Of course, he was the translator unaided by mortal man. Joseph smith could neither write nor dictate a coherent and wellworded letter. If joseph smith did makeup the book of mormon, how and. An account written by the hand of mormon, upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. Yet, it may be worth while to examine into the widespread theory of antimormon writers that joseph wrote the book and that he stole his ideas from others. What follows is the story of how joseph received, translated, and published the record now titled the book of mormon. Anachronisms claimed to exist in the book of mormon summary. The book of mormon is the most correct of any book on this earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than any other book. Honestly, because of the sheer volume of anachronistic errors contained in joseph smith s book, even trying to read it as a novel is taxing. The book of mormon is set in north america in the first century. Seven years later, in 1830, this scriptural canon of the latterday saints was published for the world. Spaulding didnt write any of the book of mormon, nor did he claim to.
The question of the authenticity of the book of mormon is the basis for any discussion on the truthfulness of the lds church. The history of joseph smith, the 19thcentury prophet and founder of the. Concerning this record the prophet joseph smith said. Even if his statement is true, joseph was still struggling with his education only two years before he started to write the book of mormon. Joseph smith translated the book of mormon into english in the 1820s, and others have since translated the english version into dozens of languages. The coming forth of the book of mormon, foretold by ancient prophets, began with an angelic visitation in 1823 to 17year old joseph smith. If joseph smith did makeup the book of mormon, how and why. This is a reference to the book of mormon and the bible being companion books that compliment each other. The varied disputes related to him swing from personal to doctrinal but at the very center of the dust cloud is the book of mormon. I am not refering to the translation of the ancient records, the gold plates, but the gold plates themselves, when were they written. And i often sat by and saw and heard them translate and write for hours together. The first mormon, was born in salt lake city, earned a masters degree in library science at columbia university, worked at the new york public library, and became an assistant professor and head of the teachers central laboratory at hunter college library, new york.
Mormons dont even consider the possibility that joseph smith wrote the book of mormon. When he was 24, smith published the book of mormon. The book of mormon, by contrast, was recorded by ancient prophets in the new. Hollands conference talk the name ethan smith has been more active across the blogosphere than normal. One of the claims often made by lds people is that there was no information on the indian ruins in mexico and guatemala available prior to 1830. Persuitte also says that joseph smiths imperfect handwriting, coupled with his talent for speaking. Book of mormon mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. Well, first of all, joseph was 24 when the book of mormon was first published, not 14. Lots of answers here with an incredible amount of evidence. The problem of book of mormon authorship has challenged historians and theologians since the book was published in 1830. That was good enough for him, yet for everyone else, joseph added other requirements. When joseph was baptized, there was no church for him to be baptized into.
He was also joseph s counselor, and was a member of the original first presidency for the entire mormon life of joseph smith. The book of mormons foggy origins did joseph smith believe himself. Aug 19, 20 mormons dont even consider the possibility that joseph smith wrote the book of mormon. How could joseph smith possibly have written the book of. The last nephite prophet in the book of mormon circa a. And i will give unto him a commandment that he shall do none other work, save the work which i shall command him 2 nephi 3. Joseph smith jr built the mormon gospel upon a seer. Ive included this under the joseph smith and the book of mormon references because the two go hand in hand. Joseph smith did not sign more than a handful of copies of the book of mormon, said brother fox. Did joseph smith use this newly discovered book to write.
Joseph smith could have written the book of mormon. Lets say that joseph smith wrote the book of mormon. Did joseph smith use this newly discovered book to write the. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. Weve all heard the story of solomon spaulding, that he wrote several romances, and that at least one of them was written in the ancient style, according to witnesses. Peter manseaus new book suggests that joseph smith and the book of mormon may have been influenced by a seneca religious prophet who died 200 years ago. Members of the church have long held that its joseph smith. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of. Rees this comparison of joseph smith and john milton focuses on their literary output and especially the preparation each had for dictating a long religious work, in miltons case paradise lost and in smiths the book of mormon. In 1820 a 14yearold boy named joseph smith lived near palmyra, new york. Smith never said how he produced the book of mormon. Regarded by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints as holy scripture detailing gods revelation to joseph smith.
