One Correct Translation

Because I'm still not mentally all together......I'm going old school. I'm posting a paper that I wrote my sophomore year of college. My Religion in America class would have to write dialogue papers about the different assigned readings. This particular paper is about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints early writings about there only being one correct translation. The text that I'm writing about is at the top of the paper. If you'd like to know what specific book it comes from, please email me and I'll give you all the information about the book.  Take some time to read my thoughts and see if you agree with my former adviser's grading of this paper.

One Correct Translation

“We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to the word of God” (Griffith, 165)

            The idea of one correct translation of the Bible was something that struck me as odd. While the quote is from the Articles of Faith for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it made me wonder about all the languages that the Bible has been translated into. It also made me think about how many different translations of the Bible there is for the English language alone. Is any one set translation better than another?

            Joseph Smith might have written this statement down to be an article of faith for one simple reason. Smith could have wanted his followers to use the translation that he was using so they would come to the same understandings and conclusions from the Bible that he was. It is not flawed logic to be honest.  This idea would help grow the religious movement that Smith created. Smith would also have many people who would back him up if he was to be questioned about his faith. These people would also be able to give their testimony about their findings in Smith’s teachings. There was also the risk that if one of his followers used a different translation that the follower might read something that would go against Smith’s teachings. This might cause Smith to loose followers of the religious movement that he created. It is also easier to have one translation so a group of individuals does not have to guess if their translation is saying the same thing as the person sitting next to them.

            I can not imagine having a belief that states that I have to have a particular translation of my holy writings. The approved translation might not the translation that speaks to me to most. How would not having a translation of my holy writings be able to speak to me help me become a stronger person in my faith? I would not be able to grow in my faith. The words would just be something to read. They would not sink into my heart and soul. Now, if I was raised with only that particular version of the holy writings and understood them, there would not be a problem. It is all about your tradition and what you feel comfortable with.

            While I understand what I think to be Smith’s logic behind stating there should be one correct translation, I believe it is flawed. What might work for one person will not always work for the person next to them. Each person has to experience God in the way that they are the most comfortable with. If a person grew up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, then this would not be a problem for them. For me, it would be a problem.  I get a better understand of God from each different version of the Bible that I read. It is the only way I know how to become stronger in my faith.  It all comes down to what translation is the best for you.