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Book of Mormon/Language/"Adieu": Difference between revisions
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==Conclusion== | ==Conclusion== | ||
"Adieu" is simply one English word among many in the Book of Mormon translation. It was in common use among members and non-members in Joseph's era. Critics try to confuse this issue simply because its French origins are more apparent to the general reader. All its presence indicates is that the concept which Jacob intended to communicate was "farewell forever, or until we meet God." | "Adieu" is simply one English word among many in the Book of Mormon translation. It was in common use among members and non-members in Joseph's era. Critics try to confuse this issue simply because its French origins are more apparent to the general reader. All its presence indicates is that the concept which Jacob intended to communicate was "farewell forever, or until we meet God." | ||
The critics' complaints on this point demonstrate how desperate they are to find fault. | |||
==Endnotes== | ==Endnotes== | ||
Revision as of 05:13, 2 November 2005
Criticism
Jacob 7:27 ends with the phrase, "Brethren, adieu." Critics claim that because adieu is French, it shows that Joseph Smith composed the Book of Mormon, and not an ancient author.
Source(s) of the Criticism
- John Ankerberg and John Weldon, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Mormonism (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1992), 322.
- Ed Decker, Decker's Complete Handbook on Mormonism (Eugene: Harvest House, 1995), 113.
- James White, Letters to a Mormon Elder (Southbridge, MA: Crowne, 1990), 145.
Response
The Book of Mormon is a translation. This means that it is no more likely that the word adieu appeared on the plates than the words yea, beginning, or sword.
Adieu is Joseph's translation of a concept expressed by Jacob. In French, adieu implies "farewell until we meet with God." This is a fitting finale to Jacob's testimony and writing.
Joseph Smith was likely unaware that adieu was a French word. Like many words that were originally French, adieu was adopted into English— it was in use by at least 1374.
The Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson's original draft of the Declaration of Independence read, in part (beginning shown in image by blue underline):
- ...be it so, since they will have it: the road to glory & happiness is open to us too; we will climb it in a separate state, and acquiesce in the necessity which pronounces our everlasting Adieu![1]
Jefferson later crossed out "everlasting Adieu," and replaced it with "eternal separation."[2]
Dictionaries
Noah Webster's 1828 American dictionary demonstrates that it was perfectly good English:
ADIEU', Adu'.
- Farewell; an expression of kind wishes at the parting of friends.
ADIEU', n. A farewell, or commendation to the care of God; as an everlasting adieu.
John Wesley's
The Wesley brothers, founders of Methodism, used adieu in some of their hymns:
- Hymn 285
- I'll bid this world of noise and show/ With all its glittering snares, adieu! *
- Hymn 809
- VAIN, delusive world, adieu...*[3]
Furthermore, John Wesley was fond of adieu, using it many times in his personal letters. A few examples follow; more are available*
- 5 January 1763 to Charles Wesley
- "We join in love to you both. My wife gains ground. She is quite peaceable and loving to all. Adieu!"*
- 17 May 1742 to Charles Wesley
- Let all the brethren pray for me. Adieu!*
- 15 December 1772 to Charles Wesley
- My love to all. Adieu!*
- 16 December 1772 to Mrs. Bennis
- My dear sister, adieu*
Use Among LDS Members
Closer to home, hymn #52 (penned by a non-LDS author) collected by Emma Smith for the use of the Church, adieu is used twice in the first line:
- Adieu, my dear brethren adieu,
- Reluctant we give you the hand,
- No more to assemble with you,
- Till we on mount Zion shall stand.[4]
Clearly, this was a word familiar to Joseph and his contemporaries. The Church's the Times and Seasons periodical used the word 19 times.
Conclusion
"Adieu" is simply one English word among many in the Book of Mormon translation. It was in common use among members and non-members in Joseph's era. Critics try to confuse this issue simply because its French origins are more apparent to the general reader. All its presence indicates is that the concept which Jacob intended to communicate was "farewell forever, or until we meet God."
The critics' complaints on this point demonstrate how desperate they are to find fault.
Endnotes
- [note] John Wesley, A Collection of Hymns for the Use of the People Called Methodists (London: Wesleyan-Methodist Book Room, 1889 [1780]), #285, #809.
- [note] Thomas Jefferson, "original Rough draght," The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 1:1760-1776 (Princeton University Press, 1950), 423–428. *
- [note] Editorial Note, "Jefferson's 'original Rough draught,' of the Declaration of Independence," (Princeton University Press, 2004), 6, footnote 16. *
- [note] Emma Smith, A Collection of Sacred Hymns, for the Church of the Latter Day Saints Hymn 52, (Kirtland, Ohio: F. G. Williams & co., 1835), 68.
Further reading
FAIR wiki articles
Book of Mormon/Language/"Adieu"
FAIR web site
- FAIR Topical Guide:
External links
- Links to external web pages
Printed material
- Daniel C. Peterson, “Is the Book of Mormon True? Notes on the Debate,” in Book of Mormon Authorship Revisited: The Evidence for Ancient Origins, edited by Noel B. Reynolds, (Provo, Utah : Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1997), Chapter 6.