Latterday saints believe that the book of mormon contains. It seems after reading these posts that the only possible answer is that the book of mormon happened just like joseph and others claim. Actually, all that became obvious was the failure of both believers and unbelievers to cite much specific evidence. Spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading i wrote the book of mormon. There are several theories as to the origin of the book of mormon. Or was the book really derived from solomon spalding. Authors or sources of the original ancient records. They saw, understood, and spoke to us in the last days.
Creators of south park defend their broadway debut, book of. Howe suggested, basing himself on witnesses collected by doctor hurlbut, that the book of. Critics claim that joseph smith did not actually translate ancient plates into. Criticism of mormonismbookswho really wrote the book of. The first author was the prophet nephi, who left jerusalem with his family in about 600 bc and sailed to the americas. The bible was recorded largely on scrolls in the old world as separate books and copied by scribes for centuries. According to the prophet joseph smith, the titlepage of the book of mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the collection or book of plates, which contained the record which has been translated, the language of the whole running the same as all hebrew writing in general.
The book of mormon is actually a collection of histories passed down from one writer to another. May 19, 2019 the bom is not a translation joseph smith claimed that he translated the text of the book of mormon from gold plates through the urim and thummin by the power of the holy spirit. The recording for the album took place over three days, with the orchestra recording for one and the cast recording for another. The work in question is who really wrote the book of mormon. Jun 16, 2018 in who really wrote the book of mormon. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 1982, 3352. As joseph smith, the founder of the rapidly growing church of jesus christ of latterday saints mormon. As a coauthor of the 1977 work who really wrote the book of mormon. With oliver on the scene they were able to progress quickly.
Mormons believe that the book of mormon contains the fulness of jesus christs gospel see joseph smithhistory 1. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates. It was prepared by the hand of the lord over a period of more than a thousand years by seers who were writing and speaking to future readers. Davis as a coauthor of the original version of who really wrote the book of mormon. Welch, chiasmus in the book of mormon, in book of mormon authorship. The theory is that a spalding manuscript was stolen by sidney rigdon, who used. 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. Nephi passed the record to his younger brother jacob, who gave it to his son enos. The first author was the prophet nephi, who left jerusalem with. Later, the prophet joseph smith, by the gift and power of. Most adherents to the latter day saint movement view the book as a work of inspired scripture. Chiasmus in the book of mormon religious studies center.
Lest anyone be misled, this is a scholarly undertaking, not a religious work. There are differing views on the origin of the book of mormon. Variations of this theory only include that the text is a divinely inspired narrative, regardless of. Moreover, previous stylometric studies have demonstrated that none of the 19th century writers usually suspected of authoring the book of mormon have writing samples that match any of its distinct styles. Some mormon scholars, like grant hardy, who wrote understanding the book of mormon. Who wrote the 1981 introduction to the book of mormon.
It attempted to prove that natives had descended from the ancient israelites. Criticism of mormonismbookswho really wrote the book of mormon. But perhaps the most glaring problem with this book is that the title claims i wrote the book of mormon, and calls it a confession of sidney rigdonand there is no confession from rigdon at allnot in any way, shape, or formpresented in this book. It was written to show what great things the lord does for his children, to explain his covenants, and to convince all people that jesus is the christ see the title page of the book of mormon. Some have wondered, though, if the book of mormons different styles are in any way unique or impressive. The theory first appeared in print in the book mormonism unvailed, published in 1834 by e. This oct 1981 ensign article published about the new edition to the book of mormon says as always, inspired direction came from the scriptures publication committee of the quorum of the twelve. Having read tens of thousands of pages of material, pro and con, here in a nutshell is my current \best guess\, included with a preface that i don\t care what anyone has to \refute\ my position. The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to the book of mormon. Not from the book of mormon, which is, as yet, a sealed book to him. He was, however, prone to make silly mistakes, such as. Ethan wrote best seller, with 2 editions, view of the hebrews.
According to the book of mormon itself, numerous prophets whose lives cover a period of over a thousand years wrote the book. This book critically examines key historical documents, personal testimonies, and records of 19thcentury mormon history concluding that the book of mormon is an adaptation of an obscure historical novel written by revolutionary war veteran solomon spalding during the war of 1812. As with most scripture, however, claims to historical authenticity remain a central issue. For nearly two centuries, faithful members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds.
This blog post is the first of several about the writers and the construction of the book of mormon. For south park creators trey parker and matt stone, nothing is off limits. The greatest event recorded in the book is the account of jesus christs visit to the americas after his death and resurrection. Its first edition was published in 1823 and was very popular in the area where joseph smith lived. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. A readers guide, have attempted to move the discussion away from polemics to an appreciation for the books narrative complexities. The premise of the authors research is that the book of mormon was lifted from a historical novel by solomon spaulding. Book of mormon, work accepted as holy scripture, in addition to the bible, in the church of jesus christ of latterday saints and other mormon churches. The spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship is the theory that the book of mormon was plagiarized in part from an unpublished manuscript written by solomon spalding.
I\ve read both sides many times over, and i can argue the pro mormon side just as easily as the no mormon side, with the prime diference being. Critics claim that joseph smith did not actually translate ancient plates into the book of mormon, but rather wrote the book. Variations of this theory only include that the text is a divinely inspired narrative, regardless of its. The book of mormon is another testament of jesus christ. Ancient prophets, historians, and leaders engraved their testimonies and history on golden plates. The book of mormon is a musical comedy with music, lyrics and book by trey parker, robert lopez, and matt stone first staged in 2011, the play is a satirical examination of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints beliefs and practices that ultimately endorses the positive power of love and service. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of. In the history of the church, joseph smith made an important clarification about the title page of the book of mormon i wish also to mention here, that the title page of the book of mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the collection or book of plates, which contained the record which has been translated. This blog says that bruce r mcconkie wrote it, but there is no source to back that up. His cousin oliver cowedery shows up who is well educated and a member of ethan smiths congregration. March 25, 2011 although the broadway musical, the book of mormon, is edgy and controversial, its creators, matt stone and trey parker. Who really wrote the book of mormon is a great book which gives undeniable evidence to the origin of the book of mormon. Many writers contributed to the book of mormon as ive stated earlier the purpose of my blog is to bear my witness that the book of mormon is another witness of jesus christ.
