Who is the author of the book of mormon

Dec 12, 2017 since the book of mormons publication in 1830, a number of different theories have been proposed concerning its authorship. First and second books of nephi, jacob, enos, jarom, omni, words of mormon, and mosiah. The increasing interest taken in the study of the book of mormon and in the history of the peoples whose origin, progress and destruction it narrates, encourages the author of this little work to. Oct 20, 2016 mormon was the primary author, editor, and compiler of the book of mormon. Wordprint studies of the book of mormon fairmormon. Critics who wish to reject josephs account of the book of mormons production must therefore identify multiple authors for the. Isaiah in the book of mormon religious studies center. President of the foundation for ancient research and mormon studies, he has contributed to byu studies and is coauthor and general editor of the recently published book, chiasmus in antiquity. Ether, nephi, jacob, enos, alma, mosiah, mormon, moroni to name a few. The spiritual text that forms the basis of mormonism, in the last edition edited by its founder, joseph smith, jr. Mormons believe the following about the book of mormon.

The theory that sidney rigdon was the true author of the book of mormon first appeared in print in a february 15, 1831 article. The miraculous translation of the book of mormon welch, john w the miraculous translation of the book of mormon. There are several theories as to the origin of the book of mormon. Authorship of the book of isaiah in light of the book of mormon. Parker and stone were best known for creating the animated comedy south park. Grandins assistant, who was not a member of the church. 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. This has caused some to wonder if the prophet gave conflicting accounts about his role in bringing forth the book of mormon, since later editions name him as the translator of the book. Averaging these scores places the book of mormon reading level around the eleventh grade high school junior but with a range from the sixth to postgraduate an additional measure of complexity is the flesch reading ease scale, where the book of mormon scores 5156, which correlates to fairly difficult to difficult to read. Bruce schaalje, stylometric analyses of the book of mormon. It isnt exactly something that a new englander would know. 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. Nov 03, 2015 the book of mormon is another testament of jesus christ. The book of mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible.

Mormon was the primary author, editor, and compiler of the book of mormon. Her next series includes abinadi, which won both the 20098 whitney award for best. The complicated production of the book of mormon, from its original writing by nephi, mormon, moroni, and others to its most recent editings and printings, is a human process that has been well described. The first author was the prophet nephi, who left jerusalem with. Through isaiahs prophecies, jacob reveals many doctrinal and spiritual gems on january 31, 2020, pearl of great price central published some have wondered whether building a temple outside of jerusalem. Phelps on the origin of the book of mormon and the rise of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints cowdery, oliver book. The first author was the prophet nephi, who left jerusalem with his family in about 600 bc and sailed to the americas.

The lord established the basic foundation for temple work in the book of mormon and left the specific teachings about exaltation within the celestial kingdom to the doctrine and covenants. Moore is the awardwinning author of the book of mormon historical series out of jerusalem. Spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship. Rigdons role as author was also proposed in an august 1831 article by james gordon bennett, who had visited the palmyramanchester area and interviewed several residents. The book of mormon has a number of different authors. An american, james adair, wrote a book a history of the american indians in 1775. The book of mormon comprises fifteen main parts or divisions, known, with one exception, as books, usually designated by the name of their principal author. Sidney rigdon true author of the book of mormon and founder. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. 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. Ancient prophets, historians, and leaders engraved their testimonies and history on golden plates. Is it possible that a single author wrote the book of mormon. I actually dealt with this topic in another answer how could joseph smith write the book of mormon. Some have wondered, though, if the book of mormons different styles are in any way unique or impressive.

Mar 25, 2017 the increasing interest taken in the study of the book of mormon and in the history of the peoples whose origin, progress and destruction it narrates, encourages the author of this little work to think that this addition to the literature of the subject will not be like one born out of due time, but will be received as an acceptable aid to the study of its sacred pages. Here is a microsoft word document ive created for anyone to download. This nonfiction book is for readers from about eight to fourteen years old. Accounts of divine manifestations, 18201844, edited by john w. The book of mormon was written for the intent that we may believe the bible, morm.

An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates. Butler joseph smith, the mormon prophet, is a name that has been had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, as foretold by the angel moroni in 1823 jsh 1. The may pick for the pbs newshournew york times book club now read this is tara westovers memoir educated, about growing up in a mormon survivalist family in rural idaho. A short history, journal of the book of mormon and other. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. When applied to the book of mormon, wordprinting reveals that the word patterns of the book of mormon differ significantly from the personal. We build enduring faith in jesus christ by making the book of mormon accessible, comprehensible, and defensible to the entire world. 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. Why is it impossible for joseph smith to have been the author. He is the author of several articles on literary structure in 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. We also know that at least one author of the book of mormon was familiar with olive tree husbandry. A readers guide, have attempted to move the discussion away from polemics to an appreciation for the books.

A readers guide, have attempted to move the discussion away from polemics to an appreciation for. The book of mormon is one of the most influential, as well as controversial. 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. Rigdons role as author was also proposed in an august 1831 article by. This language, however, comes from the federal statutes and legal forms in use in 1829 1 stat. The advent of the computer and the internet allows joseph smith as the author of the book of mormon to be compared to other authors and their books in ways essentially impossible even a couple. The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to the book of mormon. Book of mormon authorship the encyclopedia of mormonism. The book continues the history of the nephites and the lamanites according to the records. A dictionary of the book of mormon wikisource, the free. Butler joseph smith, the mormon prophet, is a name that has been had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, as. The current edition of the book of mormon is punctuated to favor the second interpretation of a stone, but the entry for gazelem in the index assumes the first interpretation of a. Indeed, one of the most notable features of the book of mormon is the fact that its fifteen books, all of which are purportedly historical narratives. Some mormon scholars, like grant hardy, who wrote understanding the book of mormon.

