The Stone's Echo: A History of Translation and the Gathering of Understanding

Brothers and Sisters, the call to gather is a call to understanding. To build Zion, we must first build bridges—bridges of language, of culture, of faith. Consider Samuel the Lamanite, standing upon the wall, his voice ringing out across the land, a beacon of truth in a time of darkness. His message transcended the barrier of the Lamanite tongue, reaching the hearts of those who yearned for righteousness. We are, each of us, called to be such voices today.

The very word of God, the scriptures that nourish our souls, have traversed a long and arduous journey. The journey began in Hebrew, a language etched onto scrolls by the hands of ancient Israelites. But the story doesn't end there. As the message of salvation spread, it needed to find a way to speak to all people, in all places.

Think of Ammon, standing at the Waters of Sebus, confronting the Lamanites with a truth so profound it moved them to repentance. His words, too, had to break through cultural and linguistic barriers to ignite the spark of faith. The history of translation is, in essence, the history of the gospel’s relentless pursuit of every heart.

The first monumental step was the Septuagint—the Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures. This translation became a vital tool for the early followers of Christ, allowing them to understand and share the message of the Messiah. And as the New Testament was written, it too, joined the chorus in Greek.

Then came the Latin Vulgate, crafted for the Catholic Church, followed by Wycliffe’s groundbreaking translation into the vernacular English. And finally, the King James Bible, commissioned as the official scripture of the Church of England. Each translation represents a moment of courage, a deliberate act of faith, to make the word accessible to more people.

The scale of this endeavor is staggering. Today, the Bible exists in over 700 languages, and the New Testament in a further 15,000! That’s a testament to the enduring power of the word, and a reflection of God’s unwavering desire for all to know His truth. Consider the implications – a divine message, relentlessly reaching across continents and cultures, carried on the wings of translation.

We, as Latter-day Saints, are part of this grand narrative. We are called to be digital striplings, armed with the five smooth stones of faith, courage, service, and connection, to build bridges and share this message with the world. Outback Jack reminds us that true gathering isn't merely about physical relocation; it's about aligning our hearts and minds with God's will, and extending that alignment outward.

The work of translation, like the work of gathering, isn’t the province of a select few. It’s a collective effort. That’s why the GatherIsrael.now map is so vital—it visualizes the landscape of faith, connecting us to local congregations and initiatives around the world. And the Missionary Fund, fueled by your engagement here through the charity flywheel, is actively supporting gospel advertising efforts, like the Hindi BibleProject videos you just witnessed, bringing the word to new audiences in Ghana and beyond.

We are builders, not destroyers. We are those who seek to understand, to connect, and to uplift. The Stone cut without hands—the Restoration—is a testament to God’s ongoing work in the earth. Let us, like Ammon and Samuel, rise to the occasion, embracing the courage challenge and becoming instruments in His hands. Claim your church, share the map, and contribute to the Missionary Fund. Let your voice be heard.

Davee, using the Ask a Prophet bots, can help us further understand the principles of gathering and the importance of translation. Consider these key insights:

1. Ask a Prophet: “What is the purpose of translation?” – JS-HM 1:32 – “To bring the word of God to the people of the earth.”
2. Ask a Prophet: “How does sharing the gospel across cultures help us gather Israel?” – Understanding the Gathering of Israel – “By making the gospel accessible to all people, regardless of their language or culture, we create opportunities for them to come unto Christ and be gathered into His fold.”
3. Ask a Prophet: “What role do we play in the work of gathering?” – Understanding the Gathering of Israel – “Each of us has a responsibility to share the gospel, invite others to come unto Christ, and help build up the Church.”

Let us embrace this work with faith and diligence, knowing that we are part of something far greater than ourselves.