Plain English BOM as a missionary tool

[Moksha]

I know over the years, a whole bunch of Book of Mormon copies have been given out as a missionary tool. Some by well meaning friends, neighbors and families. Some by calling a 1-800 number. Then there are the innumerable copies handed out by the Mormon missionaries themselves.

It suddenly occurred to me that if these people had been given the plain English version (or other languages) without the numbering system, that the amount actually read would be vastly increased. Further, my guess is that these books would make it into home bookcases where they might eventually be read by others, rather than jettisoned.

Wouldn't a read book make more of a difference than an unread book?

[Just_A_Guy]

I know over the years, a whole bunch of Book of Mormon copies have been given out as a missionary tool. Some by well meaning friends, neighbors and families. Some by calling a 1-800 number. Then there are the innumerable copies handed out by the Mormon missionaries themselves.

It suddenly occurred to me that if these people had been given the plain English version (or other languages) without the numbering system, that the amount actually read would be vastly increased. Further, my guess is that these books would make it into home bookcases where they might eventually be read by others, rather than jettisoned.

Wouldn't a read book make more of a difference than an unread book?

When I started law school I made a goal that I'd still speak and write like a "normal person" even after finishing. But I eventually came to realize that language that seems incomprehensible at first brush usually conveys a message that is very, very specific; and any "streamlining" will inevitably obliterate some of the meaning.

Beyond eliminating verse numbers and footnotes (are they really that troublesome anyways, to people who aren't used to them?) and converting the archaic "thou" and "ye" and their affiliated conjugations, I don't think you can do much more without changing the meanings of particular passages.

How much of the Gospel can you strip away before it loses its power to convert?

[Wingnut]

Beyond eliminating verse numbers and footnotes (are they really that troublesome anyways, to people who aren't used to them?) and converting the archaic "thou" and "ye" and their affiliated conjugations, I don't think you can do much more without changing the meanings of particular passages.

How much of the Gospel can you strip away before it loses its power to convert?

I have a friend who served in the Durban, South Africa mission. When they gave the Book of Mormon to investigators, they gave out English copies. They had limited passages that had been translated into (I think) Swahili, but only a select few parts. I asked her why the whole thing hadn't been translated. She said that they'd tried, but there were words in the Book of Mormon that didn't exist in the local language, so the translation became corrupt. So rather than share inaccurate/incomplete copies in the familiar language, they distributed purer copies in a more difficult (but still doable) language.

[ehkape]

Remember that the first copies of the bok of mormon were without any verse numbers or footnotes at all.

And they sure did convert a lot of people - even strong enough to leave their homes and start new life.

At least that would not take away from the book, but maybe make it easier to read (but more difficult to find a certain scripture)

[Just_A_Guy]

Didn't the Doubleday edition from a couple of years ago omit verse numbers and footnotes?

[lizzy12]

I have a mock orginal BOM. without numbers and such i got at Latter Day Harvest.

its like 18 dollers...

[tubaloth]

It suddenly occurred to me that if these people had been given the plain English version (or other languages) without the numbering system, that the amount actually read would be vastly increased.

Based off of what?

How easy should the book of mormon be.

Just A Guy brought the double day edition, they should be flying off store shelves?

I don't think its a matter of HOW the book is written. Its a matter of if the person is willing and wanting to read it. The point of the book of Mormon is to try our faith.

[Hemidakota]

I agree with Tubaloth...doubtlessly, it really doesn't matter at all what level of readership the book is given. Moksha, unless there is a desire to read the material, the book will be shelved or end up as you stated - jettison.

Basing on my conversion, when I first read 1st Nephi, I found the book completely boring. What I found intriguing and captivating, was the Doctrine and Covenants. Each of us are searching for truth; small or large. But to what level of desire and listening to the promptings of the Spirit is left to us to make it happen.

Edited June 27, 2010 by Hemidakota

[Moksha]

Moksha, unless there is a desire to read the material, the book will be shelved or end up as you stated - jettison.

I have found myself in the library choosing books to read based on readability and not just subject matter of interest. If one of the books I picked up had been written in Jacobean English, I probably would have chosen another. My thinking is that once the book is brought into the house, the likelihood of it being read could well depend upon readability. Keep in mind this is the same subject matter we are talking about, but its structure, grammar and word choice would be in the style people are used to reading.

Each of us are searching for truth; small or large. But to what level of desire and listening to the promptings of the Spirit is left to us to make it happen.

That is eloquently put!

[Hemidakota]

Yes, but you are unique spirit of GOD...that we do know from your forum interaction. You can easily make our day be filled with humor.

[mnn727]

Of course I agree Moksha, but 'it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks*"

'Tradition' is against the concept of readability

*Acts 9:5, 26:14, D&C 121:38