Questions similar to the following keep coming up on the Internet: Why is there so much King James Version Bible (KJV) integrated into the Book of Mormon, a book supposedly coming from the ancient Americas?
The basic question is actually reasonable and fair. No one disputes that Bible passages are sprinkled (rather systematically) throughout the entire Book of Mormon, originally published in 1830. The Book of Mormon (current LDS 1981 version) is extensively footnoted, especially when passages have strong links to the Bible.
There is no attempt to hide the linkage even when the ties are potentially anachronistic. For example, footnote 8b of Mosiah 16:8 cites 1 Corinthians 15:55, and footnote 10b of Mosiah 16:10 cites 1 Corinthians 15:42. The cited Mosiah verses date to 148 B.C., well before the Apostle Paul. Thus, it is natural to ask how did Paul's language from the 1st century A.D. get mixed into language about 200 years earlier from the opposite hemisphere?
The answer is that perhaps some of Paul's New Testament language was NOT original to Paul, but I prefer the explanation that such language was simply a natural outcome of Joseph Smith's translation vocabulary -- King James English. He used King James phrasing and language when they matched the meaning of Nephite expressions.
In any case, the issue is NOT whether KJV Bible is in the Book of Mormon. The issue should be: Does the Book of Mormon use Bible verses intelligently? From my standpoint, the Book of Mormon uses the Bible in brilliant ways.
Look at how beautifully the Book of Mormon amalgamates New Testament scripture. Compare left and right columns [click to enlarge]:
The Book of Mormon does this type of amalgamation on nearly every page. We may not notice it generally, because each passage exists as if its words were the only ones that could possibly fit.
All scripture, whether in the Book of Mormon or the Bible, contains amalgamation. This characteristic is primary, and it causes us to search the scriptures even further than we might. Study of the Book of Mormon enhances knowledge of the Bible.
The ultimate test of scripture is: Do the words give the right message? Do the verses teach us to do the correct things? Ultimately, that is where the Book of Mormon succeeds. It teaches correct doctrines. Its purpose is NOT to serve as a history lesson. We cannot relate its stories to archeological ruins or to places on the map. However, it does teach us how to behave and about the nature of Christ. That is the strength of the Book of Mormon. It brings us closer to God by teaching us that the resurrected Christ was (and is) concerned about ALL peoples.
To better understand the usage of King James Bible language in the Book of Mormon, we need to review what we know about the Book of Mormon translation process, which unfortunately is very little.
The Book of Mormon claims to be an English translation of an ancient American document written in an unknown Middle Eastern format ("Reformed Egyptian"). Joseph Smith performed the translation with divine assistance in 1829-30.
The original manuscript transcribed by Oliver Cowdery from the dictations of Joseph Smith is clean and almost without any major revision. That is, the "original" Book of Mormon manuscript shows extremely few revisions that would normally be associated with a developing first draft. Royal Skousen, a professional linguist at BYU, believes this finding is evidence of “tight control,” suggesting that Joseph Smith was divinely given each word to dictate. A different view (that I favor) is that the translation involved a mix of dynamic, conceptual, and literal processes, yielding a document reflecting ancient Hebrew poetry as well as Joseph's English idioms. That is, the Book of Mormon shows evidence of Hebraic structural elements mixed with American revival language. The Book shows no convincing linguistic correlations with ancient Aztec, Incan, or Mayan cultures.
The KJV language was a major part of Joseph Smith’s vocabulary. Some critics complain that the Book of Mormon contains the slight errors of the 1769 edition of the KJV that Joseph Smith evidently used (for a counter-argument, see: Skousen). However, “inspired revelation” does not mean “error-free” or “influence-free.” The Book of Mormon says itself that it has mistakes – the mistakes of man. (See the last couple of lines on the title page, and also: 1 Ne. 19:6; Morm. 8:12).
The point is not that the Book of Mormon uses the KJV, but that the Book of Mormon uses the KJV brilliantly -- so, brilliantly that it is difficult to explain how Joseph Smith could have produced the Book of Mormon on his own. Some have proposed that Sidney Rigdon must have helped him. The problem with that theory is that Joseph met Rigdon only after the Book of Mormon was published (see: Van Wagoner). To me, Joseph Smith was an inspired genius, with a remarkable memory and theological understanding. The only help he needed was from above.
Shortly after its first publication, the Book of Mormon had an impact because it read like the familiar scriptures of the Bible. Even so, our LDS ancestors were not fooled. They knew the Bible better than most modern readers. Further, they concluded that KJV in the Book of Mormon was a sign of inspiration, not fakery. We should conclude the same.
Regarding these same issues, this is what Hugh Nibley had to say:
Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, Vol.8, Ch.10, p.215-216
Actually the Bible passages quoted in the Book of Mormon often differ from the King James Version, but where the latter is correct there is every reason why it should be followed. When Jesus and the Apostles and, for that matter, the Angel Gabriel quote the scriptures in the New Testament, do they recite from some mysterious Urtext? Do they quote the prophets of old in the ultimate original? Do they give their own inspired translations? No, they do not. They quote the Septuagint, a Greek version of the Old Testament prepared in the third century b.c. Why so? Because that happened to be the received standard version of the Bible accepted by the readers of the Greek New Testament. When "holy men of God" quote the scriptures it is always in the received standard version of the people they are addressing.
We do not claim the King James Version of the Septuagint to be the original scriptures--in fact, nobody on earth today knows where the original scriptures are or what they say. Inspired men have in every age been content to accept the received version of the people among whom they labored, with the Spirit giving correction where correction was necessary.
Since the Book of Mormon is a translation, "with all its faults," into English for English-speaking people whose fathers for generations had known no other scriptures but the standard English Bible, it would be both pointless and confusing to present the scriptures to them in any other form, so far as their teachings were correct.
If KJV represented a kind of standard, why do Book of Mormon quotations from the Bible vary in wording? Our attention will now turn to that question.
One common problem with ancient quotations and textual copies is that they often do NOT match up perfectly. Variation is a common attribute of ancient texts.
For example, quotes within the Old Testament are often not word for word accurate, although they may be close. Compare Deut. 24: 16 with 2 Kings 14:6:
ESV: Deut. 24: 16
16 Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. Each one shall be put to death for his own sin.
ESV: 2 Kings 14:6 [difference in red]
6 … "Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. But each one shall die for his own sin."
Also, compare1 Kings 21:23 with 2 Kings 9: 36-37:
ESV: 1 Kings 21:23
23 And of Jezebel the LORD also said, 'The dogs shall eat Jezebel within the walls of Jezreel.'
ESV: 2 Kings 9: 36-37 [difference in red]
36 … "This is the word of the LORD, which he spoke by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, 'In the territory of Jezreel the dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel, 37 and the corpse of Jezebel shall be as dung on the face of the field in the territory of Jezreel, so that no one can say, This is Jezebel.'"
Compare Genesis 50: 25 with Exodus 13:19:
ESV: Genesis 50: 25
25Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, "God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here."
ESV: Exodus 13:19
19 … Joseph had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, "God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones with you from here."
Such verses illustrate that the Old Testament does not quote itself perfectly. Thus, we should not be too surprised when Isaiah quotations within the Book of Mormon vary from those found in the Bible. (Of course, some also argue that Book of Mormon changes are improvements in the text).
About one-third of the book of Isaiah is found in the Book of Mormon in scattered locations. Footnote 2a of 2 Nephi 12:2 indicates that "there are differences in more than half of the 433 verses of Isaiah quoted in the Book of Mormon… ."
Most of the time the changes found in Isaiah-based Book of Mormon passages are not very dramatically different. Consider the following famous passage about temples:
KJV: Isaiah 2: 2-5
2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
5 O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.
The Book of Mormon version adds just a touches that make the passage more clear that it is a prophecy:
2 Nephi 12: 2-5 [quotation of Isaiah from the brass plates; word differences in red]
2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, when the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it.
3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plow-shares, and their spears into pruning-hooks--nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
5 O house of Jacob, come ye and let us walk in the light of the Lord; yea, come, for ye have all gone astray, every one to his wicked ways.
An interesting passage in the same chapter of Isaiah illustrates both strengths and weaknesses in the Book of Mormon version of Isaiah. The passage is as follows:
KJV: Isaiah 2:16
16 And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.
The English translation using the word “pictures” is at least questionable from the Hebrew. The word "picture" in Hebrew is sÄ•kiyah (Strong's #H7914), which has the ambiguous meaning of picture or ship. Most modern translations (but not all) use "ship" or "craft" for sÄ•kiyah in this verse due to context.
Further, the Greek texts of the Septuagint do not refer either to “pictures” or “ships of Tarshish.”
English translation of Septuagint: Isaiah 2:16
16 and upon every ship of the sea, and upon every display of fine ships.
The New International Version (NIV) makes both corrections:
NIV: Isaiah 2:16
16 for every trading ship and every stately vessel.
With respect to the Book of Mormon version, it is interesting that both the Hebrew and the Septuagint versions are retained: “ships of the sea” and “ships of Tarshish.”
2 Nephi 12: 16
16 And upon all the ships of the sea, and upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.
Some might argue that it is unfortunate that the Book of Mormon retained the translation using “pictures,” and yet one finds similar wording in the modern Amplified Bible. It states:
Amplified Bible: Isaiah 2:16
16 And against all the ships of Tarshish and all the picturesque and desirable imagery [designed for mere ornament and luxury].
Perhaps it is worth noting that Tarshish is presumed to have been a coastal Phoenician city in Spain, but the location is actually unknown.
One lesson to be derived from the study of these particular variations in the Book of Mormon is that there is evidence of both shared and unique characteristics with other existing texts. It is probably true that the Isaiah passages in the Book of Mormon show more variability than that found in the Isaiah passages of the Dead Sea Scrolls. However, we must remember that the Book of Mormon was based upon the "plates of brass" obtained by Nephi in Jerusalem and taken to the Americas. These brass records may well have had a different provenance than other rare scriptural records used by contemporaries. If so, then this provenance could account for some of the unique characteristics of Isaiah passages in the Book of Mormon.
It would be nice if ancient manuscripts serving as the basis for sacred scripture never varied. Yet, ancient texts have considerable variation. For example, the New Testament comes from ancient Greek texts, and unfortunately those texts often do not agree with one another. One might expect the New Testament to get quotes from God the Father correct, but it does not – at least not perfectly.
Compare the following two quotes [emphasis mine]:
King James Version: Luke 9:35
And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
American Standard Version: Luke 9:35
And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my Son, my chosen: hear ye him.
Notice that the primary difference is whether the Son is the “beloved” or the “chosen.” The KJV uses the Greek from ancient manuscripts called the Textus Receptus:
Stephens 1550 Textus Receptus
και φωνη εγενετο εκ της νεφελης λεγουσα
ουτος εστιν ο υιος μου ο αγαπητοσ αυτου
ακουετε
The bolded term, αγαπητοσ, stands for agapetos in Roman letters and means “beloved.” The American Standard Version uses other Greek texts known as the Alexandrian, which is as follows:
Alexandrian Text
και φωνη εγενετο εκ της νεφελης λεγουσα
ουτος εστιν ο υιος μου ο εκλελεγμενοσ
αυτου ακουετε
The bolded term, εκλελεγμενοσ, stands for eklelegmenos in Roman lettering, and it means “elect” or “chosen.”
For more information about the sources of the Bible, see my essay: How Did We Get the King James Bible?
There is no original Greek manuscript that is the single source of the Bible. Instead, there are multiple sources, and those sources differ in places. This is why Joseph Smith said we can trust the Bible only in so far as it can be translated correctly (see the 8th Article of Faith).
The new (strongly Evangelical-oriented) ESV Study Bible (2008; Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, p. 2589) admits the following about translations problems in the Bible:
The most significant textual variants certainly alter the meaning of various verses. And where the meaning of verses is changed, paragraphs and even larger units of thought are also affected to some degree. At times, a particular doctrine may not, after all, be affirmed in a given passage, depending on the textual variant.
Ancient scriptural texts vary. Such is a scientific reality. Latter-day Saints should keep this context in mind whenever they read any scripture.
Book of Mormon quotations of the KJV Bible often have variant wording. There may be a simple explanation without profound theological implications. Rarely discussed in LDS analysis of the Book of Mormon is the significant possibility that those variant quotations found in the Book of Mormon merely reflect the textual variations contained in the brass plates of the Nephites. Thus, it is possible that some changes in wording from the King James Version have no further importance other than to reflect the changes found on the original brass plates from which Moroni copied onto the golden plates.
The ultimate point is that we should not get too excited when the Book of Mormon quotes KJV scripture. At times the quotations may be overly precise. At other times the quotations may show variance in wording. Often, but not always, the quotations are made without attribution. These characteristics are nothing special. The Book of Mormon merely repeats the same processes found in other scriptures. In other words, Book of Mormon prophets wrote in the same manner as Old Testament prophets.
It is a mistake to conclude that the Book of Mormon is a plagiarism of the Bible. The Book of Mormon simply does what all scripture is known to do. All scripture incorporates, amalgamates, and builds upon earlier scripture. The Book of Mormon enriches scriptural understanding.
The Book of Mormon has enough complexity and sophistication that it deserves scholarly study. Further, it deserves a wide readership because it changes people’s lives. It teaches correct principles.
I am convinced there are many scholarly breakthroughs to be made in the Book of Mormon, just as there have been in the Bible. By taking the Book of Mormon seriously, by seeing clearly, and by looking deeply, we can find things in the Book never noticed before.
Ultimately, the Bible and the Book of Mormon are synergistic.
For further reading: See FAIR.
The American Standard Version Bible is in the public domain.
Scripture taken from the Amplified® Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations marked as NIV are from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Copyright 2008 S.Faux (Email: foxgoku54 [at] gmail [d0t] c0m; URL: http://mormoninsights.blogspot.com). Readers may distribute this post for noncommercial purposes provided such distributing is of the entire post, including author's copyright and contact information. All other rights reserved.
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1 comments:
This posting is a good example of why I read your blog. It’s very well written and insightful.
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