Presenter: Samuel Mann, College of Humanities, Department of World Languages and Cultures
Authors: Samuel A. Mann and Dr. W. Paul Reeve
Faculty Advisor: Paul Reeve, College of Humanities, Department of History
Institution: University of Utah
In 1830, directly after founding the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), Joseph Smith began an effort to amend what he considered to be errors in the King James Version of the Bible (KJV). By the conclusion of this process, Smith had edited over 3,000 verses. Through comparing Smith’s revision to the original language of the KJV, scholars have gained remarkable insight into Smith’s theological framework. Although scholars have noted instances in which Smith altered gendered language (language implying gender [e.g., him, her, mankind, mother, etc.]), none have treated these gendered alterations as a pattern with the potential to provide greater understanding into Smith’s concept of religious gender roles. As the first study of its kind, my research begins to fill this gap in existing literature by identifying and analyzing each gendered alteration in Smith’s revision of the New Testament. To accomplish this task, I compared each of the 2,000+ New Testament verses Smith altered to their original KJV language and identified those in which he modified gendered language. I also compared each gendered alteration to an additional six New Testament translations and commentaries to determine how Smith’s use of gendered language compares with the language in other editions of the New Testament. My research identified an unexpectedly large number of gendered alterations. Although much of Smith’s revision maintains the masculine language of the KJV, a significant number of alterations de-emphasize its masculine nature. At times, the language of Smith’s revision is even reminiscent of modern translations that advocate for the use of gender-neutral language. This research represents a significant advance in understanding Smith’s personal concept of gender and has the potential to both complicate and enrich ongoing scholarly conversations regarding gender roles within the LDS church and religion more broadly.