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Gordon B. Hinckley, "Keep the Faith," Ensign (Sep 1985):
From the day that Joseph Smith walked out of the grove in the year 1820, critics and enemies—generation after generation of them—have worked and reworked the same old materials. They have minutely explored the environment in which Joseph Smith lived in an effort to rationalize—some on the basis of folk magic and the occult—the remarkable things which he did. Early in this fishing expedition, one of them gathered affidavits from neighbors and associates in an effort to undermine the character of Joseph Smith. This old bale of straw has been dished up again and again as if it were something new. They have raked over every available word that he spoke or wrote, and they then in turn have written long tomes and delivered long lectures trying to explain the mystery of his character and his work....
As I have already mentioned, from the beginning of this work there has been opposition. There have been apostates. There have been scholars, some with balance and others with an axe to grind, who have raked over every bit of evidence available concerning Joseph Smith, the prophet of this dispensation. I plead with you, do not let yourselves be numbered among the critics, among the dissidents, among the apostates. That does not mean that you cannot read widely. As a Church, we encourage gospel scholarship and the search to understand all truth. Fundamental to our theology is belief in individual freedom of inquiry, thought, and expression. Constructive discussion is a privilege of every Latter-day Saint....
Of course, there are items in our history which, when pulled out of context and highlighted, separated from the time and the circumstances in which the events took place, may raise some questions. Remember, however, that no Church leader of whom I am aware, past or present, has ever claimed perfection. They have been and are human, including those who have served as Presidents of the Church. The Lord has always used those he has found most suitable for His purposes. Notwithstanding some human weaknesses, they have accomplished great and remarkable things, and this even while enemies have been snapping at their heels. The work has moved steadily and consistently forward, and the only losers have been those who, in a spirit of criticism, which usually has begun in a very mild and innocuous way, have in some instances literally read, talked, and written themselves out of the Church because they looked only for the negative, read only the negative, and discussed only the negative.
To all Latter-day Saints, I say, keep the faith. When you study, do so with balance. [1]
As most of you know, in the last four or five years we have passed through an interesting episode in the history of the Church. There came into our hands two letters that were seized upon by the media when we announced them. They were trumpeted across much of the world as documents that would challenge the authenticity of the Church. In announcing them we stated that they really had nothing to do with the essentials of our history. But some few of little faith, who seemingly are always quick to believe the negative, accepted as fact the pronouncements and predictions of the media. I recall a letter from an individual who asked that his name be taken from the records of the Church because he could no longer believe in a church that had to do with an experience with a salamander.
Now, as you know, these letters, together with other documents, have been acknowledged by their forger to be total frauds and part of an evil and devious design which culminated in the murder of two individuals.
I have wondered what those whose faith was shaken have thought since the forger confessed to his evil work....
Out of this earlier episode has now arisen another phenomenon. It is described as the writing of a “new history” of the Church as distinguished from the “old history.” It represents, among other things, an effort to ferret out every element of folk magic and the occult in the environment in which Joseph Smith lived to explain what he did and why.
I have no doubt there was folk magic practiced in those days. Without question there were superstitions and the superstitious. I suppose there was some of this in the days when the Savior walked the earth. There is even some in this age of so-called enlightenment. For instance, some hotels and business buildings skip the numbering of floor thirteen. Does this mean there is something wrong with the building? Of course not. Or with the builders? No.
Similarly, the fact that there were superstitions among the people in the days of Joseph Smith is no evidence whatever that the Church came of such superstition.[2]
Far from being hidden from general Church membership and the world at large, the Church, the prophet, and his associates have taken many occassions to acknowledge and explain Joseph Smith's early connection to digging crews.
