A transcript and partial translation of the book of mormon is taken to academics by martin harris. Accounts of divine manifestations, 18201844, edited by john w. Various historical sources combine to prove that the english text of the book of mormon as it was published in 1830 was essentially translated between april 7 and june 30, 1829. I answered that the book of mormon is inspired, bringing people to christ, but is a nineteenth century work written from nineteenth century influences. How long did it take joseph smith to translate the book of mormon. Mormon militia kill 120 immigrants on their way to california 1860 joseph smith iii claims to receive a revelation as prophetpresident of a new organization of the latter day saint church. The book of mormon jaredite king list gives only 7 exact dates lifespans and reigns for the jaredite chr. David whitmer interview with a reporter of the kansas city daily journal, 5 june 1881, cited in larry c. Book of mormon geography settings, timeline, overview. This page provides settings and an overview or summary timeline with approximate dates for the generic map or schematic diagram of the book of mormon lands, including nephite, lamanite and jaredite place names in the promised land in the americas. Willes center for book of mormon studies at the gordon b.
The first 5,000 copies of the book of mormon are printed. How long did it take joseph smith to translate the book of. Most readers of the book of mormon naturally assume that joseph smith translated its books beginning in 1 nephi 1. Timeline chronology for the jaredite culture from the book of ether in the book of mormon. It is an attempt to put an at least approximate date on each of those events which were recorded from the time joseph smith received the book of mormon plates, until the time that the translation was completed. Byu professors lecture examines the timeline of joseph. March 26, 1830 the first copies of the book of mormon became available for sale john welsh noted the incredible feat it was for the majority of the book of mormon to be translated in a few short months between april and june of 1829. It may be surprising, therefore, to learn that the small plates of nephi 1 nephi through words of mormon almost certainly came last in the translation process, after the completion of the large plates of nephi mosiah through moroni and the title. Willes center for book of mormon studies wednesday at the gordon b. Welch, a byu law professor and author who served as the founding president of farms the foundation for ancient research and mormon studies, examined the timing of the book of mormon translation as he gave the 2017 book of mormon lecture for the laura f.
Professor figures out book of mormon translation timeline. Almost all of the present book of mormon text was translated during a threemonth period between april and june 1829 with oliver cowdery as the scribe. It could be said that mormon history starts with the translation of the book of mormon. Maxwell, 1 and building on my chapter in the second edition of opening the heavens, 2 this article strives to be as precise as possible about the timing of the events and progress of the book of mormon translation. Although it serves primarily as a religious text, it is to be interpreted literally as being an actual, historical record of the inhabitants of the ancient. Again, it is the rate of translation, approximately 6. Porter in may 1829, joseph smith and oliver cowdery found that a combination of circumstances had made continuing the translation of the book of mormon at harmony, pennsylvania, untenable. So in the spring and summer of 1820, eight joseph with martin harris and his wife emma working as described began the translation of the book of mormon, those involved with the translation of the book of mormon said that joseph initially used the stones found with the plates. Compelling data confirm the dates of five key events during the translation timeline. Welch gave the annual book of mormon lecture entitled hours never to be forgotten for the laura f.
The three witnesses see the plates around this date see accounts. Book of mormon problems lds church members are taught that the book of mormon bom is scripture, as well as a true record of the inhabitants of the americas from about 2200 bc to 420 ad. Welch presenting on the translation of the book of mormon. What do we know about the chronology of the book of mormon translation and publication. Welch and rathbone on book of mormon translation book of. Willes center for book of mormon studies has invited john w. From the approximate book of mormon translation timeline. May 28, 2014 timeline chronology for the jaredite culture from the book of ether in the book of mormon. Matthews and benjmins translation method is particularly interesting for book of mormon translation theories, since some of the biggest issues in discussions of book of mormon translation are. In fact, the book of mormon translation process was performed entirely without looking at the plates, which were either out of the room or said to have been covered with a cloth. 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. This paper aims to stimulate specific thinking about the intense and complex events during which the book of mormon was translated in 1829. The book of mormon presents itself to the world as a miracle and as a sign that god has begun the process of gathering scattered israel, as he anciently covenanted to do.
