LDS Church removes racial references in Book of Mormon headings

[smac97]

Here:

The LDS Church has made subtle

[BookofMormonLuvr]

Here:

Thoughts?

-Smac

I could care less what they do with the chapter headings, it is the fiddling with the verses, as given by God to Joseph Smith, that bothers me.

[ELF1024]

I could care less what they do with the chapter headings, it is the fiddling with the verses, as given by God to Joseph Smith, that bothers me.

Agreed. This is a big "Ho hum".

[Daniel2]

While I don't think the changes will make a huge difference to most members of the church, I think this is a great move by the church. Kudos to those responsible for making the decision to do so.

Darin

[mapman]

I could care less what they do with the chapter headings, it is the fiddling with the verses, as given by God to Joseph Smith, that bothers me.

I'm sure it is much better to read the Book of Mormon with no punctuation and numerous grammatical errors.

Pretty much all of the changes made to the Book of Mormon text were either grammatical, corrections to mistakes made in printing, or changes that Joseph himself made in later editions of the book (e.g. adding "or out of the waters of baptism" in 1 Nephi 20:1 in the 1840 edition).

It is an undeniable fact that Joseph and others under his directions edited his revelations to prepare for publication.

[bluebell]

I agree with Darin-i think it's a great change and an important one. Too many members think that the chapter headings are scripture and use them accordingly.

[BookofMormonLuvr]

I'm sure it is much better to read the Book of Mormon with no punctuation and numerous grammatical errors.

Pretty much all of the changes made to the Book of Mormon text were either grammatical, corrections to mistakes made in printing, or changes that Joseph himself made in later editions of the book (e.g. adding "or out of the waters of baptism" in 1 Nephi 20:1 in the 1840 edition).

It is an undeniable fact that Joseph and others under his directions edited his revelations to prepare for publication.

I'm not talking about Emma, David, or Oliver's spelling or a lack of punctuation. But that was pretty super how you completely took what I was saying out of context.

[daz2]

I have wondered about those chapter headings for some time. I am glad they have been edited.

[LifeOnaPlate]

I could care less what they do with the chapter headings, it is the fiddling with the verses, as given by God to Joseph Smith, that bothers me.

I think you mean you couldn't care less, meaning you care so little that you couldn't possibly care less. If you could care less that would mean you have an unspecified amount of room for less caring, and thus that you care to some extent.

As far as changing actual text in the BoM, I personally wouldn't mind if a change was made by the FP or Q12, etc. There are some mistakes in the current 1981 edition as demonstrated by Royal Skousen's exhaustive study of the partial original and printer's manuscripts of the BoM, and it would be cool to see some changes. Hopefully it would also lead members to read more closely, consider the text more seriously, etc.

As for changing the chapter headings, I think that's just great.

[Maya]

IMHO: Everyone can be at ease with the "changes" they are done just because we dont live on 1800 any more adn meaning of some words has changed since... you know language alters in time! When I was little all with black hair were called dark... today it means teh skincolour... So I am jsut kind of at loss HOW can I short say that my husband has dark/black hair? Before I could only say he is dark... IF I say that today... they think hes skincolour is black or at least darker than normal around here.... To me the names of races the way they were once set would be ok and easier to use. I dont know how you say what the persons are who are African or Australian aborgines... black? If you say dark you may mean everything that is darker than a Swed... Life is made so complicated.

Anyway those "changes" are made just to make the people who are extremly touchy about what colour they are to feel better. I wish I knew how to become green!

[LifeOnaPlate]

I agree with Darin-i think it's a great change and an important one. Too many members think that the chapter headings are scripture and use them accordingly.

Some still will. Now the new changed version will be "Church doctrine" as opposed to the old. See BCspace for more information.

[CV75]

Thoughts?

Seems the rest of the article keeps things in perspective.

[BookofMormonLuvr]

I think you mean you couldn't care less, meaning you care so little that you couldn't possibly care less. If you could care less that would mean you have an unspecified amount of room for less caring, and thus that you care to some extent.

