The Book of Mormon... have you read it?

[evanfaust]

evanfaust - Okay. But was God speaking a French word to JS and he copied it down?
Or was JS translating a different word God said to “adieu?”

I know I am repeating myself with this question:
What language did God speak to Joseph Smith?

Lax,

We dont know exactly how the translation took place, but I found some clarification from FAIR on the subject:

*How did Joseph translate the writing on the plates?

All that we know for certain is that Joseph translated the record “**by the gift and power of God.” **(D&C 135:3) We are given some insight into the spiritual aspect of the translation process, when the Lord says to Oliver:

“**But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.” **(D&C 9:8)

Beyond this, the Church does not take any sort of official stand on the exact method by which the Book of Mormon translation occurred. In 1993, Elder Russell M. Nelson stated that “the details of this miraculous method of translation are still not fully known.” Joseph Smith himself never recorded the precise physical details of the method of translation:

“Brother Joseph Smith, Jun., said that it was not intended to tell the world all the particulars of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon; and also said that it was not expedient for him to relate these things” *

What was the translation process?

We do not know the definitive answer to this question. What we do have are a number of accounts of the translation process from the perspective of various contemporary second-hand witnesses who viewed the Prophet as he dictated to his scribes. The only person other than Joseph who attempted to directly translate was Oliver Cowdery. Oliver, however, did not record any details regarding the exact physical process that he employed during his attempt—we only have the spiritual aspect of the process.

Was the Prophet provided with the exact wording of every sentence in the Book of Mormon? Was he simply given impressions which he then dictated within the context of his own understanding? Was it some combination of the two methods? Witnesses to the translation process each had their own view of the process. Joseph’s wife Emma related her own experience:

When my husband was translating the Book of Mormon, I wrote a part of it, as he dictated each sentence, word for word, and when he came to proper names he could not pronounce, or long words, he spelled them out, and while I was writing them, if I made a mistake in spelling, he would stop me and correct my spelling, although it was impossible for him to see how I was writing them down at the time. .?. . When he stopped for any purpose at any time he would, when he commenced again, begin where he left off without any hesitation, and one time while he was translating he stopped suddenly, pale as a sheet, and said, “Emma, did Jerusalem have walls around it?” When I answered, “Yes,” he replied, “Oh! I was afraid I had been deceived.” He had such a limited knowledge of history at the time that he did not even know that Jerusalem was surrounded by walls."

en.fairmormon.org/Book_of_Mormon/Translation

 

[Answersplease]

Answersplease:

Also, where is the CYPHER and a COPY of the original text?

Conveniently, Joseph Smith was’nt allowed to keep the supposed golden plates, but why did’nt he MAKE A COPY of the original text USING THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE?

No cypher, no “key”, no alphabet of the “original” language from the supposed golden plates, AND most important NO COPY of the supposed golden plates IN THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE… (rolls eyes)

What kind of translator, does a translation WITHOUT keeping a RECORD of THE CYPHER and a COPY OF the ORIGINAL TEXT IN THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE?

How
very
very
very
CONVENIENT.

 

[dianaiad]

Are you answering for everyone else for some reason?

If so, I don’t understand what you are saying and you did not answer my questions.

What language did use God when speaking to Joseph Smith?

If the word adieu is in the Book of Mormon as I have read it is, did God say it or did JS translate what God said into it? You are saying that there is not report of any conversation that Joseph had with God did he mention the word “adieu.” Then where did it come from?

I see the problem.

Muslims consider the Koran to have been written by God, and Mohammad wrote it down in Arabic precisely as it was dictated to him. This is why only Korans printed in that language are considered validly scripture. Translated versions are considered to be ‘lesser,’ and not by any means to be viewed as inerrant.

Is this the sort of thing you are thinking about the BoM? Because…that’s not what we claim for it at all. We do NOT claim that God wrote it, y’know. We claim that the Book of Mormon, like the Bible, was written by many different writers; different books, different works, compiled into a collection of works. In the case of the Book of Mormon, that compilation was made BY a prophet of God, named Mormon…hence the name. It is that compilation and abridgement of this collection of books that was translated by Joseph Smith.

