The Joseph Smith "Translation" of the Bible
I put "translation" in quotes because the word should be used carefully. It today's vernacular, to translate means to bring something from one language to another. In Joseph's day, a common definition was simply bringing to light something that was previously difficult to understand - without necessarily involving multiple languages at all.
The Joseph Smith Translation (JST), as you know, includes many changes to the King James Version of the Bible. Some are restorations of missing text. However, many are things that were never written in the first place, or simply clarifications to avoid ambiguity.
The main focus of the JST is to restore clarity and add powerful testimony to the divinity, identity and mission of Jesus Christ. It also clarifies God's dealings with the ancients and paints a more consistent picture of His character. It's no wonder the Lord told Joseph to make the JST a priority.
One of my personal favorite parts of the JST is found in our current Pearl of Great Price as the Book of Moses. Joseph published chapter 1 just two months after publishing the Book of Mormon. If you want to build your testimony of the JST, the Restoration, and the prophets from Adam to Enoch, I highly suggest reading it. It contains some of the most poetic, beautiful passages of scripture available. You won't be disappointed.
The same goes for all of the JST. Read it, and you will gain a testimony of it. More importantly, your testimony of God, His Son, and their beautiful plan of salvation will grow immensely.
The Joseph Smith Translation (JST), as you know, includes many changes to the King James Version of the Bible. Some are restorations of missing text. However, many are things that were never written in the first place, or simply clarifications to avoid ambiguity.
The main focus of the JST is to restore clarity and add powerful testimony to the divinity, identity and mission of Jesus Christ. It also clarifies God's dealings with the ancients and paints a more consistent picture of His character. It's no wonder the Lord told Joseph to make the JST a priority.
One of my personal favorite parts of the JST is found in our current Pearl of Great Price as the Book of Moses. Joseph published chapter 1 just two months after publishing the Book of Mormon. If you want to build your testimony of the JST, the Restoration, and the prophets from Adam to Enoch, I highly suggest reading it. It contains some of the most poetic, beautiful passages of scripture available. You won't be disappointed.
The same goes for all of the JST. Read it, and you will gain a testimony of it. More importantly, your testimony of God, His Son, and their beautiful plan of salvation will grow immensely.