I knew I could count on you to criticize some non-essential part of my post. I am on your naughty list, after all.

As far as changing actual text in the BoM, I personally wouldn't mind if a change was made by the FP or Q12, etc. There are some mistakes in the current 1981 edition as demonstrated by Royal Skousen's exhaustive study of the partial original and printer's manuscripts of the BoM, and it would be cool to see some changes. Hopefully it would also lead members to read more closely, consider the text more seriously, etc.

As for changing the chapter headings, I think that's just great.

I have Royal Skousen's edition and agree that his work should play a part in correcting future editions.

[PaulBoyerFan]

I suppose that this is a step in the right direction, but a more productive change would be to apologize for the racial language and ideology of the actual text. Statements along the lines of those offered by leaders of the Community of Christ would be nice:

"The proper use of the Book of Mormon as sacred scripture has been under wide discussion in the 1970

[BookofMormonLuvr]

You can apologize for the truth contained within the text. I personally will refrain from correcting God.

Edit: BTW, skin color has no bearing on worthiness. The most righteous people in the Book of Mormon were the Ammonites, and there is no account of them ever turning white before they fled north.

The prophet given the major responsibility to bring the prophecies of the Savior's birth and death, to the white Nephites, was a young Lamanite by the name of Samuel.

[thesometimesaint]

From the BoM Title Page: And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ.

I think it goes without saying that any errors are man made, and thus correctable by man.

[LifeOnaPlate]

I have Royal Skousen's edition and agree that his work should play a part in correcting future editions.

[toon]

Some still will. Now the new changed version will be "Church doctrine" as opposed to the old. See BCspace for more information.

I would be fine if there were no chapter headings.

[ElfLord]

Have the references to Nephite "coinage" been fixed?

[CV75]

Thoughts?

Well, I think there should be racial remarks in the chapter headings, and let the best man win!

"And it came to pass that they ran in their might, and came in unto the judgment-seat; and behold, the chief judge had fallen to the earth, and did lie in his blood (Hel. 9: 3)."

"Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race (Ps. 19: 5)."

[Blah]

Have the references to Nephite "coinage" been fixed?

Yup.

The Nephite monetary system is set forth

[mapman]

I'm not talking about Emma, David, or Oliver's spelling or a lack of punctuation. But that was pretty super how you completely took what I was saying out of context.

Sorry if I misunderstood; I certainly didn't mean to offend. Could you please clarify what "fiddling with the verses" you are talking about?

[Calm]

I could care less what they do with the chapter headings, it is the fiddling with the verses, as given by God to Joseph Smith, that bothers me.

Is there any in particular you are thinking about?

[BookofMormonLuvr]

Sorry if I misunderstood; I certainly didn't mean to offend. Could you please clarify what "fiddling with the verses" you are talking about?

The one mentioned in the OP is good, and I believe it shows Joseph own will in altering the text not inspiration, as, has been pointed out, Joseph didn't change other verses with the same meaning.

The verse alterations that concern me are the numerous times, "Son of" was added to "God" when the verses indicated Jesus as God. If the Lord want "Son of" in the text He would've given it to Joseph like that the first time around. The original wording better matches the teachings of the Title Page, Abinadi, and the vision of the Brother of Jared.

I need to get back to class, one test left!

[mapman]

The one mentioned in the OP is good, and I believe it shows Joseph own will in altering the text not inspiration, as, has been pointed out, Joseph didn't change other verses with the same meaning.

The verse alterations that concern me are the numerous times, "Son of" was added to "God" when the verses indicated Jesus as God. If the Lord want "Son of" in the text He would've given it to Joseph like that the first time around. The original wording better matches the teachings of the Title Page, Abinadi, and the vision of the Brother of Jared.

I need to get back to class, one test left!

The example in the OP was actually one of the changes Joseph made in the 1840 edition. The 1981 edition restored that edit. The addotions of "son of" before God in some scriptures are also edits made by Joseph. See here: http://en.fairmormon.org/Book_of_Mormon/Textual_changes/%22the_Son_of%22 They don't actually change the meaning, but instead are clarifications from the translator.