Evaluating Joseph Smith’s Biblical Revisions: A Critical Perspective
The Joseph Smith Translation (JST) of the Bible represents one of the most ambitious projects undertaken by Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement. Claiming direct revelation from God, Smith set out to revise and correct what he perceived as errors and omissions in the biblical text. However, this undertaking has been met with skepticism and criticism, particularly from those who question Smith’s prophetic claims and motivations. Critics argue that Smith’s revisions served more to affirm his own prophetic role within the narrative of scripture than to restore lost biblical truths.
Drastic Changes and New Insertions
Smith’s translation introduced significant alterations to the Bible, some of which diverge markedly from any known biblical manuscripts, including those found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, which date back to centuries before Christ and align closely with later texts of the Hebrew Bible.
- Genesis: In the Book of Genesis, Smith made extensive additions, including detailed narratives about Enoch, which are not found in the traditional biblical text. These additions include prophecies of Christ, the establishment of a Zion-like city, and detailed visions of God. This expanded Enoch narrative aligns closely with themes found in later Latter Day Saint doctrine but is absent from ancient Judeo-Christian texts.
- Matthew 24: Smith’s revision of Matthew 24 includes explicit references to the United States and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, neither of which is present in any ancient manuscript of the New Testament. These changes reflect Smith’s efforts to link his 19th-century religious movement directly to biblical prophecy.
- Moses and Abraham: In the JST, entire new books are added, such as the Book of Moses and the Book of Abraham (though the latter primarily came from a separate translation project of Egyptian papyri). These works introduce doctrines and narratives not found in the Bible or in any ancient texts associated with the biblical canon, including detailed cosmologies and pre-mortal existence.
Critical Perspectives
Critics of Smith’s translation effort highlight these and other changes as evidence of Smith’s attempt to write himself and his contemporary revelations into the biblical narrative. They argue that the lack of manuscript evidence to support Smith’s revisions, coupled with the direct benefit these changes provided in bolstering his own prophetic authority, raises serious questions about the legitimacy of his claims to divine inspiration.
The debate over the Joseph Smith Translation is emblematic of broader discussions about prophetic authority, scriptural integrity, and the interplay between religious leadership and sacred texts. For skeptics and critics, the JST serves as a case study in how religious figures can influence and reshape scriptural narratives to reflect their own theological innovations and leadership roles.
In conclusion, while Joseph Smith’s translation of the Bible is viewed by some as a divinely inspired restoration of lost truths, it is seen by others as a problematic attempt to affirm his own prophetic status through significant and unsubstantiated alterations to the biblical text. This critical perspective invites a closer examination of the motives, methods, and outcomes of Smith’s scriptural revision project.
