This book is much more entertaining if you read it as a historical novel rather than trying to read it as a religious text. As the bible is a record of gods dealings with the inhabitants of the eastern hemisphere, the book of mormon tells of a people who were led by god from jerusalem to the western hemisphere 600 years prior to the birth of the savior. Did joseph smith use a hat during the translation of the. Considering the complexity, consistency, clarity, artistry, accuracy, density, and profundity of the book of mormon, the prophet joseph s translation is a phenomenal feat. The use of objects in the translation were only to help focusing on the work. Joseph smith, the first prophet of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, was an uneducated farm boy with no resources for research who translated ancient writings into the book of mormon, over 500 pages long, in under 65 days. Box 1884 salt lake city, utah 84110 bookstore 58 s. Joseph smith book of mormon translation video youtube. Relationship of the joseph smith translation of the bible to the book of mormon book of mormon translation method.
How exactly did joseph smith translate the book of mormon. The young man, however, had very little formal education. Joseph smith couldnt have known about nahom, or bountiful, or the ancestral home of lehi, or the river of laman, or chiasmus, or cement buildings or sheum or many other things that corroborate the story of the book of mormon. Book of mormon by joseph smith, first edition abebooks. Joseph smiths plagiarism of the bible in the book of mormon by jerald and sandra tanner utah lighthouse ministry p. For most of the 1830s, smith lived in kirtland, ohio, which remained the headquarters of the church until smith began encouraging members to gather the church to a latter. Joseph smith translates the gold plates is to help everyone understand and recognize the influence of the holy ghost as well as to desire to be worthy of his constant companionship teaching thoughts. Aug 04, 2015 the mormon churchs push toward transparency about its roots and beliefs took another step forward with the first published pictures of a small sacred stone it believes founder joseph smith used. The book of mormon is a translation of golden tablets given to joseph smith who wrote of their account of a plan for salvation and what men must do to gain peace in.
In the isaiah chapters which were plagiarized by the book of mormon, joseph smith has changed them in his translation to fit the book of mormon. The book of mormon narrates the historical, religious, political, and military events that shaped and continue to inform the churchs teachings. Joseph smith translated the book of mormon with a rock in a. May 14, 20 joseph smith, the first prophet of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, was an uneducated farm boy with no resources for research who translated ancient writings into the book of mormon, over 500 pages long, in under 65 days. The manuscript joseph smith dictated to oliver cowdery and others is known today as the original manuscript, about 28 percent of which still survives. According to witnesses, joseph smith often translated without the plates being present and used the interpreters to receive the revealed text. Edward stevenson gave a similar account in reminiscences of joseph the prophet and the coming forth of the book of mormon salt lake city. Why is the book of mormon and other lds scripture translatedwritten in 16th century english if joseph smith translated and wrote them in the mid. He identified himself as a messenger from the presence of god, named moroni. Urim and thummim angel moroni joseph smith singing time lds primary book of mormon puzzle pieces restoration ideas. Why is the book of mormon and other lds scripture translated written in 16th century english if joseph smith translated and wrote them in the mid. A personage appeared in the light and began to speak to joseph. The book of mormon is a translation of golden tablets given to joseph smith who wrote of their account of a plan for salvation and what men must do to gain peace in this life and eternal redemption in the life to come. Joseph smithseer stonesrock in hat used for book of.
An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. Michael morse, emma smith s brotherinlaw, gave a firsthand account published in an 1879 article in the rlds publication saints herald when joseph was translating the book of mormon i had occasion more than once to go into his immediate presence, and saw him engaged at his work of translation. Most all of the current text of the book of mormon was dictated to a scribe over a period of somewhere between a total of 60 and 90 days, interspersed with other daily activities that sometimes would take joseph smith and oliver cowdery away from. By its own terms, the book of mormon is a translation of an ancient book. Translated by joseph smith, jr 186 smith, joseph on. I wanted to put together some historical accounts that show that joseph smith used a seer stone in his translation of the book of mormon. Joseph smith said, in the nowfamous letter to john wentworth, that he translated the book of mormon through the medium of the urim and thummim. How joseph smith translated the book of mormon latter. December 23, 1805 june 27, 1844 was an american religious leader and founder of mormonism and the latter day saint movement. Joseph smith translated an ancient text by the gift and power of god to produce the book of mormon. Details of the translation process joseph smith used for translating the book of mormon from the plates can be adduced from statements of witnesses and from evidence in the original and printers manuscripts. Joseph smith translated the book of mormon with a rock in. This is one of the first accounts of how joseph smith translated the book of mormon. By the power of god, through the holy spirit, how else.
