Book of mormon authorship theories

We are excited to welcome back preeminent joseph smith historian dan vogel to mormon stories podcast. Part 3 presents textual studies that demonstrate the plausibility of the book of mormon as an ancient book, and part 4 updates scholars attempts to understand the ancient cultural and. Smith and orson hyde visited conneaut, ohio, and preached from the book of mormon. The sidney rigdon theory of book of mormon authorship. The view of the hebrews theory of book of mormon authorship the sidney rigdon theory of book of mormon authorship.

The book of mormon never claims that the people it describes were either the only or even the predominant inhabitants of america. Multiple witnesses had a motive to contradict their earlier testimony, but none did. Spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship. 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. Mormon stories february, 2019 book of mormon, church history, joseph smith 9 comments continuing our discussion with preeminent joseph smith historian dan vogel, we dive deep into explaining the authorship of the book of mormon including these topics. The book of mormon does not contradict the land bridge migration theory. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon.

Byu studies, naturalistic explanations of the origin of the book of mormon. Book of mormonauthorship theoriesspalding manuscript. In these episodes, we continue our deep dive into explaining the authorship of the book of mormon including these topics. Many book of mormon research projects have implications for the continuing issues surrounding the authorship of the book of mormon. Timeline and mechanics for dictating the book of mormon 10681069. Most latterday saints are aware of a minor industry in certain religious circles in the united states devoted to refuting mormonism and to criticizing the book of mormon. The hill cumorah in ontario county ny is the hill where joseph smith found the golden plates and is the same hill where the civilizations of the nephites cumorah and the jaredites ramah fought their last battles. The evidence for ancient origins, edited by noel b.

Their mutually supporting conclusions should therefore be taken seriously by anyone assessing questions of book of mormon authorship. Additionally rigdon, who was a preacher, weaved his own religious views into the story. Book of mormonauthorship theoriesview of the hebrews. Who really wrote the book of mormon the critics and. The extensive use of the phrase it came to pass in the book of mormon across all of the books, i believe, suggest a single author.

Apr 22, 2016 skeptics have put forth several theories of book of mormon authorship that do not require believing in golden plates delivered by angels and translated by a miracle. Book of mormonauthorship theoriesoverview fairmormon. Dan vogel theories of book of mormon authorship pt. Book of mormon author theories refuted fair mormon. Joseph smith as the sole author, without intentional assistance, possibly reflecting smiths own life events. Dan vogel the book of mormon as revelation instead of translation 10701071. One of the earliest theories of book of mormon authorship was that joseph plagiarized the unpublished manuscript of a novel written by the reverend solomon spalding. One of the earliest theories was that the book of mormon was based on a manuscript by solomon spaulding also spelled spalding, a fictional story about early inhabitants of america.

Once we have a foundational testimony of the book of mormon, then. Book of mormon secular authorship theories usually fall into one of the following categories. One can easily see from the chart the dramatic difference between book of mormon authors and the contemporary authors of the bible. Book of mormon authorship the encyclopedia of mormonism. Mormon stories february, 2019 book of mormon, church. Since the book of mormon s publication in 1830, a number of different theories have been proposed concerning its authorship. Nov 01, 2016 as a result, if the book of mormon can be proved to be manmade, then the church is manmade. Wilfred griggs, the book of mormon as an ancient book, in book of mormon authorship. What can stylometry tell us about book of mormon authorship. The theory first appeared in print in the book mormonism unvailed sic, published in 1834 by e. Having exhausted the more bizarre and byzantine explanations of the coming forth of the book of mormon written by joseph smith, plagiarized from solomon spaulding or ethan smith, written by oliver cowdery or sidney rigdon, dictated under the spell of epileptic seizures, etc. Having first been developed in the 1850s, stylometry seeks to find the wordprint of a text.

A short history, journal of the book of mormon and other restoration scripture 21, no. Tvedtnes, colophons in the book of mormon, in rediscovering the book of mormon, ed. The 15 essays in book of mormon authorship revisited present the latest research by lds scholars on the question in an effort to demonstrate that the weight of scholarly evidence is on the side of authenticity. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. Most adherents to the latter day saint movement view the book as a work of inspired scripture. A foundational premise of the jockers study was that the once prominent, though long discarded, spauldingridgon theory of book of mormon authorship might actually be valid. Bruce schaalje, stylometric analyses of the book of mormon. The abundance of skeptical theories about who wrote the book of mormon has led many scholars to seek scientific data to discover the answer. 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. In fact, clues in its text hint at the presence of other groups book of mormon and dna studies. Dan vogel the book of mormon witnesses and the magical worldview. The contributions concerning the recovery of the book of mormon bushman, the original manuscript skousen, the critical theories on who wrote the book of mormon. The solomon spaulding manuscript theory of book of mormon authorship. November 27, 2017 what can stylometry tell us about book of.

