In the fourth chapter of Romans (4:16), where the King
James Version has Paul saying that the promise of salvation “is of
faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure
to all the seed,” Joseph’s inspired revision has “therefore ye are justified of
faith and works, through grace, to the end the promise might be sure to
all the seed.” The change may appear a simple sleight of hand, nodding toward
Protestant grace while inserting “works” in a move toward Arminianism, but a
few moments later, Joseph again invokes grace, clearly defining it not as imputed
righteousness but as a Christ-begotten power strengthening humanness but as
Christ-begotten power strengthening humankind’s capacity to submit to law. “For
to will is present with me, but to perform that which the good I find not,” he
revises the text to read, echoing Paul, but then adds the crucial caveat: “only
in Christ.” Joseph’s translation reaffirms the point moments later, emphasizing
that we can only live the full “law . . . of Christ” “through the assistance of
Christ.” (Romans 7:18-19, Joseph Smith Translation) (Terryl Givens, Agency [Themes
in the Doctrine and Covenants; Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book; Provo, Utah:
Neal A. Maxwell Institute, 2024], 79)
To Support this Blog:
Email for Amazon Gift
card: ScripturalMormonism@gmail.com
Email for Logos.com Gift
Card: IrishLDS87@gmail.com
