--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Widtsoe, O. J. P. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 16 number: 6 published: 1913-04 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Widtsoe, O. J. P., "Joseph Smith, Jr., as a Translator: The Unfair Fairness of Rev. Spalding," *Improvement Era* 16, no. 6 (April 1913): 593–603.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1606unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera1606unse start_page: 593 end_page: 603 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1913-04) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1606unse publication_year: 1913 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1913, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Joseph Smith, Jr., as a Translator: The Unfair Fairness of Rev. Spalding "Joseph Smith, Jr., as a Translator" The Unfair Fairness of Rev. Spalding* BY BISHOP OSBORN J. P. WIDTSOE S. B., A. M. The Latter-day Saints are by this attitude Df openness and candor. And time undoubtedly well aware of the it is one of the most notable things in fact that the Rt. Rev. F. S. Spalding, the bishop's inquiry. The pamphlet is bishop of Utah, has put forth a pamph- dedicated thus: let entitled, "Joseph Smith, Jr., as a Translator," in which the bishop has "To my (his?) many Mormon friends tried to prove that the Prophet Joseph — who are as honest searchers after the truth as he hopes he is himself — this Smith failed as a translator of ancient book n dedicated by languages, and, therefore, failed also "THE AUTHOR." as a prophet of God. Many of the Lat- It is not always that we are credited ter-day Saints have had the privilege with being as honest searchers after of reading the bishop's pamphlet, itself. the tiuth as a bishop of the Episcopal Those who have not read the pamphlet church. have at least read the notices of it, and the replies made by thoughtful, In the body of the work, again, the scholarly men. And perhaps most — bishop deals with his subject appar- ently —with the utmost candor and fairof us think that the bishop has already received a sufficient answer. What ness. He quotes Orson Pratt and B. came to the younger men and women H. Roberts and pays them high tributes for their ability and for their fair play. of Zion as a shock, has passed harm- lessly by. The source of strength has He admits that "it is inexcusable that the book (of Mormon) has never had — been sapped the bishop's battery is the serious examination which its im- wrecked, the force of hi s cunningly portance demands." He acknowledges wrought argument is broken. Really, that in the controversies between the there remains little to be done except Latter-day Saints and their defamers to clean away the wreckage of another "the Latter-day Saints set an example of unsuccessful attack upon the strong- dignity and courtesy which their op- hold of "Mormon" faith, and to pro- ponents rarely followed." He asserts ceed triumphantly on our way. Yet, that, since there was no scholar living while the case is really won, I beg in the early days of the Church who leave to present the following thoughts, could read Egyptian, the Saints did the that it may be, perhaps,- the more se- right thing to get the testimonies of curely clinched in the minds and hearts witnesses. "This was the logical methof the youth of Zion. od of procedure, because there was no scholar living whose opinion would THE BISHOP'S APPARENT FAIR- have been of real value, even had all NESS. the plates been submitted for his in- Bishop Spalding's present attack on spection." He affirms that, while the "Mormonism" seems to differ from all questions he propounds are most criti- cal, "yet, if the thoughtful Latter-day other attacks in the frankness and the fairness of its approach. Those who Saints of today are like those of the past, they will welcome them, because have replied to the bishop's pamphlet they have always invited investigahave all commented on this apparent * From the Deseret News, Feb. 15, 1913. 594 IMPROVEMENT ERA lion." Anrl he is very careful to form ogist to re-examine his theories as to the formation of land and sea, and the in the reader's mind the impression astronomer to adjust his laws of the thai now, .-it last, is there conducted an heavens to the wonderful three days' Inquiry into (he claims of the Prophet darkness. The botanist and zoologist Joseph Smith, with the utmost candor, would have to rewrite the account of the flora and fauna of America." frankness, and fairness. What is to be said against the bish- The implication of this general stateop's method? Only this: His fairness ment is manifestly unfair. To one who is but surface deep; the actual method knows the Book of Mormon but slightof his investigation and the real spirit ly, and to one who knows it not at o fhis inquiry are as unfair as he would all, it would appear that there are, in have the reader believe them fair. The the Book of Mormon, descriptions of difference, then, between Bishop Spald- convulsions and cataclysms of nature ing's "inquiry" and other anti-"Mor- radically opposed to natural law, and mon" literature is only apparent. that