Nrev solomon spaulding and the book of mormon

Fairchild concluded that the theory of the origin of the book of mormon in the traditional manuscript of solomon spaulding will probably have to be relinquished. The book of mormon has some serious grammatical errors. There is a small group who hold to the theory that the production of the book of mormon was a conspiracy involving sidney rigdon, joseph smith, oliver cowdery and others. Were the mormon tablets actually found in a west virginia. There is a theory that sidney rigdon helped joseph smith create the book of mormon based on a manuscript written by a man named solomon spaulding. The book of mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible. The writer of the above article seems to have made little effort to study the various mormon responses to proponents of the solomon spalding claims for book of mormon authorship. Another testament of jesus christ presents itself as a translated record of ancient american peoples detailing their dealings with each other and with god. Spalding sometime between 1809 and 1812 about twenty years before the book of mormon came to press a reverend solomon spalding also spelled spaulding wrote a novel about a group of ancient roman sailors who were blown off course and landed in america. Was the famous book of mormon written under another title by rev. Davis, and arthur vanick have conducted extensive research into the origin of the book of mormon. I have recently examined the book of mormon, and find in it the writings of solomon spaulding, from beginning to end, but mixed up with scripture and other religious matter, which i did not meet with in the manuscript found.

They multiplied and eventually split into two groups. During the early days of the mormon church, a number of individuals had claimed that the book of mormon was a revised plagiarism of a mockbiblical novel written by a dartmoutheducated former minister solomon spaulding. Search for library items search for lists search for contacts search for a library. The claim that joseph smith used spaulding s writings as the source for the book of mormon has come to be known as the spaulding theory. Critics claim that joseph smith did not actually translate ancient plates into the book of mormon, but rather wrote the book. Spalding studies home page solomon spalding home page. Including the mormon churches conflicting results of computer analyses of the book of mormon. Believing mormons often state that solomon spalding s manuscript story if you are unfamiliar with the spalding rigdon theory, click here for a brief background has absolutely nothing in common with the book of mormon. However, almost none of these people have actually read manuscript story for themselves. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from. After adding much religious matter to the story, rigdon determined to publish it as a newly discovered history of the american indian. Solomon spaulding was born at ashford, connecticut, on 21 february 1761. The spalding rigdon theory was first given wide publicity in 1834 with the publication of the book mormonism unvailed.

Jul 18, 2009 see his manuscript of solomon spaulding and the book of mormon in magazine of western history 4 mayoctober 1886, pp. The spalding enigma, provides this brief attribution. However, after reading the book objectively, and comparing it to the book of mormon, i found almost no similarity at all, other than the setting of precolumbian north america. Solomon spalding february 20, 1761 october 20, 1816 was the author of two related texts. Mormon response to spaulding authorship of the book of mormon. It should be noted that solomon spalding lived in pittsburgh. As a coauthor of the 1977 work who really wrote the book of mormon. Books published as early as 1834 discount the origins of the book of mormon and place solomon spalding as the true author. That was the first time that it was suggested that the book of mormon had in part at least, some inspiration that originated from the. Dec 29, 2010 the book of mormon is based on the king james version of the bible, a relatively recent translation. Solomon spalding 17611816 was a lapsed calvinist evangelist, a failed new york businessman, and hopeful author of a prehistoric american epic story giving an account of the vanished mound builders of the ohio valley.

The book of mormon was a plagiarism of an old manuscript by one solomon spaulding, which sidney rigdon somehow secured from a printing house in pittsburgh. One group, the lamanites, forgot their beliefs, became heathens, and were the ancestors. When a distant cousin of one of the three founders of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints lds coauthors a book with two other prominent scholars proving beyond the shadow of a doubt that. Solomon spalding was the author of two related texts. 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. For each lesson, weve listed articles from our journal and charts from charting the book of mormon for you to peruse. Aug 04, 2008 when rice, fairchild, and several others compared the spaulding manuscript with the book of mormon they could detect no resemblance between the two, in general or detail. While the bible is written by and about the people in the land of israel and surrounding areas and takes place from the creation of the world until shortly after the death of jesus christ. The most interesting literary controversy of the time, and the only one which has important practical bearing, is raging around the book of mormon, sometimes but incorrectly called the mormon. I know this has been refuted before, but can you help me understand this issue and get to the bottom of it. This book critically examines key historical documents, personal testimonies, and records of 19thcentury mormon history concluding that the book of mormon is an adaptation of an obscure historical novel written by revolutionary war veteran solomon spalding during the war of 1812. A very plausible lost and missing novel by solomon spalding manuscript found, separate and distinct from the oberlin manuscript has not been ruled out by mormon apologists. Spauldings manuscript is considerably shorter than the book of mormon.

