Close Topic Options

Why Did Joseph Smith Write In Old English?

I mostly have a question if you don't mind. When Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon why did he use a 16-17 century English rather than the one of his time 19 century?

English Old Write Smith Joseph Why

I don't think anyone knows for sure. Perhaps it's just because he grew up with the King James Version of the Bible? He wanted to set scripture apart from the common vernacular?

Why Did Joseph Smith Write In Old English? Studies Doctrine Mormon

Possibly he thought to make it sound Biblical in order to get more converts to it. There are some that think because it sounds like the Bible it must be true.

English Old Write Smith Joseph Why

That is a standard non believing and cynical answer.

But I tend to believe because, among other things, additional scripture matching the Book of Mormon is mentioned in the Bible and LDS doctrine is the only Christian doctrine that is not in conflict with the Bible. Historically, we seem to have restored many of the original doctrines extant in the early Christian Church and that matches well the Bible predicted Universal Apostasy and future Restoration.

Message Edited...
Persephone: It is not necessary to quote the entire post of the user above you. See Constructive Posting Policy.

English Old Write Smith Joseph Why

Why should I have to believe in the Mormon book in order to have an opinion about it? You said for yourself that you don't think anyone knows and I guess this includes the Mormons too so what is the reason?

Why Did Joseph Smith Write In Old English?

Name: David
Country:

Comments: The speech of Joseph Smith was structured in Hebraisms, meaning they are Hebrew structured sentences, which by the way, he couldn't have known about unless he was a linguist and understood Hebrew. The Bible has Hebraisms in it because it was written by scholars who understood the structure and tried to accurately place items in their proper place.

The fact that Joseph Smith with a third grade education and no access to higher learning was able to skillfully execute these Hebraisms in The Book of Mormon is just further proof of the divine nature of it's translation.

Source 1: Daniel C. Peterson PHD. BYU

Why Joseph Smith Write Old English

Where did I say one has to believe the Book of Mormon in order to have an opinion on it?

Why Joseph Smith Write Old English Mormon Doctrine Studies

When you said "...non believing and cynical answer." In stating my opinion you wanted to assume the grounds behind it even though you did not know the answer for yourself. This is one of the things I find strange about Mormon beliefs, answers for everything except the most obvious ones.