the animals and plants of the Can this be shown? Easily. And book are really foreign to American when ft is shown, what then? Surely, soil. As a matter of fact, there is nothit destroys the argument so deftly ing in the Book of Mormon to compel wrought in cunningness. Fairness, we any scientist to re-examine his theories, are told, implies, negatively, the ab- or to adjust his laws, or to rewrite his sence of injustice or fraud; positively, science. True, we do not know the dethe putting of all things on an equitable tails of the natural phenomena defooting without undue advantage to scribed. W e cannot what tell in just any. If the bishop has violated this way the convulsions came about. But definition of fairness, he has not been Central and South America have been fair in his inquiry, and his inquiry is centers of geological activity for ages. unvalidated by so much. Let us con- Such things as are described in the duct an inquiry into his inquiry. The Book of Mormon, can be accounted for points to which I shall call your at- in many natural ways. Moreover, phetention are not specially arranged, but nomena as wonderful as those of the a,re treated in the order in which they Book of Mormon have happened almost appear in the bishop's pamphlet. within our own memories— but we SCIENCE NEED NOT BE REVISED. have not found it necessary therefore In the first chapter of ''Joseph Smith, to revise the sciences. Jr.,as a Translator," Bishop Spalding In the scholarly treatise on "Physideclares that "if the Book of Mormon ography," by Prof. Rollin D. Salisbury, is true, it is, next to the Bible, the the following interesting description most important book in the world." occurs: "One of the most violent and Then he points out that the Book of destructive volcanic explosions of which Mormon would be of great value to there is historical record was that of students of the life and teachings of - 1883,in Krakatoa, a volcanic island in Jesus; that it would shed a flood of the Strait of Sunda, between Sumatra light upon the whole question of church and Java. origins; and that it would be of great — value to the archaeologist if it is true. "Previous to the great eruption, the All this may be granted without fur- island had been shaken by earthquakes and minor explosions for some years. ther question. But, then, in the midst On the morning of the 27th of August of this fair statement of the case, oc- there was a series of terrible explosions, curs the following surprising para- the sound of which was heard in south- ern Australia, 2,200 miles away. About graph: two-thirds of the island was blown "The Book of Mormon, were it shown away, and the sea is now 1,000 feet to be true, would give important in- deep where the center of the mountain formation to scientists. The account formerly stood. Enormous sea-waves of the convulsions of nature, which were formed which traveled half-way occurred in America at the time of around the earth. On the shores of Christ's coming, would compel the geol- the neighboring islands the water rose "JOSEPH SMITH, JR., AS A TRANSLATOR" 595 50 feet, causing great destruction. More thus built up on unfair, and even false, than 36,000 persons perished, mostly hy implications, of what value is it either drowning, and 295 villages were wholly to "Mormon" or to non-"Mormon?" or partially destroyed. The sky over the island and the bordering coasts THE EIGHTH ARTICLE OP FAITH. became black as night from the clouds of dust. It was estimated that steam In writing of the relative positions and dust were shot up into the air 17 of the Bible and the Book of Mormon to 23 miles. The explosion produced in the "Mormon" Church, Bishop great air-waves which traveled three Spalding says: and more times around the earth." "The eighth article of faith of the Tnis account of the volcanic explosion Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints distinguishes between the corof Krakatoa is as wonderful as any rectness of the translation of the Bible account of a convulsion of nature de- and of the Book of Mormon. While the scribed in the Book of Mormon. Shall Bible is accepted as the word of Cod, we therefore re-examine our theories 'so far as it is correctly translated,' there is no such caution with reference of the formation of land and sea and to the Book of Mormon, but the stateof the cause of darkness? Surely, the ment, 'We also believe the Book of bishop will not require it. And yet ; Mormon to be the Word of God/ is without qualification. instances of this kind might be cited "In thus placing the inspiration of almost without number. If space would the Book of Mormon on a higher plane permit we might describe such dis- than that of the Bible, the Latter-day asters as that of San Francisco, in 1906, Saints are logical. The Book of Mor- mon was translated by one man, -and when there occurred a fault of from he was accepted by them as an inspired eight to twenty feet, traceable for 300 — prophet of God using the Urim and miles; and that of Charleston, in 1886, Thummim." when numerous fissures were formed Here again we are confronted by a in the earth from which were forced manifestly unfair