African Book of Mormon translations starting to remove “skin of blackness” and other racist phraseology

[Shulem]

I feel confident that RFM and his working team will continue to investigate these matters and present more concrete information about the changes made to foreign scripture. This is too big of a story for them to ignore while chasing other less important stories for the sake of quantity. Always remember, RFM, the squeaky wheel gets the grease or the bearings overheat and fall apart and cause the machine to stop running! Don't let the Church grease those bearings! Hit the Church hard before they modify the English versions!

I also feel that my contributions to this thread in using the Google translator have been very helpful. Sure, it may not be entirely accurate and complete but it has exposed things and indicates there is a cover-up taking place as we speak. I think this is the tip of the iceberg. I trust others will pick up the ball and run the translations through appropriate academic tools and have qualified people make definitive statements on that regard. Pass the word around!

Thanks for putting up with me. I know I can be a dick at times. That's just how I am.

[Morley]

So, basically, you're keeping people out of heaven--or at least out of the Celestial Kingdom. As you say, it's really much worse than denying some men the priesthood.

I wonder if the church made it a priority, immediately after lifting the ban, to ensure that all prior black members had their temple work done.

Of course not.

[Morley]

Since a black woman could not enter the temple for any reason, sealing was moot.

So, basically, you're keeping people out of heaven--or at least out of the Celestial Kingdom. As you say, it's really much worse than denying some men the priesthood.

I should correct this. Jane Elizabeth Manning, a black woman, was allowed to be sealed to Joesph Smith as a servant. As you note, malkie, she didn't get to enter the temple herself; it was done by proxy.

So, I guess black people could enter the Celestial Kingdom, after all. That is, as long as they were willing to be admitted as slaves servants to white folks.

[Doctor Steuss]

If I have this right, the Church has removed completely, the racist sections of the Book of Mormon from African translations of the Book of Mormon.

There's a rich irony that a Church who utilized a foundational claim that holy writ had "plain and precious truths" removed, is now removing plain and precious truths from their own holy writ.

Apostacy version 2.0?

Some nice ammo for non-Brighamite branches.

[Shulem]

Chichewa - English translator

Okay, so let's test this translator tool and see how it holds up with something we should all know and recognize. Let's see how it really works. The Church website hosts the Chichewa version of Book of Mormon on its website.

Let's see how 1 Nephi chapter one looks by plugging it into the translator, shall we? I'll cut and paste whole verses and see how it translates and we can also compare it with our English version which many of us know by heart.

Each quote blocks contains:

1) Chichewa
2) Chichewa translated into English
3) English standard version

1 Ine, Nefi, pobadwa kwa makolo abwino, choncho ndidaphunzitsidwa pena pake m’maphunziro onse a atate anga; ndipo powona zisautso zambiri m’kupita kwa masiku anga, komabe, pokhala okonderedwa kwambiri ndi Ambuye m’masiku anga onse; inde, pokhala ndi chidziwitso chachikulu cha ubwino ndi zinsinsi za Mulungu, choncho ndikupanga zolemba zanga m’masiku anga.

1 I, Nephi, being born of good parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the lessons of my father; and seeing many tribulations in the course of my days, yet, being greatly favored by the Lord in all my days; yes, having a great knowledge of the goodness and secrets of God, so I make my writings in my days.

1 I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days.

2 Inde, ndilemba m’chinenero cha atate anga, chimene chili ndi zophunzira za Ayuda ndi chinenero cha Aigupto.

2 Yes, I will write in the language of my father, which has the learning of the Jews and the Egyptian language.

2 Yea, I make a record in the language of my father, which consists of the learning of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians.

3 Ndipo ndidziwa kuti zolembedwa zomwe ndipange zili zoona; ndipo ndipanga ndi dzanja langa; ndipo ndichita monga mwa kudziwa kwanga.

3 And I know that the writings that I will make are true; and I will make it with my hand; and I will do according to my knowledge.

3 And I know that the record which I make is true; and I make it with mine own hand; and I make it according to my knowledge.

4 Pakuti zidachitika mu kuyambilira kwa chaka choyamba cha ulamuliro Washington Zedekiya, mfumu ya Yuda, (atate anga, Lehi, atakhala ku Yerusalemu m’masiku awo onse); ndipo m’chaka chomwecho munadza aneneri ambiri, akunenera kwa anthu kuti ayenera kulapa, kapena mzinda waukulu Yerusalemu uyenera kuwonongedwa.

