Book of mormon changes the fall of mormonism rich kelsey. Most adherents to the latter day saint movement view the book as a work of inspired scripture. To obtain copies of their work please write to utah lighthouse ministry p. A careful check of the list of changes shows there is not one change or. The power of context in the newest book of mormon video on faith in jesus christ jannalee sandau this weeks book of mormon video includes the iconic and powerful teachings in alma 32 on faith as a seed.
The change is in the introduction to the book of mormon that says. The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of. The most significant kind of grammatical change though, in the book of mormon text, has been to remove king james version language. This had been the generally held belief from the time that. Single word change in book of mormon speaks volumes the salt. The first gathering of the book of mormon, including this preface, was likely printed by mid. Nov 08, 2007 the change, in the introduction, accommodates that belief.
It has been suggested by many that the announced change in the book of mormon introduction has everything to do with the dna challenge that the church has been facing for the past few years. Introductory pages of the book of mormon part 1 come. The prophet joseph smith said, i told the brethren that the book of mormon was. 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.
New changes in the book of mormon introduction main. In making this study we obtained photocopies of an original 1830 edition of the book of mormon from the university of utah library. Joseph originally taught that jesus and the father were the same. Their words, written on gold plates, were quoted and abridged by a prophethistorian named mormon. Jul 01, 2011 however, there are numerous other changes which affect the doctrinal teachings of the book of mormon. Nov 23, 2007 tanyan, the change was in the introduction to the book of mormon, a change from principal ancestors to among the ancestors. One word can speak volumes says this mornings salt lake tribune. Book of mormon introduction change may reflect new. A recently announced change in the book of mormons introduction, however, allows for a greater diversity of ancestry of native americans. Introductory lesson the book of mormon the red headed. The original phrase and the changes are noted in red and bold for emphasisin the introduction to the book of mormon the second paragraph reads. Word change in the introduction to the book of mormon from an article in the salt lake tribune the books current introduction, added by the late lds apostle, bruce r.
See the introduction to the book of mormon, paragraphs 89 answer choices jesus christ is the savior of the world and joseph smith is a prophet in the last days. As a result of their faith in king benjamins words, the people experienced a mighty change of heart. One of the first responses, which was unannounced, was a oneword change to the introduction page in 2006. It introduces the book of mormon to the modern reader by providing background information and a description of the book. Mar 17, 20 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. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the. In fact when the tanners state that joseph smith tried to change the book of mormon to support his concept of a plurality of gods, they are merely guessing.
However, there are numerous other changes which affect the doctrinal teachings of the 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. After thousands of years, all were destroyed except the lamanites, and they are the principal ancestors of the american indians. The book of mormon study text is the first critical edition of the book of mormon produced by a nonmormon scholar, irrs. Why did the church modify the introduction to the book of mormon. Mcconkie wrote the introduction in 1981 for the then new edition of the book of mormon and it contained this statement. Intro change in book of mormon spurs discussion deseret news. Box 1884 salt lake city, utah 84110 or visit their website. A oneword change in the introduction to a 2006 edition of the book of mormon has reignited discussion among some latterday saints about the books historicity, geography and the descendants of those chronicled within its pages. As you can see, the book of mormon is a changing document. A oneword change was made to the introduction in the latest edition of the book of mormon published by doubleday. The most common belief of adherents is that promoted by joseph smith, who said he translated ancient golden plates inscribed by prophets. The change seems to be intended to dispel common perceptions among lds folk leaders and members that native americans are reliably the descendants of the lamanites discussed in the book of mormon.
An analysis of selected changes in major editions of the. 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. 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. The book of mormon is evidence that joseph smith is a prophet of god and that the gospel of jesus christ has been restored to the earth see the introduction. Simon southertons response to the recent change i the. Aug 31, 2006 the introduction was written by bruce r mcconkie, not mormon or moroni. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. 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. The pages listed here give both the original 1830 chapter numbers in roman numerals and the contemporary chapter numbers. Book of mormon word change christian research institute. The primary research for this information was taken from the book 39 changes in the book of mormon by jerald and sandra tanner.
Since its first publication in 1830, the book of moron has undergone thousands of changes. 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. Introduction the book of mormonlike nothing else would it be all right if i put on my trusty hat. The introduction was written by mormon apostle brucer.
One lifechanging question from the book of mormon and. My introduction to the book of mormon or the book of mormon evidences page could also be consulted. Its such a good chapter full of doctrine and visuals on its own. 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. Why did the church modify the introduction to the book of mormon from principal ancestors to among the ancestors. This oct 1981 ensign article published about the new edition to the book of mormon says as always, inspired direction came from the scriptures publication committee of the quorum of the twelve.
The picture and the video are available online, or they can be checked. 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. As always, inspired direction came from the scriptures publication committee of the quorum of the twelve. Significant book of mormon introduction change mormons talk. 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. Holland brigham young university provo follow this and additional works at. Detractors of the book of mormon have often quoted this phrase as they point to changes in different editions of the book of mormon, punctuation or grammatical problems. Preface to book of mormon, circa august 1829, page iii. Recently, the lds church made a change to the introduction page of the book of mormon that has garnered much press. 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. Word change in the introduction to the book of mormon. Latterday saints believe that the book of mormon tells the story of israelites in the new world in 600 b. Part of thehistory commons,mormon studies commons, and thereligious thought, theology and philosophy of religion commons.
