The book of mormon, joseph smith, and birth of christ. Many concepts from the book of mormon are present in this book notably 2000 stripling warriors, a liahonalike description of a metal device, the freeman movement, rod of iron, standard of liberty, brass plates, cataclysmic earthquakes followed by great darkness, chiasmus, and many, many more. December 23, 1805 june 27, 1844 was the founder of the latter day saint movement, also known as mormonism, and an important religious and political figure during the 1830s and 1840s. The process of translating the book of mormon was an education for joseph smith, and the book was central to the prophets understanding of the doctrines of the gospel and of his role in the restoration. Now, a decade and a half later, persuitte has added many more facts in this, the 325page second edition. When he was 24, smith published the book of mormon. It is well researched and very enlightening and a must read for those who are willing to accept the words of joseph and other prophets at face value.
From the approximate book of mormon translation timeline. December 23, 1805 june 27, 1844 was an american religious leader and founder of mormonism and the latter day saint movement. On that morning, joseph had reached 3 nephi 11 in the rapid process of translating the book of mormon. Joseph smith received a revelation to sell the of the book of mormon in canada for the purpose of furthering the missionary work. And now we wish to honor you with the story of joseph smith, the american moses. Fourteen centuries later, in 1823, the angel moroni led joseph smith to the plates hidden in a hillside in upstate new york. If joseph smith was a prophet, then the church of jesus christ of latter day saints is the same church that christ established while he was on the earth. Mar 28, 2011 a motion picture about the life and legacy of joseph smith, the founding prophet of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints who translated the book of mormon. Midgley has pointed out that alternate theories on the authorship of the book fall into four main categories. 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. There is little about him in the bible mormons, members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints often mistakenly called the mormon church, have more about enoch, found in the book of moses in the pearl of great price. Smith had received a revelation from god, first through an angel, and then through a book inscribed on golden plates.
Joseph smith translates some of the characters himself. For example, while the church was headquartered in nauvoo, joseph read a bestselling book of his day by john l. The text of the revelation was published in the the joseph smith papers. Book of mormon by joseph smith, first edition abebooks. Skeptics have put forth several theories of book of. Is it possible for the same person to be an israelite by birth and yet be considered a gentile. Joseph smith was only 23 years old when he dictated the book of mormon, and had about 7 years of formal education, with almost all of that homeschooled. This ring, according to the storyline, made an indentation on the golden plates containing the book of mormon. Smith also asserted that john the baptist appeared to him while he was translating the book of mormon and instructed him to restore the church by preaching the true gospel. The book of mormon came to ephraim, for joseph smith was a pure ephraimite, and the book of mormon was revealed to him. David persuitte, a technical writer from virginia, wrote the first edition of this book in 1985.
Rather, they brandished the book as tangible proof of joseph smiths divine. 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 joseph smith and the early mormons challenged american. If the book of mormon is true, then joseph smith was a prophet. Many reject joseph smiths claims that he received and translated the book of mormon through divine direction and assistance. The signature of joseph smith in the book of mormon. The book of mormon is one of the most influential, as well as controversial, religious documents in american history, and is regarded as sacred scripture by followers around the world, including members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Original broadway cast recording joseph smith american moses performed by nikki m james and the company. Emma hale smith, and perhaps her brother reuben hale, help as scribes for a portion of the book. New joseph smith papers volume gives window into the nauvoo. 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.
Near fine, with previous owner name in ink on front free flyleaf and corners gently bumped. I betook myself to prayer and supplication to almighty god. The book of mormon is another testament of jesus christ. October 1st is the anniversary of a little known event in early church history that i believe, in consequence of significant research progress, now deserves recognition for identifying a region of major book of mormon lands and for initiating book of mormon archaeological historicity research. That is, accepting the translation of the book of mormon as joseph said it was done, as opposed to how others claim it was done. Joseph smith sees a vision of god and jesus christ. In nauvoo, illinois, smith established a theocracy, ran for president, and tested the limits of religious freedom. In 1844, charles francis adams and his cousin josiah quincy, jr. This conviction was four years before he published the book of mormon. Joseph smith said that the book of mormon translation was performed by the gift and power of god the lost 116 pages of the book of mormon manuscript. The text of the actual revelation was recently discovered and published in the joseph smith papers. New joseph smith papers volume published book of mormon. Why did the book of mormon originally say that joseph smith.
Joseph had never published book or story or anything that we know of. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Smith was the founding prophet and first president of the church. Book of mormon manuscripts the joseph smith papers. Palmyra, known as swifts landing and tolland before being renamed palmyra, 1796.
The church never taught that joseph smith was illiterate. Pre1830 works that possibly influenced the book of mormon a list of books available in joseph smiths time written about topics present in the book of mormon. One of the interesting questions i like to pose to faithful latterday saints is this. In 1827, smith began to gather a religious following after announcing that an angel had shown him a set of golden plates describing a visit of jesus to the indigenous peoples of. Fulfillment of isaiah 11 signifies that we are in the last days, and. 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 the most correct of any book on earth, joseph smith stated, and the keystone of our religion. Book of mormon, 1830, page iii the joseph smith papers. Joseph smith was illiterate so of course he didnt make up. Library of congress rare book and special collections division. Joseph smiths negotiations to publish the book of mormon. The book of mormon is the most correct of any book on earth, joseph smith stated, and the keystone1 of our religion.
Joseph smith characterized the book of mormon as the keystone of mormonism, and claimed that it was the most correct of. Mayaugust 1842 compiles papers dating to the summer of 1842 and covers a time during which. On april 6, 1830, joseph smith organized the church of jesus christ of latterday saints and became its first president. The 1830 edition of the book of mormon named joseph smith as the author and proprietor of the. The book of mormon, another testament of jesus christ, a. On april 6, 1830, joseph smith organized the church of jesus christ of. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. Also, clearly admitted by fair mormon on one of their many contradictory pages when they need to make different arguments. Why did joseph smith attempt to secure the book of mormon.
The testimony of joseph smith about the book of mormon youtube. Joseph smith, central american ruins, and the book of mormon. Original broadway cast of the book of mormon joseph smith. Apr 22, 2016 illustration from from darkness unto light. As recounted by his wife lucy mack smith, one of these dreams involved imagery which is strikingly similar to the tree of life vision recorded in the book of mormon. Joseph smith knew book of mormon geography book of. Joseph smith, the founder and leader of the mormon religion, is murdered along with his brother hyrum when an antimormon mob breaks into a jail where they are being held in carthage, illinois. According to joseph smith, he was seventeen years of age when an angel. Joseph smith characterized the book of mormon as the keystone.
Lds scripture instructs that 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. Mar 09, 2016 when moroni visited the boy joseph smith, he quoted isaiah 11 and said it was about to be fulfilled. Dec 31, 2019 this script is taken from portions of joseph smith s own testimony, found at the beginning of the book of mormon. Church leaders and missionaries relied on these copies for direction and inspiration. Allred, the joseph smith papers, documents, volume 10. He also discusses why april 6 is not correct day of christs birthday. Joseph smith was a conartist, impostor, necromancer. Enoch is one of the most fascinating people in the old testament, and there is a mythology which has understandably grown up around him. The primary source of smith s latterday revelation is the book of mormon, and to fully understand his role as the founder of the mormon faith, one must also understand the book of mormon and how it came to be. An account written by the hand of mormon, upon plates taken from the plates of nephi.
Indeed, as jensen and hauglid point out in their introductory remarks in the new volume, joseph smiths keen interest in egyptian writings may have stemmed in part from his belief that the writing system on the gold plates from which he translated the book of mormon had an egyptian component. Joseph smiths own interest and endorsement of the books had a significant impact on latterday saint interpretations. This book is much more entertaining if you read it as a historical novel rather than trying to read it as a religious text. Written by prophets to a people who lived in america long before white people ever came, some believe they were the beginnings of some native indian tribes. It was in that chapter that jesus gave his twelve disciples in bountiful the authority to baptize. So the question of all questions deals with the truthfulness of book of mormon. Book of mormon manuscripts 2 book of mormon editions 4 bible revision manuscripts 5 book of abraham and other egyptian material 19 additional revelations and translations. Absence of joseph smith in the book of mormon religious. According to mormon belief, the book of mormon was inscribed on golden plates by generations of prophets, quoted and abridged by the prophethistorian mormon, and buried in the ground by mormon s son, moroni. Essentially the argument against the book of mormon goes something like this. Transcribed only once, from ancient writings, this book is an.
Book of commandments in the first few years of the church, the only access most members had to the lords revelations to joseph smith was through handwritten copies on loose sheets that circulated among the latterday saints. Did joseph smith receive an income from the book of mormon or. Book of mormon, 1830, page ii the joseph smith papers. Is this evidence for plagiarism on the part of joseph smith, jr. Joseph smith and book of mormon geographyexactly what joseph smith believed at different times in his life concerning book of mormon geography in general is also indeterminable. Mormon origins is created to make available historical information and or documents relating to the beginnings of mormonism in america.
While i was thus in the act of calling upon god, i discovered a light. 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. How joseph smith and the early mormons challenged american democracy. Prophet joseph smith the prophet joseph smiths own words about the coming forth of the book of mormon are. Dirkmaat and michael hubbard mackay, joseph smiths negotiations to publish the book of mormon, in the coming forth of the book of mormon. Not one with official pay stubs that the irs could tax or anything.
