How did the book of mormon get translated into

Lets say that joseph smith wrote the book of mormon. Mark ashurstmcgee of the joseph smith papers project concerning the various historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process. Introductory pages of the book of mormon book of mormon. For a compilation of accounts by joseph smiths contemporaries, see john w. Did joseph smith describe the book of mormon translation. Some witnesses described the plates as weighing from 30 to 60 pounds 14 to 27 kg, golden in. Receiving translations of the book of mormon, the churchs signature scripture, for the first time will be speakers of burmese, georgian, navajo. Translation of the book of mormon into foreign languages. The book of mormon is the most correct of any book on earth, joseph smith stated, and the keystone of our religion. Aug 09, 2018 by the power of god, through the holy spirit, how else. Ensign 18 january 1988, 4647, stating that the book of mormon was translated in about sixtyfive working days, that nearly the entire book of mormon was translated between 7 april and 30 june 1829, with a few pages being translated in march 1829 with emma as scribe, and that the translation with oliver likely began at the.

This whole concept of finding the book of mormon on plates is a sham. God called joseph smith to be a prophet and help restore the. To that date, the book of mormon had been fully translated into 82 languages and partially translated in 25 more. Michael morse, emma smiths 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. Some latterday saints may not be aware that danish was the first foreign language into which the book of mormon was translated. Introductory pages of the book of mormon book of mormon central. Most readers of the book of mormon naturally assume that joseph smith translated its books beginning in 1 nephi 1. Joseph smith translated an ancient text by the gift and power of god to produce the book of mormon.

The book of mormon does not exhibit the intricate insights into an exotic culture like j. Coincidentally, the same historians who claim that joseph smith didnt share any details are also those who claim that joseph smith translated the book of mormon using a seer stone in a hat. Its followers hold that it is a divinely inspired work revealed to and translated by the founder of their religion, joseph smith. Although we do not fully understand precisely how the book of mormon was translated, the. Mormon in 1830, several individuals have assisted in translating the. How did joseph smith translate the plates from which the. New video from the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. 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. Some witnesses described the plates as weighing from 30 to 60 pounds 14 to 27 kg, golden in color, and composed of thin metallic pages engraved with.

But what does any of this have to do with the book of mormon. 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. In how many languages have the book of mormon been. 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. Yes, the book of mormon, the revealed work of god in the chinese language, the most popular language in the world, the language of a billion and a half people was translated by a humble man whom the lord had picked and prepared, who was introduced to the gospel by a pair of missionaries just trying to do their work as they understood it. Ill add a note that ive seen at least a dozen incomplete translations selections from the book of mormon into more obscure languages. For further discussion on the book of mormon and the translation process, see the introduction to documents, volume 1. The cebuano translation of the book of mormon it was a spiritual delight for many members of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints to hear that the book of mormon will be translated into cebuanoa fulfillment that the gospel will be taught to all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people.

Since 1830 the book of mormon has been published in twentyseven languages. Joseph smith translated the book of mormon with the holy and divine power of the holy ghost using the urim and thummim. To this day, the lds church does not produce a hebrew book of mormon. Here are a few languages the book of mormon is translated into that you may not have known about. In fact, joseph smith once remarked that the title page of the book of mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the plates of mormon. The story behind the first foreign translation of the book of mormon. Joseph smith was called of god to translate the golden plates, resulting in the book of mormon. Nothing is magical, and the urim and thummim, the seer stone, etc. Over 180 million total copies have been distributed since 1830. Joseph remains with emma for two weeks after the death. 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 interpreters were taken from joseph after he allowed martin harris to carry away the 116 pages of the manuscript of the book of mormon as a punishment, but he was allowed to go on and translate by use of a seers stone which he had, and which he placed in a hat into which he buried his face, stating to me and others that the. What translating harry potter reveals about the book of mormon. The very idea that a new york farm boy with limited education might translate an ancient document is so unimaginable that it could only have occurred through, as joseph himself declared, the gift and power of god. Isaiah variants in the book of mormon religious studies. Joseph smith translated the plates into english by the gift and power of god, and the book of mormon was published in palmyra, new york, in 1830. Into how many languages has the book of mormon been translated. But to answer your question, yes, the book of mormon was translated from golden plates that were buried in the hill cumorah in upstate ny. Oct 15, 2019 the book of mormon teaches about god and jesus christ. It was first published in 1830 in palmyra, new york, and was thereafter widely reprinted and translated. The book of mormon has been translated into 88 languages, but latin and aramaic are not among them, even though latin is the prominent language for christianity, and aramaic was the primary language of the old testament.

