Who is the author of the book of mormon

There are several theories as to the origin of the book of mormon. The first author was the prophet nephi, who left jerusalem with. This nonfiction book is for readers from about eight to fourteen years old. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. 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. The redundancy in the book of mormon has even led one mormon to propose a modern english version to make it easier to read.

He is the author of several articles on literary structure in the book of mormon. Authorship of the book of isaiah in light of the book of mormon. The first author was the prophet nephi, who left jerusalem with his family in about 600 bc and sailed to the americas. Ancient prophets, historians, and leaders engraved their testimonies and history on golden plates. Ether, nephi, jacob, enos, alma, mosiah, mormon, moroni to name a few. 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. 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.

Isaiah in the book of mormon religious studies center. 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 comprises fifteen main parts or divisions, known, with one exception, as books, usually designated by the name of their principal author. The book of mormon has a number of different authors. It attempted to prove that natives had descended from the ancient israelites. The book of mormon also contains work written by more than one author. For nearly two centuries, faithful members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds. We build enduring faith in jesus christ by making the book of mormon accessible, comprehensible, and defensible to the entire world. 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. Between the books of omni and mosiah is an insert called the words of mormon. The complicated production of the book of mormon, from its original writing by nephi, mormon, moroni, and others to its most recent editings and. 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. 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. Is it possible that a single author wrote the book of mormon.

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. A short history, journal of the book of mormon and other. 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. Parker and stone were best known for creating the animated comedy south park. The king james quotations in the book of mormon, the history of the text of the book of mormon. We also know that at least one author of the book of mormon was familiar with olive tree husbandry. This beautiful volume is crafted in sturdy bonded leather cover with gold detailing and spine label that is recreated to exact specifications. The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to the book of mormon. Bruce schaalje, stylometric analyses of the book of mormon.

Spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship. Sidney rigdon true author of the book of mormon and. 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. Mormons believe the following about the book of mormon. Why is it impossible for joseph smith to have been the author. Moore is the awardwinning author of the book of mormon historical series out of jerusalem. 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. Dec 12, 2017 since the book of mormons publication in 1830, a number of different theories have been proposed concerning its authorship. The spiritual text that forms the basis of mormonism, in the last edition edited by its founder, joseph smith, jr. This language, however, comes from the federal statutes and legal forms in use in 1829 1 stat. The first portion the first six books, ending with omni is a translation from the small plates of nephi.

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. Rigdons role as author was also proposed in an august 1831 article by. To date, the combined data from several valid stylometric studies on the book of mormon have demonstrated that. 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. 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.

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 book of mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible. 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 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 taken from the plates of nephi. Nov 03, 2015 the book of mormon is another testament of jesus christ. They lived between about 600 bc and 400 ad primarily on the american continent. Mormon was the primary author, editor, and compiler of the book of mormon. Recent research demonstrates that its diversity of styles is unusually high, even greater than the combined. 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. 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. An american, james adair, wrote a book a history of the american indians in 1775.

A dictionary of the book of mormon wikisource, the free. The book of mormon by joseph smith, paperback barnes. What can stylometry tell us about book of mormon authorship. 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. 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. The miraculous translation of the book of mormon welch, john w the miraculous translation of the book of mormon. Most adherents to the latter day saint movement view the book as a work of inspired scripture. 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. The book of mormon was not an ordinary translation. It isnt exactly something that a new englander would know. Roberts authored a manuscript titled studies of the book of mormon, comparing the content of the book of mormon with view of the hebrews. When applied to the book of mormon, wordprinting reveals that the word patterns of the book of mormon differ significantly from the personal.

Tara westover, author of educated, sings a mormon hymn. The 1830 edition of the book of mormon named joseph smith as the author and proprietor of the book. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates. Would an author be so longwinded if he was struggling to engrave on metal. Mar 22, 2019 the 1830 edition of the book of mormon named joseph smith as the author and proprietor of the book. Here is a microsoft word document ive created for anyone to download. If it was so hard to engrave the record, as nephis brother jacob complained, why didnt the author just say fifty nine years had. For a comparison of joseph smiths translation of the book of mormon with john miltons dictation of paradise lost, see robert a. Accounts of divine manifestations, 18201844, edited by. Wordprint studies of the book of mormon fairmormon. Written by prophets to a people who lived in america long before white people ever came, some believe they were the. 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 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. Critics who wish to reject josephs account of the book of mormons production must therefore identify multiple authors for the.

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. A readers guide, have attempted to move the discussion away from polemics to an appreciation for. 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. The book of mormon is one of the most influential, as well as controversial.

Chiasmus in the book of mormon religious studies center. 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 book of mormon is actually a collection of histories passed down from one writer to another. Oct 31, 2012 some mormon scholars, like grant hardy, who wrote understanding the book of mormon.

Spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship wikipedia. 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 is another testament of jesus christ. Why is the book of mormon named after mormon, who is he. 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. 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. 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. Why is it impossible for joseph smith to have been 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. The book of mormon and the bible will grow together, 2 ne. This has caused some to wonder if the prophet gave conflicting accounts. Alma is the longest book in the book of mormon and consists of sixtythree chapters, taking up almost a third of the volume. 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. In isaiah in the book of mormon, edited by donald w.

The lord covenanted with enos to bring forth the book of mormon to the lamanites, enos 1. Tara westover grew up in an unusual mormon survivalist family that stockpiled food for the endtimes and did not formally educate their children. 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. Book of mormon authorship the encyclopedia of mormonism. Oct 20, 2016 mormon was the primary author, editor, and compiler of the book of mormon. Phelps on the origin of the book of mormon and the rise of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints cowdery, oliver book. I actually dealt with this topic in another answer how could joseph smith write the book of mormon. The author and the finisher of the book of mormon john m. Butler joseph smith, the mormon prophet, is a name that has been had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, as. This book critically examines key historical documents, personal testimonies, and records of 19thcentury mormon history concluding that the book of mormon is. 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. The book of mormon is divided into smaller books, titled after the individuals named as primary authors and, in most versions, divided into. Her next series includes abinadi, which won both the 20098 whitney award for best.

Nov 28, 2009 we also know that at least one author of the book of mormon was familiar with olive tree husbandry. Nov 21, 2012 the original manuscript and printers manuscript of the book of mormon had no punctuation. 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. Sidney rigdon true author of the book of mormon and founder. Some have wondered, though, if the book of mormons different styles are in any way unique or impressive. Fourteen centuries later, in 1823, the angel moroni led joseph smith to the plates hidden in a hillside in upstate new york. Grandins assistant, who was not a member of the church. It contains nothing about the bible except for one quotation. 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. 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. First and second books of nephi, jacob, enos, jarom, omni, words of mormon, and mosiah. This knowhy explores the question of why joseph could be both the author and the translator of the.