Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-11-06
nooK ol MonMoN N JArAN.

We are in receipt of "a COPS of the
Japanese translation Of the Book oil
Mormon. which was published on the
10th of October. this yeur, az Tokyo.
Japan The translation Is the work
OF Elder Alma q TAYLOR. and We take
pleasure of congfatulating Bro. Taylor
ON the completion OF this stupendous
literary undertaking OF the merits of
the translation We have no means 1e
fomlng an opinion. but we have no
doubt that lt Is in every way satis-
factory The book presents "a very arr
tistic appearance from the mechanical
point OF Wow. it is printed on good
paper in large. clear characters. aud
the binding IS very handsome II con-
tains. I'm an. 917 pages. or these si2
arc devoted TO the text Itself The in-
eek nils &c pages and four pages are
devoted to explanations, one page 10
each OF the Testimonies. and two pages
20 the English title
From letter by Elder Taylor we
learn some interesting particulars re-
lating TO this work. IN a conference
Of the Elders held az Tokyo Jan. H.
the time had come to begin work on
the translation OF this Scripture and
requested an the Elders to use their
spare time in translating what they
could. Elder Taylor says that afteg
returning 10 his field. China City,
where he labofed alone. he made his
first effort at the translation. on the
evening Of Monday Jan. u.s. 1904. begin
ming with the title page
About tho middle OF July, the same
year tho Elders met in Tokyo and
reported their labors for tho past six
months. II was reported that very liz
tie time was found for translation. so
President Ensign appointed Elder Tay-
hon TO make the translation OF the Book
OF Mormon his principal work. From
that time tin President Ensign was re-
leased about one year. nearly every
day was devoted 10 that literary task
After becoming president OF the mis-
sion. other duties called him from this
work, but he persevered until at last
the great labor was finished 'The
blessings OF the Lord,' Elder Taylor
says, upon the work have been count
less and the praise and honor aud
glory for It's successful contamination
Is all His. Elder Fred A. Game was
called 70 act as assistant IN the work
after President Enagn's return and m
his work as scribe critic. and counselor
he has been pillar Of strength.
through whom the Lord has frequently
made known his viii regarding trans
lation problems"
Few have an adequate idea Of the
stupondous work such translation Is
But IL has required five years Of
honest, almost constant application o.
heart, brain and hand to accomplish Ii.
We quote the following. from the let
ter verbatim:
Frhe labor has been a most valuable.
inspiring and elcVatiug pleasure. SO
much 50 that physical fatigue and
mental strains have never reached ms
heaiL IN this point / believe Eldor
cain has been entirely like myself mis-
power OF application. and ABILITY u
stick 10 his work without firing or
wishing for something else bias been "a
source ~ gratitude 10 mo and a certain
proof that he was the right man Tor
the position I roiolce that be has
been permitted Co be with me 10 the
end and know that his integrity in this
and his other missionary labors o.
worthy of great reward The support
gwen 20 the work hN am the mission
aries who have lahored here during lts
fuogrcss have been a constant mo-
mortal before the lord. The native
Saints also have been deeply interested
IN the work and hail It's completion ne
an answer 90 their earnest prayers. Nor
is the influence OF the faith and nrayer-
fNl eUllolfuue of RllHs RAJ hers rnof naI.a