The king james bible and the joseph smith translation. If we had the original text, scholars would be everlastingly squabbling about it and getting out endless new and revised translations, as in the case of the bible. Which i agree with, as i think that some of the character and message of the book of mormon is lost in making it plain english. We believe the bible to be the word of god as far as it is translated correctly. Book of mormon translation englishfijian dictionary. From that humble beginning, today the church prints over 3 million copies a year on large web presses. Although it is now out of print in the deseret alphabet, welsh, hawaiian. Although much attention has been given to this statement, mormons still accept as canon the authorized king james version. Book of mormon language the encyclopedia of mormonism. The book of mormon is now published in more than 80 languages, with selections available in another 25 languages. Jun 11, 2014 originally written in portuguese in 1988 by brazilian author paulo coelho, this book has been translated into 67 languages. This is not a claim about textual perfection or inerrancy which the book itself insists will still be present title page, mormon 9. Rowling has charmed and captivated millions of fans around the world.
These tables show all the versions of the book of mormon that have been translated. Translations of the book of mormon in alphabetical order afrikaans online, gospel library mobile app, pdf. Translating the book of mormon religious studies center. Aug 30, 2007 aside from the book of mormon, you have to place orders for languages other than englishspanishfrench by phone. I will say that the language of scripture so dear to many peoples hearts, and that joel encourages us to stick with, is totally lost to lds members who read the book of mormon in languages other than english. Critics of the book of mormon have claimed that a variety of linguistic anachronisms exist in it which cast doubt upon its historical authenticity. Portions of the book have been translated into another 20 languages.
Book of mormon translations book of mormon central. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. The first non english translation of the book of mormon was the danish edition in 1851. Just as the kjv is not the original bible text, nor is the english book of mormonand we should remember that a majority of latterday saints today read the bible and the book of mormon in languages other than englishso also will joseph smiths bible revision bless. Sep 19, 2016 in an article in his defending the faith column in the deseret news, byu scholar daniel c. We have discussions about whether there was a curtain present during the translation. With 106 translations, the book of mormon along with the bible is a good rosetta stone for learning english or other languages, in addition to being a missionary tool. Much can be known about the coming forth of the english text of the book of mormon through a. Just as the kjv is not the original bible text, nor is the english book of mormonand we should remember that a majority of latterday saints today read the bible and the book of mormon in languages other than englishso also will joseph smiths bible revision bless the lives of its readers when translated.
Grammatically, the english bom is sloppy, and riddled with errors that are resolved in other languages. In this case, the book of mormon contradicts the kjv. A number of words in the book of mormon text seem to reflect a hebrew, rather than an english, usage in the original, and thus provide additional evidence for the authenticity of the book. Soon after the first copies of the book of mormon were published, the work of translating it into french, german, danish, welsh, and italian began.
What translating harry potter reveals about the book of mormon. Litster, administrator for established languages, church distribution and translation services since the publication of the first five thousand copies in palmyra, new york, in the spring of 1830, the book of mormon has been published in twentyseven languages. Book of mormon academic dictionaries and encyclopedias. Book of mormon translation by joseph smith the encyclopedia. Is there a hebrew translation of the book of mormon, and if. The joseph smith papers, revelations and translations, vol. Book of mormon translations the encyclopedia of mormonism. Mormonism and the biblejoseph smith translationrelationship. The portuguese, spanish, and italian bom translations are actually clearer and more technically correct than the english.
The first edition was set and printed in haste, from a manuscript handwritten by oliver cowdery under joseph smiths dictation. Although it is now out of print in the deseret alphabet, welsh, hawaiian, turkish, czech, and armenian, it is still available. But the english language was just the beginning of the translation of the. Sometimes we discuss potential anachronisms like the inclusion of ideas from the new. Some latterday saints may not be aware that danish was the first foreign language into which the book of mormon was translated. We discourage this type of publication and call attention to the fact that the book of mormon was translated by the gift and power of god, who has declared that it is. According to the lds church, more than 150 million copies of the book of mormon have been printed and are available in 90 languages. For example, the cognate accusative, literarily redundant in english, is used in hebrew for emphasis. Since joseph smith published the first english edition of the book of mormon in. Some argue that since we lack the original plates from which the book of mormon was translated, it should be read as a 19thcentury english language text rather than as an. Printers manuscript of the book of mormon, alma 36moroni 10, facsimile ed. The book is published in its entirety in 81 nonenglish languages, with selections of it published in. The book of mormon says it was written in a reformed egyptian script by ancient prophets who preserve the culture and language of their hebrew ancestors, one of the best ways to test this claim is look at the names in the book of mormon of its 330 seven proper names, 180, eight or unique, meaning they can also be found in the bible because most words in the book of mormon are english.
