A oneword change in the introduction to a 2006 edition of the book of mormon has reignited discussion among some latterday saints about. Changes to latterday scripture lds leaders have made. A photo reprint of the original 1830 edition of the book of mormon with all the changes marked compared to a 1964 edition. Summary of approved adjustments for the 20 edition of the. Mar 02, 20 royal skousens analysis of the book of mormon changes interpreter instructions on updating gospel library to the 20 edition pdf, heres a quick overview of the changes i found interesting keep in mind that im a typesettingediting geek and so most of what i find interesting is dreadfully dull to ordinary folk. Mar 09, 20 mormon church rewrites its racist history. According to eyewitness testimony, joseph smith gave his scribe a wordforword. Im just wondering if the new method is to change the digital version that a majority of faithful members use so it is. At the end of february, 20, the deseret news featured an amazing article. I opened up my gospel library and i had to redownload the book of mormon. Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of god. Mar 19, 20 provo the nature of the original text of the book of mormon was the focus of royal skousen, a professor of linguistics at byu, during the conclusion of his lecture series on the original and printers manuscripts of the book of mormon on march 12. Im first going to describe the critical text project, some of its major findings. Contains a 16page introduction by jerald and sandra tanner which shows that the changes are not in harmony with the original text.
In making this study we obtained photocopies of an original 1830 edition of the book of mormon from the university of utah library. Behold, the lamb of god, yea, even the eternal father. The most significant changes in recent history were made to the 1981 print. In 1981 the lds church published a new edition of the book of mormon, making a number of additional changes in the text. The primary research for this information was taken from the book 39 changes in the book of mormon by jerald and sandra tanner. Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the son god. Dingers significant textual changes in the book of mormon. Joseph fielding smith, the tenth president of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, proclaimed. Understanding textual changes in the book of mormon. Interestingly, the spelling problems in the book of mormon paralleled earlier kinds of spelling changes in the english bible. Mormons have severed ties with the boy scouts and announced the creation of new worldwide youth program the church now allows some 11yearold boys to be ordained early to. 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.
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. Many mormon church members, including church leaders, stumbled across the changes them selves, and noticed the doctrinal significance. This is my analysis of the changes in the book of mormon text that the church announced yesterday. What was changed and why were the changes now being made.
In fact when the tanners state that joseph smith tried to change the book of mormon to support his concept of a plurality of gods, they are merely guessing. Book of mormon classes undergo changes the daily universe. The arguments are rather weak but need to be dealt with thats the purpose of this page. Oct 25, 20 there are a few technical issues with the video that need to be fixed we hope to have an updated version soon chris johnsons website and research. Mormon challenges book of mormon, the most correct book. Mar 17, 20 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 polygamy. See natural born seer, 3868 for an extensive list of book of mormon changes. The first printed edition compared to the manuscripts and to the subsequent major lds english printed editions and. Mar 01, 20 groundbreaking scriptural heading changes. The first printed edition compared to the manuscripts and to the subsequent major lds english printed editions and that there. A journal of mormon scripture, volume 7, pages 5796.
The earliest text, the definitive scholarly edition of the book of mormon, published in 2009 by yale university press. 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. Another change affirms the teaching that the book of mormon alone contains the fullness of the gospel. Examples of later verses in which the trinitarian image of gods was retained, are mosiah 16. Nothing exceedingly groundbreaking no new or changed doctrine. The two biggest additions to the new edition of mormon scripture can be found in the book of doctrine and covenants, says givens, a. Book of mormon textual changes book of mormon central. 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. If you are witnessing to mormons this is a great resource.
To obtain copies of their work please write to utah lighthouse ministry p. A new english edition of the book of mormon is not scheduled to be printed at present. 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. Church removes racial references in book of mormon. I have a copy of the original book of mormon and all the changes in it next to it. The article noted that the changes included revisions to study aids, new photos. New mormon scriptures tweak race, polygamy references the salt. Until now, i have not published a printed version of the second half of my original presentation, changes in the book of mormon.