The solomon spalding theory chapter 9 of joseph smiths. Levi shinn, founder of shinnstown, informs that rev spaulding told him that he had unearthed an ancient manuscript on the hoult property, just below the mouth of the tygart valley river, where the ancient people thousands of years. I have heard that joseph smith plagiarized the writings of solomon spaulding to produce the book of mormon. The writings of the 18th19th century author solomon spaulding have often been suggested as a possible source of the book of mormon. Both books contain gods guidance as revealed to prophets, as well as religious histories of different civilizations. Davis has made numerous public lecture and media appearances on the subject. Solomon spaulding was born in 1761 in connecticut, and lived in new england and new york until he moved to conneaut, ohio, in 1809. Prior to 2008, no published authorship study results linked sidney rigdon to writing of the book of mormon. This extract from the book of mormon translated from golden plates in 1828 was in the handwriting of solomon spalding died 1816. The back cover of our 2005 book, who really wrote the book of mormon. After spaldings death, a number of individuals suggested that spaldings work was used as a source by joseph smith for the book of mormon, a scripture in the latter day saint movement. Solomon spalding 17611816 was a lapsed calvinist evangelist, a failed new york.

Believing mormons often state that solomon spaldings manuscript story if you are unfamiliar with the spaldingrigdon theory, click here for a brief background has absolutely nothing in common with the book of mormon. Book of mormon by william a, white press staff writer. The mormons and solomon spaulding 17611816 profdavidkatz. The conviction has become almost universal, except among mormons themselves, that the book of mormon was founded upon rev. The king james translators added words italicised to help the readers, yet in some cases these are preserved in the book of mormon. Bales makes the following observation, which is of great importance and agrees in every detail with my research. Who realy wrote the book of mormon solomon spalding. In october 20, the authors conducted a data analysis comparing the book of mormon to over 100,000 books from the pre1830s era. In 1977 this theory was forcefully presented in the book who really wrote the book of mormon. Native americans, dna, and the mormon church salt lake city, ut. Many of the passages in the mormon book are verbatim from spaulding, and others in part.

It is claimed by some that joseph smith either plagiarized or relied upon a manuscript by solomon spaulding to write the book of mormon. Or was the book really derived from solomon spalding. Search the book of mormon this site supports simple and proximity searches for words and phrases. The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Walter martins religious infonet kingdom of the cults. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Howe suggested that the book of mormon was based on an unpublished novel called manuscript found, written by a former minister named solomon spalding. In my previous post about unconventional book of mormon geography theories, doug g made a comment claiming that the book of mormon is related to the solomon spaulding manuscript, so i want to address this theory.

Mormon challenges could the book of mormon story have. Solomon spalding wrote a document now called the spalding manuscript. The bible says jesus was born in bethlehem of judaea, the book of mormon says jesus was born in jerusalem matt. Presented by robert hancock of the southern utah post mormon association, dec. It is a record of gods dealings with ancient inhabitants of the americas and contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel. Spauldings manuscript found was joseph smiths inspiration for the book of mormon. The book of mormon certainly has difficulty demonstrating that it is ancient history, so does most of the old testament, the conflicting narratives of the gospels, the bhagavad gita, the upanishads and a number of sacred texts. But in his excellent volume the book of mormon, dr. Solomon spaulding and the book of mormon robert patterson home. It is still being used by a few critics of the book of mormon today.

