The mormon church has altered the wording of a prophecy about indians so that it no longer says native americans will develop white skin if. Dec 20, 2010 when these types of changes are made, they are rolled out to various online and print editions as they become available, purdy said in a statement. The question was flawed from the outset because the book of mormon has absolutely zero to do either with the civil rights movemen. Mormons altering indian prophecy the new york times. Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of god. A historian looks at the legacy of racism in the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Changes in the book of mormon, the most corrected book in the world. Initially, when i was requested to answer this question i hit the pass link and ignored it. It is not a commentary or a traditional history book. He went through the original manuscripts, the printers manuscript and the original 1830 first edition and studied the changes.
Until a few decades ago, the church of jesus christ of latterday saints taught that they shall be a white and a delightsome people, a phrase taken from the book of mormon. The bible is accepted as the word of god as far as it is translated correctly. Evolution of the mormon temple ceremony 18421990 i understand there are arguments from the church against the tanners, but their work stands the scrutiny of serious seekers. The history of racism and white supremacy in the mormon church. The book of mormon, the pearl of great price, and the doctrine and covenants are accepted as scripture without any qualifications whatsoever. As of this week you can add two more to that total in a roundabout way. Jerald and sandra tanner of the utah lighthouse ministry have identified nearly 4,000 changes when comparing the original 1830 edition to the 1964 edition.
The reading of pure has been retained in the 20 lds edition of the text. It has also been taught in mormonism that opposite repercussions could result when a white person abandons their mormon. If he was the author then the book is purely fiction, it takes place long before smiths life. Lds changes in the book of mormon, the most corrected. Book of mormontextual changeswhite changed to pure. For much of its history, the salt lake citybased lds church edition of the book of mormon taught that darkskinned lamanites indians would eventually experience a change in the color of their skin should they embrace the book of mormon. Now, changes to the book of mormon that are not doctrinally significant, this is a very key point, and this was at the 2006 sidney sperry symposium, daniel judd and allen stoddard said, while there have been a number of editorial changes in the book of mormon over the years, even those who criticize its authenticity acknowledge that the. When reading the book of mormon, it must be determined whether joseph smith authored or translated it. The most significant type of grammatical change in the book of mormon has been to remove the early modern english that is characteristic of the king james bible. Jul 01, 2011 as stated earlier, the mormon church has made many changes to the book of mormon in order to correct josephs poor grammar and spelling. Reasons for textual changes made to the book of mormon over the years after it was first published god changed to son of god in the book of mormon white and delightsome changed to pure and delightsome benjamin was changed to mosiah in later editions of the book of mormon. Since these changes are so minor, it is not necessary to include them until it is printed. Sep 23, 2008 hawk, i wonder about your point 2, in the sense that the church included in the missionary editions of the book of mormon, presumably in an attempt to increase clarity, illustrations of book of mormon scenes by arnold friberg, and pictures of relics of ancient mesoamerica in some editions as well.
We have always taught a limited geography model of the book of mormon. Book of mormon word change christian research institute. Certainly the introduction of the current book of mormon is not there by mistake or accident. The earliest text, the definitive scholarly edition of the book of mormon, published in 2009 by yale university press. Interpreting this passage as meaning that conversion leads to a change of skin color echo a misinterpretation of the book of mormon text rather than an anachronism in the text itself. The original reading of white and delightsome was retained in the lds textual tradition until the 1981 edition of the book of mormon, where it substituted white with the pure for the 1840 edition. There are many positions on which century the book of mormon originated in, but most seem to fall into two general camps. Book of mormon manuscripts why the lds church is true. The most troubling changes at the very least, the book of mormon is untrustworthy as an historical document. How we got the book of mormon recounts the fascinating history of this work of scripture, from the golden plates to the present edition, explaining the changes that occurred with each major version.
