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How Joseph Smith changed the gospel according to Mark


Joseph Smith added significant changes to the Gospel according to Mark.


1] The disciples were weeping during the Last Supper.

"For I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine with you until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. And now they were grieved and wept over him".


2] The emotions and words of Jesus are put into the mouths of the disciples. They complain wondering if Jesus is the Messiah.

"And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane, which was a garden. And the disciples began to be sore amazed and to be very heavy and to complain in their hearts, wondering if this be the Messiah".

According to the Bible, it was Jesus who was sore amazed and to be very heavy. The disciples did not complain and wonder if Jesus was the Messiah.

"And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch".


3] Joseph Smith altered the order of Judas Iscariot's departure.

And when they had sung a hymn they went out into the Mount of Olives. And Jesus said unto them, “All ye shall be offended because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.’ But after that I am risen I will go before you into Galilee.” And he said unto Judas Iscariot, “What thou doest do quickly, but beware of innocent blood.”

John explicitly says Judas leaves before they go to Gethsemane.

"So after receiving the morsel, he immediately went out. And it was night." (John 13:30, ESV).

After Judas departs, Jesus continues teaching the remaining eleven disciples (John chapters 13–17), including: the new commandment, the promise of the Holy Spirit, the Vine and the Branches, and his lengthy prayer in chapter 17.

Jesus then goes to Gethsemane after finishing his prayer.

"When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden..." (John 18:1).

John makes no mention of Judas accompanying them. Instead, the very next verse says:

"Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples." (John 18:2).

Judas had already separated from the group and later returned with the arresting party.

https://rsc.byu.edu/sites/default/files/pub_content/pdf/Mark.pdf