Translation matrix

The scenarios for the origin of the Book of Mormon involve two basic levels of assumptions.

1. Joseph used the plates.

2. Joseph did not use the plates.

These can each be broken down into whether Joseph used a curtain or not.

In the table below, unshaded scenarios involve divine intervention. Dark shaded scenarios involve no divine intervention. Light shaded scenarios involve supernatural intervention of whatever source a person wants to believe.

Book of Mormon origin scenarios
All theories can range from loose, tight, or iron-clad control
Used the plates		Did not use the plates
Curtain	No Curtain	Curtain	No Curtain (catalyst)
Translation. Joseph studied the characters, copied them, then translated them by means of the U&T that came with the plates, studying it out in his mind, using his own lexicon	Translation. Joseph learned the characters engraved on the plates and translated from behind the curtain, but also conducted one or more demonstrations using the seer stone in the hat	Composition. Joseph read the Spalding manuscript, supplemented with Rigdon’s Christian sermons, except when conducting demonstrations	Transcription. Joseph read words that appeared on a seer stone (and/or the spectacles) that he placed in a hat, with the plates serving as a catalyst to the process
Transcription. Joseph looked on the plates with the U&T and dictated the exact words that appeared in the U&T		Composition. Joseph and/or others composed the text, wrote it out, and read the manuscript	Transcription. Joseph read words that he saw in vision as he looked on a seer stone in the hat
			Transcription. Joseph dictated words as they came into his mind
			Composition. Joseph recited from memory a text he invented
			Composition. Joseph related the text as a story he invented but using memory clues