As the popularity of mormonthink grows, many people have asked about translating the mormonthink webpages into other languages. Selections from the book of mormon are available in 21 other languages. This claim, as well as all claims to historical authenticity of the book of mormon, are rejected by nonlatter day saint historians and scientists. Food for thought on the translation of the english bible mormons have articles of faith which are similar to creeds in other religions. The book of mormons old testament portion bmot quotes heavily from the new testament of the bible. I gave it to one of the many israelis who were selling the jewelry and artwork theyd purchased cheaply in southeast asia. But the english language was just the beginning of the translation of the book of mormon.
Gardner earned a masters degree in anthropology and mesoamerican ethnohistory from the state university of new york at albany. Book of mormon languages given out so far, as of april 2011. From the beginning, church members have accepted it. However, i found this book invaluable in helping to keep me motivated while reading and to clarify passages that contained enough archaic phrasing to.
Mar 07, 2005 the first installment of phillip barlows excellent 12 questions raises the interesting question of whether the church will ever produce a modern language edition of the book of mormon in english. Book of mormon translation englishmarshallese dictionary. Book of mormon to be translated from english into another language. Jul 04, 2019 for a time, there was a product put out by the church that was called the selections from the book of mormon, and it was basically a greatest hits that would be faster and easier to translate and get out into the hands of members who spoke sma. Not only does it require a clear, doctrinal understanding and the gift of both english and the target language, but some unique linguistic problems must also be. However, in the 1970s and later, translations from the english text of the book of mormon became systematic and frequent. But what does any of this have to do with the book of. Easily some of the most beloved and popular books in recent memory, the harry potter series by j. And in 2000, the church achieved a milestone, bringing the total number of translations of the book of mormon to 100, including english. No, the book of mormon has never been revised into a more modern english dialect. Additionally, modern english has adopted additional words from various modern languages. Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon. With an english translation that is close the original writ, translations into other languages are based on the current english revision.
I have not quoted biblical translations in english prior to those cited because the ancient english language is a medley of provincial latin, celtic, saxon, welsh, erse, danish and norman french. Most people are aware that the church has been involved in a massive translation effort to produce the restoration scriptures in other languages. Church members believe that the book of mormon is more correct than the bible because the bible was the result of a multiplegeneration translation process and the book of mormon was not. While i was a missionary in tokyo in 198688, i got a hebrew translation of the book of mormon from the mission home office. The 20 most translated texts in history ingco international. Aside from the book of mormon, you have to place orders for languages other than englishspanishfrench by phone. A page about the translations of the book of mormon. How many languages has the book of mormon been translated. Unless otherwise indicated, the translation was financed and the resulting text published by the church of jesus christ. In an article in his defending the faith column in the deseret news, byu scholar daniel c. His early work on the translation, with emma smith and martin harris serving as the main scribes, was lost in 1828. The translators of the book of mormon deseret news. Because of remote locations, combined with the complexity and amount of languages spoken in the islands, some translations, like tagalog, took more time than european languages. Translation of the book of mormon into foreign languages.
Some argue that since we lack the original plates from which the book of mormon was translated, it should be read as a 19thcentury englishlanguage text rather than as an. The work of skousen and gardner can be accessed for free on the book of mormon central archive. Are translations of the book of mormon into other languages made. Book of mormon written in modernday english grace for grace. The book of mormon has been translated in its entirety into 97 languages. From time to time there are those who wish to rewrite the book of mormon into familiar or modern english. 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. Many typical hebrew language patterns have been identified in the book of mormon, though several are also characteristic of other near eastern languages. Translation for book of mormon in the free englishswahili dictionary and many other swahili translations. The book of mormon and other translated documents mormons.
Language availability of latterday saint scriptures scripture tools. They dont have all the foreign language stuff available on the internet. Questions about the translation of the book of mormon into. Much can be known about the coming forth of the english text of the book of mormon through a careful. From the surviving portions of the original manuscript it appears that joseph dictated about a dozen words at a time. We cannot vouch for the accuracy of the translations, but this is a good place to begin. Unless otherwise indicated, the translation was financed and the resulting. Published in 1976, the thai language was the 24th language into which the full text of the book of mormon was translated excluding translations for languages for which there is no version currently in print. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2600 bc to ad 421.
The book of mormon is the most correct book in the sense that it those who read and obey its precepts will draw nearer to god than in reading any other book. The first foreign language edition of the book of mormon. And also to requote a portion of the 1992 first presidency statement that matt quotes, in doctrinal matters latterday revelation supports the king james version in preference to other english translations. Book of mormon translation in englishmarshallese dictionary. 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. Royal skousen, the language of the original text of the. Almost all other languages are using late 20th century translations, and many are even using 21st century translations. To order by phone call the lds distribution center at 8012403800. Analytical and contextual commentary on the book of mormon and the gift and power. In 1851 the book of mormon was translated into danish, its first translation to a nonenglish language. Languages with lds materials international resources for latter. At library of congress, apostle speaks on book of mormons.
