Nchanges made in the book of mormon

On february 1, 2018, national geographic broke a story about some incredible new discoveries in mesoamerican archaeology using new technology. Royal skousen, a professor of linguistics at byu and a recognized expert of the textual history of the book of mormon, has identified 5,280 variations in all editions of the book of mormon. This should not have been necessary, however, given the manner in which joseph is supposed to have produced this book. The book of mormon has excited very little enthusiasm outside of mormonism, but it is a uniquely american piece of writing that merits wider attention.

Changes to the bible in comparison most scholars agree that there are about 24,000 changes between 1611 version and the 1769 version of the kjv bible. Changes in the book of mormon book of mormon central. When the book of mormon appeared, all who heard him were satisfied that he referred to it. The few significant modifications were made by the prophet joseph smith to clarify the meaning of the text, not to change it. Roberts, studies of the book of mormon, 2nd edition salt lake city. Roberts 18571933, an lds general authority widely considered mormonisms greatest apologist and historian, 1 expressed the grave doubt that the book of mormon is a translation of ancient. Book of mormon introduction change may reflect new thinking. We remember that the entire book of mormon scenario began with the story of lehi listening to and following the counsel of living prophets.

A recent word change to the introduction of the book of mormon has once again brought attention to the question regarding the historical reliability of one of mormonisms most sacred texts. The claim is often heard that there are more than 4000 changes to the book of mormon text. Along with the complete text of the book of mormon, this valuable study guide includes intheverse notes and additional insights and commen. It made a comeback in the early days of the lds church and has since gone away again. New approaches to the book of mormon explorations in critical methodology edited by brent lee metcalfe.

Many lds assume that this is evidence that joseph smith could not have made up the book of mormon. Understanding textual changes in the book of mormon. All of those items were added by the publisher, thus the changes in chapterization or punctuation cannot be ascribed to a faulty translation process. Book of mormon changes the fall of mormonism rich kelsey. Contains a 16page introduction by jerald and sandra tanner which shows that the changes are not in harmony with the original text.

The published text of the book of mormon has been corrected and edited through its various editions. Mormonism must stand or fall on the story of joseph smith. In fact, janet jenson mistakenly listed this change as an inpress change made by the 1830 typesetter because she included wilford woods 1958 printed edition. They are the original manuscript of the book of mormon typographical facsimile of the extant text. The man responsible for punctuating the first edition of the book of mormon was john h. The nature of the changes in the book of mormon the book of mormon was dictated and transcribed without any chapter breaks, paragraph breaks, sentence breaks, or punctuation. There are 39 changes that have been made to the book of mormon, some of which are significant doctrinal changes many mormon church members, including church leaders, stumbled across the changes them selves, and noticed the doctrinal significance.

An early mormon doctrine by jerald and sandra tanner. In this study we will show that there have been at least 3,9 changes made in the book of mormon from the time it was first published in 1830. The earliest text, the definitive scholarly edition of the book of mormon. In order to understand why all these corrections have been made over the years, we need some historical perspective. What could cause such a miraculous change in eric you might ask. The book of mormon on broadway retains its charms the new. Book of mormon introduction change may reflect new.

You cannot be a college graduate, in fact, you can have only three years of schooling. Who wrote the chapter headings in the scriptures and how. More interesting is the correction of an awkward phrase in alma 46. To understand why some words were altered, reference will be made to the original and the printers manuscripts. That change takes into account details of book of mormon demography which are not. Out there, there are copies of it, theyre in shrink wrap, i brought. Jan 27, 2010 simple answer, joseph smith didnt make any of it up. I bought this book to become more familiar with the mormon religion and this boo did a good job of explaining how mormon life is and how difficult it is for a mormon to leave.

It serves as a brief introduction to a topic and will be developed, edited, and referenced at a later point in time. Although this section is only partially complete, it will eventually show every change made to the book of mormon since it was first published in 1830. Some of the many changes in the book of mormon by matt slick joseph smith said 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, history of the church, vol. At the conclusion of the original article, i provide some specific numbers for the different types of changes in the history of the book of mormon text, including the number of changes introduced in the book of mormon. For two years before the book of mormon appeared rigdons sermons were full of declarations and prophecies that the age of miracles would be restored, and more complete revelations, than those in the bible, would be given.

