In the years since the book of mormon was published, other naturalistic theories have waxed and waned in popularity, but similar to the early 1830s, joseph smiths intellect theory is today the most accepted naturalistic explanation for the origin of the book of mormon. In this episode, laura harris hales interviews brant a. Both the mesoamerican and the heartland book of mormon geography theories have their strong points and, shall we say, areas that need. The book of mormon clarifies the covenant nature of baptism. Would you respond to the theories that the book of mormon.
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. Book of lies presents a truly unique perspective on the writing and publication of the book of mormon. There are over 100 theories concerning book of mormon geography. The purpose of saints is to present a compelling narrative of the faith and sacrifice of early latterday saints, not to weigh in subtly or otherwise on the various theories of book of mormon geography. The evidence for ancient origins, edited by noel b. May 27, 2010 the discussion on book of mormon geography was getting heated. Deseret book and farms, 1988, 315, the prophetic book of mormon salt lake city.
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. Sep 08, 2009 as in the ongoing theories pertaining to the geography of the book of mormon, perhaps all the three, even the gulf of darien, the tehuantepec gulf and even the honduran gulf may qualify as a narrow strip of land as described in the book of mormon. A radically different book of mormon geography theory. Box 3234 mesquite, nevada 89024 email other informative books about mormons and the lds mormon conspiracy the keystone of mormonism by arza evans click on the mormon book to buy it at summary. Church releases statement on book of mormon geography. The book of mormon geography lands and map with dna evidence.
Now, some critics also claim that smith gained most of his theories from a manuscript of a novel written by solomon spaulding. Since they cant all be correct, obviously, some scientists are digging in the wrong place. Those who do not accept the book of mormon as scripture offer many theories about its origin. 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. A readers guide, have attempted to move the discussion away from polemics to an appreciation for the books. Variations of this theory only include that the text is a divinely inspired narrative, regardless of its.
Saints and book of mormon geography church history. A readers guide, have attempted to move the discussion away from polemics to an appreciation for the book s. Unconventional book of mormon geography theories mormon matters. Theres no dearth of theories of just where the book of mormons new world is located from the great lakes to the heartlands in north america, from various sites in central america or south america and on to a geography theory consisting of the entire western hemisphere. Though there are several plausible hypotheses regarding the geographic locations of book of mormon events. Explores the joseph smith papyrus and demonstrates that joseph smiths claim that he had translated the book of abraham from it was a fabrication. He is the author of several books and articles discussing the text of the book of mormon and ancient mesoamerica. A readers guide, have attempted to move the discussion away from. Some claim that sidney rigdon authored the book of mormon, and conspired with joseph smith well ahead of time to compose it and start a religion. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints released a statement today concerning the geography of the book of mormon in the form of a new gospel topics essay titled book of mormon geography. As early as 1831, eber howe, in his antimormon book mormonism. Its been some time since we talked about alternative book of mormon geography theories.
Most of you believe that the book of mormon occurred in central america, right. 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. Some mormon scholars, like grant hardy, who wrote understanding the book of mormon. The view of the hebrews theory was examined in detail by b. Church members are asked not to teach theories about book of mormon geography in church settings but to focus instead on the book of. Wouldnt it be cool to find some archaeological evidence. It has no connection with the spaulding manuscript. The discussion on book of mormon geography was getting heated. Book of mormon evidence vs book of mormon central search isaiah. The theory first appeared in print in the book mormonism unvailed sic, published in 1834 by e. Naturalistic explanations of the origin of the book of. Would you respond to the theories that the book of mormon is based.
This is a great resource to check whenever you find yourself faced with a challenging topic. Unconventional book of mormon geography theories mormon. The spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship is the theory that the book of mormon was plagiarized in part from an unpublished manuscript. Most latterday saints are aware of a minor industry in certain religious circles in the united states devoted to refuting mormonism and. Understanding christian baptism through 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. A glaring problem with book of mormon geography theories. Roberts took the position of examining the book of mormon from a critical perspective in order to alert the general authorities to possible future avenues of attack by critics. Themes, theories and evidences for the book of mormon.
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. Naturalistic explanations of the origin of the book of mormon. In 1991, john sorenson of byu, the dean of book of mormon geography, created a book called the geography of book of mormon events. The theory is that a spalding manuscript was stolen by sidney rigdon, who used it in collusion with joseph smith.
Theories of book of mormon translation book of mormon central. Peruvian setting for the book of mormon mormon matters. Its not the movie nor will book of mormon videos give a. Some placed the nephite capital city zarahemla in mesoamerica, others in south america. Dec 03, 2009 here is what my copy of the book of mormon states. As in the ongoing theories pertaining to the geography of the book of mormon, perhaps all the three, even the gulf of darien, the tehuantepec gulf and even the honduran gulf may qualify as a narrow strip of land as described in the book of mormon.
Nonmormon critics disagree in their opinions as to the origin of the book. A summary of several theories of book of mormon lands in mesoamerica the contents of all bmaf publications are the sole responsibility of the individual authors and therefore do not necessarily represent the views of bmaf or the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Since the book of mormons publication in 1830, a number of different theories have been proposed concerning its authorship. 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. 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. Structuring the abridgment of the nephite records, journal of book of mormon studies 15, no.
