All the text changes look like he pulled the bom out of a hatpun intended. Racism the church made changes to the book of mormon to soften its racism. For example, consider the word sins, which had been spelled synnes and became sinnes in the 1611 king james version. Book of mormon changes almost all spelling, grammar, and. Parker and stone were best known for creating the animated comedy south. Book of mormon changes text files to compare it yourself. In early 1830 joseph smith published the book of mormon, a 269,938word volume that discusses religious themes intermingled with a history of ancient american peoples.
Since the 1837 version, the church has published five additional major editions of the book of mormon, all of which included slight changes to improve the clarity of the text. Smith is full of bluff and bluster, and is a fraud. 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. Significant textual changes in the book of mormon signature books. Nitpicking for fun and profit whoever thinks a faultless piece to see. What follows are examples of some of the most significant revisions made to the book of mormon, the doctrine and covenants, and the pearl of. Why were textual changes made to the book of mormon over the years after it was first published. If you ever saw a book of mormon you will see that they changed it afterwards. The book of mormon was translated and published in 1830. The following graphic is a list of major changes in the book of mormon and was. This book covers thirty years of research on mormonism, by jerald and sandra tanner, distilled into a 256page book. Then i would like to turn to the issue of changes in the text to the book of mormon.
The new lds church general handbook of instructions is now available. Much has been said recently about changes and modifications in this record but, unfortunately, most of it has been said by those who have been unfriendly toward both the book itself and the church which endorses it. Major changes in isaiah offline book of mormon translation. In making this study we obtained photocopies of an original 1830 edition of the book of mormon from the university of utah library. Book of mormon textual changes why were these changes made. Four important changes were made in the second edition of the book of mormon concerning the godhead. Holland brigham young university provo follow this and additional works at. Critical texts have previously been prepared for important historical and literary works but until fairly.
Multiple revisions of the book of mormon and the temple endowment ceremony are two examples. Miller author matthew roper when the book of mormon first appeared, skeptics said that references to horses, asses, elephants, and other animals such as swine and cows were out of place. It tells of the jaredites, people from the tower of babel who came to central america but perished because of their own immorality. Our filter blocks most comments, including any with links or aggressive language. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. A sampling of the 39 changes made to the inspired book of mormon. 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.
Polygamy was practiced sporadically by prophets such as abraham and jacob in the old testament. Yet, the book which joseph smith declared was the most correct of any book on earth history of the church, vol. The changes in the book of mormon the purpose of this page is twofold. Two major goals of each published edition of the book of mormon have been 1 to faithfully reproduce the text. 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. For some of the best scholarship on the changes in the book of mormon, see the writings of royal skousen, such as his 2014 article, changes in the book of mormon in interpreter. Please help support couples and individuals in faith crisis, if you can. Major changes between the 1920 and 1981 editions of the book of mormon. Alterable decrees the evolving doctrines of the church necessitated.
Yet, many changes in the text of the book of mormon can be detected when. As we prepare for a new year, heres a quick overview of all the major changes in the church from 2017. Additionally, the book changes the name of disciplinary councils to membership councils, with their purposes they may be necessary to help a person repent, the handbook says and procedures explained across 65 pages in chapter 32. The few significant modifications were made by the prophet joseph smith to clarify the meaning of the text, not to change it.
Significant changes in the book of mormon this also summarizes many of the major changes in meaning made to the book of mormon, and points out some of the. As discussed above, the changes identified by skousen and carmack do not refer to major modifications or corrections to sections of the book of mormons original wording. Chris thomas a pentecostal reads the book of mormon. Since its first publication in 1830, the book of moron has undergone thousands of changes. There are a few significant changes that have been made to the book of mormon. Book of mormon changes do not represent revising or rewriting. We also need to remember that oliver cowdery wrote what he heard. Recent changes to the book of mormon regarding race, blackness, skin color, etc thats not all. 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. The book of mormon is supposed to be the account of people who came from the middleeast to the americas.
An original first edition book of mormon has been photographed and is available for viewing at. Contains a 16page introduction by jerald and sandra tanner which shows that the changes are not in harmony with the original text. Changes to the book of mormon according to the mormon churchs teaching manual, gospel principles, page 53, joseph smith translated the book of mormon into english through the gift and power of god. Key passages on deity in the original 1830 text of the book of mormon were changed in the 1837 edition to reflect joseph smiths changing doctrine of deity. Interestingly, the spelling problems in the book of mormon paralleled earlier kinds of spelling changes in the english bible. In 2009, the gospel principles manual also underwent.
