New Testament Revision 2 (second numbering)
New Testament Revision 2
Source Note
Source Note
New Testament Revision 2, ca. 4 Apr. 1831–24 Mar. 1832 and 20–31 July 1832; handwriting of , , , and an unidentified scribe; 206 pages; CHL.
The Bible revision manuscripts remained in JS’s possession throughout his life—except during a brief period in 1838 and another in 1839. Upon the death of JS, the manuscript was in possession of his wife for over twenty years, until 1867 when she gave it to her son so that the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS church) could publish it. It was in the possession of the RLDS church (now Community of Christ) until 2024, when The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints acquired it. The manuscript is now held at the Church History Library in Salt Lake City.
Note: The transcript of New Testament Revision 2 presented here is used with generous permission of the Brigham Young University Religious Studies Center. It was published earlier, with some differences in style, in Scott H. Faulring, Kent P. Jackson, and Robert J. Matthews, eds., Joseph Smith's New Translation of the Bible: Original Manuscripts (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2004), 229–581.
Footnotes
- [1]
Call, “Copied from the Journal of Anson Call,” 9 and Cooper, “Spiritual Reminiscences, No. 2,” Autumn Leaves (January 1891): 18.
Call, Anson. “Copied from the Journal of Anson Call,” 1879. CHL. MS 4783.
Cooper, F. M. “Spiritual Reminiscences.—No. 2,” Autumn Leaves 4, no. 1 (Jan. 1891): 17–20.
- [2]
Emma Smith Bidamon, Nauvoo, IL, to Joseph Smith III, Plano, IL, 10 Feb. 1867, CCLA.
Bidamon, Emma Smith. Materials, 1842–1871. CCLA.
- [3]
The Holy Scriptures: Translated and Corrected by the Spirit of Revelation ([Plano, IL]: [Reorganized] Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1867).
Historical Introduction
Historical Introduction
As noted in the introduction to Old Testament Revision 1, in June 1830, JS and began recording a revelation related to Moses and other prominent Old Testament figures. (See Visions of Moses, June 1830 [Moses 1].) Eventually this work expanded into what is now designated as the Book of Moses and a complete revelatory re-reading, reviewing, and revising of the Bible, an endeavor that came to be known as JS’s “New Translation,” or Bible revision. By March 1831, JS and his scribes created a sixty-one-page manuscript containing a narrative account of the visions of Moses and a revised version of the Old Testament book of Genesis, from the beginning to chapter 24, verse 41. (See Old Testament Revision 1.)
JS set that work aside when instructed in a March 1831 revelation to instead begin work on the New Testament. (Revelation, ca. 7 Mar. 1831 [D&C 45:60–61].) He and began the new document on 8 March 1831, titling it “A Translation of the New Testament translated by the power of God.” It is currently designated as New Testament Revision 1. , who had been directed by revelation to “write & keep a regulal [regular] history & assist my servant Joseph in Transcribing all things which shall be given him,” (Revelation, ca. 8 Mar. 1831–B [D&C 47:1]) began in early April 1831 to copy New Testament Revision 1 through Matthew 26:1, stopping a little short of where JS and Sidney Rigdon left off before they traveled to in June 1831. (JS History, vol. A-1, 126.)
When JS resumed the revision of the New Testament, he did so using ’s copy, currently designated New Testament Revision 2. He began with Matthew 26:1, though he had previously translated through Matthew 26:71 in New Testament Revision 1. Work continued on the rest of the New Testament through late July 1832. In addition to , JS was assisted by John Whitmer, , and .
New Testament Revision 2, presented here, consists of 203 pages. Work on this manuscript was completed in and , Ohio. During the revision project, JS adopted an abbreviated format for annotating the changes to be made to the New Testament. Previously, JS dictated the entire Bible text to his scribe, revising verses as he read from the Bible. But beginning after John 5, JS marked his copy of the Bible as he read in it, indicating where a change should be made. In the manuscript, the scribes wrote the scripture reference and the specifics of the revisions. Thus, the Bible and manuscript together now constituted the text of the revision project.
In total, JS made changes to about 2,100 New Testament verses (Faulring et al., Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible, 5). He introduced a number of significant changes to the King James New Testament text in New Testament Revision 2. Among the more prominent clarifications and corrections were those in Matthew 24 and Mark 13 related to Jesus’s discourse on the Mount of Olives, as well as those in the beginning verses of the Gospel of John. (See, Faulring et al., Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible, 234, 303, and 424–425.)
Note: The transcript of New Testament Revision 2 presented here is used with generous permission of the Brigham Young University Religious Studies Center. It was published earlier, with some differences in style, in Scott H. Faulring, Kent P. Jackson, and Robert J. Matthews, eds., Joseph Smith's New Translation of the Bible: Original Manuscripts (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2004), 229–581.
unto them, This is in rememberence of my blood which is shed for many, and the newtestament which I give unto you; for of me, ye shall bear record unto all the world. And as oft as ye do this ordinence, you will remmember me in this hour that I was with you, and drank with you of this cup, even the last time in my ministry. Verily I say unto you, Of this ye shall bear record; for I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine with you, untill that day that I drink it <10/> new in the kingdom of God. <10/> and now they were grieved, and wept <10/> over him. </> <10/> And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. And Jesus saith <said> unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night; for it <is> written, I will smite the Shepperd and the sheep shall be scattered. But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Gallilee. And he saith <said> unto Judas Iscariot, <11/> what thou doest, do quickly; but beware of innocint blood. <11/> Nevertheless, Judas Iscariot, <even> one of the twelve, went unto the cheif Priests to betray Jesus unto them; for he turned away from him, and was offended because of his words. And when the cheif Priests heard of him they were glad, and promised to give him money; and he sough <12/> how he might conveniently betray Jesus. <12> But Peter said unto Jesus, Although all men shall be offended with thee, yet I will never be offended. And Jesus saith <said> unto him, Verily I say unto thee, <That> at this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. But he spake the more vehemently, though <If> I should die with thee, yet will I not dny thee in <13/> any wise. Likewise also said they all. </> <13/> And the <they> came to a place which was named Gethsemane, which was a garden; and the disciples began to be sore amazed, and to be <very> <very> heavy, and to complain in their hearts, wondering if this be the Messiah. And Jesus knowing their hearts said <he saith <said> to his disciples,> Sit you here while I shall pray. And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and rebuked them, and saith unto them, my <My> soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death; tary tarry ye here, and watch watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed, <that,> If it were possable the hour might pass from him; and he said, Abba, father, all things are possable unto thee; take away this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but <14> thine be done. <14/> And he cometh and finding <findeth> them sleeping, and <saith unto> [p. 40 (second numbering)]
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