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Many have speculated that the use of anti-masonic language in the Book of Mormon is 'proof' of 19th century authorship. The authors of these speculations fail to take into account three critical issues which discredit the association between the Gadiantion robbers of the Book of Mormon and the anti-Masonry of the opening decades of the 19th century [1826 through 1845]. | Many have speculated that the use of anti-masonic language in the Book of Mormon is 'proof' of 19th century authorship. The authors of these speculations fail to take into account three critical issues which discredit the association between the Gadiantion robbers of the Book of Mormon and the anti-Masonry of the opening decades of the 19th century [1826 through 1845]. | ||
− | 1. Joseph Smith grew up with and was surrouned by Freemasons in his home. Both his father, Joseph Smith, Sr., and hihs elder brother Hyrum Smith were Masons in New York. It would seem unlikely that Joseph would be using anti-masonic language and terms, given his family's close connection and association with the institution of Freemasonry. | + | 1. Joseph Smith grew up with and was surrouned by Freemasons in his home. Both his father, Joseph Smith, Sr., and hihs elder brother Hyrum Smith were Masons in New York. It would seem unlikely that Joseph would be using anti-masonic language and terms, given his family's close connection and association with the institution of Freemasonry. |
− | 2. The Book of Mormon is a translation. As such | + | 2. In 1842, Joseph Smith, Jr., became a Mason. Had Joseph intended to tie the Gadianton robbers to the Freemasons, it seems most unlikely that only 12 years later he would then join the very group which the critics' theories require that he oppose so vehemently in the Book of Mormon. |
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+ | To credit the critics' theories, wrote anti-Mormon Theodore Schroeder, we must accept that | ||
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+ | :when the Book of Mormon was finished, Smith's 'obsession' [with anti-Masonry] suddenly and permanently disappears without any other explanation, and Joseph Smith himself became a Mason, in spite of this anti-Masonic obsession.{{ref|schroeder1}} | ||
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+ | 3. The Book of Mormon is a translation. As such its phrasing may sometimes reflect the time and place in which it was translated. Any similarity between the language of the anti-masonic movement and Joseph's translation can better be expained by Joseph using the language of his time and place rather than by a deliberate connection to anti-masonry. See: {{JBMS|author=Paul Mouritsen|article=Secret Combinations and Flaxen Cords: Anti-Masonic Rhetoric and the Book of Mormon|vol=12|num=1|date=2003|start=64|end=77}} | ||
Some have claimed that the phrase "secret combination" was used exclusively in a Masonic context in Joseph Smith's day. | Some have claimed that the phrase "secret combination" was used exclusively in a Masonic context in Joseph Smith's day. | ||
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− | + | 4. Furthermore, the Saints of the 19th century saw the prophecies of latter-day "secret combinations" as being fulfilled through the persecution which they underwent at the hands of American government and citizens. They did not invoke the Masons.{{ref|peterson1}} | |
==Conclusion== | ==Conclusion== |
This article is a draft. FairMormon editors are currently editing it. We welcome your suggestions on improving the content.
Critics claim that the Gadianton robbers are thinly disguised references to the anti-Masonic panic of Joseph Smith's era.
Many have speculated that the use of anti-masonic language in the Book of Mormon is 'proof' of 19th century authorship. The authors of these speculations fail to take into account three critical issues which discredit the association between the Gadiantion robbers of the Book of Mormon and the anti-Masonry of the opening decades of the 19th century [1826 through 1845].
1. Joseph Smith grew up with and was surrouned by Freemasons in his home. Both his father, Joseph Smith, Sr., and hihs elder brother Hyrum Smith were Masons in New York. It would seem unlikely that Joseph would be using anti-masonic language and terms, given his family's close connection and association with the institution of Freemasonry.
2. In 1842, Joseph Smith, Jr., became a Mason. Had Joseph intended to tie the Gadianton robbers to the Freemasons, it seems most unlikely that only 12 years later he would then join the very group which the critics' theories require that he oppose so vehemently in the Book of Mormon.
To credit the critics' theories, wrote anti-Mormon Theodore Schroeder, we must accept that
3. The Book of Mormon is a translation. As such its phrasing may sometimes reflect the time and place in which it was translated. Any similarity between the language of the anti-masonic movement and Joseph's translation can better be expained by Joseph using the language of his time and place rather than by a deliberate connection to anti-masonry. See: Paul Mouritsen, "Secret Combinations and Flaxen Cords: Anti-Masonic Rhetoric and the Book of Mormon," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 12/1 (2003): 64–77.
Some have claimed that the phrase "secret combination" was used exclusively in a Masonic context in Joseph Smith's day.
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4. Furthermore, the Saints of the 19th century saw the prophecies of latter-day "secret combinations" as being fulfilled through the persecution which they underwent at the hands of American government and citizens. They did not invoke the Masons.[2]
Given Joseph Smith long family ties to the institution of Freemasonry and the fact that he would, in 1842 become a Mason himself it seems unlikely that anti-masonry was the source of the Gadianton robbers found in the Book of Mormon.
Any similarities likely reflect the fact that similar words can be—and were—used to describe a variety of different tactics and organizations.
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