Nov 08, 2018 joseph smiths translation of the book of mormon into english was arguably one of the most miraculous occurrences of this dispensation. Miraculous origins theories generally accept joseph smiths own account, that he translated an ancient record compiled and abridged by mormon, a precolumbian resident of the western hemisphere. Its coming forth was an essential part of the history of mormonism. An angel reportedly took the breastplate and interpreters at that time. The story of the first foreign translation of the book of mormon. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints, which has translated the full book of mormon into 90 languages selections are offered in 21 others since the work was first printed in 1830, also.
Was joseph smith really uneducated when he translated the. How does the unusual translation sequence of the book of. Hold up a copy of the book of mormon and ask, who wrote the book of mormon. Together, the testimony of both the three and the eight witnesses are difficult to explain away. Joseph smiths translation of the book of mormon into english was arguably one of the most miraculous occurrences of this dispensation. Mason allred and mark ashurstmcgee discuss the various historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process, including accounts. This fhe lesson on the book of mormon helps teach how joseph smith translated the book of mormon by the power of god. Variations of this theory only include that the text is a divinely inspired narrative, regardless of its. April 06, 1829 to june 16, 1829 translation of the book of mormon at this point we move to a daily analysis of the translation of the book of mormon. It was first published in 1830 in palmyra, new york, and was thereafter widely reprinted and translated. From the churchs online gospel topics webpage 11 april 2014.
The church history department of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints has released a new video exploring joseph smiths use of seer stones in the translation process of the book of mormon. This paper aims to stimulate specific thinking about the intense and complex events during which the book of mormon was translated in 1829. Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon. The translation of the book of mormon into ukrainian is one such small miracle in church history. What role does the book of mormon play in the history of mormonism. Later, joseph smith translated the book of mormon into. Book of mormon translation response to mormonthink. The translation of the book of mormon was truly a miraculous event in the history of mormonism. New church video explains joseph smiths seer stones book.
In this video, book of mormon central research associate jonathon riley had the chance to sit down with collector reid moon. Book of mormon translator converted the mormon urban. Josephs view of revelation is nuanced in this regard. A strong case can be made for the authenticity of joseph smiths account of the coming forth of the book of mormon first, the eyewitness testimony of those directly involved with the translation unanimously agree that joseph was not copying from another book or manuscript, but rather the text of the book of mormon as he peered into the sear. When joseph smith began the book of mormon translation, he acted in his capacity as a treasure seer and used the tools of that trade. In it, joseph is receiving revelation from god telling oliver he is blessed with a gift of a divining rod. Watch presentations, videos, and short clips breaking down various topics of the book of mormon and its history with research provided by leading scholars and researchers. Ive been held with my eyes and handled with my hands, the gold plates from which it was translated. But thanks to scholars who assembled the joseph smith papers, my own experience typing the book of mormon and the pearl of great price, and recently by reading saints, the story of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, 18151846, i understand the word translate more clearly and i hope i. 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. In the video seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon, mason allred interviews dr. Later, joseph smith translated the book of mormon into english through the. Why did joseph smith translate the book of mormon into jacobean english, not in use in 1830. There are differing views on the origin of the book of mormon.
In this video, i will attempt to reconstruct the historical events as they unfolded and hopefully clear up some of the confusion and get everyone on the same page. Book of mormon history provides easy access to current research for personal study. Fhe lesson on the book of mormon translating the book of. The translation of the book of mormon into afrikaans. Dec 12, 2012 he describes the yearning for afrikaansspeakers for a translation of the book of mormon. Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon. Mar 03, 2020 have you ever heard of the book of mormon. Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon youtube. The story of the creation of the book of mormon has been told many times, and often ridiculed. Translating the book of mormon into other languages commenced relatively soon after the first publication in 1830. Later, stevenson recounted some items of history he had learned from harris, including the manner joseph smith translated the book of mormon.