Coe suggests, the only model joseph smith might conceivably have heard about for control of subjugated peoples was the roman one, which was the opposite of the system used among the maya, and also the opposite of the system used in the book of mormon. The book of mormon has been called the longest and most complex of smiths revelations. Joseph smith murdered after the book of mormon was published, mormonism began to spread and grow rapidly. The spiritual text that forms the basis of mormonism, in the last edition edited by its founder, joseph smith, jr. Today, may 15, is john the baptist day, the day on which he appeared to joseph smith and oliver cowdery in 1829 and restored the aaronic priesthood. Book of mormon manuscript excerpt, circa june 1829 1. The book of mormon, joseph smith, and birth of christ part 2 of 5 gospel tangents dr jeff chadwick tells how book of mormon helps determine birth of christ.
In a times and seasons editorial, october 1, 1842, the prophet joseph smith, after progressive study. Moroni who had, so many years earlier, burried the plates, visited joseph smith and showed him in a vision where the plates were hidden. Joseph smith and the book of mormon are at the very heart of the lords latterday work. The 1830 edition of the book of mormon named joseph smith as the author and proprietor of the book. The primary source of smiths latterday revelation is the book of mormon, and to fully understand his role as the founder of the mormon faith, one must also understand the book of mormon and how it came to be. Which scribes worked on which portions in the book of mormon. Following the visit, joseph smith signed a copy of the book of mormon and gave it to charles francis.
Therefore, its logical to assume that joseph must have read this book which there is zero evidence of and used it to construct the book of mormon. While there they met with joseph smith, the founder of mormonism. The book of mormon is true, just what it purports to be, and for this testimony i expect to give an account in the day of judgment. Book of commandments, church history topics book of commandments in the first few years of the church, the only access most members had to the lords revelations to joseph smith was through handwritten copies on loose sheets that circulated among the latterday saints. Completing the work in less than 90 days, he published it in march 1830 as a 588 page volume called the book of mormon. Joseph smith s translation and publication of the book of mormon, excerpted by fairmormon. Moore and joseph f smith to meet mr berger in brazil, joseph f smith carried with him a. Joseph smith and the book of mormon mormonism research ministry. The first mormon prophet, joseph smith, was arrested and convicted in new york and was found guilty of being a conartist, an impostorhe was a necromancer and a charlatan. Joseph translated the book of mormon to modern language by the gift and power of god, and it.
Unfortunately, the literature about joseph smith and the book of mormon is permeated with contradiction and controversy. Joseph smith characterized the book of mormon as the keystone of mormonism, and claimed that it was the most correct of any. Kay m godfrey, author, joseph smith epoch historian. Joseph smith quotes by the power of god i translated the book of mormon from hieroglyphics, the knowledge of which was lost to the world, in which wonderful event i stood alone, an unlearned youth, to combat the worldly wisdom and multiplied ignorance of eighteen centuries, with a new revelation history of the church, 6. Mar 02, 20 mormons, members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints often mistakenly called the mormon church, have more about enoch, found in the book of moses in the pearl of great price. Smith also asserted that john the baptist appeared to him while he was translating the book of mormon and instructed him to restore the church by. It is claimed that each sentence and word in the 1830 book of mormon had supposedly come directly from god. The late war uses words or phrases that also appear in the book of mormon. Did joseph smith steal from the late war to write the book.
The urgency for joseph smith to secure additional protection for his to the book of mormon was punctuated by the fact that in january 1830 abner cole a former justice of the peace. Joseph smiths translation and publication of the book of mormon, excerpted by fairmormon. The mormon religion is based upon the story and religious teachings of joseph smith. Thus, the restoration was both prophesied in and influenced by the words of isaiah. Joseph smith characterized the book of mormon as the keystone of mormonism, and claimed that it was the most correct of any book on earth. When moroni visited the boy joseph smith, he quoted isaiah 11 and said it was about to be fulfilled. Joseph smith and other early latterday saints also greeted these central american discoveries with enthusiasm, in large part because of their potential relevance to the book of mormon.
Mark twain read the book of mormon and, knowing what smith. In the unfolding book of mormon text, joseph smith found answers to some of the questions that had brought him to the sacred grove as a 14yearold boy. The book of moses was received by revelation to joseph smith as he was working on a new translation of the book of genesis. The book of mormon by joseph smith, paperback barnes. Urim and thummim places the book of mormon translation on trial, presenting the latest research in one of the most comprehensive treatments of the translation process to date providing encouragement for latterday saints who fear they have been betrayed by the translation history taught by the church for over 190 years did joseph smith study and master the nephite language. The coming forth of the book of mormon, foretold by ancient prophets, began with an angelic visitation in 1823 to 17yearold 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. Seven years later, in 1830, this scriptural canon of the latterday saints was published for the world. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. Joseph smith and the origins of the book of mormon 2nd edition and also in kindle.
The talk continued and stated clearly that on the occasion of the first trip of mr. Laurie mafflykipp, phd, is the archer alexander distinguished professor at the. Skeptics have put forth several theories of book of mormon. Smith set up mormon communities in missouri, ohio and illinois. Fulfillment of isaiah 11 signifies that we are in the last.