Disclaimer: I'm not a Mormon.
I think that a possible explanation for much of Joseph Smith's translations are "dream like."
Based on my previous conclusions, I must accept as fact that Mormonism is somehow true (essentially, or at least mostly). That is, Joseph Smith's translations, revelations, and the products thereof are some how more real and more true than what most people accept as true (myself, most modern non-mormons).
However, a lot of startling elements or difficulties present themselves to the non-Mormon even when looking at the official accounts. Such as the instruments used to translate the plates, the direct word-for-word copying of official KJV passages, the fact that the translation is into King James english, the translation of Matthew, etc.
It seems evident that Joseph Smith's translation wasn't the same as what one usually thinks of as a scholarly translation. Even by Smith's own account, it was strictly by the power of God.
So it appears to me that his work and translations often have a dream-like quality, in that appear to be presenting a unique (or sacred) message, but communicated via Smith's personal experiences, knowledge, understanding of language. That is, in one sense, obvious that any translator will be conveying some degree of themselves into the work - but for Smith it seems more than that. I wonder if it wasn't like a sacred dream, where the imagery used is from Smith's own mind, but to convey a specific (divinely inspired?) message. It would explain to some degree why he used exact word-for-word KJV passages, apparently mixed up "biblically sounding" wording with 19th century anachronisms, etc.
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Trying to use the historical accounts to figure out just what happened is difficult. There appears to be a lot of slander, politics, and so much he-said she-said. Certainly, the same issues we face today! Given the obviously problematic nature of reporting today (even with photography, video recordings, etc.) one is automatically making a faith-based choice on what and who to believe. It is a far from perfect comparison, but it seems clear enough that if Christ was born in our time, the media be producing a lot of slander and evidence against His claims - even any miracle would be twisted, slandered, etc. so that I doubt anyone would believe that anything had even occurred, even if many had personal experience of the miracles. Perhaps I'm being too cynical?
"I wonder if it wasn't like a sacred dream, where the imagery used is from Smith's own mind, but to convey a specific (divinely inspired?) message."
ReplyDeleteThis to me is the central question in Mormonism - what to make of their unique scripture?
It seems to me like a big block to seriously entertaining joining the organization - if a 'literal' understanding of, say, North or Central-American historical claims is required, then Mormonism seems very problematic.
If, on the other hand, one holds that it is a dream-like rendering of moral, spiritual, and so on, truths, then the texts become much less problematic.
Do you know what the range of views within Mormonism is (that are considered 'acceptable' by the church authorities)?
I don't really know. Those I've spoken with seem to take the story quite literally, and online those who don't tend to be liberals and use it as a wedge to accept mainstream trends.
DeleteThat said, it appears even the official historical record relates his translation as having occurred without the golden plates actually present. It looks like some early records record the visit by angels as having actually occurred in a dream (perhaps like St. Joseph's vision).
Additionally, one of the witness accounts record having witnessed the plates with "spiritual eyes".
Unfortunately this information all tends to come from anti-Mormon sources, who tend to think the non-literalism completely undermines the religion...
I mean, maybe it was even like Aslan in the Narnia stories - real, but at the same time spiritual, and only visible to those who remain children at heart?
I think in some sense you need to believe it is real, and not just metaphor or myth, to find it a real ground for a new worldview and basis for life. The missionaries say to pray on it, and I suppose if one had a personal spiritual revelation of some type, perhaps one could ignore apparent historical contradictions and truly believe.
I think if one assumes the BoM is true, instead of looking for reasons it's not, it's possible to come up with reasons why the mainstream historical record may be incorrect. Most of the evidence against the BoM historical account is just lack of evidence to support it.
But yeah, that is my main stumbling block too. Perhaps it's a test of humility?