The coming forth of the book of mormon religious studies. Welch, the miraculous timing of the translation of the book of mormon, in opening the heavens. He and several of his close associates testified that the translation. Welchs excellent article entitled the miraculous translation of the book of mormon, from opening the heavens, accounts of divine manifestations 18201844, p. 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. It is difficult to assess with certainty the exact process, or processes, by which joseph smith translated the book of mormon. Book of mormon translationthe most credible accounts taken en masse, the many historical accounts of the translation of the book of mormon are contradictory and confusing. No doubt they understand that most people would balk in accepting the book of mormon if it was known to have been translated by using a magical rock and a hat. Book of mormon translation the most credible accounts taken en masse, the many historical accounts of the translation of the book of mormon are contradictory and confusing. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. Those accounts which provide the greatest amount of detail are typically 2nd hand accounts.
It is claimed that each sentence and word in the 1830 book of mormon had supposedly come directly from god. 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. The few extant firsthand accounts from those who participated directly in the translation process provide little insight into the granular details of the process. Joseph himself was sometimes surprised by the content of the book. 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.
According to latter day saint belief, the golden plates are the source from which joseph smith said he translated the book of mormon. Joseph smith either translated the book by the gift and power of god, or he made it up. Welch, the miraculous translation of the book of mormon, in opening the heavens. Joseph smith translated the book of mormon with a seerstone.
Some accounts indicate joseph studied the characters on the plates. Joseph smith said that the book of mormon translation was performed by the gift and power of god. Accounts of divine manifestations, 18201844 provo, utah. The gold plates and the translation of the book of mormon. The earliest newspaper accounts do not differ significantly from this scenario. Book of mormon tech data and theory for book of mormon studies. 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. The book of mormon came into the world through a series of miraculous events. Book of mormon translation the church of jesus christ of latter. This enabled him to give a firsthand account of how smith performed. Accounts of the translation process scott woodward. 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.
Lessons from almas counsel to his sons jannalee sandau it has been interesting watching the book of mormon videos on the weeks they are released, as they run just ahead of what we are studying in come, follow me. Book of mormon tech data and theory for book of mormon. Nelson said, the details of this miraculous method of translation. 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. Those skeptical of joseph smiths claims sometimes insist that his account of the coming forth of the book is simply too absurd to be taken. Mason allred and mark ashurstmcgee discuss the various historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process, including accounts of joseph smith using a seer stone to translate the. 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. By its own terms, the book of mormon is a translation of an ancient book.
Chip thompson from solid rock cafe uses the illustration of the translation of the book of mormon plates for some fascinating discussions. For a compilation of accounts by joseph smiths contemporaries, see john w. Amazingly, the translation of the book of mormon as we now have it took. The following essay is the official lds released essay entitled book of mormon translation. Days and hours never to be forgotten, byu studies quarterly 57 no. The book of mormon was not an ordinary translation. Martin harris was one of the scribes joseph smith used to record the writing on the plates. This claim, as well as all claims to historical authenticity of the book of mormon. Book of mormon translation lds church is true blog. Welchs excellent article entitled the miraculous translation of the book of mormon, from opening the heavens, accounts of divine manifestations. 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. According to smith, these characters were from the golden plates the ancient record from which smith claims to have translated the book of mormon. Critics of the book of mormon have claimed that a variety of linguistic anachronisms exist in it which cast doubt upon its historical authenticity.
However, when we look at them critically and consider the sources, a consistent description of the translation begins to emerge. Peterson, another scholar who studied these book of mormon translation accounts, has raised another, equally intriguing point, which this and similar evidence from the translation period further suggests. Jan 05, 2020 the book of mormon is either a divinely inspired translation of ancient scripture, or it is a work of fiction. Mar 19, 2018 mason allred and mark ashurstmcgee discuss the various historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process, including accounts of joseph smith using a seer stone to translate the. It is written in english very similar to the early modern english linguistic style of the king james version of the bible.
Based on our class discussion in our last class, as well as the churchs essay on first vision accounts, when were the two earliest accounts of joseph smiths first vision rediscovered by historians working in the churchs documentary collection. Much can be known about the coming forth of the english text of the book of mormon. According to most adherents of the latter day saint movement, the book of mormon is a 19thcentury translation of a record of ancient inhabitants of the american continent, which was written in a script which the book refers to as reformed egyptian. According to joseph smith, he was seventeen years of age when an angel of god named moroni appeared to him and. Nelson said, the details of this miraculous method of translation are still not fully known. 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. Joseph smiths detractors who personally knew him, knew he was too illiterate and uneducated to create the book of mormon. The coming forth of the book of mormon religious studies center. Firsthand witness accounts of the translation process religious. The translation of the book of mormon was finished choose the one best answer. 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. 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.
Thus, chapter 5 gives an introductory discussion of the lost 116 pages in the context of martin harris and his apparent motivations in taking them 271. The center of the book contains documents relating to the translation and transcription of the book of mormon and brief comments overviewing what is known about the translation project. Joseph never talked about how the book of mormon translation process went. For further discussion on the book of mormon and the translation process, see the introduction to documents, volume 1. Bateman discussing the book of mormon s restoration of plain and precious truths, this volume describes the development of the teenage seer joseph. The young man, however, had very little formal education and was incapable of writing a book on his own, let alone translating an ancient book written from an unknown language, known in the book of mormon as reformed egyptian. Many accounts in the bible show that god transmitted revelations to his prophets in a variety. The translation of the book of mormon plates mormonism. How does the mosiahfirst translation sequence strengthen. He informed joseph that there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this.