implication. The streams of water, mud and sand; and Bishop begins by discussing the fact that of a part of the delta of the that the Latter-day Saints distin- Indus river in 1S19, when "an area of guish between the correctness of the some 2,000 miles in extent subsided so translation of the Bible and of the as to be covered by the sea, while a Book of Mormon. And the Latter-day neighboring belt, 50 miles long and 16 Saints do make a distinction. But then miles wide, rose about 10 feet," and the Bishop very subtly changes from many other convulsions in which cities the idea of the translation to the* idea and villages were destroyed, and the of the inspiration, and declares that the land was submerged in the sea, and Latter-day Saints are logical in plac- thousands of persons were killed. Yet, ing the inspiration of the Book of it does not become necessary to revise Mormon upon a higher plane than that our known laws of science. And in like of the Bible. To the non-"Mormon" manner, did space permit, we might this can mean only one thing: The make an exhaustive study of the flora Latter-day Saints assert without quali- and fauna of the Americas, only to fication the divine inspiration of the find that the botanist and the zoologist men who wrote the books of the Book may leave their accounts of American of Mormon, but they deny in part at life-forms as they have written them, least the divine inspiration of the men for all that the Book of Mormon who wrote the books of the Bible. That teaches to the contrary. is, the impression is very cunningly given out that the Latter-day Saints Why, then, did the Bishop make so place not only the translation but also unfair an implication concerning the the original inspiration of the Book contents of the Book of Mormon? Was absolutely of Mormon upon a higher plane than it because he was playing that of the Bible. If this be really fair? Since we ha.ve been able to show true, it is no wonder that other Chris- that the implication is unfair, how are tians refuse to affiliate with the "Mor we to know— applying the Bishop's own mons," and that they denounce them logic— that he is not unfair elsewhere in And if his argument is for putting forth another Bible. his inquiry? 596 IMI'K< >YK.\IIiNT ERA But the implication, I repeat, Writing further of this troublesome is unfair. The eighth article of ouestion, Bishop Spalding says: "It is faith asserts the really divine Mirely clear to the reader that the cor- ..inspiration of the sacred books rectness of the translation of the Book of both the Bible and the Book of of Mormon is a most important ques- As far as the divine in- tion. It was the conviction that he had Mormon. been selected by the Almighty to give spiration of these two sacred rec- to mankind this book which won for ords concerned, is it may be Joseph Smith, Jr., the attention of asserted that the Latter-day Saints earnest men and gave him leadership over them. If the translation of the place them both upon the same plates is inaccurate he did not deserve plane. But the Latter-day Saints that leadership. However sincere he also this fact, that, may have been in believing in his misrecognize while the Book of Mormon was trans- sion, if the translation he gave to man- through kind is false, he is shown to have been lated from the original plates selfdeceived." the gift and power of God, the Bible was translated by uninspired men, not Now, there are altogether too many from the original manuscripts, but irrefragable evidences of the divine aufrom copies made from other copies. thenticity of the Book of Mormon, and Into the copies crept undoubtedly many of the divine inspiration of the translacopyists' errors, and into the transla- tion,for Latterday Saints to begin to tion have crept many translators' er- think of repudiating it. At the same rors. Surely, it is both logical and time, Bishop Spalding places undue right to hold to the reservation pro- emphasis upon the importance of the vided in the eighth article of faith. Book of Mormon, and upon Joseph So, again, therefore, the Bishop's argu- Smith's powers as a translator. Indeed, ment is based on a false impression, on we are confronted again by an unfair a false premise. There is riot here a implication. While the crux of "Mor- total absence of injustice, nor is there monism" may be, to Bishop Spalding, a putting of all things on an Did Joseph Smith translate the plates equitable footing, without undue ad- correctly? and while the question is vantage to any. The bishop's argument admittedly important, it is not true is really not fair, and consequently it is that Joseph Smith gained his leader- o^little force. ship because of his powers as a trans- THE PROPHET'S CLAIM TO LEAD- lator, nor that the "Mormon" sys- ERSHIP. tem of belief is built upon the Book The crux of Bishop Spalding's real of Mormon. inquiry is this: "Did Joseph Smith. Jr.. will be impossible It in the brief translate the plates correctly?" "Was space of this review to consider in de- the Book of Mormon translated cor- tail the real source of divine leader- rectly?" The bishop accepts for argu- ship in the life-work of the Prophet Jo- ment's