To obtain copies of their work please write to utah lighthouse ministry p. I know of no prophecy, ancient or modern, that has had a more literal fulfillment. Mcconkie, at the time considered to be one of the churchs most prominent theologians. This should not have been necessary, however, given the manner in which joseph is supposed to have produced this book. Book of mormon introduction change may reflect new. While the mormon church leaders taught that indians were cursed with a dark skin they went a step further with regard to blacks. Another change affirms the teaching that the book of mormon alone contains the fullness of the gospel. Mormon president, questioned on mormon teaching of the curse. 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 history of racism and white supremacy in the mormon. At first glance from our culture, it may appear to some that god prefers only those with white skin or that the gates to the new jerusalem are labeled with whites only. The mormon church has four books of scripture referred to as the standard works. Many generations shall not pass away among them, save they. The charge of racism in the book of mormon book of mormon. 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. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading how we got the book of mormon. While the book of mormon only discusses the lamanites, early church leaders believed that this applied to all races, and. Originally wrote white 1830 and then it was changed it to pure 1840 and then back to white after 1840 and then finally to pure 1981. Changes that would affect the authenticity of the book of mormon are limited to. However, all future lds church printings of the book of mormon until 1981 continued from the second edition, saying the lamanites would become a white and delightsome people. The lamanites are one of the four ancient peoples described as having settled in the ancient americas in the book of mormon, a sacred text of the latter day. Sep 09, 2017 mormon president, questioned on mormon teaching of the curse of cain black skin. Joseph smith clarified the word, white, to mean pure for the 1840 edition of the book.
This time the book of mormon is trying to fall in line with what is socially and politically acceptable regarding the race issue. When you compare the 1830 version of the book of mormon with todays version, you will see a small editing change in 2 nephi 30. Jan 21, 2020 now, changes to the book of mormon that are not doctrinally significant, this is a very key point, and this was at the 2006 sidney sperry symposium, daniel judd and allen stoddard said, while there have been a number of editorial changes in the book of mormon over the years, even those who criticize its authenticity acknowledge that the. He then quoted the often debated phrase, they shall be a pure white and delightsome people. Lds scripture church drops dark and skin of blackness from lamanite descriptions. Changes to latterday scripture lds leaders have made. Dec 01, 2014 the church appears to be struggling with its early statements about people with dark skin. I have a copy of the book of mormon the earliest text by royal skousen. This change was originally made in the 1840 edition but because subsequent editions were based off the european editions which followed the 1837 edition, the. Dec 23, 2012 significant changes some book of mormon changes were corrections of transcription or printing errors. Mormonism has taught that the american indians were descendants of the lamanites to try to justify the fiction of the bom.
Did joseph smiths doctrine of god change over time. Church removes racial references in book of mormon headings. Changes in the book of mormon, changes in the bible. Apr 27, 2019 initially, when i was requested to answer this question i hit the pass link and ignored it. Five vignettes an article by douglas campbell in dialogue about the history of the verse 2 nephi 30. Joseph fielding smith, the tenth president of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, proclaimed. First gabon baptisms, photo by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints.
The change was made despite the fact that the latterday church claims that joseph smiths rendering into english of the book of mormon was divinely inspired. The introduction was written by mormon apostle brucer. Understanding textual changes in the book of mormon. The expression white and delightsome is an hebrew expression referring to any persons condition. Consequently, latterday saints did not reap the benefit of the prophets clarification until it was restored in the 1981 edition of the book of mormon. The change in the 1981 edition seems to be an attempt to bring the book of mormon up to speed with the 1978 revelation that allowed black members of the church to hold the priesthood. That dark skin as a curse from god upon bad, people. Book of mormon introduction change may reflect new thinking. How can one justify the change of the wording white and delightsome in 2 nephi 30. The mormon curtain firmly believes that the word lamanite is a racist term for those who are not fully. 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. A popular charge of antimormons is that the church is guilty of fraud because of changes in the book of mormon, or that the book of mormon cant be true and divine because corrections have been made.
Mormon president, questioned on mormon teaching of the. The charge of racism in the book of mormon book of. The 1830 edition of the book of mormon had nephi prophesy that his descendants would become a white and a delightsome people through the gospel of jesus christ. The prophet joseph smith made an important textual emendation to this passage in the 1840 edition of the book of mormon, where the phrase a white and a delightsome people was changed to a pure and a book of mormon use of black and white read. Those indians, at least as many as i have observed, were white and delightsome, as white and fair as any group of citizens of our country. Why all the changes in the different book of mormon printings. 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. What does white and delightsome people mean in the. Perhaps, this is why the phrase has been changed in the 1981 edition of the book of mormon to read a pure and delightsome people. Many latterday saints are intrigued to learn that the book of mormon has changed over time. See book of mormon central article on ancient context of white and delightsome regarding 2 nephi 30.
