The book of mormon claims that moroni, a prophet, originally wrote the book and that it was translated by joseph smith. Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon. Joseph fielding smith did not say that it was not reasonable to use a stone to translate the book of mormon. Book of mormon translation by joseph smith the encyclopedia.
Reading your article got me curious as to whywith such direct and clear information on how the book of mormon was translated theres even a question about it. Consider, for example, the simple question of how long it took joseph to translate the book of mormon. I appreciate reading the firsthand accounts from the prophet himself and oliver cowdery, and, of course, the scriptural references to the translation of the book of mormon. Unless otherwise indicated, the translation was financed and the resulting text published by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church. About 60 daysthats how long it took joseph smith to translate the book of mormon. An incredible feat, considering it often takes years and multiple drafts to create a work of history comparable to the 531page book of mormon. The mere existence of the book of mormon is one of the greatest miracles in history. Once oliver cowdery volunteered to act as scribe, joseph was able to dictate for many hours at a time. Virtually all of the english text of the book of mormon was then translated between april 7 and the last week of june, less than sixty working days.
The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to adherents, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. 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. Biddulph, president of the ukraine, kiev mission, and elder steven struk, from the church translation department, began looking for someone to translate the book of mormon into ukranian. 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. Oliver indicated that their asking about baptism was stimulated by.
The prophet joseph received these ancient metal records written in reformed egyptian from the heavenly messenger moroni 3 and translated them by the gift and power of god 4 into the book of mormon. Jul 20, 2018 where did the idea that the book of mormon was translated with a seer stone in a hat come from. Translating the book of mormon religious studies center. Understanding the timeline of book of mormon translation. Brothers according to those contemporaries of joseph smith who observed the book of mormon translation process, joseph smith did not look at or read from the golden plates while translating the book of mormon. It is claimed that each sentence and word in the 1830 book of mormon had supposedly come directly from god. As the bible is a record of gods dealings with the inhabitants of the eastern hemisphere, the book of mormon tells of a people who were led by god from jerusalem to the western hemisphere 600 years prior to the birth of the savior. If joseph smith and oliver cowdery translated 10 words per minute, eight hours a day, how long would it take them to translate the 269,510 words in book of mormon. He just does it on his own, the really odd thing is he doesnt attempt to re translate the book of lehi, and skips 1nephi, 2nephi, jacob, enos, jarom, omni and words of mormon. In 2011, a longrunning religious satire musical titled the book of mormon. How long did it take joseph smith to translate the book of mormon. 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. What does the original book of mormon manuscript reveal about. Today, the book of mormon has been translated from english into over 100 languages see book of mormon in 110 languages, ensign, may 2015, 7.
This was no ordinary history, for it contained the fullness of. From the surviving portions of the original manuscript it appears that joseph dictated about a dozen words at a time. For a compilation of accounts by joseph smiths contemporaries, see john w. Did joseph smith use the urim and thummim or nephite interpreters to translate. Welch, foundation for ancient research and mormon studies farms. Portions of the book have been translated into another 20 languages.
The words urim and thummim did not appear in the book of mormon, early revelations, or early newspaper accounts. Welch examined how long it took joseph smith to translate the book of mormon a lecture wednesday night at the. Were the plates sometimes not in the room while joseph was translating them. Aug 04, 2015 they say that god helped him translate the text using the stone and other tools, which became known as the book of mormon.
According to smiths account and the books narrative, the book of mormon was originally written in otherwise unknown characte. Joseph smith was called of god to translate the golden plates, resulting in the book of mormon. The words urim and thummim did not appear in the book of mormon, early revelations, or. What dictionary would be good for book of mormon study. Kirkham wondered how long into july the translation may have continued. Most of the quormon answers put forward the short timeline of 65 days as the period in which the book of mormon was translated. How did joseph smith translate the plates from which the book. Under either theory, a span of no more than sixtyfive to seventyfive total days was likely involved in translating the book of mormon as we now have it, for an overall average of about seven to eight pages per day, conservatively estimated. Before that, from 12 april to 14 june 1828, joseph had. By doing 10 words per minute, eight hours a day, they could get the book of mormon done in 56. Apr 02, 2020 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. Nov 12, 2011 you can read a great essay on how long it took joseph smith to translate the book of mormon, as well as read the book of mormon online, at the related links below. Most readers of the book of mormon naturally assume that joseph smith translated its books beginning in 1 nephi 1. Recent research has shown more clearly than ever before that the book of mormon as we now have it was translated in a stunningly short amount of time.
