would not be called proper, such as nonenglish names of plants, animals, etc. The book of mormon contains 337 proper names and 21 gentilics or analogous forms based on proper names. Interest in the manner of the translation of the book of mormon is still alive among many thoughtful students.
Jul 11, 2011 richard anderson investigating the book of mormon witnesses, 1981 admits the third handnature of this account, but still uses it as evidence, attributing its most accurate telling to george q. It is an attempt to put an at least approximate date on each of those events which were recorded from the time joseph smith received the book of mormon plates, until the time that the translation was completed. For example, when joseph translated the text now in 1 nephi. The above donut chart shows percentages of the book of mormon translation section of letter to a ces director that fairmormon is in agreement, disagreement, and neutral on if one assumes that fairmormons undisputed silence is acceptance of the facts, fairmormon agrees with 100% of the ces letters book of mormon translation section breakdown can be found here. Almost all of the present book of mormon text was translated during a threemonth period between april and june 1829 with. Joseph smith clarifies what he means by very last leaf by specifying. Welch, the miraculous translation of the book of mormon, in opening the heavens. According to latter day saint belief, the golden plates are the source from which joseph smith said he translated the book of mormon, a sacred text of the faith. The translation miracle of the book of mormon book of. Timeline of the book of mormon translation scott woodward. Aboutcontact the purpose of the site is to peel away the layers of traditions and assumptions about the translation of the book of mormon and get down to a firm foundation of facts.
Most lds church members were taught that joseph smith used seer stones referred to as the urim and thummim nephite interpreters to translate the book of mormon bom 1 to various scribes. Mormonism is a religion less than two centuries old, but in this short time it has managed to accrue a long list of embarrassments which the church leaders would prefer were kept. Urim and thummim places the book of mormon translation on trial, presenting the latest research in one of the most comprehensive treatments of the translation process to date providing encouragement for latterday saints who fear they have been betrayed by the translation history taught by the church for over 190 years. Also, while the book of mormon makes reference to wheat e.
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