On subsequent days, the story was picked up by other major media outlets such as bbc, washington post, npr, the new york times, and. According to the mormon churchs teaching manual, gospel principles,page 53. Another change affirms the teaching that the book of mormon alone contains the fullness of the gospel. Wordprint analysis of the book of mormon has discovered that it was written by several different people, none of which were joseph smith or any person living in the 1800s. Signature books, 1992, 377 pages, paperback, isbn 1560850272 incredible as it may seem to many latterday saints, brigham h. The purpose of this article is to analyse some of the word changes made in the book of mormon during the three major editions printed during the lifetime of the prophet joseph smith. The changes made to the preface of the book of mormon.

An original first edition book of mormon has been photographed and is available for viewing at. Since its first publication in 1830, the book of moron has undergone thousands of changes. The approach will be to discuss the type of change. How the book of mormon translation story changed over time. The book of mormon wikipedia, a enciclopedia livre.

The videos will be available on a new book of mormon videos youtube channel, mormon channel platforms and existing book of mormon and gospel library apps for use in church classrooms, in. Deleting seemingly redundant and it came to pass expressions is one example. The most prominent of these changes has been to replace which with who or whom or that when it refers to people. On my fourth visit to the book of mormon on a recent night, the show still had me at hello, the first word of the first song in this longrunning musical.

Changes in the book of mormon exposed by earl erskine duration. The book of mormon that joseph smith published in 1830 is not the same book that is published over 170 years later. Hales, changing critics criticisms of book of mormon changes, interpreter. The original book of mormon made some startling claims for the divinity of jesus christ, much closer to sabellianism than trinitarianism. I have a copy of the original book of mormon and all the changes in it next to it.

I like that story because of the symbolism and i love symbols. Jul 03, 2011 my favorite story in the book of mormon is of lehis dream about the tree of life. As stated earlier, the mormon church has made many changes to the book of mormon in order to correct josephs poor grammar and spelling. The original text betrays its new england origin in many ways, from inconsistent spelling to incorrect use of tenses and number, as well as incorrect usage of jacobean english. Mormons change references to blacks, polygamy the changes are the first since 1981, and deal specifically with the churchs original ban on black priesthood ordination and. Jul 01, 2011 as stated earlier, the mormon church has made many changes to the book of mormon in order to correct josephs poor grammar and spelling. 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. Also, how do you define the difference between the index and the topical guide. Few mormons are aware of the thousands of word changes and nature of the changes that have been made in the book of mormon, doctrine and covenants, and the pearl of great price since the first editions. New approaches to the book of mormon signature books. A photoreprint of the original 1830 edition of the book of mormon with all changes marked compared to a 1964 edition.

Reasons for textual changes made to the book of mormon over the years after it was first published god changed to son of god in the book of mormon white and delightsome changed to pure and delightsome benjamin was changed to mosiah in later editions of the book of mormon. Gilbert, the nonmormon typesetter who worked for e. Why were textual changes made to the book of mormon over the years after it was first published. Heres your first look at the new book of mormon videos. Jun 11, 2009 a recent word change to the introduction of the book of mormon has once again brought attention to the question regarding the historical reliability of one of mormonisms most sacred texts. Joseph fielding smith, the tenth president of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, proclaimed. Along with the complete text of the book of mormon, this valuable study guide includes intheverse notes and additional insights and commentary. The book of mormon, the pearl of great price, and the doctrine and covenants are accepted as scripture without any qualifications whatsoever. Widtsoe, council of the twelve apostles, in search of truth. I witnessed a miracle this last march as i saw a boy whom we will call eric, age 15, change from a depressed, low selfesteemed, bitter teenager into a happy, confident, grateful, and testimonyfilled young man.

In making this study we obtained photocopies of an original 1830 edition of the book of mormon from the university of utah library. Christianson said simply that, i do not believe dna research at this time is a reliable source concerning the truthfulness of the book of mormon. A change has been made in the first book of nephi, evidently in an attempt to strengthen the mormon claim that baptism was practiced by the people in the old testament. Book of mormontextual changeswhy were these changes made.