4 For it happened in the beginning of the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, (my father, Lehi, having lived in Jerusalem all his days); and in the same year many prophets came, saying to the people that they must repent, or the great city of Jerusalem must be destroyed.

4 For it came to pass in the commencement of the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, (my father, Lehi, having dwelt at Jerusalem in all his days); and in that same year there came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent, or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed.

5 Kotero zidachitika kuti atate anga, Lehi, pamene adali kuyenda adapemphera kwa Ambuye, inde, ngakhale ndi mtima wawo wonse, mmalo mwa anthu awo.

5 So it happened that my father, Lehi, while he was walking prayed to the Lord, yes, even with all his heart, on behalf of his people.

5 Wherefore it came to pass that my father, Lehi, as he went forth prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in behalf of his people.

6 Ndipo zidachitika kuti pakupemphera kwa Ambuye, mzati Washington moto udadza, nakhala pa thanthwe pamaso pawo; ndipo adaona, ndi kumva zambiri; ndipo chifukwa cha zinthu zimene adaziwona ndi kuzimva adathunthumira ndi kunjenjemera kwakukulu.

6 And it happened that while praying to the Lord, a pillar of fire came and sat on the rock in front of them; and he saw and heard many things; and because of the things that he saw and heard he trembled and trembled greatly.

6 And it came to pass as he prayed unto the Lord, there came a pillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before him; and he saw and heard much; and because of the things which he saw and heard he did quake and tremble exceedingly.

7 Ndipo zidachitika kuti adabwelera kunyumba kwawo ku Yerusalemu; ndipo adadzigwetsa pakama pawo, nagonjetsedwa ndi Mzimu ndi zinthu zimene adaziwona.

7 And it happened that they returned to their home in Jerusalem; and he fell on his bed, and was overcome by the Spirit and the things he saw.

7 And it came to pass that he returned to his own house at Jerusalem; and he cast himself upon his bed, being overcome with the Spirit and the things which he had seen.

8 Ndipo pakugonjetsedwa ndi Mzimu kotero, iwo adatengedwa m’masomphenya, ngakhale kuti adaona kumwamba kutatseguka, ndipo iwo adaganiza kuti iwo adaona Mulungu atakhala pa mpando wake wachifumu, atazunguliridwa ndi magulu osawerengeka a angelo mu chikhalidwe cha kuyimba ndi kutamanda Mulungu wawo.

8 And when overcome by the Spirit, they were taken in a vision, although they saw the heavens opened, and they thought that they saw God sitting on his throne, surrounded by countless groups of angels in a state of singing and praising their God.

8 And being thus overcome with the Spirit, he was carried away in a vision, even that he saw the heavens open, and he thought he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God.

9 Ndipo zidachitika kuti iwo adaona M’modzi akutsika kuchokera pakati pa thambo, ndipo iwo adaona kuti kuwala kwake kudali koposa kwa dzuwa ku masana.

9 And it happened that they saw One coming down from the middle of the sky, and they saw that his light was brighter than the sun at noon.

9 And it came to pass that he saw One descending out of the midst of heaven, and he beheld that his luster was above that of the sun at noon-day.

10 Ndipo adaonanso khumi ndi awiri akumtsata, ndi kuwala kwawo kudaposa kwa nyenyezi za mlengalenga.

10 And he saw twelve more following him, and their brightness exceeded the stars of the sky.

10 And he also saw twelve others following him, and their brightness did exceed that of the stars in the firmament.

11 Ndipo adatsika, natulukira pa nkhope ya dziko lapansi; ndipo woyamba adadza nayima pamaso pa atate anga, nawapatsa iwo buku, nawauza iwo kuti awerenge.

11 And he came down, and appeared on the face of the earth; and the first one came and stood before my father, gave him a book, and told him to read it.

11 And they came down and went forth upon the face of the earth; and the first came and stood before my father, and gave unto him a book, and bade him that he should read.

12 Ndipo zidachitika kuti pamene ankawerenga adadzadzidwa ndi Mzimu Washington Ambuye.

12 And it happened that while he was reading he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord.

12 And it came to pass that as he read, he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord.

13 Ndipo adawerenga, nati: Tsoka, tsoka, Yerusalemu, pakuti ndaona zonyansa zako! Inde, ndinso zinthu zambiri zimene atate anga adawerenga ponena za Yerusalemu—kuti iye adzawonongedwa, ndi anthu okhalamo; ambiri adzawonongeka ndi lupanga, ndipo ambiri adzatengedwa kupita ku ukapolo ku Babulo.

13 And he read, and said: Woe, woe, Jerusalem, for I have seen your abominations! Yes, it is also many things that my father read about Jerusalem - that she will be destroyed, and the people who live in it; many will perish by the sword, and many will be taken captive to Babylon.

13 And he read, saying: Wo, wo, unto Jerusalem, for I have seen thine abominations! Yea, and many things did my father read concerning Jerusalem—that it should be destroyed, and the inhabitants thereof; many should perish by the sword, and many should be carried away captive into Babylon.

14 Ndipo zidachitika kuti atate anga atawerenga ndi kuona zinthu zambiri zazikulu ndi zodabwitsa, adafuula zinthu zambiri kwa Ambuye; monga: Zazikulu ndi zozizwitsa ziri ntchito zanu, Inu Ambuye Mulungu Washington mphamvu zonse! Mpando wanu wachifumu uli kumwamba, ndipo mphamvu yanu, ndi ubwino wanu, ndi chifundo zili pa onse okhala padziko lapansi; ndipo, chifukwa inu muli wachifundo, inu simudzalola iwo amene adza kwa inu kuti awonongeke!

14 And it happened that after my father read and saw many great and wonderful things, he shouted many things to the Lord; as: Great and miraculous are your works, O Lord God of all power! Your throne is in heaven, and your power, goodness, and mercy are over all who live on earth; and, because you are merciful, you will not allow those who come to you to perish!

14 And it came to pass that when my father had read and seen many great and marvelous things, he did exclaim many things unto the Lord; such as: Great and marvelous are thy works, O Lord God Almighty! Thy throne is high in the heavens, and thy power, and goodness, and mercy are over all the inhabitants of the earth; and, because thou art merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish!

15 Ndipo chotere chidali chinenelo cha atate anga m’kutamanda Mulungu wawo; pakuti moyo wawo udakondwera, ndipo mtima wawo wonse udadzadzidwa, chifukwa cha zinthu zimene iwo adaona, inde, zimene Ambuye adawonetsa kwa iwo.

15 And such was the language of my father in praising his God; for their soul rejoiced, and all their hearts were filled, because of the things which they saw, yes, which the Lord showed them.

15 And after this manner was the language of my father in the praising of his God; for his soul did rejoice, and his whole heart was filled, because of the things which he had seen, yea, which the Lord had shown unto him.

16 Ndipo tsopano ine, Nefi, sindilemba nkhani zonse zimene atate anga adalemba, pakuti iwo adalemba zinthu zambiri zimene adaona m’masomphenya ndi m’maloto; ndipo iwo adalembanso zinthu zambiri zimene adalosera ndi kulankhula kwa ana awo, zimene sindidzalemba nkhani zonse.

16 And now I, Nephi, do not write all the stories that my fathers wrote, for they wrote many things that they saw in visions and dreams; and they also wrote many things that they prophesied and spoke to their children, which I will not write all the stories.

16 And now I, Nephi, do not make a full account of the things which my father hath written, for he hath written many things which he saw in visions and in dreams; and he also hath written many things which he prophesied and spake unto his children, of which I shall not make a full account.

17 Koma ndidzalemba nkhani za zochita zanga m’masiku anga. Taonani, ndipanga chidule cha zolemba za atate anga, pa mapale amene ndapanga ndi manja anga; kotero, ndikadzamaliza kufupikitsa mbiri ya atate anga ndidzapanga zolemba nkhani za moyo wanga.

17 But I will write the stories of my actions in my days. Behold, I will make a summary of my father's writings, on the tablets that I have made with my own hands; So, when I finish summarizing my father's history, I will write about my life.

17 But I shall make an account of my proceedings in my days. Behold, I make an abridgment of the record of my father, upon plates which I have made with mine own hands; wherefore, after I have abridged the record of my father then will I make an account of mine own life.

18 Kotero, ndimafuna kuti mudziwe, kuti Ambuye atasonyeza zinthu zodabwitsa zambiri kwa atate anga, Lehi, inde, ponena za chiwonongeko cha Yerusalemu, tawonani iwo adapita pakati pa anthu, ndipo adayamba kulosera ndi kulengeza kwa iwo ponena za zinthu zimene adaziwona ndi kuzimva.

