A Modern Day Miracle
The translation of the Book of Mormon is a modern day miracle. It is such a marvelous work that many find it hard to believe that it was a translation from the plates, however evidence strongly supports that indeed the Book of Mormon is a direct translation of historical plates.
One of the strongest evidences that point toward the true origin of the Book of Mormon, is the fact that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon in about sixty three working days. Writing a book can take anywhere from 6 months to a full year. Sixty three days manifests that the Book of Mormon was indeed translated.
“In the early nineteenth century, it was very common for individuals to be able to read but not be able to write, although these statistics are likely influenced by economic factors as well as capability: paper was expensive, and writing with a quill time consuming and difficult, and therefore not that common” (Barrett). The Smith family was really poor, meaning that it was extremely likely that Joseph was able to read but not write. So it is unlikely that Joseph wrote the Book of Mormon.
The Book of Mormon is over 500 pages (Joseph) and at a lexile range of 1000L-1300L (D.A.R.E.) or a 12 Grade reading level. In order to write such a book would require a high level of education. Yet the Smith family was really poor so Joseph Smith received only a three years of schooling (Joseph). According to PBS a modern day third grade education marks the start of taking on more complex assignments. A third grade reading level is an introduction to chapter books and newspaper articles. The writing curriculum involves learning how to plan a complex written piece. Joseph Smith wouldn’t have even been able to write a complex essay based off of his education. Emma, Joseph’s wife (one of the people who best knows Joseph), stated that Joseph could neither write nor dictate a coherent and well worded letter, let alone dictate a book like the Book of Mormon” (Backman). Joseph Smith did not have the education level to write a book like the Book of Mormon.
If Joseph Smith didn’t write the Book of Mormon, could he have copied from other manuscripts or memorized it? This would’ve been impossible because of Emma’s eyewitness account, “During no part of it did Joseph Smith have any [manuscripts] or book of any kind from which to read or dictate except the metallic plates which I knew he had” (Backman). “If, he had had anything of the kind he could not have concealed it from me” (Bushman). Emma knows Joseph the best and would know if he was hiding anything. She knew that Joseph didn’t use any extra resources in translating the Book of Mormon other than the plates. The book would also be highly improbable to memorize because of the immensity of the book. It is a 500 page book at a 12 grade reading level. Joseph would not have the memory space or education to memorize such a feat. Joseph Smith did not have the education to write the Book of Mormon, neither did he have the resources to copy it down, so the most logical explanation would be that Joseph Smith literally translated the Book of Mormon.
Yet the evidence of the Book of Mormon should not only come from logic. “The power of the Holy Ghost… must ever be the chief source of evidence for the Book of Mormon” (Peterson). The testimony of the Holy Ghost is the most important evidence of the Book of Mormon. At the end of the scriptures Moroni tells audience members to test the truth of the book through prayer: “And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost” (The Book of Mormon Moro. 10:4). The strongest witness and evidence one can receive is a personal witness by the Holy Ghost.
I personally know the Book of Mormon is true because of my personal experience with the Holy Ghost. While I was on Trek, a pioneer reenactment, in Rangely, Colorado I decided to test the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon as dictated in Moro. 10:4. I prayed, read, and waited for an answer. While reading I was forced to stop my study do to strong winds that threatened to tear the pages out. I decided to retire under my tarp and climbed into my sleeping bag. Immediately the wind grew and transformed our tarp into a massive wind tunnel. I quickly grabbed the middle stake and held onto the middle stake with a firm strength. All around me there were screams as tarps collapsed. Pistachio shells were flung at me like bullets, pelting me in every which way. Yet I held my ground and felt peace. In such a chaotic situation I had my confirmation of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon from the Holy Ghost in constant peace. Continually throughout the trek as I read and asked for the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon I experienced some of my most spiritual experiences.
The Book of Mormon is a true testament of Christ. It is a miracle that it was translated by Joseph Smith, who at the time had a third grade education. It is such a complex book, and yet was completely translated in about 63 days. Yet the strongest evidence comes from the Holy Ghost. And it is a miracle that such an evidence can manifest truthfulness by strengthening individuals. The Book of Mormon is truly a modern day miracle.
Works Cited
Backman, Milton Vaughn. “Eyewitness Accounts of the Restoration.” Eyewitness Accounts of the Restoration, Deseret Book Co., 1986, pp. 126–127.
Barrett, Charlotte. “Victorian Publishing History.” Great Writers Inspire, University of Oxford.
Bushman, Richard L. “Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism.” Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism, Univ. of Illinois Press, 1988, p. 96.
D.A.R.E. “Board Question #63312 | The 100 Hour Board.” Live Posting, BYU, 25 May 2011.
“Grade-by-Grade Learning: Third Grade.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 20 Sept. 2012.
“Joseph Smith and the Restoration.” Mormon News Room, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Peterson, Daniel C. “Mounting Evidence for the Book of Mormon.” Ensign Jan. 2000 — Ensign, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
