G. Eerdmans Publishing Company, n.d.), 1:116. The Lord God (Jehovah) was their God. And numerous others that you can think of. Opening to Genesis 14, and holding the book over where he could see, I pointed to the little superscript “a” at the end of verse 24. This seems a most appropriate place to conclude. This work differs from the KJV in at least 3,410 verses and consists of additions, deletions, rearrangements, and other alterations that cause it to vary not only from the KJV but from other biblical texts. In the JST this is considerably strengthened: “I, the Almighty God, give unto thee a commandment; that thou shalt walk uprightly before me, and be perfect” (emphasis added). Just then the buzzer rang for his stop, and as he started for the door, he looked back and grinned as if to say “Thanks!”. He will continue to look for valuable insights wherever they may be found, and be persuaded that the most valuable commentary on the scriptures are the scriptures themselves (e.g., Lehi on the fall of Adam, Alma on the tree of life, Paul on a variety of topics relating to the early patriarchs and covenants). What is the fundamental message of Genesis? Eve said, “I have gotten a man from the Lord” (Genesis 4:1). Most of the Christian world, with the help of a few assumptions, reaches the following conclusions: Adam and Eve both openly rebelled against God and committed a wicked, evil sin—undoubtedly breaking the law of chastity. 6. “See that little ‘a.’ Now let’s look down to the cross-references. A careful investigation of the actual use of this word in the Scriptures will unequivocally show that 'Elohim, while plural in form, is singular in concept. [10] C.F. John 1:1 “In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. [2] The book of Moses excerpts in the first edition of the Pearl of Great Price (1851) were taken from the Evening and Morning Star and the Times and Seasons. [11] “A Plainer Translation”: Joseph Smith’s Translation of the Bible, A History and Commentary (Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1975), 257; also cf. But, if the children are born whole, then how does one account for the wickedness in our society? Before considering many unique changes, it might be observed that Joseph Smith’s work anticipates some of the very elements and themes emerging from recently discovered apocryphal texts, including segments about Adam, Enoch, Melchizedek, Abraham, and Joseph, thereby providing additional evidence of Joseph Smith’s prophetic calling. The Joseph Smith Translation (JST) of the Bible, also known as the Inspired Version (IV), was written by Joseph from 1830 to 1833. 9. Additional information includes: Enoch’s speech and vision; the translation of the city of Zion; that many others were later translated before the flood; the great wickedness of Enoch’s time surpassed that among the Lord’s other creations; the city of Zion and the New Jerusalem are to be joined together; and a millennium of peace is foretold. from June 1830 to July 1833, which was exactly the time he was working on the Bible translation. by Robert J. Matthews. .” [6] Thus the story is further dismissed as simply “saga and legend.” [7]. One afternoon, shortly after the “new” King James Version, LDS Edition came out, I boarded the Wasatch Boulevard bus going south on State Street in Salt Lake City and found that there was only one seat vacant—right in the middle of the back row. While engaging in such a concentrated study of the scriptures, it was natural for him to ask questions and ponder on various subjects, inquire of the Lord, and receive divine revelation in answer to his inquiry.” [11] Of what consequence could this be to a greater understanding of Genesis? Whether one believes him or not, the discussion has focused on whether Smith's English texts represent literal translations of extant source documents. In the Book of Mormon, Ammon defined a seer as one who possessed “a gift from God” to translate ancient records (Mosiah 8:13; see also Mosiah 28:11–16). With his Father, it is his work and glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. However, not all was lost; his younger brother (Abel) “walked in holiness before the Lord” (JST, Genesis 5:11/Moses 5:26), yet another (Seth) offered an “acceptable sacrifice” (JST, Genesis 6:4/Moses 6:3), and they began “to call upon the name of the Lord” (JST, Genesis 6:5/Moses 5:4). Grandsons Ephraim and Manasseh were adopted like sons to Jacob with the same standing as his own twelve sons. He is the Only Begotten Son—creator of heaven and earth. In it, Joseph Smith desired to restore many of the “plain and precious things taken away from the book, which is the book of the Lamb of God.”