Smith translated the ancient language into english through divine revelation. I know that if we will read and pray about the book of mormon, we can know that it is true and that joseph smith was a true prophet of god. 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. The lds version of the book of mormon has been translated into 83 languages and selections have been translated into an additional 25 languages. I told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book. Could joseph smith have authored the book of mormon. 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.
Brothers according to those contemporaries of joseph smith who observed the book of mormon translation process, joseph smith did not look at or read from the golden plates while translating the book of mormon. It is a record of gods dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the americas. Jan 01, 2009 joseph smith couldnt have known about nahom, or bountiful, or the ancestral home of lehi, or the river of laman, or chiasmus, or cement buildings or sheum or many other things that corroborate the story of the book of mormon. Historical details about the time it took to translate the book are remarkably well preserved. What follows is the story of how joseph received, translated, and published the record now titled the book of mormon. It could be said that mormon history starts with the translation of the book of mormon. The book of mormon is another testament of jesus christ.
Called by god in a vision, cowdery traveled to harmony to meet joseph smith and investigate further. 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. This minister was considered very antagonist towards the saints. Welch, foundation for ancient research and mormon studies farms. For instance, i read that at first he used a seer stone instead of the urim and thummim which he placed in his hat and buried his face into the hat to block out the light. The gold plates and the translation of the book of mormon. Mormons react to firstever photograph of joseph smiths.
Joseph smith translated the book of mormon with a seerstone. How joseph smith translated the book of mormon by royal. On september 21, 1823, joseph smith, then seventeen years old, was in his bed praying when a light began to fill his room. Later, joseph smith translated the book of mormon into. Joseph smith at the age of 16 maybe 14,15 or 17 was led to the site of the plates by the angel moroni, joseph was instructed not to remove the items until he was given permission. Joseph smith could neither write nor dictate a coherent and wellworded letter. Eventually, even joseph smith used urim and thummim indiscriminately as labels generically representing either the book of mormon interpreters or the seer stone used during translation. It was written in an ancient language on gold plates by prophets in ancient america. At such a pace, only about a week could have been taken to translate all of 1 nephi. Joseph smith book of mormon translation video ryan. Aug 09, 2018 by the power of god, through the holy spirit, how else. The book of mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible, used by latter day saints. Nov 14, 2017 who translated the book of mormon text into english for joseph smith to read.
The angel charged joseph smith to translate the book from the ancient language in which it was written. Who translated the book of mormon text into english for joseph smith to read. Although he is known for translating the book of mormon, many people are not aware that joseph smith also translated some of the bible. In 1827, smith began to gather a religious following after announcing that an angel had shown him a set of golden plates describing a visit of jesus to the indigenous peoples of.
His son, moroni, later buried the plates, where they remained until 1827, when moroni, as a resurrected being, delivered them to a young man named joseph smith. In addition to joseph smith, the lord provided for eleven others to see. Laurie mafflykipp, phd, is the archer alexander distinguished professor at the. For instance, i read that at first he used a seer stone instead of the urim and thummim which he placed in his hat and buried his face. The book of mormon by joseph smith, paperback barnes. Nothing is magical, and the urim and thummim, the seer stone, etc. Book of mormon translation by joseph smith book of mormon. This 2001 ensign cover shows joseph smith translating the book of mormon by poring over the plates which is how many faithful latterday saints have been instructed to imagine the process. 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 of that year. Sep 11, 20 the book of mormon is another testament of jesus christ. Dear gramps, i would like to know the exact way the prophet joseph translated the book of mormon. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. Book of mormon translation the church of jesus christ of latter. Aug 29, 2014 the church recently released an essay summarizing what we know about the process of translating the book of mormon.
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. Sep 27, 20 the title page of the book of mormon said it would be interpreted and come forth by the gift and power of god. The mormon churchs push toward transparency about its roots and beliefs took another step forward with the first published pictures of a small sacred stone it believes founder joseph smith used. When i see the word translate, it means to me that a scribe read a manuscript written in one language e. Another testament of jesus christ official edition by smith, joseph and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Mar 31, 2010 1836 account by a minister of another religion. The joseph smith translation is only an inspired revision of the king james version. Emma smith bidamon to emma pilgrim 1870 now, the first part my husband translated, was translated by the use of the urim and thummim, and that was the part that martin harris. As you will see from the article, joseph smith apparently alternated between using the urim and thummim which he obtained simultaneously with the plates, and a seer stone that he. Sep 15, 2017 joseph smith book of mormon translation video ryan. Joseph smith translated the book of mormon by the power of. The mormon churchs push toward transparency about its roots and beliefs took another step forward with the first published pictures of a small sacred stone it. Smith said the title page, and presumably the actual title of the 1830 edition, came from the translation of the very last leaf of the golden plates, and was written by.
