Joseph Smith's Bible Translation Condemns David & Solomon, just like the Book of Mormon!

Joseph Smith Versus the Polygamists: The History the Historians Never Told You - Part Two

This episode of "Still Mormon" delves into Joseph Smith's scriptural interpretations regarding polygamy, contrasting them with later claims and historical narratives. The host, Jeremy, aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of Joseph Smith's stance on polygamy during his lifetime, emphasizing the need for a foundational understanding before addressing events that occurred after his death.

Condemnation of Polygamy in the Book of Mormon and Biblical Translations

The episode begins by referencing a passage from the Book of Mormon where the prophet Jacob unequivocally condemns the use of scriptures to justify polygamy. Jacob states, "for behold thus sayith the Lord this people begin to wax in iniquity they understand not the scriptures for they seek to excuse themselves and committing whoredoms because of the things which were written concerning David and Solomon his son behold David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines which thing was abominable before me sayeth the Lord."

The host highlights that the justification of polygamy using scriptures was not limited to the Nephites, citing Christian writers like Martin Luther, John Milton, James Bowell, Johan Ler, and Reverend Martin Madon who have used the Bible to support polygamy. The central question posed is how to discern correct scriptural interpretation.

New Light from Ancient Documents on Biblical Polygamy

The episode introduces new evidence from ancient documents that shed light on biblical polygamy:

The Damascus Document: Discovered in 1897, fragments from this document, later authenticated by matching them to similar writings in the Dead Sea Scrolls from Qumran, contain passages concerning God's law on polygamy.
- Column 4: States, "are caught twice in fornication by taking two wives in their lifetimes even though the principle of creation is male and female he created them."
- Column 5: Mentions that the prince "should not multiply wives to himself however David had not read the sealed book of the law which was in the ARK for it had not been opened in Israel since the day of the death of Eleazar and of Jehoshua and Joshua and the elders who worshiped ashtaroth had hidden the public copy until zadok's entry into office."
- This passage suggests that while David's actions might be seen as justified by some due to ignorance of the law, the command against multiplying wives is present.
The Temple Scroll: Discovered in 1956 among the Dead Sea Scrolls at Qumran, many scholars believe it contains the earliest known version of the Book of Deuteronomy.
- Column 57: Reads, "he shall not divert his heart from them or do anything in all his counsels without relying on them he shall not take a wife from among the daughters of the Nations but instead take for himself a wife from his father's house from the family of his father he shall take no other wife apart from her because only she will be with him all the days of her life if she dies he shall take for himself another from his father's house from his family."
- This passage directly contradicts interpretations that justify polygamy for kings, emphasizing monogamy.

The host notes that a Jewish rabbi confirmed polygamy is against God's law but defended David's practice by interpreting Deuteronomy 17:17 to allow up to 18 wives, a number believed to be David's total. The Temple Scroll passage refutes this interpretation.

Joseph Smith's Inspired Translation of the Bible and Polygamy

The episode then focuses on Joseph Smith's work on the inspired translation of the Bible between 1830 and 1832, highlighting specific clarifications that contradict the later Doctrine and Covenants Section 132.

