A Plainer Translation: Joseph Smith's Translation Of The Bible: A History and Commentary

by Robert J. Matthews

Book by Matthews, Robert J.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published March 1, 1975

Reviews

[Shanee VonStrahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I turned to this book because sometimes I enjoy reading the "Inspired Version" of the Bible (published by the old RLDS church) quite a bit more than I enjoy reading the KJV or even the LDS edition of the KJV. The more I enjoyed the "Inspired Version," the more I wondered if I ought to be enjoying it so much. I wanted to be clear as to its credibility and authenticity status. So, I turned to this book by Robert J. Matthews and learned SO MUCH. It was very fascinating and enlighting to learn, in depth, the processes Joseph Smith employed in his efforts to produce an inspired version of the Bible, and the efforts of subsequent historians and publishers in deciphering Joseph Smith's inspired version manuscripts and notes. I didn't actually read this book from cover to cover (much of it is more like a reference book for every verse of the Bible that JS tinkered with). It was very helpful for me to understand that the production of the "Inspired Version" by the RLDS church was NOT a cut-and-dry, straight-forward task of simply transferring a clear hand-written manuscript into book print. Joseph's manuscripts (there were many) evolved over time, resulting in three main manuscript groups, sort of like two rough drafts and a final draft. It was interesting to read how various verses evolved over the course of the three manuscripts, showing that JS seemed to be wrestling with some of them, so to speak, as he worked to divine the correct translation.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough study of the history of the JST, this book really helped me understand what the JST actually is (and what it is not). Recommended by both Elder McConkie and Elder Holland in books that I recently read by those two men, "Plainer Translation" really does study the JST in a careful, but believing, manner. It made me want to stop at the RLDS (or, I guess, Community of Christ) headquarters in Independence, the next time I visit my family in Kansas, to pick up a complete copy of the New Translation. One of the things I realized from reading this book is that the footnotes in the LDS Bible contain only a tiny portion of the changes made in the JST.

[Jack Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book that marked the beginning of serious academic work on the life and ministry of Joseph Smith. I think if Robert Matthews were alive and submitted an updated version he would have changed his opinion (one held by church leaders at the time, and often repeated) that the manuscript was not ready for publication.
the most compelling details that I gleaned from this work had to do with the nature of how revelation is received and transmitted, and how this "branch" of the prophet Josephs calling transformed him and the infant restored church.
Should be required reading for every latter-day-saint.

[Kami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I skimmed some of the historical background of the translation of the bible. I was more interested in the actual comparison of the original text with the new translation. The side by side comparison was very clear and easy to read. I gained a lot of insight from this book. I highly recommend it.

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful exposition on the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible.

[Jeff Crosby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took multiple classes from this gentle, scholarly man. This was probably his most important book.