The testimony of witnesses four neighbors, a business partner, and three family members. Debunking the spaulding manuscript theory mormon heretic. Spaulding s novel provides an engaging view into one mans fanciful reconstruction of native american life. Did spalding write the book of mormon tanner, jerald. In it, the author followed up on indications previously published in ohiobased newspapers that a man named solomon spalding was the real and unwitting originator of the book of mormon this is in contrast to some lds apologists who claim that the author simply. Andrew ainsworth did a post in february on the curious case of solomon spaulding, which talks more about the legal aspects of proving plagiarism. The book of mormon resembles the bible in its length and complexity and in its division into books named for individual prophets. The theory first appeared in print in the book mormonism unvailed, published in 1834 by e. We believe that god has revealed his word to all people in all generations and the book of mormon is simply a record of his dealings with a different nation than that of the bible. The spalding enigma did an angel of god in the late 1820s really give 18yearold con artist joseph smith mormon bible, as he claimed.

In the early 1800s, a man named solomon spaulding wrote a fictional story about. The solomon spalding manuscript 1812 by solomon spalding this unpublished manuscript was a work of fiction created by a retired minister, solomon spalding who died in 1816 before being able to publish his work. Solomon spaulding, the b of mormon joseph smith was. This theory was presented in the 1834 book, mormonism unvailed, by e. Full text of the manuscript story of reverend solomon spalding. Nibleys commentary on the book of mormon is based on transcriptions from classes taught by hugh nibley, and is published with the permission of the neal a. Solomon spauldings manuscript found was clearly and undeniably established in my article published in the watchman, boston, sept. In the early 1830s he was identified by some witnesses and writers as the original author of part of the book of mormon. Eleven witnesses saw the plates from which the book of mormon was translated. Joseph miller, of amity, pennsylvania, where spaulding died. When rice, fairchild, and several others compared the spaulding manuscript with the book of mormon they could detect no resemblance between the two, in general or detail.

Book of mormon research page full text of view of the hebrews, 1830 book of mormon, and book of commandments. Manuscript of solomon spaulding and the book of mormon. Mormons, isnt it true that the book of mormon is actually. The book of mormon is an entirely different book of scripture. Plus there are signed affidavits by people who saw spalding s manuscript and said it was identical to the book of mormon. Concerned reader, mormonism is not only foreign to the scriptures, it is diametrically opposed to gods word. Some critics of the church have claimed that joseph smith used the manuscript to write the book of mormon. Spaulding manuscript mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs.

An outline of the textual structure of the book of mormon by j. He is also titular head of the spalding research associates. Solomon spaulding and the book of mormon publications matthew b. But it will not take long for readers to see that it bears no resemblance to the book of mormon. Solomon spauldings romance, entitled manuscript found. It has long been contended that there is a connection between the book of mormon and one of solomon spauldings historical romances.

The spalding theory then and now the dialogue journal. Mormon classics a directory of texts and newspaper articles available on the internet. Presentation about the spalding rigdon theory and the authorship of the book of mormon. Book of mormonauthorship theoriesspalding manuscript. According to the spalding rigdon theory, the book of mormon is the product of a pious fraud perpetrated by sidney rigdon, aided and abetted by joseph smith and oliver cowdery. Patterson, the same workshop where solomon spaulding had taken his manuscript. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally imp. Solomon spaldingbook of mormon parallels mormons often insist that there are no similarities. Rice, of honolulu, hawaiian islands, formerly an antislavery editor.

It relates the history of a group of hebrews who migrated from jerusalem to america about 600 bce, led by a prophet, lehi. Those who do not accept the book of mormon as scripture offer many theories about its origin. Since the book of mormon was first published, many have been unwilling to accept joseph smiths account of how it was produced. See more ideas about book of mormon, scripture study and lds scriptures. In 1834, relying on testimony gathered by one doctor philastus hurlbut a former mormon who had been excommunicated from the church for immoral behavior, e. That manuscript is doubtless now in the possession of mr. The book of mormon is the word of god, like the bible. Solomon spaulding and the book of mormon fairmormon. Spaulding manuscript the encyclopedia of mormonism. Is the book of mormon ancient history or a work of. One item i wished to examine at princeton was a manuscript by one solomon spaulding entitled the manuscript found. Full text of the manuscript story of reverend solomon. This timeline is a summary of all events that indicate that this theory may be true based on my notes collected over a sixyear period.

