Joseph Smith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as a Translator

9781417968657

1417968656

1936. A candid examination of his claims to have translated Ancient Egyptian writings, made in the Light of the best available knowledge of the present day. Smith claimed to have received an ancient book, composed of a number of metal leaves or plates, having the appearance of gold; inscribed with unfamiliar characters, and bound together by rings let into perforations along one edge. This book, as he has informed us, contained records of peoples living on the American continent many centuries before the coming of Columbus, written in a language, or in a style of writing, to which the name Reformed Egyptian was applied. Although he was unable to read, or decipher the inscriptions, he relates that he was directed to undertake the work of translation, upon the assurance that by the gift and power of God he would be enabled to understand their meaning. Therefore, he accepted the task; dictating word by word to a transcriber.