So your question is actually missing the mark; Joseph translated the work of other men, who wrote in THEIR languages. He did not take dictation from God. True, these other men were prophets too, but they were still men, and THEY wrote the Book of Mormon, just as men wrote the bible.

When God spoke to those men, presumbably He spoke to them in a manner that communicated His meaning to them. Probably in their language, just as Joseph’s description of his revelations from God have Him speaking to Joseph in English.

I don’t expect that you have a problem with God speaking English when He wants to, do you?

 

[Answersplease]

Answersplease:

Also, where is the CYPHER and a COPY of the original text?

Conveniently, Joseph Smith was’nt allowed to keep the supposed golden plates, but why did’nt he MAKE A COPY of the original text USING THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE?

No cypher, no “key”, no alphabet of the “original” language from the supposed golden plates, AND most important NO COPY of the original text from the supposed golden plates IN THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE… (rolls eyes)

What kind of translator, does a translation WITHOUT keeping a RECORD of THE CYPHER and a COPY OF the ORIGINAL TEXT IN THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE? (rolls eyes)

How
very
very
very
CONVENIENT.

 

[dianaiad]

Diana - wow.

Please show where any research on the subject shows more than 1800 years or more specifically, 3000 years. I have provided some, you have provided nothing but your opinion.

I have asked you to provide research to prove your point.

I am not doing anything to avoid admitting defeat - I am open to what you have or anyone else has to say. There is no way I am going to claim to be a Hebrew Bible scholar.

Please provide the biblical scholars that claim the bible was written over 3-4 thousand years. The biblical scholar I quoted stated a thousand years. My opinion after reading up on it is 1800 years if one accounts for oral history starting with Abraham.

Diana, I could care less about raised eyebrows. I am submitting the research of experts. Raise your eyebrows at them.

Again, you are conflating authorship with WRITING. you are correct in claiming that the estimate for the actual setting the words in print took place over about 2000 years, from Job to Revelation…

But these writers didn’t just sit down one day and decide Oh, I think I’ll explain how the world came to be, and talk about all the happenings since the Genesis of mankind…and have it fly, full blown, from his mind to the pen.

those stories were already out there, waiting to be written down…oral history. For instance, let’s look at the flood narratives.

Let us assume that the story of Noah is based upon a real event, shall we? If it is, then the narratives surrounding it would be shared by many different cultures, and in fact, flood narratives are among the most ubiquitous in the world–but if the bible is correct about this stuff, all those narratives would be based upon the Noah story. Of course, there are many people who believe that the Noah story is based upon other flood narratives, like that of Gligamesh, but either way you want to look at the matter, the first WRITTEN narrative of the flood from any source is from that story of Gilgamesh…which recounts the oral narratives of events handed down from 2500 BC. As well, oral tradition and ‘bardic’ history goes back a lot further than that.

Again, you have to stop equating the putting down of stories in paper and ink as the beginning of the CREATION of these stories. Any Native American, for instance, would, with justification, consider this attitude to be ridiculous…HOW long did they have a rich oral history before someone came and transferred their tales to ink? Doing so did not invent those tales, it simply froze them.

 

[lax16]

Again, you are conflating authorship with WRITING. you are correct in claiming that the estimate for the actual setting the words in print took place over about 2000 years, from Job to Revelation…

**But these writers didn’t just sit down one day and decide Oh, I think I’ll explain how the world came to be, and talk about all the happenings since the Genesis of mankind…and have it fly, full blown, from his mind to the pen. **
those stories were already out there, waiting to be written down…oral history. For instance, let’s look at the flood narratives.

