A readers guide, have attempted to move the discussion away from polemics to an appreciation for the book. We invite all men everywhere to read the book of mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask god, the eternal father, in the name of christ if the book is true. Book of mormon 1981introduction wikisource, the free. Nephi passedthe recordto his younger brother jacob, who gave it to his sonenos.
It is written to the lamanites, who descended from the israelites. There are several theories as to the origin of the book of mormon. Both of these authors relate their findings to the book of mormon. A book of mistakes, error, and fraud by jon gary williams introduction the mormon church promotes the book of mormon as an inspired writing. Some mormon scholars, like grant hardy, who wrote understanding the book of mormon. Mcconkie wrote the introduction in 1981 for the then new edition of the book of mormon and it contained this statement.
Book of mormon, work accepted as holy scripture, in addition to the bible, in the church of jesus christ of latterday saints and other mormon churches. The writing was done by the spirit of revelation and prophecy. The book was written by simon southerton, a molecular biologist and former lds bishop who is no longer a member of the church. This oct 1981 ensign article published about the new edition to the book of. Book of mormon introduction change may reflect new.
Who really wrote the book of mormon solomon spalding. The reader will immediately note that the text is structured and formatted differently from the versions currently in print. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to. An overview of the contents, modern publication, editions, sources and composition, theology, and lds defenses of the book of mormon. I am grateful that the title page of the book of mormon, like the rest of the book, was written by inspiration and translated by the gift and power of god. Debate renewed with change in book of mormon introduction. The book of mormon is actually a collection of histories passed down from one writer to another. If you put forth the effort with all sincerity you will receive an answer. The spalding enigma part 2 did an angel of god in the late 1820s really give 18yearold con artist joseph smith the mormon bible, as he claimed.
He said the introduction page in current ldsproduced books was not part of the original text translated by joseph smith jr. The text of this version is of the lds 1981 edition. Who wrote the 1981 introduction to the book of mormon. The book of mormon, an account, written by the hand of mormon upon plates, taken from the plates of nephi. In making this study we obtained photocopies of an original 1830 edition of the book of mormon. A comprehensive commentary of the title page of the book of mormon, by paul nolan hyde this volume provides extensive commentary on the title page of the book of mormon, written by the hand of mormon. The invitation is to read the book of mormon and decide for yourself if it is true. The first author was the prophet nephi, who left jerusalem with his family in about 600 bc and sailed to the americas. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the. Many authors had contributed directly or were quoted in the final abridgment of.
Others say it was first written by joseph smith around 1830. The sacred writings chronicle gods dealings with his people in. Changes in the book of mormon introduction juvenile instructor. The annotated edition of the book of mormon has been formatted to enlarge our understanding of and give reverence to this unique and sacred volume of scripture. Accounts by these individuals are recorded in the introduction of the book of mormon as the testimony of the three. I am grateful for a concise description of the content, the audience, and the purposes of the book, as well as a testimony that the book was written, preserved, and transmitted to us by the. A history written by on plates by mormon, taken from nephis plates. The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation.
This is a shortened version of history of the people of nephi and the lamanites. The ancient american prophet mormon, for whom the book was named, wrote that its purpose is to remind people what god has done for his people anciently and, most importantly, to convince all people that jesus is the christ, the eternal god book of mormon title page. The title page of the book of mormon, written by its final author, moroni, near 400 a. Criticism of mormonismbookswho really wrote the book of. The church declined comment on who wrote that version of the page. Mcconkie wrote the noncanonical introduction for the 1981 edition of the book of mormon. The book of mormon was written by ancient prophets, just as the bible was written by prophets and apostles of christ. Source note js, preface to book of mormon, manchester township settled 1793.
By this stage, patience had dispensed with the ouija board, and transmitted her thoughts directly to mrs currans pen. Classic reprint hardcover april 5, 2018 by robert patterson author. Skeptics and most archeologists believe that the book of mormon is a hoax, and that it was written in the early 19th century by joseph smith or some other individuals. The book of mormon is about the history of two great civilizations of people who lived in the ancient americas. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of nephi, and also of the lamanites written to the lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of israel. While we can never scientifically prove that the book of mormon was written by nephite prophets, we can show through scientific and other scholarly studies where the criticisms of the book fail. Mormon compiled and abridged the records of several other writers to create the book of mosiah. Who really wrote the book of mormon part 2 youtube. I would rather make mistakes in kindness and compassion than work miracles in unkindness and hardness.