An enterprising farmer by the name of Josiah Stowell came 30 miles from his farm in Bainbridge Township, Chenango County, New York, carrying a purported treasure map and accompanied by a digging crew. The company took their room and board with the Hale family. On the crew were Joseph Smith Jr. and his father. Lucy Mack Smith records that Josiah “came for Joseph on account of having heard that he possessed certain keys, by which he could discern things invisible to the natural eye.” The Smiths had initially refused Josiah’s invitation in October 1825. However, the reality of the family’s difficulty in meeting the $100 annual mortgage payment on their farm and Stowell’s promise of “high wages to those who would dig for him” finally persuaded them both to join in the venture. [3]
Note that this article in the Ensign cites such anti-Mormon or hostile sources as
Treasure-seeking was a cultural phenomenon of that day. It was indulged in by upright and religious men such as Josiah Stowel. Young Joseph Smith accepted employment with Stowel at fourteen dollars a month, in part because of the crushing poverty of the Smith family. Joseph and his older brothers had to scour the countryside for work in order to construct their home and make the annual payment on the farm, which they were in imminent danger of losing and finally lost for nonpayment shortly after this period. [4]
Some sources close to Joseph Smith claim that in his youth, during his spiritual immaturity prior to his being entrusted with the Book of Mormon plates, he sometimes used a stone in seeking for treasure. Whether this is so or not, we need to remember that no prophet is free from human frailties, especially before he is called to devote his life to the Lord’s work. Line upon line, young Joseph Smith expanded his faith and understanding and his spiritual gifts matured until he stood with power and stature as the Prophet of the Restoration. [5]
It is unfortunate that the writers who did the earliest work of gathering information about the Smith family were more concerned with blackening their reputation than with finding the facts. Interviewers not only ignored the positive things about the Smiths, but distorted many answers to mean what the interviewer wanted them to mean. For instance, Mormon apostate Philastus Hurlburt collected affidavits in 1833 that contain repetitious variations on the theme that “digging for money was their principal employment.” Though evidence involves the Smiths and their neighbors in treasure searching—a common practice in many American communities at the time—this was not their main occupation. Their true “principal employment” was conversion of one hundred acres of timbered wilderness into a cleared farm with dwellings, fences, and wheat and maple-sugar production....
Alvin is notably absent in most of these reports, except when listed as a member of the family or mentioned as in demand as a hard worker. He made no lasting impact on community memory as a religious leader, though he was included in one detailed money-digging tale evidently intended to suggest that magical activities were involved somehow in finding the Book of Mormon. [6]
"Was not Joseph Smith a money digger?" Yes, but it was never a very profitable job for him, as he only got fourteen dollars a month for it.[7]
Editorial [editor was George Q. Cannon], “The Truth Vindicated by the Conduct of its Enemies” “The most serious charge that was brought against the Prophet Joseph, by the enemies of the Church in its early days, was that he had been a ‘money digger’—had been engaged with some person or persons in searching in the earth for the precious metals. This was considered by them so disreputable an avocation, that the mere report that he had been engaged in it was deemed sufficient to forever debar him from the society of those who prided themselves upon their respectability and social standing. The idea that the Lord would communicate his will to, or in any way have anything to do with, a ‘money digger,’ was deemed preposterous and blasphemous” (264)[8]
I can sum up all the arguments used against Joseph Smith and "Mormonism” in a very few words, the merits of which will be found in OLD JOE SMITH. IMPOSTOR, MONEY DIGGER. OLD JOE SMITH. SPIRITUAL WIFE DOCTRINE. IMPOSTURE. THE DOCTRINE IS FALSE. MONEY DIGGER. FALSE PROPHET. DELUSION. SPIRITUAL WIFE DOCTRINE. Oh, my dear brethren and sisters, keep away from them, for the sake of your never dying souls. FALSE PROPHETS THAT SHOULD COME IN THE LAST DAYS. OLD JOE SMITH. ANTI-CHRIST. MONEY DIGGER, MONEY DIGGER, MONEY DIGGER. And the whole is wound up with an appeal, not to the good sense of the people, but to their unnatural feelings, in a canting, hypocritical tone, and there it ends.
—Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 1:109-110
Religious Impostors.
