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Question: Why are there discrepancies between translations in the Book of Mormon, King James Bible and the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible?
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Criticism
The Book of Mormon and the Joseph Smith's Inspired Version of the Bible sometimes disagree not only with the King James Version of the Bible, but with each other. Critics frequently point out Matthew 5-7 from the King James and Inspired Versions with 3 Nephi 12-14 from the Book of Mormon. A much celebrated example is:
Matthew 5:48 (King James Version) Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
3 Nephi 12:48 Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 5:50 (Inspired Version) Ye are therefore commanded to be perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.
Source(s) of the criticism
Response
Joseph Smith had different purposes in mind when bringing forth the Book of Mormon and the Inspired Version. His purpose in bringing forth the Book of Mormon was to witness "the reality that "Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations". Departing from the King James Version, i.e., the translation familiar to those who would become the Book of Mormon's first readers, would have been a stumbling block in achieving its purpose. Joseph's later purpose in bringing forth the Inspired Version is largely understood to have been one of redaction, or inspired commentary -- to resolve confusion regarding biblical interpretation.
Parallel
Gleason Archer, well known Evangelical Christian and the Author of a highly respected book called "Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties", addresses the issue of Paul citing deficient Greek Septuagint translations that appear in our New Testaments today in lieu of better translations of the Old Testament he could have come up with. Archer says:
"Suppose Paul had chosen to work out a new, more accurate translation into Greek directly from Hebrew. Might not the Bereans have said in reply, “that’s not the way we find it in our Bible. How do we know you have not slanted your different rendering here and there in order to favor you new teaching about Christ?” In order to avoid suspicion and misunderstanding, it was imperative for the apostles and evangelists to stick with the Septuagint in their preaching and teaching, both oral and written.
"We, like the first-century apostles, resort to these standard translations to teach our people in terms they can verify by resorting to their own Bibles, yet admittedly, none of these translations is completely free of faults. We use them nevertheless, for the purpose of more effective communication than if we were to translate directly from the Hebrew or Greek."
Archer's point is that it was more important to the Lord and/or Paul, that Paul's writings be familiar rather than 100% precise.
Conclusion
Joseph had different purposes in mind in his different translations. This is not unique nor unusual, even in pre-existing scripture. Hence, neither the Book of Mormon nor the Inspired version of the Bible can be discounted because of seeming discrepancies.
Endnotes
None
Further reading
FAIR wiki articles
FAIR web site
- FAIR Topical Guide: