The Articles of Faith Part 32

=18. Mormon's Abridgment.=--In the course of time the records that had acc.u.mulated as the history of the people grew fell into the hands of Mormon;[775] and he undertook to make an abridgment of these extensive works, upon plates made with his own hands.[776] By such a course, a record was prepared more concise and more nearly uniform in style, language, and treatment than could possibly be the case with the varied writings of so many authors as had contributed to the great history during the thousand years of its growth. Mormon recognizes and testifies to the inspiration of G.o.d by which he was moved to undertake the great labor.[777] In preparing this shorter history, Mormon preserved the division of the record into books according to the arrangement of the originals; and thus, though the language may be that of Mormon, except in cases of quotations from the plates of Nephi, which are indeed numerous, we find the Books of Nephi, the Book of Alma, the Book of Helaman, etc., the form of speech known as the first person being generally preserved.

[775] Words of Mormon i, 11; Mormon i, 1-4; iv, 23.

[776] III Nephi v, 8-11.

[777] III Nephi v, 14-19.

=19.= When Mormon, in the course of his abridgment, had reached the time of King Benjamin's reign, he was deeply impressed with the record engraved on the smaller plates of Nephi,--the history of G.o.d's dealings with the people during the period of about four centuries, extending from the time of Lehi's exodus from Jerusalem down to the time of King Benjamin. This record, comprising so much of prophecy concerning the mission of the Savior, was regarded by Mormon with more than ordinary favor. Of these plates he attempted no transcript, but included the originals with his own abridgment of the larger plates, making of the two one book. The record as compiled by Mormon contained, therefore, a double account of the descendants of Lehi for the first four hundred years of their history,--the brief secular history condensed from the larger plates, and the full text on the smaller plates. In solemn language, and with an emphasis which subsequent events have shown to be significant, Mormon declares the hidden wisdom of the Divine purpose in this duplication:--"And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will."[778]

[778] Words of Mormon i, 7.

=20. The Lord's Purpose= in the matter of preparing and of preserving the smaller plates as testified of by Mormon, and also by Nephi,[779]

is rendered plain from certain circ.u.mstances in this dispensation attending the translation of the records by Joseph Smith. When the prophet had prepared a translation of the first part of the writings of Mormon, the ma.n.u.script was won from his care through the unrighteous solicitations of Martin Harris, to whom he considered himself in a degree indebted for financial a.s.sistance in the work of publication. This ma.n.u.script, in all 116 pages, was never returned to Joseph; but, through the dark schemes of evil powers, it fell into the hands of enemies, who straightway laid a wicked plan to ridicule the translator and thwart the purposes of G.o.d. This evil design was that they wait until Joseph had re-translated the missing matter, when the stolen ma.n.u.script, which in the meantime had been altered so that the words were made to express the contrary from the true record, would be set forth as a proof that the prophet was unable to translate the same pa.s.sages twice alike. But the Lord's wisdom interposed to bring to naught these dark designs.

[779] I Nephi ix, 5.

=21.= Having chastened the prophet by depriving him for a season of his gift to translate, as also of the custody of the sacred records, and this for his dereliction in permitting the writings to pa.s.s into unappointed hands, the Lord graciously restored His penitent servant to favor, and revealed to him the designs of his enemies;[780] at the same time showing how these evil machinations should be made to fail.

Joseph was instructed, therefore, not to attempt a re-translation of that part of Mormon's abridgment, the first translation of which had been stolen; but instead, to translate the record of the same events from the plates of Nephi,--the set of smaller plates which Mormon had incorporated with his own writings. The translation so made was therefore published as the record of Nephi, and not as the writing of Mormon; and thus no second translation was made of the parts from which the stolen ma.n.u.script had been prepared.

[780] Doctrine and Covenants, x.

