Is there any evidence that joseph was a good writer at age 23 when the book of mormon came forth and thus might have been its author. Even the book of mormon, which joseph smith said was the most correct book on earth, never even mentions temple ceremonies. When it comes to the book of mormon translation, there is what is called a tight translation and there is what is called a loose translation. Joseph smith, american prophet and founder of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Turley junior tells about a great majority of the stories of the life of jospeh smith. Joseph smith is often accused of creating the book of mormon by plagiarizing various contemporary sources such as the spalding manuscript or ethan smith s view of the hebrews. Joseph smith said that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book. Additional information from part 1 of joseph smith s plagiarism of the bible in the book of mormon, pages 3738 in 2008 another computer study was done by matt jockers, craig criddle and daniela witten, comparing various authors word prints, including solomon spalding and sidney rigdon, with that of the book of mormon.
This book includes a long selection from ethan smith s book and attempts to establish a hebrew origin for native americans. When oliver cowdery was making the printers manuscript of the book of mormon, he copied the text of the original book of mormon manuscript faithfully, including putting down chapter iii from the original manuscript, but couldnt find chapters 1 and. This would seem to indicate that someone, perhaps joseph smith, copied parts of adairs book verbatim into the book of mormon. Ces letter different cosmology the earliest joseph smith could have read this book was 1836, which was after the book of abraham was produced.
It does not require much reasoning to see which solution is the simplest. I will present no additional research or even new insights from the treasury of the joseph smith papers. As a result, joseph smiths contribution to the history of american creativity has been neglected. According to smith, these characters were from the golden plates the ancient record from which smith claims to have translated the book of mormon and represent the reformed egyptian writing that was on the plates. In many other cases, joseph smith made minor word changes or additions. According to smith, the book was a translation of some ancient records. The making of a prophet, we focus our attention on the creation of the book of mormon.
Ran across an interesting quote about swedenborg and. The book of abraham translation watchman fellowship, inc. One literary element i liked in this book is the element of setting. In february 1828, joseph smith copied characters allegedly from gold plates and gave them to martin harris, one of the book of mormons three witnesses so he could have them inspected by charles anthon, a respected classical scholar at columbia college in new york. In his mormonism unvailed, howe argued that joseph smith did not possess enough. Several commentators on mormon history and the book of mormon, including lds church general authority b. Brand visited john whitmer and saw a facsimile of the characters of the plates. Joseph smiths plagiarism of the bible in the book of mormon. That issue is compounded by the fact that we know joseph smith also copied kjv passages and phrases from revelations, acts, matthew, malachi, 1 corinthians, and john. Mar 06, 2012 i told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.
There are similarities with some of joseph smiths ideas, yes, but there are also important differences. To order this book directly from amazon, click here. Sep 21, 2017 people are sometimes surprised to discover that the plates of the book of mormon were not regularly used during the process of its translation. Joseph smith is often accused of creating the book of mormon by. Emma smiths copy of the 1841 book of mormon found church. In our final segments with renowned joseph smith historian dan vogel, author of joseph smith. Much can be known about the coming forth of the english text of the book of mormon through a careful study of. Joseph smiths unsuccessful application to erase his debts in bankruptcy had been mentioned in passing by church historians, but never explored. Item x that joseph smith copied into the book of mormon lehi dream item y. The book of mormon contains passages from the king james bible summary. How the book of abraham exposes the false nature of mormonism. Jun 26, 2017 it is possible that verses 1218 of words of mormon were not originally part of words of mormon, but were part of the book of mosiah.
How do you explain the fact that joseph smith copied from the kjv but deleted the italicized words in the kjv because he figured they were not in the original. Foundation of the book of mormon series book of mormon plagiarism if ive said it once ive said it a thousand times. A notation on the flyleaf, in the handwriting of js, reads. Also that the copies thereof should be laid up in the treasury 1 maccabees.
A byu research paper published in march 2017 exposes parallels between the joseph smith translation of the bible, and a book published in 1831. David wright explains in joseph smiths interpretation of isaiah in the book of mormon, book of mormon isaiah reproduces the kjv text literally except for a few words or phrases here and. Apocryphacritics claim that joseph smith created the story of nephi and laban by plagiarizing concepts and phrases from the story of judith and holofernes in the apocrypha. Originally i was not going to answer, then i read all of the replies from faithful saints who beat me to the punch. What a thing it is for a man to be accused of committing adultery, and having seven wives, when i can only.
