Joseph s plagiarism in book of mormon and other revelations. Foundation for ancient research and mormon studies, 1997. It seems that if nephi had copied them from the plates of brass in hebrew onto his own record and that if joseph smith had then received the english translation by the gift and power of god, the isaiah passages would read more like the 1830. 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 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 king james biblecritics of the book of mormon claim that major portions of it are copied, without attribution, from the bible. In our final segments with renowned joseph smith historian dan vogel, author of joseph smith. Joseph smith and the beginning of book of mormon archaeology did the prophet joseph smith in 1842 locate book of mormon lands in middle america. Oliver cowdery as book of mormon scribe religious studies. Book of mormontranslationanthon transcript fairmormon. Some critics have claimed that joseph smith created the book of mormon names cumorah and moroni by copying them from a map of the comoros islands.
Book of mormon manuscript excerpt, circa june 1829 1. The bible was recorded largely on scrolls in the old world as separate books and copied by scribes for centuries. Loose translation 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. He simply modified the king james version on the basis of raw revelation. Book of mormon plates and records the encyclopedia of. Egyptologists have viewed the drawings and found joseph smith s interpretation of them to be wrong. Learn more about the life, writings, and legacy of joseph smith.
This would seem to indicate that someone, perhaps joseph smith, copied parts of adairs book verbatim into the book of mormon. Most adherents to the latter day saint movement view the book as a work of inspired scripture. Joseph smiths plagiarism of the bible in the book of mormon pdf digital book. Josephs plagiarism in book of mormon and other revelations.
After printing and distributing copies of the book of mormon in the upstate new york region, smith gathered a small core of followers and founded the church of jesus christ of latter day saints in fayette, new. Joseph smith copied freemasonry mormon temple worship shares an extensive commonality of symbols, signs, vocabulary and clothing with freemasonry, including robes, aprons, handshakes, ritualistic raising of the arms, etc. Joseph smiths plagiarism of the bible in the book of. A major criticism of the book of mormon is that material was taken verbatim from other sources available to joseph smith at the time. Today, it added the printers manuscript of the book of. They present this as evidence that joseph smith wrote the book of mormon by plagiarizing the authorized king james version of the bible. 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. Early mormon apostle orson pratt made a statement concerning the book of mormon. There are three aspects to his work, with him acting as 1 the main scribe for joseph smith in taking down josephs dictation of the text, 2 the main copyist for producing the copy text for the 1830 printer, and 3 an assistant in various tasks involved in the printing of the 1830 edition of the book of mormon. The question of the authenticity of the book of mormon is the basis for any discussion on the truthfulness of the lds church.
This included modernizing many sentences as well as making occasional changes in doctrine. There are several theories as to the origin of the book of mormon. Jesus never asks his followers to do temple ceremonies in the bible. Messenger of the restoration joseph smith translates the gold plates another testament of jesus christ. This book contained everything joseph smith needed to create the book of mormon. Could joseph smith have written the book of mormon. David persuitte, a technical writer from virginia, wrote the first edition of this book in 1985. A young woman reads from the book of mormon while family members follow along. 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. 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. Joseph strictly used a rock in a hat for the book of mormon translation more like dictation. Lds church buys printers manuscript of book of mormon for record. At that time, joseph smith was the editor of the times and seasons. Since 1830 millions of people have read the book of mormon and have joined the church of jesus christ of latterday saints because of the book of mormons witness of the savior.
If true, it is one of the most important messages ever sent from godif false, it is one of the most cunning, wicked, bold, deeplaid impositions ever palmed. Smith published the book of mormon in 1830 and shortly thereafter organized a small church of his first followers. Some years later, joseph unearthed golden plates on a local hillside, and these plates would later be translated as the book of mormon. This year we will be studying the book of mormon as part of the come, follow me curriculum. Six criteria can demonstrate the presence of similarity or distinctiveness amon. The book of mormon is a 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. The spalding manuscriptcritics claim that joseph smith either plagiarized or relied upon a manuscript by solomon spaulding to write the book of mormon. Twentyseven chapters in the kjv of the bible are repeated almost verbatim in the 239 chapters of the book of mormon. Would you respond to the theories that the book of mormon is based.
