Introductory pages of the book of mormon part 1 come. Read the last two paragraphs from the book of mormon introduction and discuss some of the blessings you may receive as you study this great history and testimony. I have always felt free to disavow the language of the book of mormons introduction, footnotes and dictionary, which are not part of the canonical scripture, said barney, on the board of fair, a mormon apologist group. Book of mormon word change christian research institute. Why did the church modify the introduction to the book of mormon.
The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. We just recorded a new episode of mormon matters podcast, wherein ronan and john hamer a nonmember of the lds church make a strong case that this dustup about the recent change to the book of mormon introduction page is actually much ado about nothing. The book of mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible. Cbs, book of mormon llc, the harry fox agency, warner chappell. The book of mormon is a second witness, confirming the validity of biblical doctrine and verifying the divinity of christ through the inspired words of other sheep in christs fold see john 10. The men, women, and families in the book of mormon struggled with lifes challenges, just like we do. If the church were genuinely interested in truth, then they would change not only the introduction, but also the entirety of the book of mormon story.
This had been the generally held belief from the time that. That change takes into account details of book of mormon demography which are not. 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. Faithful scholars have long explored the book of mormons historicity, literary quality, textual history, reception, and more. Book of mormon introduction change may reflect new thinking. My introduction to the book of mormon or the book of mormon evidences page could also be consulted. 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.
The introduction to the book of mormon was not a part of the original plates. Jan 03, 2020 this is post 5 of 24 in the series come follow me 2020. Why did the church modify the introduction to the book of mormon from principal ancestors to among the ancestors. One word can speak volumes says this mornings salt lake tribune. Their words, written on gold plates, were quoted and abridged by a prophethistorian named mormon. Lets study the introductory pages of the book of mormon.
The book of mormon is a complex book covering a variety of historical, religious, political, and military events in a variety of ancient communities. The change brings the introduction more into line with prevailing scientific. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to. It is not part of the original book of mormon, but only later added as. The pages listed here give both the original 1830 chapter numbers in roman numerals and the contemporary chapter numbers. A careful check of the list of changes shows there is not one change or. Here are four things you should know about this sacred book.
We hope that these lds sunday school discussion questions over the introduction pages of the book of mormon enrich your come, follow me study and increase your testimony of the savior. Encourage them to watch for the three ways the book of mormon is the keystone of our religion as they read the book. Introductory lesson the book of mormon the red headed. The book of mormon is the most correct of any book on earth and we can get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts. Im first going to describe the critical text project, some of its major findings. December 30january 5 another testament of jesus christ title page of the book of mormon. Joseph originally taught that jesus and the father were the same. It carried a small story on a change to a single word in the introduction of the book of. This is an invalid criticism, since only the introduction to the book of mormon was changed, not its actual text. Jun 11, 2009 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 mormonisms most sacred texts.
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. It introduces the book of mormon to the modern reader by providing background information and a description of the book. Debate renewed with change in book of mormon introduction. We can see ourselves in their stories, and be inspired to be better and help others like jesus did. Book of mormon introduction, lamanites and native americans. Free book of mormon reading schedule for come, follow me 2020 come, follow me lesson aids. Some antimormon web sites have questioned how the book of mormon can be considered inerrant if the church feels free to change it in response to modernday scientific discoveries. 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. 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. Changes were made to the book of mormon after joseph smith changed his doctrine from monotheism to polytheism. The primary research for this information was taken from the book 39 changes in the book of mormon by jerald and sandra tanner. Small but important change made in book of mormon introduction. The change was made in the second edition published by doubleday, a hardcover book that eliminates the footnotes latterday saints see in their churchpublished books. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints 165,852 views.
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. 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. Changes in the book of mormon introduction juvenile. Mormonism must stand or fall on the story of joseph smith. Some anti mormon web sites have questioned how the book of mormon can be considered inerrant if the church feels free to change it in response to modernday scientific discoveries.