They say theres no way joseph couldve written the book of mormon. Apr 03, 2009 udv4 crip how joseph smith wrote the book of mormon how joseph smith came up with mormonism anti mormon lds byu flds kbyu jesus christ lord master savior messiah king bible cult scam fraud lies. Cowdery, who maintained throughout his life that joseph smith dictated it to him. The book contains a promise that whoever reads it sincerely, ponders its contents and asks god if it is true will receive that knowledge by the power of the holy ghost. When joseph smith ran for the presidency of the united states, he selected sidney rigdon as his running. This would seem to indicate that someone, perhaps joseph smith, copied parts of adairs book verbatim into the book of mormon. Since joseph smith was younger than most of you and not nearly so experienced or welleducated as any of you at the time he ed the book of mormon, it should not be too much to ask you to hand in by the end of the semester which will give you more time than he had a paper of, say, five. Oct 05, 2009 smith translated the writing on the plates into the book of mormon, which tells the story of the ancient people of america. The old and new testaments are compilations of books written by various authors. He examined egyptian characters copied from book of mormon and said they were true characters. Book of mormon christ is completely accepted in bible he is rejected. What follows is the story of how joseph received, translated, and published the. 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 wold get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.
Lucy mack smith, mother of the prophet joseph smith, was a committed believer in her sons divine calling. Jun 18, 2016 did joseph smith use this newly discovered book to write the book of mormon. How joseph smith and the early mormons challenged american. Questions related to the book of mormon and other items on. Why is the book of mormon written in 16th century english. Several different scribes wrote the words as joseph spoke them. It is claimed that a number of items or concepts in the book of mormon are not consistent with what is known about ancient american geography, history, or anthropology. In 1844 joseph smith declared that the book of mormon was the most correct book 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. More on joseph smiths plagiarism in the book of mormon. He arranged for them to be published as the book of mormon. Did joseph smith obtain the names cumorah and moroni from a map of the comoros islands. New theory connects a native american prophet with joseph. The book of mormon is a translation of golden tablets given to joseph smith who wrote of their account of a plan for salvation and what men must do to gain peace in this life and eternal redemption in the life to come.
His characteristic patchwork of old and new story elements resulted in. Adams wrote in the book of mormon he received, the above is the autograph of the chief of the mormons who gave me this book at nauvoo on the 15th of may 1844. In addition to joseph smith, the lord provided for eleven others to see. Popular fiction author orson scott card is a mormon and posted an article about why he as someone whose career is writing fiction does not believe that the book of mormon is a work of fiction or something joseph smith could possibly have created himself. He didnt have the time, education or wherewithal to do this. He later wrote, joseph smith, the prophet and seer of the lord, has done more, save jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. 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. Sep 11, 20 the last nephite prophet in the book of mormon circa a. Learn more about the life, writings, and legacy of joseph smith. Word print analysis compared the writing style of the book of mormon to joseph smith and spaulding and other contemporaries, and did not find a match. Joseph attended school when he was about 20 years old in harmony, pa. Actually, numerous books recounting similar ideas as those in joseph smiths book of mormon had already been published. This book is much more entertaining if you read it as a historical novel rather than trying to read it as a religious text. It tells the story of the rise and fall of a religious civilization beginning about 600 bc and ending in 421 ad.
Second edition of the book of mormon, 1837, in contemporary sheep book of mormon smith, joseph. Although ancient prophets wrote it, it did not come to us as the bible did. Joseph smith joseph smith was born in sharon, vermont, on december 23, 1805. 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. Where did joseph smith get his ideas for the book of mormon. Dave whittle, have been studying the book of mormon for over 45 years. They are not smoking gun proof that joseph wrote the book of mormon himself. Smith, joseph josephs wife emma reports that, in the late 1820s, he could neither write nor dictate a coherent and well worded letter, let alone dictate a book like the book of mormon. John milton, joseph smith, and the book of mormon byu studies. Mormon apologists will immediately recognize this as the counterpart to the socalled book of mormon challenge.
Jun 30, 2011 popular fiction author orson scott card is a mormon and posted an article about why he as someone whose career is writing fiction does not believe that the book of mormon is a work of fiction or something joseph smith could possibly have created himself. Because joseph smith was familiar with the style of the king james. It is a complex portrayal of a thousandyear history of an ancient people. Smiths death marked the end of a decisive period in mormon history, one. Prophecies about joseph smith bible references for lds. Unfortunately not many people know who he was or solomon spaudling for that matter. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints, and other denominations and sects in the lds restoration movement, teach that joseph smith was led by an angel to uncover some buried golden plates. Joseph never had a curtain drawn between him and his scribe while he. Regarded by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints as holy scripture detailing gods revelation to. Was the book of mormon influenced by the language and themes of the late war by. Book of mormon prophecies of christ specific bible prophecies veiled actually nonexistent unless scripture misquoted or prophecies stretched to have two meanings.
Later, smith was able to translate the text on these plates with the help of magical stones. John milton, joseph smith, and the book of mormon author robert a. Smith published the book of mormon in 1830 and shortly thereafter organized a small church of his first followers. John taylor, the third president of the mormon church, was with joseph in the carthage jail. John milton, joseph smith, and the book of mormon byu. The 116 lost pages contained the first portion of the book of lehi. Joseph smith, american prophet and founder of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. He also had other people helping him out with the supposed translating, which means he had other people and their ideas to help him out.