Book of mormon scholarship, theories, and folklore brant a. Also, if its called the spaldingrigdon theory, its not even consistent. Since the book of mormon was first published, many have been unwilling to accept joseph smiths account of how it was produced. Theorized usage of spaldings work in book of mormon main article.

Since the book of mormons publication in 1830, a number of different theories have been proposed concerning its authorship. Spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship wikipedia. Theories about the authorship of the book of mormon have sprouted ever since the rumors of the books existence reached the public in palmyra, new york. Joseph smith wrote the book on his own by plagiarizing works that were available to him. He is the author of several books and articles discussing the text of the book of mormon and ancient mesoamerica. Scholars today have varying theories about the true authorship of the book of mormon, but most conclude that smith composed the book himself, possibly with the help of oliver cowdery and sidney rigdon, drawing from information and publications available in his time, including the king james bible, the wonders of nature, and view of the hebrews. There are differing views on the origin of the book of mormon. A readers guide, have attempted to move the discussion away from polemics to an appreciation for the book. Isaiah in the book of mormon religious studies center. It has no connection with the spaulding manuscript. King james style despite the book of mormon being published in 1830, its narrative attempts to employ the antiquated english style of the early modern era, as though to make it read more like the king james version of the bible published in 1611. Here is a brief overview regarding the authorship of isaiah.

In contrast the larsen, hilton, and fields studies each produced sound results. Smith translated the text from the writings of ancient prophets, while critics have endlessly recycled inadequate theories of plagiarism or co authorship. The theory first appeared in print in the book mormonism unvailed, published in 1834 by e. The spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship is the theory that the book of mormon was plagiarized in part from an unpublished manuscript. Unconventional book of mormon geography theories mormon matters. Theories that the book of mormon essentially wrote itself with no help. One can, however, definitively refute false claims as well as give evidence in support of the divine theory. These theories represent extremes in a range of possibilities. In the first essay i discussed why authorship of the book of mormon is important, how bias affects the analysis, and i critiqued some of the major authorship theories. New light on ancient origins, published in 1982 by byus religious studies center and also edited by noel reynolds. A longitudinal study the spalding theory of book of mormon authorship.

Book of mormonauthorship theoriesautomatic writing. There are several theories as to the origin of the book of mormon. It is about proving the ancient origins of the book of mormon. The heartland model or heartland theory of book of mormon geography states that the book of mormon events primarily occurred in the heartland of north america. In the contributors view, one cannot prove scientifically that ancient prophets wrote the book of mormon. An overview of secular authorship theories for the book of mormon jump to subtopic. The idea is that sidney rigdon got a hold of the manuscript and used it to author the book of mormon. An introduction to the relevance of and a methodology for a study of the proper names of the book of mormon. Midgley, who really wrote the book of mormon the critics and their theories, in noel b. In this and a companion essay i provide an analysis of the two prevalent authorship theories for the book of mormon. The person who proposes this idea, scott dunn, gives us the following definition of automatic writing. This theory says much of the story of the book of mormon was plagiarized from an unpublished manuscript written by solomon spalding. Midgley has pointed out that alternate theories on the authorship of the book fall into four main categories.

Dec 12, 2017 since the book of mormons publication in 1830, a number of different theories have been proposed concerning its authorship. A readers guide, have attempted to move the discussion away from polemics to an appreciation for the books. Apr 20, 2009 unconventional book of mormon geography theories mormon heretic april 20, 2009 book of mormon, geography, historicity, lamanites, mormon 342 comments its been over a year since someone posted something on book of mormon geography, so i think its about time. On the other hand, if its origin is godgiven, then joseph smith was a prophet, and if he was a prophet, then the church of jesus christ of latterday saints is true. In it, the author followed up on indications previously published in ohiobased newspapers that a man named solomon spalding was the real and unwitting originator of the book of mormon this is in contrast to some lds apologists who claim that the author simply. Who really wrote the book of mormon the critics and their. The book of mormon as an ancient book religious studies center. Authorship of the book of isaiah in light of the book of mormon. There are no records which indicate that joseph smith came into contact with the view of the hebrews during the period of time that he was translating the book of mormon. New light on ancient origins, religious studies monograph series vol. Some publications that support larsen, rencher, and laytons work, besides those referenced in nn. In light of the growing body of significant insights into the antiquity of the book of mormon, this volume refreshes, updates, and extends the. Book of mormon central, what can stylometry tell us about book of mormon authorship.

