Bible studies in my church are very informitive,We generally have 2 or 3 modern translations the KJV and I prefer the Greek. This gives you a better understanding of the Jewishness of the Bible. Christian doctrine is not effected it is enriched. One example is the divine passive in the Sermon on the Mount. That is the wonderful thing about serious Bible study.

Uninspired revisions have stripped the Authorised Version [1611] of much of the beauty and force of its language.

What is needed is not emendation of the texts, but emendation of associated Commentaries that are written by able scholars less interested in homileticising scripture and more bent on eliciting meaning from the best texts available.

If the Book of Mormon were to be revised into today's English [but, whose English? Yours or mine?] it would iron out much of the poetry, many of the Hebraisms, and change its character from what God said was 'Good' into something less than it is.

The Book of Mormon is more than a credible witness of Jesus Christ, it demonstrates that God's love for his children is not limited geographically to a crumpled piece of land in the ancient near east, but that he is a universal God and ministers to his people as, when, and where his love extends.

As the Prophet Jonah discovered when he tried to flee rather than fill the Lord's errand to preach repentance to the Ninevahites, on account of their reputation for barbarism, God is God of all the earth and all its people.

There are several books written on the KJV. My favorite is,"The King James version debate,A Plea for Realism." The author refutes the propositions that: 1. The KJV is a more accurate translation 2. it is more durable. 3. its use of the OLD English forms,makes it more reverant. 4.it honors Christ more than other versions. This was written for the laymen,though,a little knowlege of Greek is helpful.
One example of a Modern translation the NIV,over 20 different Christian denominations were involved in the commentaries and translation.

It was less satisfying because it sounds less "biblical". Once you take that "biblical" sound out, you are left with a story that is just plain, well, useless & unbelievable.

I acctually own a Revised version of the Book of Mormon and I do like it very much and I prefer it over the LDS version. It is easier to read and to understand. I think our church should do the same with our BOM and with the KJV of the Bible. I sure doubt that Jesus or prophet spoke that way in their time. The only problem I found is the diferent chapters and verses in the CofChrist BOM, but that is a minor inconvinience. People should read it and make their own decisions and see if they like it or not. I LOVE it! and it is satisfying to me. Read it first judge it later.

I agree with the author. Keep the Book of Mormon the way it is, and any changes should be absolutely necessary, not based on convenience. Especially if those changes take away remnants of the ancient languages that they were written in anciently - the Hebraisms, etc. In later BOM versions, even Joseph Smith removed a few Hebraisms (if/and conditionals) not knowing that they were based on the ancient language spoken to make it easier to read in English. (Which, by the way is odd behavior if he was a fraud - why remove evidence? He didn't know that the Hebraic constructs that he removed were echos of the ancient language written since JS was an uneducated farmboy at the time of translation.)

Anyway, I love the Book of Mormon and find that its language and numerous other things make it, well, useful and believable.

Quite reciently I visited the Visitors Center of the Community of Christ in Kirtland, Ohio.Their book store was very nice and they had Book of Mormon's for sale but what I remember was that they presented the book of mormon from a historical point of view and not as another witness of Christ. Latter Day Saints use the book to convert. CoC does not seem to do that.My thought is who cares how mant changes they make. They dont use it for the right reason anyways. Its just a historical book to them.A relic from the past? Correct me if I'm wrong.

Kenny - the CoC does view the Book of Mormon as scripture, however within their church there are varying beliefs about what is the nature of that scripture - i.e., is it historical, or is it a religious allegory, etc.

As is stated many times within the BOOK OF MORMON, it is to convince the Gentiles (All of those living on the Earth) that Jesus is the Christ, the only begotten Son of God in the Flesh, the redemeer of all the Earth. This is what the Book of Mormon is, ANOTHER TESTAMENT of JESUS CHRIST. There are many who use the Book of Mormon as additional scripture without being LDS but fail to understand the meaning of this great Book. If you really want to check it out, the Book of Mormon has just as many sells as the Bible but because the Church gives them away free of Charge some of this is never accumulated as such.

I understand the author's reasoning on this as a girl friend I once dated gave me the RLDS (Community of Christ) Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and the Inspired Version of the Bible (Joseph Smith translation) a long time ago. Once I became fully converted to the LDS Church I disgarded them. Just because someone wants to put something into today's English doesn't mean it is right.

Kenny, I'll agree with Bruce, and add this:
Community of Christ does not believe in the Bible or the Book of Mormon, but in the God to Whom they point. Scriptures serves as a witness of Christ, and draws us closer to Him, but is not an object of belief. Our most recent revelation, Section 163 (revealed in 2007), states:

7 a. Scripture is an indispensable witness to the Eternal Source of light and truth, which cannot be fully contained in any finite vessel or language. Scripture has been written and shaped by human authors through experiences of revelation and ongoing inspiration of the Holy Spirit in the midst of time and culture.

b. Scripture is not to be worshiped or idolized. Only God, the Eternal One of whom scripture testifies, is worthy of worship. God’s nature, as revealed in Jesus Christ and affirmed by the Holy Spirit, provides the ultimate standard by which any portion of scripture should be interpreted and applied.

7c. It is not pleasing to God when any passage of scripture is used to diminish or oppress races, genders, or classes of human beings. Much physical and emotional violence has been done to some of God’s beloved children through the misuse of scripture. The church is called to confess and repent of such attitudes and practices.

d. Scripture, prophetic guidance, knowledge, and discernment in the faith community must walk hand in hand to reveal the true will of God. Follow this pathway, which is the way of the Living Christ, and you will discover more than sufficient light for the journey ahead.