Changes to the Original Book of Mormon

Introduction: This article is a result of the anti-Mormon charges that the LDS Church has changed the original Book of Mormon. I have heard or read various charges where they say the Church has made up to 3,000 changes. When confronted with this particular charge, I always ask: “What are these changes to the original Book of Mormon?” The question is always answered: “There are many significant changes to the original edition that make it a false book,” but there is never any support!

Finally, I received the same answer but this particular person had evidence to support his accusation. He actually produced a copy of a book called “Joseph Smith Begins His Work—Book of Mormon 1830 First Edition, Reproduced from uncut sheets.” This book was written by Wilford C. Wood, and published by Publishers Press, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1958.

This book contained photo plates of the original edtion. In this book, there where some of the following changes already marked. I list the changes along with the results of my own spot-check of The Book of Mormon. Since my initial spot-check, I have decided to complete a thorough comparison of the original Book of Mormon with the current edition of The Book of Mormon.

It is my New Year resolution to complete the comparison this year (2008). As I conduct this comparison, I will update this article. As I find different changes, I will place them in two different sections, Major Changes and Minor Changes.

Process Used. In verifying the authenticity of Joseph Smith Begins His Work I used two different duplicates of the original Book of Mormon. The first is the Herald Heritage Reprint, Herald Publishing House, P.O. Box 390, 1001 W. Walnut, Independence, Missouri (www.HeraldHouse.org). This was published by what was formally known as The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Currently known as the Community of Christ Church. This also is a photo copy of the original Book of Mormon.

The second reference is a duplicate of the original version published by Experience Press, LLC, 2006 Reprint (www.experiencepress.org). This is not a photo copy of the original Book of Mormon. The publisher, Jay Linford, does a beautiful job of retyping the original Book of Mormon into current technology. He prints the book on current paper which closely matches the original paper. All the type set is about 99.9% exact of the original type setting. Mr. Linford bound the book in the same manner of the original edtion using soft sheep skin. The resulting book is a beautiful replica of the original Book of Mormon. This particular edition retails for $95.00.

In listing the changes that I have found to be authentic, I first list the original edition, and the general location of the page. I then quote the portion of the passage that contains the change/changes. In comparison, I then give the location, book, chapter, and verse of the current edition. One can instantly compare the changes made.

Summary of Comparison. The results of the spot check of the changes to the original edition is a definite YES. YES, there are changes to the original Book of Mormon. The anti-Mormons are not lying when they accuse the Church of changing the original version of The Book of Mormon.

In the charges made against the Church for all these changes, one needs to understand the following and then ask a few questions. In the introduction of the current edition of The Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith is quoted:

“I told the brethren that The Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth,... ”

Question #1. Where does Joseph Smith or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints ever say that The Book of Mormon is perfect?

As far as I know, the answer is never.

Question #2. Does the below listed grammatical or even the “politically correct” changes make any eternal, or spiritual, or doctrinal difference in my life or your life?

As far as I am concerned, the answer is no. The below changes are due to updating the grammar used to current times. One must remember that Joseph Smith was a farm boy and started the translation of the golden plates when he was about 20 years old. Joseph Smith had no formal education beyond the rural schools.

Having published my own book, Beware the Serpent, I am amazed at how few grammatical mistakes were made in the original Book of Mormon.

Question #3. Do any of the changes listed below change any official doctrine of the Church?

I have not found any doctrinal changes?

Question #4. Which changes to the original version make The Book of Mormon and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints false?

Please feel free to copy any and all changes listed in this article, Changes to the Original Book of Mormon, and share them with either your pro-Mormon or anti-Mormon family and friends.

Major Changes to the Original Book of Mormon

1. Original BofM, Page 15 – First Book of Nephi – second paragraph. And he beheld that they did contain the five Books of Moses, which gave an account of the creation of the world, and also of Adam and Eve, which was our first parents;

Current Edition: 1 Nephi 5:11. And he beheld that they did contain the five Books of Moses, which gave an account of the creation of the world, and also of Adam and Eve, who were our first parents;

2. Original BofM, Page 25 – First Book of Nephi – Top paragraph. And he said unto me, Behold, the virgin which thou seest, is the mother of God, after the manner of the flesh.