sake, the story of the finding seph Smith. The most that can be done of the plates of the Book of Mormon. is to point out, in passing, a few of The real question with him is, "Is the the things that made Joseph Smith a translation of the Book of Mormon cor- prophet of God even — without the rect?" proposes to test Joseph He Book of Mormon— and thus to correct Smith as a prophet of God, therefore, the subtle impression given out in the by his ability to translate ancient lan- bishop's pamphlet. First, in this day guages correctly. And if it can be when there are many contending creeds shown that Joseph Smith made mis- and claims, Joseph Smith received takes in translation, then the bishop divine authority from on high to of- would have all men repudiate the Book ficiate in God's stead. Upon him and of Mormon "and the whole body of be- Oliver Cowdery were conferred the lief which has been built upon it and , keys and the authority of the Holy upon the reputation its publication Priesthood. And from them, the keys save to its author." of the priesthood have been passed to "JOSEPH SMITH, JR., AS A TRANSLATOR" 597 all deserving men who have accepted tutes really his great life-work, in the restored gospel of the Lord Jesus. which ho has been surely proved a Secondly.Joseph Smith instituted a per- prophet of God. Nay, bishop, the imfected Church polity— the Church of plication unfair, the is premise is Jesus Christ, with divinely appointed false. And the argument so far if officers and divisions. That Church or- has been built up on unfair implicaganization persists, the wonder of the tions and false premises, how are we world. Thirdly, Joseph Smith promul- to know — applying again the bishop's gated a perfect system of Church doc- own logic— that the whole argument is trine and religious philosophy. Even the not unfair, that both premises and defamers of the Prophet have declared conclusions are not false? that Mormonism is the most nearly The next step in the bishop's inquiry perfect system of philosophy with is the great and final one, by means which they have ever become ac- of which the bishop hopes to make the quainted. Then, the blessings of the whole structure of "Mormonism" and gospel have accompanied the believers. the "Mormon" Church topple to the Many miraculous gifts and manifesta- ground. Let us see if he has been tions have been displayed in the any more and just and accurate fair Church. Finally, the testimonies of in the real point of his argument than thousands declare that Joseph Smith he has been heretofore. was a prophet of God. And all these things have been accomplished outside THE FAC-SIMILES ARE NOT THE of, and besides, the Book of Mormon. BOOK OF ABRAHAM. While the translation of the Book ot The crux of the "Mormon" question, Mormon was a wonderful achievement, as Bishop Spalding sees it. is, "Did it was after all but an inci- Joseph Smith translate the plates of dent in the establishing of the Church the Book of Mormon correctly?" Upon of Christ and in the promulgating of the accuracy of his work as a transhis gospel,Joseph Smith was ac- lator, Joseph Smith must stand or cepted asa leader, not merely fall, the bishop's in opinion, as a because he translated the ancient Ne- prophet of God. "If the Book of Morphite record, but because he was really mon was not a correct translation," a divinely appointed prophet. What asserts the bishop, "and yet Joseph he has given to the world in the way Smith thought that it came to him of divine authority, and Church or- by insipration and revelation from God, ganization, and Church doctrine, forms thoughtful men cannot be asked to really the basis for his claims to accept other revelations which Joseph leadership. And all this he would Smith, Jr., asserted were also given have given even had there been no him by the Deity." This argument is Nephite record. That record confirms clearly fallacious, but we need not conhis divine inspiration. sider it now. The question before us What is to be gained, then, by shift- is, if the bishop's test question is just, ing the responsibility for Joseph how shall we determine whether or Smith's greatness from the real not the translation of the Book of achievement of his life-endeavor, to Mormon Bishop Spalding is correct? some important, yet minor, accom- answers the question thus: "Joseph plishments in the fulfillment of his Smith's competency as a translator of mission. I can see no purpose in it ancient languages can be ascertained other than to create the impression in but one way. The original texts, that Joseph Smith has no other claim together with his interpretations, must to greatness than that of translator. be submitted to competent scholars, And if there can be found a flaw in and if they declare his translation to his translations, then we are asked, be correct, then it must be accepted as nay, required as intelligent men and true." Conversely, of course, if scholwomen, to repudiate all that consti- ars should declare the translation to — 598 IM PRi (VEMENT ER \ be- inconvct, thon it must be rejected s a translator to the Book of as untrue. Mormon directly, ''our purpose will be It might be Interesting to comment served equally well if the other transon the weakness of this argument, too. lations of the prophet referred to can Such comment would hardly be in be examined, and fortunately one of place, however, in the purpose of the these translations together with the present review. All the- discus- original text is available. We refer to sion and the preliminary argu- 'The Book of Abraham,' translated ments that have gone before from the papyrus by Joseph Smith. 