Book of mormon word change christian research institute. Since its first publication in 1830, the book of moron has undergone thousands of changes. Although the fact of the changes cannot be questioned, the reason for them and their significance as asserted by the tanners are certainly questionable. The vast majority of mormons who are even aware that the book has been changed at all believe that there has been, at most, a grammatical correction here or there andor a clarification of an ambiguity or two.
Then i would like to turn to the issue of changes in the text to the book of mormon. The bible, however, has also gone through numerous changes, updates, corrections, and clarifications. The first printed edition compared to the manuscripts and to the subsequent major lds english printed editions and that there was to be. New changes to the book of mormon were not discussed by gutjahr because they were not announced until after the 2012 publication of his book.
This is an archived article that was published on in 20. 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. Mormon tabernacle choir changes name as church shifts away. Among the book of mormon changes we must include footnotes, headers, chapter redivisions, and verse breakdowns the original edition of the book of mormon. Since these changes are so minor, it is not necessary to include them until it is printed. By far the majority of changes between the 1830 and subsequent versions of the book of mormon are spelling or grammar corrections. The book of mormon is the scripture embraced by followers of joseph smith in his 1830s latterday saint movement. It appears that smith originally had a less than perfect understanding of the trinity as taught by his protestant peers.
On july 11, 20, i was surprised to get an email from a community of christ colleague informing me that the smithpettit foundation was publishing john s. Critical texts have previously been prepared for important historical and literary works but until fairly. Despite the faith of believers that the book of mormon is the most correct of any book, ever since smith dictated the text to scribes in 1827, there have been significant modifications with each printing. As stated earlier, the mormon church has made many changes to the book of mormon in order to correct josephs poor grammar and spelling. 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.
Their article reminded me once again of the arbitrary nature of the church when it comes to the. The first printed edition compared to the manuscripts and to the subsequent major lds english printed editions. In the book of mormon, theyre now using roman text for anything that. This should not have been necessary, however, given the manner in which joseph is supposed to have produced this book. Until now, i have not published a printed version of the second half of my original presentation, changes in the book of. A popular charge of antimormons is that the church is guilty of fraud because of changes in the book of mormon, or that the book of mormon cant be true and divine because corrections have been made. The approach will be to discuss the type of change. Mormonism must stand or fall on the story of joseph smith. How many changed has the book of mormon been changed. Significant textual changes in the book of mormon signature. Only a handful of copies were distributed before the. Book of mormon changes the fall of mormonism rich kelsey. Returned missionaries and nonreturned missionaries will no longer have to be in separate sections for book of mormon classes.
New mormon scriptures tweak race, polygamy references the. Actually, most of these changes appeared in the 2004 doubleday edition, which i will be highlighting near the end of the. The quick change artistry of the young missionaries in the book of mormon is a happy, gaudy metaphor for the way musicals give extravagant color and rhythm to gray, chaotic reality. John dinger significant textual changes in the book of mormon. Book of mormon classes undergo changes reprinted from an article by jason brown in the universe, july 1, 20. 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. When these types of changes are made, they are rolled out to various online and print editions as they become available, purdy said in a statement. Official declaration 2 february 28, 20 by emjen not since 1981 and maybe even before, ill let the textualscriptural scholars determine the amount of change versus other scriptural compilations have this many changes been made to our modern mormon quad. The book of mormon is a musical comedy with music, lyrics and book by trey parker, robert lopez, and matt stone.
Debate renewed with change in book of mormon introduction. A oneword change in the introduction to a 2006 edition of the book of mormon has reignited discussion among some latterday saints about the book s historicity, geography and the descendants of those chronicled within its pages. The original 1830 edition, book of mormon had s of. The changes to the book of mormon from the 1979 edition to the 20 editions are vary greatly. For example, consider the word sins, which had been spelled synnes and became sinnes in the 1611 king james version. The changes made in the book of mormon and in joseph smiths revelations have apparently caused the mormon church leaders some concern, for they fear that their people will find out about them. These changes have only been applied to the first part of the book of mormon. Changes in the book of mormon book of mormon central. Only study helps, such as chapter headings, remain in italic. To understand why some words were altered, reference will be made to the original and the printers manuscripts. The current printing masters of the 1979 edition of the king james version of the bible and the 1981 edition of the book of mormon, doctrine and covenants, and pearl of great price have deteriorated because of age and long use. First staged in 2011, the play is a satirical examination of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints beliefs and practices that ultimately endorses the positive power of love and service.