Current Edition: 1 Nephi 11:18. And he said unto me, Behold, the virgin which thou seest, is the mother of the son of God, after the manner of the flesh.

3. Original BofM, Page 25 – First Book of Nephi – second paragraph. And the angel said unto me, Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Eternal Father!

Current Edition: 1 Nephi 11:21. And the angel said unto me, Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the son of the Eternal Father!

4. Original BofM, Page 26 – First Book of Nephi – second paragraph. And I looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he was taken by the people; yea, the Everlasting God, was judged of the world;

Current Edition: 1 Nephi 11:32. ... .And I looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he was taken by the people; yea, the son of Everlasting God, was judged of the world;

5. Original BofM, Page 31 – First Book of Nephi – Top paragraph. ... neither will the Lord God suffer that the Gentiles shall forever remain in that state of awful woundedness which thou beholdest that they are in,...

Current Edition: 1 Nephi 13:32. ... neither will the Lord God suffer that the Gentiles shall forever remain in that state of blindness which thou beholdest that they are in,...

6. Original BofM, Page 32 – First Book of Nephi – Second paragraph. ... that the Lamb of God is the Eternal Father and the Saviour of the world;...

Current Edition: 1 Nephi 13:40?. ... that the Lamb of God is the son of the Eternal Father and the Saviour of the world;...

7. Original BofM, Page 52 – First Book of Nephi – Bottom three lines. Hearken and hear this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the Lord,...

Current Edition: 1 Nephi 20:1. Hearken and hear this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, or out of the waters of baptism, who swear by the name of the Lord,...

8. Original BofM, Page 56 – First Book of Nephi – Second paragraph. ... and also among all nations, and before there are many which are already lost...

Current Edition: 1 Nephi 22:4. ... and also among all nations, and behold there are many which are already lost...

9. Original BofM, Page 87 – First Book of Nephi – Second paragraph. ... and the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself not:

Current Edition: 1 Nephi 22:15. ... and the mean man boweth not down, and the great man humbleth himself not:

10. Original BofM, Page 200 – Book of Mosiah – First paragraph (middle). And now Limhi was again filled with joy, on learning from the mouth of Ammon that king Benjamin had a gift from God, whereby he could interpret such engravings; yea, and Ammon also did rejoice.

Current Edition: Mosiah 21:28. And now Limhi was again filled with joy, on learning from the mouth of Ammon that king Mosiah had a gift from God, whereby he could interpret such engravings; yea, and Ammon also did rejoice.

11. Original BofM, Page 546 – Book of Ether – First paragraph (fifth line). And for this cause did king Benjamin keep them, that they should not come unto the world until after Christ should shew himself unto his people.

Current Edition: Ether 4:1. And for this cause did king Mosiah keep them, that they should not come unto the world until after Christ should shew himself unto his people.

Minor Changes to the Original Book of Mormon

1. Original BofM, Page 25 – First Book of Nephi – second paragraph. And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the spirit; and after that she had been carried away in the spirit for the space of a time, the angel spake unto me, saying,

Current Edition: 1 Nephi 11:19. And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the spirit; and after she had been carried away in the spirit for the space of a time, the angel spake unto me, saying,

2. Original BofM, Page 49 – First Book of Nephi – Top line. ... which was upon my wrists,...

Current Edition: 1 Nephi 13:40?. which were upon my wrists,...

3. Original BofM, Page 53 – First Book of Nephi – Third paragraph. Hearken unto me. O Jacob and Israel, my called;...

Current Edition: 1 Nephi 20:12. Hearken unto me. O Jacob, and Israel, my called;...

4. Original BofM, Page 56 – First Book of Nephi – Second paragraph. And I, Nephi, sayeth, unto them,...

Current Edition: 1 Nephi 22:1. And I, Nephi, said, unto them,...