The first presidency invited the karma the 12, and to see portions of the original manuscript of the book of mormon, along with portions of the printers manuscript. A video supplement for come, follow me book of mormon lesson. It may be surprising, therefore, to learn that the small plates of nephi 1 nephi through words of mormon almost certainly came last in the translation process, after the completion of the large plates of nephi mosiah through moroni and the title. 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, after the completion of mormons abridgment of the large plates of nephi mosiah through 4 nephi. 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. To help students understand the structure of the book of mormon. Book of mormon central the title page and translation of. Oct 15, 2019 the book of mormon teaches about god and jesus christ. Moroni also told joseph that god had a special mission for joseph to complete, that joseph was to obtain the plates, and that god had prepared a way for them to be translated. It was written in an ancient language on gold plates by prophets in ancient america. I also be held the interpreters that book is true, so joseph smith and all of the calgary well talk about nite interpreters that are described in the book of mormon other witnesses, the book of mormon. While there is still much to learn about the people and stories in the book of mormon, some of the best archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon comes from lehis journey to the promised land. A documentary history of the book of mormon presents and examines the primary sources surrounding the origin of the foundational text of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, the most successful new religion of modern times. 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.
John corrill, a brief history of the church of christ of latter day saints, 1114, written as part of a history initiated at joseph smiths assignment but ultimately published independently, provides an overview of the book of mormons origins. The purpose of these physical instruments was to facilitate that revelatory process and assist joseph smith as he struggled to receive the inspired thoughts, feelings, meanings, and words as he translated the book of mormon by revelation. Joseph smith would put the seer stone into a hat, and put his face in the hat, drawing it closely around his face to exclude the light. Write these four names on the board in preparation for the next activity. Again, it is the rate of translation, approximately 6.
Jun 21, 2017 with singing, dancing, a video presentation, and a buffet of nepali food, members and service missionaries of the crossroads square branch of the south salt lake stake in salt lake city, utah, gathered on june 17 for a cultural celebration to commemorate the translation of the book of mormon into nepali, which was recently announced by the first presidency. Book of mormon, work accepted as holy scripture, in addition to the bible, in the church of jesus christ of latterday saints and other mormon churches. Book of mormon translation lds church is true blog. Portions of the book have been translated into another 20 languages. Jonathan neville jonathan neville is a lawyer, businessman, educator and author who has written over forty books, including both nonfiction and fiction.
The book of mormon is available in print in various sizes, bindings, and colors. After several unsuccessful attempts, smith said he dug up the gold plates on september 22, 1827. He describes the yearning for afrikaansspeakers for a translation of the book of mormon. For more information about the translation of the book of mormon. The following essay is the official lds released essay entitled book of mormon translation. He listed a halfdozen languages he tried, all of which did not accommodate the strange sentence structure found in the book of mormon.
Was every word of the book of mormon translation provided directly from god. An angel directed joseph to find ancient spiritual and historical. Those historical interests are manifest in the recent description of the translation of the book of mormon found on the churchs official website. The book of mormon is about the history of two great civilizations of people who lived in the ancient americas. These tables show all the versions of the book of mormon that have been translated. Witness oliver cowderys experience as joseph smiths scribe during the translation of the book of mormon. This video explores the history behind the witnesses to the book of mormon and explains why their combined testimony strongly indicates that joseph smith did in fact possess plates which he translated by the gift and power of god. John corrill, a brief history of the church of christ of latter day saints, 1114, written as part of a history initiated at joseph smiths assignment but ultimately published independently, provides an overview of the book of mormon s origins.
Looking back at the history of the book of mormon, it becomes clear that the translation process changed after martin harris lost the original manuscript pages in june 1829. That story of the book of mormon translation will be consistent with all of the various forms of evidence. The lds version of the book of mormon has been translated into 83 languages and selections have been translated into an additional 25 languages. He said, i finally tried egyptian, and to my complete surprise, i found that the book of mormon translated flawlessly. He harris also stated that the prophet translated a portion of the book of mormon, with the seer stone in his possession. As described in this video, multiple eyewitnesses left detailed. You know we feel really triumphant if we can read the book of mormon in three months, he translated it. Book of mormon translations archives mormon history. Mar 12, 2011 the lds church claims that joseph smith translated the book of mormon from ancient golden plates that were given to him by an angel. Its a sacred book of scripture translated into over a hundred languages all over the world. 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. The book of mormon, translated and exposed in plain english. Book of mormon was translated from the ancient egyptian or modified hebrew.
Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. For most of my life i have been confused about how joseph smith translated the book of mormon. The majority of the book of mormon 531 pages in english was translated with oliver cowdery as scribe in about 65 working days between april and june 1829. Unless otherwise indicated, the translation was financed and the resulting text published by the church of jesus christ. A compilation of published statements on the book of mormon translation method in both church and nonchurch publications. I will now give you a description of the manner in which the book of mormon was translated. The book of mormon was translated by the gift and power of god. Scholars present textual evidence that provides clues on the process of translating the book of mormon. Much can be known about the coming forth of the english text of the book of mormon through a careful study of. Joseph first began translating the plates in 1827, when he was 21.
