50 changes in the book of mormon white and delightsome

Key passages on deity in the original 1830 text of the book of mormon were changed in the 1837 edition to reflect joseph smiths changing doctrine of deity. The primary research for this information was taken from the book 39 changes in the book of mormon by jerald and sandra tanner. If the book of mormon is the most correct of any book on earth, as joseph smith said, why does it contain over 4000 changes from the original 1830 edition. While the book of mormon only discusses the lamanites, early church leaders believed that this applied to all races, and that everyone in the celestial kingdom would have white skin. A historian looks at the legacy of racism in the church of jesus christ of latter day saints. Five vignettes an article by douglas campbell in dialogue about the history of the verse 2 nephi 30. In making this study we obtained photocopies of an original 1830 edition of. This publication is intended for scholars of all faiths and persuasions, lds, rlds and all others interested in the text. Joseph originally taught that jesus and the father were the same. I had to read the thing because i was writing a story of mormons hell bent for leather to bleach lamanites into white and delightsome beings as the book of mormon foretells. Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the son god. The history of racism and white supremacy in the mormon. Criticism of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints wikipedia. Understanding the nature of the thousands of small changes in the book of mormon may be helpful and interesting.

The church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church has been the subject of criticisms since it was founded by american religious leader joseph smith. Facts the mormon church doesnt want you to know examining the claims of mormonismis the church of jesus christ of latterday saints the true church. Hawaii presents a specific context to studylds church doctrine and native members. So, according to the book of mormon, not only is dark skin a curse, but interracial relationships are too. What does it mean to be a white and delightsome people. Book of mormon manuscripts why the lds church is true. Then, their scales of darkness shall begin to fall from their eyes. Book of mormontextual changeswhite changed to pure. Politically correct, yet still racist changes 2 nephi 30.

In 1840 the book of mormon was carefully revised by the translator, joseph smith, and in that edition the expression white and delightsome was changed to pure and delightsome. Mormons have developed a strong sense of commonality that stems from their doctrine and history. Yes, i understand that this is a purported book of scripture, another testament of jesus. Interracial marriage and the church of jesus christ of latter. Using the first three editions of the book of mormon along with these transcripts, scholars now have all the available information for studying the text of the book of mormon. How can someone believe the book of mormon is a divine. I told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book. Apr 20, 2010 in 1840 the book of mormon was carefully revised by the translator, joseph smith, and in that edition the expression white and delightsome was changed to pure and delightsome. Mormon president, questioned on mormon teaching of the curse of cain black skin. Critics argued the change was made to address allegations of racism, since the utahbased faith had a racial policy that, until 1978, barred blacks from being ordained to the. This time the book of mormon is trying to fall in line with what is socially and politically acceptable regarding the race issue. Mormons dedicate large amounts of time and resources to serving in their church, and. See book of mormon central article on ancient context of white and delightsome regarding 2 nephi 30.

Church removes racial references in book of mormon headings. The onepage introduction to the book of mormon, which gives a brief overview of its contents, was added in 1981 when the lds church released a revised text of the book of mormon. The book of mormon has had 3,9 grammatical changes made to it since its inception. Yesterday while reading some interesting news stories on byus online newspaper, i came across an article they posted a few years back about changes made to the introduction in the book of mormon their article reminded me once again of the arbitrary nature of the church when it comes to the validity of joseph smiths claims on anything from his first vision to why.

The passage read, many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a white and a delightsome people 2 nephi 30. Church removes racial references in book of mormon. That same year, a verse that used white and delightsome to describe what will happen to darkskinned peoples when they repent was changed to pure and delightsome. But the book of mormon is an israelite book and is full of cultural expressions unique to israel and the middle east that modern mormons are not often familiar with. When mormons aspired to be a white and delightsome people. Visit book of mormon central at follow us on facebook many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a white and a delightsome people book of mormon, 1830 edition.

The nephites gods favorite people were also white and exceedingly delightsome. As of this week you can add two more to that total in a roundabout way. Royal skousen, changes in the book of mormon royal skousen, restoring the original text of the book of mormon. Lucy smith, biographical sketches of joseph smith, the prophet, and his progen itors for many generations liverpool. Smith is full of bluff and bluster, and is a fraud. This textual emendation has understandably raised questions about the book of mormon s racial. Since its first publication in 1830, the book of moron has undergone thousands of changes. It is interesting to find out what the book of mormon.

