Inspired Version

The Holy Scriptures - Inspired Version was first published in 1867 by the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS, now known as the Community of Christ, who still publish it through their Herald Publishing House.) This version of the Bible was a revision of the King James Version completed by Mormon leader Joseph Smith prior to his assassination in 1844. The manuscripts were kept by his widow, Emma, until they were published in 1867. It is commonly also known as the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible.

Background[edit]

Joseph Smith believed the existing King James Bible was corrupted through translation errors and, in the words of the Book of Mormon had lost many "plain and precious things". The Inspired Version was a revision of the King James Bible completed by Smith to bring it in line with Mormon doctrines. It was not a new translation, but rather had a number of revisions made by Smith based on his own interpretations. It does not include the Song of Solomon, which Smith did not believe was an inspired book, and the book of Genesis was the most heavily revised of the books in this version.

Acceptance[edit]

The RLDS church won the rights to the manuscript over the Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) in a court case. The Inspired Version is one of the standard works of scripture in the RLDS church, although today as the Community of Christ the use of modern English translations is more common. The Utah-based LDS church uses the King James Version, and in recent years has published an edition of the King James Bible with Joseph Smith's revisions from the Inspired Version in its footnotes and appendices.

The Inspired Version has not gained acceptance outside of Mormon and RLDS circles.

References[edit]

• bible-researcher.com