'A arguments that are in every in- translation of some ancient records, stance based on unfair implications that have fallen into our hands, from — and false premises have but led up the catacombs of Egypt; the writings to this "test" question. The effort has of Abraham, while he was in Egypt been, plainly, to impress on the read- called the Book of Abraham written er's mind the importance of the trans- by his own hand, upon papyrus.' " lation of the Book of Mormon, and to Commenting further upon this very attempt to base upon the correctness — important "find" in the bishop's esof the translation the final test of the Prophet's divine inspiration. If all — timation the bishop says, "The Book of Abraham, with three fac-similes of the arguments that have gone before the original text of Abraham 'written were founded in fairness on correct by his own hand, upon papyrus,' topremises, the climax of the Bishop's gether with the prophet's explanation inquiry might appear formidable. As and the translation, is a part of the it is, we step fearlessly forward into 'Pearl of Great Price.' " and, again, he the bishop's master-point to discover declares, almost exultantly, ''It is no*"; his method of procedure there. clear that in the translation of tr e How is the accuracy of the transla- Egyptian hieroglyphics, known as tr e tion of the Book of Mormon to be 'Book of Abraham,' we have just the tested? If he could, the bishop would test we. need of Joseph Smith's acof course hand over the original plates curacy as a translator. The original to such men as he would consider text with the prophet's translation are competent scholars. And if it were available for our investigation." And possible to do so, the Latter-day Saints so, the bishop hands the "Book of would not hesitate nor fear to sub- Abraham," with the three fac-similes, mit the plates to competent scholars to eight competent Egyptologists. Their "But the plates are not available," testimonies are recorded in the final says the bishop. "They are kept toy chapter of the bishop's inquiry. Mor- 'thrt heavenly messenger* who deliver • monism. imagines the bishop, is overed them to the prophet, and to whom whelmed; the Church is laid in ruins. they were again delivered up, 'and he But the bishop has, after all, built has them in his charge unto this day." ' u n a very poor argument. It is not my Evidently, then, the test of Joseph purpose here to inquire carefully into Smith's competency as a translator can the verdict of the jury of eight. That not be applied directly to the Book of has already been done by others. But Mormon. What is to be done? T have shown successfully, I believe, Our friend, the bishop, is resource- that all the preliminary arguments in ful. In the Pearl of Great Price he thp bishop's case are founded on unfinds a book called the "Book of fair implications and false premises. In Abraham." Accompanying the "Book considering now the bishop's great, of Abraham," he finds three fac- Pna] noint — the climax of his argument similies of Egyptian texts. Subjoined to the fac-similes, he discovers interpre- — T discover that the hishop js again guilty of an unfair and unjust implitationsmade by the Prophet Joseph cation, that he has based the crucial Smith of some of the inscriptions on point or his argument upon a false the fac-similes. The case is clear. Since premise. we cannot c.pply the test of com- As one reads Bisho,-, Spalding's de- '•JOSK1MI SMITH, JR., AS A TRANSL \T< >R" 599 velopment of his crushing stroke seriously with Joseph Smith's impudent against Mormonisra, one infers from fraud." I presume he means in foistthe bishop's statement of the case that ing upon the world the Book of Abrathe original manuscript of the "Book ham as an alleged translation of the facof Abraham" is available. Note care- similes; for he admits that the facfully these statements: "Fortunately similes themselves are Egyptian. Dr. one of these translations together with Petrie says, "They are all many centhe original text is available" (ch, 5, turies later than Abraham." Evidently p. 13;) "the original text with the he was made to understand that, acprophet's translation are available for cording to the prophet's claims, they our investigation" (ch. 6, p. IS'.) Were all written by the hand of Abra- Again, one would infer from ham himself. Dr. Breasted says, "The the bishop's statement of point, then, is that in publishing these the case that the Book of Abraham fac-similes of Egyptian documents as was translated from the three fac- part of an unique revelation to Abrasimiles accompanying the book. Note ham, Joseph Smith was attributing to these passages: "The Book of Abraham, Abraham a