Jul 01, 2011 however, there are numerous other changes which affect the doctrinal teachings of the book of mormon. 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. Book of mormon word change christian research institute. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints released this week the most significant changes to its scripture since 1981. Certainly the introduction of the current book of mormon is not there by mistake or accident.
Summary of approved adjustments for the 20 edition of the. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from. As you can see, the book of mormon is a changing document. Adjustments for the 20 edition of the scriptures background 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. New approaches to the book of mormon signature books.
A oneword change in the introduction to a 2006 edition of the book of. Featuring interviews with scholars and historians, this documentary tells the story of the coming forth of this unusual book of scripture and how it is affecting people todayeven some people you might not expect. A sampling of the 39 changes made to the inspired book of mormon. New paperback never read comes from a clean, smokefree home. To obtain copies of their work please write to utah lighthouse ministry p. Published on jan 24, 20 identical errors or intended as identical teachings in the beginning of mormonism, before joseph smith changed his theology of god. Mcconkie, at the time considered to be one of the churchs most prominent theologians. The first and second rlds editions 1874, plano, illinois. The changes are the first since 1981, and deal specifically with the churchs. Critical text project evaluates changes in book of mormon. The olivier and tony award winning best new musical the book of mormon has announced cast changes for the production at the prince of wale theatre from 1 february 2016.
However, the book of mormon teaches that jesus was born in jerusalem. According to wikipedia the community of christ views the book of mormon as an additional witness of jesus christ and publishes two versions of the book through its official publishing arm, herald house, all of which is inconsistent with a view that the community might have denounced the book in order to win favour with the world. Changes in the book of mormon book of mormon central. In making this study we obtained photocopies of an original 1830 edition of the book of mormon from the university of utah library. An original first edition book of mormon has been photographed and is available for viewing at. Debate renewed with change in book of mormon introduction. Yet, with all of the digs and research ferguson and his team undertook, they failed to find one artifact to prove that book of mormon nephite cities, villages, or territories ever existed. Mar 17, 20 the church of jesus christ of latterday saints released this week the most significant changes to its scripture since 1981. Using the first three editions of the book of mormon along with these transcripts, scholars now have all the available information for studying the text of the book of mormon. Changes in the lds scriptures 20 at the end of february, 20, the deseret news featured an amazing article. The book of mormon records that the nephites constructed houses of cement, 34 as well as temples, synagogues and sanctuaries 35 throughout their territories.
The introduction printed in the 1981 edition of the book of mormon. Mormon leaders delete some of the most sacred parts of ceremony. Apr 07, 20 book of mormon not a problem for the latterday saints this article is more than 7 years old british branch of church launches ad campaign as south park creators musical opens, but says it doesn. Many mormon church members, including church leaders, stumbled across the changes them selves, and noticed the doctrinal significance. Utah was buzzing with people trying to determine what had been changed and why. The introduction for the book of mormon in the 20 edition of the scriptures now reads after thousands of years, all were destroyed except the lamanites, and they are among the ancestors of the american indians. 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 same year he organized a church in the state of new york. The article noted that the changes included revisions to study aids, new photos, updated maps, making historical and contextual adjustments to the section headings of 76 sections of. Behold, the lamb of god, yea, even the son of the eternal father.
Reading the book of mormon brings light to your life in front of about two hundred young single adults gathered for worship service on a sunday afternoon i suppressed the shyness i experience in front of crowds and shared the. Items do not represent the official views of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints or of book of mormon central. 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. The first printed edition compared to the manuscripts and to the subsequent major lds english printed editions and that there was to be. There are 39 changes that have been made to the book of mormon, some of which are significant doctrinal changes. Inclusion within the bmc archive does not imply endorsement. At the end of february, 20, the deseret news featured an amazing article. Interestingly, in addition to the changes in the actual text of the book of mormon, there are changes that have taken place in the introductory material as well. Thats what this show is about, finally the alchemical power of the religion that is theater, and specifically, the american musical. Martin harris acted as joseph smiths scribe from 12 april to 14 june 1828, and at the end of this period they had written out 116 pages. Studying and understanding lds scriptures will be a little easier now that. The mormon church has four books of scripture referred to as the standard works.
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. Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the son god. Smith is full of bluff and bluster, and is a fraud. We make an extract from a statement made by josephs fatherinlaw, isaac hale. The earliest text, the definitive scholarly edition of the book of mormon, published in 2009 by yale university press. It must be remembered that the book of mormon is mormons abridgment of the plates of nephi, except for the small plates 1 nephi to omni and the material added by moroni. New approaches to the book of mormon explorations in critical methodology edited by brent lee metcalfe. The bible is accepted as the word of god as far as it is translated correctly. The book of mormon changes lives i witnessed a miracle this last march as i saw a boy whom we will call eric, age 15, change from a depressed, low selfesteemed, bitter teenager into a happy, confident, grateful, and testimonyfilled young man.