Some are mere spelling corrections, but others are significant changes. What are some major differences between the 1830 book of. A photoreprint of the original 1830 edition of the book of mormon with all changes marked compared to a 1964 edition. Mormonism must stand or fall on the story of joseph smith. The lds church has and continues to quietly make changes to its doctrinal teachings. The churchs scripture committee is responsible for overseeing the editing process. 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. 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. The published text of the book of mormon has been corrected and edited through its various editions. It made a comeback in the early days of the lds church and has since gone away again. The earliest text, the definitive scholarly edition of the book of mormon, published in 2009 by yale university press.
Major changes for lgbtq mormons, and specifically for transgender mormons. So punctuation, the book of mormon itself was a single run on sentence. 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 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. Why is this so if the book of mormon was translated accurately by the hand of god. Joseph originally taught that jesus and the father were the same. Thinks what neer was, nor is, nor eer shall be in every work regard the writers end, since none can compass more than. Significant changes in the book of mormon this also summarizes many of the major changes in meaning made to the book of mormon, and points out some of the errors which still remain in the book.
An analysis of selected changes in major editions of the book of mormon 18301920 jeffrey r. They research corrections brought to their attention and then make recommendations. Changes that would affect the authenticity of the book of mormon are limited to. 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. An early mormon doctrine by jerald and sandra tanner. As the title indicates, this thesis is a consideration of selected changes that have been made in major editions of the book of mormon. The minister just smiled with a big ivegotyounow smile and handed me an old, wellworn copy of the book of mormon. An analysis of selected changes in major editions of the. Facts the mormon church doesnt want you to know 4mormon. The 1830 book of mormon summary of changes this gives an intriguing explanation of the origin of the words cumorah and moroni. Miller, kyle ashworth, samantha taylor, and jana johnson spangler for parts 24. Why would the mormon church continue to change the work even after joseph. Some of the many changes in the book of mormon by matt slick 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. How can a book of such divine origin and the most correct of any book on earth, get its people so confused.
The following graphic is a list of major changes in the book of mormon and was compiled by scott faulring and printed in the seventh east press, october 21, 1981, provo, utah. Major changes to the churchs disciplinary council and excommunication processes. Book of mormontextual changeswhy were these changes made. Claiming it was scripture like the bible, in 1841 he declared it to be the most correct of any book on earth and the keystone of our religion. The few that do make it through tend to be those that are polite, thoughtful, and relevant to the discussion on this page. The first printed edition compared to the manuscripts and to the subsequent major lds english printed. The arguments are rather weak but need to be dealt with. Mormon stories podcast major changes to the lds general.
Im first going to describe the critical text project, some of its major findings. Joseph fielding smith, the tenth president of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, proclaimed. Major changes to the churchs disciplinary council and exommunication processes. Doctrinal changes godhead changes were made to the book of mormon after joseph smith changed his doctrine from monotheism. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. Technically he didnt write the book but he did orally produce it while a scribe wrote what he orated. It is not surprising, then, that many words in the book of mormon would need to be corrected as american english spelling became more uniform later in the nineteenth century. Changing critics criticisms of book of mormon changes. Understanding textual changes in the book of mormon.
However, there are numerous other changes which affect the doctrinal teachings of the book of mormon. Joseph smith dictated the book with his face in a hat. The book of mormon is the scripture embraced by followers of joseph smith in his 1830s latterday saint movement. Okay now there are five major types of changes to the text of the book of mormon. The original 1830 edition, book of mormon had s of errors. This year has been packed with big changes in the lds church, from updating temple policies to consolidating sessions of general conference. Lds critic historian dan vogel acknowledged, smiths method of dictation did not allow for rewriting. Major changes to the lds general handbook of instructions 2020 edition part 1. Book of mormon changes the fall of mormonism rich kelsey. Although this section is only partially complete, it will eventually show every change made to the book of mormon since it was first published in 1830. From the 1830 book of mormon behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of god, after the manner of the flesh behold the lamb of god, even the eternal father the lamb of god.
Part of thehistory commons,mormon studies commons, and thereligious thought, theology and philosophy of religion commons. Changes to latterday scripture lds leaders have made. Book of mormon editions 18301981 the encyclopedia of. The goal of textual accuracy has led later editors to earlier editions and, when available, to the original and printers manuscripts see book of mormon manuscripts. He said that it is the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion.
Join us as we first provide a general overview of the handbook changes in part 1, and then welcome an allstar panel of natasha helfer parker, gina colvin, anthony d. Dingers book begins with a foreword by stan larson that provides some historical background to larsons own earlier work on the book of mormon text, plus a list of significant textual changes that come, for the most part, from the current book of mormon critical text project. I think it is important that we remember how the book of mormon was produced. From chronology found in the book of mormon, it appears that king benjamin should have been dead by this time. The script, lyrics, and music were written by trey parker, robert lopez, and matt stone. Understanding the process of publishing the book of mormon.