The mormon church hoped the book of abraham would vindicate joseph smith as a true prophet of god. The focus is always on joseph smith and why he did this and why he did that but it is not about joseph smith but it is about god and. Founder of the largest indigenous christian church in american history, joseph smith published the 584page book of mormon when he was 23 and went on to organize a church, found cities, and attract thousands of followers before his violent death at age 38. According to smiths account and the books narrative, the book of mormon was originally written in otherwise unknown characte. Lds church history documents that their mormon founder, joseph smith, lied to a large group of people about his having multiple wives. The book of mormon the keystone of the church is unquestionably the book of mormon. As a result, joseph smiths contribution to the history of american creativity has been neglected. Joseph smith copied three drawings from the egyptian scrolls, labeled them facsimile no. Im now on android and miss stanza aldiko is almost as good.
Although ancient prophets wrote it, it did not come to us as the bible did. Several investigations and studies which set out to prove that joseph wrote the book of mormon have actua. The evidence for ancient origins, edited by noel b. 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. He had two years with this book before publishing the book of abraham. What a thing it is for a man to be accused of committing adultery, and having seven wives, when i can. The problem with deuteroisaiah, however, is that we now have an example where joseph smith not only copied source material, but copied material that has no place in the book of mormon. When he was 24, smith published the book of mormon. Joseph smith writes the word of wisdom, the book of mormon, or the book of abraham in 2018. 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. Besides the extensive list of parallels between the bible and the book of mormon, this book. Somebody might have an 1841 copy of the book of mormon with the name joseph smith engraved on it and not realize it was his personal copy. How the book of abraham exposes the false nature of mormonism. The translation of the gold plates is called the book of mormon.
Brief background of my life as a mormon leaving mormonism and some experiences as a mormon history of joseph smith book of mormon book of abraham the temple church members. Item x that joseph smith copied into the book of mormon lehi dream item y. Most scholars of the book of mormon believe that js and cowdery translated the portion from mosiah to moroni first, and the portion from the first book of nephi to words of mormon second. How the book of abraham exposes the false nature of.
Another testament of jesus christ behold, i am jesus christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world 3 nephi 11. Priests book was cited as evidence for the book of mormon. Joseph smith copied characters from the book of mormon plates and martin harris carried them back east. 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. Joseph smith said 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, history of the church, vol. 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. Now, a decade and a half later, persuitte has added many more facts in this, the 325page second edition. To order this book directly from amazon, click here. Or, a faithful account of that singular imposition and delusion, from its rise to the present time. Joseph had no need to justify having ancient records in his translation of the bible. Much can be known about the coming forth of the english text of the book. Emma smiths copy of the book of mormon found joseph. Joseph smiths plagiarism of the bible in the book of mormon. Joseph smith and the origins of the book of mormon 2nd edition and also in kindle.
Joseph smith used an instrument in translating the book of mormon called urim. The most common belief of adherents is that promoted by joseph smith, who. The primary reason is that the book of mormon is not real history. In 1827, moroni returned as an angel and delivered the gold plates to joseph smith, who translated them through the power of god. Both faiths treasure the document, which is the most complete copy of the original manuscript of the book of mormon dictated by joseph smith.
Today, it added the printers manuscript of the book of mormon and pictures of the seer stone joseph. Ran across an interesting quote about swedenborg and. Dec 23, 2015 mormons hoped the rediscovery and retranslation would validate the book of abraham and josephs ability to translate the book of mormon. According to his history, js obtained the on 22 september 1827 in, new york, and returned them to an after he finished the book of mormon, about the end of june 1829. The copy owned by joseph smith is currently in the library of the reorganized church in independence, missouri. If the primary purpose of the book of mormon were to function as a sign as tangible evidence that joseph smith was a true prophet of god that mission could have been page 180 accomplished much more concisely a longer tome might be more impressive to some, but it would put off other.