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. Utah was buzzing with people trying to determine what had been changed and why. In the book of mormon, all scripture text that is part of the translation from the plates has been placed in roman typeface. A photoreprint of the original 1830 edition of the book of mormon with all changes marked compared to a 1964 edition. 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. In the book of mormon, all scripture text that is part of the translation from the plates. Book of mormon classes undergo changes religious education. Scholars laud changes, say they bring a more accurate, fuller view of faiths history.
Behold, the lamb of god, yea, even the son of the eternal father. The first printed edition compared to the manuscripts and to the subsequent major lds english printed editions and that there was to be a book signing on july 18, 20. The original text betrays its new england origin in many ways, from inconsistent spelling to incorrect use of tenses and number, as well. The book of mormon on broadway official site second. Changes in the lds scriptures 20 at the end of february, 20, the deseret news featured an amazing article. Detailed summary of approved adjustments for the 20 edition of. Provo the nature of the original text of the book of mormon was the focus of royal skousen, a professor of linguistics at byu, during the conclusion of his lecture series on the original and printers manuscripts of the book of mormon on march 12 daniel c. The book of mormon, the pearl of great price, and the doctrine and covenants are accepted as scripture without any qualifications whatsoever. An original first edition book of mormon has been photographed and is available for viewing at. The most recent history of the book of mormon critical text project can be found in my article the original text of the book of mormon and its publication by yale university press, published in 20 in interpreter. Box 1884 salt lake city, utah 84110 or visit their website. The most recent history of the book of mormon critical text project can be.
Byu professor royal skousen concludes his discussion on. The quality of the typeface is no longer as clear and sharp as it should be. 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. The claim is often heard that there are more than 4000 changes to the book of mormon text. 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. 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. The first printed edition compared to the manuscripts and to. Joseph smith said that the golden plates from which he supposedly got the book of mormon, were translated letterbyletter, and by the power of god and that the book of mormon was, the most correct of any book on earth. Actually, most of these changes appeared in the 2004 doubleday edition, which i will be highlighting near the end of the lecture, just before i discuss the yale. Peterson, a professor of islamic studies and arabic at byu, acknowledged the work skousen has done with. In 20, the lds church announced several changes to their scriptures.
In february 20, church leaders described how revisions to official photos and maps would be made, along with revised introductory heading adjustments to 76 sections of the book of commandments. The book of mormon, the first broadway musical by matt stone and trey parker the creators of south park. To demolish the mormon urban myth that there have been few, if any, changes to the book of mormon since its publication. This video discusses the 5 types of changes that have occurred with the text of the original book of mormon translation and why they should not be of any concern. Thats what this show is about, finally the alchemical power of the religion that is theater, and specifically, the american musical. Smith is full of bluff and bluster, and is a fraud. Changes in the book of mormon exposed by earl erskine.
Mar 01, 20 well the lds edition of the standard works pre 1980s had also significant changes. The changes made in the book of mormon and in joseph smiths revelations have apparently caused the mormon church leaders some concern, for. The introduction for the book of mormon in the 20 edition of the. There are a few changes which affect the narrative of the book of mormon itself. The book of commandments, published in july 1833, was a compilation of early lds revelations. The style and language of the chapter summaries have been standardized throughout the scriptures. I will be discussing these changes briefly in my lecture this coming tuesday, march 5th, on the book of mormon editions. Royal skousens analysis of 20 edition of the book of mormon. Strengthening ones testimony in the face of criticism and doubt, 209215. Following enoss death the record of the nephites was kept by enos son, jarom. Sep 20, 20 john dinger, editor of the recently published significant textual changes in the book of mormon, was at benchmark books on 718 to discuss the book and answer questions. Oct 06, 2018 mormon tabernacle choir changes name as church shifts away from mormon label.
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