series of documents which with three fac-similes of the original were the common property of a whole text of Abraham ... is a part of nation of people who employed them the 'Pearl of Great Price' " (ch. b, p. in every human burial, which they pre- 13): "it is now clear that in the trans- pared." Again, this learned man was lation of the Egyptian hieroglyphics, given to understand from some source known as the 'Book of Abraham,' we that, the Tae-similes were the Book of have just the test we need of Joseph Abraham, and should therefore form a Smith's accuracy as a translator" (ch. unique manuscript written by Abraham 6, p. IS). And, finally, one would infer himself. Dr. Mace writes that "the from the bishop's statement of the cape 'Book of Abraham,' it is hardly necesthat the three fac-similes accompany- sary to say, is a pure fabrication;" being the Book of Abraham— constituting cause, undoubtedly, he cannot interpret in the bishop's implied explanation the the fac-similes as the text of the book original text of the Book of Abraham itself. And so with all the learned from which it was translated — were doctors: they seem to have labored written by Abraham's own hand. Note under the impression that the original this passage with its subtle wording. manuscript of the Book of Abraham "The Book of Abraham, with three fac- was available, that the three facsimiles of the original text of Abraham similes accompanying . the Book of 'written by his own hand, upon papy- Abraham constitute that original manrus,' ... is a part of the 'Pearl of uscript, and that the inscriptions on Great Price' " (ch. 5, p. 13). And it was those fac-similes were "written by his these inferences, undoubtedly, that the (Abraham's) own hand." learned jury of eight drew from the To one who is acquainted with documents submitted to them. It is Church history, there could be made no unfortunate, and I may say, again, un- representation farther from the truth fair, that the bishop has not included than this of Bishop Spalding's in his pamphlet his own letters to the concerning the Book of Abraham. competent scholars who were to sit in Instead of the Abrahamic manujudgment upon .the divine inspiration of script's being available, it is enthe Prophet Joseph Smith. We might tirely unavailable — as much so then be able to judge of the' fairness of as the original plates of the Book of the bishop's statement of the case to Mormon. In fact, the original manuthem. However, it is Quite evident script of the Book of Abraham has from their letters to the bishop, that been destroyed, so far as we know. they got the unfair understanding of Instead of the three fac-similes' formthe case that he would have the read- ing the original text of the Book of ers of his pamphlet get. Thus, Dr. Abraham, they really constitute no Sayce writes, "It is difficult to deal part thereof. They were merely found 600 IMPROVEMENT ERA with the Instead mummies. of Abraham. It was not taken from the the being facsimilles, written in fac-similes accompanying the book. Abraham's own hand, and thus For these the prophet prepared the recording a unique revelation to special appended interpreations, and Abraham, it is undoubtedly true published them with the translation of that they are fac-similies of "a the part of the Book of Abraham series of documents which were the which he had mastered. Now, after the common property of a whole nation of prophet's martyrdom the mummies , people." It does not affect the import- and the papyri passed into the hands ance of the fac-similies, therefore, If of a St. Louis syndicate. Some years they belong to a period centuries later later they were sold to a museum in than that of Abraham. It might have Chicago. During the great fire of 1871, proved unfortunate if the doctors had the museum in which the mummies declared them much more ancient were displayed was destroyed, and, than Abraham. presumably, the mummies also, and the Now, without going into tedious de- papyri. All, therefore, that Bishop tails, the simple facts in the case are Spalding would imply in his subtle these: "On the 3rd of July (1835,) statements concerning the Book of Michael H. Chandler came to Kirt- Abraham is controverted by the facts land to exhibit some Egyptian mum- of history. The original manuscript of mies. There were four human figures, the Book of Abraham is unfortunatetogether with some two or more rolls ly not available. The three fac-similes of papyrus covered with hieroghyphic accompanying the Book of Abraham figures and devices." The papyri were are certainly not the original manurolled, we are given to understand, in script of the Book of Abraham. There the usual Egyptian manner. The is no evidence that Abraham himself Saints became interested and pur- wrote in his own hand any part of the chased the mummies and the papyri. papyri found with the mummies, cer- "I commenced the translation of some tainly not the hypocephalus. But at the of the characters or hieroglyphies," same time, there is no evidence that writes the prophet, "and much to our the inscriptions and devices on the joy found that one of the rolls con- three fac-similes did not originate