Lets say that joseph smith wrote the book of mormon. A onepage introduction that briefly explains what the book of mormon is about was added. One change was made in the title page in the second edition 1837. The book of mormon, an account, written by the hand of mormon upon.
Changing critics criticisms of book of mormon changes the. The original book of mormon manuscript byu studies. A printing history of the book of mormon mormon historic sites. Book of mormon changes the fall of mormonism rich kelsey. In this article i discuss what the original manuscript of. It carried a small story on a change to a single word in the introduction of the book of mormon in the recent doubleday edition. Book of mormonlamanitesrelationship to amerindians. I told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth joseph smith, jr. The work of comparing the page 51 books was a long, tedious job for a working man. A oneword change was made to the introduction in the latest edition of the book of mormon that change takes into account details of book of mormon demography, which are not known. Could joseph smith have written the book of mormon. This had been the generally held belief from the time that. A careful check of the list of changes shows there is not one change or. 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.
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. However, the books numerous teachings on the redeeming mission of jesus christ contribute to a central purpose of the book of mormon, which is to testify that jesus is the christ, the eternal god title page of the book of mormon. Large and small doubleday editions of the book of mormon. Significant book of mormon introduction change mormons talk. The onepage introduction to the book of mormon, which gives a brief overview of its contents, was added in 1981 when the lds church released a revised text of the book of mormon. For nearly two centuries, faithful members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to. It is not part of the original book of mormon, but only later added as a helpful introduction. At least two thousand changes were written into the print. The book of mormons miraculous origins make it impossible to dismiss by anyone who examines it with any degree of seriousness. One word can speak volumes says this mornings salt lake tribune.
Maxwell institute creates a study edition of the book of. They became friends at the university of colorado boulder and collaborated on a musical film, cannibal. The book of mormon has a number of original and distinctive doctrinal discussions on. A new introduction included in doctrine and covenants, givens says, declares that. Most people dont read the introduction to a book, but it is in the introduction we learn about the reason for the existence of the book. We invite all men everywhere to read the book of mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask god, the eternal father, in the name of christ if the book is true. Royal skousen is professor of english at brigham young university and since 1988 has served as the editor of the book of mormon critical text project. The new book received permission from the church of jesus christ of latterday saints to use the 20 ed text of the book of mormon, but it is not an official church publication. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the. The introduction was written by mormon apostle brucer. Nibley, hugh, teachings of the book of mormon, semester 1.
However, the book s numerous teachings on the redeeming mission of jesus christ contribute to a central purpose of the book of mormon, which is to testify that jesus is the christ, the eternal god title page of the book of mormon. The book of mormon has a number of original and distinctive doctrinal. The first gathering of the book of mormon, including this preface, was likely printed by mid. The book of mormon is a musical comedy with music, lyrics and book by trey parker, robert lopez, and matt stone 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. The second sentence of the introduction in many editions says the book is a record of gods dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the americas and contains, as does the bible, the fullness of the. Joseph smith also had his name changed from author and. The book of mormon is a complex book covering a variety of historical, religious, political, and military events in a variety of ancient communities. The book of mormon, like the bible, contains a record of gods dealings with a part of the house of israel. Intro change in book of mormon spurs discussion deseret news.
Over time we have to evaluate our previous assumptions to assess whether they. This oct 1981 ensign article published about the new edition to the book of mormon says. This copy was donated to the library by the mormon apostle john a. Changes in the book of mormon introduction juvenile.
But that miracle is only the beginning of the journey, not the end. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. A divine catalyst the book of mormons missionary message to a 21stcentury world. The study edition does not replace the official version of scripture in any way, explained spencer fluhman, director of the maxwell institute, in an. Your study of the book of mormon can be enriched if you start by reading the pages that precede 1 nephi. Dec 02, 2011 the book of mormon the musical is the most ambitious satire on mormons yet, unless we count trapped by the mormons a silent film made in 1922, portraying an evil mormon missionary in search of. There is no definite evidence that he continued to write after that. Book of mormon introduction change may reflect new thinking. The introduction to the book of mormon was not a part of the original plates. The introduction was written by bruce r mcconkie, not mormon or moroni. Lots of answers here with an incredible amount of evidence.
Martin harris wrote for joseph during the initial stages of the translation in harmony, pennsylvania, prior to the loss of the 116 pages of the manuscript in 1828. The book of mormon is the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion introduction to the book of mormon. It should be noted that the first edition of the book of mormon has listed on its title page that joseph smith is the author and proprietor of the book, but the preface of the same edition states that joseph translated it. He said the introduction page in current ldsproduced books was not part of the original text translated by joseph smith jr. 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. In many ways, it is like reading tomorrows headlines today. Nov 12, 2007 a small but significant correction is that the change is not on the title page, which was written by the hand of mormon himself, but rather the change is to change wording in the introduction to the book of mormon. Its at least somewhat widely believed that mcconkie authored the introduction bigelow said that hes always been told mcconkie wrote the book of mormons chapter headings and was at least a. Preface to book of mormon, circa august 1829, page iii. The most common belief of adherents is that promoted by joseph smith, who said he translated ancient golden plates inscribed by prophets. The changes are the first since 1981, and deal specifically with the churchs original ban on black priesthood ordination and polygamy. The book of mormon is also the keystone of the doctrine of the resurrection.
