In his article, “Misunderstanding the Book of Mormon,” John Tvedtnes noted that:
Misconceptions abound concerning
the text of the Book of Mormon, among both Latter-day Saints and others.
For example, how do people
understand the term “curious workmanship” in such passages as 1 Nephi 16:10 and
1 Nephi 18:1? Some undoubtedly take the word “curious” to mean “peculiar,
strange,” or, less likely, “inquisitive,” which would be the normal usage of
the word in 21st century English. Its original meaning is “skilled” or
“artful,” a meaning still retained in Joseph Smith’s day, as seen by Noah
Webster’s 1828 dictionary of American English. So the expression should be
understood as “skilled workmanship.” (John A. Tvedntes, “Misunderstanding the
Book of Mormon,” September 20, 2010, Meridian Magazine)
This is borne out by an examination of how the phrase was
used in pre-1830 liteature
One of these Maces is of very
fine Workmanship, all of Silver, gilt, and very heavy, of fine imagery, and curious
workmanship, made at Paris by the Archbishop’s Special Directions, as
appears by an Inscription on a Plate, fastened to the Mace by a little Chain,
and preserved with it. (Daniel Defoe, Curious
and Diverting Journies, Thro' the Whole Island of Great-Britain [1734])
The lower part of the border upon
the table was neatly engraved, but the outside part excelled in curious
workmanship, and was placed fuller to view: . . . (Josephus, Antiquities
of the Jews Book XII [London: 1754], 273)
A Diadem of great Value, in the
Eastern Taste, such as is wore for the principal Ornaments of the Great Mogul,
Nabobs, and Princes of Asia, consisting of very large Diamonds and other fine
Jewels of curious workmanship, has lately been made by an eminent Jeweller
of this City, designed, as we are informed, for the Lord Clive, as a Present
from his Lordship to the Nabob of Bengal. (“An Historical Detail of Publick
Occurrences, &c.,” The
Weekly Amusement [1765], 4:37)
This Morning at ten o’Clock, the
Right Hon. the Lord Mayor and the Committee, consisting of fix Aldermen and 12
Common Council Men, went in Procession from Guildhall, attended by the Recorder,
Sheriffs, Chamberlain, and other City Officers, to Savile House, and presented
to his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester the Freedom of this City in a Gold
Box of very curious workmanship . . . (“Ode for His Majesty’s Birthday,
June 4, 1765,” The
Weekly Amusement [1765]: 4:94)
One of the gateways of this
palace has an arch of curious workmanship, and in the tower over it is
kept the magazine for the county militia. (England
Described: Or, The Traveller’s Companion [London: R. Baldwin and J. Prescott,
1776] 164)
A sword of Gen. Moreau’s, and one
of Marshal Duckner’s.—in another room are various specimens of plate armour,
helmets, and weapons, some Indian armour of curious workmanship,
composed of steel ringlets, similar to the hauberk worn by the Knights Templars,
but not so heavy, and the helmets are of a different construction; . . . (“The Prince of Wales’s Armoury, at Carlton
House,” La
Belle Assemblée 2, no. 9 [August 1810], 102)