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. Jul 20, 2018 joseph smith received with the breastplate and the plates of the book of mormon, the urim and thummim, which were hid up by moroni to come forth in the last days as a means by which the ancient record might be translated, which urim and thummim were given to the brother of jared. The gold plates and the translation of the book of mormon. Jul 31, 2015 a video lecture detailing the facts of how joseph smith translated the golden plates into the book of mormon.

When i see the word translate, it means to me that a scribe read a manuscript written in one language e. The translators of the book of mormon deseret news. However, joseph smith did speak on the translation, and that his statements plainly contradict the seer stone hypothesis in every respect. The translation of the book of lehi is completed, resulting in 116 pages of translated text. I feel by studying, not just reading, the scriptures, book of mormon or bible, we could get a sense of accomplishment when we finally start to. It was written in an ancient language on gold plates by prophets in ancient america. Joseph smiths response to skepticism, cites a personal interview emma smithbidamon gave to a committee of the reorganized. Unlike most dictated drafts, the original manuscript was considered by joseph smith to be, in substance, a final product. How the book of mormon was translated let us reason.

How many languages has the book of mormon been translated into. Jun 29, 2016 he had translated about a third of the book of mormon into afrikaans, but it had been a long, tedious effort, and it was imperative that the translation be completed without further delay so that the building up of the church in south africa could progress with greater speed and with every possible advantage. Mar 07, 2011 i believe that some things get lost in translation, and the book of mormon has been translated once already, and to translate into modern language, it would lose meaning in some parts. It seems after reading these posts that the only possible answer is that the book of mormon happened just like joseph and others claim.

Almost all of the present book of mormon text was translated during a threemonth period between april and june 1829 with. Thus the book of mormon was translated by the gift and power of god, and not by any power of man. Did joseph smith translate the book of mormon with a rock. By the power of god, through the holy spirit, how else. These tables show all the versions of the book of mormon that have been translated. The miraculous translation of the book of mormon into. Mormons believe joseph smith found gold plates engraved with writing. Most adherents to the latter day saint movement view the book as a work of inspired scripture. Often, when we think about the translation of the book of mormon, we immediately think of how joseph smith miraculously translated its reformed egyptian characters into english. 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. His early work on the translation, with emma smith and martin harris serving as the main scribes, was lost in 1828.

Why did joseph smith translate the book of mormon into jacobean english, not in use in 1830. Since 1830, some 18 million copies have been printed throughout the world by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. For example, when joseph translated the text now in 1 nephi. Lots of answers here with an incredible amount of evidence. The weight of the book of mormon gold plates book of mormon translation timeframe. It was my feeling that we should try to render the translated book of mormon passages into the form in which nephi and other book of mormon writers would have known them from the brass plates of laban, which they took with them. Feb 02, 2009 the first bible translated into the english grammar was in 1611. Brother hanna said the book of mormon simply flowed back into the arabic language.

Book of mormon written in modernday english grace for grace. The use of objects in the translation were only to help focusing on the work. According to latter day saint belief, the golden plates also called the gold plates or in some 19thcentury literature, the golden bible are the source from which joseph smith claimed to have translated the book of mormon, a sacred text of the faith. Book of mormon mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. The coming forth of the book of mormon, foretold by ancient prophets, began with an angelic visitation in 1823 to 17yearold joseph smith. Did joseph smith translate the book of mormon with a rock in. A video lecture detailing the facts of how joseph smith translated the golden plates into the book of mormon. New church video explains joseph smiths seer stones. Ashurstmcgee explains that statements and recollections made by the prophet joseph smith and his close associatesincluding his wife emma smith, his friends martin harris and david whitmer, and othersmake it clear that the instruments utilized in the translation of the book of mormon included the nephite interpreters mosiah 8. I will now give you a description of the manner in which the book of mormon was translated. The prophet joseph did not merely render an interpretation, but a word for word translation from the egyptian type of hieroglyphic into the english language. Unless otherwise indicated, the translation was financed and the resulting text published by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church. I believe that some things get lost in translation, and the book of mormon has been translated once already, and to translate into modern language, it would lose meaning in some parts. How did joseph smith translate the book of mormon sorcery.

Mormon scriptures to be translated into 34 additional languages. According to the lds church, more than 150 million copies of the book of mormon have been printed and are available in 90 languages. Critics of the book of mormon cite a number of works that could have served. Dec 12, 2012 translating the book of mormon into other languages commenced relatively soon after the first publication in 1830.