Nevertheless, this material is not presented as an apologetic work, neither is it polemical. Due to these testing results, the lds church saw it necessary nov. The change was in the new bofm printed by doubleday. Tanyan, the change was in the introduction to the book of mormon, a change from principal ancestors to among the ancestors. This is followed by the editors introduction in which dinger describes the major lds englishlanguage editions of the book of mormon, with its unstated. The book of mormon, like the bible, contains a record of gods dealings with a part of the house of israel. Small but important change made in book of mormon introduction. Smith claimed the angel moroni, a prophet in the book of mormon.
Instead of being the principal ancestors of american indians, lamanites are nowamong the ancestors of the american indians. An analysis of selected changes in major editions of the book of mormon 18301920 jeffrey r. The book of mormon study text is the first critical edition of the book of mormon produced by a nonmormon scholar, irrs executive director robert m. A recent word change to the introduction of the book of mormon has once again brought attention to the question regarding the historical reliability of one of mormonism s most sacred texts. The most prominent is changing which to who, our father which art in heaven was the original reading for the lords prayer in 3 nephi edited to our father who art in heaven which is what. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the. They entered into a covenant with god and took upon themselves the name of jesus christ. All it does is change all the teachings to the native americans that they were decended from the bofm people to there might be some trace of lehis blood in their. A oneword change in the introduction to a 2006 edition of the book of mormon has reignited discussion among some latterday saints about. The context of joseph smiths statement in this regard is that a man can grow nearer to god by abiding by its precepts than by any other book. Nov 08, 2007 one word can speak volumes says this mornings salt lake tribune. The change, in the introduction, accommodates that belief.
Since there is no known statement of joseph smith, or any one connected with the second edition, as to the reason for these changes, the accuracy of the tanners mind reading is dubious. For a long time, mormons assumed that the book of mormon took place all over the americas. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to. Changes to latterday scripture lds leaders have made. Volumes will appear periodically through summer 2020. Meet the book of mormon again for the first time in these brief theological introductions. Part of thehistory commons, mormon studies commons, and thereligious thought, theology and philosophy of religion commons. Nothing but the book of mormon would put me up to anything like this. Fresh and inspiring explorations using the lenses of history, theology, philosophy, literary studiesand above all, faith in jesus christ. The introduction was written by mormon apostle bruce r. Changes in the book of mormon introduction juvenile. Book of mormon introduction change may reflect new thinking. December 30 january 5 introductory pages of the book of mormon this printable kit for all ages will help you study and teach the introductory pages to the book of mormon.
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. Who wrote the 1981 introduction to the book of mormon. This oct 1981 ensign article published about the new edition to the book of mormon says. 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. Lds sunday school 2020, the introductory pages to the book. New changes in the book of mormon introduction main street. Debate renewed with change in book of mormon introduction. Mosiah 5 contains the conclusion of king benjamins address to his people, the record of which begins in mosiah 2. Lds sunday school 2020, the introductory pages to the book of. Book of mormon learning assessment 1 of 4 quiz quizizz. The writing was done by the spirit of revelation and prophecy.
It is not part of the original book of mormon, but only later added as a helpful introduction. The latter point is fairly obvious, since the whole point of the book is, by its own admission, to bring people to christ, and specifically to the process of salvation in him. The introduction was written by bruce r mcconkie, not mormon or moroni. 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. Changes were made to the book of mormon after joseph smith changed his doctrine from monotheism to polytheism. This blog says that bruce r mcconkie wrote it, but there is no source to back that up. The title page the introduction the testimonies of the three and eight witnesses the testimony of the prophet joseph smith with this kit you andor your children will learn all about the. 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 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. The introduction to the book of mormon was not a part of the original plates. Explorations in critical methodology, edited by brent lee metcalf. After thousands of years, all the jaredites were destroyed except the lamanites, and they are the principal ancestors of the american indians. The introduction to the book of mormon summarizes the history and doctrine contained in the book of mormon, including the visit of the resurrected lord jesus christ.
Nov 12, 2007 significant book of mormon introduction change i thought id just post this since it is imo the biggest thing in the lds church since blacks received the priesthood. Another change affirms the teaching that the book of mormon alone contains the fullness of the gospel. Dec 14, 2019 8 paragraph 3 the book of mormon, according to the introduction, tells us what we need to do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come. The introduction to the book of mormonbook of mormon teacher resource manual. The book of mormon is the keystone of our religion. The doctor says im to wear this hat at all times, so here i am. 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. An analysis of selected changes in major editions of the book. Changes to the book of mormon according to the mormon churchs teaching manual, gospel principles,page 53. Last week it was reported that the lds church is going to change the introduction page of the book of mormon. Over time we have to evaluate our previous assumptions to assess whether they were correct or incorrect. 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. Many authors had contributed directly or were quoted in the final abridgment of ancient records compiled by the prophet, historian.
In 1981 the lds church published a new edition of the book of mormon, making a number of additional changes in the text. An introduction may also explain certain elements that are important to understand about the book that may not be part of the main text. Nov 06, 2007 word change in the introduction to the book of mormon from an article in the salt lake tribune the book s current introduction, added by the late lds apostle, bruce r. Changes in the book of mormon introduction juvenile instructor. The book of mormon was written by ancient prophets, just as the bible was written by prophets and apostles of christ. 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. Critics of the church have charged that the book of mormon is a fraud because thousands of changes have been made in it over the years, as if the church were trying to cover up blunders in joseph smiths work. That change takes into account details of book of mormon demography which are not.