May 30, 2012 the spalding enigma did an angel of god in the late 1820s really give 18yearold con artist joseph smith mormon bible, as he claimed. Recent research demonstrates that its diversity of styles is unusually high, even greater than the combined. Note that even this accusation doesnt state rigdon wrote the book of mormon, but that it was by solomon spaulding. Apr 22, 2016 not from the book of mormon, which is, as yet, a sealed book to him. Sidney rigdon, the confession of an apostate kindle edition by rigdon, john c download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The book of mormon is the keystone of our religion. Oct 31, 2012 some mormon scholars, like grant hardy, who wrote understanding the book of mormon. The spalding enigma did an angel of god in the late 1820s really give 18yearold con artist joseph smith mormon bible, as he claimed. Parker and stone were best known for creating the animated comedy south park. The mormon church teaches that the book of mormon was written by a series of ancient people, the first of whom was nephi, and that it was finally redacted and compiled by mormon.
Roberts concluded, assuming a hemispheric geography theory for the book of mormon, sufficient parallels existed that future critics could claim that view of the hebrews had provided a. To date, the combined data from several valid stylometric studies on the book of mormon have demonstrated that it has multiple, distinct writing styles and that those styles are consistent with the authors designated within the text itself. Roberts authored a manuscript titled studies of the book of mormon, comparing the content of the book of mormon with view of the hebrews. 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. Lets say that joseph smith wrote the book of mormon. The book of mormon, which they wrote with robert lopez avenue. Preface to book of mormon, circa august 1829, page iii. The spalding enigma part 2 did an angel of god in the late 1820s really give 18yearold con artist joseph smith the mormon bible, as he claimed. The book of mormon was named best musical theater album at the 2012 grammy awards. And youll notice that he never quoted from it in his speeches. Solomon spalding wrote a document now called the spalding manuscript. Explorations in critical methodology, edited by brent lee metcalf.
Later, the prophet joseph smith, by the gift and power of god. Although ancient prophets wrote it, it did not come to us as the bible did. In his book studies of the book of mormon, roberts concluded that joseph smith had sufficient imagination and was capable of producing the book of mormon even though he had little formal education. Behold, i speak unto you as if ye were present, mormon wrote mormon 8. Book of mormon sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. Miraculous origins theories generally accept joseph smiths own account, that he translated an ancient record compiled and abridged by mormon, a precolumbian resident of the western hemisphere. Recent research demonstrates that its diversity of styles is unusually high, even.
Lots of answers here with an incredible amount of evidence. The book of mormon is a musical comedy with music, lyrics and book by trey parker, robert lopez, and matt stone. Spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship wikipedia. There was such a plethora of names, dates, and so forth that it was a little hard to follow sometimes, though because of frequent repetition throughout, i did in the end still get a good grasp of.
Is it possible that a single author wrote the book of mormon. Jan 16, 2018 previous studies have shown that the book of mormon contains multiple distinct writing styles and that those styles are consistent with the authors designated in the text itself. Threeandonehalf centuries after the birth of christ, mormon realized that his writing would soon come to an end, but he was shown in vision that a later people would profit from it. Who really wrote the book of mormon part 2 youtube. Joseph smith translated the plates into english by the gift and power of god, and the book of mormon was published in palmyra, new york, in 1830. The spalding enigma by wayne cowdery, howard davis, and donald scales summary. Could joseph smith have written the book of mormon. Howard davis and arthur vanick, recently published by concordia, the highly respected publishing arm of the lutheran church missouri synod. A readers guide, have attempted to move the discussion away from polemics to an appreciation for the books. The book of mormon is evidence that joseph smith is a prophet of god and that the gospel of jesus christ has been restored to the earth see the introduction. Parker, lopez, and stone wrote the musical progressively over a period of six years, beginning in 2004. In the 1950s, elder legrand richardss book a marvelous work and a wonder provided the template for missionary discussions, despite the fact that it was a collection of biblical proof texts that scarcely referenced any book of mormon passages at all.
The title page of the book of mormon published today contains the wo. Those who were not so convinced insisted that it obviously read like anything but a hebrew text. Nephi passed the record to his younger brother jacob, who gave it. He is also titular head of the spalding research associates. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. In 1975, after teaming up with howard davis and several others to conduct further research, he joined with dr. It was a book he wrote to try to sell, to make money for his family.
In fact, there is no proof presented in this book that rigdon wrote the book of mormon. This book attempted to revive the moribund spalding manuscript theory for the book of mormon. So, if youre wanting a book about sidney rigdon, dont waste your money on this book like i did. Later, the prophet joseph smith, by the gift and power of god, translated an abridgment of those original plates. I\ve read both sides many times over, and i can argue the promormon side just as easily as the nomormon side, with the prime diference being. Ever since the book of mormon was first published in 1830, its origins have been disputed. Mormon claims and the inability to supply sufficent evidence to back up those claims is easily understood after reading this book. The book of mormon was written anciently for our day. An american, james adair, wrote a book a history of the american indians in 1775. The theory first appeared in print in the book mormonism unvailed sic, published in 1834 by e. The mormon church teaches that the book of mormon was written by a series of ancient people, the first of whom was nephi, and that it was finally redacted and compiled by.