Explorations in critical methodology, edited by brent lee metcalf. Mormon did not address the book of alma to a particular audience or state why he wrote it. You will also need the picture of mormon abridging the plates from the gospel art picture kit, the book of mormon stories video dvd, a television, and a dvd player. Truly, this divinely inspired book is a keystone in bearing witness to the world that jesus is the christ see title page of the book of mormon.
We who created and who maintain this onomasticon work under the belief that the book of mormon is an ancient document whose cultural roots, except for the jaredite cultural legacy, reach back to 7th century bc judah. Nov 09, 2007 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. Introduction to the book of alma church of jesus christ. Understanding textual changes in the book of mormon. The book of mormon is the most correct of any book on earth, joseph smith stated, and the keystone of our religion. For a long time, mormons assumed that the book of mormon took place all over the americas. The church made the change in wording to the introduction to the book of mormon to remove the assumption, which inserted into the book of mormon introduction in the 1920s and not part of the original text, that all of the inhabitants of the americas were exclusive descendants of lehi. Turn in your book of mormon to the introduction and read the sixth paragraph. Joseph smith declared that the book of mormon was the most. It also provides the most complete explanation of the doctrine of the atonement. Book of mormon introduction change may reflect new. It is a prophetic book of great value that teaches us to come unto christ and be reconciled to god.
Mcconkie wrote the introduction in 1981 for the then new edition of the book of mormon and it contained this statement. Introduction to 3,9 changes utah lighthouse ministry. 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. Who wrote the 1981 introduction to the book of mormon. Title page of the book of mormon the book of mormon can strengthen my faith in jesus christ. Over time we have to evaluate our previous assumptions to assess whether they were correct or incorrect. Church announces change in book of mormon intro by valerie fry nov 2007, byu newsletter, universe byu education. In making this study we obtained photocopies of an original 1830 edition of the book of mormon from the university of utah library. Subsequent editions changed the term author and proprietor to translator. Debate renewed with change in book of mormon introduction. While early critics noticed changes between various editions of the book of mormon, the first book to focus strictly upon those changes was lamoni calls 1898, 2000 changes in the book of mormon.
Transcripts of lectures presented to an honors book of mormon class at brigham young university, 19881990 2004. Why did the church modify the introduction to the book of mormon. This blog says that bruce r mcconkie wrote it, but there is no source to back that up. Critics of the book of mormon have claimed that a variety of linguistic anachronisms exist in it which cast doubt upon its historical authenticity. The coming forth of the book of mormon, foretold by ancient prophets, began with an angelic visitation in 1823 to 17yearold joseph smith. Also see book of mormon introduction truth, they say, is stranger than fiction and never was it more so than with the presence of mormonism.
The book of mormon is a record written by such prophets in the new world, covering with one more ancient exception a time span of 600 b. The book of mormon was conceived by trey parker, matt stone and robert lopez. The church changed the wording to remove the assumption inserted into the. Their words, written on gold plates, were quoted and abridged by a prophethistorian named mormon.
The book of mormon is evidence that joseph smith is a prophet of god and that. A recent word change to the introduction of the book of mormon has. The prophets who wrote and compiled the book of mormon saw our day and wrote it for our benefit. Aug 31, 2006 the introduction was written by bruce r mcconkie, not mormon or moroni. The introduction to the book of mormon the church of.
The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. There are several theories as to the origin of the book of mormon. Another change in the books introduction may be of interest to those who question whether latterday saints are christians, but church officials declined comment about when that change was made. Most adherents to the latter day saint movement view the book as a work of inspired scripture. That change takes into account details of book of mormon demography which are not.
A oneword change was made to the introduction in the latest edition of the book of mormon published by doubleday. Introductory pages of the book of mormon part 1 come. The book of mormon is the keystone of our religion. Read the keystone statement and tell students that the prophet joseph smith made this statement on 28 november 1841 see history of the church, 4. This change makes the book of mormon introduction compatible with current.
The book of mormon is a second witness, confirming the validity of biblical doctrine and verifying the divinity of christ through the inspired words of other sheep in christs fold see john 10. Parker and stone grew up in colorado, and were familiar with the church of jesus christ of latterday saints and its members. Publication history of the book of mormon church news. Changes in the book of mormon introduction juvenile instructor. Ask students how the keystone of this arch represents the book of mormon in relation to the restored gospel. The methodology employed by call was unsophisticated. Although joseph smith was the translator of the book of mormon, the spelling in the first edition was oliver cowderys, and the. The book of mormon, which discusses common questions about the book of mormon. Seven years later, in 1830, this scriptural canon of the latterday saints was published for the world. Ask them to find the keystone statement in the book of mormon see the sixth paragraph of the introduction. Nov 08, 2007 one word can speak volumes says this mornings salt lake tribune.
Its history and stories offer many parallels to the modern era, in spite of the ancient setting. Joseph smith wrote 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. It seems after reading these posts that the only possible answer is that the book of mormon happened just like joseph and others claim. According to moroni, the plates, written in reformed egyptian, gave an. Just as a matter of interest, however, let us change the paragraphing of the title page into a brief title the book of mormon and six paragraphs that we will number 1 through 6 for ease of reference in this discussion. Single word change in book of mormon speaks volumes the salt. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. In the introduction to the book of mormon the second paragraph reads. Book of mormon word change christian research institute.
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