=22. The Translation of the Book of Mormon= was effected through the power of G.o.d manifested in the bestowal of the gift of revelation. The book professes not to be dependent upon the wisdom or learning of man; its translator was not versed in linguistics; his qualifications were of a different and of a far more efficient order. With the plates, Joseph Smith received from the angel other sacred treasures, including a breastplate, to which were attached the Urim and Thummim,[781]

called by the Nephites _Interpreters_; and by the use of these he was enabled to render the ancient records in our modern tongue. The details of the work of translation have not been authentically recorded beyond the statement that the translator examined the engraved characters by means of the sacred instruments, and then dictated to the scribe the English sentences.

[781] Doc. and Cov. x. 1; xvii, 1; cx.x.x, 8, 9; Mos. viii, 13-19; Ether iii, 23-28.

=23.= Joseph began his work with the plates by patiently copying a number of characters, adding to some of the pages thus prepared the translations. The prophet's first a.s.sistant in the labor, Martin Harris, obtained permission to take away some of these transcripts, with the purpose of submitting them to the examination of men learned in ancient languages. He placed some of the sheets before Professor Charles Anthon, of Columbia College, who, after careful examination, certified that the characters were in general of the ancient Egyptian order, and that the accompanying translations appeared to be correct.

Hearing how this ancient record came into Joseph's hands, Professor Anthon requested Mr. Harris to bring the original book for examination, stating that he would undertake the translation of the entire work; then, learning that a part of the book was sealed, he remarked, "I cannot read a sealed book"; and thus unwittingly did this man fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah concerning the coming forth of the volume:--"And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, read this, I pray thee, and he saith, I cannot, for it is sealed."[782] Another linguist, a Dr. Mitch.e.l.l, of New York, having examined the characters, gave concerning them a testimony in all important respects corresponding to that of Prof. Anthon.

[782] Isaiah xxix, 11.

=24. Arrangement of the Book of Mormon.=--The Book of Mormon comprises fifteen separate parts, commonly called books, distinguished by the names of their princ.i.p.al authors. Of these, the first six books, viz., I and II Nephi, Jacob, Enos, Jarom, and Omni, are literal translations from corresponding portions of the smaller plates of Nephi. The body of the volume, from the Book of Mosiah to Mormon, chapter vii, inclusive, is the translation of Mormon's abridgment of the larger plates of Nephi. Between the books of Omni and Mosiah "The Words of Mormon" occur, connecting the record of Nephi, as engraved on the smaller plates, with Mormon's abridgment of the larger plates for the periods following. The Words of Mormon may be regarded as a brief explanation of the preceding portions of the work, and a preface of the parts then to follow. The last part of the Book of Mormon, from the beginning of Mormon viii to the end of the volume, is in the language of Moroni, the son of Mormon, who first proceeds to finish the record of his father, and then adds an abridgment of a set of plates which contained an account of the Jaredites; this appears as the Book of Ether.[783]

[783] See page 266.

=25.= At the time of Moroni's writing he stood alone,--the sole surviving representative of his people. The last of the terrible wars between Nephites and Lamanites had resulted in the annihilation of the former as a people; and Moroni supposed that his abridgment of the Book of Ether would be his last literary work; but, finding himself miraculously preserved at the conclusion of that undertaking, he added the parts known to us as the Book of Moroni, containing accounts of the ceremonies of ordination, baptism, administration of the sacrament, etc., and a record of certain utterances and writings of his father Mormon.

THE GENUINENESS OF THE BOOK OF MORMON.

=26.= The earnest student of the Book of Mormon will be most concerned in his consideration of the reliability of the great record; and this subject may be conveniently considered under two headings: 1st, the genuineness and integrity of the Book of Mormon, i. e., the evidence that the book is what it professes to be,--an actual translation of ancient records; 2nd, the authenticity of the original writings, as shown by internal and external evidence.

