Church Translation Department

[DrewM]

I've got some great suggestions for some changes to the Spanish translation of the scriptures, etc. I don't know how to pass them along though.

Anybody know where I can send my ideas?

Thanks.

[DrewM]

Also, who do I contact about an editing issue in the English scriptures? There's a few suggestions I have there too.

[NeuroTypical]

For the English, probably your best bet would be to get in touch with Royal Skousen, who is in the middle of creating and publishing his life's work - discovering the original text of the BoM. He's released a few volumes, and has a few more to go.

For the Spanish, I'm not sure. Probably look them up at church HQ in SLC.

But now we're all interested - what changes you got in mind?

LM

[DrewM]

But now we're all interested - what changes you got in mind?

From my blog:

Hebrews 12:22-23 says "But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect..." (Hebrews 12:22-23)

The Greek word translated "firstborn" here is πρωτοτοκων (prototokon). This is the plural form of πρωτοτοκως. The word is a compound word from πρωτος (proto-first as in prototype) and τοκως (tokos-born). Literally, then the word means "firstborn [ones]." The word "firstborn" in English could either be singular or plural. In this case, it is meant to be plural. So, what is "The Church of the firstborn [ones]?" Let's go to D&C 93 for clarification.

"And now, verily I say unto you, I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn; And all those who are begotten through me are partakers of the glory of the same, and are the church of the Firstborn." (D&C 93:21-22).

Christ, in the pre-mortal realm, was the Firstborn Son. As such He is heir to all that the Father has. Those who are reborn, "begotten through [Jesus]," become "partakers of the glory of the [Firstborn]" who is Jesus. They, then, become "the church of the firstborn." The meaning is that those who are begotten through Jesus Christ receive his glory and become heirs with Jesus Christ, they each become "firstborn [ones]" in their inheritance from God.

This doctrine is taught in passages such as Romans 8:14-21, Galatians 4:1-7, 1 John 3:1-3, and D&C 76:24. Through Jesus Christ, the saints become heirs of God as though each of us were the Firstborn Son. We all, through Jesus, can inherit all things (See Matt. 24:47, Romans 8:32, D&C 76:58-59).

"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son." (Revelation 21:7).

Unfortunately, this meaning is obscured in the English version of Hebrews 12:23. I think most people interpret "firstborn" as being singular and thereby referring only to Jesus. (It should be clear on careful reading though: "church of the firstborn, which are written").

I believe this number confusion (singular versus plural) is also true of D&C 93:22. Here, I believe, "church of the Firstborn" should not be capitalized since it probably is intended to be understood as plural ("church of the firstborn [ones]") and not as a reference to Christ the Firstborn alone.

I believe this verse would be understood properly thus:

"And now, verily I say unto you, I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn; And all those who are begotten through me are partakers of the glory of the [Firstborn], and are [therefore] the church of the firstborn [ones]." (D&C 93:21-22).

Also, this nuance is lost in the foreign language translations of the scriptures. Although in Portuguese and in Spanish translations of the Bible, Hebrews 12:23 reads "Church of the firstborn ones (plural)" in the translations of D&C 93:22 it reads "Church of the Firstborn (singular)." I suspect this problem exists in all of the foreign language translations done by the Church.

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I have some other translation issues. Abraham 1:3 in Spanish now says, in part, "el derecho del primogénito, o sea, del primer hombre, el cual es Adán, nuestro primer padre..." It should say "el cual es Adán, oprimer padre.."

1 Nefi 19:23 "...porque apliqué todas las Escritura a nosotros mismos.." Would be better as "...porque asemajé todas las escituras a nosotros mismos..."

There are a few others I have written down somewhere.

[Guest prnldsfrms]

Church Translation Department

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

50 East North Temple

Salt Lake City, UT 84150

It will get there eventually.

[DrewM]

Church Translation Department

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

50 East North Temple

Salt Lake City, UT 84150

It will get there eventually.

Thank you sir!

[amberred]

it would be really helpful if these were translated in other languages. Can you direct me to the right place?

[Leah]

I've got some great suggestions for some changes to the Spanish translation of the scriptures, etc. I don't know how to pass them along though.

Anybody know where I can send my ideas?

Thanks.

Do you think the church does not have access to educated, experienced translators?

[Vort]

Do you think the church does not have access to educated, experienced translators?

Agreed, the Church almost certainly knows what it's doing with scriptural translations. However, it's not perfect. As I mentioned before, I noticed several mispronunciations on the scripture readings available at LDS.org. I wrote to someone on one of them (specifically, on "paradisiacal" being pronounced "pair-uh-DICE-uh-kuhl" instead of "pair-uh-dih-SIGH-uh-kul"), got a prompt and polite "thanks", and then -- nothing.

[pam]

Do you think the church does not have access to educated, experienced translators?

Keep in mind that DrewM posted that in 2008. :)

[Suzie]

I have some other translation issues. Abraham 1:3 in Spanish now says, in part, "el derecho del primogénito, o sea, del primer hombre, el cual es Adán, nuestro primer padre..." It should say "el cual es Adán, oprimer padre.."

Yes, the correction is right but it doesn't change the meaning so it is not that important IMO.

1 Nefi 19:23 "...porque apliqué todas las Escritura a nosotros mismos.." Would be better as "...porque asemajé todas las escituras a nosotros mismos..."

There are a few others I have written down somewhere.

I think you mean asemejé.

[pam]

Closing this thread as it is 6 years old.