If it was a true account by prophets, but butchered with a horrible translation by Joseph Smith then you would be right that we would not be able to tell that the original prophets were wonderful and legit... BUT I do not think that would matter to God because in that scenario Joseph Smith would not be a true prophet of God.
Indeed his ability to translate between language is not a test of a prophet at all according to the Bible. The fact that he was a lousy translator would tell us absolutely nothing about whether he was also a prophet or not.
In which case, the Book of Mormon record in this hypothetical would not have been brought forward for the world to read and understand at this time
Not the real BoM in that scenario - but some butchered fake version would be readily available for all to read - and since no one has the translate-from form ... nobody would know if it was legit or not.
and it would not have been part of a plan that God had for His children to have more scripture at this time anyway.
Indeed the original was either never meant to be uncovered or it too was in some tainted form even by the time Smith found it and mistranslated it -- in that scenario.
It is simply one of the many possibilities given that there is NO test of a translation possible without having independent scholars review the source and then the target manuscripts. And NO "Bible test of a translator" at all, much less "Bible test of a prophet being -- the ability to translate".
That is the sad state of reality.
Of course translation matters for the Book of Mormon to still be the word of God,
There are a few bad/poor/inferior translations of the Bible in various languages - even English - it does not mean that the Bible itself was corrupt to start with.
but for the reasons given above the quality of the translation is secondary to whether or not it was the word of God to begin with
Not quite because if smith is a lousy translator - perhaps "tomorrow" a translator comes along who does a much better job -- after all he/she might get access to the same unseen plates and translate them - having some education and training on the actual language.
Almost anything can happen with a never-to-be-seen set of plates that 'still exist'
and whether or not the finished product as a whole (the Book of Mormon published into English and other languages) is something that you can discover to be from God through reading and praying.
There is no Bible confirmation of that idea. No Bible text says that a translation of a comic book from French to English will be validated to you by praying and no Mormon goes to any university offering editing skills or translation services on that unsupportable idea. No Bible was ever accepted based on "so-and-so translated this and God said it was a good translation".
Rather everyone today has many choices for a Bible translation - and many reviews for each of those translations - they can make their choice for accuracy, readability, commentary, devotional and select the translation that fits that model - because reviewers have given the analysis.
There is no such thing as "close your eyes and ask for divine guidance as to the most accurate translation" when it comes to a text - not even the Bible. And we all know how to test that point.
Some of the signs of a prophet given in the Bible are;
- They usually preface their message with "Thus saith the Lord" and never take credit for the message or works performed. If they do they are chastised for it by God (Numbers 20)
Numbers 20 does not say that is a test.
Jonah did not say "Thus says the Lord".
Elijah did not "Thus says the Lord" in his test by fire on on Mt. Carmel.
They can say it that way - but no Bible text says it is a test of something.
And false prophets claim that all the time.
- The truths they teach often amount to doctrine of God and His law that is different to the common understanding held by most religious or secular leaders of the people at that time (Moses, Isaiah, John the Baptist and Jesus)
No bible text says that a prophet must give doctrine that is not already available. Quite the opposite in many cases prophets were calling wayward people BACK to the already established line of truth.
But false prophets claim to do it all the time.
- Is called of God, often directly through visions or dreams or "mouth to mouth" (Numbers 12:6-8)
That is true -- it is how God communicates with prophets.
- Their words and works are always to either edify, exhort or comfort (1 Corinthians 14:3-5)
That is not a test - since even false prophets claim to exhort.
- One of these works may be to prophesy of a future event (Deuteronomy 18:21-22; Jeremiah 28:9). Given the above point, this prophecy must be something worth prophesying about to the edification, exhortation or comfort of the people
false prophets will often claim to predict the future. What Deut 18 declares is that 100% accuracy is "the test" .. that is something false prophets are not so good at doing.
Translation of written records is a work of prophets not mentioned in the Bible, but translation of spoken word is mentioned (Acts 2:4-6).
There is no translation by any prophets at all in Acts 2.
The idea that prophets translate into different languages by the gift of prophecy - not mentioned in the Bible - is an example of making something up that one admits is not in the Bible.
Also, interpretation of tongues is a gift of the spirit listed in the Bible (1 Corinthians 12:8-10).
That is true and 1Cor 12 claims that just because one is a prophet and has that gift does NOT mean they also have other spiritual gifts such as the one you mention.
The reason I am so curious about this is that Mormons often make this issue of translation their first point in the study.
in Christ,
Bob