Let us assume that the story of Noah is based upon a real event, shall we? If it is, then the narratives surrounding it would be shared by many different cultures, and in fact, flood narratives are among the most ubiquitous in the world–but if the bible is correct about this stuff, all those narratives would be based upon the Noah story. Of course, there are many people who believe that the Noah story is based upon other flood narratives, like that of Gligamesh, but either way you want to look at the matter, the first WRITTEN narrative of the flood from any source is from that story of Gilgamesh…which recounts the oral narratives of events handed down from 2500 BC. As well, oral tradition and ‘bardic’ history goes back a lot further than that.

**Again, you have to stop equating the putting down of stories in paper and ink as the **beginning of the CREATION of these stories. Any Native American, for instance, would, with justification, consider this attitude to be ridiculous…HOW long did they have a rich oral history before someone came and transferred their tales to ink? Doing so did not invent those tales, it simply froze them.

Diana - Let’s not forget that this whole conversation started when a certain someone mentioned that it took several thousand years to **write **the Bible. Any thinking person would ask “Really?”

You decided to answer for him and have made all sorts of claims about this and that.

When did I say that there wasn’t an oral history???

I provided research on the topic that answered the question “How long did it take to write the Bible.”

As far as Noah etc, I read a couple of writings from classical Rabbis claiming that they believe that God created the world 6,000 years ago.

Other than that, I don’t know why you are arguing with me.

 

[evanfaust]

I am responding to chris who, in error, claimed that it took thousands of years to write the Bible.

No, we should not be calling the gospels “The gospels of Jerome” but I think **it’s time **Mormons give credit where credit is due in the history of the early Church. What St. Jerome did was a huge task! And to think he did this when he was in apostasy…

You’re losing me here…who is talking about **authorship **of the gospels???

If you want to talk about the Hebrew Bible, and how long it took to write that, that’s another topic. ** (Please note chris’ post was referring to the New Testament).**

According to the Book of Moses, Adam also wrote books. Many other books were written during the history of mankind, but they got lost, or at least we know they are not part of the current Bible.

“And a book of remembrance was kept, in the which was recorded, in the language of Adam, for it was given unto as many as called upon God to write by the spirit of inspiration;” Moses 6:5

Some even consider that Moses writings (Pentateuch) were based on previous records kept by other descendants of Adam.

 

[lax16]

So your question is actually missing the mark; Joseph translated the work of other men, who wrote in THEIR languages. He did not take dictation from God. True, these other men were prophets too, but they were still men, and THEY wrote the Book of Mormon, just as men wrote the bible.

I don’t expect that you have a problem with God speaking English when He wants to, do you?

You say he did not take dictation from God, but “Joseph Smith translated them by the gift and power of God.” (Intro to the BoM)

So, he read the golden tablets with special glasses that allowed him to translate from ancient Egyptian to English?

Was it the glasses or the gift and power of God that helped him translate? Or both?

When he translated the writings, did he (or whoever was helping him) write it down in English?

I don’t have a problem with God speaking English, but if God was not dictating to Joseph Smith, then why would He be speaking English??? He was not speaking at all, right?

 

[lax16]

According to the Book of Moses, Adam also wrote books. Many other books were written during the history of mankind, but they got lost, or at least we know they are not part of the current Bible.

“And a book of remembrance was kept, in the which was recorded, in the language of Adam, for it was given unto as many as called upon God to write by the spirit of inspiration;” Moses 6:5

evanfaust - I am not familar with the Book of Moses. If it is not part of my Hebrew Bible search with commentary by Orthodox Rabbis I guess I won’t be able to find it.

 

[lax16]

I see the problem.

Muslims consider the Koran to have been written by God, and Mohammad wrote it down in Arabic precisely as it was dictated to him. This is why only Korans printed in that language are considered validly scripture. Translated versions are considered to be ‘lesser,’ and not by any means to be viewed as inerrant.

