The sealed book of mormon kindle edition by mormon, translated from the plates of. Eyewitness descriptions of the gold plates from which the book of mormon was translated. The book of mormon has been translated in its entirety into 97 languages. Fhe lesson on the book of mormon translating the book of. He said, i finally tried egyptian, and to my complete surprise, i found that the book of mormon translated flawlessly. 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. 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.
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 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. Divining rods were believed to have power to help farmers locate where to dig to find water. Its coming forth was an essential part of the history of mormonism. The book of mormon is about the history of two great civilizations of people who lived in the ancient americas. The miraculous translation of the book of mormon into. Get cozy and expand your home library with a large online selection of books at. Later, stevenson recounted some items of history he had learned from harris, including the manner joseph smith translated the book of mormon. Book of mormon translations archives mormon history. Book of mormon translation response to mormonthink. Oct 15, 2019 the book of mormon teaches about god and jesus christ. 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 first began translating the plates in 1827, when he was 21.
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 was translated and published in 1830. Some latterday saints may not be aware that danish was the first foreign language into which the book of mormon was translated. Hold up a copy of the book of mormon and ask, who wrote the book of mormon. Write these four names on the board in preparation for the next activity. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Book of mormon, work accepted as holy scripture, in addition to the bible. In the video seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon, mason allred interviews dr.
Book of mormon was translated from the ancient egyptian or modified hebrew. Examines how joseph smith obtained and translated the records that became the book of mormon. How the book of mormon was translated let us reason. He describes the yearning for afrikaansspeakers for a translation of the book of mormon. 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. 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.
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. 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. Welchs excellent article entitled the miraculous translation of the book of mormon, from opening the heavens, accounts of divine manifestations 18201844, p. Was joseph smith really uneducated when he translated the book of mormon. The translation of the book of mormon into ukrainian is one such small miracle in church history. 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. You know we feel really triumphant if we can read the book of mormon in three months, he translated it. Why did joseph smith translate the book of mormon into jacobean english, not in use in 1830. 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. 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.
Later, joseph smith translated the book of mormon into english through the. Ive been held with my eyes and handled with my hands, the gold plates from which it was translated. Is there any historical evidence for joseph smiths own version of how he produced the book. 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. That story of the book of mormon translation will be consistent with all of the various forms of evidence.
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. The translation of the book of mormon was truly a miraculous event in the history of mormonism. A video supplement for come, follow me book of mormon lesson. Great basin kingdom economic history laterday saints 18301900 mormon 1968. For most of my life i have been confused about how joseph smith translated the book of mormon. In this video, book of mormon central research associate jonathon riley had the chance to sit down with collector reid moon. Translating the book of mormon religious studies center. Many readers of the book of mormon naturally assume that joseph smith translated its books in the order that we find them today. How does the unusual translation sequence of the book of. Variations of this theory only include that the text is a divinely inspired narrative, regardless of its. Answers may vary greatly, but will probably include mormon, nephi, moroni, and joseph smith. The story behind the first foreign translation of the. Its a sacred book of scripture translated into over a hundred languages all over the world. 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 lds version of the book of mormon has been translated into 83 languages and selections have been translated into an additional 25 languages. Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon. Translating the book of mormon into other languages commenced relatively soon after the first publication in 1830. Celebration commemorates translation of the book of mormon. 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. 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. The book of mormon is a sacred record that mormons, or latterday saints, consider to be scripture in addition to the bible.
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. 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. Book of mormon translator converted the mormon urban. Nov 08, 2018 joseph smiths translation of the book of mormon into english was arguably one of the most miraculous occurrences of this dispensation. An angel directed joseph to find ancient spiritual and historical. Today, all or part of the book of mormon has been translated into 112 languages. When i see the word translate, it means to me that a scribe read a manuscript written in one language e. New church video explains joseph smiths seer stones. Mar 30, 2020 a video supplement for come, follow me book of mormon lesson. Book of mormon translation lds church is true blog. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the sealed book of mormon. 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. 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.
Book of mormon central the title page and translation of. 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. 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. 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. Book of mormon history provides easy access to current research for personal study. 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. Mason allred and mark ashurstmcgee discuss the various historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process, including accounts. The sealed book of mormon kindle edition by mormon. Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon youtube. There are differing views on the origin of the book of mormon. 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 book of mormon, translated and exposed in plain english wolverton, susan stansfield on.
Mason allred and mark ashurstmcgee discuss historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process, including joseph smith using a seer stone and. 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. 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. Was every word of the book of mormon translation provided directly from god. This paper aims to stimulate specific thinking about the intense and complex events during which the book of mormon was translated in 1829. Unless otherwise indicated, the translation was financed and the resulting text published by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church. In it, joseph is receiving revelation from god telling oliver he is blessed with a gift of a divining rod.
Most readers of the book of mormon naturally assume that joseph smith translated its books beginning in 1 nephi 1. 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. Was joseph smith really uneducated when he translated the. It was written in an ancient language on gold plates by prophets in ancient america. An angel reportedly took the breastplate and interpreters at that time. Later, joseph smith translated the book of mormon into. 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. Those historical interests are manifest in the recent description of the translation of the book of mormon found on the churchs official website. 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. Joseph smith and his scribes wrote of two instruments used in translating the book of mormon.
These tables show all the versions of the book of mormon that have been translated. 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. The book of mormon, translated and exposed in plain english. 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. 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. 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.
Joseph smiths translation of the book of mormon into english was arguably one of the most miraculous occurrences of this dispensation. 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. 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. 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. The translation of the book of mormon into afrikaans.
What role does the book of mormon play in the history of mormonism. The story of the first foreign translation of the book of mormon. But translations of the book of mormon into other languages have also been miraculous, in their own small way. 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. It was first published in 1830 in palmyra, new york, and was thereafter widely reprinted and translated. 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. Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon. Mar 21, 2018 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 fhe lesson on the book of mormon helps teach how joseph smith translated the book of mormon by the power of god.
Dec 12, 2012 he describes the yearning for afrikaansspeakers for a translation of the book of mormon. 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. Josephs view of revelation is nuanced in this regard. 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.
New church video explains joseph smiths seer stones book. Jonathan neville jonathan neville is a lawyer, businessman, educator and author who has written over forty books, including both nonfiction and fiction. More insight into the book of mormon translation process might come from the original book of commandments. Together, the testimony of both the three and the eight witnesses are difficult to explain away. How the book of mormon translation story changed over time. For more information about the translation of the book of mormon. To help students understand the structure of the book of mormon. Unless otherwise indicated, the translation was financed and the resulting text published by the church of jesus christ. 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. Again, it is the rate of translation, approximately 6. The words of mormon in the context of the loss of the 116. Learn more about the incredible historicity of the book of mormon through our podcast, articles, and videos. Mar 03, 2020 have you ever heard of the book of mormon. The following essay is the official lds released essay entitled book of mormon translation.
A compilation of published statements on the book of mormon translation method in both church and nonchurch publications. 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. 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. The gold plates and the translation of the book of mormon. Its followers hold that it is a divinely inspired work revealed to and translated by the. 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. As described in this video, multiple eyewitnesses left detailed. Thus, the book of mormon was translated by the spirit of revelation using the seer stones. He harris also stated that the prophet translated a portion of the book of mormon, with the seer stone in his possession. Much can be known about the coming forth of the english text of the book of mormon through a careful study of. 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. The story of the creation of the book of mormon has been told many times, and often ridiculed. 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.
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