Another book, the wonders of nature and providence displayed, was in the local manchester library five miles from joseph smith s home and extant records show that it was reportedly checked out during the years 1826 to 1828. The book of mormon emulates the language and style of the king james bible because that is the scriptural style joseph smith, translator of the book of mormon, was familiar with. Scholars poured over the papyri, examining their contents and illustrations, comparing these to smiths translation. How the book of abraham exposes the false nature of. Another book, the wonders of nature and providence displayed, was in the local manchester library five miles from joseph smiths home and extant records show that it was reportedly checked out during the years 1826 to 1828. Besides the extensive list of parallels between the bible and the book of mormon, this book. The truth about the authorship of the book of mormon.
Joseph smiths plagiarism of the bible in the book of. The book of mormon is written in the style of the kjv, which seems unlikely to match what joseph smith claims was reformed egyptian on the gold plates. In 1877, when interviewed by edward stevenson, david whitmer did not mention this document. Dec 30, 2017 theres a book published in 1830 by thomas dick entitled the philosophy of the future state. The making of a prophet, we focus our attention on the creation of the book of mormon through his extensive research, dan theorizes that the book of mormon is a tangible artifact giving insight into joseph smiths state of mind, and commentary on the cultural and spiritual influences that. It is also claimed that joseph smith copied the name nephi from the apocrypha. Through his extensive research, dan theorizes that the book of mormon is a tangible artifact giving insight into joseph smiths state of mind, and commentary on. When it comes to the book of mormon translation, there is what is called a tight translation and there is. Joseph smith s plagiarism of the bible in the book of mormon pdf digital book. Jesus never asks his followers to do temple ceremonies in the bible. Book of mormonplagiarism accusationsking james bible.
Could joseph smith have authored the book of mormon. Joseph smith and the origins of the book of mormon 2nd edition and also in kindle david persuitte, a technical writer from virginia, wrote the first edition of this book in 1985. The most common belief of adherents is that promoted by joseph smith, who. He added that he knew joseph smith was a prophet and that the book of. People are sometimes surprised to discover that the plates of the book of mormon were not regularly used during the process of its translation. Ran across an interesting quote about swedenborg and joseph. This book includes a long selection from ethan smiths book and attempts to establish a hebrew origin for native americans. Joseph smith owned a copy of the book and oliver cowdery quoted some lengthy excerpts.
Roberts and fawn brodie, joseph smiths, biographer noted the considerable similarities in the content of view of the hebrews and the book of mormon, which was published seven years after ethan smiths book. Now, a decade and a half later, persuitte has added many more facts in this, the 325page second edition. Spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship wikipedia. Visions of moses, june 1830 moses 1 the joseph smith. By the time of his death, 14 years later, he had attracted tens of thousands of followers and founded a religion that continues to the present with millions of global adherents. Joseph copied three drawings from the egyptian scrolls while creating the book of abraham, and he labeled them facsimile no. Egyptologists have viewed the drawings and found joseph smith s interpretation of them to be wrong. Joseph used a rock in a hat for the book of mormon dictation but may have also used the 1769 kjv edition bible and possibly other sources in aiding in producing the book of mormon.
The book of abraham is a work produced between 1835 and 1842 by joseph smith based, he said, on egyptian papyri purchased from a traveling mummy exhibition. Learn more about the life, writings, and legacy of joseph smith. Ran across an interesting quote about swedenborg the kindle app is nice, but try stanza. Visions of moses, june 1830 moses 1 the joseph smith papers. The anthon transcript often identified with the caractors document is a piece of paper on which joseph smith wrote several lines of characters. The spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship is the theory that the book of. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 2005. Apr 22, 2016 david wright explains in joseph smiths interpretation of isaiah in the book of mormon, book of mormon isaiah reproduces the kjv text literally except for a few words or phrases here and. The solomon spalding theory chapter 9 of joseph smiths. David persuitte, a technical writer from virginia, wrote the first edition of this book in 1985. The king james biblecritics of the book of mormon claim that major.
The digital book may not be resold, altered, copied for another person, or hosted on any server without the express written permission of utah lighthouse ministry. The king james biblecritics of the book of mormon claim that major portions of it are copied, without attribution, from the bible. The book of mormon is an account of the former inhabitants of this continent that contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel. An unfinished manuscript copy of a historical fiction by spalding, written from 1809 to 1812, about a roman.