Book of mormon translator converted the mormon urban. 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. The story is that part of the agreement to secure the lease for the byu jerusalem center included a stipulation that the church not produce the book of mormon in hebrew. The lds version of the book of mormon has been translated into 83 languages and selections have been translated into an additional 25 languages. Much can be known about the coming forth of the english text of the book of mormon through a careful study of. In how many languages have the book of mormon been translated. The first bible translated into the english grammar was in 1611. Eighteen million copies have been distributed by the lds church and one million. There are several theories as to the origin of 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. 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.

A seer stone and a hat translating the book of mormon. I dont know why latin was never done, but now it is, regrettably. Its followers hold that it is a divinely inspired work revealed to and translated by the. Togather saints where did the book of mormon come from. New church video explains joseph smiths seer stones book.

Translating the book of mormon religious studies center. Translating the book of mormon into other languages commenced relatively soon after the first publication in 1830. Much can be known about the coming forth of the english text. According to latter day saint belief, the golden plates also called the gold plates or in some 19thcentury literature, the golden bible are the source from which joseph smith said he translated the book of mormon, a sacred text of the faith. Joseph smith translated the book of mormon from the original ancient language into english. The story recounted as a faith promoting aspect of this that he translated the text from english first into ancient egyptian, and then from there into afrikaans, and the text was. Joseph smith received with the breastplate and the plates of the book of mormon, the urim and thummim, which were hid up by moroni to come forth in the last days as a means by which the ancient record might be translated, which urim and thummim were given to the brother of jared. The book of mormon teaches about god and jesus christ. How did joseph smith translate the plates from which the book. 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. 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. Welch, the miraculous translation of the book of mormon, in opening the heavens. Portions of the book have been translated into another 20 languages.

He had translated about a third of the book of mormon into afrikaans, but it had been a long, tedious effort, and it was imperative that the translation be completed without further delay so that the building up of the church in south africa could progress. 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. The most common belief of adherents is that promoted by joseph smith, who said he translated. Jun, 2010 the prophet joseph did not merely render an interpretation, but a word for word translation from the egyptian type of hieroglyphic into the english language. This paper aims to stimulate specific thinking about the intense and complex events during which the book of mormon was translated in 1829. Since that time, this sacred volume has been translated into more than 100 languages, and over 150 million copies have appeared in print.

The book of mormon has been translated in its entirety into 97 languages. Joseph smith was a seer able to translate the golden plates into the book of mormon by his seer abilities not by the plates themselves. However, the book was pulled from shelves and discarded with few surviving copies. Eyewitness descriptions of the gold plates from which the book of mormon was translated. I was commissioned to translate the dogma into latin, with a heavy emphasis on ciceronean style 100bce 100ce. Today, all or part of the book of mormon has been translated into 112 languages. The entire book of mormon has been translated into 85 languages, and selections of the book of mormon have been translated into an additional 25 languages. Later, joseph smith translated the book of mormon into english through the. Unless otherwise indicated, the translation was financed and the resulting text published by the church of jesus christ. It is a great miracle, and the proof of its truth can be found in its contents. Joseph smith didnt start the mormon religion until around 1896 or later forget exactly therefore he would have had access to the bible and in his style of english not the orignal text of 1611. Later, joseph smith translated the book of mormon into. Others have since translated the book of mormon into nearly 100 different languages.

Tolkiens, the deep character development of leo tolstoy, or the social insight of victor hugo. Seven years later, in 1830, this scriptural canon of the latterday saints was published for the world. Mar 21, 2018 in the video seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon, mason allred interviews dr. A fulltime missionary force of more than 52,000 helps distribute free copies of the book of mormon worldwide, and free copies can also be obtained from mormon.

Joseph used the urim and thumin, the seer stones, that were fastened in the breastplate, that were to be found with the plates. Book of mormontranslation errors from the kjv fairmormon. As joseph smith affirmed throughout his life and ministry, the book of mormon is. It was first necessary to identify all of the variants and paraphrases from isaiah found in the book of mormon. The 116 pages of the book of lehi were borrowed and then lost by martin harris. The translation of the book of mormon into afrikaans. Moroni, the person who deposited the plates, from whence the book of mormon was translated, in a hill in manchester, ontario county, new york, being dead, and raised again therefrom, appeared unto me, and told me where they were. The pictures in the new book show different angles of a stone that is dark.