Is this the sort of thing you are thinking about the BoM? Because…that’s not what we claim for it at all. **We do NOT claim that God wrote it, y’know. We claim that the Book of **Mormon, like the Bible, was written by many different writers; different books, different works, compiled into a collection of works. In the case of the Book of Mormon, that compilation was made BY a prophet of God, named Mormon…hence the name. It is that compilation and abridgement of this collection of books that was translated by Joseph Smith.
So your question is actually missing the mark; Joseph translated the work of other men, who wrote in THEIR languages. He did not take dictation from God. True, these other **men were prophets too, but they were still men, and THEY wrote the Book of Mormon, just as men wrote the bible. **
When God spoke to those men, presumbably He spoke to them in a manner that communicated His meaning to them. Probably in their language, just as Joseph’s description of his revelations from God have Him speaking to Joseph in English.

I don’t expect that you have a problem with God speaking English when He wants to, do you?

So then who do Mormons say is the “author” of the Book of Mormon? I know it is a collection/compilation of different writers, and JS translated their work…so the prophets/men are the authors of the Book of Mormon?

 

[dianaiad]

Diana - Let’s not forget that this whole conversation started when a certain someone mentioned that it took several thousand years to **write **the Bible. Any thinking person would ask “Really?”

And you are now circling back to the equivocation that I addressed, of “writing” being interpreted by YOU to mean 'setting it in ink (or cunform marks in clay, whatever…) and the origination of the stories. In today’s world, where the vast majority of tale tellers are literate, we automatically assume that when one creates a story or wants to give information out, one puts it in writing so that others can read. Therefore the assumption is that ‘writing’ something and ‘creating’ something are synonymous. In fact, that can be proven by the fact that even when the creation is a cartoon (drawings…) or movies/videos that are primarily something OTHER than simple script on paper, the creator is still sometimes said to have ‘written’ it.

The thing is, those who claim that it took that long to ‘write’ the bible mean that it took that long to create it…INCLUDING the oral history that the writing set down. To insist upon some other interpretation for the purpose of ridicule is the worst sort of equivication and straw man fallacious reasoning.

You decided to answer for him and have made all sorts of claims about this and that.

A. since he hasn’t jumped in to correct me, I assume that I am not misrepresenting what he meant by 'write…"
B. his meaning was REALLY obious according to the context.

When did I say that there wasn’t an oral history???

This isn’t about whether you admit to there being an oral history, lax. It’s about whether you dismiss that oral history from all influence in the creation of the bible, which is what is being referred to here.

I provided research on the topic that answered the question “How long did it take to write the Bible.”

yes, and I responded to that…all those sites that talk about how long it took to WRITE the bible all refer to the written record alone, not the process of creation. In fact, I did directly address that issue, and have done so in this post as well.

As far as Noah etc, I read a couple of writings from classical Rabbis claiming that they believe that God created the world 6,000 years ago.

Other than that, I don’t know why you are arguing with me.

Because you are ridiculing Chris…and me…over the use of the word ‘write,’ deciding that since you, for the purposes of this discussion, are going to limit the definition of ‘write’ to the physical act of recording a story, and thus insist that those who use it in the larger sense, meaning to ‘create,’ MUST also be using it in your more narrow sense, and thus be worthy of such ridicule.

That’s why.

the simple thing is, when people say it took thousands of years to write the bible, they MEAN that it took thousands of years to create it…all the oral history and stories that are compiled within that book. All the oral history and mythology (and I use THAT word in the larger sense, meaning ‘creation stories,’ that has nothing to do with the truth or falsity of those stories) was around for a very, very long time before they were written down.

 

[lax16]

And you are now circling back to the equivocation that I addressed, of “writing” being interpreted by YOU to mean 'setting it in ink (or cunform marks in clay, whatever…) and the origination of the stories. In today’s world, where the vast majority of tale tellers are literate, we automatically assume that when one creates a story or wants to give information out, one puts it in writing so that others can read. Therefore the assumption is that ‘writing’ something and ‘creating’ something are synonymous. In fact, that can be proven by the fact that even when the creation is a cartoon (drawings…) or movies/videos that are primarily something OTHER than simple script on paper, the creator is still sometimes said to have ‘written’ it.