The anthon transcript often identified with the caractors document is a piece of paper on which joseph smith wrote several lines of characters. Book of mormon title page markings i like this method of enhancing your study. Mormon is mortally wounded in the battle at a place called cumorah, and the nephites are nearly obliterated, but moroni survives another 36 years and adds material to the book of mormon before. A personage appeared in the light and began to speak to joseph. Translation of the book of mormon the second installment in book of mormon centrals evidence video series tackles the translation of the book of mormon. What do we know about the chronology of the book of. The wicked plan to slay the righteous if samuels signs are not given. Book of mormon origins 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. See book of mormon central, why was a stone used as an aid in translating the book of mormon. Book of mormon chronology timeline of jaredites mormon. It was released by the church to help explain how the book of mormon was translated, and to explain why the true story of the translation differs so greatly from the official church narrative taught since its founding.
Dynamically equivalent translation and the book of mormon. For this and other reasons, many people have naturally been interested in the details of its coming forth, including the timing of its translation. According to smith, these characters were from the golden plates the ancient record from which smith claims to have translated the book of mormon and represent the reformed egyptian writing that was on the plates. As of march 2015, the lds church continues to publish at least portions of the book of mormon in 110 languages. According to the prophet joseph smith, the titlepage of the book of mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the. The book of mormon jaredite king list gives only 7 exact dates lifespans and reigns for the jaredite chronology. The nature of god, man, and other doctrines found in the book of mormon are not in harmony with the current teachings of the church. Joseph is visited by the angel moroni who informs him of a buried book written on gold plates 1827 joseph obtains the gold plates to translate them 1828 the first 116 pages of the translation are lost.
Joseph smith used a urim and thummim to translate the book of mormon joseph smith used a seer stone to translate the book of mormon the box was filled with tinkertoys 1827 september 21, 1823 joseph meets moroni. Modification of the italicized text in book of mormon biblical passages summary. Historical setting for its translation and publication larry c. Welch of brigham young university, delivered a powerful address on wednesday, november 8 on the timing of the translation of the book of mormon.
The church history department of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints has released a new video exploring joseph smiths use of seer stones in the translation process of the book of mormon. The book of mormon, brought forth by the prophet joseph smith, is a translation of ancient plates written by way of commandment, and also by. Emma hale smith, and perhaps her brother reuben hale, help as scribes for a portion of the book. Translation begins on the 7th of apriltwo days after oliver arrived.
Oct 18, 2005 joseph smith publishes the book of mormon, an english translation of the golden plates. A better question since smith didnt translate anything nor do anything like unto it with his magicrockinhat is how long had smith been working on the basic story in his. Joseph translates the book of mormon with oliver as scribe. It is claimed that each sentence and word in the 1830 book of mormon had supposedly come directly from god. Phelps, equated spectacles and interpreters with the term urim and thummim.
The church of jesus christ of latterday saints 45,659 views. Byu professors lecture examines the timeline of joseph smith. Designed for multiple use as study guides, handouts, and masters for creating projectable images, the charts convey a wealth of information that will enrich personal study and teaching. Most lds church members were taught that joseph smith used seer stones referred to as the urim and thummim nephite interpreters to translate the book of mormon bom 1 to various scribes. These facts are now officially confirmed in the churchs december 20 book of mormon translation essay. The title page and translation of the book of mormon youtube.
Book of mormon translation timeline lds apologists like to say that the book of mormon was written in only 60 days and what a amazing feat this was. Urim and thummim places the book of mormon translation on trial, presenting the latest research in one of the most comprehensive treatments of the translation process to date providing encouragement for latterday saints who fear they have been betrayed by the translation history taught by the church for over 190 years. A timeline of the translation of the plates lds scripture. Book of mormon central, were joseph smiths translation instruments like the israelite urim and thummim. Timeline of events for grant palmer and the lds church. Nephi, the son of helaman, departs out of the land, and his son nephi keeps the records.
Unless otherwise indicated, the translation was financed and the resulting text published by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church. From that humble beginning, today the church prints over 3 million copies a year on large web presses. Welch meticulously tracks the timeline of the book of mormon s translation. First significant anti mormon book, mormonism unvailed printed, with no mention of first vision, peter, james, john or priesthood. Understanding the timeline of book of mormon translation. The book of mormon is the keystone in our witness of jesus christ. The church later admitted these facts in its october 2015 ensign, where they include a photograph of the actual rock that joseph smith used to place in his hat for the book of mormon translation.
