New Testament Revision 2
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Source Note
New Testament Revision 2, ca. 4 Apr. 1831–24 Mar. 1832 and 20–31 July 1832; handwriting of , , , and an unidentified scribe; 206 pages; CCLA.The Bible revision manuscripts remained in JS’s possession throughout his life—except during a brief period in 1838 and another in 1839. Upon the death of JS, the manuscript was in possession of his wife for over twenty years, until 1867 when she gave it to her son in order for the RLDS Church to publish The Holy Scriptures.Note: The transcript of New Testament Revision 2 presented here is used with generous permission of the Brigham Young University Religious Studies Center. It was published earlier, with some differences in style, in Scott H. Faulring, Kent P. Jackson, and Robert J. Matthews, eds., Joseph Smith's New Translation of the Bible: Original Manuscripts (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2004), 229–581.
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Historical Introduction
As noted in the introduction to Old Testament Revision 1, in June 1830, JS and began recording a revelation related to Moses and other prominent Old Testament figures. (See Visions of Moses, June 1830 [Moses 1].) Eventually this work expanded into what is now designated as the Book of Moses and a complete revelatory re-reading, reviewing, and revising of the Bible, an endeavor that came to be known as JS’s “New Translation,” or Bible revision. By March 1831, JS and his scribes created a sixty-one-page manuscript containing a narrative account of the visions of Moses and a revised version of the Old Testament book of Genesis, from the beginning to chapter 24, verse 41. (See Old Testament Revision 1.)JS set that work aside when instructed in a March 1831 revelation to instead begin work on the New Testament. (Revelation, ca. 7 Mar. 1831 [D&C 45:60–61].) He and began the new document on 8 March 1831, titling it “A Translation of the New Testament translated by the power of God.” It is currently designated as New Testament Revision 1. , who had been directed by revelation to “write & keep a regulal [regular] history & assist my servant Joseph in Transcribing all things which shall be given him,” (Revelation, ca. 8 Mar. 1831–B [D&C 47:1]) began in early April 1831 to copy New Testament Revision 1 through Matthew 26:1, stopping a little short of where JS and Sidney Rigdon left off before they traveled to in June 1831. (JS History, vol. A-1, 126.)When JS resumed the revision of the New Testament, he did so using ’s copy, currently designated New Testament Revision 2. He began with Matthew 26:1, though he had previously translated through Matthew 26:71 in New Testament Revision 1. Work continued on the rest of the New Testament through late July 1832. In addition to , JS was assisted by John Whitmer, , and .New Testament Revision 2, presented here, consists of 203 pages. Work on this manuscript was completed in and , Ohio. During the revision project, JS adopted an abbreviated format for annotating the changes to be made to the New Testament. Previously, JS dictated the entire Bible text to his scribe, revising verses as he read from the Bible. But beginning after John 5, JS marked his copy of the Bible as he read in it, indicating where a change should be made. In the manuscript, the scribes wrote the scripture reference and the specifics of the revisions. Thus, the Bible and manuscript together now constituted the text of the revision project.In total, JS made changes to about 2,100 New Testament verses (Faulring et al., Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible, 5). He introduced a number of significant changes to the King James New Testament text in New Testament Revision 2. Among the more prominent clarifications and corrections were those in Matthew 24 and Mark 13 related to Jesus’s discourse on the Mount of Olives, as well as those in the beginning verses of the Gospel of John. (See, Faulring et al., Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible, 234, 303, and 424–425.)Note: The transcript of New Testament Revision 2 presented here is used with generous permission of the Brigham Young University Religious Studies Center. It was published earlier, with some differences in style, in Scott H. Faulring, Kent P. Jackson, and Robert J. Matthews, eds., Joseph Smith's New Translation of the Bible: Original Manuscripts (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2004), 229–581.
the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth Lord, the God of Abraham, the God of Iaac, and the God of Jacob. For he is not a God of the dead; but of the living; for all live unto him. Then certain of the Scribes answering, said, Master, thou hast well said. And after 7 that they darst not ask him any question at all. 7 And he said unto them, How say they that christ is Davids son? and David himself said, in the book of Psalms, The Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies, thy footstool. David 8 therefore calleth him Lord, How is he then his son? 8 Then in the audience of all the people, he said unto his disciples, Beware of the Scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the Synegogues, and the chiefrooms at feasts; Who devour widows houses, and for a shew make long prayers; the same shall receive greater damnation.
Chapter (21st)
And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting in their gifts into the treasury; And saw also a certain poor widdow casting in thither two mites, And s he said, Of a truth I say unto you that this poor widdow hath cast in more than they all; for all these have of their abbundence, cast in unto the offerings of God; but she of her penury, has cast in all the living that she had. 2 and 2 As some spake of the Temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones, and gifts, he said, These things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, 3 which shall not be thrown down. 3 And the disciples asked him, saying, Master, when shall these things be? and what sign 4 wilt thou shew when these things shall come to pass? 4 And he said, The time draweth near, and therefore take heed that ye be not deceived; for many shall come in my name, saying, I am christ: Go ye not therefore after them. and when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terefied; for these things must first come to pass; but this is not the end. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and great earthquakes shall be in diverse places, and famines, and pestelences; and fearfull sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. But before all these things shall come, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you; delivering you up to the Synegogues, and in to prisons; being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s [p. 95 (second numbering)]
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