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The Apocrypha and the Book of Mormon
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Contents
Criticism
Critics claim that the Apocrypha was used as a source for the Book of Mormon.
Source(s) of the criticism
- Grant H. Palmer, An Insider's View of Mormon Origins (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 2002) 55. ( Index of claims )
- Jerald and Sandra Tanner, The Changing World of Mormonism (Moody Press, 1979), 114.( Index of claims )
Response
The following claims are made:
- That Joseph Smith created the story of Nephi and Laban by plagiarizing concepts and phrases from the story of Judith and Holofernes in the Apocrypha.
- That Joseph Smith copied the name "Nephi" from the Apocrypha.
In order to support these claims, it would have been necessary for Joseph to have obtained a Bible containing the Apocrypha. It is known that Oliver Cowdery purchased a Bible in October 1829, although it is not known if this Bible contained the Apocrypha. The Book of Mormon, however, was already at press by this time, with the copyright being registered on 11 June 1829.[1]
The story of Judith
The two stories actually have more dissimilarities than parallels, and the similarities are very superficial.[2]
| The story of Nephi and Laban | The story of Judith and Holofernes | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Nephi and his brothers are sent to Jerusalem to obtain the plates of Laban. | Holofernes is sent by King Nebuchadnezzar to conquer the rebellious Jews. The city of Bethulia is under siege by the Assyrians. | |
| Nephi tells his father that he will return to Jerusalem to obtain the Brass plates of Laban. | Judith, a Jewish resident of the city of Bethulia, tells the people that she will deliver them. | |
| Nephi enters Jerusalem under cover of darkness. He does not intend to kill Laban. | Judith enters the camp of the Assyrians with the intent to kill Holofernes. | |
| Nephi finds Laban drunk and lying in the street. Nephi resists the idea of killing Laban even after he is told to do so. | Judith impresses Holofernes with her charms and gets him drunk. He passes out on his bed. | |
| Nephi holds up Laban’s head by the hair and cuts if off with his own sword. | Judith holds up Holofernes’ head by the hair and cuts it off with his own sword. | |
| Nephi leaves Laban lying in the street, but takes and puts on his armor and sword. | Judith takes Holofernes’ head with her back to the city to prove what she has done. | |
| Nephi obtains the records from Laban’s house and leaves the city. | The Jews, upon learning of the death of Holofernes, leave the city and plunder the Assyrians camp. |
The name "Nephi"
Conclusion
Endnotes
- John A. Tvedtnes and Matthew Roper, "Joseph Smith's Use of the Apocrypha: Shadow or Reality? (Review of Joseph Smith's Use of the Apocrypha by Jerald and Sandra Tanner)," FARMS Review of Books 8/2 (1996): 326–372. off-site
- James B. Allen, "Asked and Answered: A Response to Grant Palmer (Review of: An Insider's View of Mormon Origins)," FARMS Review 16/1 (2004): 235–286. off-site
Further reading
FAIR wiki articles
FAIR web site
- FAIR Topical Guide: