Scripture Study Help

[JojoBag]

On Sunday, I learned a new way to help my scripture study in Elder's Quorum. The teacher had a very different grasp on studying the scriptures. He looks up various words online in the Webster's 1828 dictionary and compares the definitions to the present. Because the Book of Mormon was translated just prior to 1830, the words used had somewhat different meanings. They also had a greater significance and impact.

 

If you begin comparing the definition in 1828 and the current definitions, you will see a rather significant difference. For example:

 

Iniquity – 1828

1. Injustice; unrighteousness; a deviation from rectitude; as the iniquity of war; the iniquity of the slave trade.

2. Want of rectitude in principle; as a malicious prosecution originating in the iniquity of the author.

3. A particular deviation from rectitude; a sin of crime; wickedness; any act of injustice

Your iniquities have separated between you and your God. Isaiah 59:2

 

4. Original want of holiness or depravity.

I was shapen in iniquity Psalms 51:5

 

Iniquity – 2015

1. Gross injustice; wickedness

2. A wicked act or thing; sin

 

Rectitude – 1828

In morality, rightness of principle or practice; uprightness of mind; exact conformity to truth, or to the rules prescribed for moral conduct, either by divine or human laws. Rectitude of mind is the disposition to act in conformity to any known standard of right, truth or justice; rectitude of conduct is the actual conformity to such standard. Perfect rectitude belongs only to the Supreme Being. The more nearly the rectitude of men approaches to the standard of the divine law, the more exalted and dignified is their character. Want of rectitude is not only sinful, but debasing.

 

There is a sublimity in conscious rectitude – in comparison with which the treasures of earth are not worth naming.

 

Rectitude – 2015

1. The quality or state of being straight

2. Moral integrity; righteousness

3. The quality or state of being correct in judgment or procedure

 

Abomination – 1828

1. Extreme hatred; detestation

2. The object of detestation, a common signification in scripture

   The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord. Proverbs 15:8

3. Hence, defilement, pollution, in a physical sense, or evil doctrines and practices, which are moral defilements, idols and idolatry, are called abominations. The Jews were an abomination to the Egyptians; and the sacred animals of the Egyptians were an abomination to the Jews. The Roman army is called the abomination of desolation. Matthew 24:15. In short, whatever is an object of extreme, is called an abomination.

 

Abomination – 2015

1. Something abominable

2. Extreme disgust and hatred; loathing

 

Talk about a difference between the time of Joseph Smith and now! I think this is a primary example of how society has minimized sin and evil and relegated the Devil to the status of a myth.

 

[cdowis]

Also look up "white", and see why the church changed some verses.

[LeSellers]

Also look up "white", and see why the church changed some verses.

You mean:

6. In a scriptural sense, purified from sin; sanctified.

Lehi

[Anddenex]

I do the same.  I did this with "anxiety".

[Auzylee]

Thanks for sharing this I probably would have never thought of this until the millennium rolled around! Lol really cool idea I'm going to try it out and posted what I find! :)