Welch and tim rathbone, the translation of the book of mormon. Heres how i would lay out what happened from the time joseph got the plates to the publication. The urim and thummim was preserved in a stone box, along with the gold plates, for over 1,500 years for the purpose of enabling joseph to translate the writings on the. Porter, from a book coming forth, ensign july 1988, 42. The truth of the book of mormon and its divine source can be known today. Oliver indicated that their asking about baptism was stimulated by. Introduction to the approximate book of mormon translation. However, what they fail to say is this claim means 60 different individual days translation.
Which scribes worked on which portions in the book of mormon. More details can now be known about the key events that anchor our historical understandings of the pace of translation, about witness testimonies that credibly document the impressive work, and other considerations regarding the keystone restoration scripture. Mar 15, 2019 drawing upon this research, the following summaries demonstrate why people can be confident that the vast majority of the book of mormon was translated within that narrow window of time. The urim and thummim was preserved in a stone box, along with the gold plates, for over 1,500 years for the purpose of. Nov 11, 2017 welch, a byu law professor and author who served as the founding president of farms the foundation for ancient research and mormon studies, examined the timing of the book of mormon translation as he gave the 2017 book of mormon lecture for the laura f. Introductory pages of the book of mormon podcast book of mormon witnesses structure of the book of mormon podcast teaching correct principles the supremacy of the book of mormon a brief explanation of the book of mormon timeline of the book of mormon translation early christianity and 1continue reading. Why is the timing of the book of mormons translation so. Church resources book of mormon translation, gospel topics, topics the gold plates and the translation of the book of mormon. When he sat down in 1832 to write his own history for the first time, he began by promising to include an account of his marvelous experience. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. Visual overview of the flow of events in the book of mormon. Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon. Much can be known about the coming forth of the english text of the book of mormon through a careful study of statements made by joseph smith, his scribes, and others closely associated with the translation of the book of mormon. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon.
April 2015 book of mormon translation challenge the book of mormon translation challenge invites people to read the entire book of mormon during the same time period that it took joseph smith and oliver cowdery to translate it. The approximate book of mormon translation timeline was an interesting article to research. April 06, 1829 to june 16, 1829 translation of the book of mormon at this point we move to a daily analysis of the translation of the book of mormon. Joseph smith translates some of the characters himself. On september 21, 1823, joseph smith, then seventeen years old, was in his bed praying when a light began to fill his room. Welchs excellent article entitled the miraculous translation of the book of mormon, from opening the heavens, accounts of divine manifestations 18201844, p. In january 1833, the latterday saint newspaper the evening and the morning star, edited by william w. The miraculous translation of the book of mormon book of. Nov, 2017 i looked a bit at the timeline of the translation of the book of mormon to help me organize in my thoughts some of the main events related to the translation. It is claimed that in the book of mormon material which parallels the kjv, joseph smith generally modified the italicized text.
Charting the book of mormon is a collection of more than 175 visual aids that promote deeper understanding and appreciation of the book of mormon. A look back at select milestones in the translation of the latterday saint standard works. June martin harris loses 116 pages of the translated manuscript of the book of mormon. The translation and publication of the book of mormon immediately preceded the organization of the church in the spring of 1830. Fortunately, ongoing research has expanded and refined our understanding of many things that happened during and around these crucial three months.
The map is without any scale, and does not attempt to relate them to presentday geography or place names. The following essay is the official lds released essay entitled book of mormon translation. June 15 joseph and emma have their first child, a boy named alvin. 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. Welch meticulously tracks the timeline of the book of mormons translation. These tables show all the versions of the book of mormon that have been translated.
Critics have argued that the book of mormon cannot be true because joseph smiths claims about the book of mormon s translation seem unbelievable, but this new. Not the chronological passing of time from when joseph smith started to when it ended. Book of mormon translation joseph smith claimed that the book of mormon is his translation of an ancient book written on gold plates. Book of mormon timeline bookmark book of mormon christ. While a select few did hear joseph refer to magical items, nobody ever saw a breastplate, spectacles, or ancient interpreter stones.