The papers browse the papers documents journals administrative. The best example of joseph smith s providing an explanation of the book of revelation is in doctrine and covenants 77. Dirkmaat and michael hubbard mackay, joseph smith s negotiations to publish the book of mormon, in the coming forth of the book of mormon. Joseph smith, the founding prophet of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints and of the broader latterday saint movement, produced several volumes of scripture between 1829, when he translated the book of mormon, and 1844, when he was murdered. While i was thus in the act of calling upon god, i discovered a light. The papyrus fragments are known to include the hor book of breathings, a part of chapter 125 book of the dead belonging to neferirtnub and parts of a book of the dead belonging to tshemmin pp. It is my duty to teach the doctrine, he said, and he preached. This verse from the mormon bible occurs in chapter ii. Or, a faithful account of that singular imposition and delusion, from its rise to the present time. The prophet joseph smith teaches that faith rests upon three pillars. The first edition of the book of mormon went on sale in palmyra on march 26, 1830, and smith formally organized a church less than two weeks later. He gives this clinical description of how the angel was. It compares the original published revelations with what we have today in the lds and rlds doctrine and covenants.
As the keystone of our religion, in joseph smiths words, the book of mormon is. If joseph smith composed this book, the act was a miraclekeeping awake while he did it was, at any rate. The use of adam clarkes bible commentary in joseph smith s bible translation, in producing ancient scripture. A historical and biographical commentary of the doctrine and covenants. Joseph of egypts seed would not be completely destroyed, but would be delivered through another of his descendants, joseph smith verse 715 by means of the book of mormon, which would manifest the messiah and his covenants with their. This parable in and of itself stamps the book of mormon with convincing truth. Written by respected gospel scholars, joseph fielding mcconkie, robert l. When moroni visited the boy joseph smith, he quoted isaiah 11 and said. The joseph smith translation jst, also called the inspired version of the holy scriptures iv, is a revision of the bible by joseph smith, the founder of the latter day saint movement, who said that the jstiv was intended to restore what he described as many important points touching the salvation of men, that had been taken from the bible, or lost before it was compiled. Jan 26, 2012 in the lectures on faith the prophet joseph smith explains that three things are necessary in order that any rational and intelligent being may exercise faith in god unto life and salvation 3. Joseph smith declared that the book of mormon contained the fullness of the everlasting gospel that he had been called to restore. The covenant prophecies which joseph of egypt uttered appear in 2 nephi 3.
Study the new testament with a verse by verse commentary by lynne hilton wilson, the cofounder of book of mormon central. I told the brethren 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. Hales is the author or coauthor of seven books dealing with plural marriagemost notably the threevolume, joseph smith s polygamy. Why was it easy to join a church in joseph smiths day. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. Joseph fielding smith, answers to gospel questions, 4. Read commentaries and other resources from knowhys, steven c.
Investigating the evidence for mormonism in six steps cold. Mar 09, 2016 the connection between the coming forth of the book of mormon and isaiah 11. The connection between the coming forth of the book of mormon and isaiah 11. He claimed to translate the book from golden plates he. With sketches of the characters of its propagators, and a full detail of the manner in which the famous golden bible was brought before the world. As coauthor robert millet explains, though the story of the book. Aug 10, 2020 in his most recent podcast episode, radio free mormon spent an hour and a half exploring the possibility of the influence of adam clarkes early nineteenth century bible commentary on the book of mormon. Absurd as it may seem to some, it is not improbable that the answer to this question will be, joseph smith, the mormon prophet. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand.
The use of adam clarkes bible commentary in joseph smith s bible translation that she coauthored with thomas a. Convincing faith would, by definition, lead one to life and salvation. If he, according to tradition, merely translated it from certain ancient and mysteriouslyengraved plates of copper, which he declares he found under a stone, in an out of theway locality, the work of translating was equally a miracle, for the same reason. Doctrinal commentary on the book of mormon by robert millet and joseph fielding mcconkie this is a 4 volume set which doesnt go straight through the book of mormon as some other commentaries, but approaches it by topic and then studies the scriptures with prophetic statements about those verses. In addition to joseph smith, the lord provided for eleven others to see. What is the everlasting gospel as set forth in the bible. Aug 17, 2011 they are, the king james version of the bible, the book of mormon a record of the ancient inhabitants of the americas, and more recently publicized as another testament of jesus christ, the doctrine and covenants a numbered listing of prophecies and revelations received by joseph smith and subsequent prophets of the lds church, and. Jan 05, 2012 greatest passages in the book of mormon. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. The book of mormon tells us that in the last days the gentiles will have a record of the jews containing the covenants of the lord and many of the prophecies of the holy prophets see 1 ne. Book of mormon central, why are there so many similarities between the dreams of lehi and joseph smith, sr. Joseph smiths translation of the bible has attracted significant attention.
