Lds interpretations of jacob 5 jacob chapter 5 in the book of mormon is a fairly long and complex one. The biblical and book of mormon pn jacob is from the hebrew ya. Supporters of the book of mormon argue that the text is a translation into modern english, so the use of a french word is not amiss. The passage from the book of mormon condemns david and solomons practice and the. Reynolds and sjodahl, commentary on the book of mormon, vol. How did the french word adieu get into the book of mormon. Mar 19, 2009 enos is the third author in the book of mormon after nephi 1 and jacob. Those at fault will be brought to justice if they do not repent. Feb 10, 2008 14 but i, jacob, shall not hereafter distinguish them by these names, but i shall call them lamanites that seek to destroy the people of nephi, and those who are friendly to nephi i shall call. Some have questioned the use of the french word adieu in jacob 7. I have often heard critics of the book of mormon make a big stink over the word adieu in the book of mormon. There seems to be a problem where jacob says he gives the plates to my his son enos, who shortly before dying says it has been 179 years since the leaving of jerusalem. Just as the arch crumbles if the keystone is removed, so does all the church stand or fall with the truthfulness of the book of mormon. One aspect not addressed in the research is that spalding engages in an acceptable practice of the day, namely heavy borrowing and outright plagiarism.
Why is the french word adieu in the book of mormon. The book of mormon is comprised of different sets of plates that can be confusing for readers to keeps straight. Why is the word adieu attributed to the book of mormon writer jacob. The fifth chapter in the book of jacob or jacob 5 is the longest single chapter in the book of mormon at 77 verses. Joseph smith translated the book of mormon into english. Sherem denied the need for christ, used flattery, and accused leaders of. And i, jacob, saw that i must soon go down to my grave. When the prophet received the concept or idea of a farewell at the conclusion of the portion of the record known as the book of jacob, he used an expression he. Jacobs goodbye, in his parting message to the world, ends with the word adieu. The appearance of nonenglish words if there are any in the book. Read in that spirit, they fill the soul with a sweet and heavenly joy which only the spirit of god can produce. Apr, 2009 jacob reads of zenos the martyrs house of israel metaphor, the olive tree compare jacob, chapter 5.
A dictionary of the book of mormonjacob wikisource, the. Joseph fielding smith, answers to gospel questions, 4. The small plates of nephi and the words of mormon, by eldin ricks, from the book of mormon. According to richardson, richardson and bentley, the closing word in the book of jacob adieu jacob 7. It is not sponsored or endorsed by either the maxwell institute or brigham young university, and. The basis for an ageold book of mormon bash is the last verse of the book of jacob. The french word adieu appears once in the book of mormon, in jacob 7. Adieu implies farewell until we meet with god, a fitting finale to jacobs testimony and writing. The book of mormon relates the religious history of the nephite nation for a thousand years until widespread apostasy about 400 ad. Sherem denies christ, contends with jacob, demands a sign, and is smitten of godall of the prophets have spoken of christ and his atonementthe nephites lived out their days as wanderers, born in tribulation, and hated by the lamanites. Sherem denied the need for christ, used flattery, and accused leaders of teaching false doctrine.
Why is the word adieu attributed to the book of mormon. Jacob is the author of the book of jacob in the book of mormon. Jun 15, 2008 how did the french word adieu get into the book of mormon. The original writers spoke neither english nor french. Jacob and his family eventually traveled to the americas via boat constructed by his brother, nephi. Since the nephites did not speak french which didnt even exist until centuries later, how can this be justified. Make sure you check back often to see other issues that we see as problematic for the mormon church.
The enos problem in the book of mormon adventures in. The book of mormon begins about 600 bc with a small group who fled jerusalem, landed in america, and quickly split into two antagonistic nations, the nephites and the lamanites. Nibleys commentary on the book of mormon is based on transcriptions from classes taught by hugh nibley, and is published with the permission of the neal a. It is not sponsored or endorsed by either the maxwell institute or. Olive trees and the book of mormon jeff lindsays site and. These were men who clearly taught of a messiah who would come in the flesh to redeem his people. Jacob taught many things to the ancient nephites, including prophecies of jesus christ and the doctrine of the atonement 2 nephi 910. The book of mormon the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. The question of the authenticity of the book of mormon is the basis for any discussion on the truthfulness of the lds church. The plates from which the book of mormon was translated were written in egyptian hieroglyphs, which is not even a phonetic language. Jacob s usage of the word adieu in the book of mormon.
