FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Question: Is the Book of Mormon not an ancient work because it contains "Greek words" such as "alpha and omega" or "Christ"?
Revision as of 09:03, 20 July 2017 by RogerNicholson (talk | contribs)
FAIR Answers—back to home page
Question: Is the Book of Mormon not an ancient work because it contains "Greek words" such as "alpha and omega" or "Christ"?
The words "alpha and omega" or "Christ" are as unlikely to be on the plates as the English word "sword" or "house"—these are translations.
The Book of Mormon claims to be a translation. Therefore, the language used is that of Joseph Smith. Joseph could choose to render similar (or identical) material using King James Bible language if that adequately represented the text's intent.
The words "alpha and omega" are as unlikely to be on the plates as the English word "sword" or "house"—these are translations.
All "alpha and omega" tells us is that there was some expression on the plates similar to "from A to Z," or "from first to last."
The word "Christ" is a Greek translation of the Hebrew messiah, which means “the anointed one.” The word "Christ" was used by the translator, Joseph Smith, to describe the messiah.
Only if we presume that the Book of Mormon is a fraud at the outset is this proof of anything. If we assume that it is a translation, then the use of Bible language tells us merely that Joseph used biblical language.
This unconvincing complaint is similar to another anti-Mormon favorite, the issue of the "French word" adieu in the Book of Mormon.
Notes