(1 Nephi 13:28) Therefore, the clearest example given of biblical prophecy regarding Joseph Smith from the JST is Genesis 50:30-33: And again, a seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins, and unto him will I give power to bring forth … The man who studies Genesis with the aid of the JST is like unto a ship’s captain who, while viewing many majestically beautiful icebergs (doctrines) floating in a vast ocean (the everlasting gospel), seeks all the information available (from the standard works and teachings of the modern prophets) as to their true size, shape, and direction. Beware, this doesn't contain the whole text of the Bible. It would be hard to overestimate the negative psychological impact this false doctrine would have on a person’s life when trying to overcome individual weaknesses and gain eternal perfection. A book of remembrance was kept with which Adam’s children were taught a language which was pure and undefiled. In this regard, we can see a similarity to eighteen verses in Doctrine and Covenants 107. Ammon further taught that “a seer can know of things which are past, and also of things which are to come,” noting further that the gi… The Divine Author is easy to recognize, especially in the first part—the premortal Lord Jesus Christ is speaking as the Father by divine investiture of authority. Through personal righteousness, man could gain eternal life. He rebelled and sought to destroy man’s agency. Since these blessings are contingent on man’s overcoming his personal sins, it is no surprise that the most persistent single injunction in the early record is for men to repent. Several additions are given: A popular commentary says, “The first son of this [Adam and Eve’s] union is named Cain.” [9] Not so, for Adam and Eve had many sons and daughters prior to the birth of Cain and Abel. What other unique textual contributions are given? And men began from that time forth to be carnal, sensual, and devilish” (JST, Genesis 4:13/Moses 5:12–13.) . Consider two examples: 1. D&C 76:15ff. The big choice placed before Adam and Eve, their children, and grandchildren is identical to ours. Genesis 1:30 (JST, Genesis 1:32; Moses 2:30). Genesis 19:31–33 (JST, Genesis 19:37–39). In most of the passages there is an emphasis on the fact that man becomes that way, clearly implying he was not so to begin with. . Cain’s unacceptable offering came only after Satan commanded it. Genesis was given to help raise a benighted people (ancient and modern) from their bondage to a renewed sense of who their creator is, who they are, what their blessings and responsibilities are, and the potential of their divine destiny. 37 And he lifted up his voice, and he blessed Abram, being the high priest, and the keeper of the storehouse of God; 38 Him whom God had appointed to receive tithes for the poor. . None of the foregoing information is found in either Genesis or JST, Genesis directly, but “These things were all written in the books of Enoch, and are to be testified of in due time” (D&C 107:57). The order of events in Lot’s interaction with the wicked men of Sodom is changed. For a more detailed discussion of these and other examples, see: The Joseph Smith Translation and 2 Samuel 12:13; The Joseph Smith Translation and John 1:1 Genesis 17:17 (JST, Genesis 17:23). Having sampled the main course, let’s go back and pick here and there at the relish plate. Those covenants mentioned directly or indirectly include tithing (Genesis 14:20), priesthood (JST, Genesis 6:7/Moses 6:7), and baptism (Moses 6:52). Also, they worry that if the universe has an existence independent of God, this undermines basic theology. Satan agreed to submit to Cain’s commands in return for Cain’s entering into the secret oaths to commit murder. Judging from the more complete revelation to Moses (found in JST, Genesis), could not ancient and modern Israel conclude that among the most important things they were to know are the following: Because Genesis covers a period of history over twice as long as all the other thirty-eight books of the Old Testament combined, obviously it was not intended as a detailed history, but contains things the Lord felt were vital for Israel to know. And Satan came among them, saying: I am also a son of God; and he commanded them, saying: Believe it not; and they believed it not, and they loved Satan more than God. George A. Horton Jr., “Insights into the Book of Genesis,” in The Joseph Smith Translation: The Restoration of Plain and Precious Truths, ed. Instead of the “stone” being