Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-01-31
A CURRENT QUESTION.

We have received from one % the
wards In Idaho the following question.
which We are requested TO answer
Through the columns Of the Deseret
News. AS 1t does no, relate to any To-
cal matter which would come under the
immediate jurisdiction of the ward or
stake authorities, and 10 a subject that
r. receiving much attention Just now
we VIII respond to the deaire OF our
friend on this matter as far as we are
able. The question asked Is az follows:
did Joseph Smith the Prophet. in
translating the Book OF Mormon use
his own language IN tranalating the
book into the English language, or did
ne use what appeared 90 him IN the
Nrim and Thummm as the lnterpreta-
fion Of the Nephite characters and
would II pass away before Il was cor
rectly written2"
We are Of the opinion that the Manu-.
al for l9O5.lsOe prepared az a guide to
the Young Mems Mutual Improvement
Association In the study OF the Book
of Mormon. viii give sufficient an
swer. But there Is some conflict OF
opinion, I'm consequence OF statements
purporting TO have been made by David
Whitmer and Martin Harris. concern
ing the manner In which the Prophet
Joseph obtained the Interpretation Of
the characters Inscribed upon the me-
tallic plates. which were in reformed
Egyptian hieroglyphics. The idea con-
veyed by those statements was that
when the Prophet Joseph looked into
the Trim and Thummm he saw the
characters that were on the plates. and
underneath them their meaning In the
English language, and that when read
Ing them to the scribe who wrote for
him, tho line would not disappear and
another take its place unless II was
copied correctly
The history OF the Prophet Joseph
Smith. prepared from his diary, does
not afford that Information, nor do we
know OF anything authentic as coming
from him which gives description or
explanation OF the manner OF transla-
ton OF the Nephite record One thing
however, Is very clear to us, and that
is that whether in prophecy or preach
Ing or translating. the man inspired Of
God Is not simply u talking machine.
but one who is divinely impressed and
enlightened and whose understanding
Is auickened and enlarged. but who still
possesses all his faculties and the free
agency which God has given TO all
mankind.
II all that was necessary for the Seer
was to look into the instrument given
10 him as an aid In the work Of trans
lation. there would have been no real
necessity for his possession OF the
plates. which he had to guard with such
care. And II every word in English
was supplied to him in the way sup
posed, II is not likely that any errors
either In grammar or composition would
be seen. We have not the slightest
doubt that with the aid of those stones
and by the gift and power OF God, Jo-
seph was able TO read the characters on
the plates and understand their fun
Specification, and that he expressed that
In the ordinary language 70 which he
was accustomed and according to his
knowledge In the use OF H. Just as a
person who translates anything from
an ancient or modern language. the un-
derstanding Of which he obtains by tho
ordinary means, and who would give It
IN English. according to the usual
phraseology to which he was accuse
toned
The prophets Of old who spoke and
wrote "as moved upon by the Holy
Ghost though inspired by the same
spirit expressed that which was given
TO them in their own way and with
those distinctive pecularlties they each
possessed. They were not acted upon
against their own VIII or as automa-
tons. As Paul has It. THE spirits OF
the prophets are subject 10 the pro-
phets' Any one who has enjoyed the
spirit Of revelation, either I'm prophecy.
In testimony, in preaching IN interpre-
tation OF tongues, or IN other spiritual
gifts. knows what It is 10 receive light
and truth by the power OF God. which
he speaks forth IN his own language /
and In his own manner aud style. lie
who has not been thus Inspired NAV
not be able 10 understand how the !
meaning Of the characters on the plates
was made clear 10 the translator so /
that he could express It IN his own |
language
But the Important fact IN this I'm. !
portant matter is that Joseph Smith |
really received those ancient records /
much OF the history of this
continent and an account or the deal
ings Of God with the early Inhabitants
thereof; that he translated them into
the English Language; and that accord
Ing to the testimony VI the three wit.
nesses, oliver Cowdery David Whit.
mer and Martin Harris. the voice NJ
the Lord declared that they were
translated by the gift and power a,
Cod and therefore they were trans.
lated correctly. As TO the exact modus
operandl. there Is nothing on record
that We know OF as coming from the
Prophet himself
The great truth remains that we bavo
The Book OF Mormon, written in s,rrn;,
language and that such imperfectlons
as may be found In Il are. "a IL de-
clares itself. "the mistakes OF men"