=27. The Genuineness of the Book= will appear to anyone who undertakes an impartial investigation into the circ.u.mstances attending its coming forth. The many so-called theories of its origin, advanced by prejudiced opponents to the work of G.o.d, are in general too inconsistent, and in most instances too thoroughly puerile, to merit serious consideration. Such fancies as are set forth in representations of the Book of Mormon as the production of a single author or of men working in collusion, as a work of fiction, or in any manner as a modern composition, are their own refutation.[784] The sacred character of the plates forbade their display as a means of gratifying personal curiosity; nevertheless a number of reputable witnesses examined them, and these men have given to the world their solemn testimony of the fact. In June, 1829, the prophecies respecting the witnesses by whose testimony the word of G.o.d as set forth in the Book of Mormon was to be established,[785] saw its fulfillment in a manifestation of Divine power, demonstrating the genuineness of the record to three men, whose affirmations accompany all editions of the book.

[784] See Note 2.

[785] II Nephi xi, 3; xxvii, 12-13; Ether v, 3-4; see also Doc.

and Cov. v, 11-15; xvii, 1-9.

=28. The Testimony of Three Witnesses.=--Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people unto whom this work shall come, that we, through the grace of G.o.d the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain this record, which is a record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites, their brethren, and also of the people of Jared, who came from the tower of which hath been spoken; and we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of G.o.d, for his voice hath declared it unto us,[786]

wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true. And we also testify that we have seen the engravings[787] which are upon the plates; and they have been shown unto us by the power of G.o.d, and not of man. And we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of G.o.d came down from heaven[788] and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of G.o.d the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true; and it is marvelous in our eyes, nevertheless the voice of the Lord commanded us that we should bear record of it; wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of G.o.d, we bear testimony of these things. And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless before the judgment-seat of Christ, and shall dwell with him eternally in the heavens. And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one G.o.d. Amen.

OLIVER COWDERY, DAVID WHITMER, MARTIN HARRIS.

[786] Doc. and Cov. xvii, 6; xx, 8.

[787] II Nephi v, 32; Alma lxiii, 12; Mormon i, 3.

[788] See History of Joseph Smith, June, 1829.

=29.= The testimony so declared was never revoked, nor even modified by any one of the witnesses whose names are subscribed to the foregoing,[789] though all of them withdrew from the Church, and developed feelings amounting almost to hatred toward Joseph Smith. To the last of their lives, they maintained the same solemn declaration of the angelic visit, and of the testimony that had been implanted in their hearts. Shortly after the witnessing of the plates by the three, other eight persons were permitted to see and handle the ancient records; and in this also was prophecy fulfilled, in that it was of old declared, that beside the three, "G.o.d sendeth more witnesses,"[790]

whose testimony would be added to that of the three. It was presumably in July, 1829, that Joseph Smith showed the plates to the eight whose names are attached to the following certificate.

=30. The Testimony of Eight Witnesses.=--Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people unto whom this work shall come, that Joseph Smith, Jun., the translator of this work, has shown unto us the plates of which hath been spoken, which have the appearance of gold; and as many of the leaves as the said Smith has translated, we did handle with our hands; and we also saw the engravings thereon, all of which has the appearance of ancient work, and of curious workmans.h.i.+p.

And this we bear record with words of soberness, that the said Smith has shown unto us, for we have seen and hefted, and know of a surety that the said Smith has got the plates of which we have spoken. And we give our names unto the world, to witness unto the world that which we have seen; and we lie not, G.o.d bearing witness of it.

CHRISTIAN WHITMER, JACOB WHITMER, PETER WHITMER, JUN., JOHN WHITMER, HIRAM PAGE, JOSEPH SMITH, SEN., HYRUM SMITH, SAMUEL H. SMITH.

[789] See Note 3.

[790] II Nephi xi, 3.

=31.= Three of the eight witnesses died out of the Church, yet not one of the whole number ever was known to deny his testimony concerning the Book of Mormon.[791] Here, then, are proofs of varied kinds regarding the reliability of this volume. Learned linguists p.r.o.nounce the characters genuine; eleven men of honest report make solemn oath of the appearance of the plates; and the nature of the book itself sustains the claim that it is nothing more nor less than a translation of ancient records.

[791] See Note 4.

NOTES.

=1. Book of Mormon t.i.tle Page.=--"I wish to mention here that the t.i.tle page of the Book of Mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf on the left hand side of the collection or book of plates, which contained the record which has been translated, the language of the whole running the same as all Hebrew writing in general; and that said t.i.tle page is not by any means a modern composition, either of mine or any other man who has lived or does live in this generation."--_Joseph Smith_, "Ch.

Hist.," Vol. I, p. 71.

=2. Theories concerning the Origin of the Book of Mormon. The Spaulding Story.=--The true account of the origin of the Book of Mormon was rejected by the public in general, who thus a.s.sumed the responsibility of explaining in some plausible way the source of the record. Many vague theories, based on the incredible a.s.sumption that the book was the work of a single author, were put forward; of these the most famous, and, indeed, the only one that lived long enough in public favor to be discussed, is the so called "Spaulding Story." Solomon Spaulding, a clergyman of Amity, Pa., wrote a romance to which no t.i.tle other than "Ma.n.u.script Story" was prefixed. Twenty years after the author's death, one Hurlburt, an apostate from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, announced a resemblance between the story and the Book of Mormon, and expressed his conviction that the work presented to the world by Joseph Smith was nothing but Spaulding's romance revised and amplified. The ma.n.u.script was lost for a time, and, in the absence of proof to the contrary, stories of the parallelism between the two works multiplied. But, by a fortunate circ.u.mstance, in 1884 President James H. Fairchild of Oberlin College, Ohio, and a literary friend, one Mr. Rice, in examining a heterogeneous collection of old papers that had been purchased by Mr. Rice, found the original story. The gentlemen made a careful comparison of the ma.n.u.script and the Book of Mormon; and, with the sole desire of subserving the purposes of truth, made public their results. Pres. Fairchild published an article in the _New York Observer_, Feb. 5, 1885, in which he said:--"The theory of the origin of the Book of Mormon in the traditional ma.n.u.script of Solomon Spaulding will probably have to be relinquished.... Mr. Rice, myself, and others compared it [the Spaulding ma.n.u.script] with the Book of Mormon and could detect no resemblance between the two.... Some other explanation of the Book of Mormon must be found, if any explanation is required."

The ma.n.u.script was deposited in the library of Oberlin College, where it now reposes. Still, the theory of the "Ma.n.u.script Found," as Spaulding's story has come to be known, is occasionally pressed into service in the cause of anti-"Mormon"

zeal, by some whom we will charitably believe to be ignorant of the facts set forth by Pres. Fairchild. A letter of more recent date, written by that honorable gentleman in reply to an enquiring correspondent, was published in the _Millennial Star_, Liverpool, Nov. 3, 1898, and is as follows:

OBERLIN COLLEGE, OHIO, October 17, 1895.

_J. R. Hindley, Esq._,

DEAR SIR:--We have in our College Library an original ma.n.u.script of Solomon Spaulding--unquestionably genuine.

I found it in 1884 in the hands of Hon. L. L. Rice of Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands. He was formerly State Printer at Columbus, O., and before that, publisher of a paper in Painesville, whose preceding publisher had visited Mrs. Spaulding and obtained the ma.n.u.script from her. It had lain among his old papers forty years or more, and was brought out by my asking him to look up anti-slavery doc.u.ments among his papers.

The ma.n.u.script has upon it the signatures of several men of Conneaut, O., who had heard Spaulding read it and knew it to be his. No one can see it and question its genuineness. The ma.n.u.script has been printed twice at least--once by the Mormons of Salt Lake City, and once by the Josephite Mormons of Iowa. The Utah Mormons obtained the copy of Mr. Rice at Honolulu, and the Josephites got it of me after it came into my possession.

This ma.n.u.script is not the original of the Book of Mormon.