Shane Koyczan, "Atlantis," Words Aloud 2007, Canada

By the laying on of WHAT???

When the 1992 Spanish edition of the Book of Mormon was first printed, a rather embarrassing typo was found on page 626. The chapter heading read "la imposicion de anos" instead of "manos"—"by the laying on of anuses". Upon realizing this error, the Church immediately recalled the Book of Mormons printed, but was unable to prevent a few of the volumes from circulating. The edition (nicknamed the “Freudian Slip edition”) has since become quite the collector's item.



This got me thinking about how LDS priesthood quorums so often argue over church policy and doctrinal interpretations. It is not uncommon, for example, to hear disagreements expressed over whether the child should be addressed or Heavenly Father during a baby's blessing. Can you imagine the arguments that could have resulted from this passage? "What are you doing elder? That is disgusting!" "No. This is what we are supposed to do. Look, it says right here, 'Laying on of Anuses!'"