Did joseph fielding smith say that it was not reasonable for joseph smith to use a seer stone to translate the book of mormon. Concerning this record the prophet joseph smith said. His early work on the translation, with emma smith and. Excerpts from joseph smith the prophet by preston nibley. How the book of mormon was translated let us reason. Book of mormon translation by joseph smith book of. Joseph fielding smith said it hardly seems reasonable to suppose that the prophet would substitute something evidently inferior under these circumstances. Who translated the book of mormon text into english for. Details of the translation process joseph smith used for translating the book of mormon from the plates can be adduced from statements of witnesses and from. Mostlatterday saints grew up learning that joseph smith translated the book of mormon through the use of magic spectacles known as the urim and thummim.
I believe from the book of mormon musical on the 65th tony awards. His chief scribe during these months was oliver cowdery, a schoolteacher from vermont who learned about the book of mormon while boarding with josephs parents in palmyra. Byu professor discusses book of mormon translation deseret news. In 2001, the lds church reported that all or part of the book of mormon was available in the native language of 99 percent of latterday saints and 87 percent of the worlds total population. Oliver cowdery, who was the principal scribe for the book of mormon, said of josephs source of translating power that the prophet joseph smith translated the book of mormon by the gift and power of god, by the assistance or means of the urim and thummim last days of oliver cowdery, deseret news, apr. How long did it take joseph smith to translate the book of. Eight other witnesses, most from the whitmer and smith families, were shown the gold plates by joseph smith. Why is the book of mormon written in 16th century english. This page shows accounts of some of the people close to joseph specifically emma smith, martin harris, david whitmer, and william smith stating that he did in fact, use a seer stone in the translation of the text. By the time of his death, 14 years later, he had attracted tens of thousands of followers and founded a religion that continues to the present. He couldnt have fulfilled the book of mormon prophecies on a dare, without the power of god. Mormonism and the biblejoseph smith translationrelationship.
The miracle of joseph smith translating the book of mormon. Week sharing time idea for april 20 little lds ideaslittle lds ideas. Did joseph smith use a hat during the translation of the book. And, though i was an active participant in the scenes that transpired, and was present during the translation of the plates, and had cognizance of things as they transpired, it is marvelous to me, a marvel and a wonder, as much so as to any one else. Why did joseph smith translate the book of mormon into jacobean english, not in use in 1830. Because joseph followed the instructions from heavenly father and translated the writings of ancient prophets, each of us can be blessed by reading the stories found in the book of mormon. The church recently released an essay summarizing what we know about the process of translating the book of mormon. Fourteen centuries later, in 1823, the angel moroni led joseph smith to the plates hidden in a hillside in upstate new york. And, though i was an active participant in the scenes that transpired. Joseph smith translated the book of mormon and restored.
When he was 24, smith published the book of mormon. Problems in the joseph smith translation of the bible and comparison to the book of mormon. The title page of the book of mormon said it would be interpreted and come forth by the gift and power of god. The three witnesses and the eight witnesses signed their names as a testimony to the world of the authenticity of the book of mormon and it has been published in every book of mormon since the first edition in 1830. Evidence from the original manuscript royal skousen journal of book of mormon studies 71 1998. In 1830, smith published what he said was a translation of these plates as the book of mormon, and the same year he organized the church of jesus christ of latter day saints. 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. In 1822, joseph smith found a brown, eggcolored stone while digging a well for willard chase. The book was written by ancient prophets through the spirit of prophecy and revelation. By the time of his death, 14 years later, he had attracted tens of thousands of followers and founded a religion that continues to the present with millions of global adherents.
An online handbook to the lds church mormon we are unable to directly examine josephs translation of reformed egyptian, as according to him an angel kept the gold plates after his translation was completed however, we can examine the characters joseph copied allegedly from the plates for martin harris since the book of mormon claims to be an ancient text we can examine if it truly. Joseph smith translates the book of mormon, dictating the text to his scribe oliver cowdery. Bushman points out in the foreword to from darkness unto light, this volume is the first of what could be many potential histories coming out of the joseph smith papers project v, which has been a central. Honestly, because of the sheer volume of anachronistic errors contained in joseph smiths book, even trying to read it as a novel is taxing.
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