Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 6 of 6
Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network
Recovering The Original Text Of The Book Of Mormon: An Interim Review, M. Gerald Bradford
Recovering The Original Text Of The Book Of Mormon: An Interim Review, M. Gerald Bradford
Journal of Book of Mormon Studies
Bradford introduces reviews of Royal Skousen’s work on the critical text project.
The Book Of Mormon Critical Text Project, Terryl L. Givens
The Book Of Mormon Critical Text Project, Terryl L. Givens
Journal of Book of Mormon Studies
Royal Skousen’s endeavor to recover the original text of the Book of Mormon is more complicated than it seems because it involves more than simply reproducing the original manuscript. Rather, what Skousen means by “original text” is the very language that appeared on the Urim and Thummim. Every subsequent step, such as Joseph’s reading, his scribes’ understanding and transcribing of that utterance, and Oliver Cowdery’s copying of the manuscript for the printer, exposed the text to the possibility of human subjectivity and error. This paper explains the nature and scope of Skousen’s monumental undertaking and presents some of the methods …
Joseph Smith And The Text Of The Book Of Mormon, Robert J. Matthews
Joseph Smith And The Text Of The Book Of Mormon, Robert J. Matthews
Journal of Book of Mormon Studies
Royal Skousen’s most significant contribution to Book of Mormon scholarship, this paper states, is in openly and systematically detailing the thousands of variants that occur across two manuscripts and twenty editions and showing that these variations do not affect the message or validity of the book as a witness of Jesus Christ. Skousen’s work also offers new insights into the process of translating and publishing the Book of Mormon. Though the work of translation appears to have involved a number of different methods, we can nevertheless be sure that the Book of Mormon was translated by the “gift and power …
Scholarship For The Ages, Grant R. Hardy
Scholarship For The Ages, Grant R. Hardy
Journal of Book of Mormon Studies
Until now, nearly all commentaries on the Book of Mormon have focused mainly on issues of doctrine rather than beginning with the text itself. Royal Skousen’s critical text project does the opposite by treating the text itself on the word and phrase level. Skousen weighs nearly all possible evidence to deduce the events that may have led to the variations seen in the texts and to draw conclusions about which readings are most likely original. Some conclusions may surprise readers, but Skousen is more interested in candidly documenting what the texts reveal than in interpreting all the implications. Several lengthy …
Insights Available As We Approach The Original Text, Kerry Muhlestein
Insights Available As We Approach The Original Text, Kerry Muhlestein
Journal of Book of Mormon Studies
In his effort to correct and preserve the original text of the Book of the Mormon, Royal Skousen has also increased our understanding of and appreciation for this volume of sacred scripture. Skousen’s close examination of the use of words and phrases throughout the book highlights its intertextuality and demonstrates that Book of Mormon authors were aware of and influenced by the words of previous authors. Moreover, restoring the original text helps clarify some vague constructions and should also caution us against putting too much emphasis on the exact wording of the present Book of Mormon. Skousen’s analysis of how …
Seeking Joseph Smith's Voice, Kevin L. Barney
Seeking Joseph Smith's Voice, Kevin L. Barney
Journal of Book of Mormon Studies
Royal Skousen’s work on his Book of Mormon critical text project demonstrates that he is an able textual critic who employs sound judgment and proven methods to uncover the original text of the Book of Mormon. In many cases, these decisions seem counterintuitive to untrained readers, but Skousen correctly applies the principle that a more awkward reading is most likely original. He also shows his ability to make conjectural emendations for which no direct textual evidence is available. In every case, Skousen clearly lays out his reasoning so that readers who disagree with his inferences can examine the evidence for …