Professor Figures Out Book of Mormon Translation Timeline

Professor John W. Welch of Brigham Young University, delivered a powerful address on Wednesday, November 8 on the timing of the translation of the Book of Mormon. Welch gave the annual Book of Mormon lecture entitled "Hours Never to Be Forgotten" for the Laura F. Willes Center for Book of Mormon Studies at the Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni Center. In his address he explained what we know about Joseph Smith's translation, and how it was truly a miracle that Joseph Smith was able to translate the Book of Mormon in such a short time period.

The purpose of Welch's address is to "get us all thinking a little more specifically than ever before about the amazing and illuminating timing of the translation of the Book of Mormon." Oliver Cowdery reflected that "Those were days never to be forgotten." However, Welch challenged the audience to go even deeper, to explore and admire the very hours and minutes of how the translation of the Book of Mormon transpired.

Welch certainly did go down to the very hours and minutes of translation, in providing us a detailed analysis of how many words Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery would have translated by the minute in order to complete the translation in time. "By doing 10 words per minute, eight hours a day, they could get the Book of Mormon done in 56.2 full working day equivalents. ... If they worked faster (15 or 20 words per minute) or if they worked an hour or two fewer per day, they could also get it done."

View the video above to watch John W. Welch's full presentation last Wednesday. Check out the Deseret News coverage of Professor Welch's presentation for a different angle.

Interested in learning more about the translation of the Book of Mormon? Check out BMC Studios' most recent evidence video on the translation of the Book of Mormon