Joseph Smith Author or Translator?
Current editions of the Book of Mormon say: "Translate by Joseph Smith Jun." The original printing of the Book of Mormon says: "By Joseph Smith Junior - Author and Proprietor." Why did the Church believe it necessary to change the statement? The real author of the Book of Mormon has been questioned ever since it was first published. Of course the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has always claimed that ancient prophets in the Americas wrote most of the original texts. However, there are no copies of any such texts that have ever been discovered. It is claimed that the original texts were given to Joseph Smith to reveal additional scriptures to the world. Thus, Joseph Smith is described as the "translator" of the Book of Mormon. As I understand the story, he did not "translate" the text, in the usual sense of the word, by looking at an original text and then deciding how to best convey the meanings of original words in the language of the new readers. My understanding is that Joseph Smith read and recited the new words to scribes who wrote down the text as it was dictated by Joseph.
While some may consider it miraculous however it was accomplished, it seems most honest to leave the source as Joseph Smith originally published it, rather than to redefine "translated" as most explanations I have read tend to do.
While some may consider it miraculous however it was accomplished, it seems most honest to leave the source as Joseph Smith originally published it, rather than to redefine "translated" as most explanations I have read tend to do.