The thing is, those who claim that it took that long to ‘write’ the bible mean that it took that long to create it…INCLUDING the oral history that the writing set down. **To insist upon some other interpretation for the purpose of ridicule is the worst sort of equivication and straw man fallacious reasoning. **
A. since he hasn’t jumped in to correct me, I assume that I am not misrepresenting what he meant by 'write…"
B. his meaning was REALLY obious according to the context.

This isn’t about whether you admit to there being an oral history, lax. It’s about whether you dismiss that oral history from all influence in the creation of the bible, which is what is being referred to here.

yes, and I responded to that…all those sites that talk about how long it took to WRITE the bible all refer to the written record alone, not the process of creation. In fact, I did directly address that issue, and have done so in this post as well.

Because you are ridiculing Chris…and me…over the use of the word ‘write,’ deciding that since you, for the purposes of this discussion, are going to limit the definition of ‘write’ to the physical act of recording a story, and thus insist that those who use it in the larger sense, meaning to ‘create,’ MUST also be using it in your more narrow sense, and thus be worthy of such ridicule.

That’s why.

the simple thing is, when people say it took thousands of years to write the bible, they MEAN that it took thousands of years to create it…all the oral history and stories that are compiled within that book. All the oral history and mythology (and I use THAT word in the larger sense, meaning ‘creation stories,’ that has nothing to do with the truth or falsity of those stories) was around for a very, very long time before they were written down.

Whatever you say Diana.

I ridiculed Chris? Sorry chris if you feel I ridiculed you. Usually when someone makes a statement in their post and another person disagrees with it or questions it, the two people debate the topic.

Diana, I say we are going to have to agree to disagree on this topic.

I refuse to go back and forth with you so you can accuse me (and possibly report me?) for defending my position.

Anyway, I feel very comfortable with the information I have provided on this topic and will not discuss it any more.

I look forward to discussing other topics with you in the future.

 

[dianaiad]

Whatever you say Diana.

I ridiculed Chris? Sorry chris if you feel I ridiculed you. Usually when someone makes a statement in their post and another person disagrees with it or questions it, the two people debate the topic.

Diana, I say we are going to have to agree to disagree on this topic.

I refuse to go back and forth with you so you can accuse me (and possibly report me?) for defending my position.

REPORT YOU???

Wow.

 

[dianaiad]

REPORT YOU???

Wow.

 

[lax16]

Lax,

We dont know exactly how the translation took place, but I found some clarification from FAIR on the subject:

*How did Joseph translate the writing on the plates?

All that we know for certain is that Joseph translated the record “**by the gift and power of God.” ***(D&C 135:3) We are given some insight into the spiritual aspect of the translation process, when the Lord says to Oliver:

“**But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.” **(D&C 9:8)

Beyond this, the Church does not take any sort of official stand on the exact method by which the Book of Mormon translation occurred. In 1993, Elder Russell M. Nelson stated that “the details of this miraculous method of translation are still not fully known.” Joseph Smith himself never recorded the precise physical details of the method of translation:

“Brother Joseph Smith, Jun., said that it was not intended to tell the world all the particulars of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon; and also said that it was not expedient for him to relate these things”

What was the translation process?

We do not know the definitive answer to this question. What we do have are a number of accounts of the translation process from the perspective of various contemporary second-hand witnesses who viewed the Prophet as he dictated to his scribes. The only person other than Joseph who attempted to directly translate was Oliver Cowdery. Oliver, however, did not record any details regarding the exact physical process that he employed during his attempt—we only have the spiritual aspect of the process.