Book of mormon plates and records the encyclopedia of. Joseph smith may have been influenced by this book in later. Debunking fairmormon letter to a ces director book of abraham. Proof the book of mormon isnt true the book of mormon contradicts the bible and was actually a work of fiction written by joseph smith in the 1800s, who copied much of it from the king james version, trying to make it look like an ancient manuscript. The most significant of my writings about joseph smith began small but gradually expanded into many legal proceedings that illuminated important subjects previously unknown. It would seem that joseph smith or oliver cowdrey merely copied the passages from his bible to the book of mormon. Would you respond to the theories that the book of mormon is based. Additional information from part 1 of joseph smiths plagiarism of the bible in the book of mormon, pages 3738 in 2008 another computer study was done by matt jockers, craig criddle and daniela witten, comparing various authors word prints, including solomon spalding and sidney rigdon, with that of the book of mormon. Im now on android and miss stanza aldiko is almost as good. One thing he noticed was that if smith was copying from a text written by. It is possible that verses 1218 of words of mormon were not originally part of words of mormon, but were part of the book of mosiah.
Most adherents to the latter day saint movement view the book as a work of inspired scripture. In several cases, the plagiarism is proof that joseph smith was the author of the book of mormon, since the source of the copied text was not accessible to the alleged book of mormon authors. What are 1769 kjv edition errors doing in book of mormon. What was surmised to have been written in joseph smiths. Joseph smith may have been influenced by this book in later writings. Critics of the book of mormon claim that major portions of it are copied, without attribution, from the bible. Joseph smiths plagiarism of the bible in the book of mormon pdf digital book. See call, copied from the journal of anson call, 34. There are several theories as to the origin of the book of mormon. Possible sources of plagairism for joseph smith exploring. The book of mormon contradicts the bible and was actually a work of fiction written by joseph smith in the 1800s, who copied much of it from the king james version, trying to make it look like an ancient manuscript.
When he was 24, smith published the book of mormon. Did joseph smith get the book of abraham cosmology from. I will reference a book and three articles in professional journals and a published speech at a scholarly conference in illinois. Joseph smith copied three drawings from the egyptian scrolls, labeled them facsimile no. How the joseph smith translation of the bible was created. Dec 23, 2015 scholars poured over the papyri, examining their contents and illustrations, comparing these to smiths translation. December 23, 1805 june 27, 1844 was an american religious leader and founder of mormonism and the latter day saint movement. Joseph smith and the origins of the book of mormon 2nd edition and also in kindle. Byu research concludes joseph smith copied a 1831 bible book to create the jst of the bible. The book of the jews and the property of joseph smith junior and oliver cowdery bought october the 8 th 1829 at e.
Joseph smith and the lds church for over 170 years have claimed that the book of abraham is a translation of a portion of the papyri scrolls purchased by the church in 1835 kirtland, ohio, and that this portion contains the writings of abraham written by abrahams own hand. Smith published the book of mormon in 1830 and shortly thereafter organized a small church of his first followers. Stories from the life of joseph smith by richard e. The characters were initially copied onto a portion of a larger leaf of paper, which was folded horizontally into at least three or four parts. This idea was originated by anselm of canterbury and was a raging debate during the time of joseph smith. Feb 19, 2020 joseph smith, american prophet and founder of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. This bible, an 1828 stereotype edition printed by h. The book of moses and the joseph smith translation manuscripts. Debunking fairmormon letter to a ces director book of. The present english book of mormon, however, is not simply a translation of all those gold plates. Joseph smith was the first prophet of the lds church. Joseph smith as a young man could neither write nor dictate a coherent and wellworded letter, let alone dictate a book like the book of mormon.
That joseph smith wrote the book, or that a divine being. Joseph smith used an instrument in translating the book of mormon called urim. Joseph smith and martin harris began by translating the plates of mormon, and when they had reached the reign of king benjamin, they had 116 pages of translation. I find it very interesting that much of what joseph smith wrote was not necessarily the first time something had been written about, and how this is used as a con against him and the book of mormon. Different cosmology the earliest joseph smith could have read this book was 1836, which was after the book of abraham was produced. Nehemiah king, spauldings brother, and seven other residents identify it as coming from spauldings manuscript.
The book of mormon and the bible mormons in transition. Being born and raised in an lds family in ogden, utah came with the understanding youd be learning all you could about joseph smith, mormonism. I told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book. Some researchers believe that the book of mormon was partly based on an earlier book view of the hebrews or the tribes of israel in america by ethan smith no relation. The king james version was completed in 1611 ad and the book of mormon published in 1830. Lds church history documents that their mormon founder, joseph smith, lied to a large group of people about his having multiple wives. Its clear then that joseph smith copied freemasonry.
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