The solution is here with the book of mormon made easier series parts 1, 2 and 3. 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. By far the majority of changes between the 1830 and subsequent versions of the book of mormon are spelling or grammar corrections. How many changed has the book of mormon been changed. Joseph smith translated the book of mormon into english. A oneword change was made to the introduction in the latest edition of the book of mormon published by doubleday. Thousands of changes made to the book of mormon see for. Book of mormon changes yesterday while reading some interesting news stories on byus online newspaper, i came across an article they posted a few years back about changes made to the introduction in the book of mormon. Changes to latterday scripture lds leaders have made.

Hales reminds us that the tanners and others have been deceptive in their treatment of the minor changes and corrections that have been made, creating the. From the beginning, it was a missionary creed, and smith sent emissaries. Polygamy was practiced sporadically by prophets such as abraham and jacob in the old testament. Following enoss death the record of the nephites was kept by enos son, jarom. The videos will be available on a new book of mormon videos youtube channel, mormon channel platforms and existing book of mormon and gospel library apps for use in. Yet, the book which joseph smith declared was the most correct of any book on earth history of the church, vol. Heres your first look at the new book of mormon videos lds. Their article reminded me once again of the arbitrary nature of the church when it comes to the. My favorite story in the book of mormon is of lehis dream about the tree of life.

To latterday saints there can be no objection to the careful and critical study of the scriptures, ancient or modern, provided only that it be an honest studya search for truth. Simple answer, joseph smith didnt make any of it up. I bought this book to become more familiar with the mormon religion and this boo did a good job of explaining how mormon. The most significant type of grammatical change in the book of mormon has been to remove the early modern english that is characteristic of the king james bible. According to gilbert, it was hyrum smith who brought the first twentyfour pages of the handwritten printers manuscript to the publisher. You must write a book with 239 chapters, 54 of them about wars, 21 about history, 55 about prophecy, 71 about doctrine, 17 about missionaries, and 21 about the mission of jesus. In our busy world we sometimes find our scripture study isnt always productive. Well, the book of mormon is a migration story, similar to the idea of the book of exodus in the old testament, except there are three migrations involved in this. I dont know if it was a visitation or a revelation, but just as a bevy of brighteyed male missionaries popped up like toadstools to sell the good news of their allamerican god in the rousing.

The book of mormon has undergone many revisions since the 1830 ed. Dingers book begins with a foreword by stan larson that provides some historical background to larsons own earlier work on the book of mormon text, plus a list of significant textual changes that come, for the most part, from the current book of mormon critical text project. There are 39 changes that have been made to the book of mormon, some of which are significant doctrinal changes. He translated the book of mormon from the plates which he was given. Enoss contribution to the record, the book of enos, consists of a single chapter, told in the first person, describing his own conversion and subsequent ministry. A mormon general authoritys doubts about the authenticity. Yesterday while reading some interesting news stories on byus online newspaper, i came across an article they posted a few years back about changes made to the introduction in the book of mormon. The book of mormon on broadway retains its charms the. Martin harris acted as joseph smiths scribe from 12 april to 14 june 1828, and at the end of this period they had written out 116 pages. The book of mormonchanged my life latterday saint women write about the book of mormon. The original 1830 edition, book of mormon had s of. Changes were made to the book of mormon after joseph smith changed his doctrine from monotheism to polytheism. What is the history of the development of the 1981 lds scriptures. In making this study we obtained photocopies of an original 1830 edition of.

Identical errors or intended as identical teachings in the beginning of mormonism, before joseph smith changed his theology of god. The original text betrays its new england origin in many ways, from inconsistent spelling to incorrect use of tenses and number, as well as. This verse is taken from isaiah 48, and appears as follows in the 1830 edition of the book of mormon. Look at the very small sample of the changes in the book of mormon. Thousands of changes made to the book of mormon see for yourself. What the book of mormon means to me mormon women about. Aug 21, 2014 on my fourth visit to the book of mormon on a recent night, the show still had me at hello, the first word of the first song in this longrunning musical. How do these new discoveries relate to the book of mormon. Many of the changes made in the book of mormon were due to the need to make hebrewlike structures conform better to english idioms. Reasons for textual changes made to the book of mormon over.