Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Discussion with A Mormon on Translations

Chelsea: What prompted you to come onto Mormon.org today?
Me: a question
Me: is that ok
Chelsea: yes of course!
Me: it is about the 8th article of the church
Chelsea: alright
Me: has the church stated or defined what the proper translation of the bible is?
Me: should one be using the Joseph Smith Translation?
Chelsea: The church leves the Bible as is, but we have the Joseph Smith Translation to help clarify doctrine that was changed etc.
Chelsea: We use the King James Version of the Bible.
Me: so is the King James the Proper Translation of the Text?
Chelsea: we know that that is not the proper translation completely, because through Revelation Joseph Smith has helped clarify some scriptures. That is why we say in the 8th Article of Faith, we believe the Bible to be the word of Goid as far as it is translated correctly
Me: hmmm
Me: so what is wrong with the King James?
Chelsea: There is just things that have been translaed incorrectly or doctrines that have been changed through mans understanding.
Me: do you have an example
Chelsea: an example is in John 1:1
Me: ok
Chelsea: In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God
Chelsea: In the Bible it says :In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Chelsea: The first was a translation from Revelation through Joseph Smith.
Chelsea: This clarifys it and helps us to understand that the word means the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Word of God—He created all things and was made flesh—John baptizes Jesus and testifies he is the Lamb of God—John, Andrew, Simon, Philip, and Nathanael believe in Christ and follow him. Christ.
Chelsea: alot of people think that that verse means that God and Jesus Christ are the same person. We know that they are two seperate beings but united in purpose
 
I have to admit, that in all my discussions with Mormons, this is the first time that I have heard this, and while I am not 'surprised' I am shocked at the lengths the Joseph Smith and the Mormon Church go to re-translate the clear texts of scripture. 

However, this is where things get more interesting. Go to - http://scriptures.lds.org/en/john/1 and notice the header which reads:  Christ is the Word of God—He created all things and was made flesh—John baptizes Jesus and testifies he is the Lamb of God—John, Andrew, Simon, Philip, and Nathanael believe in Christ and follow him.

Does it seem odd that they wouldn't clear up the misconception that Jesus is God right here? I mean why even publish something that is so bankrupt and clearly wrong, would be a good question for our Mormon friends.

The JST (Joseph Smith Translation) reads as follows:

1 In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made which was made.
4 In him was the gospel, and the gospel was the life, and the life was the light of men;
5 And the light shineth in the world, and the world perceiveth it not. 
....
14 And the same word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

It seems that there is a bit of a hiccup here because it seems that Ol' Joe forgot to re-translate verse 14, because this would mean that the Gospel was made flesh... and then dwelt among us as who??  ... Jesus ... Maybe? If not then who...? 

Despite Ol' Joe's best effort it seems that he missed something, or perhaps the church will get a word about the JST here.

1 comment:

Witness For the Word said...

Ken, This is an extremely useful bit of information and I appreciate you posting it... The fact of all false religions is that if they are going to be believable they must attempt to lessen Christ and here is ample evidence here how the Mormons seek to do that... Good Post. Rev Frank R Anderson. www.witword.blogspot.com