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Joseph Smith and the translation process

Research conducted by Royal Skousen and Stanford Carmack on the original text of the Book of Mormon evidences a "tight translation," meaning Joseph simply read the words that appeared in the stones.

• Royal Skousen, "Translating the Book of Mormon: Evidence from the Original Manuscript," in Book of Mormon Authorship Revisited: The Evidence for Ancient Origins, 1997.
• Stanford Carmack, "Joseph Smith Read the Words," Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 18 (2016): 41–64.

A compilation of published statements on the Book of Mormon translation method in both Church and non-Church publications

1829–1835

1836–1840

1841–1845

1846–1900

1900–2000

Which method of Book of Mormon translation is more "believable"?

Summary: Which method is more "believable"? Ultimately, one must accept or reject the idea that the text of the Book of Mormon was revealed to Joseph Smith through revelation, by the "gift and power of God," regardless of the rather unbelievable details of the exact instruments and method used to achieve this.