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The Book of Mormon claims to be a "translation." Therefore, the language used is that of Joseph Smith. Joseph could choose to render similar (or identical) material using King James Bible language if that adequately represented the text's intent. | The Book of Mormon claims to be a "translation." Therefore, the language used is that of Joseph Smith. Joseph could choose to render similar (or identical) material using King James Bible language if that adequately represented the text's intent. | ||
Revision as of 16:09, 23 June 2009
This article is a draft. FairMormon editors are currently editing it. We welcome your suggestions on improving the content.
Contents
Criticism
- Critics claim that the Book of Mormon cannot be an ancient work because it contains "Greek words" ("alpha and omega").
Source(s) of the criticism
- Jerald and Sandra Tanner, The Changing World of Mormonism (Moody Press, 1979), 119–122.( Index of claims )
Response
The Book of Mormon claims to be a "translation." Therefore, the language used is that of Joseph Smith. Joseph could choose to render similar (or identical) material using King James Bible language if that adequately represented the text's intent.
The words "alpha and omega" are as unlikely to be on the plates as the English word "sword" or "house"—these are translations.
All "alpha and omega" tells us is that there was some expression on the plates similar to "from A to Z," or "from first to last."
Only if we presume that the Book of Mormon is a fraud at the outset is this proof of anything. If we assume that it is a translation, then the use of Bible language tells us merely that Joseph used biblical language.
This absurd complaint is similar to another anti-Mormon favorite, the issue of the "French word" adieu in the Book of Mormon.
Endnotes
None
Further reading
Book of Mormon/Anachronisms/Language/Greek words
FAIR wiki articles
FAIR web site
- FAIR Topical Guide: