Did the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible Rely on Scholarly Commentaries?
A limited number of respected commentaries, such as those written by Matthew Henry and John Wesley, were more accessible to educated individuals of the time, including Smith.
The Joseph Smith Translation (JST) of the Bible, also known as the Inspired Version, is a significant yet often misunderstood work in the context of early 19th-century religious thought and scholarship.
Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, undertook the translation with the aim of restoring what he viewed as lost truths in biblical texts. This blog post explores the relationship between the JST and scholarly commentaries available during Smith's time, analyzing how these influences may have shaped Smith’s work.
The Context of the Joseph Smith Translation
The early 1800s were marked by religious fervor in America, with the Second Great Awakening prompting intense debates over biblical interpretation and authority. Many sects were springing up, each attempting to define their beliefs based on scripture. In this environment, Smith claimed divine inspiration for his translation, seeing it as a necessary corrective to centuries of mistranslation and misinterpretation. The JST was undertaken initially in 1830, shortly after Smith published the Book of Mormon, and continued until 1833.
Smith’s Access to Biblical Scholarship
During Smith's life, the field of biblical scholarship was evolving, albeit in rudimentary forms compared to today's standards. While there were notable commentaries and translations—both scholarly and lay—the breadth of scholarly biblical study available to Smith was limited, particularly compared to modern resources. Key translations, such as the King James Version (KJV), dominated the landscape, and while some scholars were beginning to challenge traditional interpretations, systematic, critical biblical scholarship was still in its infancy.
A limited number of respected commentaries, such as those written by Matthew Henry and John Wesley, were more accessible to educated individuals of the time, including Smith. However, it is unclear whether Smith had direct access to these texts or whether their ideas filtered into his work through larger religious discussions held within the growing number of churches and sects.
The Influence of Contemporary Thought
While the JST may not have directly referenced any specific scholarly commentaries, it is essential to consider the broader spectrum of contemporary thought that surrounded Smith. The debates around the infallibility of the Bible, along with the growing interest in original languages and translation issues, saturated the religious discourse of the time. Smith had the biblical text in hand but also operated amidst a rich tapestry of belief, opinion, and interpretation.
Prominent religious figures and movements, such as the Restoration Movement led by figures like Alexander Campbell, promoted a return to the sources of Christianity, often steeped in a desire for a more authentic understanding of biblical texts. Such currents may have influenced the motivations behind Smith's desire to revise the Bible, even if he did not cite specific scholarly commentaries.
Comparisons with Other Translations
When analyzing the JST, some scholars have drawn parallels with other contemporaneous translations and revisions. For instance, the work of Thomas Jefferson, who famously created a “Jefferson Bible,” focused on extracting the ethical teachings of Jesus, can be seen as a precursor to Smith's approach of prioritizing revealed truth over established dogma. However, Jefferson's work was characterized by skepticism, while the JST emerged from a place of faith and revelation.
Despite these parallels, the JST remains unique in its approach and objectives. Smith's translations are often extensions of biblical texts, intended to clarify doctrinal points rather than merely correcting translation errors. This characteristic sets the JST apart from more academically driven translation efforts that emerged later.