Maxwell institute for religious scholarship and nibley llc. This parable in and of itself stamps the book of mormon with convincing truth. But, wo, wo, unto you that are not pure in heart, that are filthy this day before god. Items do not represent the official views of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints or of book of mormon central. And in 1981, the index to the new edition of the book of mormon offered a list of 26 welldocumented statements about jacob. As you mention, the french language did not start to be developed until after 600 b. In october 1976, the ensign magazine carried a short but informative article by c. This article outlines the structure of what we know as the book of mormon. The subject of the chapter is a story that the nephite prophet jacob relates, originally taught by zenos an old testament prophet mentioned only in the book of mormon. Jun 19, 2011 and i make an end of my writing upon these plates, which writing has been small. How do you explain this direct contradiction found in the lds scriptures. I have often heard critics of the book of mormon make a big stink over the word adieu in. Inclusion within the bmc archive does not imply endorsement. While i dont believe in the book of mormon, i do believe in grammar.
Ariel crowley, about the book of mormon, idaho city, id, n. Jacob went on to be a righteous leader, and succeeded nephi as prophet to the nephites. Jacob reads of zenos the martyrs house of israel metaphor, the olive tree compare jacob, chapter 5. Your objection, if i understand it, is that a word from a modern european language occurs in a book claiming ancient semitic origins the book of jacob was written around 500 b. Many books within the book of mormon are heavily laced with chiastic phrasing. The book of mormon comedy, musical two young latterday saints are sent on a mission to convince the people of a small village in uganda to become part of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints.
Though english is a germanic language, it adopted many french words, beginning. However, the fact that jacob ends his book with the french word adieu, has actually become another evidence for the truthfulness of the book of mormon. He is best known for his lengthy prayer while hunting in the wilderness, wherein he first asks for personal forgiveness, then for gods blessings upon the nephites, then his blessings upon the lamanites, then that a record of the nephites will be preserved and brought into the lamantes at some future day should. Enos is the third author in the book of mormon after nephi 1 and jacob. Jacob chapter 5 in the book of mormon offers a detailed description of practices regarding the cultivation of olive trees. Review of books on the book of mormon 19892011 volume 3number 1 article 11 1991 monte s. Greek and latin words and other problems in the book of mormon part 1 this is the first of several articles dealing with the problems in the book of mormon. The reference to zenos being a martyr is found in helaman 8. Using the symbolism of the art world, one might even consider it the mona lisa masterpiece of the book of mormon. Dec 05, 2009 peanut butter factory houston the church of jesus christ of latterday saints the mormons duration.
The word adieu was in common use in english in joseph smiths era. According to richardson, richardson and bentley, the closing word in the book of jacob adieujacob 7. He spoke hebrew, and was acquainted with egyptian writing. Jacob explains that the lengthy passage is taken from a jewish text by zenos that was among the sacred writings available on the brass plates that lehi brought with him from jerusalem.
The book of mormon is replete with verses of this kind, but they are far more complex. Some claim that because adieu is french, it shows that joseph smith composed the book of mormon, and not an ancient author. Items in the bmc archive are made publicly available for noncommercial, private use. However, the fact that jacob ends his book with the french word adieu, has actually become another evidence for the truthfulness of th. He also taught the parable of the olive tree, which talked of the scattering and gathering of israel jacob 5. Adieu in the book of mormon book of mormon translation. Book of mormon plain english versionjacob wikisource. And i make an end of my writing upon these plates, which writing has been small. Trent toone, 15 lds general authorities and their book of mormon heroes. The book of mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 1990. In 1966 i included a halfpage entry on jacob and a biographical note in my whos who in the book of mormon 25, 82.
Using the symbolism of the art world, one might even consider it the. This is why words not known in book of mormon times are found in the translated text. Jacobs usage of the word adieu in the book of mormon. Some claim that because adieu is french, it shows that joseph smith composed. These prophets include zenock, zenos, and neum see the book of mormon index. People argue that the nephites could not possibly have known french or this word since it originated around the 14th century. Joseph smith likely chose to use the word adieu because it concisely conveyed a sense of finality. We might suspect, then, that either the text of the book of mormon was not translated into english by a 19th century american farm boy, or that adieu is not french. A short summary of jacob 5, describing each of the sections ofthe allegory of the olive tree. Solomon spalding 17611816 is considered by some researchers to be the original author of the book of mormon. He was a mighty man of god, and, apparently, next to nephi, the greatest and most devoted of all the sons of lehi.
The parable of the tame and the wild olive trees 2. It is the word by which a reason is introduced of something before advanced websters 1828 dictionary. Could joseph smith have written the book of mormon. Why did ammon borrow so much from tradition in alma 26. Jacob through words of mormon, to learn with joy, edited by monte s.
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