In the second volume of a neat, cheap but, flimsy and ephemeral compilation or periodical, published among the hundreds of similar and better works by W. and R. Chambers of Edinburgh,…. this "Miscellany" of the Messrs. Chambers, Edinburgh…. in this they quote only from the "Rise, Progress and Causes of Mormonism, by Professor J. B. Turner, New York, 1844," and “little work” by a Rev. Mr. Caswall, A.M., Professor of Divinity, Kemper College, Missouri, &c., &c., who visited the city of the Mormons -- Nauvoo -- in the year 1842. …. Again, the article before us reads -- "Joseph Smith, the youthful imposter! followed the profession of a money digger," which being corrected should be read as follows: -- "He was for a time a farmer's assistant; his employer requested him on some occasions to dig in certain portions of his estate where money was supposed to have been concealed" -- and while he thus did what his master required, he followed the profession of a money digger! That money has been concealed in this continent, before and during the times of the late wars in America, as well as aforetime by the ancient inhabitants, is generally believed, and I doubt not this is the fact; and were I an owner of the soil, to get good crops and perhaps money, I might probably induce my posterity to believe I had hid some in my fields; thus would I secure for them, ample irrigation and an abundant reward to satisfy their money digging propensities. Oh! covetous generation, how will ye escape if you dig for silver ore, iron, lead, or copper; or cull and dig for such miserable scraps of falsehood which ye publish for money. Know ye not that thus ye are sealing you own condemnation?[9]
GREAT DISCUSSION ON "MORMONISM," BETWEEN DR. WEST AND ELDER ADAMS, AT THE MARLBORO CHAPEL, BOSTON.
From the Weekly Bostonian, July 2.
Mr. Editor,—In the haste of my remarks last week. I briefly referred to the proceedings of the first three evenings of the discussion, but necessarily omitted several interesting features which I wish now to notice. The last paragraph of my communication which was inserted as the paper was going to press, stated, that the discussion closed on Friday night; but for want of time and room in your columns, my sketches of the last two evenings were reserved till this week. Dr. West spent much of the second and third evenings in reading from a Mormon pamphlet, containing a history of the rise of their church....Dr. West's chief effort the first part of the evening, was to impeach the character of Smith and the Mormon witnesses; for this purpose, he read from an old pamphlet what appeared to be a certificate from some twenty or thirty citizens of the state of New York, representing Harris and Smith's family as being money diggers, superstitious and visionary, and that they had no confidence in their pretended discoveries. ....In the reply, Mr. Adams said, the certificate from the citizens of New York ..... If Mr. Smith dug for money, he considered it was a more honourable way of getting it than taking it from the widow and the orphan; but a few lazy hireling priests of this age, would dig either for money or potatoes.[10]
Highlights in the Prophet’s Life 20 Mar. 1826: Tried and acquitted on fanciful charge of being a “disorderly person,” South Bainbridge, Chenango County, New York. New York law defined a disorderly person as, among other things, a vagrant or a seeker of “lost goods.” The Prophet had been accused of both: the first charge was false and was made simply to cause trouble; Joseph’s use of a seer stone to see things that others could not see with the naked eye brought the second charge. Those who brought the charges were apparently concerned that Joseph might bilk his employer, Josiah Stowell, out of some money. Mr. Stowell’s testimony clearly said this was not so and that he trusted Joseph Smith.
—Anonymous, "Highlights in the Prophet’s Life," Ensign (Jun 1994), 24. off-site (Inglés)
Oliver Cowdery lived in a culture steeped in biblical ideas, language and practices. The revelation’s reference to Moses likely resonated with him. The Old Testament account of Moses and his brother Aaron recounted several instances of using rods to manifest God’s will (see Ex. 7:9-12; Num. 17:8). Many Christians in Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery's day similarly believed in divining rods as instruments for revelation. Cowdery was among those who believed in and used a divining rod.
The Lord recognized Oliver’s ability to use a rod: “thou hast another gift which is the gift of working with the rod.”9 Confirming the divinity of this gift, the revelation stated: “Behold there is no other power save God that can cause this thing of Nature to work in your hands for it is the work of God.” If Oliver desired, the revelation went on to say, the Lord would add the gift of translation to the revelatory gifts Oliver already possessed (D&C 8:8-11).
—Jeffrey G. Cannon, "Oliver Cowdery's Gift," Revelations in Context, history.lds.org. (December 15, 2012) off-site (Inglés)
"In a few places, however, Joseph Smith did intentionally add to the text to clarify a point. An illustration of this is the added words the son of in 1 Nephi 11:21, 32, and 13:40. The text would be correct with or without the additional words, but the addition helps the reader avoid misunderstanding." - George Horton, "Understanding Textual Changes in the Book of Mormon," Ensign (December 1983): {{{start}}}–{{{end}}}.