Was the Prophet provided with the exact wording of every sentence in the Book of Mormon? Was he simply given impressions which he then dictated within the context of his own understanding? Was it some combination of the two methods? Witnesses to the translation process each had their own view of the process. Joseph’s wife Emma related her own experience:

When my husband was translating the Book of Mormon, I wrote a part of it, as he dictated each sentence, word for word, and when he came to proper names he could not pronounce, or long words, he spelled them out, and while I was writing them, if I made a mistake in spelling, he would stop me and correct my spelling, although it was impossible for him to see how I was writing them down at the time. .?. . When he stopped for any purpose at any time he would, when he commenced again, begin where he left off without any hesitation, and one time while he was translating he stopped suddenly, pale as a sheet, and said, “Emma, did Jerusalem have walls around it?” When I answered, “Yes,” he replied, “Oh! I was afraid I had been deceived.” He had such a limited knowledge of history at the time that he did not even know that Jerusalem was surrounded by walls."

en.fairmormon.org/Book_of_Mormon/Translation

evanfaust - thank you for providing this info.

So Joseph Smith, along with Oliver Cowdery, translated the BoM into English from the golden tablets, correct?
Did they both wear the glasses(?), did they take turns…?

In the Introduction to the Book of Mormon it does not mention Cowdery as being part of the translation, only Joseph Smith. Did Moroni appear to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery?

I realize that your post from fairmormon stated that not much was known, but sometimes there is an oral history or legend that people pass on.

thanks!

 

[evanfaust]

evanfaust - thank you for providing this info.

So Joseph Smith, along with Oliver Cowdery, translated the BoM into English from the golden tablets, correct?
Did they both wear the glasses(?), did they take turns…?

In the Introduction to the Book of Mormon it does not mention Cowdery as being part of the translation, only Joseph Smith. Did Moroni appear to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery?

I realize that your post from fairmormon stated that not much was known, but sometimes there is an oral history or legend that people pass on.

thanks!

Lax,

Oliver Cowdery (He saw the angel and the golden plates) was the main scribe of the Book of Mormon not the translator. He attempted to translate, but he was not able to do it, and the Lord explains why …“You must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right” (D&C 9:8). There was a mental effort in the translation process and Joseph’s ability to translate apparently increased as the work progressed. But according to David Whitmer (another of the three Witness of the Angel and the golden plates), …“the words would appear to Joseph on something resembling a piece of parchment and that he would read the words off to his scribe (An Address to All Believers in Christ, 1887, p. 12).”

According to David Whitmer, “Joseph could only translate when he was humble and faithful. One morning something had gone wrong about the house; Joseph could not translate a single syllable until he went into an orchard, prayed, and then he and Emma made amends (CHC 1:131).”

“Most reports state that throughout the project Joseph used the “Nephite interpreters” or, for convenience, he would use a seer stone (see CHC 1:128-30). Both instruments were sometimes called by others the Urim and Thummim. In 1830, Oliver Cowdery is reported to have testified in court that these tools enabled Joseph “to read in English, the reformed Egyptian characters, which were engraved on the plates” (Benton, Evangelical Magazine and Gospel Advocate 2 [Apr. 9, 1831]:15). In an 1891 interview, William Smith indicated that when his brother Joseph used the “interpreters” (which were like a silver bow twisted into the shape of a figure eight with two stones between the rims of the bow connected by a rod to a breastplate), his hands were left free to hold the plates. Other late reports mention a variety of further details, but they cannot be historically confirmed or denied.”

lightplanet.com/mormons/book_of_mormon/translation.html

More about Oliver Cowdery…

Oliver Cowdery (1806-1850), scribe to Joseph Smith and witness of the Book of Mormon (1829), Second Elder of the Church (1830), and Assistant President of the Church (1834), editor, and lawyer. Cowdery was with Joseph Smith when the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods and keys were restored. After ten years of separation from the Church, he was rebaptized. He died at age forty-three, faithful to his testimony.

