Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible

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I think it is important to remember the difference between a ‘translation’ and a paraphrase. A translation is material that is written in one language and is translated into another language. A paraphrase is rewriting material to say the same thing but just using different words.
What Joseph Smith did was a paraphrase. To the best of my knowledge, he did not have Greek or Hebrew manuscripts that he translated. The KJV as well as other newer English versions have been translated by using the ancient manuscripts (Hebrew for the OT and Greek for the NT) and translating them into English. There are other paraphrases too, The Message is a very popular one, done by Eugene H. Peterson.

It is not a translation. It is the Inspired version.. The changes were inspired not translated

I am trying to understand how the LDS Church supports its belief that the Bible is true only “as far as it it translated correctly.” Why then, does the LDS Church not use the JST as the authority so that we can know which parts the LDS Church believes are “translated correctly?” I am so confused!

The point that the JS version was only a paraphase and not a ‘translation’ is an important point.

The fact that Joseph Smith did not know the original languages of the scriptures would, of course, kept him from doing a new translation.

But would it? JS claimed to have translated ‘reformed’ Egyptian to produce the Book of Abraham under the inspiration of the Spirit of God. Yet when the key to the Egyptian language was finally unlocked by scholars, the manuscripts used by JS to ‘translate’ the Book of Abraham were found to be nothing more than Egyptian death records! They had no resemblance to what Smith has ‘translated’!

The study of archeology has proven many parts of the bible. And that the stories in the bible were likely the truth since evidence is there when archeology discovers findings in the Holy Land.
How come archeology does not support Joseph Smith’s ideas about the nephites and other stuff here in America? Its just incredible to believe when there is no evidence like the Holy Bible has.
Other doctrines from Joseph Smith that contradicts the bible is a shame. Jesus said in heaven people would not be married or given in marriage. But of course Joseph Smith’s ideas advocate just the opposite. How tragic the deception given to members of the Mormon church. Its tragic.

I would believe your comment about marriage if you actually gave a verse and book of the Bible in which it actually quotes Jesus and him saying that marriage is for earth only. You are a narrow minded individual who knows nothing of our doctrines and has probably not even researched much it if all you can find is just two examples. This blog is about the JST and not a commentary on how our church is wrong. Central American architecture is similar to that of mid-eastern architecture at the time of 600 B.C. to Christ’s time. Of course architecture is a little different depending upon what materials are available. We might actually have a congruent record that matches the Nephites and Lamenites records if the Spanish didn’t burn many of the Mayan records and those of the indians they came across while on there holy tirades. This is all conjecture and with archeology it is the same. You can’t tell me otherwise. I’ve taken archeology courses in which instructors will agree that archeology is not fool-proof.

The JST certainly isn’t a translation, but I don’t think we can call it a paraphrase either. In a few cases, Smith simply reversed the meaning of a few passages with a well-placed ‘not’. (e.g.)

I once read, “Anomaly is the gateway to discovery.” Every religion has tenets that seem contradictory on the front of them; however, I have often been delighted to find that upon further investigation these “anomalies” were not really in contradiction to doctrine but a result of my own false assumptions. The above concerns are valid if they are true. I think that I can help…

Why did Joseph Smith claim these Egyptian death records were holy write?”
If I remember correctly, the manuscripts that Joseph Smith translated were burned in a fire and only a fraction was salvaged. If this is true, no one could reasonable claim that recent findings unlocking the Egyptian language could disprove the Mormon Prophets version. I realize that this seems as convenient as Moroni taking back the gold plates. I suggest doubters read the book and honestly consider the possibilities.

“If Joseph Smith was a true prophet, why would his doctrine conflict with the primitive church?”
In the New Testament Luke 20:27-38 the Pharisees try to trick Jesus by asking a question about eternal marriage. They basically ask if woman is married to seven brothers… who will have her in heaven? He answers that, “the children of this world marry, and are given in marriage… [the resurrected] neither marry, nor are given in marriage.” Mormons believe that in order for a marriage to binding in heaven, it must be done by the authority given to Peter (Mathew 16) while in the flesh or in this world. Jesus isn’t saying we won’t be married in heaven. He is saying that the union will not be performed after the resurrection. It will be performed while husband and wife are living as mortals. This is why Mormons perform eternal marriages vicariously for people who have passed on without having a chance by being married by the everlasting authority given to Peter. So the woman married to seven brothers will end up with the one that she was married to eternally. It will have already been sorted.

“Why is there no physical evidence of the Nephites and the Lamanites?”
For this I refer you to FARMS, a Brigham Young University institution devoted to researching the validity of ancient religious texts.

http://mi.byu.edu/display/topical.php?cat_id=259

There is an abundance of physical evidence of both the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Although, physical evidence is not why I believe in Christ; it is because I have felt the burden of shame and guilt lifted from my shoulders by the power of His name. This replaced by love, joy, and peace. God bless you all my friends. Good luck to us all in sorting truth and error (I include myself in that wish).

PS To whoever said that the Joseph Smith “translation” is an inaccurate title… Well said! I never thought of that before. It is not a translation. I agree that the term “revision” or “commentary” are better titles. Perhaps “Joseph Smith’s Inspired Biblical Commentary” is the most concise.