"Some have alleged that these books of revelation are false, and they place in evidence changes that have occurred in the texts of these scriptures since their original publication. They cite these changes, of which there are many examples, as though they themselves were announcing revelation. As though they were the only ones that knew of them. Of course there have been changes and corrections. Anyone who has done even limited research knows that. When properly reviewed, such corrections become a testimony for, not against, the truth of the books....Now, I add with emphasis that such changes have been basically minor refinements in grammar, expression, punctuation, clarification. Nothing fundamental has been altered. Why are they not spoken of over the pulpit? Simply because by comparison they are so insignificant, and unimportant as literally to be not worth talking about. After all, they have absolutely nothing to do with whether the books are true." -Boyd K. Packer, "We Believe All That God Has Revealed," Ensign (May 1974): {{{start}}}–{{{end}}}.
Joseph actually used a stone which he placed in a hat to translate a portion of the Book of Mormon in addition to or instead of the "Urim and Thummim." Sometimes there is reference to Joseph using the stone to receive revelation. Sometimes the hat is mentioned as well. These facts are found hidden in the official Church magazines the Ensign and the Friend on the official Church website lds.org.
Gerrit Dirkmaat (Departamento de historia de la iglesia - enero 2013 Ensign):
Los que creían que las revelaciones de José Smith contenían la voz del Señor que les habla también aceptó las formas milagrosas en que se recibieron las revelaciones. Algunas de las primeras revelaciones del Profeta José vino a través de los mismos medios por los cuales se tradujo el Libro de Mormón de las planchas de oro. En la caja de piedra que contiene las planchas de oro, José encontró lo que los profetas del Libro de Mormón se refiere como "intérpretes", o una "piedra, que brillará en las tinieblas a la luz" (Alma 37: 23-24). 'Él describió el instrumento como "espectáculos" y se refirió a ella utilizando un término Antiguo Testamento, Urim y Tumim' (ver Éxodo 28:30).2
También a veces se aplica el término a otras piedras que poseía, llamadas "piedras videntes" porque le ayudaron en la recepción de revelaciones como vidente. El Profeta recibió algunas revelaciones tempranas a través del uso de estas piedras videntes. Por ejemplo, poco después de que Oliver Cowdery llegó a servir de escribiente para José Smith mientras traducía las placas, Oliver y José debatieron sobre el significado de un pasaje bíblico y buscaron una respuesta a través de la revelación. José explicó: "A diferencia de opinión que surja entre nosotros acerca de la cuenta de Juan el Apóstol ... si murió o si continuó; nos acordamos mutuamente que lo solucionen por el Urim y Tumim ".3 En respuesta, José Smith recibió la revelación que ahora se conoce como la sección 7 de la Doctrina y Convenios, que les informó de que Jesús había dicho el apóstol Juan: "Tú quédate serás hasta que yo venga en mi gloria" (D&C 7:3).
Los registros indican que poco después de la fundación de la Iglesia en 1830, el Profeta dejó de usar las piedras videntes como un medio regulares de recibir revelaciones. En cambio, él dictó las revelaciones después de preguntar al Señor sin el empleo de un instrumento externo. Uno de sus escribas explicó que el proceso: "El escriba asientos a sí mismo en un escritorio o una mesa, con la pluma, tinta y papel. El tema de la investigación en la inteligencia, las consultas profeta y revelador de Dios. Él espiritualmente ve, oye y siente, y luego habla como él se lo induzca el Espíritu Santo. "[11]
El Urim y Tumim era "un instrumento preparado por Dios para ayudar al hombre a obtener revelación del Señor y en la traducción de idiomas" (Diccionario de la Biblia, "Urim y Tumim"). José Smith utilizó el Urim y Tumim para ayudar en la traducción del Libro de Mormón. Además del Urim y Tumim, el Profeta utilizó una piedra vidente en el proceso de traducción.
El élder Neal A. Maxwell, del Quórum de los Doce Apóstoles, dijo lo siguiente sobre el proceso de traducción y el uso de Joseph Smith, del Urim y Tumim y el piedra vidente:
"Sólo el profeta José sabía el proceso completo, y él fue deliberadamente reacios a describir detalles. Tomamos nota de que pasa a las palabras de David Whitmer, José Caballero, y Martin Harris, que eran observadores, no traductores. David Whitmer indicó que como el Profeta utilizó los instrumentos divinos previstas para ayudarlo, 'aparecerían los jeroglíficos, y también la traducción en el idioma Inglés ... en letras luminosas brillantes. "Entonces José leía las palabras de Oliver (citado en James H. Hart, “About the Book of Mormon,” Deseret Evening News, 25 Mar. 1884, 2). 'Martin Harris relacionado de la piedra vidente': 'aparecerían Sentencias y fueron leídas por el Profeta y escrita por Martin' (citado en Edward Stevenson, “One of the Three Witnesses: Incidents in the Life of Martin Harris,” Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star, 6 Feb. 1882, 86–87). José Knight hizo observaciones similares (ver Dean Jessee, “Joseph Knight’s Recollection of Early Mormon History,” BYU Studies 17 [Autumn 1976]: 35).
