Mormon's definition of charity is
better than the "love" usually given by translators. Critics will say
that Mormon's words were simply hi-jacked by Joseph Smith from Paul's words in
the New Testament. It is true that the text in verse 45 is almost word for word
the same as its parallel in 1 Corinthians. Now I am going to speak as a higher
critic. I do not believe that Paul was the original author of the words in
question. I think that the original author was the Savior. Paul had access to
them and used our Lord's words to suit himself when writing to the Corinthians.
In his time he would not be accused of plagiarism. When our Lord came to this
contingent as a resurrected, glorified person, He gave the same sermon on
faith, hope, and charity. Mormon had access to that sermon just as Paul did and
used it as he pleased. He was aware that Paul had used the sermon on the other
continent at an earlier time. We cannot accuse the Prophet Joseph Smith of
being stupid, whatever else we may accuse of him. He told the truth and makes
an interesting contribution to our knowledge of Paul's famous sermon. (Sidney
B. Sperry, "The Book of Mormon and Textual Criticism," Book of
Mormon Institute, December 5, 1959, ed. Dee F. Green [Provo, Utah: Book of
Mormon Institute, 1964], 7-8)
