Review
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Title: The Four Gospels According To Joseph Smith
Author: M. Michael Marquardt
Publisher: Xulon Press
Genre: Non-fiction
Year Published: 2007
Number of Pages: 428
Binding: Trade paperback
ISBN: 978-1-60477-025-4
Price: $21.99
Reviewed by Jeffrey Needle
M. Michael Marquardt is known in the LDS community as an interested, and interesting, historian of Mormon history and, in particular, the revelations of Joseph Smith, Jr. With this newest offering, Marquardt turns his attention to the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, the Gospels in particular.
Non-Mormons have some difficulty with the idea that the Joseph Smith Translation is a “translation" at all. In fact, we admit that it isn’t a translation in the contemporary sense of the word. Some prefer the designation “The Inspired Version of the Bible.” I agree. This title eliminates a layer of possible misunderstanding that can get in the way of a rational discussion of the work.
Because the RLDS Church (now the Community of Christ) has historically held the copyright to the Inspired Version (hereafter IV), the Utah church has used it sparingly — in footnotes, study articles, and historical studies. The work has always been widely available — I’ve owned several copies over the years — but some Mormons show little interest in exploring the intricacies of Joseph’s changes to the text.
The history of how the IV came to be is a fascinating story. Marquardt nicely documents the process, and offers a good timeline to help the reader fit the progress of the translation into the larger context of Mormon history. So many things were going on simultaneously, it is a wonder that Joseph was able to direct his attention to the modifications of the King James Bible. And there is evidence that he never completed the task — who knows what else might have come from his pen had he lived longer.
Marquardt then presents the Gospels themselves, with changes by Joseph Smith indicated in bold print (although, oddly, he chooses to bold only those changes that constitute a phrase of four words or more; I would have liked a more thorough typesetting indicating all the changes). He does bold all the verse numbers where changes were made.
Marquardt interestingly cites the opinion of one member of the Community of Christ hierarchy who, at the end of his commentary on the Gospel of Mark, states:
“Joseph’s New Translation should be considered a historical document representing its own time. Both the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and other churches using Joseph’s New Translation should consider this document as representing a certain phase of their church history and move on to and recommend the use of newer and better translations of the Bible.” (p. 59)
This seems problematic to me, especially for those who consider the level of Joseph’s inspiration at least equal to that of the writers of the Bible. If Joseph really did receive revelations concerning the text of the Bible, and if he indeed recorded them accurately, then these changes are of enduring value, and should be studied by every faithful Latter-day Saint. Relegating the IV to the position of a historical artifact seems out of step.
But, as all know, there are some who relegate the Book of Mormon itself to the same status. They deny it is an ancient document, and instead reflect theological concerns of those who lived in Joseph Smith’s time. I don’t see the Church ever arriving at such a conclusion.
Marquardt’s book is well worth a look. Yes, there are many studies of the IV available. This one offers a fine, but brief, history of the development of the KJV, and some interesting thoughts on how the IV came to life. Readers will decide what part the IV will play in their lives. But, even as historical artifact, the IV merits serious attention, and Marquardt’s book is a fine way to begin the study.
Jeff Needle
Association for Mormon Letters
jeff.needle@gmail.comwww.aml-online.orgwww.LDSBookLovers.com/Needle.html