Oliver Cowdery (1806-1850) was next in authority to Joseph Smith in 1830 (D&C 21:10-12), and was a second witness of many critical events in the restoration of the gospel. As one of the three Book of Mormon Witnesses, Oliver Cowdery testified that an angel displayed the gold plates and that the voice of God proclaimed them correctly translated. He was with Joseph Smith when John the Baptist restored to them the Aaronic Priesthood and when Peter, James, and John ordained them to the Melchizedek Priesthood and the apostleship, and again during the momentous Kirtland Temple visions (D&C 110).

lightplanet.com/mormons/people/oliver_cowdery.html

 

[lax16]

Lax,

**Oliver Cowdery **(He saw the angel and the golden plates) **was the main scribe **of the Book of Mormon not the translator. He attempted to translate, but he was not able to do it, and the Lord explains why …“You must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right” (D&C 9:8). There was a mental effort in the translation process and Joseph’s ability to translate apparently increased as the work progressed. But according to David Whitmer (another of the three Witness of the Angel and the golden plates), …"****the words would appear to Joseph on something resembling a piece of parchment and that he would ****read the words off to his scribe (An Address to All Believers in Christ, 1887, p. 12)."

According to David Whitmer, “Joseph could only translate when he was humble and faithful. One morning something had gone wrong about the house; Joseph could not translate a single syllable until he went into an orchard, prayed, and then he and Emma made amends (CHC 1:131).”

“Most reports state that throughout the project Joseph used the “Nephite interpreters” or, for convenience, he would use a seer stone (see CHC 1:128-30). Both instruments were sometimes **called by others **the Urim and Thummim. In 1830, **Oliver Cowdery is reported to have testified in court that these tools enabled Joseph “**to read in English, the reformed Egyptian characters, which were ****engraved on the plates” (Benton, Evangelical Magazine and Gospel Advocate 2 [Apr. 9, 1831]:15). In an 1891 interview, William Smith indicated that when his brother Joseph used the “interpreters” (which were like a silver bow twisted into the shape of a figure eight with two stones between the rims of the bow connected by a rod to a breastplate), his hands were left free to hold the plates. Other late reports mention a variety of further details, but they cannot be historically confirmed or denied.”

lightplanet.com/mormons/book_of_mormon/translation.html

More about Oliver Cowdery…

Oliver Cowdery (1806-1850), scribe to Joseph Smith and witness of the Book of Mormon (1829), Second Elder of the Church (1830), and Assistant President of the Church (1834), editor, and lawyer. Cowdery was with Joseph Smith when the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods and keys were restored. After ten years of separation from the Church, he was rebaptized. He died at age forty-three, faithful to his testimony.

Oliver Cowdery (1806-1850) was next in authority to Joseph Smith in 1830 (D&C 21:10-12), and was a second witness of many critical events in the restoration of the gospel. As one of the three Book of Mormon Witnesses, Oliver Cowdery testified that an angel displayed the gold plates and that the voice of God proclaimed them correctly translated. He was with Joseph Smith when John the Baptist restored to them the Aaronic Priesthood and when Peter, James, and John ordained them to the Melchizedek Priesthood and the apostleship, and again during the momentous Kirtland Temple visions (D&C 110).

lightplanet.com/mormons/people/oliver_cowdery.html

Hi evanfaust -

How long did the whole process take of translating/transcribing the books?

Where were the golden plates kept while not in use?

Did JS and OC work together on this project the whole time or were there times JS was on his own?

Did JS have a job at the time?

What are Nephite interpreters?

Since Oliver Cowdery was involved in the writing of the BoM why is he not as famous as Joseph Smith? Is he considered a prophet as well?

Why did he fall away from the Mormon church?

thanks!

 

[lax16]

So then who do Mormons say is the “author” of the Book of Mormon? I know it is a collection/compilation of different writers, and JS translated their work…so the prophets/men are the authors of the Book of Mormon?

re-posting my question.

 

[dianaiad]

re-posting my question.

lax, this question has been asked…and answered.
We believe that the Book of Mormon was written by many men over the length of many years and centuries. Those records were compiled…and somewhat abridged by…Mormon. Joseph Smith later translated the compilation by Mormon.

 

[LoveGod21]

I have read the book of Mormun and find it to be utter tripe. Catholics have it right really