Embedded Files
There are numerous historical references to the translation of the Book of Mormon.
For example, on November 9, 1835, Joseph Smith was visited by a man "calling himself Joshua, the Jewish Minister." Joseph explained:
When I was about 17 years I had another vision of angels; in the night season, after I had retired to bed; I had not been asleep, but was meditating upon my past life and experience. I was well aware I had not kept the commandments, and I repented heartily for all my sins and transgressions, and humbled myself before him, whose eye surveys all things at a glance. All at once the room was illuminated above the brightness of the sun; An Angel appeared before me; his hands and feet were, naked, pure and white; he stood betwen the floors of the room, clothed with purity inexpressible.238 He said unto me I am a Messenger sent from God, be faithful and keep his commandments in all things. He told me also of a sacred record which was written on plates of gold. I saw in the vision the place where they were deposited. He said to me the Indians were the literal decendants of Abraham. He explained many of the prophecies to me; one of which I will mention, which is in Malachi 4th chapter. Behold, the day of the Lord cometh <(&c> He also informed me that the Urim & Thummim was hid up with the record, and that God would give me power to translate it with the assistance of this instrument...
I went and found the place where the plates were, according to the direction of the Angel, I also saw them and the Angel as before. The powers of darkness strove hard against me. I called on God. The Angel told me, that the reason why I could not obtain the plates at this time, was because I was under transgression, but to come again in one year from that time. I did so but did not obtain them, also the third and the fourth year the last of which time I obtained them, and translated them into <the> english language by the gift and power of God and have been preaching it ever since.
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/history-1834-1836/125
This analysis of the translation was written by Delbert D. Smith. It's available at this link.
In case that link becomes broken, the file is attached here.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t6VLQW-qWIPYyk9JedtKzZUC5HXw1V9m/view?usp=sharing
Delbert Smith on the translation.pdfGoogle Sites
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