Would you respond to the theories that the book of mormon is based on the spaulding manuscript or on ethan smiths view of the hebrews. Therefore, during the past thirty years some non mormon scholars, realizing the weakness of the spaulding manuscript theory, have postulated that joseph smith might have gained some of the ideas for the book of mormon from a book by ethan smith entitled view of the hebrews, first published in vermont in 1823, with a revised, enlarged edition. 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. The church publishes topic pages on that directly address many of the more difficult to answer questions about the book of mormon using scholarly research and historical facts. Mar 30, 2020 the book of mormon claims that moroni, a prophet, originally wrote the book and that it was translated by joseph smith. Get insights into latterday prophesy and learn how prophesies in the bible and other books of scripture have been fulfilled and how they may yet be fulfilled. Blumell, senior historical associate, church historical department historically, the most popular antimormon or nonmormon explanation of the origin of the book of mormon has been that it was based. Debunking 5 myths about the book of mormon lds living. What are the leading theories on what the cureloms and. The theory first appeared in print in the book mormonism unvailed, published in 1834 by e.
Apr 20, 2009 most of you believe that the book of mormon occurred in central america, right. Its time to shatter past, false assumptions and expectations of the book of mormon. Book of mormon geography is one of my favorite topics, and its been a while since i talked about it. Book of mormonauthorship theoriesview of the hebrews. Themes, theories and evidences for the book of mormon kindle edition by smith, gerald. Oct 31, 2012 some mormon scholars, like grant hardy, who wrote understanding the book of mormon. There is, again, the same glaring problem that i have associated with book of mormon geography. Its not the movie nor will book of mormon videos give.
Theories of book of mormon lands in mesoamerica showing 11 of 1 messages. Gardner, brant a theories of book of mormon translation in the gift and power. Some critics believe that it was written solely by joseph smith. Pros, cons of book of mormon geography theories deseret news. This book locates everything from the narrow neck, to zarahemla, from cumorah, to the land of promise, bountiful.
Meldrum, president, the firm foundation all in all, i found pros, cons of book of mormon geography theories relatively well balanced, although still teetering toward the mesoamerican theories. Since they cant all be correct, obviously, some scientists are. Others argued for a setting in the american heartland. 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. Would you respond to the theories that the book of mormon is. Reply to pros, cons of book of mormon geography theories. The church takes no position on the specific geographic location of book of mormon events in the ancient americas. As i have explained in earlier essays,2 the book of mormon writers consistently include water baptism as one element of what they call the gospel or doctrine of christ, the way whereby men can be saved in the kingdom of god 2 ne. Multiple witnesses had a motive to contradict their earlier testimony, but none did.
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. If thats not enough for you the illuminati have the reputation of advertising destructive events before they occur, just like mormons have prophets. Disproves lds claims that joseph smith received the book of abraham through revelation and proves that joseph smiths source for his translation was a pagan egyptian text, the book of breathings. Spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading themes, theories and evidences for the book of mormon. Church releases statement on book of mormon geography book. Critical theories that sidney rigdon was a book of mormon author or coconspirator summary. Criticisms related to view of the hebrews and the book of mormon.
Like the church, book of mormon central bmc is officially geography neutral. The nephites made swords of steel, a derivative of iron. The book of mormon claims that moroni, a prophet, originally wrote the book and that it was translated by joseph smith. We have sought to uphold the churchs position of neutrality on these theories. A summary of several theories of book of mormon lands in. Spaldingrigdon theory proves the book of mormon is false. Book of mormon scholarship, theories, and folklore brant a. Who really wrote the book of mormon the critics and. Following are two of the most well known theories for book of mormon geography. Foundation for ancient research and mormon studies, 1997.
Ex mormon behindcurtain wrote in 20 that mormons were obviously illuminati because the illuminati supposedly has a hold of the cia, and mormons are in the cia. Proposed book of mormon geographical setting wikipedia. Jan 29, 2019 the article concludes by emphasizing the churchs neutrality on book of mormon geography and quoting president russell m. Several theories of the origin of the text have emerged, but they lack solid. Carr, president of book of mormon archaeological forum, were sending you a copy of his last article. An interesting correlation with mesoamerican geographysee map below. 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. The nephites mined gold and also worked copper and silver. Apr 09, 2019 the 21st international book of mormon evidence conference believes the book of mormon took place in north america the heartland theory, while the book of mormon central 2018 conference believes the book of mormon all took place in central america the mesoamerican theory. We are excited to welcome back preeminent joseph smith historian dan vogel to mormon stories podcast. I heard him speak a few years ago on research he has done in yemen.
The new essay begins with this declarative statement. Many book of mormon research projects have implications for the continuing issues surrounding the authorship of the book of mormon. The debate over the authenticity of the book of mormon. Some also postulate a link between ethan smith and oliver cowdery, since both men lived in poultney, vermont while smith served as the pastor of the church that oliver. Oct 12, 2018 to our knowledge, there have been no discussions about the need to put down one theory of book of mormon geography in order to promote another. The book of mormons equivalent to winnie the poohs heffalumps and woozles pictured below. Nelson on the importance the books primary purposeto testify of jesus christ and his gospel. Scholars gathered in provo, utah, to discuss their theories about where the events described in the book of mormon took place.
What can stylometry tell us about book of mormon authorship. With over a hundred other theories, these two are by far the predominant. Spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship wikipedia. There are differing views on the origin of the book of mormon. It is claimed that a 19th century work by ethan smith, view of the hebrews, provided source material for joseph smiths construction of the book of mormon. It is far from perfect in its analysis but its new contributions, combined with other theories, finally paints a plausible and rational picture of the origin of the lds church. The most intensive examination of the logic of the various and often competing or contradictory arguments against the book of mormon has been provided by hugh w. Who really wrote the book of mormon the critics and their. The 21st international book of mormon evidence conference believes the book of mormon took place in north america the heartland theory, while the book of mormon central 2018 conference believes the book of mormon all took place in central america the mesoamerican theory. 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.
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