Hieroglyphs, Golden Plates, and Typos

By Bill Wylson

On the inside cover of his first leather-bound Book of Mormon, my father inscribed a powerful quotation by the prophet Joseph Smith.

"I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book."

Directly below this quote, my father had compiled a list of scriptures labeled "Mistakes in the Book of Mormon."

Moroni candidly and apologetically acknowledges:

"And if there be faults they be the faults of a man. But behold, we know no fault." 

How, then, did my father have the boldness to make his list of 'mistakes' in the Book of Mormon?

These corrections in the Book of Mormon actually serve as evidence of its authenticity and truthfulness. They provide insight into the process of creating and inscribing ancient plates.The Book of Mormon is supported by a wealth of evidence, including archaeological findings, scientific studies, and literary analysis. These sources provide a strong foundation for its authenticity. The appearance of the corrections in the Book of Mormon translation by Joseph Smith affirms the absolute literality of his translation.  

• Language: English
• Publisher: White Horse Books
• Release date: Mar 13, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223253358

Bill Wylson

Bill Wylson is the author of over 50 published writings on family values, religious issues, and religious education. His work has appeared in The Ensign, This People, The New Era, Liberty Magazine, Success, and others.   Bill graduated as a commercial copywriter from the Columbia School of Broadcasting in Hollywood, CA. He wrote trade journal ads for a major advertising agency in Los Angeles and public service announcements for a Los Angeles television station.  He has served as a volunteer Board Member of Advocates of Single Parent Youth, Special Fun Games for the Disabled, and on the Boards of Arts and Theater Councils. He has also served on Advisory Committees for the Volunteer Center of Los Angeles and on the United Way Government Affairs Committee.   Bill Wylson currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

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The Most Correct Book

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On the inside cover of his first leather-bound Book of Mormon, my father inscribed a powerful quotation by the prophet Joseph Smith.

I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.  [2]

This inscription held great significance for my father, serving as a reminder of his faith in the teachings of the Book of Mormon. It reflected the central role that this sacred text played in shaping his spiritual journey. The worn leather cover bore witness to years of use and reverence, its pages filled with annotations and underlined passages that spoke volumes about my father’s devotion.

Directly below this quote, my father had compiled a list of scriptures labeled Mistakes in the Book of Mormon.

Wait a minute, I hear you protest. "The Book of Mormon is the word of God. It simply cannot contain any errors. Besides, you quoted the Prophet Joseph Smith testifying that the Book of Mormon is ‘the most correct of any book on earth.’"

I did, and it is. The Book of Mormon is a sacred text revealed through divine inspiration. The Lord’s prophets prepared the Book of Mormon over a period of a thousand years. Moroni concealed it so that it would be preserved in its purity for future generations.

Nothing testifies with more certainty of the magnitude of this modern-day book of scripture than the voice of the Savoir Himself! In his book, A Witness and a Warning, President Ezra Taft Benson delineates the Lord’s witness that:

The Book of Mormon is true, [3]

It contains the word of God, [4]

It was translated by power from on high, [5]

It contains the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, [6]

It was given by inspiration and confirmed by the ministering of angels. [7]

After his father’s death, Moroni became custodian of the sacred archives. He then added what he thought would be the final two chapters to his father Mormon’s account. He apparently did not expect to be writing anything further because, as he stated,

"And behold, I would write [the intent of the record] also if I had room upon the plates, but I have not, and ore I have none, for I am alone." [8]

Then, committing the writings to its future readers, Moroni candidly and apologetically acknowledged:

And if there be faults they be the faults of a man. But behold, we know no fault. [9]

How, then, did my father have the boldness to make his list of ‘mistakes’ in the Book of Mormon?

The corrections in the Book of Mormon serve as evidence of its authenticity and truthfulness because they provide insights into the process of creating and inscribing ancient plates. The plates mentioned in the Book of Mormon were typically made from metal ores, such as gold or brass, through a labor-intensive process involving mining, smelting, and shaping. Inscribing on these plates was done using a stylus to carefully etch characters or symbols onto the metal surface.

Those who created and maintained the plates were meticulous in their calling and took great care to record information accurately. To better understand the corrections in the Book of Mormon and how they testify to its truthfulness and authenticity, we need to understand the process involved in making plates of ore and the method for inscribing on them. Ultimately, understanding these processes enhances our appreciation for the context in which the Book of Mormon was produced.

The Problem with Plates

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I must confess. I often find myself growing impatient with my computer. The moment I press the power button, I brace for the lengthy startup process. First, the tower emits a low hum as it springs to life. The monitor’s power light comes on, signaling its awakening. Gradually, the screen brightens, and the loading circle makes its predictable appearance. Soon, my desktop background appears, and I enter my passcode. Again, the tower begins to whir and the loading circle rotates some more. When my home screen finally appears, I select my word processor and then find and select the document I want