This textual emendation has understandably raised questions about the book of mormons racial. Until 1981 the darkskinned, filthy, and loathsome lamanites had held out to them the promise that their repentance would make them white and delightsome. The primary research for this information was taken from the book 39 changes in the book of mormon by jerald and sandra tanner. Apr 16, 2016 mormon doctrines changed in my lifetime. This was changed by joseph smith in 1840 to read that nephis descendants would become a pure and a delightsome people. Mormon president, questioned on mormon teaching of the curse of cain black skin. This textual emendation has understandably raised questions about the book of mormon s racial views, with some. The church appears to be struggling with its early statements about people with dark skin. 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. For much of its history, the salt lake citybased lds church edition of the book of mormon taught that darkskinned lamanites indians would eventually.
Critics argued the change was made to address allegations of racism, since the utahbased faith had a racial policy that, until 1978, barred blacks from being ordained to the. Actually, of all 3,612 changes made to the book of mormon text. That same year, a verse that used white and delightsome to describe what will happen to darkskinned peoples when they repent was changed to pure and delightsome. Jan 18, 2011 also because of lds leaders and prophets, that have stated the the curse was the black skin, flat nose, on some people. The original reading of white and delightsome was retained in the lds textual tradition until the 1981 edition of the book of mormon, where it substituted white with the pure of the 1840 edition. Mormon doctrines changed in my lifetime jonathan ellis medium.
Royal skousen, changes in the book of mormon royal skousen, restoring the original text of the book of mormon. Jan 28, 2019 changes in the book of mormon, the most corrected book in the world. White and delightsome changed to pure and delightsome jump to subtopic. Doctrinal changes a selection of doctrinal changes in the book of mormon. In making this study we obtained photocopies of an original 1830 edition of the book of mormon from the university of utah library. White and delightsome was changed to pure and delightsome, removing the racial overtones. The arguments are rather weak but need to be dealt with thats the purpose of this page. Church removes racial references in book of mormon. The appropriate sense of correct as used by joseph smith in this statement would be, set right, or made straight. Jan 08, 2018 he stated that the god of the book of mormon was racist and that the book of mormon was racist because it clearly states that god only favored white people.
A new english edition of the book of mormon is not scheduled to be printed at present. Book of mormon introduction change may reflect new thinking about an ancient people. However, when we look beneath the veneer, we see truth. Few mormons are aware of the thousands of word changes and nature of the changes that have been made in the book of mormon, doctrine and covenants, and the pearl of great price since the first editions.
Lucy smith, biographical sketches of joseph smith, the prophet, and his progen itors for many generations liverpool. Mormonism must stand or fall on the story of joseph smith. How we got the book of mormon kindle edition by slaughter, william w. 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 he translated it the door is open to view it as a work of nonfiction, and possibly even an.
Understanding the nature of the thousands of small changes in the book of mormon may be helpful and interesting. Since its first publication in 1830, the book of moron has undergone thousands of changes. Referring to native americans the book of mormon says. Rather than allow the book of mormon to speak for itself, they have altered it to minimize the impact of early church doctrine. What does it mean to be a white and delightsome people. 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. In making this study we obtained photocopies of an original 1830 edition of. Mar 18, 2016 the 1830 edition of the book of mormon had nephi prophesy that his descendants would become a white and a delightsome people through the gospel of jesus christ. Determined to read the book of mormon in purely naturalistic nineteenth century terms, rather than as an ancient text, recent criticisms of that volume of scripture are offended by some descriptions of lamanites in the text. As you can see, the book of mormon is a changing document. Box 1884 salt lake city, utah 84110 or visit their website. Significant changes some book of mormon changes were corrections of transcription or printing errors. The book of mormon has had 3,9 grammatical changes made to it since its inception. Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the son god.