The Mosiah/Benjamin Error, Reinterpreted

[Limnor]

In the 1830 edition of the Book of Mormon, Mosiah 21:28 reads: “And now Limhi was again filled with joy on learning from the mouth of Ammon that King Benjamin had a gift from God, whereby he could interpret such engravings; yea, and Ammon also did rejoice.”

Similarly, in Ether 4:1, the 1830 edition attributes the keeping of the Jaredite record to King Benjamin, but in later editions this is changed to King Mosiah.

The apparent problem: earlier in Mosiah 6:5 we read that “King Benjamin lived three years, and he died.” Yet in 21:28 (in the earlier edition) he is alive with a “gift… to interpret such engravings,” introducing a chronological inconsistency.

According to Royal Skousen, the change was likely made in 1837 to avoid an apparent contradiction where Benjamin is both dead and alive at different points, like Schroedinger’s cat.

Most of you are aware of this issue, but I’d like to offer an alternate reading (naturally, as is my wont.)

The substitution of “Benjamin” with “Mosiah” aligns with the idea of two distinct “Mosiahs” in the book, and aligns with the allegorical mapping I’ve proposed: Benjamin/Mosiah I = Rigdon; Mosiah II = Joseph Smith Jr.

That is: the earlier “King Benjamin” in the text represents Rigdon, who is later overwritten and recast as “King Mosiah,” representing Joseph’ usurpation and retelling of the story.

The fact of the textual change itself supports the thesis that am adjustment occurred, and correlates, least metaphorically, with the shift of authority from Rigdon to Joseph within my proposal.

More to follow, but I would like to further explore this with you all.

[Dr. Shades]

I think it infinitely more likely that the change was made to cover up the goof that King Benjamin was already dead by then.

[I Have Questions]

I think it infinitely more likely that the change was made to cover up the goof that King Benjamin was already dead by then.

Some might see that as a “smoking gun”

[Shulem]

I think it infinitely more likely that the change was made to cover up the goof that King Benjamin was already dead by then.

I would agree with that.

[Shulem]

More to follow, but I would like to further explore this with you all.

Limnor,

I trust you are aware and perhaps are disappointed that I've not weighed in or commented about your theories. We talked about how the historical record shows that Oliver Cowdery came on the scene after Book of Mormon production/translation commenced with Smith and Harris as his scribe.

Yes, I've read your threads, somewhat, but Limnor, I really don't have much to say other than you have every right to express your opinions and moreover to explore all facets and possibilities, which is a good thing!

I was deeply let down when you (abinadi_fire) voted a "3" for Anubis's nose being hacked out of the lead plate. You lost credibility on that one!

I'm afraid that I'm not buying the Alvin = Abinadi, theory. Sorry, but here is the key which I've already given and I recommend you read the entire thread, carefully, not to say you already haven't:

And now, without further ado, I will reveal a great mystery pertaining to Joseph Smith’s Book of Mormon -- a mystery that was known only to him as he prepared his ideas and stories and readied them for the dictation process in which Cowdery wrote what Smith mumbled while his head was buried in a hat. This is the key and those who know the Book of Mormon will recognize it and understand what has been in front of them all this time and they didn’t realize it until NOW:

1) Prophet Abinadi = John the Baptist (Jesus Christ)
2) Alma the elder = Peter
3) King Noah = Pilot & the Jews
4) Alma the younger = Saint Paul
5) Sons of Mosiah = apostles of the Christian church

NOW, do you understand?

[Limnor]

I think it infinitely more likely that the change was made to cover up the goof that King Benjamin was already dead by then.

I may have hit overreach within this one, as it doesn’t matter much because the goof itself is significant.

To me, however, it is another clue in the unraveling of how the book was produced.

Which, really, is my sole interest in the book.

[Limnor]

I trust you are aware and perhaps are disappointed that I've not weighed in or commented about your theories.

No, not disappointed. In fact I had hoped you wouldn’t.

I was most interested in what Kish and Gad thought about it, but they don’t seem much interested.

I was deeply let down when you (abinadi_fire) voted a "3" for Anubis's nose being hacked out of the lead plate. You lost credibility on that one!

I don’t even remember what #3 was - was it something like “no one would care, or it wouldn’t change much?”

For what it’s worth, I apologize.

It is clear that someone hacked the snout off, but it is equally clear that it will matter about as much as my explanation of the Book of Mormon’s origins.

I don’t foresee anyone changing their mind because of my views, I just wanted to talk about what seem to me to be obvious parallels between Mormon/Nephi and Joseph, and that there appear to be additional correlations.

[Shulem]

I trust you are aware and perhaps are disappointed that I've not weighed in or commented about your theories.

No, not disappointed. In fact I had hoped you wouldn’t.

I was most interested in what Kish and Gad thought about it, but they don’t seem much interested.

Yes, I figured that based on them being listed first and me nearly last, which was a bit of a relief for me:

Kish? Malkie? Marcus? Gad? Doc Cam? iHQ? Paul? Beuller?

Any comments or feedback?

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I don’t even remember what #3 was - was it something like “no one would care, or it wouldn’t change much?”

For what it’s worth, I apologize.

It is clear that someone hacked the snout off, but it is equally clear that it will matter about as much as my explanation of the Book of Mormon’s origins.

Your number value (3) was based on the following criteria and at that time I suspected you were DCP playing games:

Interesting find, Paul.

Based on what you see in the enlarged woodcut plate, do you sense that there was a jackal nose originally carved and afterward removed? Which way do you tend to lean knowing what you know right now? On a scale of 1-10: 1 being there is no way there was a nose and 10 being there was most certainly a nose.

[ ] 1 (definitely no)
[ ] 2
[ ] 3
[ ] 4
[ ] 5
[ ] 6
[ ] 7
[ ] 8
[ ] 9
[ ] 10 (definitely yes)

I give it 3 at this point Paul.

I don’t foresee anyone changing their mind because of my views, I just wanted to talk about what seem to me to be obvious parallels between Mormon/Nephi and Joseph, and that there appear to be additional correlations.

That's a good thing, Limnor.

[Limnor]

I’d give it at least a 9 now, with potential for 10. It would be nice if there was a bit of evidence to corroborate. Which, incidentally, is the problem with “proving” Ammon was Parley P Pratt, or Alvin as Abinadi, or any of the examples from your thread.

[Limnor]

by the way I think it’s funny that you thought I was DCP.

These are in fact my genuine thoughts on the book, not trying to have a lark or deceive anyone.