Was Joseph Smith’s “Inspired Version” of the Bible Completed?

The reason why the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has not published the entire manuscript [of the “Inspired Translation”] is not due to any lack of confidence in the integrity of Joseph Smith, or doubt as to the correctness of the numerous additions and changes which are not in the Authorized Version of the Bible. The members of the Church do accept fully all of these and additions as having come by divine revelations to the Prophet Joseph Smith. The reason that it has not been published by the Church is due to the fact that this revision was not completed. It was the intention Joseph Smith, while at Nauvoo, to take the scriptures up again and complete his labors, making numerous corrections which had not been made by him in the earlier revision. It is recorded in the History of the Church that this was his intention. Due to persecution and mobbing this opportunity never came, so that the manuscript was left with only a partial revision.

Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, Volume 2, Chapter 48

Joseph Fielding Smith’s claim is the routine response from Mormons because they have been taught this lie.  The problem with this claim is that Joseph Smith himself stated that the revision was complete!  Let’s look at some LDS publications to see whether or not J.F. Smith is lying:

Doctrine & Covenants 73:3-4 (Jan.10, 1832) states that “it is expedient to translate again…it is expedient to continue the work of translation until it be finished.”

History of the Church, Vol.1, p.324, under the date Feb. 2, 1833, the following is attributed to Joseph Smith: “I completed the translation and review of the New Testament, on the 2nd of February, 1833, and sealed it up, no more to be opened till it arrived in Zion.”

In Church Chronology, by Andrew Jenson, under the date 2/2/1833 is: “Joseph Smith, jun., completed the translation of the New Testament.” Under the date 7/2/1833 is: “Joseph the Prophet finished the translation of the Bible.”

In a letter dated July 2, 1833, and published in Times & Seasons 6:802, signed by Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon and F.G. Williams, the following statement is made: “We this day finished the translating of the scriptures, for which we returned gratitude to our Heavenly Father.”  History of the Church Vol. 1, p.368.

If the “New Translation” was not finished, God would not have ordered it printed.  Yet D&C 94:10 (5/6/33) said Joseph was to build a house for the printing of it, D&C 104:58 (4/23/34) orders the printing of it, as does D&C 124:89 (1/19/41), which says, “publish the new translation of my holy word unto the inhabitants of the earth.”

It is obvious that the LDS is lying about the “Inspired Version” not being completed. This isn’t surprising when you consider that the LDS was founded on lies and is sustained by lies.