Evidence for solomon spaulding authorship of the book of. While there, they preached from the book of mormon. The manuscript you apologists are referring to is not the one i am talking about. The evidence clearly shows that the book of mormon grew out of spaulding s story, but the defenders of mormonism lose their mental balance whenever this subject is mentioned, and they treat it dishonestly. What the young men had stumbled on was part of the longlost manuscript of spalding s second novelcrushing evidence of smiths plagiarism and deceit that had been preserved by the unsuspecting mormons. Nevertheless, this unique edition will be a useful reference for students of latterday saint history and nineteenthcentury american. Solomon spaulding before us italics ours, that we compared with the mormon bible. It has no connection with the spaulding manuscript.

At least three computer analyses have been completed to date in an effort to determine who wrote the book of mormon, and whether it was a single individual or a group. Smith and orson hyde, missionaries for the church of jesus christ, were in conneaut, ohio, where spaulding began writing his manuscript. The two other witnesses are the widow of solomon spaulding, and mr. In the early 1800s, a man named solomon spaulding wrote a fictional story about ancient romans who came to north america.

Book of mormon lessons with an archive of 50 years of articles, byu studies is an excellent resource to assist you in your study of the book of mormon. I have read every word of both it and the book of mormon, and i compiled a list of. Is it possible that a single author wrote the book of mormon. Would you respond to the theories that the book of mormon. An outline of the textual structure of the book of mormon. The most interesting literary controversy of the time, and the only one which has important practical bearing, is raging around the book of mormon, sometimes but incorrectly called the mormon bible.

Another more recent theory, also open to criticism, suggests that joseph smith used ethan smiths no relation view of the hebrews, which was published during the 1820s, to help him write the book of mormon. This claim has been discredited many times by people inside and outside of the church. The spaulding fable by common consent, a mormon blog. Behold, he was a man like unto ammon, the son of mosiah, yea, and even the other sons of mosiah alma 48. Between 1812 and 1814, the time spaulding lived in pittsburgh, he took his manuscript to the workshop and left it there, and then, leaving a copy of the. The only way you can be a mormon is by accepting the book of mormon. Looking at the spaulding manuscript mormon heretic. However, another theory is that the book of mormon was taken from an unpublished 1812 novel written by a retired minister, solomon spalding or spaulding, who died in 1816 in ohio. Briefly, the theory states that joseph smith plagiarized or at least used as a source an unpublished book written by. Additional information from part 1 of joseph smiths plagiarism of the bible in the book of mormon, pages 3738 in 2008 another computer study was done by matt jockers, craig criddle and daniela witten, comparing various authors word prints, including solomon spalding and sidney rigdon, with that of the book of mormon. Elder benjamin winchesters 1840 tract offers a substantial, if not especially convincing, lds refutation of at least a portion of those claims as does that.

The theory of the origin of the book of mormon in the traditional manuscript of solomon spaulding will probably have to be relinquished. Maxwell institute for religious scholarship and nibley llc. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. The presence of such ideas in the book of mormon and spaldings novel may have. The slippery gold plates that have mysteriously disappeared. These writers include sidney rigdon, solomon spalding, w. Out of the top matches, we discovered a book called the late war between the united states and great britain, a scriptural. One of the most prominent theories since the 1830s is the spaulding or spalding theory. The book of mormon is a 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. Jun 03, 2016 the book of mormon spooky mormon hell dream lyrics by azmad202. One of the earliest theories of book of mormon authorship was that joseph plagiarized the unpublished manuscript of a novel written by the reverend solomon spalding.

Evidence for solomon spaulding authorship of the book of mormon. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints published spaulding s manuscript in 1886 to prove to the world that it was not the origin of the book of mormon, and that the book of mormon was indeed translated from ancient records by the gift and power of god. Soon after the publication of the book of mormon, critics believed that joseph must have plagiarized it from another source. It published materials gathered by philastus hurlbut which were intended to prove that the book of mormon came from a manuscript written by solomon spaulding sometimes also spelled spalding in 1812. It is not sponsored or endorsed by either the maxwell institute or brigham young university, and. The fact that the historical portion of the book of mormon was taken from the work of rev.