New Testament Revision 2
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Source Note
New Testament Revision 2, ca. 4 Apr. 1831–24 Mar. 1832 and 20–31 July 1832; handwriting of , , , and an unidentified scribe; 206 pages; CCLA.The Bible revision manuscripts remained in JS’s possession throughout his life—except during a brief period in 1838 and another in 1839. Upon the death of JS, the manuscript was in possession of his wife for over twenty years, until 1867 when she gave it to her son in order for the RLDS Church to publish The Holy Scriptures.Note: The transcript of New Testament Revision 2 presented here is used with generous permission of the Brigham Young University Religious Studies Center. It was published earlier, with some differences in style, in Scott H. Faulring, Kent P. Jackson, and Robert J. Matthews, eds., Joseph Smith's New Translation of the Bible: Original Manuscripts (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2004), 229–581.
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Historical Introduction
As noted in the introduction to Old Testament Revision 1, in June 1830, JS and began recording a revelation related to Moses and other prominent Old Testament figures. (See Visions of Moses, June 1830 [Moses 1].) Eventually this work expanded into what is now designated as the Book of Moses and a complete revelatory re-reading, reviewing, and revising of the Bible, an endeavor that came to be known as JS’s “New Translation,” or Bible revision. By March 1831, JS and his scribes created a sixty-one-page manuscript containing a narrative account of the visions of Moses and a revised version of the Old Testament book of Genesis, from the beginning to chapter 24, verse 41. (See Old Testament Revision 1.)JS set that work aside when instructed in a March 1831 revelation to instead begin work on the New Testament. (Revelation, ca. 7 Mar. 1831 [D&C 45:60–61].) He and began the new document on 8 March 1831, titling it “A Translation of the New Testament translated by the power of God.” It is currently designated as New Testament Revision 1. , who had been directed by revelation to “write & keep a regulal [regular] history & assist my servant Joseph in Transcribing all things which shall be given him,” (Revelation, ca. 8 Mar. 1831–B [D&C 47:1]) began in early April 1831 to copy New Testament Revision 1 through Matthew 26:1, stopping a little short of where JS and Sidney Rigdon left off before they traveled to in June 1831. (JS History, vol. A-1, 126.)When JS resumed the revision of the New Testament, he did so using ’s copy, currently designated New Testament Revision 2. He began with Matthew 26:1, though he had previously translated through Matthew 26:71 in New Testament Revision 1. Work continued on the rest of the New Testament through late July 1832. In addition to , JS was assisted by John Whitmer, , and .New Testament Revision 2, presented here, consists of 203 pages. Work on this manuscript was completed in and , Ohio. During the revision project, JS adopted an abbreviated format for annotating the changes to be made to the New Testament. Previously, JS dictated the entire Bible text to his scribe, revising verses as he read from the Bible. But beginning after John 5, JS marked his copy of the Bible as he read in it, indicating where a change should be made. In the manuscript, the scribes wrote the scripture reference and the specifics of the revisions. Thus, the Bible and manuscript together now constituted the text of the revision project.In total, JS made changes to about 2,100 New Testament verses (Faulring et al., Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible, 5). He introduced a number of significant changes to the King James New Testament text in New Testament Revision 2. Among the more prominent clarifications and corrections were those in Matthew 24 and Mark 13 related to Jesus’s discourse on the Mount of Olives, as well as those in the beginning verses of the Gospel of John. (See, Faulring et al., Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible, 234, 303, and 424–425.)Note: The transcript of New Testament Revision 2 presented here is used with generous permission of the Brigham Young University Religious Studies Center. It was published earlier, with some differences in style, in Scott H. Faulring, Kent P. Jackson, and Robert J. Matthews, eds., Joseph Smith's New Translation of the Bible: Original Manuscripts (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2004), 229–581.
lacked moister [moisture]. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And others fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bear fruit hundred fold. And when he had said these things, he 3/ cried, He who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 3/ And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? And he said; Unto you it is given to know the misteries of the kingdom of God; but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing, they mig4/ht not understand. 4/ Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. That which fell by the way side are they who hear; and the Devil cometh and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should beleive and be saved. That which fell on the rock, are they who, when they hear, receve the word with joy; and they have no root, but for a while believe, and in a time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, who, when they have heard, go forth and are choked with cares, and riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that which fell on the good ground are they, who receive the word in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keepeth what they hear, and bringeth forth 5/ fruit with patience. 5/ For no man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a Vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but sitteth it on a candlestick, that they who enter in may see the light. For nothing is secret, which shall not be made manefest; neither hid, which shall not be made known and go abroad. Take heed therefore how ye hear; for whosoever receiveth, to him shall be given; and whosoever receiveth not, from him shall be taken even that which he 6/ seemeth to have. 6/ Then came to him his Mother and his breatheren, and could not speak to him for the multitude. And some who stood by, said unto him, They Mother and thy breatheren stand without, desiring to see thee. And he answered and said unto them, My Mother and my breatheren 7/ are those who hear the word of God, and do it. 7/ Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples; and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the Lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep; and there came down a storm of wind on the Lake; and they were filled with fear, and were in danger. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying; Master, Master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the watter; and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them; Where is your faith? And they, being affraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this? For he commandeth [p. 64 (second numbering)]
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