in tained the writings of Abraham, anoth- the experiences of Abraham, who er the writings of Joseph of Egypt, probably became the object of a kind etc." And since these were true of hero-worship in the mythology of Egyptian mummies, buried according the Egyptians. to Egyptian custom, I have no doubt What, then, happens to the bishop's that there were found with them hypo- carefully and cunningly wrought argu- cephali and other documents "which ment? It is robbed utterly of its were the common property of a whole force. It falls broken and harmless to nation of people who employed them the ground. Not only is every prelim- in every human burial, which they pre- inary argument based on a false pre- pared." mise; but the great climactic point to But these hypocephali and other de- which the argument builds, and which vices were not the source of the Book is intended to overwhelm the claims of Abraham, though they may have of Joseph Smith, is founded on depicted scenes from his life. It was premises that are absolutely false. one of the papyrus rolls that contain- The Book of Abraham itself has not ed the Book of Abraham. This parti- been touched. The Book of Mormon cular roll may or may not have been is left intact. The claims of Joseph written by Abraham's own hand. Pos- Smith for recognition as a Prophet of sibly it was a copy of Abraham's ori- God remain unanswered. "Mormon- ginal manuscript. However, this roll ism" is unaccounted for by the yet the prophet translated in part but in — learned. The conclusion Bishop part only. The translation of part of Spalding would have us deduce from the papyrus roll forms the Book of his argument, that since Joseph Smith "JOSEPH SMITH, JR., AS A TRANSLATOR' .601 failed as a translator of ancient lan^ render the final decision. But the guages he failed also as a prophet of doctors do not agree upon any one God, does not follow since every prem- thing, except upon denouncing the ise leading to such a deduction is "impudent fraud" of Joseph Smith. false. Nearly all of them say that the de- vices are incorrectly copied— that they WHOSE TRANSLATION IS COR- should be thus, or so. All of them RECT? recognize the fac-similes— whether cor- rectly or incorrectly copied- -as copies Butsuppose the Reverend Doctor I Spalding will not rest content with of common Egyptian devices. But while one doctor interprets a certain this summary disposition of his crafty figure to be but' recently dead and but fruitless argument. "Let it be to be undergoing the rite of embalming, granted," says he, "that I made a mis- another doctor interprets the same figtake about the original text of the ure to be rising from death. While Book of Abraham; there remain yet one doctor declares that "the hierothe fac-similes with the alleged trans- glyphics which should describe the lation." Ah; but that is quite an- scenes are merely illegible scratchother matter. The translation of the . . . es," another doctor, experiencing ap- Book of Abraham was not accom- parently no difficulty in deciphering plished in the same manner as was the inscriptions, declares that "it that of the Book of Mormon. The dif- should be noted further that the hieroference has been clearly pointed out glyphics in the two fac-similes from by Elder J. M. Sjodahl. The trans- the 'Book of Abraham' (Nos. 2 and 3), lation of the hieroglyphics and devices though they belong to a very degeneron the fac-similes, too, was accom- ate and debased age in Egyptian civilplished in a different manner from that cf the Book of Mormon; and, perhaps, ization, and have been much cor- rupted in copying, contain the usual even from that of the Book of Abra- explanatory inscriptions regularly ham. When the prophet came into possession of the papyri, ho began a found in such funerary documents." serious study of Egyptian. As he And so I might continue from point to progressed in his understanding of the point. The disagreement between the h'eroglyphics, he recorded his findings. doctors is so marked, and so wide, that their opinions in the case are ren- Gradually he gained somewhat of a mastery of the peculiar form of writ- dered wholly worthless. However, it is not my purpose here to study criticing. Under date of July 17, 1835, the ally the opinions of the learned jury of prophet made the following entry in his journal: "The remainder of this eight. That has been done by others. month I was continually engaged in I am reminded of an amusing extranslating an alphabet to the Book perience of my own. I have a friend ofAbraham, and arranging a gram- who prides himself on the correctness mar of the Egyptian language as prac- and the purity of his English. He is, ticed by the ancients." Evidently, in fact,an excellent student of modern then, while the prophet worked under English- but, unfortunately, he knows the inspiration of God — as have the nothing about the earlier periods of the prophets in all ages — yet his transla- mother tongue. My friend came to my tion of th° Book of Abraham, and of room one day when I was reading the accompanying fac-sirmies, was Wiclif's translation of the gospel of very largely the result of careful study Saint Matthew. I