Facts the mormon church doesnt want you to know 4mormon. Several native americans are suing the mormon church for. Jan 08, 2018 but the book of mormon is an israelite book and is full of cultural expressions unique to israel and the middle east that modern mormons are not often familiar with. In the united states, we often think in concrete terms of black and white especially when it comes to race. Interracial marriage and the church of jesus christ of. The book of mormon is another testament of jesus christ and is one of the main differentiators between the church of jesus christ of latterday saints often referred to. The book of mormon describes the nephites as white and delightsome, and says that god cursed the lamanites with a skin of blackness so the nephites would not be attracted to them and their idolatrous ways. Why does the book of mormon state that jesus was born in jerusalem alma 7. The prophet joseph smith made an important textual emendation to this passage in the 1840 edition of the book of mormon, where the phrase a white and a delightsome people was changed to a pure and a book of mormon use of black and white read. It was one of those infamous changes to the book of mormon. If the book of mormon is true, then why has the mormon church changed it. Tvedtnes has pointed out that in the neareastern context white doesnt necessarily mean.

Royal skousen, a professor of linguistics at byu and a recognized expert of the textual history of the book of mormon, has identified 5,280 variations in all editions of the book of mormon. Then the government and culture objected to the racism of mormonism, so they relented, and allowed blacks the priesthood, and suddenly the book of mormon was changed to pure and delightsome. This is not the first time changes were made to disguise the racist foundation of the book of mormon. But it is deeply troubling for me to read passages in the book of mormon and wonder how the term white is meant to be understood if it is not about skin color. Tvedtnes has pointed out that in the neareastern context white doesnt necessarily mean a color see response to carm. This particular change was made to the 1840 edition of the book of morm. Critics of the church point out that the 1981 edition of the book of mormon changes a passage from white and delightsome to pure and delightsome. Behold, the lamb of god, yea, even the eternal father. Understanding textual changes in the book of mormon. Mormons altering indian prophecy the new york times.

The book of mormon describes the nephites as white and delightsome, and says that god cursed the lamanites with a skin of blackness so the nephites would not be. Book of mormon changes the fall of mormonism rich kelsey. This was changed by joseph smith in 1840 to read that nephis descendants would become a pure and a delightsome people. Jul 06, 2008 president nelson grandfathers visit from the other side of the veil and family history work duration. Gerald and sandra tanner have counted 39 changes in the book of mormon. Types of changes in the book of mormon text the following statistics are derived from my computerized collation of the two manuscripts of the book of mormon the original and the printers manuscripts and 20 standard page 173 editions of the book of mormon fifteen lds editions, from 1830 to 1981, the 1858 wright edition, and four rlds. Conference report, october 1960, afternoon meeting 34 at last the indians are suitable. In 1852 the act in relation to service allowing the enslavement of black people in utah was passed, which also banned sexual intercourse between a white person and any of the african race. This change seems to reflect the prophets concern that modern readers might misinterpret this passage as a reference to racial changes rather than to. Jul 01, 2011 however, there are numerous other changes which affect the doctrinal teachings of the book of mormon. The introduction was written by mormon apostle brucer. How can one justify the change of the wording white and delightsome in 2 nephi 30.

Reasons for textual changes made to the book of mormon over the years after it was first published god changed to son of god in the book of mormon white and delightsome changed to pure and delightsome benjamin was changed to mosiah in later editions of the book of mormon. In reality, though, the kind of stylistic accuracy achieved by these changes has little to do with what joseph meant when he called the book of mormon the most correct of any book on earth. This textual emendation has understandably raised questions about the book of mormons racial. This passage is often quoted relative to the lifting of an ancient book of mormon curse since the phrase white and delightsome was changed to pure and delightsome in the 1840 and again in the 1981 editions of the book of mormon. Types of changes in the book of mormon text the following statistics are derived from my computerized collation of the two manuscripts of the book of mormon the original and the printers manuscripts and 20 standard page 173editions of the book of mormon fifteen lds editions, from 1830 to 1981, the 1858 wright edition, and four rlds. The book of mormon promises that lamanites, being cursed. Lds scripture church drops dark and skin of blackness from lamanite descriptions.