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. Book of mormon translationthe most credible accounts. According to these accounts, joseph placed either the interpreters or the seer stone in. In 1870, emma smith wrote a letter to the wife of the rlds pastor in independence, missouri, who had apparently asked about the translation. Kirkham, however, did not accept the eyewitness accounts that joseph actually used a seer stone in the translation of the book of mormon, concluding that the statements of both of these men are to be. Welch, the miraculous translation of the book of mormon, in john w. 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. A seer stone and a hat translating the book of mormon.
Nevertheless, the scribes and others who observed the translation left numerous accounts that give insight into the process. I would inform you that i translated, by the gift and power of god, and caused to be written, one hundred and sixteen pages, the which i took from the book of lehi, which was an account abridged from the plates of lehi, by the hand of mormon. The miraculous translation of the book of mormon john w. Applying the cambridge model to the book of mormon accounts. In conclusion, we feel that the move away from the actual facts of the translation process of the book of mormon. Kirkham, however, did not accept the eyewitness accounts that joseph actually used a seer stone in the translation of the book of mormon, concluding that the statements of both of these men are to be explained by the eagerness of old age to call upon a fading and uncertain memory for the details of events which still remained real and. Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon. According to joseph smiths later accounts, three years after he experienced his first vision of deity, an angel appeared to him in 1823 and told him of an ancient. A documentary history of the book of mormon byu studies.
For a further analysis of the question, how long it took for joseph to translate the book of mormon, see my recent article, timing the translation of the book of mormon. Miraculous origins theories generally accept joseph smiths own account, that he translated an ancient record compiled and abridged by mormon. Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon. 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. There are differing views on the origin of the book of mormon. The article is fairly brief and only superficially addresses the problem. However, when we look at them critically and consider the sources, a consistent description of the translation. The complicated production of the book of mormon, from its original writing by nephi, mormon, moroni, and others to its most recent editings and printings, is a human process that has been well described.
The quote given by thompson can be found on the website and reads. Based on our class discussion in our last class, as well as the churchs essay on first vision accounts, when were the two earliest accounts. 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. Sperry symposium explored the modern miracle of the translation and publication of the book of mormon. Welch, timing the translation of the book of mormon. Firsthand accounts of the miraculous translation of the. Days and hours never to be forgotten, byu studies quarterly 57, no. Accounts of the translation the book of mormon in north. Joseph smith claimed that the book of mormon is his translation of an ancient book written on gold plates.
Joseph smith translating the book of mormon by looking at a seer stone in a hat. 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. Smith said the title page, and presumably the actual title of the 1830 edition, came from the translation of. Celebrating the restoration book of mormon central.
In fact, the book of mormon translation process was performed entirely without looking at the plates, which were either out of the room or said to have been covered with a cloth. Firsthand accounts of the miraculous translation of the book. The book of mormon it was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. Gathered here are the historical documents concerning the first vision, the translation of the book of mormon, the restoration of the priesthood, the many visions of joseph smith, the outpouring of keys at the kirtland temple, and the mantle of joseph smith passing to brigham young. The anthon transcript often identified with the caractors document is a piece of paper on which joseph smith wrote several lines of characters. In march 1830, 5,000 copies of the book of mormon were printed in the e. The quote given by thompson can be found on the website and reads nevertheless, the scribes and others who observed the translation left numerous accounts. Reading the story of alma the elder alongside the curriculum while watching what happens. Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon youtube. Deseret book and religious studies center, brigham young.
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. Welch t he translation of the book of mormon, completed by joseph smith in june 1829, was an amazing feat. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. According to smith, these characters were from the golden plates the ancient record from which smith claims to have translated the book of mormon and represent the reformed egyptian writing that was on the plates. Some accounts indicate that the plates sat on a table covered with a cloth in plain view, with emma indicating that she actually moved them around in order to. We have a few quotes from martin harris, emma smith, david whitmer, and oliver cowdery that suggest something like this. Firsthand witness accounts of the translation process. 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 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. Quiz 1 book of mormon translation flashcards quizlet. Scribes and others who observed the translation left accounts giving insight into the process. Dirkmaat, firsthand witness accounts of the translation process, in the coming forth of the book of mormon. By any standard, this 588page holy book is extraordinary. The book could be found in a hill not far from the smith family farm.
Accounts of the translation the book of mormon in north america. Jan 17, 2020 the only scribe who possibly wrote about two instruments used in translating the book of mormon was emma smith, and both accounts are problematic. Oct 07, 2017 the resulting translation was published in 1830 as the book of mormon. 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. Mason allred and mark ashurstmcgee discuss the various historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process, including accounts. 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. This chapter will help satisfy the rising interest in the translation of the book of mormon by analyzing what witnesses and close associates of joseph smith said. Those skeptical of joseph smiths claims sometimes insist that his account of the coming forth of the book is simply too. The annotated lds gospel topics essay on the book of mormon translation. The lds church has canonized part of this 1838 account as part of its scripture, the pearl of great price. Hedges, john hilton iii, and kerry hull salt lake city and provo, ut.