Unusual Facts about Joseph Smith's Translation of The Book of Mormon

The translation of The Book of Mormon, which is a central text for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is rich with intriguing and unusual details. This article explores several aspects of this extraordinary text and its translation, highlighting some of the lesser-known and peculiar elements.

Absence of Female Characters

A notable and somewhat unusual fact about The Book of Mormon is the absence of named female characters within its pages. Such a significant absence is highly unusual in literature dealing with characters from ancient times, especially given its setting and the implicit narrative flow. This peculiarity invites reflection on the historical and cultural context of its authorship and the 19th-century values that may have influenced Joseph Smith.

Translation Errors

The Book of Mormon's translation process also presents several unusual aspects. According to its narrative, the gold plates were allegedly buried around 420 AD and unearthed by Joseph Smith in 1820. However, the text contains numerous passages directly copied from the King James Bible, including errors that were present in the 1611 and 1769 versions. This phenomenon is highly unusual because it suggests that some part of the translation process retained inaccuracies from previous versions of the Bible.

Given the supposed divine origins of the Book of Mormon, one might expect a flawless, error-free translation. The presence of these translation errors raises questions about the authenticity and reliability of the text. Jerome A. Bridges, a critical scholar, notes that these inconsistencies challenge the claims of divine inspiration and suggest a human rather than supernatural source. He states, “How could a divine translation contain errors that were already present in the 1611 and 1769 versions of the King James Bible? Is it possible that Joseph Smith copied from these existing texts, thus introducing or maintaining these errors?”

Lack of Archaeological, Linguistic, and Folklore Evidence

Another unusual aspect of The Book of Mormon is the lack of archaeological, linguistic, or folklore evidence that supports its claims. The text makes assertions about ancient civilizations, cultures, and languages that have not been substantiated by any scientific or historical research. For instance, critics like Sidney B. Sperry pointed out that there are no artifacts, inscriptions, or historical records from Mesoamerica that corroborate the text's narratives. This absence of supporting evidence casts doubt on the veracity of the Book of Mormon’s claims.

Moreover, genetic research disproves some of the Book of Mormon's key assertions. Studies of indigenous DNA in the Americas reveal that Native Americans are descended from populations in Asia, not the Near East as the text suggests. The LAM3 DNA marker, for example, is found only in Asian populations and not in Native American populations, suggesting that the people described in the Book of Mormon did not contribute to the genetic makeup of modern Native Americans. This genetic evidence contradicts the Book of Mormon's claims and further diminishes its credibility.

Historical and Literary Anomalies

Several historical and literary anomalies also make The Book of Mormon's translation process unusual. For instance, the span of time between Joseph Smith receiving the plates and beginning the translation was remarkably long – four years. In Revelation 14:6, an angel is described as giving the inhabitants of the earth the everlasting gospel. This passage does not align with the Book of Mormon's narrative of an angel giving a text to Joseph Smith. This mismatch in historical and literary references adds another layer of perplexity to the translation process.

Paul mentions in Galatians 1:6-9 the danger of deviation from the true apostolic message, which questions the accuracy and authenticity of subsequent translations or interpretations of sacred texts. The Book of Mormon, in its presentation of a divine translation, may be seen as diverging from such religious norms. As Jerome A. Bridges asserts, this textual divergence challenges the idea of a perfect, untouched story handed down by divine fiat.

Conclusion

The Book of Mormon's translation presents a multitude of fascinating and unusual elements. Its absence of female characters, the presence of translation errors, the lack of supporting evidence from archaeology, linguistics, and genetics, and the historical and literary anomalies all contribute to a complex and intriguing narrative. These unusual features invite further exploration and critical examination, challenging believers and skeptics alike to ponder the nature and source of this sacred text.