Chapter 3 (JSCB)

"And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead." (Revelation 3:1 – KJV)

"And unto the servant of the church in Sardis write: “These things saith he who hath the seven stars, which are the seven servants of God. I know thy works, that thou hast a name, that thou livest and art not dead." (Revelation 3:1 – JST)

Notable changes to Revelation 3:1:
• KJV: The angel of the church is mentioned. It is written, "the angel of the church in Sardis."
• JST: The servant of the church is mentioned in place of angel. It is written, "the servant of the church in Sardis."
• KJV: Seven Spirits and seven stars are mentioned. It is written, "the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars."
• JST: "Spirits of God" was removed. And "seven stars" is now referring to "seven servants." It is written, "the seven stars, which are the seven servants of God."
• KJV: People in the church are alive but are dead. It is written, "thou livest, and art dead."
• JST: People in the church are alive and not dead. It is written, "thou livest and art not dead."

The King James Version (KJV) of Revelation 3:1 is addressed to "the angel of the church in Sardis." This implies that the recipient is a heavenly messenger or representative of the church. The Joseph Smith Translation (JST) changes the recipient to "the servant of the church in Sardis." This alteration makes me wonder what Joseph Smith was thinking. This is removing God's heavenly messengers from the picture and replacing them with people on earth. The KJV also refers to Jesus Christ as, "he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars." This description suggests that Christ possesses the authority and power of the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars. However, the JST attempts to make this description more straightforward. Jesus is referred to as "he who hath the seven stars, which are the seven servants of God." So, God is no longer over the seven angels, but servants on earth. This is a big change that needs to be addressed.

The KJV describes the state of the church in Sardis as "thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead." This statement implies that the church has a reputation of being alive and active but is spiritually dead. The JST changes this description to "thou hast a name, that thou livest and art not dead." This alteration suggests that the church in Sardis is not spiritually dead as the KJV implies. This is like saying, they are struggling with challenges, but are still functioning and have the potential for spiritual renewal. Unfortunately, this is not what the verse states. The JST changes the recipient of the message, identifying the seven stars as the seven servants of God. This provides a more nuanced description of the church's state. Therefore, it differs from the KJV in significant ways. This is especially true in its view of church leadership and the interpretation of the seven stars.

"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God." (Revelation 3:14 – KJV)

"And unto the servant of the church of the Laodiceans write: “These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.” (Revelation 3:14 – JST)

Notable changes to Revelation 3:14:
• KJV: The angel of the church is mentioned. It is written, "the angel of the church of the Laodiceans."
• JST: The servant of the church is mentioned in place of angel. It is written, "the servant of the church of the Laodiceans."

The King James Version (KJV) of Revelation 3:14 is addressed to "the angel of the church of the Laodiceans." This is speaking of the representative of that specific church. The Joseph Smith Translation (JST) changes the recipient to "the servant of the church of the Laodiceans." Who is this servant that Joseph made up? That is the question. The earliest manuscripts and other word-for-word translations have "angel", not "servant". The JST's change in the recipient from "angel" to "servant" is consistent with Joseph's changes to the Book of Revelation. This puts emphasis on the earthly and human nature of church leadership. Mormonism teaches that church leaders are ordinary individuals called and ordained to specific positions of responsibility. They are not considered to be angels or divine figures. However, they are fellow believers entrusted with the stewardship of the church. This may be the reason Joseph changed the wording.

God uses angels to deliver His message to the churches. Angelic beings are not the same as humans. Hence, the different translations of the Bible uphold the word "angel" without altering its meaning. This is done in order to not distort what is happening. However, when you look at the Joseph Smith Translation, we see the exact opposite happening. Instead of keeping the word “angel” in different verses, the word “servant” is put in its place. Why did Joseph Smith do this? He either did not like angels very much or he thought the Bible was wrong. Therefore, he thought that God’s servants were to be over the church instead. Nobody knows what he was thinking, but we know he was wrong. That is what is important. A problem needs to be addressed because of what happened. Disagreeing with the Bible does not give anyone the right to change how the text reads. Doing so, shows a person's unwillingness to accept what the Bible says.

"The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever." (Psalm 12:6,7)

David said that God's Words are pure, and how He preserves them throughout all generations. Surely, the Bible has been preserved through Word for Word translations like the King James Version and others. However, men like Joseph Smith claim to have made a better translation out of the King James Version. He did this by correcting the wording. However, this act of changing the words of the Bible is seen as a work of the devil. The argument is that only Satan would change the word "angel" to "servant" in order to bring in man-made doctrines. Furthermore, the devil loves to make people feel like they are not dead because of their sins. This way people justify their sinful actions and do not repent. One of the worst offenses when it comes to the JST is found in Revelation 3:1. Joseph Smith is said to have changed and corrupted this verse, not caring about how it reads in the KJV. He rearranged the text and added in more text that fully corrupts the verse. This evidence is on display and now the whole world will know that Joseph Smith was a false prophet and a worker of Satan.

The JST is even called the 'Inspired Version' of the Bible. However, because of the changes made to Revelation, millions of Mormons now have their faith in God’s Word tarnished. This is because Joseph Smith paraphrased the KJV Bible. As a result, he died and went straight to hell. God’s plagues are upon him in this place per Revelation 22:18,19. The verses describe the plagues that God will put upon Joseph Smith. And because he took away parts of verses in Revelation, his name has been removed from the Book of Life. This means that he will have no part in the city, New Jerusalem, but instead be cast into the lake of fire. Revelation, chapter 20, is clear about that. No person, having their name removed from the book of life, will have part in the new heaven or new earth.

There is a stern warning from God when it comes to changing the Book of Revelation. It declares that if anyone adds to this prophecy, God’s plagues will fall upon them. And this warning goes even further for people who remove words from this prophecy. These are those whose names are removed from the book of life and will have no part with the holy city, New Jerusalem. But it gets worse. The blessings that are mentioned in this book are also removed from these types of individuals. What does this all mean? It means that after hell comes the Great White Throne Judgment seat, where they will be found guilty. This is because their name is not found in the Lamb’s book of life, and they are unworthy to enter the new earth and new heaven. And so, fear will set in the hearts of such individuals who corrupted God’s Word and made it a lie. Shackles will be put upon their wrists and their ankles by God’s holy angels. This is when they will be dragged and tossed into the lake of fire, which is the second death. This applies to Joseph Smith as he is currently in hell.

Let us listen to this warning from God. It is written, "for I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” (Revelation 22:18,19) In this corrupted King James Version Bible, thousands of verses were changed. This includes the Book of Revelation. Some people just don't care what God has preserved. Even the different translations of the Bible do not agree with Joseph Smith's modifications to the King James Bible. Therefore, the right thing for Mormons to do is to stop using the JST. They ought to read the Bible how it was originally intended, not changed.

In conclusion, the changes made to the Bible in the JST are seen as a work of the devil and a corruption of God's Word. The warning in Revelation is clear. Anyone who adds to or takes away from the words of the prophecy will result in being condemned by God. This is when God's plagues will be upon them in this life and the next. Only those people who are written down in the Lamb's book of life are saved and will enter heaven. These people's names are not found therein. This warning applies to any person who tampers with the Book of Revelation. Joseph Smith is one of those individuals. His changes to the KJV Bible in the JST are seen as an abomination in God's sight. Therefore, it is important for Mormons to stop using the JST immediately and read the Bible as it was intended to be read. Amen.