the house of God, it is the “place” of the house of God. Genesis 28:22 (JST, Genesis 28:22). [9] The Interpreter’s One Volume Commentary on the Bible, 6. The translation of the Bible through Joseph Smith must be a major part, if not the direct fulfillment, of this prophecy. “Adam and Eve . However, the seeric gift was not limited to translation, hence Ammon’s additional statement “that a seer is a revelator and a prophet also” (Mosiah 8:16). [5]. Joseph Smith Translation Genesis 16, Part One: Beer-la-hai-roi The Prophet Joseph Smith's New Translation of Genesis 16 brings rich surprises. Jacob acknowledges that Joseph was to save the house of Israel, and Joseph’s children were to be blessed above those of his brethren. The fact that the gospel of redemption was taught from the beginning has to be one of the most exciting insights we encounter in our gospel study. Did you know that you skipped over sixteen complete verses of scripture that you didn’t even read?”, Reaching into my briefcase, I pulled out my new KJV, LDS Edition. Following are a few small but critical corrections that add to the beauty of the scriptural account: 1. [4] Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3 vols. Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon religion, made a number of changes to the King James Bible that is known today as either the Inspired Version or Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible. The manuscript of the JST shows that Joseph Smith … And Cain loved Satan more than God.” (JST, Genesis 5:4, 6/Moses 5:16, 18.). Thus Satan became the author of secret combinations of darkness. A central claim in Mormon history and doctrine is the assertion that Joseph Smith was able to translate ancient documents into English by the gift and power of God. It was Noah, not the Lord, who was sorry (repented) that the Lord had made man. Grant Building Additional details not referred to heretofore (and missed by the man on the bus) include the faith of Melchizedek who had great power to perform many miracles; that men having such faith (including his people) were translated and joined the city of Enoch; Melchizedek was appointed the keeper of the storehouse of God and henceforth was the appropriate one to whom tithes were paid. Risking the possibility that he might not be LDS, I said, “Pardon me, do you mind if I ask you a question?” Looking a little surprised, he said, “No, go ahead.”, “Do you mind telling me why you are reading the old Bible when the new one is available?” Again he looked a little shocked at the challenge, but as he searched for words, he almost unconsciously pulled his book close to him and said, “I just like my old Bible, that’s all.” Then he added, “And besides, I guess it’s the money.”, “You can buy a new Bible at the Distribution Center for about seven dollars,” I suggested. In summary, to gain insights into the book of Genesis, it has been suggested that: However, the search of the dedicated student or teacher will not end here. How Is the Book of Moses Related to JST, Genesis? In Genesis, the Fall is mentioned primarily as an event only. Finally, it can be established that Joseph Smith approached the text of Scripture with his own personal agenda, consistently breaking rules of proper Biblical interpretation (i.e. . “We will have the men, and they daughters also.” The latter was their idea, not Lot’s, contrary to the Genesis account. All I knew about him was where he got on and off the bus. One will note that Genesis 5 gives the patriarchal line from Adam to Noah, indicating little more than the age of the patriarchs when the sons in the patriarchal line of succession were born. The Lord called on men everywhere by the Holy Ghost to repent. I have had the Complete Joseph Smith Translation of the New Testament by Wayment for a long time. . To call this version a “translation” gives a false impression. Where did it all begin? To appreciate the contribution of the JST on the adversary’s role, we remind ourselves that the word Satan occurs only nineteen times in the KJV Old Testament, and its first occurrence does not appear until 1 Chronicles 21:1. 15. for in heaven created I them.”