"Lesson 10: Joseph Smith—History 1:55–65," Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Seminary Teacher Manual, 2013 (available online at LDS.org)
Dos de los relatos sobre el proceso de traducción, que incluyen el uso de una piedra vidente, han sido escritos por miembros del Quórum de los Doce Apóstoles y se han publicado en revistas de la Iglesia. También hay historiadores que han escrito sobre la piedra vidente en las publicaciones de la Iglesia, tanto en la revista Ensign como en The Joseph Smith Papers. (Véase Neal A. Maxwell, “By the Gift and Power of God”, Ensign, enero de 1997, págs. 36–41; Russell M. Nelson, “A Treasured Testament”, Ensign, julio de 1993, págs. 61–63; Richard Lloyd Anderson, “‘By the Gift and Power of God’”, septiembre de 1977, págs. 78–85; y Ensign, págs. xxix–xxxii.)Documents, Volume 1: July 1828–June 1831,
—"La traducción del Libro de Mormón," Temas del Evangelio en LDS.org off-site (Inglés)
Gerrit Dirkmaat (Church History Department - enero 2013 Ensign):
Los que creían que las revelaciones de José Smith contenían la voz del Señor que les habla también aceptó las formas milagrosas en que se recibieron las revelaciones. Algunas de las primeras revelaciones del Profeta José vino a través de los mismos medios por los cuales se tradujo el Libro de Mormón de las planchas de oro. En la caja de piedra que contiene las planchas de oro, José encontró lo que los profetas del Libro de Mormón se refiere como "intérpretes", o una "piedra, que brillará en las tinieblas a la luz" (Alma 37: 23-24). 'Él describió el instrumento como "espectáculos" y se refirió a ella utilizando un término Antiguo Testamento, Urim y Tumim' (ver Éxodo 28:30) 0.2
También a veces se aplica el término a otras piedras que poseía, llamadas "piedras videntes" porque le ayudaron en la recepción de revelaciones como vidente. El Profeta recibió algunas revelaciones tempranas a través del uso de estas piedras videntes. Por ejemplo, poco después de que Oliver Cowdery llegó a servir de escribiente para José Smith mientras traducía las placas, Oliver y José debatieron sobre el significado de un pasaje bíblico y buscaron una respuesta a través de la revelación. José explicó: "A diferencia de opinión que surja entre nosotros acerca de la cuenta de Juan el Apóstol ... si murió o si continuó; nos acordamos mutuamente que lo solucionen por el Urim y Tumim. "3 En respuesta, José Smith recibió la revelación que ahora se conoce como la sección 7 de la Doctrina y Convenios, que les informó de que Jesús había dicho el apóstol Juan:" Tú quédate serás hasta que venga en mi gloria " (D&C 7:3).
Los registros indican que poco después de la fundación de la Iglesia en 1830, el Profeta dejó de usar las piedras videntes como un medio regulares de recibir revelaciones. En cambio, él dictó las revelaciones después de preguntar al Señor sin el empleo de un instrumento externo. Uno de sus escribas explicó que el proceso: "El escriba asientos a sí mismo en un escritorio o una mesa, con la pluma, tinta y papel. El tema de la investigación en la inteligencia, las consultas profeta y revelador de Dios. Él espiritualmente ve, oye y siente, y luego habla como él se lo induzca el Espíritu Santo.”
