For the first half of translation, scribes wrote every verse that Smith covered even if he didn't alter or amplify any verses. However, for the second half of the translation, Smith would only note which verses changed and what changed in them. In the transcription, Jackson and his team tried to keep the document's layout consistent by showing how the scribes used different indentions and spaces to highlight separate sections and changes.

Often changes were used to make the Bible simpler to read by taking out archaic expressions and words, Jackson said. But not all were consistent.

In one section, Matthew chapter 26 was translated twice. The dual versions offer an explanation and purpose of the translation process, Jackson explained. By comparing the two versions, many changes did not take place verbatim in the same places. However, the changes did reflect the same doctrine or ideas in both versions, Jackson said.

Jackson said this helps explain that Smith received "pure intelligence," which didn't always convey exact words but did relay the meaning or purpose of the altered verse.

So what was one highlight for Jackson?

"It's the first time I got my hands on a revelation," he said.

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E-mail: jburke@desnews.com