However, the same change is made to the book of mormon 3 neph. Polygamy is a recent feature in the mormon religion, and was added by brigham young after joseph smith s death. The commentary in 2 nephi 26 and 27 is the most helpful explanation we have of isaiah 29 in the book of mormon. The prophet joseph smith was the greatest doctrinal teacher since jesus christ. In short, it was an attempt to retranslate and correct the sacred text. At kirtland the ancient artifacts were placed in joseph and emma smith s home, the john johnson inn, and the kirtland temple. Joseph smiths commentary on the bible deseret book.
Wayment has argued recently that joseph smith, in preparing his revision of the bible, drew ideas from a contemporary bible commentary by british scholar adam clarke. In a conference of the church on april 8, 1843, the prophet joseph smith said, the book of revelation is one of the plainest books god ever caused to be written. Joseph smith s translation projects in the development of mormon christianity, eds. Since the nations and kingdoms of the gentiles 1 ne. This page simply displays all of the source quotes and citations used on the critical web page in the order that they appear.
Adam clarkes commentary and the book of mormon worlds. Mormonthink web page could joseph smith have written the book of mormon content without commentary. Naturally it is read with varying degrees of understanding. Pratt himself never seems to have attempted the endeavor. Wayment, which recently appeared in the newly released book producing ancient scripture. His collection of 170 documents arranges in chronological order the revelations received by mormonisms founding prophet, joseph smith, in their earliest available form. Aug, 2020 given what we know so far about the manner in which the plates were translated, there is no evidential reason to accept the claims of smith or the book of mormon. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to latter day saint theology, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. A central claim in mormon history and doctrine is the assertion that joseph smith was able to translate ancient documents into english by the gift and power of god. Top, this series focuses on the most significant aspect of the book of mormon the doctrine. To illustrate, here is another significant change through the prophet joseph smiths translation. History and theology greg kofford books, 20 he and his wife laura are the current webmasters of.
Concerning this record the prophet joseph smith said. May 21, 2020 due to the strong feelings that people have for and against joseph smith and the book of mormon, pulling off a productive, academic study of the book of mormon, joseph smith, and what he believed can be a difficult thing to do. Using the symbolism of the art world, one might even consider it the mona lisa masterpiece of the book of mormon. Book of mormon central, did joseph smith s mother believe he could have written the book of mormon. Evidence related to the book of mormon contents joseph eventually published the book of mormon in march, 1830. Mormon defenders of the faith claim that 3 nephi 12. Furthermore, official lds church commentary on the book of mormon says that at least some ancestors of native. Michael marquardt, a retired civil servant, has written extensively on mormon history. I betook myself to prayer and supplication to almighty god. He wrote, i, being an infant, and lying on the bed, another bed being on the floor, was entirely.
Joseph smith said the book of mormon was translated from writing on golden plates in a reformed egyptian language, translated with the assistance of the urim and thummim and seer stones. Presently, brian is working on two book length manuscripts dealing with joseph smith s treasure seeking and the authorship. Black mormon pioneer jane manning james only member ever sealed as a servant finally gets her due. Best of book of mormon commentary list scripture notes. The text explained that the plates were an abridgment of other ancient records and were written by an american prophet named mormon and his son moroni. Joseph smiths inspired revisions to the king james bible. He wrote, i, being an infant, and lying on the bed, another bed being on the floor, was entirely overlooked by the family during the fright and excitement. Jacob chapter 5 in the book of mormon is a fairly long and complex one.
Smith as the rod and root of jesse, and the book of mormon as the ensign. Joseph smith translation jst in 1830, shortly after the book of mormon was printed, joseph smith embarked on what would later be called the joseph smith translation jst of the bible. Joseph smith s translation projects in the development of mormon christianity, ed. Mormons like ferguson were certain that these events had happened in. Joseph smiths negotiations to publish the book of mormon. So, the book of mormon, brought forth through the prophet joseph smith, teaches us that we were meant to have johns description of the events leading up to. He said an angel first showed him the location of the plates in 1823, buried in a nearby hill. For nearly two centuries, faithful members of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints lds have claimed that joseph smith translated the. Producing ancient scripture the university of utah press. In the wake of the publication of an important new essay by thomas wayment and haley wilsonlemmon, showing that smith made hundreds of revisions to the new testament based on his reading of clarkes commentary, it is possible now to explore further the breadth and depth of the.
Wayment and haley wilsonlemmon, a recovered resource. Joseph smith translation archives mormon discussions. Jan 18, 2018 in conduct ing new research into the origins of joseph smiths bible translation, we uncovered evidence that smith and his associates used a readily available bible commentary while compiling a new bible translation, or more properly a revision of the king james bible. Speaking of the days immediately following the revelation making known the existence of the book of mormon to her sonthe ever memorable 23rd day of september, 1823lucy smith in her history of the prophet joseph smith, recounts how in the evening of that day, the young prophet sat up late detailing to the family the wonderful conversations he had with the angel. Throughout much of the book of mormons narrative, the lamanites and the nephites. If this source is accurate, there are some real bombshells in here. Joseph smith and the origins of the book of mormon 2nd ed. Joseph smith, central american ruins, and the book of mormon.