Changes to latterday scripture lds leaders have made. Box 1884 salt lake city, utah 84110 or visit their website. The book of mormon announces cast changes from 1 feb. Third, the first copy of the book of mormon contradicts the bible, a book that is definitely from god. By far the majority of changes between the 1830 and subsequent versions of the book of mormon are spelling or grammar corrections. For some thoughtprovoking analysis and evidence, see hugh nibleys essay. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to. Contains a 16page introduction by jerald and sandra tanner which shows that the changes are not in harmony with the original text. Did the community of christ denounce the book of mormon. The claim is often heard that there are more than 4000 changes to the book of mormon text. Lds church announces new scripture edition deseret news. The book of mormon is perhaps the most corrected book in the world. This publication is intended for scholars of all faiths and persuasions, lds, rlds and all others interested in the text.
Wright 1858, new york, basically a reprinting of the 1840 nauvoo edition. Jul 04, 2012 the book of mormon is perhaps the most corrected book in the world. Their article reminded me once again of the arbitrary nature of the church when it comes to the. Items in the bmc archive are made publicly available for noncommercial, private use. Hales reminds us that the tanners and others have been deceptive in their treatment of the minor changes and corrections that have been. And behold, he shall be born of mary at jerusalem alma 7. Here is a video of just one such faithful member a bishop, who. Politically correct, yet still racist changes 2 nephi 30. The manner in which he pretended to read and interpret, was the same as when 2000 changes in the book of. Jan 24, 20 published on jan 24, 20 identical errors or intended as identical teachings in the beginning of mormonism, before joseph smith changed his theology of god. Dingers significant textual changes in the book of mormon.
Types of changes in the book of mormon text the following statistics are derived from my computerized collation of the two manuscripts of the book of mormon the original and the printers manuscripts and 20 standard page 173 editions of the book of mormon fifteen lds editions, from 1830 to 1981, the 1858 wright edition, and four rlds. The approach will be to discuss the type of change. The article noted that the changes included revisions to study aids, new photos, updated maps, making historical and contextual adjustments to the section headings. 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 their article reminded me once again of the arbitrary nature of the church when it comes to the validity of joseph smiths claims on anything from his first. This subtle yet significant change reflects a return in understanding developed over the past 60 years that, while all first. Mar 28, 20 the quickchange 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. Hales, changing critics criticisms of book of mormon changes, interpreter. Behold, the lamb of god, yea, even the eternal father. 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.
Prior to 1874, the rlds used an edition of the book of mormon published by james o. Original 1830 book of mormon page numbers with corresponding 1981 verses. Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of god. Jun 11, 2009 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.
These men were given a sacred charge to observe the destruction of their people for their wickedness and failure to repent. 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. If it came from god, why wasnt it done right the first time. According to the text, the first seven chapters were abridged by the prophet mormon and the last two by his son moroni. However, there are numerous other changes which affect the doctrinal teachings of the book of mormon. Widtsoe, council of the twelve apostles, in search of truth. Book of mormon editions 18301981 the encyclopedia of. The book of mormon, doctrine and covenants, and pearl of great price are shorter books than the bible, so they are often combined and bound together in one book, which members of the church call the triple combination. Revisions in the 20 lds edition of the king james bible. How many changed has the book of mormon been changed.
The bible says that jesus was born in bethlehem matt. Book of mormon changes the fall of mormonism rich kelsey. The primary research for this information was taken from the book 39 changes in the book of mormon by jerald and sandra tanner. The book of mormon agrees with the textus receptus not the original text and includes the later phrase by them of old time. Significant changes to the endowment have occurred as recently as 1990. The first printed edition compared to the manuscripts and to the subsequent major lds english printed editions and. It is interesting to find out what the book of mormon. Mormon books mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. To understand why some words were altered, reference will be made to the original and the printers manuscripts. 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. The book of mormon, the pearl of great price, and the doctrine and covenants are accepted as scripture without any qualifications whatsoever. A valuable new analysis of the many types of changes in the text of the book of mormon is brian c.
To latterday saints there can be no objection to the careful and critical study of the scriptures, ancient or modern, provided only that it be an honest studya search for truth. The quickchange 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. The changes to the 20 edition of the scriptures, available in print in. Book of mormon not a problem for the latterday saints. The book of mormon is the name of a book, or subdivision, of the larger book of mormon. The community of christ has not denounced the book of mormon. American actors kj hippensteel and asmeret ghebremichael will join the cast as elder price and nabulungi, whilst brian sears will continue to star as elder cunningham alongside.
A photo reprint of the original 1830 edition of the book of mormon with all the changes marked compared to a 1964 edition. Editions of the scriptures can also be purchased in one large book with the bible both old and new testaments included. 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. We outline all the book of mormon changes since the original publication. A recently announced change in the book of mormons introduction, however, allows for a. This, too, is antimormon, and we can take it for what it is worth. 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.
According to wikipedia the community of christ views the book of mormon as an additional witness of jesus christ and publishes two versions of the book through its official publishing arm, herald house, all of which is inconsistent with a view that the community might have denounced the book in order to win. 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. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. The phrase and it came to pass is used repeatedly throughout the book of mormon, including mormons own record and the book of ether. 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. In 1830 the mormon prophet joseph smith published the book of mormona book which purports to be a history of the former inhabitants of this continent. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. Feb 20, 2011 how many changed has the book of mormon been changed. The four standard works, which contains the holy bible, the book of mormon. I have a copy of the original book of mormon and all the changes in it next to it. Changes to the book of mormon there are 39 changes that have been made to the book of mormon, some of which are significant doctrinal changes. Joseph originally taught that jesus and the father were the same.
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