Critics who wish to reject josephs account of the book of mormon s production must therefore identify multiple authors for the text, and then explain how joseph acquired it and managed to pass it off as his own. The redundancy in the book of mormon has even led one mormon to propose a modern english version to make it easier to read. Tara westover, author of educated, sings a mormon hymn. The book of mormon by joseph smith, paperback barnes.

If it was so hard to engrave the record, as nephis brother jacob complained, why didnt the author just say fifty nine years had passed away. In isaiah in the book of mormon, edited by donald w. The complicated production of the book of mormon, from its original writing by nephi, mormon, moroni, and others to its most recent editings and. Sidney rigdon true author of the book of mormon and. 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, the fourthlargest. Alma is the longest book in the book of mormon and consists of sixtythree chapters, taking up almost a third of the volume. The first portion the first six books, ending with omni is a translation from the small plates of nephi. This book critically examines key historical documents, personal testimonies, and records of 19thcentury mormon history concluding that the book of mormon is.

Nov 28, 2009 we also know that at least one author of the book of mormon was familiar with olive tree husbandry. 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. To date, the combined data from several valid stylometric studies on the book of mormon have demonstrated that. The 1830 edition of the book of mormon named joseph smith as the author and proprietor of the book.

For nearly two centuries, faithful members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds. The book of mormon also contains work written by more than one author. Book of mormon central is the author of knowing why 4. 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. Between the books of omni and mosiah is an insert called the words of mormon. It attempted to prove that natives had descended from the ancient israelites. What can stylometry tell us about book of mormon authorship.

The book of mormon is another testament of jesus christ. The book continues the history of the nephites and the lamanites according to the records of helaman, who was the son of helaman, and also according to the records of his sons, even down to the coming of christ the book of helaman, preface. Chiasmus in the book of mormon religious studies center. 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. The book of mormon and the bible will grow together, 2 ne. 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. Spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship wikipedia. The book of mormon is actually a collection of histories passed down from one writer to another. Mar 22, 2019 the 1830 edition of the book of mormon named joseph smith as the author and proprietor of the book. Recent research demonstrates that its diversity of styles is unusually high, even greater than the combined.

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. Fourteen centuries later, in 1823, the angel moroni led joseph smith to the plates hidden in a hillside in upstate new york. Roberts authored a manuscript titled studies of the book of mormon, comparing the content of the book of mormon with view of the hebrews. This knowhy explores the question of why joseph could be both the author and the translator of the. Some have suggested that joseph smith admitted that he was the author of the book of mormon because the title page of the first edition lists him as author and proprietor.

Also within the book of mormon is knowledge that appears to have been taken from the secret writings of the jews, also known as the kabbalah. The king james quotations in the book of mormon, the history of the text of the book of mormon. For a comparison of joseph smiths translation of the book of mormon with john miltons dictation of paradise lost, see robert a. Tara westover grew up in an unusual mormon survivalist family that stockpiled food for the endtimes and did not formally educate their children. Would an author be so longwinded if he was struggling to engrave on metal. May 31, 2018 the may pick for the pbs newshournew york times book club now read this is tara westovers memoir educated, about growing up in a mormon survivalist family in rural idaho. This beautiful volume is crafted in sturdy bonded leather cover with gold detailing and spine label that is recreated to exact specifications. 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. Those who were not so convinced insisted that it obviously read. Written by prophets to a people who lived in america long before white people ever came, some believe they were the. Accounts of divine manifestations, 18201844, edited by.

The author and the finisher of the book of mormon john m. The book of mormon is divided into smaller books, titled after the individuals named as primary authors and, in most versions, divided into. Why is it impossible for joseph smith to have been the. Nov 21, 2012 the original manuscript and printers manuscript of the book of mormon had no punctuation. The lord covenanted with enos to bring forth the book of mormon to the lamanites, enos 1. From the day the book of mormon rolled off the press in 1830, those who gave it credence asserted that it obviously read like a hebrew text. They lived between about 600 bc and 400 ad primarily on the american continent. Why is the book of mormon named after mormon, who is he. Oct 31, 2012 some mormon scholars, like grant hardy, who wrote understanding the book of mormon. This has caused some to wonder if the prophet gave conflicting accounts. Mormon authors claim that the description of olive horticulture in jacob 5 is too specific and detailed for smith to have learned on his own in early 19th century new england, so they assert it is evidence that smiths story of the book of mormon s divine origin is true.

If it was so hard to engrave the record, as nephis brother jacob complained, why didnt the author just say fifty nine years had. Aug 18, 2010 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. Most adherents to the latter day saint movement view the book as a work of inspired scripture. The lords words will hiss forth unto the ends of the earth, 2 ne. The book of mormon was not an ordinary translation. The title refers to alma the younger, a prophet and chief judge of the nephites. 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. 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. Her next series includes abinadi, which won both the 20098 whitney award for best historical novel and the 2009 best of state in literary arts. It contains nothing about the bible except for one quotation.