Have you ever read a verse in the Old or New Testament that left you feeling completely confused? While the Bible is the word of God, centuries of scholarly translations have occasionally obscured its original meaning. Fortunately, the Lord provided a powerful tool to restore these lost, precious truths to the earth.
The embedded document below highlights incredible examples from the inspired translation of the Bible. It shows the tremendous differences that a living prophet makes over scholarly translators. By studying these specific clarifications, you will gain a much deeper understanding of God’s true nature and His eternal plan.
The Purpose of the Joseph Smith Translation
The primary purpose of the Joseph Smith Translation is to restore plain and precious truths that were lost over time. Prophets have access to divine revelation that goes far beyond standard academic linguistics. For example, Joseph noted that the Apostle Paul ascended into the third heaven and understood the three principal rounds of Jacob’s ladder.
These rounds perfectly represent the telestial, terrestrial, and celestial glories. The Prophet explained that he could explain a hundredfold more about these heavenly glories if he were permitted and if the people were prepared to receive them.
Clarifying the Nature of God and Angels
Many confusing biblical passages regarding the nature of God are beautifully corrected through this modern revelation. For instance, in Genesis 18, the tired messengers that visited Abraham were actually holy men and angels, not the Lord Himself.
Additionally, the text clarifies in Exodus that the Lord’s name is Jehovah, rather than the confusing translation of “Jealous”. It also corrects passages in Samuel to show that the Lord cannot “repent” of evil, because God simply cannot sin.
Understanding Human Agency and Sin
The translation perfectly restores the eternal doctrine of moral agency. In the book of Exodus, the traditional Bible claims that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart. However, the inspired translation clarifies that Pharaoh hardened his own heart.
God does not harden people’s hearts just to show off His power. Instead, He shows His power because the people have already used their agency to harden their own hearts. Similarly, people are destroyed because they choose evil, not because the Lord forces them to do so.
Restoring Truths About Ancient Patriarchs
The Prophet also restored incredible historical details about the ancient patriarchs. We learn that when Melchizedek brought forth bread and wine, it was not just a meal, but it was actually for the sacrament. We also learn from Genesis that children are not accountable until they are eight years of age.
Furthermore, the book of Genesis was beautifully expanded to show that Joseph of Egypt prophesied of the latter days. He explicitly prophesied that Joseph Smith would be a descendant raised up to be like unto Moses.
Powerful Corrections to the New Testament
The New Testament also received profound clarifications that change how we view the Savior’s ministry. In Matthew 4, we learn that the Holy Spirit led Christ into the wilderness to be with God, rather than being led around by Satan.
The Savior’s parables were also corrected for accuracy. In Matthew 13, the standard Bible actually has the sequence of the harvest backwards. The correct sequence is to gather the wheat first into the barn, and then bind the tares to be burned.
Take a few moments to review the amazing 17-page document below for even more examples of these doctrinal restorations! You can also read our previous post on Book of Mormon Evidences, or visit the official Church website to read the Joseph Smith Translation appendix directly.