Lamech, the First Polygamist: Joseph's translation reveals Lamech, the great-great-grandson of Cain, as the first polygamist. Lamech took two wives, Adah and Zillah. The translation links Lamech's polygamy to a covenant with Satan, becoming "Master Mahan," and a "secret combination" akin to Cain's. This connects polygamy with Satanism and evil in Joseph's translation.
Abraham and the Covenant: In Genesis chapter 17, Joseph's inspired translation clarifies God's covenant with Abraham.
- The King James Version states God's covenant and Abraham being a father of many nations.
- Joseph's translation emphasizes Abraham walking "up rightly" before God, repenting, and receiving new instructions and commandments. It states that God's people had gone astray from His precepts and ordinances given to their fathers.
- The translation reiterates that children are not accountable until 8 years old and that Abraham must observe all of God's covenants and commandments.
- The host questions whether Abraham, like Adam and the ancient patriarchs, was also commanded to have only one wife.
David and Solomon's Polygamy Clarified: Joseph Smith significantly altered 15 verses in 2 Samuel and 1 Kings concerning David and Solomon's polygamy.
- 2 Samuel 12:13: In the King James Version, Nathan tells David, "The Lord also hath put away thy sin Thou shalt not die." In the inspired translation, Joseph changes this to, "The Lord also has not put away thy sin that you shall not die," emphasizing Nathan calling David to repentance, not excusing him.
- 1 Kings 3:1-2: The inspired translation states, "And the Lord was not pleased with Solomon for he made Affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt and took Pharaoh's daughter to wife... and the Lord blessed Solomon for the people's sake only." This clearly indicates God's displeasure with Solomon's marriage to Pharaoh's daughter.
- 1 Kings 3:3: The inspired translation states Solomon "began to love the Lord" because the Lord blessed him for observing David's statutes, implying Solomon's love for God was a consequence of blessings, not a primary state.
- 1 Kings 3:6: Joseph clarifies that David was shown "great things" by the Lord, not that he was perfect, and that Solomon was the wisest of the Kings of Israel, not of all people.
- 1 Kings 3:14: The inspired translation states, "and thou shalt not walk in unrighteousness as did thy father David," directly accusing David of unrighteousness.
- 1 Kings 11:4 & 11:6: Joseph makes it clear that both David and Solomon's hearts were "not perfect with the Lord his God" and that "Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord as did his father."
- 1 Kings 11:33-34: The inspired translation states Solomon "repenteth not as did David his father that I may forgive him," implying David did repent.
- 1 Kings 11:38-39: Joseph states that David was chosen because he kept God's commandments, but because of David's transgression, the kingdom was rent from his house.
- 1 Kings 14:8: The inspired translation states David "kept not my Commandments" and that Solomon was not as David when David followed God with all his heart.
- 1 Kings 15:5 & 11: Joseph shows that David "repented of the evil all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah, the hittite."

Stark Contradiction with D&C 132

The episode emphasizes that Joseph Smith's inspired translation of the Bible and his Book of Mormon revelations are in "stark contradiction" to Doctrine and Covenants Section 132. While D&C 132 states that David and Solomon received many wives and concubines and "in nothing did they sin save in those things which they received not of me," Joseph's translations condemn their polygamy as evil and not of God.

The Book of Mormon's consistent message of ancient patriarchs having "save it were one wife and concubines they should have none" further supports this, implying David and Solomon violated a long-standing divine commandment.

Joseph Smith's Stance on Polygamy During His Lifetime

The host addresses the question of whether Joseph Smith first learned of plural marriage during the inspired translation work. While some later accounts claim he was told the doctrine was revealed but not yet time for practice, the episode's focus is on what Joseph's scriptural work revealed.

The summary of Joseph's inspired translation work on the Bible (1830-1832) is:

No clarification strengthens polygamy; the first polygamist is shown as a son of perdition.
Abram's covenant and new name Abraham involve repentance and new commandments.
David and Solomon's polygamy is condemned as evil, contradicting D&C 132.
The translation does not show Adam, Noah, Moses, Enoch, the Twelve Apostles, or Jesus having multiple wives, contrary to later claims.
Polygamy is not condoned, nor is it shown as a commandment from God at any time.

Canonization of Monogamy and Brigham Young's Actions

The episode concludes by previewing the next installment, which will cover revelations on marriage and the church's official law of marriage as included in the Doctrine and Covenants during Joseph Smith's lifetime. The host reveals that Joseph "canonized monogamy as the official law of marriage for the church in Scripture," a fact he learned only recently and which he believes was removed from the scriptures by Brigham Young 32 years after Joseph's death. The host suggests this removed language bore a striking resemblance to the Temple Scroll's emphasis on monogamy, explaining why Brigham Young might have wanted it suppressed.

Key Concepts

Polygamy: The practice of having more than one spouse.
Book of Mormon: A scripture of the Latter Day Saint movement, believed by its adherents to be an ancient record of God's dealings with the inhabitants of the ancient Americas.
Inspired Version of the Bible (Joseph Smith Translation): Joseph Smith's revision of the King James Version of the Bible, intended to restore plain and precious truths lost from the text.
Damascus Document: An ancient Jewish text found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, containing legal and theological teachings.
Temple Scroll: One of the Dead Sea Scrolls, believed by many scholars to be the earliest known version of the Book of Deuteronomy.
Deuteronomy 17:17: A biblical verse concerning the conduct of Israelite kings, often debated in relation to polygamy.
Doctrine and Covenants Section 132: A revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that deals with celestial marriage and polygamy.
Secret Combination: A term used in Mormon scripture to describe secret, evil societies.
Master Mahan: A figure associated with secret combinations and evil in Joseph Smith's translation.
Canonization: The process by which a religious text is officially recognized as authoritative.
Monogamy: The practice of having only one spouse.