However, when we look beneath the veneer, we see truth. The 1830 edition of the book of mormon had nephi prophesy that his descendants would become a white and a delightsome people through the gospel of jesus christ. Mormon president, questioned on mormon teaching of the curse. As you can see, the book of mormon is a changing document. In making this study we obtained photocopies of an original 1830 edition of the book of mormon from the university of utah library. In 1981, a certain passage in the book of mormon was changed back to the original 1840 version, where pure and delightsome was used instead of white and delightsome to describe. To obtain copies of their work please write to utah lighthouse ministry p. While the book of mormon only discusses the lamanites, early church leaders believed that this applied to all races, and. The churchs attitude was reflected in past utah laws where its members held a notable amount of political influence. Mormonism has taught that the american indians were descendants of the lamanites to try to justify the fiction of the bom. In his prophecies of the last days, nephi remarked that the book of mormon would be carried forth unto the remnant of his seed. For much of its history, the salt lake citybased lds church edition of the book of mormon taught that darkskinned lamanites indians would eventually experience a change in the color of their skin should they embrace the book of mormon. In this study we will show that there have been at least 3,9 changes made in the book of mormon from the time it was first published in 1830. What follows are examples of some of the most significant revisions made to the book of mormon, the doctrine and covenants, and the pearl of.

Why were the words white and delightsome in 2 nephi 30. Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of god. Have you ever asked yourself how many times the holy bible has been changed from the time the original revelations were received over a period of several thousand years at least. For this people shall be scattered and shall become a dark, a filthy, and a loathsome people, beyond the description of that which ever hath been amongst us, yea, even that which hath been among the lamanites and this because of their unbelief and idolatry. In this picture of the twenty lamanite missionaries, fifteen of the twenty were as light as angios. Jun 17, 2009 if the book of mormon is true, why do indians fail to turn white when they become mormons. For years they have been growing delightsome, and they are now becoming white and delightsome, as they were promised. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Speaking of the lamanites, the book of mormon bom contains a prophecy about them that can easily be put to the test. In 1981, the first presidency approved a change that adopted. White and delightsome changed to pure and delightsome jump to subtopic.

Until a few decades ago, the church of jesus christ of latterday saints taught that they shall be a white and a delightsome people, a phrase taken from the book of mormon. A forum for exmormons and others who have been affected by mormonism to share news, commentary, and comedy about the mormon church. Until 1981 the darkskinned, filthy, and loathsome lamanites had held out to them the promise that their repentance would make them white and delightsome. The book of mormon what is the mark of cain in the. Evolution of the mormon temple ceremony 18421990 i understand there are arguments from the church against the tanners, but their work stands the scrutiny of serious seekers. The book of mormon translated by joseph smith, jun. Why was the phrase white and delightsome changed to pure and delightsome in the 1840 edition of the book of mormon. If god is an exalted man with a body of flesh and bones, why does alma 18. The reading of pure has been retained in the 20 lds edition of the text.

Despite the best efforts of uniformly dressed pairs of mormons everywhere, the theological beliefs of mormons and members of the largest mormon church, the. Mcconkie, at the time considered to be one of the churchs most prominent theologians. The change in the 1981 edition seems to be an attempt to bring the book of mormon up to speed with the 1978 revelation that allowed black members of the church to hold the priesthood. The book of mormon promises that lamanites, being cursed with. May 03, 2015 and he had caused the cursing to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity. Criticism of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints.

The original reading of white and delightsome was retained in the lds textual tradition until the 1981 edition of the book of mormon, where it substituted white with the pure for the 1840 edition. Changes to latterday scripture lds leaders have made. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds or mormon church in. The phrase white and delightsome was changed to pure and delightsome. Joseph smith declared that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth.

In 1840, the white and delightsome of the original book of mormon text was changed by joseph smith to pure and delightsome in the third edition. Book of mormon word change christian research institute. Indians turning white and delightsome life after ministry. Sep 09, 2017 mormon president, questioned on mormon teaching of the curse of cain black skin. If the book of mormon contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel, why doesnt it say. Oct 23, 2016 the lds church teaches that native americans are descendants of the lamanites, a group of people who, according to the book of mormon, left israel in 600 b. During the 19th century, mormon converts tended to gather to a central geographic location, and between 1852 and 1890 a minority of mormons openly practiced plural marriage, a form of religious polygamy. Mormon president, questioned on mormon teaching of the. For behold, they had hardened their hearts against him, that they had become like unto a flint. Criticism of the church of jesus christ of latterday. Box 1884 salt lake city, utah 84110 or visit their website.