Gerrit Dirkmaat (Church History Department), "Great and Marvelous Are the Revelations of God," Ensign, January 2013. (énfasis añadido) off-site (Inglés)
En 2005, Abriendo los Cielos fue publicado conjuntamente por el Instituto Fielding Smith José por miembro de la Iglesia Historia y Deseret Book. Como parte de este libro, al menos 'se incluyen' veintinueve referencias a la piedra (a menudo con el sombrero), tanto de fuentes amistosas y hostiles:
"Martin Harris relacionado de la 'piedra vidente' : 'aparecerían Sentencias y fueron leídas por el Profeta y escrita por Martin'"
—Neal A. Maxwell, “‘By the Gift and Power of God’,” Ensign, enero1997, 36 (énfasis añadido) off-site (Inglés)
"David Whitmer escribió: José Smith pondría a la piedra vidente en un sombrero, y puso su cara en el sombrero, dibujo de cerca alrededor de su cara para excluir la luz ', y en la oscuridad la luz espiritual haría brillar. '"
—Russell M. Nelson, “A Treasured Testament,” Ensign, Jul 1993, 61. (énfasis añadido) off-site (Inglés)
"Jacob censuró las" dura cerviz "Judios para" traspasar lo señalado "(Jacob 4:14). Estamos mirando más allá de la marca de hoy, por ejemplo, si estamos más interesados en las dimensiones físicas de la cruz que en lo que Jesús logró al respecto; o cuando descuidamos las palabras de Alma en la fe porque somos demasiado fascinada por el 'sombrero de la luz de blindaje según informes utilizado por José Smith durante algunas de la traducción del libro de Mormón' Para sustancia descuido mientras se centra en proceso. es otra forma de unsubmissively traspasar lo señalado ".
—Neal A. Maxwell, Not My Will, But Thine (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1988), 26.
Las escrituras indican que traducción a la vista, el poder, la transcripción de los personajes, el Urim y Tumim o una 'piedra vidente' , el estudio y la oración involucrado.
Después de regresar de un viaje a Palmyra para resolver sus asuntos, Martin comenzó a transcribir. Del 12 de abril al 14 de junio José tradujo mientras que Martin escribió, con sólo una cortina entre ellos. En ocasiones tomaron descansos de la tarea ardua, a veces ir al río y tirar piedras. 'Una vez que Martin encontró una roca muy parecidas a la piedra vidente José utiliza a veces en lugar de los intérpretes y sustituido sin el conocimiento del Profeta.' Cuando se reanudó la traducción, José se detuvo por un largo tiempo y luego exclamó: "Martin, lo que es el asunto, todo es tan oscuro como Egipto. "Martin luego confesó que deseaba que" deje la boca de los necios "que le dijeron que el Profeta memorizar frases y se limita a las repitió." —Kenneth W. Godfrey, "A New Prophet and a New Scripture: The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon," Ensign (Jan 1988): {{{start}}}–{{{end}}}.
"Allí dio su punto de vista más detallada de" la manera en que se tradujo el Libro de Mormón ': "' José Smith pondría a la piedra vidente en un sombrero y poner su cara en el sombrero, dibujo de cerca alrededor de su cara para excluir la luz . '"
—Richard Lloyd Anderson, "‘By the Gift and Power of God’," Ensign (Sep 1977), 79, emphasis added. off-site (Inglés)
"Al ayudar con la traducción, José encontró con las planchas de oro", un curioso instrumento que los antiguos llamaban Urim y Tumim, que consistía en dos piedras transparentes establecidos en un borde de un arco fijada a una coraza. " 'José también utilizado una, roca marrón con forma de huevo para traducir llamado una piedra vidente. '"
—“A Peaceful Heart,” Friend, Sep 1974, 7 off-site (Inglés)
"...the Prophet possessed a seer stone, by which he was enabled to translate as well as from the Urim and Thummim, and for convenience he then used the seer stone."
—Richard Lloyd Anderson, "‘By the Gift and Power of God’," Ensign (Sep 1977), 79, emphasis added. off-site (Inglés)
For 179 years this book has been examined, and attacked. Denied and deconstructed. Targeted and torn apart, like perhaps no other book in modern religious history. Perhaps like no other book in any religious history, and still, it stands. Failed theories about its origins have been born, parroted and died. From Ethan Smith to Solomon Spalding, to deranged paranoid, to cunning genius. None of these frankly pathetic answers for this book has ever withstood examination, because there is no other answer than the one Joseph gave as its young, unlearned translator.
—Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, General Conference talk, Oct. 4, 2009
He also bore his testimony in these words: “Friends and brethren my name is Cowdery, Oliver Cowdery. In the early history of this church I stood identified with [you]. … I … handled with my hands the gold plates from which [the Book of Mormon] was translated. I also beheld the interpreters. That book is true. Sidney Rigdon did not write it. Mr. Spaulding did not write it. I wrote it myself as it fell from the lips of the prophet.” 8 Even though Oliver came back, he lost his exalted place in the Church.
