Adam Clarke and Isaiah in the Book of Mormon

by Kent P. Jackson

Overview

Abstract: A recent article alleges that in creating the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith copied Isaiah passages out of the Bible commentary of Scottish theologian Adam Clarke. The author of the article alleges that while doing so, the Prophet edited those passages based on suggestions from Clarke's cross references and commentary. This explains the differences between Isaiah in the King James translation and the corresponding Isaiah passages in the Book of Mormon. A careful analysis of the Isaiah verses in the Book of Mormon and Clarke's commentary shows that this claim is not true.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940184507033
Publisher:	Interpreter Foundation
Publication date:	07/24/2025
Series:	Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship , #66
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	346 KB

About the Author

Kent P. Jackson retired in June 2017 as a professor of religion at Brigham Young University, where he had taught since 1980. He has a BA in Ancient Studies from BYU and MA and PhD degrees in Near Eastern studies from the University of Michigan. His research interests include the Near East and the intersection of the Latter-day Saint faith and the Bible. He has authored or edited From Apostasy to Restoration; The Restored Gospel and the Book of Genesis; Joseph Smith’s Translation of the Bible: The Joseph Smith Translation and the King James Translation in Parallel Columns; and Understanding Joseph Smith’s Translation of the Bible. Jackson is a former associate dean of religion and former associate director of the Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies.