Over 100 words were added later to this revelation [D&C 20]
introducing terms and concepts not part of the LDS church
when it was first formed. Such retroactive insertions ...
give the false impression that these elements were part of
the LDS church since the beginning.
Click on the links below to see scanned images of examples
of early Mormon Scriptures that were later modified.
-
Book of Mormon (1830 ed.), 1 Nephi p. 25
— Changes the
phrase "the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of God," to
read in modern versions, "the mother of the Son of God."
Later, on the same page the original phrase "the Lamb of God
is the Eternal Father" now reads "the Lamb of God is
the son of the eternal Father." This reflects Joseph Smith's
changing doctrine of the nature of God.
compare to: 1 Nephi 11:18
- Book of Commandments (1835), Chapter 6 — Over 50 words added
to the original revelation which alter the meaning and open
the door for Joseph to give additional revelation.
compare to: Doctrine and Covenants 7:1-8
- Book of Commandments, Chapter 24
— Over 100 words added
later to this revelation introducing terms and concepts not
part of the LDS church when it was first formed. Such
retroactive insertions of terms like "high priest",
"presiding elder" and "high councilor" give the false
impression that these elements were part of Mormon church
since the beginning.
compare to: Doctrine and Covenants 20:49-68
- Book of Commandments, Chapter 28 — Over 300 words regarding
the restoration of the Mormon priesthood have been added
(apparently by Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery) to the end
of this revelation. By adding the story of a supernatural
appearance of Peter, James and John to a revelation dated
1830, it appears that the giving of the Melchizedek
priesthood to Joseph and Oliver has been known since then.
However, nothing is known or recorded of any such event
until this revision was added in 1835.
compare to: Doctrine and Covenants 27
-
The Evening and Morning Star, October 1832 — Once again
several hundred words are added to an earlier revelation.
These give detailed policy guidelines and retroactively add
new concepts like "presidency of the church" and "stakes",
giving the appearance that such things came directly from
God through revelation.
compare to: Doctrine and Covenants 68
-
Times and Seasons, vol. 3, p. 749
— Joseph's candid
statement that he "frequently fell into many foolish errors
and displayed the weakness of youth and the corruption of
human nature, which I am sorry to say, led me into divers
temptations, to the gratification of many appetites
offensive in the sight of God" is modified and softened. The
italicized words have been changed or deleted and an over 75
word disclaimer is added, which says in part, "In making
this confession, no one need suppose me guilty of any great
or malignant sins."
compare to: Joseph Smith — History 22-29