The miraculous translation of the book of mormon into. How the book of mormon translation story changed over time. More insight into the book of mormon translation process might come from the original book of commandments. New church video explains joseph smiths seer stones.
On monday, the 6th i assisted him arranging some business of a temporal nature, and on tuesday the 7th, commenced to write the book of mormon. The book of mormon translation by jim catlin youtube. 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. How the book of mormon was translated let us reason. Examines how joseph smith obtained and translated the records that became the book of mormon. Mason allred and mark ashurstmcgee discuss historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process, including joseph smith using a seer stone and accounts of joseph smith using urim and thummim.
Unless otherwise indicated, the translation was financed and the resulting text published by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church. Learn more about the incredible historicity of the book of mormon through our podcast, articles, and videos. Was joseph smith really uneducated when he translated the book of mormon. Some latterday saints may not be aware that danish was the first foreign language into which the book of mormon was translated. Its followers hold that it is a divinely inspired work revealed to and translated by the. Maxwell, 1 and building on my chapter in the second edition of opening the heavens, 2 this article strives to be as precise as possible about the timing of the events and progress of the book of mormon translation. 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. Mar 30, 2020 a video supplement for come, follow me book of mormon lesson.
Emma smith, who assisted joseph as a scribe as he translated the book of mormon, gave the following statement in an interview with her son, joseph smith iii, a few months before she died. He works in me to do his will enoswords of mormon transcript in words of mormon, which is currently positioned between the records translated from the small plates of nephi and. But translations of the book of mormon into other languages have also been miraculous, in their own small way. The book of mormon has been translated in its entirety into 97 languages. The book of mormon was translated and published in 1830. Great basin kingdom economic history laterday saints 18301900 mormon 1968. Most readers of the book of mormon naturally assume that joseph smith translated its books beginning in 1 nephi 1.
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. But beginning about 182728, smith and his followers began to change how they talked about the translation process, transforming it from magical treasure lore into christian epic. He works in me to do his will enoswords of mormon transcript in words of mormon, which is currently positioned between the records translated from the small plates of nephi and the large plates of nephi, mormon expla. The sealed book of mormon kindle edition by mormon, translated from the plates of. 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.
The gold plates and the translation of the book of mormon. The story behind the first foreign translation of the. Mason allred and mark ashurstmcgee discuss historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process, including joseph smith using a seer stone and. Divining rods were believed to have power to help farmers locate where to dig to find water. Translating the book of mormon religious studies center. The book of mormon is a sacred record that mormons, or latterday saints, consider to be scripture in addition to the bible.
Many readers of the book of mormon naturally assume that joseph smith translated its books in the order that we find them today. Answers may vary greatly, but will probably include mormon, nephi, moroni, and joseph smith. 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. Welchs excellent article entitled the miraculous translation of the book of mormon, from opening the heavens, accounts of divine manifestations 18201844, p. By the power of god i translated the book of mormon from hieroglyphics, the knowledge of which was lost to the world, in which wonderful event i stood alone, an unlearned youth, to combat the worldly wisdom and multiplied ignorance of eighteen centuries, with a new revelation.
Today, all or part of the book of mormon has been translated into 112 languages. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the sealed book of mormon. A motion picture about the life and legacy of joseph smith, the founding prophet of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints who translated the. The sealed book of mormon kindle edition by mormon. Day after day i continued, uninterrupted, to write from his mouth, as he translated with the urim and thummim, or, as the nephites would have said, interpreters, the history or record called the book of mormon.
May 18, 2019 in this video, book of mormon central research associate jonathon riley had the chance to sit down with collector reid moon. The book of mormon, translated and exposed in plain english wolverton, susan stansfield on. Book of mormon, work accepted as holy scripture, in addition to the bible. Mar 28, 2011 a motion picture about the life and legacy of joseph smith, the founding prophet of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints who translated the book of mormon. Eyewitness descriptions of the gold plates from which the book of mormon was translated. When i see the word translate, it means to me that a scribe read a manuscript written in one language e. Is there any historical evidence for joseph smiths own version of how he produced the book. Joseph smith and his scribes wrote of two instruments used in translating the book of mormon. Celebration commemorates translation of the book of mormon. The words of mormon in the context of the loss of the 116.
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