—James E. Faust, “‘Some Great Thing’,” Liahona, Jan 2002, 53–56 off-site (Inglés)
It is strange to me that unbelieving critics must still go back to the old allegations that Joseph Smith wrote the book out of ideas gained from Ethan Smith’s View of the Hebrews and Solomon Spaulding’s manuscript. To compare the Book of Mormon with these is like comparing a man to a horse. It is true they both walk, but beyond this there is little similarity.
— Gordon B. Hinckley, “My Testimony,” Ensign, Nov 1993, 51 off-site (Inglés)
At one time, it was popular among critics to contend that a literary work of Joseph Smith’s day, a manuscript authored by the Reverend Solomon Spalding (also spelled Spaulding), influenced the plot of the Book of Mormon. Spalding died in 1816, but his manuscript survived and was used by Eber D. Howe to advance a “Spalding theory” in the first anti-Mormon work of note, Mormonism Unvailed, (Painesville: E. D. Howe, 1834; original spelling preserved.) Howe held that Sidney Rigdon had been responsible for taking Spalding’s manuscript from a printing establishment in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and later making it available for publication through Joseph Smith.
—Larry C. Porter, “I Have a Question,” Ensign, June 1992, 27–29 off-site (Inglés)
Enemies threatened to knock down the walls of the temple. Philastus Hurlburt was excommunicated and in bitterness set in motion the Spaulding manuscript story of the origin of the Book of Mormon with all of the mischief that for years followed that concoction.
—Gordon B. Hinckley, “Go Forward with Faith,” Ensign, Aug 1986, 3 off-site (Inglés)
These restored truths came fully formed. Joseph Smith did not receive them through Solomon Spaulding, Ethan Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Oliver Cowdery, or any others to be advanced by those desperate for any explanation other than the correct one.
—Neal A. Maxwell, “‘A Choice Seer’,” Ensign, Aug 1986, 6 off-site (Inglés)
This interpretation initially appeared in the first anti-Mormon book, Mormonism Unvailed, a work published by Eber D. Howe and, most believe, authored by Philastus Hurlburt, an apostate. This hypothesis for the formulation of the Book of Mormon can best be summed up thus: “The Book of Mormon is the joint production of Solomon Spaulding and some other designing knave.” They conjectured this “knave” to be Sidney Rigdon.
—Keith W. Perkins, “Francis W. Kirkham: A ‘New Witness’ for the Book of Mormon,” Ensign, Jul 1984, 53 off-site (Inglés)
Every few years the opponents of the Church dust off one of the timeworn theories about how the Book of Mormon “really” was written. One of the dustiest is the theory that the Book of Mormon is based on a stolen manuscript written by Solomon Spaulding, a would-be novelist who died in 1816.
—Orson Scott Card, “Spaulding Again? ,” Ensign, Sept. 1977, 94–95 off-site (Inglés)
So it was that they sought to take the divine stamp away from his translation of the Book of Mormon. They determined to “humanize” his work by saying that he himself had composed the volume, or that he stole it from Spaulding, or that Sidney Rigdon wrote it, although it was published well before Joseph ever heard of Sidney Rigdon.
—Mark E. Petersen, “It Was a Miracle!,” Ensign, Nov 1977, 11 off-site (Inglés)
Would you respond to the theories that the Book of Mormon is based on the Spaulding manuscript or on Ethan Smith’s View of the Hebrews?
—Bruce D. Blumell, “I Have a Question,” Ensign, Sept. 1976, 84–87 off-site (Inglés)
"The claim is made (in some anti-Mormon tabloids) that toward the end of his life, B. H. Roberts found insuperable difficulties with the Book of Mormon and even that he lost faith in it."
—Truman G. Madsen, "B. H. Roberts after Fifty Years: Still Witnessing for the Book of Mormon," Ensign (Dec 1983), 11. off-site (Inglés)
John L. Sorenson discussed a limited geographical model for the Book of Mormon in 1984:
After God revealed the doctrine of plural marriage to Joseph Smith in 1831 and commanded him to live it, the Prophet, over a period of years, cautiously taught the doctrine to some close associates. Eventually, he and a small number of Church leaders entered into plural marriages in the early years of the Church. Those who practiced plural marriage at that time, both male and female, experienced a significant trial of their faith. The practice was so foreign to them that they needed and received personal inspiration from God to help them obey the commandment.
