Posted on 07/01/2013 6:16:37 AM PDT by Colofornian
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
HMMMmmm...
With each new translation, it was an opportunity for small changes to creep in either to correct grammatical errors or to reflect social changes in language. [Kirkwood, post #145]
Kirkwood, if you think one of the reasons the Bible was changed was to "reflect social changes in language" [post #145];
and, if you think the Book of Mormon was changed for [some?] of the same reasons as the Bible...
...then please explain this:
If Bible translations changed -- for example -- some of the Kings James English from UK of the 15th century is now archaic...then ...
...why did Joseph Smith deliberately choose 15th century Kings James English to communicate to 19th century readers?
Kings James language was fit for some of the phrases in Shakespeare plays of the early 19th century;
And it certainly was read from the pulpits in the 19th century;
as well as in Bibles elsewhere;
but 19th century King English wasn't to be found...
...in the newspapers...
...circulars...
...the overwhelming majority of books...
...in 19th century America or the UK.
And, btw, the overwhelming majority of Kings James language within the Book of Mormon is still there -- it wasn't removed thru the generations since 1830 to "update" it for "social changes."
(there goes that theory of yours)
Hence, Smith did exactly the opposite of your theory: Instead of conveying to readers a translation "fit" with how 19th century Americans wrote and talk, Smith chose a KJV vernacular.
Why?
Well...if you wanted to pass off a counterfeit "addition" to the Bible...what better way to camouflage it?
For me, part of the beauty of that passage is its universal application, because of the many situations we find those who claim to be or act as our prophets, yet turn out to be deceivers.
In the many situational definitions we can apply to the term "false prophet", in each case His observations and advice about recognizing deceivers remain solid and sound.
Not just those who claim to prophecize on God's behalf, but any of those who predict or make promises in our lives.
The older I get and more I've lived through, the more I see such universal truths in the Bible. Years ago, I would not have said this, but now I see that everything we need is in that book. It's like nothing else.
You might see it that way; and indeed, most preachers preach it that way; but it is clearly NOT what the text says.
You'll get no argument from me about THESE statements!
My experience as a teacher has shown me it is a lot easier to teach folks what they DON'T know about the Bible; than to UNteach them what they are convinced is IN the Bible.
Interesting how the Bible has become such a source for argument and that His Church has become so divided.
How He must grieve and ache for His lost children. Was His sacrifice all in vain? How full must be His cups of Justice and Wrath.
I have come to learn that we can choose to know His Love and Peace, but sadly, foolish, proud, wretched children that we are, we appear to be in line to learn to fear His Wrath and Justice instead.
In US history and social attitudes to how one practices his or her religion, 1857 & 2013 are different worlds. The religion that we most fear is radical/political Islam, not Mormons.
In US history and social attitudes to how one practices his or her religion, 1857 & 2013 are different worlds. The religion that we most fear is radical/political Islam, not Mormons.
The author's name? (Solomon)
The source? (Hebrew-translation.org)
I suppose then if you were a Jew, you wouldn't be an observant one, now would you?
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