The book of mormon is a sacred text that was published in march 1830 by joseph smith, jr. According to smiths account and the books narrative, the book of mormon was originally written in otherwise unknown characte. Mosiah was a prophet, seer, revelator, and king who ruled in zarahemla from approximately 124 bc to 91 bc. We are certain that american indians are essentially all descended. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi.
However, after a fair and candid examination of the evidence, many thousands of. Introduction to the book of mormon another testament. 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. According to smith, the book is originally written in an otherwise unknown language called reformed egyptian on golden plates and it should be of similar importance as the bible. In 1975, after teaming up with howard davis and several others to conduct further research, he joined with dr.
The book is named for mosiah, who was a son of king benjamin. The introduction was written by bruce r mcconkie, not mormon or moroni. The mormon church teaches that the book of mormon was written by a series of ancient people, the first of whom was nephi, and that it was finally redacted and compiled by mormon. December 30january 5 introductory pages of the book of mormon another testament of jesus christ begin your preparation to teach by reading the book of mormon s title page and introduction. Dana pike employs archaeological and paleographic tools to comprehensively survey the written artifacts from preexilic times.
Could joseph smith have written the book of mormon. Who wrote the book of mormon 17921881, patterson robert. It was first published in 1830 in palmyra, new york, and was thereafter widely reprinted and translated. It is a record of gods dealings with ancient inhabitants of the americas and contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel. The prophet joseph received these ancient metal records written in reformed egyptian from the heavenly messenger moroni 3 and translated them by the gift and power of god 4 into the book of mormon. The sorry tale, a 325,000 word book 50,000 words longer than the book of mormon of the life of a parallel christ was written in 108 days, a rate of 3,000 words per evening. The change will be included in the next edition of the book of mormon printed by the church. This blog says that bruce r mcconkie wrote it, but there is no source to back that up. Science and logic can prove negative, but not positive, claims. Its coming forth was an essential part of the history of mormonism.
It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. For a long time, mormons assumed that the book of mormon took place all over the americas. The introduction of the book of mormon describes who wrote the book, why it was written and how it got into the hands of joseph smith. Changes in the book of mormon introduction juvenile. Several investigations and studies which set out to prove that joseph wrote the book of mormon have actua. Ever since the book of mormon was first published in 1830, its origins have been disputed. William adams uses linguistic tools to examine four features of the hebrew language that changed over time. He didnt have the time, education or wherewithal to do this. Mormon wrote the first seven chapters of this book as a brief account of the wickedness and wars among the nephites and lamanites in his. Davis as a coauthor of the original version of who really wrote the book of mormon. So it is possible that bruce r mcconkie wrote it but it couldve been someone else or a collaborative effort.
But it is helpful and inspiring, and certainly worth studying. I find this a good way to highlight some key principles about the book of mormon, especially if youre teaching your family or youth. Bunyan wrote upwards of 60 books, tracts, and pamphlets, including grace. Book of mormon mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs.
Or was the book really derived from solomon spalding. Introductory pages of the book of mormon part 1 come. There are no proofs, but there are some really strong indicators. Welcome to our project to crowd source the origins of the book of mormon, a controversial text published in 1830. Quotes the book of mormon was first printed in 1830. The lds scripture publications committee headed by then apostle bruce r. The objective is not to find the most correct meaning for each passage of the book of mormon, but to find the most likely sources which joseph smith remixed to create the book of mormon. Response to claims made in who really wrote the book of mormon. Nephi passed the record to his younger brother jacob, who gave it to his son enos. Formed as burt township when divided from farmington township, 31. The book of mormon isactually acollection of histories passed down from one writer to another.
It carried a small story on a change to a single word in the introduction of the book of mormon in the recent doubleday edition. I believe the best youll find is that it was written by the church. In this study we will show that there have been at least 3,9 changes made in the book of mormon from the time it was first published in 1830. It introduces the book of mormon to the modern reader by providing background information and a description of the book. The introduction to the book of mormon was not a part of the original plates. Over time we have to evaluate our previous assumptions to assess whether they were correct or incorrect. The book of mormon claims to have been written at least 1100 years prior to the king james version, but it. The book of mormon has a number of original and distinctive doctrinal. The spalding enigma did an angel of god in the late 1820s really give 18yearold con artist joseph smith mormon bible, as he claimed. The spalding enigma by wayne cowdery, howard davis, and donald scales summary. The mormon church teaches that the book of mormon was written by a series of ancient people, the first of whom was nephi. The book of mormon is a sacred record that mormons, or latterday saints, consider to be scripture in addition to the bible. One word can speak volumes says this mornings salt lake tribune. Pdf an introduction to the book of mormon rob bowman.