April 1, 2019
General Conference Announcement: New Book of Mormon Translation
Post contributed by
Jasmin Gimenez
In a landmark move from the almost 200 year-old church, leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced on April 1st that the translation department will begin working on a Book of Mormon in the Elvish language.
Sam Gamgee, an employee from the Church Translation department, explained that this new translation sparks from an uptick in investigators from Middle Earth. Unable to provide them with Church materials in their language, the Church has felt inspired to flood Middle Earth with the Book of Mormon. The fictional Tolkien land has not yet been opened for official proselytizing or missionary work, but with the translation of the Book of Mormon into Elvish, a mission is sure to follow. Sam expressed optimism that "This new translation will save many souls in peril from the darkness close to them."
Image photoshopped by Travis Madore
The specific Elvish dialect to be translated with be Quenya. Rivendell native Arwen Undómiel said, "When the memory of the fear and the darkness troubles you,' she said, 'this will bring you aid." A recent convert named Galadriel from the Middle Earth forest of Lothlórien exclaimed, "May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out."
In 3021 Frodo the hobbit recorded, "I am glad you are here with me. Here at the end of all things, Sam." Church leaders hope that with the translation of the Book of Mormon into Elvish, people will look to the Book of Mormon, and not just Sam for comfort and strength during troubled times. Elder Holland taught in 2009 that the Book of Mormon contains "the power of Christ to counter all troubles in all times—including the end of times."
The Church translation department released a statement on the timeline for this new Book of Mormon publication. Due to resistance from the Orkish community, it is projected that this translation will not be completed until early January 3022.