The book of Mormon is in the old english (thou, shall, etc.) I've been told they can't translate it into new english, because it would lose it's meaning. But don't they translate it into other languages (spanish, french, etc). So why can't they translate english to english? I would read it more!
2007-04-22 13:18:14 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm not mormon, and I don't believe it. But I like to read other religions teachings.
2007-04-22 13:25:48 · update #1
I've never heard anything about that.
gw
2007-04-23 05:50:44 · answer #1 · answered by georgewallace78 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Translating the book into other languages is a huge process that must be cleared by commitees and the first presidency of the church. In order to modernize it, it could change it's meaning and, to some people devalue it in a way. We hold the book to be the most truthful and correct book written. The translation that is used came was done by the power of God and therefore shouldn't be changed.
At one point the "Thee's and Thine's" were more common. Back in the day they were used as the familiar term much as "tu" is used in Spanish. This puts the relationship with God and man as a closer relationship, referring to Him more as a father than some infinate being that we cannot begin to comprehend at all. This may give you some insight when you read the Bible or the Book of Mormon. God is not some distant being, he is our friend and should always be so.
2007-04-24 08:59:24 · answer #2 · answered by Milly 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with cclleeoo. I've read a "simplified" version of the bible and it just seemed... I don't know strange and like the value of what was being said was lessened somehow. I'm not sure why that's how I reacted, maybe I'm just too used to reading the King James version of the bible. But the Book of Mormon was translated into other languages so those who don't speak english can read it too.
2007-04-22 15:13:04 · answer #3 · answered by Calista 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
I've read the Book of Mormon in English, Portuguese and Spanish, and I can tell you they maintain the same Mid-level formal language in the other language versions as well (just according to the proper grammer of those languages).
I believe those who translate it into these other languages do their best to maintain the original meanings by translating it this way. If the original writer wrote the words in a formal tone, then it's meaning is best preserved by continuing this formal tone. Even though we don't use "Thee" very often anymore, it is still, to this day, the proper English word for "Formal or respectful you," and easier to maintain the flow of the text by writing "thee" than writing "formal or respectful you" every time.
Thanks
2007-04-23 06:19:03 · answer #4 · answered by daisyk 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am not a Mormon, so my comments are not official on the part of the church.
Who told you they haven't fixed up the book of Mormon? Get your hands on an 1830 version and compare with the original one. You will see that there are some 6000 changes made to it.
The answer you received is simply not true. If you want an interesting study, take the 1830 book of Mormon and compare with today's Spanish or French BOM. The results will astound you! What you read in English is the exact opposite of what you read in the other. Why is that?
2007-04-23 02:22:14 · answer #5 · answered by Buzz s 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Old testament New Testament Another Testament The Book of Mormon settles every question Christianity is divided on - for example: The role of baptism. Who does it. How. What is to be said. Who is to be baptized. When are they supposed to be baptized. The relationship of Jesus to God and the Holy Ghost in the Godhead The relationship between faith, works, mercy, grace, justice, repentance Covenants regarding the house of israel in the last days How the sacrament/eucharist/communion is to be administered - how, by who, when, what is to be said - things that have been lost for centuries with the death of the apostles - and that are hinted in the bible, but aren't answered therein. Its translation of the book of Isaiah differs from the bible, but is the same as the Dead Sea Scrolls translations of the same. It makes known the covenants of God regarding Christianity on the American Continent, or the covenants regarding the land its self, as well as contains prophesies regarding the American Revolution, the discovery of the Americas, the Savior's birth, and the building up of the Lord's Kingdom in the last days, and various warnings regarding the corruptions of governments before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ - it is an amazing book! This and many more things are what are in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. This is why the book is so valuable to Christianity.
2016-05-21 03:32:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not in Old English. It's in Midde English. It's not that they "can't" modernize it. It's not necesary. Sort of a "they who have ears let them hear" thing.
I would suggest that if the language is difficult for you, go onto lds.org and find a Religion 101 Book of Mormon manual. It discusses in depth the Book of Mormon.
Personally, I think that the Book of Mormon is a pretty easy read! It's a lot easier to delve into than say Isaiah. The hardest part of the Book or Mormon is the part in 2 Nephi where Isaiah is quoted directly.
2007-04-22 13:49:44 · answer #7 · answered by Fotomama 5 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Why would you read it more if it was in an 'easier' english.
Have you ever noticed the differences in all the bibles that people have re-translated to make easier? It takes away from the spirit of the book, and actually changes the meanings of some of the scriptures.
2007-04-22 14:02:45 · answer #8 · answered by cclleeoo 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The people that lived and those that recorded the histories of the two civilizations in the Book of Mormon times originally came from Jerusalem wherein they spoke Hebrew which eventually bled into Reformed Egyptian.
When Joseph Smith translated this ancient language into English he kept the wording as precise as possible. How the languages translate into others is unknown to me. Perhaps a Book of Mormon reader of a different language can better provide the answer.
2007-04-22 13:23:56 · answer #9 · answered by Guitarpicker 7 · 8⤊ 3⤋
I love having the challenge of reading that kind of language. It make it so historical and i love history. It is NOT a joke and I love reading it. There are no translations of it into modern english, but if you have the real want to read it, then read the footnotes and just enjoy it.
2007-04-23 16:13:39 · answer #10 · answered by Hey 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
They do translate the Book of Mormon into many many languages including Spanish.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_mormon
2007-04-22 13:31:02 · answer #11 · answered by Dr. D 7 · 6⤊ 1⤋