This suggests that most of us could benefit by some aid to that understanding. Criticism of mormonismwebsitesmormonthinkcould joseph. According to smith, the book was a translation of some ancient records. Did joseph smith plagiarize from adame clarkes commentary. In offering such aid, this commentary focuses on the most significant aspect doctrine. For several contemporary approaches to the issue by latterday saint scholars see john l. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. In conduct ing new research into the origins of joseph smiths bible translation, we uncovered evidence that smith and his associates used a readily available bible commentary while compiling a new bible translation, or more properly a revision of the king james bible. The printers manuscript was consulted again by joseph smith and others when the second edition of the book of mormon was printed in 1837 in kirtland, ohio. There has been a lot of discussion lately regarding whether joseph smith used scholarly references as practical resources as he translated the bible.
Almon whiting babbitt biography the joseph smith papers. In their long anticipated and recently released research paper, haley wilsonlemmon and byu professor thomas wayment demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that joseph smith used adam clarkes bible commentary in his production of the joseph smith translation of the bible. They claim that this shows that joseph smith was a true prophet by omitting that phrase. Smith was only a few months old, his parents home in far west, missouri, was broken into by a mob. Almost six years had passed since joseph had experienced his first startling visitation from an angel calling himself moroni. There are no critics comment, apologetic response, or our thoughts sections. Jul 19, 2020 as a part of this interview, we will be discussing indepth the articlechapter a recently recovered source. What did joseph smith say about the book of mormon. As a label, mormonism has been applied to various aspects of the latter day. Mormonism is the religious tradition and theology of the latter day saint movement of restorationist christianity started by joseph smith in western new york in the 1820s and 30s the word mormon originally derived from the book of mormon, a religious text published by smith as another testament of jesus christ.
Mar 05, 2021 book of abraham brian hauglid john dehlin john gee joseph smith papers project mormon stories radio free mormon rfm robin jensen radio free mormon. Doctrinal commentary on the book of mormon, v4 by robert l. Dirkmaat and michael hubbard mackay in the summer of 1829, joseph smiths yearslong odyssey to obtain and translate the gold plates into english as the book of mormon was finally nearing an end. Joseph smiths translation projects in the development of mormon christianity is available from the fairmormon bookstore. The book of mormon, published in 1830, is well known. Joseph smith as he described himself to members of congress. In regional studies in latterday saint church history. Born into a poor farming family, he was the fifth child of 11 nine of whom survived childhood.
Jul 01, 2019 the joseph smith translation of john 1. Sep 24, 2020 mark ashurstmcgee, joseph smiths new translation of the bible, his use of adam clarkes bible commentary, and the question of plagiarism producing ancient scripture. The original manuscript belongs to the rlds church. Where did joseph smith get his doctrinal ideas about christ. Joseph smith the prophet saw god and jesus in first vision.
New testament come follow me 2019 book of mormon central. Joseph fielding smith had such praise for this passage that he said. The commentary, adam clarkes famous holy bible, containing the old. In the lectures on faith the prophet joseph smith explains that three things are necessary in order that any rational and intelligent being may exercise faith in god unto life and salvation 3. For nearly two centuries, faithful members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds have claimed that joseph smith translated the. Joseph smith as he described himself to members of. As the keystone of our religion, in joseph smith s words, the book of mormon is high priority reading. This volume is a record of the revelations received by joseph smith which were included in the original book of commandments. Received in march 1832, this revelation consists of a questionandanswer about specific verses in revelation, chapters 411. Providing a new or refocused academic paradigm for how smith composed the book of mormon is even more difficult.
Paul made the everlasting gospel known in 1 corinthians 15. Michael hubbard mackay, mark ashurstmcgee, and brian m. Jan, 2017 in addition, joseph s use of the word atonement suggests a book of mormon background. The book of abraham is a work produced between 1835 and 1842 by joseph smith based, he said, on egyptian papyri purchased from a traveling mummy exhibition. Prophet joseph smith the prophet joseph smith s own words about the coming forth of the book of mormon are. However, the example he cites from the 1830 palmyra reflector, refers to walters the magician, and not to smith precisely. However, the same change is made to the book of mormon 3 nephi 12.
After those four years, joseph received the plates and began translating the book of mormon. Adam clarke bible commentary in the book of mormon. Thus, the restoration was both predicted in and influenced by the writings of isaiah. The origins, authenticity, and historicity of the book of mormon have been subject to. Does the book of mormon contradict joseph smiths translation. A record engraved on gold plates, which js translated and published as the book of mormon. The commentary, adam clarkes famous holy bible, containing the old and new testaments, was a mainstay for methodist theologians and biblical scholars alike, and was one of the most widely available commentaries in the. After joseph smith dictated the book of mormon text, oliver co.
404 1163 1699 1112 310 1265 1628 1457 606 1305 1355 602 116 1107 1221 1596 176 352 1695 1153 471 1456 142 1416 1564 539