This is a followup to my article, joseph smith and the american renaissance, published in dialogue. Any book of mormon authorship theory needs to adequately explain the trends related to the three voice nsl model, specifically 1 the difference between n and s, focusing on the first half of the bom where the distinction is most pure and 2 the l. Some mormon scholars, like grant hardy, who wrote understanding the book of mormon. In terms of literary style, theme, and vocabulary, the book of. Dan vogel theories of book of mormon authorship mormon stories february, 2019 book of mormon, church history, joseph smith 7 comments we are excited to welcome back preeminent joseph smith historian dan vogel to mormon stories podcast. In this episode, laura harris hales interviews brant a. They are the socalled spaldingrigdon theory and the smithassole author theory. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 1982, 75102.

Is it possible that a single author wrote the book of mormon. Proposed book of mormon geographical setting wikipedia. Apr 23, 2020 the problem with all theories of the book of mormons authorship that include a prolonged composition period is that there were many witnesses to at least parts of the translation process, all of whom point to a short production period. Though these varieties of objections and theories are still defended in many quarters, they are not supported by modern authorship studies and. The prevailing theory of the day was the spalding theory, which quickly lost credibility upon the discovery of an actual spalding manuscript in 1884 which bore no resemblance to the book of mormon. In isaiah in the book of mormon, edited by donald w. Many reject joseph smiths claims that he received and translated the book of mormon through divine direction and assistance. The spalding rigdon theory was first given wide publicity in 1834 with the publication of the book mormonism unvailed. For those who have read the earlier work, revisited is an excellent complement. Members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints view the book of mormon as scripture written by ancient prophets, while critics believe that it is a 19thcentury fraud. The view of the hebrews theory of book of mormon authorship. Foundation for ancient research and mormon studies, 1997, 2, note 18. Book of mormon authorship revisited is a sequel to book of mormon authorship. The spalding rigdon 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.

A closer look, nearly sixteen years ago, his ideas in regard to book of mormon structure, content, and authorship have received widespread notice both within and without the latter day saint community. Vernal holleys book of mormon authorship annotated. A study in colophons, headers, and source indicators, journal of book of mormon studies 22 1993. Those who do not accept the book of mormon as scripture offer many theories about its origin. The book of mormon narrative is full of absurdities that demonstrate its a work of fiction. Skeptics have put forth several theories of book of mormon authorship that do not require believing in golden plates delivered by angels and translated by a miracle. The solomon spaulding manuscript theory of book of mormon authorship the dartmouth university connections to the book of mormon the view of the hebrews theory of book of. Debunking 5 myths about the book of mormon lds living. Remember also, that the book of mormon, unlike the bible, was supposedly written on golden plates. Joseph smith wrote the book on his own, without assistance and with full knowledge. The pivotal point to prove is if the book of mormon was written by the people of a long time ago who resided on the american continent, or, by joseph smith in the nineteenth century, us. Spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship in 1832, latter day saint missionaries samuel h.

This book is a collection of scholastic works mostly from brigham young scholars. The most common belief of adherents is that promoted by joseph smith, who said he translated ancient golden plates inscribed by prophets. Pratt as key players in the authorship of the book. I also summarized 24 pieces of evidence, pointing to sidney rigdon as a key contributor and likely mastermind for the 1830 version of the book of mormon. In order to help shed light on this issue, several studies have relied upon a type of analysis called stylometry. What authorship theories are proposed by nonbelievers to account for the authorship of the book of mormon. For example, the opening now says the spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship is the story that the book of mormon was plagiarized. The dartmouth university connections to the book of mormon. Authorship theories for the book of mormon an overview of secular authorship theories for the book of mormon. This video discusses all of the main theories critics try and point to for alternative ways the book of mormon could be produced and how these. Timeline and mechanics for dictating the book of mormon.

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. Deuteroisaiah in book of mormon general discussions. Oct 27, 2019 this video discusses all of the main theories critics try and point to for alternative ways the book of mormon could be produced and how these arguments fall apart when the details are explored. Rencher, and tim layton published the first complete analysis of the book of mormon using the then adolescent tool of computerized stylometry, or wordprinting. Book of mormon video soundtrack various artists full album duration. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 1982. The theory the joseph smith plagiarized view of the hebrews was never advanced during his lifetime. At least one critic of the book of mormon attempts to explain the complexity of the book by suggesting that joseph smith wrote it using a process called automatic writing or spirit writing. Joseph smith, the book of mormon, and the american. The solomon spaulding manuscript theory of book of mormon authorship the dartmouth university connections to the book of mormon the view of the hebrews theory of book. Dan vogel the book of mormon as revelation instead of translation. Sep 29, 2011 i am curious as to how mormons deal with fact that the book of mormon contains chapters of deuteroisaiah e. Foundation for ancient research and mormon studies, 1997. Using computerized text and powerful statistical techniques, they were able to establish that the different sections of the book of mormon were authored by different people and that none was authored by joseph smith, sidney rigdon, oliver cowdery, or other 19th.