. Approaching the study of the JST is a lifetime endeavor to which we each bring different levels of gospel scholarship. What Related Extratextual Sources Are Available? Genesis 48:5–6 (JST, Genesis 48:5–11). Monte S. Nyman and Robert L. Millet (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1985), 51–70. Who was the prophet-scribe? The principles that will sanctify, save, and exalt men today are the same that applied in every age or dispensation. Genesis 19:8 (JST, Genesis 19:11). JST, Hebrews 7:3; D&C 107:3). . “But behold, Cain hearkened not, saying: Who is the Lord that I should know him? Our current book of Moses is taken from JST, Genesis. The gospel of Jesus Christ taught in the beginning. Satan wanted to save all mankind and receive God’s honor. This is in contrast to the KJV where there is no direct call to repent in the entire book of Genesis. From this, who could possibly reconstruct the history or operation of the priesthood for approximately twenty-five hundred years—from Adam to Moses? . Also, that by this sin they doomed all mankind to be born already stained with original sin upon their souls into a world of grief, sorrow, and suffering. Most of us probably don’t fully appreciate or have a true perspective on the value of the JST because we have been using part of it for such a long time (i.e., the book of Moses). 36 And this Melchizedek, having thus established righteousness, was called the king of heaven by his people, or, in other words, the King of peace. The Joseph Smith Translation, also called the Inspired Version of the Holy Scriptures, is a revision of the Bible by Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, who said that the JST/IV was intended to restore what he described as “many important points touching the salvation of men, had been taken from the Bible, or lost before it was compiled.” Smith died before he deemed it complete, though … The wording of section 132 and its doctrinal nature reflect its connection with JST, Genesis. He was the Lord God who spoke to Adam and all the prophets. After laboring off and on for ten months on the early chapters of Genesis, Joseph Smith received a revelation from the Lord on March 7, 1831, directing him to begin work on the New Testament: "It shall not be given unto you to know any further concerning this chapter, until the New Testament be translated, and in it all these things shall be made known; wherefore I give unto you that ye may now translate it" (D&C 45:60-61). The translation of the Bible through Joseph Smith must be a major part, if not the direct fulfillment, of this prophecy. It is clear that reading Genesis without the benefit of the JST would be something like chewing on a T-bone with much of the steak already cut off, or reading the New Testament parables, never realizing that they had a dual meaning and that the one we missed was the most valuable. Genesis 24:2, 9 (JST, Genesis 24:2, 8). What Other Unique Textual Contributions Are Given? (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. If we go back to the Joseph Smith Translation [hereafter referred to as JST] in the appendix, we will find sixteen more verses of scripture which you did not read.” The questioning look on his face was obvious, but before he could even finish his next question, “What does it say?” I had already closed my book and was putting it back in my briefcase. Thus, we see that none of them occur in the common version of Genesis. When introducing the covenant to Abraham, in the King James Version Abraham is instructed to “walk before me, and be thou perfect” (Genesis 17:1). Some of the major facts which cannot be overlooked in the JST are: In short, Adam knew of the mission of Jesus Christ, received instruction from him, understood the necessity of exercising faith in him, bore witness of him, and taught these things to his descendants for several generations. Melchizedek also, “having been approved of God, he was ordained an high priest after the order of the covenant which God made with Enoch, It being after the order of the Son of God; which order came, not by man, nor the will of man; neither by father nor mother; neither by beginning of days nor end of years; but of God” (JST, Genesis 14:27–28). And men began from that time forth to be carnal, sensual, and devilish.” (JST, Genesis 4:13/, The consequences of partaking of the fruit are given and then qualified by “nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself” (JST, Genesis 2:20–22/, After the Fall, Adam and Eve were taught “the plan of salvation unto all men, through the blood of mine Only Begotten” (JST, Genesis 6:65/, “Because of my transgression,” said Adam, “my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God” (JST, Genesis 4:10/, Eve “heard all these things, and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient” (JST, Genesis 4:11/. John 1:1 “ in the JST shows that Joseph Smith ’ s birth, Adam and Eve mourned because his..., 6/Moses 5:16, 18. ) could possibly reconstruct the history operation! 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