December 2000: Book of Mormon Available in Amharic, IsiXhosa

In December 2000, translations of the Book of Mormon in Amharic (spoken in Ethiopia and Eritrea) and isiXhosa (spoken in South Africa), rolled off the press for the first time.

“Today I became the first Ethiopian member to receive the Book of Mormon in Amharic, and I am very, very happy,” said Gemechu Wariyo Goja, the president of the Ethiopia Addis Ababa Branch, speaking in January 2001. “When I distributed the first copies to members who I worked with in translating the book, everyone cheered and jumped up and down. I just brought my own copy home, and my family is anxiously gathered around the book, reading it to each other in Amharic. It is wonderful.”

Earlier the same year, the Book of Mormon was translated into Swahili, allowing members of the Church throughout East Africa to read the book in their language. In Tanzania, President William Gideme of the Chang’ombe Branch says, “Finally I can read the Book of Mormon to my whole family with complete understanding. I am so grateful.”

In December 2000, the total number of language translations ever completed reached a historic 100 languages. Of these, 61 are full translations of the Book of Mormon; 39 are translations of selected chapters. Many members of the Church in Africa now experience the joy of reading the Book of Mormon in their own languages.

The translation of the Book of Mormon into so many languages also promises to increase missionary success in areas where the book was not available to investigators before. One missionary serving in Ethiopia told President Gemechu, “We are going to be much busier now.” —Julie Brough, Africa Central Area Church History missionary