What language were the golden plates actually written in and how did Joseph Smith junior possibly translate a language that he didn’t even know? Also where did he find it – he said an angel gave it to him, but doesn’t that sound crazy? And some of the Book of Mormon sounds as though the preachers were falling from God and casting his name away. Why were they doing that? Jesus came for one thing – salvation over our human race, so why did this Book of Mormon come into existence when there seems to be no need for it? P.S. Who wrote it? Xxxthanksxxx
One Response to “What language were the golden plates actually written in and…”
Miguel Castro
2009-05-18 17:39:40
Joseph Smith translated an ancient record engraven on metallic plates. This record is known today as the Book of Mormon.
Hi Jennifer. Just to clarify for those who are not familiar, the phrase "golden plates" refers to the metallic plates, not necessarily made of gold but golden in color, on which the Book-of-Mormon record was inscribed. In recent years, archeological evidence has shown that making records on metallic plates was indeed an ancient Middle-Eastern practice. I have seen with my own eyes the famous Copper Scroll found at Khirbet Qumran. It was absolutely magnificent.
The Book of Mormon was written by a series of prophets from 600 B.C. to 421 A.D. on the American continent. Because we do not have the original plates to examine, it's impossible to identify the language used to make the ancient record. The people described in the Book of Mormon came from ancient Israel and so likely spoke Hebrew in the beginning. Indeed, scholars have found many Hebraisms in the Book-of-Mormon text that confirm its ancient Semitic origin, and evidence of a Hebrew influence on the ancient Uzo-Azteca language of Central and North America is also convincing. According to Mormon 9:32, the Hebrew alphabet was not used, however. The Hebrew words were written in "reformed Egyptian," perhaps originally the Demotic or Hieratic forms of Egyptian known to scholars today. The alphabet was substantially modified during the thousand years of history recorded in the text, however, and likely bore little resemblance to its original form by the time the golden plates were created around 400 B.C.
The original Book of Mormon manuscript.
You are right that Joseph Smith did not know how to read "reformed Egyptian." The plates were translated not by his own knowledge, but by the power of God. The bottom line is that either you believe in a God that can intervene in the universe He created, or you don't. You either believe in a God that can part the Red Sea, turn water to wine, and rise from the dead, or you don't. I know from personal experience that God does intervene in the universe He has created, and so the idea of Him using Joseph Smith as an instrument to bring to light an ancient text is not so far-fetched for me. For others who believe God is aloof and distant, Joseph's story seems incredible. Joseph himself said he would not have believed if he hadn't lived through it himself.
Of course, the idea that one could translate from an unknown language is not at all surprising now days. I'm sure Apple's "got an app for that." :) Perhaps God provided Joseph Smith with a divine iPhone. :)
Mormon, an ancient American prophet, compiled the records of his people into the Book of Mormon.
Joseph Smith found the golden plates buried in a hill near his home. They had been placed there 1,400 years earlier by an ancient prophet named Moroni. The Dead Sea scrolls and other evidences demonstrate that hiding away records for future generations was indeed an ancient Middle-Eastern practice.
I have to take issue with the idea that Joseph Smith was "crazy." I'm a medical student, and so I know a little bit about genuine mental illness. Joseph Smith was a charismatic, caring, eloquent, and capable leader. He demonstrated no disorganized thinking and speech, impairment in social cognition, paranoia, avolition, catatonia, blunted affect, alogia, anhedonia, mood changes, etc. These symptoms would be expected in one suffering from schizophrenia, for example. It's also difficult to dismiss his visions as mere hallucinations because in many instances he was not the only one to see them. When angels visited him on the banks of the Susquehanna River in 1829, Oliver Cowdary was present and saw the same vision. In 1830, an angel showed three other men, together with Joseph Smith, the golden plates on which the ancient record was recorded. In 1836, others with Joseph Smith also saw visions and were ministered to by angels. Many other examples could likewise be cited.
"And some of the Book of Mormon sounds as though the preachers were falling from God and casting his name away. Why were they doing that?" I've read the Book of Mormon many times and have no idea what you're talking about. Please provide more details.
The Book of Mormon has been translated into many languages.
"Jesus came for one thing - salvation over our human race, so why did this Book of Mormon come into existence when there seems to be no need for it?" I of course agree that Jesus came into the world to bring salvation, however, your subsequent comment regarding the Book of Mormon is non sequitur. Additionally, why do you believe there is no need for the Book of Mormon? Can you provide any evidence? Given that there are many Christian denominations, each interpreting the Bible in different ways, I should think more of God's words would be welcome. I'm sure many in the years following Christ's crucifixion argued that the New Testament was "not needed." What would have happened had we paid them heed?
Thanks for your question, Jennifer. Let me know if there's anything more I can do to help.
The Book of Mormon was written by a series of prophets from 600 B.C. to 421 A.D. on the American continent. Because we do not have the original plates to examine, it's impossible to identify the language used to make the ancient record. The people described in the Book of Mormon came from ancient Israel and so likely spoke Hebrew in the beginning. Indeed, scholars have found many Hebraisms in the Book-of-Mormon text that confirm its ancient Semitic origin, and evidence of a Hebrew influence on the ancient Uzo-Azteca language of Central and North America is also convincing. According to Mormon 9:32, the Hebrew alphabet was not used, however. The Hebrew words were written in "reformed Egyptian," perhaps originally the Demotic or Hieratic forms of Egyptian known to scholars today. The alphabet was substantially modified during the thousand years of history recorded in the text, however, and likely bore little resemblance to its original form by the time the golden plates were created around 400 B.C.
Of course, the idea that one could translate from an unknown language is not at all surprising now days. I'm sure Apple's "got an app for that." :) Perhaps God provided Joseph Smith with a divine iPhone. :)
I have to take issue with the idea that Joseph Smith was "crazy." I'm a medical student, and so I know a little bit about genuine mental illness. Joseph Smith was a charismatic, caring, eloquent, and capable leader. He demonstrated no disorganized thinking and speech, impairment in social cognition, paranoia, avolition, catatonia, blunted affect, alogia, anhedonia, mood changes, etc. These symptoms would be expected in one suffering from schizophrenia, for example. It's also difficult to dismiss his visions as mere hallucinations because in many instances he was not the only one to see them. When angels visited him on the banks of the Susquehanna River in 1829, Oliver Cowdary was present and saw the same vision. In 1830, an angel showed three other men, together with Joseph Smith, the golden plates on which the ancient record was recorded. In 1836, others with Joseph Smith also saw visions and were ministered to by angels. Many other examples could likewise be cited.
"And some of the Book of Mormon sounds as though the preachers were falling from God and casting his name away. Why were they doing that?" I've read the Book of Mormon many times and have no idea what you're talking about. Please provide more details.
Thanks for your question, Jennifer. Let me know if there's anything more I can do to help.