Kevin barney, a mormon lawyer and independent researcher in chicago, welcomes the introductions word change. Introductory lesson the book of mormon the red headed hostess. Changes in the book of mormon introduction juvenile instructor. 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. Carole mikita and andrew adams reporting new copies of the book of mormon will have a word change in the introduction. Joseph fielding smith, the tenth president of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, proclaimed. An introduction to the book of mormon a divine ancient record from.
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. Jul 01, 2011 however, there are numerous other changes which affect the doctrinal teachings of the book of mormon. The book of mormon likewise shatters familiar religious paradigms and reconfigures them with a totality that is resistant to compromise. Preface to book of mormon, circa august 1829, page iii. Changes to latterday scripture lds leaders have made. 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. Another change affirms the teaching that the book of mormon alone contains the fullness of the gospel. In making this study we obtained photocopies of an original 1830 edition of the book of mormon from the university of utah library. Use them individually, in your family study, and in your sunday school classes to dive deeper into the doctrines presented in the book of mormon. The first gathering of the book of mormon, including this preface, was likely printed by mid. This series focuses particularly on theologythe scholarly practice of exploring a scriptural texts implications and its lens on gods work in the world. In making this study we obtained photocopies of an original 1830.
So this change is only cosmetican attempt to deflect criticism instead of deal with it directly and honestly. Since its first publication in 1830, the book of moron has undergone thousands of changes. The lds church has changed a single word in its introduction to the book of mormon, a change observers say has serious implications for commonly held lds beliefs about the ancestry of. A oneword change in the introduction to a 2006 edition of the book of mormon has reignited discussion among some latterday saints about. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the. 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. Critical texts have previously been prepared for important historical and literary works but until fairly. This is post 5 of 24 in the series come follow me 2020. 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 purpose and power. A recently announced change in the book of mormons introduction, however, allows for a greater diversity of ancestry of native americans. Book of mormon musical opening number hello youtube. Book of mormon introduction change may reflect new. New changes in the book of mormon introduction main.
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. 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. It is a record of gods dealings with ancient inhabitants of the americas and contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel. Dec 14, 2019 we hope that these lds sunday school discussion questions over the introduction pages of the book of mormon enrich your come, follow me study and increase your testimony of the savior. Jun 10, 2012 opening number to the 66th tony awards. Single word change in book of mormon speaks volumes the salt. 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. Then i would like to turn to the issue of changes in the text to the book of mormon. The bible, the book of mormon, and continuing revelation duration. 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. New changes in the book of mormon introduction main street. In the introduction to the book of mormon the second paragraph reads. 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 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.
Teachings of the book of mormon hugh nibley semester 1, lecture 1 introduction the book of mormonlike nothing else would it be all right if i put on my trusty hat. 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 mormonisms most sacred texts. 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. The introduction was written and published at the same time additional. The introduction to the book of mormonbook of mormon teacher resource manual. 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. As you can see, the book of mormon is a changing document. Introduction to the book of mormon another testament. Lds sunday school 2020, the introductory pages to the book of. But the truth is that there is more than one change in the book of mormon. The doctor says im to wear this hat at all times, so here i am. A oneword change was made to the introduction in the latest edition of the book of mormon published by doubleday.
Nov 08, 2007 one word can speak volumes says this mornings salt lake tribune. Explorations in critical methodology, edited by brent lee metcalf. Recently, the lds church made a change to the introduction page of the book of mormon that has garnered much press. 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. It claims to be the most correct 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 introduction in book of mormon. 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.
The new introduction reads much the same, but says the lamanites are among the ancestors of the american indians. Single word change in book of mormon speaks volumes. As a result of their faith in king benjamins words, the people experienced a mighty change of heart. 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. Intro change in book of mormon spurs discussion deseret news. Critics charge that many changes were made after the initial printing. The book of mormon is an ancient record that teaches about jesus. Dec 12, 2019 read the last two paragraphs from the book of mormon introduction and discuss some of the blessings you may receive as you study this great history and testimony. The current introduction page in the book of mormon was not part of the original text translated by joseph smith jr. Mosiah 5 contains the conclusion of king benjamins address to his people, the record of which begins in mosiah 2. Significant book of mormon introduction change mormons talk.