At such a pace, only about a week could have been taken to translate all of 1 nephi. The speed with which the book of mormon was translated parent page. The miraculous translation of the book of mormon into. 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. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to. Amazingly, the translation of the book of mormon as we now have it took less than 65 actual days of translating. May 08, 2017 the leaders of the mormon faith teach that joseph smith translated ancient golden plates to get the foundation scriptures of the faith, namely the book of mormon. By the power of god, through the holy spirit, how else. The entire translation for the book of mormon we now have today was a process that took about 65 working days with a single scribe. The book could be found in a hill not far from the smith family farm. Nothing is magical, and the urim and thummim, the seer stone, etc. Under either theory, a span of no more than sixtyfive to seventyfive total days was likely.
Sept 1828joseph starts retranslation of book of mormon without any instructions from god or any kind of revelation. Additionally, the plates were not always present during the translating process, and when present, they were always covered up. Now, some critics also claim that smith gained most of his theories from a manuscript of a novel written by solomon spaulding. Questions such as how long did it take to translate the book of mormon. 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. Though there were less than 100 actual translation days. The following essay is the official lds released essay entitled book of mormon translation. Joseph smith used magic to translate book of mormon 03222020 by lifeafterministry that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. By its own terms, the book of mormon is a translation of an ancient book. But, surprisingly, research suggests 1 nephi and the rest of the small plates of nephi 1 nephi through words of mormon were the last scriptures to be translated. Translation begins on the 7th of apriltwo days after oliver arrived. Conditions improved enough that winter that joseph was able to translate a few book of mormon characters.
The manuscript in the new book actually belongs to the community of. 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. Foundation for ancient research and mormon studies farms. But why should the order of this sacred records translation make a difference. Nov 14, 2017 who translated the book of mormon text into english for joseph smith to read. In 2011, a longrunning religious satire musical titled the book of mormon, written by south park. Second publication, 1835 doctrine and covenants, section xxxvi. The sacred writings chronicle gods dealings with his people in. Since we all begin reading the book of mormon with 1 nephi 1. These facts are now officially confirmed in the churchs december 20 book of mormon translation essay. Joseph smithseer stonesrock in hat used for book of.
In april, martin harris moved to harmony to assist joseph as scribe, and the work of translation began in earnest. The other scribes only helped for the lost 116 pages. Among the many amazing facts about the book of mormon is how little time it took for joseph smith to translate it. Kirkhams suggestion that the book of mormon was translated within seventyfive. One of the most amazing facts about the book of mormon is that it took joseph smith only about sixtyfive working days to translate a book that, in the current edition, is 531 pages long. Joseph smith, the first prophet of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, was an uneducated farm boy with no resources for research who translated ancient writings into the book of mormon, over 500 pages long, in under 65 days. Who translated the book of mormon text into english for. In conclusion, we feel that the move away from the actual facts of the translation process of the book of mormon demonstrates a lack of credibility on the part of lds leaders. How did joseph smith translate the plates from which the. The lost 116 pages were the original manuscript pages of what joseph smith, founder of the latter day saint movement, said was the translation of the book of lehi, the first portion of the golden plates revealed to him by an angel in 1827. To make things more complicated, the translation department of the church had determined that only a member of the church would be allowed to translate the book of mormon into another language.
What does the original book of mormon manuscript reveal. How long did it take to translate the book of mormon. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. However, soon into his mission, taylor was translating hymns and. Which scribes worked on which portions in the book of mormon. What do we know about the chronology of the book of. The church later admitted these facts in its october 2015 ensign, where they include a photograph of the actual rock that joseph smith used to place in his hat for the book of mormon translation. This assertion can mislead people into believing the book of mormon production process was nothing short of miraculous. Now, behold i say unto you, that because you delivered up so many writings, which you had power to translate, into the hands of a wicked man, you have lost them, and you also lost your gift at the same time. The book of mormon contains a prophecy that the lord god shall commence his work among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, to bring about the restoration of his people upon the earth. The lds version of the book of mormon has been translated into 83.
From that humble beginning, today the church prints over 3 million copies a year on large web presses. These pages, which had not been copied, were lost by smiths scribe, martin harris, during the summer of 1828 and are presumed to have been destroyed. How long did it take joseph smith to translate the bom. Did joseph smith use a seer stone to translate the book of mormon.
