Some minor errors in the text have been perpetuated in past editions of the Book of Mormon. This edition contains corrections that seem appropriate to bring the material into conformity with pre- publication manuscripts and early editions edited by the Prophet Joseph Smith. In the Book of Mormon Symposium Series, George A. Horton, Jr. states:
"Even before the 1981 edition was published, a careful student of the original manuscript and printer's copy said, 'A great value of these early manuscripts is that for the most part they substantiate the correctness of the present Book of Mormon text-full 99.9% of the text is published correctly.'
"When Joseph Smith said 'the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth,' it seems evident that he was not talking about grammar, punctuation, or spelling. He was referring to the clarity and depth of doctrine, to the mission and message of the book, to the spirit of inspiration that it fosters, to the divine desire that it sparks in the soul to make the 'mighty change,' and to the abiding love of the Lord that it brings into our hearts."
For a more thorough account of specific spelling, typesetting, punctuation problems, see chapter 14 of the Book of Mormon Symposium Series, by George A. Horton, Jr. Editors: Paul R. Cheesman, Monte S. Nyman, and Charles D. Tate, Jr. Provo, Utah: Religious Studies Center, BYU, 1988-1995.
"In summarizing the importance of the new editions of the scriptures, Elder Packer observes, 'The Latter-day Saint publication of the King James Version of the Bible and the new triple combination with all their helps are of monumental importance to all members of the Church. Everything that could be done has been done to help open the scriptures to members so that they might know the gospel of Jesus Christ.'
Sample Text Corrections
"Most changes correct typographical errors, misspellings, matters of grammar or style-such as changing singular to plural-and incorporate corrections made by the Prophet Joseph Smith.
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1 Ne. 13:4-6 |
And it came to pass that I saw among the nations of the Gentiles the foundation of a great church. And the angel said unto me: Behold the foundation of a church which is most abominable above all other churches ... ... and I saw the devil that he was the foundation of it. |
the formation of a great church the formation of a church he was the founder of it. |
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when it [the book] proceeded forth out of the mouth of the Jew it contained the plainness of the gospel ... |
contained the fulness of the |
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our father, Lehi, also spake many things unto them-how great things the Lord had done for them ... |
spake many things unto them, and rehearsed unto them, how great things the Lord had done |
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And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great mediation of all men ... |
through the great Mediator of all men |
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2 Ne. 29:4 |
Do they remember the travels, and the labors, and the pains of the Jews ... |
Do they remember the travails, and the labors, and the pains of the Jews |
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therefore they went unto him and desired of him to know whether the Lord would that they should go into the wilderness in search of their brethren ... |
to know whither the Lord would they should go into the wilderness |
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We ran and came to the place of the judgment ... |
came to the place of the judgment-seat |
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And the land which was appointed was the land of Zarahemla and the land Bountiful ... |
And the land which was appointed was the land of Zarahemla, and the land which was between the land of Zarahemla and the land Bountiful |
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And they granted unto those robbers who had entered into a covenant to keep the peace, of the band who were desirous to remain Lamanites, lands according to their numbers ... |
to keep the peace, of the land who were desirous to remain Lamanites |
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and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. |
every tongue that shall revile against thee in judgment |
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when Moses had said these words, Satan cried with a loud voice, and rent upon the earth ... |
Satan cried with a loud voice, and ranted upon the earth |
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... I, Abraham, took Sarai to wife, and Nehor, my brother, took Milcah to wife, who were the daughters of Haran. |
and Nehor, my brother, took Milcah to wife, who was the daughter of Haran. |
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And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another; and shall hate one another; |
and shall betray one another, |
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because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold; |
the love of men shall wax cold; |
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... I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right-and which I should join. |
which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)-and which I should join. |
Bruce T. Harper, "The Church Publishes a New Triple Combination," Ensign, Oct. 1981, 9