Last week, the joseph smith papers published the records of joseph smiths legal trials. There is a small group of critics who hold to the theory that the production of the book of mormon was a conspiracy involving sidney rigdon, joseph smith, oliver cowdery and others. 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. If joseph smith had copied from voth, would he have risked drawing attention to it by publicly quoting from a book which contained extracts from it. Book of mormon manuscript excerpt, circa june 1829 1 nephi 2.
More on joseph smiths plagiarism in the book of mormon. On average one of every nine chapters in the book of mormon is copied from the bible. Antimormons suggest joseph smith copied the book of abraham from the book of jasher. I have written a short answer to this question before but i believe a longer more involved answer is appropriate. 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. Joseph smith, american prophet and founder of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. If there were no nephites, then there was no one to make the plates, bury the plates, or appear to joseph smith to reveal the plates. In many other cases, joseph smith made minor word changes or additions. Joseph smith is often accused of creating the book of mormon by. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. Did joseph smith copy the book of abraham from the book. In a times and seasons editorial, october 1, 1842, the prophet joseph smith, after.
What are 1769 kjv edition errors doing in book of mormon. Jss history added that he was commanded not to show the plates to anyone. With sketches of the characters of its propagators, and a full detail of the manner in which the famous golden bible was brought before the world. Ran across an interesting quote about swedenborg and joseph.
See, for example, welch, opening the heavens, 100101, 115117. The painting joseph smith receives the gold plates by artist kenneth riley. This was originally written as a letter to a friend, a mormon, who wanted to know why i left mormonism. The book is also evidence that joseph smith was a prophet of. It seems that if nephi had copied them from the plates of brass in hebrew onto his own record and that if joseph smith had then received the english translation by the gift and power of god, the isaiah passages would read more like the 1830 book of mormon and less. And to complicate matters further, it also calls into question joseph smiths prophetic abilities that he did not know the texts copied were not available to lehi. Joseph smith s plagiarism of the bible in the book of mormon pdf digital book. Could joseph smith have authored the book of mormon. The photos also revealed that joseph smith had personally signed the book and adams had documented the receipt on the same page underneath joseph smith s name. Richard bushman, an esteemed cultural historian and a practicing mormon, moves beyond the. December 23, 1805 june 27, 1844 was an american religious leader and founder of mormonism and the latter day saint movement. Mormon abridged this record in his plates, and joseph smith translated it, but since it was lost by martin harris, very little is now known about it except what can be inferred from references in other texts brown, pp. 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. There is no question that the isaiah passages in the book of mormon are in the language of the king james translation of the bible.
Garth norman posted by permission of ancient america foundation and the author. Mormons hoped the rediscovery and retranslation would validate the book of abraham and josephs ability to translate the book of mormon. Isaiah in the book of mormon religious studies center. Noah had cursed ham, stating that canaan, the son of ham, should be a servant of servants unto his brethren. 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. In his mormonism unvailed, howe argued that joseph smith did not possess. This book is called the view of the hebrews and was written in 1823 and republished in 1825. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates. Its clear then that joseph smith copied freemasonry. Regarded by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints as holy scripture detailing gods revelation to joseph smith. Aug 05, 2015 last week, the joseph smith papers published the records of joseph smiths legal trials. Who helped joseph smith translate the book of mormon. 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. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi.
It is also claimed that joseph smith copied the name nephi from the apocrypha. He didnt have the time, education or wherewithal to do this. Only by the fourth century after jesus christ were. Joseph describes how between december 1827 and february 1828, i commenced copying the characters off the plates. Even the book of mormon, which joseph smith said was the most correct book on earth, never even mentions temple ceremonies. Ran across an interesting quote about swedenborg the kindle app is nice, but try stanza. 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. These two books were connected by the man who said he was divinely gifted as a translator. Jan 19, 2020 the initial argument by the critics that the book of mormon was manmade was based on the premise that joseph smith was too unlearned and ignorant to write such a comprehensive work and therefore someone allegedly much more intelligent than he, such as sidney rigdon or oliver cowdery, must have authored it.
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