Source Report--by Emily Culp

Title:
Matthews, Robert J. “The Joseph Smith Translation: A Primary Source for the Doctrine and Covenants,” Sperry Symposium Classics: The Doctrine and Covenants: 142-54

Summary: 
In this article Robert J Matthews argues the importance of the Joseph Smith translation. He begins his speech by bringing up the fact that, while the Doctrine and Covenants and the JST (as well as the Pearl of Great Price) are all valuable scripture, they tend to slip past the radar from time to time. Many misunderstand the way in which these books were received through revelation and consequently hold them to a different standard than they might the Bible or the Book of Mormon.

Insights: 
When considering the latter, it is easy for members to have a good grasp on the history of the books and thus feel more ready to accept their teachings. Everyone is taught the first vision and the basics of the story of how the Book of Mormon came to be. And the Bible is easy enough to understand; it is a record of Christ and his apostles and ancient prophets. However, few seem to fully understand the history of these other scripture. Even I have learned so much from taking classes on The Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price at BYU, and I can say with confidence that understanding more about the history of these documents has brought more meaning to my study of them. As Matthews says, “Reading only the surface of the printed page does not give the necessary comprehension to understand the significance of some of its plainest messages.”

He details some ways in which we can more readily grasp the significance of these books of scripture. First he mentions studying the chronological order. As we consider the history of the church and what was going on when Joseph Smith was receiving these revelations, it might put things into better perspective for us. He mentions how the Church was without many of the fundamental practices we have today in its beginnings. Matthews points out that the revelation received at this time was no different than previous revelation. “How did these things come to be, which today we recognize as vital to our spiritual life and basic to the Church? They came when the time was right, in answer to prayer—the result of earnest search.”

Matthews invites us to consider the sequence of events when these revelations were received. A few weeks after the church was organized and the Book of Mormon was published, revelations for the JST began to emerge, just before the Doctrine and Covenants. He points out the importance of the first part of the JST:
 
Quote: 
“The subjects of these chapters of JST Genesis have to do with the spiritual and temporal creations, agency, the rebellion of Lucifer, the Fall of Adam, and the introduction of the gospel to Adam and his posterity. The doctrinal emphasis of these topics is clear and prominent in the JST but is almost totally lacking in any other Bible.”

Response: 
It would seem that members might often forget the importance of the JST, but Matthews reminds us that it contains vital understanding to precious truths that have been lost.

Matthews goes on to point out the revelation of Enoch that was received concerning building a modern day Zion. The church in 1830 was reliant on new revelation and when this one was received, the saints gained a better understanding of how the Lord chooses to govern his people. This account of Enoch was 18 times longer than anything found in the King James version and was given in 1830 just when the church was beginning. Matthews states, “Thus, if we want to get a correct historical perspective of how the Lord educated His Prophet and His people about Zion, we must first read the revelations that were received while Joseph was translating the Bible.”

Another important revelation at this time was the age of accountability. In the Doctrine and Covenants it is mentioned that 8 years is the proper age, yet it sounds like a reminder. This is because it was first revealed in the JST months earlier. Without the JST manuscripts we wouldn’t be able to connect these dots.

One of the most fundamental doctrines of our church today is that of the three degrees of glory. Matthews points out that without the JST we wouldn’t have those teachings. “In the process of the translation, the Prophet, with Sidney Rigdon as scribe, came to the fifth chapter of John in the New Testament. It was while translating this chapter and pondering over verse 29 about the Resurrection of the just and the unjust that the vision of the degrees of glory was revealed.”

Overall it is important to remember the significance of these other scriptures. The church experienced some of its greatest success and growth while the prophet was translating the bible. Matthews summarizes the importance behind all of his points in this speech by saying, “Thus we see enacted a gospel truth: when we study the revelations already given, new revelation comes to enlarge our spiritual understanding. And that is, after all, our reason for searching the scriptures.”