had just begun the and investigation. The translation of fifth chapter, which runs thus: the Book of Abraham we believe is "Jhesus forsothe, seynge companyes, absolutely correct. Is the translation wente up into an hill: and when he of the fac-similes also correct? Who hadde sete, his disciplis camen nighe shall say? Bishop Spalding insists that to him. And he, openynge his mouthe. his jury ofcompetent scholars shall taughte to hem, sayinge, 'Blessid be 602 M PR( >VEMENT E R \ the pore in spirit, for the kingdam in CONCLUSION. hevenes is heren. Blessid be mylde men, for thei shuln welrle the erthe. In conclusion, it may be interesting to Blessid be thei that mournen, for thei summarize something of what has been sliuln be comfortid." done. When Bishop Spalding went about to prepare his little pamphlet, "Josepn handed the book to my friend and I Smith, Jr., as a Translator," he hoped to asked, "Can you read that?" He read throw into the "Mormon" camp a bomb the passage over, then replied, "Well, that would destroy "Mormonism" for- I see that it is intended to be the ever. Let us see why the feeble ex- Sermon on the Mount, but it is an plosion of the bishop's bomb has failed abominably poor copy. The man who to do damage. In a number of excellent 1 Tinted knew very little about that ia pcis contributed by thoughtful men, spelling didn't he? And some of those words are entirely wrong; they should it has been shown clearly that the verdict of the jury in the case is be quite different. Let me see your worthless since the jourymen could not King James Bible." agree; that the Book of Abraham fancy that a little lesson may be I and the Book of Mormon are not gained from this experience. While exactly parallel cases; that the the bishop's learned doctors are not s doctors disagree and have often ignorant of Egyptian as was my friend been wrong; that there are many of Middle English, yet I am quite sure that the last word has not yet been tilings in Egyptian mythology sup- ported by the fac-similes; that the spoken on the interpretation of Egyptian hieroglyphics. It is asserted that doctrines of the Book of Abraham Egyptian can now be read almost as have, in some cases, been borne out easily n« Greek: and yet, from a jury by the discoveries of modern science, of eight learnea men, we can se'ect no and, even, that the Prophet's transtwo who agree in their interpretation lation is at least more nearly correct bt the three fac-similes accompanying than that of the doctors. Others the Book of Abraham. have pointed out the weakness in Whose the bishop's argument. Bishop Spald- translation then, is correct? In view of the great mass of cumula- ing would have us reject all that Jotive evidence that supports the claims seph Smith did, if it can be shown of Joseph Smith as a prophet of the liv- that he failed in one thing. The arguing God, I am justified in believing that ment should work the other way his interpretation of the Egyptian de- Poseph Smith should accepted be vices is at least as nearly correct as as divinely inspired that in all that of any one of the disagreeing he did, if it can be shown that he learned doctors. And it may be, that, was inspired in any one thing. Dr. when the doctors shall learn to read Pack points to predictk ns ful- Egyotian a l.Ilrd. to work accomplished, and to the little bit better than they now do Greek, they will find that these great revelation, the Word of Wisdom. same fac-similes had their origin in which has gained wonderful support the experiences and teachings of father from the investigations of modern Abraham. Until that time, the opin- science. If we apply Bishop Spalding's ions of the learned doctors concerning logic strictly, there should be no the fac-similes affects the Book of hesitancy in accepting- the divine in- Abraham not at all. But the bishop's spiration of JosephSmith in all things. argument denends— pivots, if you will— Now, any one of the replies made to the upon proving the Book of Abraham bishop's pamphlet was sufficient. To- incorrectly translated. The bishop's ar- gether they have s^ shorn the argu- ment, then, fal's forlornly to the ment of its strength, and nave sc around, heloing by its fall to support deadened the explosion of the bomb, the claims of the Prophet Joseph Smith. that it has become harmless. Finally, — "JOSEPH SMITH, JR., AS A TRANSLATOR' 603 I have shown— not ineffectively, I hope, Abraham, no case aginst the Book of in this hasty review— that while the Mormon, no case against Joseph Smith, bishop appears to treat his subject with no case against "Mormonism"— the resfairness, that while he tries to impress tored gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. his reader with his openness, his frank- The Latter-day Saints have nothing ness, his candor, his honesty, yet his to fear. They need only to clean every argument is based upon some un- away the wreckage of another unfair implication, some false premise. sucessful attack upon the strong- Therefore, by every rule of logic, his hold of "Mormon" faith, and to conclusion must be false. In fine, the proceed triumphantly on their way. bishop has no case against the Book of