Comments on: Jacob, Prophet and Poet

By: marv thompson

marv thompson — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 20:52:58 +0000

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By: marv thompson

marv thompson — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 06:14:17 +0000

Palmyra New York ,were there not a lot of French fur traders in that area.just a thought.Joseph spoke six languages when he was killed but not French,we was surrounded by school teachers in his family and he never was a dumb farm boy as depicted by some.1776 the French played a great part in our AMERICAN REVOLUTION,maybe some settled in Palmyra.

By: MCQ

MCQ — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 02:07:36 +0000

The Book of Mormon Student Manual has this to say:

Jacob 7:27. Adieu
• Some have questioned the use of the French word
adieu in Jacob 7:27. One author explained:
“The choice of words came through the manner of
the language of Joseph Smith, so that we might have understanding. This is why words not known in Book
of Mormon times are found in the translated text.
“The word adieu is defined in a dictionary of Joseph
Smith’s day as ‘a farewell; an expression of kind wishes
at the parting of friends’ [meaning that I commend you
to God]. (Noah Webster, An American Dictionary of the
English Language, 1828). While the word is of French
origin, it had found common usage in early nineteenth
century New England” (Edward J. Brandt, “I Have a
Question,” Ensign,
Oct. 1985, 17).

I think that helps somewhat. I didn’t know that it was of common usage in Joseph’s day and location. That explains why it might have been chosen, even chosen reflexively, for the word or phrase that Jacob used. But it still says to me that Jacob was a poetic sort of guy, because obviously that word was not used in translating any other prophet’s farewell.

By: MCQ

MCQ — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 01:20:28 +0000

I just checked and this appears to be the only time that the word “adieu” is used anywhere in the scriptures. Note that other languages have words or phrases similar to the French word “adieu,” so why French? It’s just so fascinating to me that adieu was chosen in this particular case. I would love to know why. Anyone with any insight on this please chime in, but in the absence of specific revelation, I’m going to assume that this word captured Jacob’s meaning better than any other. And I think that’s awesome.

By: MCQ

MCQ — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 00:52:31 +0000

Maybe, marv, but the process of translating the Book of Mormon did not often involve Joseph spending time thinking about such things.

But even if you’re right, the usual choice would be to translate such a phrase into an English word or phrase. Why the choice here to use a French word instead? It makes no sense, unless the French word better captures the feel of the original language. If that is the case, it says something about Jacob that he used a word or phrase that is best represented by the French word “adieu.”

By: marv thompson

marv thompson — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 00:32:11 +0000

What possible word in Hebrew or Egyptian (reformed or otherwise) could Jacob have used here that Joseph Smith would have thought to translate as “adieu” of all things? /maybe not a word but a complete thought/.
Etymology
From Middle English adieu also adew, adewe, adue, from Old French adieu (“to God”), a shortening of a Dieu vous comant (“I commend you to God”), from Latin ad (“to”) + deus (“God”) {I commend you to God) I think Joseph knew this definition.

By: marv thompson

marv thompson — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 00:04:09 +0000

Happiness is a choice,there are times nothing we can do about the external forces that beat upon us.We do have a choice how we allow those external forces to affect us.Was Jacob feeling sorry for himself or for those he would leave behind.

By: MCQ

MCQ — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 23:56:16 +0000

CJ, right on.

KLC, I love this:

This verse to me is an Ecclesiastes moment in a sea of unimpeded optimism.

Such a great way to phrase it.

Justin, I wonder sometimes about the “gift” of prophecy and whether it isn’t just as often a huge burden. There’s somethings a prophet probably wishes he could un-know. Some things a seer would like to un-see. Maybe we are optimistic because ignorance is bliss.

Jacob, exactly. I’m pretty optimistic by nature but even I like seeing that our prophets can be melancholy as well as upbeat. But apart from that, it’s just beautiful writing, and it’s a testimony to me. I think I know this guy, Jacob, a little. He was different from his big brother. He wasn’t a king or leader, he was a poet, priest and teacher. I feel close to him and I really like him.

By: Jacob M

Jacob M — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 22:57:02 +0000

I’ve always felt that this is the shout-out to the depressed members of the church. We don’t get a lot of notice or acknowledgement in our “shiny-happy people holding hands” culture of Mormonism. It’s nice to know that even the prophets felt all gothy and bummed out every now and then.

By: Justin

Justin — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 22:55:58 +0000

That is a verse of pathos; prophecy gives glimpses of views both glorious and gloomy. I think Jacob knew that the trajectory his people were pursuing was somewhat fixed and ultimately his progeny would expire. I think that in our era we have much more over which we can be optimistic for our children, in spite of the commotion and chaos.

Great post!