Englishspeaking readers of the series, however, may take for granted the intense and sometimes frustrating task of translating the series into other languages. This religious text was first published in the united states in 1830 and is used by followers of the latter day saint movement, better known as mormons. It has been described as the keystone of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. The printers manuscript was photographed in 1923 and is available online. Afrikaans, the latest edition in the exhibit, was released in 1972. There have been various updates to the printing of the book of mormon over time to correct errors in the typesetting of earlier editions. Languages approved to begin translation preliminary portions will be published. The book of mormon is published in 112 languages, and many of them are available in multiple formats online. The printers manuscript was photographed in 1923 and is available online at the joseph smith papers website. That way, they could control the language used and try to ensure compatibility, while making the text of both more readable, and maybe even enhancing the prestige of byus translation and ancient language scholars, if they do a decent job of it. Apr 02, 2019 the questions about the nature of the translation of the book of mormon raised above are certainly worth keeping in mind, but ultimately the best way to read the book of mormon is not to fret over currentlyunanswerable questions about the translation, but to focus on its message of jesus christ and his gospel, knowing all the while that every. The book of mormon text contains logical impossibilities. Mar 07, 2011 although the same factors that led to the retranslation of the book of mormon into other modern languages are somewhat applicable to english, i dont know whether or not a translation from english into english will ever be authorized by the lds church. The book of mormon came into the world through a series of miraculous events.
An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. Oct 16, 2005 with 106 translations, the book of mormon along with the bible is a good rosetta stone for learning english or other languages, in addition to being a missionary tool. Mar 06, 2015 the book of mormon, on the other hand, uses the word priest 105 times and the word elder in an ecclesiastical sense only 9 times. Feb 21, 2012 selections of the book of mormon were published in cebuano, another filipino language, in 1992 and the full edition also was published in 1998. In the book of mormon, elder and priest are separate offices with an elder superior to a priest. The story behind the first foreign translation of the book of mormon. How many languages has the book of mormon been translated into.
The first installment of phillip barlows excellent 12 questions raises the interesting question of whether the church will ever produce a modern language edition of the book of mormon in english. In fact, if our english text of the book of mormon came to us in any other way than by revelation it would be almost worthless. The church has selected a recommended bible translation for use in church. Royal skousen, the language of the original text of the book of mormon, byu studies quarterly 57, no.
Several other languages, such as spanish, have been revised several times for the same reasons. The book of mormon, on the other hand, uses the word priest 105 times and the word elder in an ecclesiastical sense only 9 times. According to most adherents of the latter day saint movement, the book of mormon is a 19thcentury translation of a record of ancient inhabitants of the american continent, which was written in a script which the book refers to as reformed egyptian. Since it was first published in english in 1830, the book of mormon has been fully translated into 82 languages, and printed copies have totaled more than 150 million.
The term translation some mormon scholars argue that the term translation was broader in meaning in 1828 than it is today, and smiths work was at the time considered a revision of the english text, rather than a translation between languages. 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. What is the original language of the book of mormon. There are at least185 quotations and 2,500 unique vocabulary words from the new testame. Linguistic anachronisms in the book of mormon are words that represent concepts that are not believed to have existed in the americas between 2500 b. Peterson offers a rebuttal to an objection he says some people make against treating the book of mormon as an ancient book. See the overview in book of mormon translation, gospel topics essays, online at 2.
Selections of the book of mormon were published in cebuano, another filipino language, in 1992 and the full edition also was published in 1998. The church has already written a modern english version of. Download powerpoint presentation pdf overview many of our discussions about the translation of the book of mormon mention the nephite interpreters, and the seer stone in the hat. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints, which has translated the full book of mormon into 90 languages selections are offered in 21 others since the work was first printed in 1830, also. Youre right, the golden plates were returned to the angel moroni at the conclusion of the original translation into english. Why is the book of mormon published in certain languages e. Joseph smiths magic spectacles dan vogel photo of joseph smith wearing breastplate and looking through the urim and thummimmany mormons believe this is how joseph smith translated the book of mormon as he sat behind a curtain dictating the translation to a scribe on the other side. This book details the story of the translation of the book of mormon into the thai language. Albanian online, gospel library mobile app, pdf, mobile feature phone. Some translations are even incomplete and are only available as selected excerpts until a full translation can. Joseph smith translated an ancient text by the gift and power of god to produce the book of mormon. The translation of other lds scriptures is also important in testimony. 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.
Joseph seemed to think he could sprinkle in enough ye and thee and hath or end enough verbs in est and eth to match the. It is claimed that each sentence and word in the 1830 book of mormon had supposedly come directly from god. I think their best bet is to release a new inhouse translation of the bible alongside a corresponding update to the book of mormon. Is there a hebrew translation of the book of mormon, and. One of a christian denomination the church of jesus christ of latter day saints in the united states, followers of joseph smith, who professed to have.
48 826 675 367 642 92 270 495 1161 1358 989 983 1283 1169 318 644 643 1334 634 293 599 3 331 489 1341 751 216 255 631 416 1074 915 13 358 410 203 98 590 713 356 953 1355 108 782 183