Wherefore thou seest that after the book hath gone forth through the hands of the great and abominable church,

that there are many plain and precious things taken away from the book, which is the book of the

Lamb of God. 1. Nephi chapter 13, verse 28. Hey listeners, this is Nick from Book of Mormon Central,

and today's podcast addresses the question.

Why did Joseph Smith produce a new translation of the Bible?

Joseph Smith loved the Bible.

A letter written by Joseph and other church leaders to priesthood holders in 1834 declared,

He that can mark the power of omnipotence inscribed upon the heavens,

can also see God's own handwriting in the sacred volume, the Bible,

and he who reads it oftenest will like it best.

Though he revered the sacred scripture,

Joseph Smith also knew from the Book of Mormon,

that there are many plain and precious things taken away from the book, which is the Book of the Lamb of God.

On one occasion in 1843, the Prophet summarized his feelings towards the Bible, stating,

I believe the Bible as it is read when it came from the pen of the original writers.

Ignorant translators, careless transcribers, or designing and corrupt priests have committed

many errors. Even while the Book of Mormon was being printed, Joseph Smith and his associates

began plans to complete a translation of the Bible, intended to correct

many of the errors that had crept into the text, and to restore many of the plain and precious

truths lost. On October 8, 1829, Oliver Cowdery purchased a large King James Bible from the

Grandin Press, the same press where the Book of Mormon was printed. Intensive study of this Bible led to the creation of the Joseph Smith Translation,

parts of which are found in Scripture as the Book of Moses, or Joseph Smith Matthew,

...