Why is the book of mormon and other lds scripture translatedwritten in 16th century english if joseph smith translated and wrote them in the mid. And, though i was an active participant in the scenes that transpired, and was present during the translation of the plates, and had cognizance of things as they transpired, it is marvelous to me, a marvel and a wonder, as much so as to any one else. Pratt, oliver cowdery, joseph smith and the witnesses who claimed they saw the plates have told me, and in all of my intimacy with joseph smith he never told. Garth norman posted by permission of ancient america foundation and the author. Charles dickens wrote the following novels in the 19th century. The book was written by ancient prophets through the spirit of prophecy and revelation. He also said smiths translation was correct, more so than any other he. Could joseph smith have written the book of mormon. Joseph smiths screw ups when he wrote the book of mormon. New york and later unearthed by joseph smith, the founder of mormonism.
Udv4 crip how joseph smith wrote the book of mormon how joseph smith came up with mormonism anti mormon lds byu flds kbyu jesus christ lord master savior messiah king bible cult scam fraud lies. It seems after reading these posts that the only possible answer is that the book of mormon happened just like joseph and others claim. The book of mormon was dictated by joseph smith to several scribes over a period of months, resulting in three manuscripts. In essence, the challenge states that the critic should produce a text of like character to the book of mormon, before he assumes that smith could have been the sole author. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to adherents, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. These phrases are identical to the phrases which describe the construction of defensive forts in chapters 4850 and 53 of the book of alma. Obviously, this was supposed to have occurred before christ came. It is a record of gods dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the americas. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon.
Be familiar with the prophet joseph smith s famous statement about the book of mormon quoted in the introduction. The book of mormon is a true volume of scripture, prophesied in. Athalia robinson, were present when that book was handed to me in mentor, ohio, and all i ever knew about the origin of the book of mormon was what parley p. What is the timeline for the accounts that they give. Jul 23, 2017 since joseph smith was younger than most of you and not nearly so experienced or welleducated as any of you at the time he ed the book of mormon, it should not be too much to ask you to hand in by the end of the semester which will give you more time than he had a paper of, say, five to six hundred pages in length. Just as the arch crumbles if the keystone is removed, so does all the church stand or fall with the truthfulness of the book of mormon. Did joseph smith s mother believe he could have written. In 1823 moroni was sent as a resurrected being to reveal the book of mormon to joseph smith and finally delivered the plates to him in 1827 the guide to the scriptures, moroni, son of mormon, 16768. Joseph smith as author of the book of mormon joseph smith was an uneducated boy, and yet he produced the book of mormon in a few short months. His father later moved the family to western new york near the town of palmyra.
May 18, 2017 suffice it to say, i was merely instructed in reading, writing, and the ground rules of arithmetic which constituted my whole literary acquirements. A new book, kingdom of nauvoo, examines joseph smiths theocratic visions. Salmon concludes that using apocryphal literature to prove the prophetic status of joseph smith is a misguided endeavor. The mormon church is for the first time publishing photos of the stone it believes founder joseph. He was baptized into the body of christ like protestants are. I cheerfully certify that i was familiar with the manner of joseph smiths translating the book of mormon.
Oct 15, 2015 adams wrote in the book of mormon he received, the above is the autograph of the chief of the mormons who gave me this book at nauvoo on the 15th of may 1844. To ask if joseph smith produced the book of mormon seems unnecessary. As with the subject of authority, the same holds true here for salvation. Smith claimed that on the night of september 21, 1823, when he was only seventeen years old, an angel appeared to. In point of fact, it would have been impossible for anyone. The book of mormon and place names from the area around joseph smiths home. Members of the church call him a prophet because, according to the traditional role of prophets recorded in the old and new testaments in the bible, he relied on revelation from god for teaching the people, and not on his own wisdom or learning. Did joseph smith use this newly discovered book to write the book of mormon. In 1820 a 14year old boy named joseph smith lived near palmyra, new york.
Having been an active mormon for 35 years, and semiactive for another seven, i feel i have a pretty good picture of the lds church, its history, and motives. 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. I believe if he had the natural talent for story telling, then he could have done so. He translated it in that style because thats how he knew sacred scripture to be. Jun 26, 2012 joseph smith could have written the book of mormon. Weve all heard the story of solomon spaulding, that he wrote several romances, and that at. Joseph smithseer stonesrock in hat used for book of. Opponents of the book have claimed that joseph smith wrote it himself, or that an accomplice such as solomon spaulding or sidney rigdon penned it and somehow transferred it to joseph smith. Several investigations and studies which set out to prove that joseph wrote the book of mormon have actua.