5. Original BofM, Page 57 – First Book of Nephi – Last line. For behold, saith the prophet, that the time cometh speedily,...

Current Edition: 1 Nephi 22:15. For behold, saith the prophet, the time cometh speedily,...

6. Original BofM, Page 132 – Book of Jacob – Second paragraph. And it came to pass that the servant of the Lord of the vineyard, done according to the word of the Lord of the vineyard,

Current Edition: Jacob 5:10. And it came to pass that the servant of the Lord of the vineyard, did according to the word of the Lord of the vineyard,

7. Original BofM, Page 133 – Book of Jacob – Second paragraph. And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard sayeth unto the servant,

Current Edition: Jacob 5:19. And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said unto the servant,

8. Original BofM, Page 133 – Book of Jacob – Third paragraph. And it came to pass that the servant sayeth unto his master,

Current Edition: Jacob 5:21. And it came to pass that the servant said unto his master,

9. Original BofM, Page 133 – Book of Jacob – Forth paragraph. And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard sayeth unto the servant,

Current Edition: Jacob 5:23. And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said unto the servant,

10. Original BofM, Page 133 – Book of Jacob – Fifth paragraph. And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard sayeth again unto his servant,

Current Edition: Jacob 5:24. And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said again unto his servant,

11. Original BofM, Page 133 – Book of Jacob – Last line. And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard sayeth unto the servant,

Current Edition: Jacob 5:26. And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said unto the servant,

12. Original BofM, Page 134 – Book of Jacob – Second paragraph. And the Lord of the vineyard, sayeth unto his servant,

Current Edition: Jacob 5:29. And the Lord of the vineyard, said unto his servant,

13. Original BofM, Page 134 – Book of Jacob – Fourth paragraph. And the Lord of the vineyard sayeth,

Current Edition: Jacob 5:31. And the Lord of the vineyard said,

14. Original BofM, Page 134 – Book of Jacob – Last paragraph. And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard sayeth unto his servant,

Current Edition: Jacob 5:35. And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said unto his servant,

15. Original BofM, Page 135 – Book of Jacob – Second paragraph. And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard sayeth unto his servant,

Current Edition: Jacob 5:38. And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said unto his servant,

16. Original BofM, Page 135 – Book of Jacob – Third paragraph. And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard wept, and sayeth unto the servant,

Current Edition: Jacob 5:1. And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard wept, and said unto the servant,

17. Original BofM, Page 136 – Book of Jacob – Second paragraph. And it came to pass that the servant, sayeth unto his master,

Current Edition: Jacob 5:48. And it came to pass that the servant, said unto his master

18. Original BofM, Page 136 – Book of Jacob – Third paragraph. And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard sayeth unto the servant,

Current Edition: Jacob 5:49. And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said unto the servant,

19. Original BofM, Page 138 – Book of Jacob – Fourth paragraph. ... he calleth up his servants and sayeth unto them,

Current Edition: Jacob 5:75. ... he calleth up his servants and said unto them,

20. Original BofM, Page 140 – Book of Jacob – Second paragraph. And he preached many things which were flattering unto the people; and this he done, that he might overthrow the doctrine of Christ.

Current Edition: Jacob 7:2. And he preached many things which were flattering unto the people; and this he did, that he might overthrow the doctrine of Christ.

21. Original BofM, Page 141 – Book of Jacob – Third paragraph. And it came to pass that he sayeth unto me,...

Current Edition: Jacob 7:13. And it came to pass that he said unto me,...

22. Original BofM, Page 214 – Book of Mosiah – First paragraph (middle). ... My soul was wrecked with eternal torment;

Current Edition: Mosiah 27:29. ... My soul was racked with eternal torment;

23. Original BofM, Page 342 – Book of Alma – Third paragraph. ... and Moroni took the remainder part of his army and marched over into the land of Manti.

Current Edition: Alma 43:25. ... and Moroni took the remaining part of his army and marched over into the land of Manti.