Shulem challenges RFM’s magical powers

[Shulem]

The word “plan” appears 233 times in Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible.

Smith's Book of Mormon includes numerous plagiarized (near identical) verses from the KJV on a consistent basis throughout the text. The KJV represents how a Book of Mormon tight translation process played out. Non-KJV words (start & plan) yet to be invented should not be in the Book of Mormon, period. But all that was over Smith's head because he was ignorant of those glaring facts. We see inconsistency in a translation and therefore it cannot be an authentic tight translation of an ancient text.

Thanks for providing the Clarke references -- bonus points. I've cut and highlighted the parts that are relevant in showing the definition of the word "plan" which was okay for Clarke to use but not Joseph Smith.

Here's a couple of examples where Clarke uses "plan of salvation" -- for the bonus points!

Colossians 1:25 — Verse 25. Whereof I am made a minister — Having received especial commission from God to preach salvation to the Gentiles. According to the dispensation — κατα την οικονομιαν. According to the Gospel economy or institution ; the scheme or plan of salvation by Christ crucified. To …
2 Timothy 1:13 — Verse 13. Hold fast the form of sound words — The word υποτυπωσις signifies the sketch, plan , or outline of a building, picture, c. and here refers to the plan of salvation which the apostle had taught Timothy. No man was left to invent a religion for his own use, and after his own mind…

...the word "plan" is not found in the KJV of the Bible because the word did not exist in the English language at that time. But even more interesting is how the Latin word plānus (flat, level, even) became the French word plan (flat surface, ground plot, map) and entered the English language as a noun to describe a diagram or a drawing in 1635. But even more interesting is the word was first used as a verb in 1718 in shifting the meaning of the noun to represent a cognitive thought process in which a sequence of events would ultimately achieve a certain goal -- thus, to plan.

<snip>

Thus, the word plan does not belong in the Book of Mormon or the Book of Moses for that matter. Joseph Smith f-up again, and again while pretending to translate. Smith should have used words such as way or path to provide an authentic translation, do you think?

Maybe I seem picky or unreasonable or, perhaps I'm just being an asshole? What say ye, Kishy-baby?

Everyone can conclude that Smith translated according to what he read on the stone (tight-translation) or he simply picked an English word he thought was best (loose-translation). But, regardless of how Smith translated the word "plan" (Hebrew: chashab) as incorporated/represented on the plates, I think everyone can agree that KJV language was paramount to Smith's translations -- it was utterly and completely welcome in every part of the Book of Mormon!

So, my question for you is simple:

Would Smith have used the word "plan" in his Book of Mormon translation if he had known the word was not used in the 1611 KJV of the Bible because the English word "plan" did not exist at that time?
[ ] Yes [x] No

Smith claimed the German translation of the Bible was superior and is after the order of what he taught during his entire ministry:

• I have an old book of the New Testament in the Hebrew, Latin, German and Greek. I have been reading the German and find it to be the most correct, and it corresponds nearest to the revelations I have given for the last fourteen years.
• ...German says Jacob. I thank God I have got this book, and thank him more for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
• In the German, the text bears me out the same as the revelations which I have given for the last fourteen years.
• I know the text is true. I call upon all you Germans, who know that it is true, to say aye, (loud shouts of aye.)...The Germans know that I read the German correct.

Martin Luther completed the Greek and Hebrew translation of the Bible in 1534, prior to the invention of the English word "plan." Thus, the word "plan" is not found in the German Bible either. Luther used words like: counsel, purpose, and will, to express the original intent. Does it not make sense that Joseph Smith would have done the same when translating the Book of Mormon? Smith's use of the word "plan" for ancient Nephite writings could be construed as translation-anachronism. It's a red flag. It shows a lack of authenticity in translating an ancient language and is a telltale sign of fraud.

For behold, if Adam had put forth his hand immediately, and partaken of the tree of life, he would have lived forever, according to the word of God, having no space for repentance; yea, and also the word of God would have been void, and the great plan of salvation would have been frustrated.

RFM's podcast showcases how this kind of talk was definitively a theological preaching of Joseph Smith's times. Here are a few examples that highlight that effect:

"Plan of salvation" is NOT from the KJV Bible! Joseph Smith stole it from the teachings of his own times just like he did with the One Eternal Now!

That dirty f-ing THIEF!

"Plan of salvation" is NOT from the KJV Bible! Joseph Smith stole it from the teachings of his own times...

Book of Mormon "plan of salvation"

• found out the genuine plan of salvation (Rom 1:17)
• According to the Gospel economy or institution; the scheme or plan of salvation by Christ crucified. (Col 1:25)
• revelation of the Gospel plan of salvation, which he calls the mystery, which FROM the BEGINNING OF THE WORLD (1 Tim 3:16)

Book of Mormon "plan of redemption"

• his plan of redemption; his method of saving others. (Ps 119:142)
• the Divine plan of redemption by Jesus Christ. (Rom 7:25)
• illustrated and glorified in the plan of redemption by Christ Jesus. (Eph 1:6)