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Book of Mormon/Anachronisms/Language/Greek words
< Book of Mormon | Anachronisms | Language
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Questions
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- Critics claim that the Book of Mormon cannot be an ancient work because it contains "Greek words" ("alpha and omega").
To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, click here
==Answer
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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 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.