"These were the days
never to be forgotten," Oliver Cowdery said of his time as
Joseph Smith's scribe "under the sound of voice dictated by
inspiration of
heaven."
The translation of the "ancient record called the Book of
Mormon"
further enlarged Joseph's understanding of how to receive
revelation and
established that "God does inspire men and call them to his
holy work in this age and generation, as well as in
generations of old."
God gave Joseph Smith
the gift and power to translate writings recorded centuries
ago in a language of which Joseph had no knowledge. Recalled
Joseph's wife Emma, "No man could have dictated the writing
of the manuscripts unless he was inspired." Joseph translated the gold
plates in less than three months.
"Take away the Book of
Mormon and the revelations," Joseph taught, "and where is
our religion? We have none." In the Book of Mormon, the Lord
said, "are all things written concerning the foundations of
my church, my gospel, and my rock."
inspiration
Divine guidance given to man by God. Inspiration often comes by the Spirit in a variety of ways to the mind or heart of a person (The Guide to the Scriptures, "Inspiration," 118).
revelation
Communication from God to His children on earth. The Lord reveals His work to His prophets and confirms to believers that the revelations to the prophets are true. Through revelation, the Lord provides individual guidance for every person who seeks it and who has faith, repents, and is obedient to the gospel of Jesus Christ (Preach My Gospel, 45).