18 So, I want you to know, that after the Lord showed many wonderful things to my father, Lehi, yes, regarding the destruction of Jerusalem, behold, he went among the people, and began to prophesy and announce to them about the things he saw and heard.

18 Therefore, I would that ye should know, that after the Lord had shown so many marvelous things unto my father, Lehi, yea, concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, behold he went forth among the people, and began to prophesy and to declare unto them concerning the things which he had both seen and heard.

19 Ndipo zidachitika kuti Ayuda adawanyoza chifukwa cha zinthu zomwe adachitira umboni za iwo; pakuti iwo adachitira umboni moona za kuipa kwawo ndi zonyansa zawo; ndipo iwo adachitira umboni kuti zinthu zimene iwo adaziwona ndi kuzimva, ndiponso zinthu zimene iwo adaŵerenga m’buku, zidasonyeza momveka bwino za kudza kwa Mesiya, ndiponso chiwombolo cha dziko.

19 And it happened that the Jews mocked them because of the things they testified about them; for they testified truthfully of their wickedness and their abominations; and they testified that the things they saw and heard, and the things they read in the book, clearly indicated the coming of the Messiah, and the redemption of the world.

19 And it came to pass that the Jews did mock him because of the things which he testified of them; for he truly testified of their wickedness and their abominations; and he testified that the things which he saw and heard, and also the things which he read in the book, manifested plainly of the coming of a Messiah, and also the redemption of the world.

20 Ndipo pamene Ayuda adamva izi adakwiya nawo; inde, monga ndi aneneri akale, amene adawathamangitsa, nawaponya miyala, ndi kuwapha; ndipo iwonso adafuna moyo wawo, kuti auchotse. Koma taonani, ine, Nefi, ndidzawonetsa kwa inu kuti zifundo za Ambuye ziri pa onse amene iye adawasankha, chifukwa cha chikhulupiliro chawo, kuti awapangitse iwo amphamvu ngakhale mpaka ku mphamvu ya chipulumutso.

20 And when the Jews heard this they were angry with them; yes, like the prophets of old, who chased them, stoned them, and killed them; and they also wanted their life, to take it away. But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the lessons of the Lord are upon all whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them strong even unto the power of salvation.

20 And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out, and stoned, and slain; and they also sought his life, that they might take it away. But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.

The translator tool has performed outstanding service!

[Shulem]

21 Ndipo adachititsa thembelero kufikira kwa iwo, inde, angakhale thembelero lowawa chifukwa cha mphulupulu zawo. Pakuti taonani, iwo adalimbitsa mitima yawo motsutsana naye, kufikira iwo adakhala ngati mwala; kotero, pamene iwo adali oyera ndi okongola kwambiri, ndi okondweretsa, kuti asakope anthu anga, Ambuye Mulungu adachititsa khungu lakuda kubwera pa iwo.

21 And he caused a temple to reach them, yes, it may be a painful temple because of their sins. For behold, they hardened their hearts against him, until they became like a stone; therefore, when they were pure and beautiful, and pleasing, so that they would not attract my people, the Lord God caused black blindness to come upon them.

21 And he had caused the cursing to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity. For behold, they had hardened their hearts against him, that they had become like unto a flint; wherefore, as they were white, and exceedingly fair and delightsome, that they might not be enticing unto my people the Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them.

Don't anyone try and BS me or I will flip my f-ing lid.

My eyes do not lie. I see what I see.

Period!

[malkie]

Maybe, Shulem, but it's not a translation that the translator invoked the HG's guidance for, and therefore it's only a pathetic uninspired output.

[Shulem]

Shulem, the problem is that there are multiple ways to translate phrases into different languages. What's important is how the Church translation department does it. Which is probably more involved that using a simple online translating tool.

I DISAGREE!

[Shulem]

Shulem, the problem is that there are multiple ways to translate phrases into different languages. What's important is how the Church translation department does it. Which is probably more involved that using a simple online translating tool.

Exactly. Metaphors vary according to culture and language. Something may make no sense to us and yet be perfectly meaningful and rational to the community it is pitched to.

AGAIN, I DISAGREE!

[Shulem]

Maybe, Shulem, but it's not a translation that the translator invoked the HG's guidance for, and therefore it's only a pathetic uninspired output.

THE CHURCH IS LYING!