Joseph smith used magic to translate book of mormon life. April 7 end of june 1829 joseph translates the book of mormon with oliver as scribe. How long did it take joseph smith to translate the book of. Historians both in and out of the church agree that it took approximately 65 days to translate the book once joseph smith and his scribe oliver cowdery began.
These tables show all the versions of the book of mormon that have been translated. Byu professors lecture examines the timeline of joseph smiths. Welch, how long did it take joseph smith to translate the book of mormon. Welch, the miraculous translation of the book of mormon, in opening the heavens. So apparently even the 10th president of the church thinks that using a stone to translate the book of mormon with hardly seems reasonable. The mere fact that it exists is more of a miracle than many of us realize. Almost all of the book of mormon as we now have it was translated between 7 april and 30 june 1829. Historical details about the time it took to translate the book are remarkably well preserved, and they are corroborated by the independently consistent. That it is a deceiving fraud formulated through the efforts and talents of a common man. Welch examined how long it took joseph smith to translate the book of mormon in a lecture wednesday night at the gordon b.
The process of translating the book of mormon as we know it began in full earnest with the arrival of oliver cowdery on april 5, 1829. The use of objects in the translation were only to help focusing on the work. Jul 12, 2019 the translation of the book of mormon into japanese took five years and nine months of labor, and the manuscript consisted of twentyseven handwritten booklets. If one scoffs at the missionarys explanation of the book of mormon, he is in so many words claiming it to be false. In 1828, joseph translated the 116 pages that were lost. The details about translation that the manuscript reveal show that the book of mormon was largely translated as witnesses said it was translated. Only recently have i come to appreciate what a staggering achievement it was for joseph smith to bring forth the book of mormon at all. 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. Peterson wrote an excellent article in which he cites witnesses to the book of mormon translation process, giving modern readers insight into what eyewitnesses saw regarding how joseph smith translated the book of mormon. 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. Historical details about the time it took to translate the book are remarkably well preserved. Thus, the book of mormon was translated by the spirit of revelation using the seer stones.
Byu professors lecture examines the timeline of joseph. Taylor was only nineteen when he was called as one of the first missionaries to open the japan mission in 1901. For further discussion on the book of mormon and the translation process, see the introduction to documents, volume 1. Why the amount of time it took to translate the book.
Mar 25, 2020 in this episode, dave takes a closer look at the original manuscript of the book of mormon and shows that theres a surprising amount of insight we can gain from it. This was accomplished while joseph smith was 24 years old with only a basic education in reading and writing and arithmatic. First publication, 1833 book of commandments, chapter ix. He testified that he was only able to translate the book by the gift and power of god book of mormon translation, gospel topics, topics. A better question since smith didnt translate anything nor do anything like unto it with his magicrockinhat is how long had smith been working on the basic story in his. The english edition of the book of mormon is about 530 pages including footnotes and. The urim and thummim was preserved in a stone box, along with the gold plates, for over 1,500 years for the purpose of. Many solid and independent historical documents written by people like lucy mack smith, joseph knight, david whitmer, oliver cowdery, and even public records like the mortgage on martin harris farm, thoroughly corroborate the details and. The english edition of the book of mormon is about 530 pages including footnotes and chapter summaries. You can read a great essay on how long it took joseph smith to translate the book of mormon, as well as read the book of mormon online, at the related links below. Did joseph smith use the nephite plates to translate the book of mormon. As a result, joseph smith was rebuked by the lord and lost the ability to translate for a short time. Joseph smith mentioned several times that he translated the book of mormon record through the gift and power of god by means of the urim and thummim, but the term was used ambiguously.
They say that god helped him translate the text using the stone and other tools, which became known as the book of mormon. 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. Evidence from the original manuscript royal skousen journal of book of mormon studies 71 1998. 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. Mar 20, 2019 about 60 daysthats how long it took joseph smith to translate the book of mormon. Book of mormon translation joseph smith only about sixtyfive working days to translate a book that, in the current edition, is 531 pages long. The book of mormon is another testament of jesus christ. 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. What do we know about the method used to translate the book of mormon. Feb 25, 2018 how long did it take joseph smith to translate the book of mormon. Days and hours never to be forgotten, byu studies quarterly 57 no. How did joseph smith translate the book of mormon answers. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. Modern dictionary, websters 1828 or 1844, or oedsoed.