Working with the Translations Team

We have had the opportunity to teach English and Temple Preparation on the island now for about 8 months and we just started another class.  We feel very fortunate to work with this group of Chuukese members and to prepare them for translation.  

The first priority when selecting members of a translation team is to identify individuals who are living lives that allow them to access the Spirit, said Jeffrey C. Bateson, Translation Division director, in an interview with Church magazines. “We feel, first of all, that translation is a spiritual gift, and anyone involved in that work needs access to the Spirit,” he said, quoting Doctrine and Covenants 9:9: “You cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me.” That scripture serves as a guide for the Translation Division.

Next in consideration are translation skills. Potential team members are evaluated to see whether they would better fill the role of translator or reviewer. Individuals working for the Translation Division typically know the target language as their primary language and English as their secondary language.

The New Translations Team, Raiton Newyear, Marsine Joseph, Oriko Ewar, Emylyn Walter, Tasiana Walter are
making a commitment to brother DelValle.
“First and foremost, scripture translation is directed by the Lord through the Brethren at the highest levels of the Church.

The Book of Mormon is presently in print in over eighty languages and is now being translated or prepared for publication in many, many more. Consider the Church’s current process of translating the Book of Mormon from English into another language. The Church contracts capable, experienced member translators who are fluent in English as well as their native tongue who possess integrity and high moral character so that the spirit of inspiration will guide their work. Just as in Joseph Smith’s day, the ability to translate holy writ today is a spiritual gift from God. Unlike Joseph’s day, however, many of our modern translators utilize computers and word processors, lexicons and encyclopedias to help and guide them in their sacred assignment. The modern work is extensive, and each step must be critically analyzed by Church translation experts.

Brother Devalle explaining to the team what is required of them.  DC 42:49,50  "He who hath faith to see shall see, 
 He who hath faith to hear shall hear"