When the Saints moved west under the direction of Brigham Young, more Latter-day Saints entered into plural marriages.
—Plantilla:Ldsorg
This book deals with teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith that have application to our day....This book also does not discuss plural marriage. The doctrines and principles relating to plural marriage were revealed to Joseph Smith as early as 1831. The Prophet taught the doctrine of plural marriage, and a number of such marriages were performed during his lifetime.
—The 2008-2009 lesson manual Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, (2007), pages vii–xiii (énfasis añadido)
While working on the translation of the Bible in the early 1830s, the Prophet Joseph Smith became troubled by the fact that Abraham, Jacob, David, and other Old Testament leaders had more than one wife. The Prophet prayed for understanding and learned that at certain times, for specific purposes, following divinely given laws, plural marriage was approved and directed by God. Joseph Smith also learned that with divine approval, some Latter-day Saints would soon be chosen by priesthood authority to marry more than one wife. A number of Latter-day Saints practiced plural marriage in Nauvoo, but a public announcement of this doctrine and practice was not made until the August 1852 general conference in Salt Lake City. At that conference, Elder Orson Pratt, as directed by President Brigham Young, announced that the practice of a man having more than one wife was part of the Lord’s restitution of all things (see Acts 3:19–21).
—Our Heritage: A Brief History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1996), 97
Her great trial came when the prophet revealed to Emma that they would be required to live the ancient law of Abraham—plural marriage. Emma suffered deeply hurt feelings because of it. While she agreed with this doctrine at times, at other times she opposed it. Years later, Emma is purported to have denied that any such doctrine was ever introduced by her husband.
—Gracia N. Jones, "My Great-Great-Grandmother, Emma Hale Smith," Ensign (Aug 1992): {{{start}}}–{{{end}}}.(énfasis añadido)
The Prophet introduced several doctrines relating to the temple including the temple ceremonies and plural marriage, which some could not accept....
—William G. Hartley, “The Knight Family: Ever Faithful to the Prophet,” Ensign, Jan 1989, 43 off-site (Inglés) (énfasis añadido)
How a family accepts members who join it by marriage is, in some ways, analogous to how a Church accepts members who join it by baptism. The experiences of plural marriage make the analogy even closer....the Prophet Joseph Smith recorded a revelation to the Whitneys on plural marriage....The Whitneys gave their daughter into the system of plural marriage and received into their family other plural wives.
—D. Michael Quinn, “The Newel K. Whitney Family,” Ensign, Dec 1978, 42 off-site (Inglés) (énfasis añadido)
Starting during Joseph Smith’s own lifetime but limited to a few dozen families until its official announcement in 1852, plural marriage brought a powerful new challenge to the equanimity of Latter-day Saint family life...
—Davis Bitton, "Great-Grandfather’s Family," Ensign (Feb 1977): {{{start}}}–{{{end}}}.(énfasis añadido)
The great prophet Elias, whom Joseph Fielding Smith says is Noah..., appeared and bestowed upon their heads the keys of the dispensation of Abraham, or in other words, as Elder Bruce R. McConkie says in Mormon Doctrine...the keys of celestial and plural marriage.
—Jerry C. Roundy, “The Greatness of Joseph Smith and His Remarkable Visions,” New Era, Dec 1973, 7 off-site (Inglés) (énfasis añadido)
Critics charge that the existence of multiple accounts of the First Vision has been hidden. A review of just some of the sources demonstrates that this is simply false:
On page 12 of this official publication, all known accounts of the First Vision were compared in an easy-to-understand chart, demonstrating that the author and the Church did not think they had anything to hide:
There are many more references to the pistol in Church publications.
Joseph and others drank wine at Carthage. This fact is presented without apology in Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 volumes, edited by Brigham H. Roberts, (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1957), 6:616. BYU Studies link:
Before the jailor came in, his boy brought in some water, and said the guard wanted some wine. Joseph gave Dr. Richards two dollars to give the guard; but the guard said one was enough, and would take no more.
The guard immediately sent for a bottle of wine, pipes, and two small papers of tobacco; and one of the guards brought them into the jail soon after the jailor went out. Dr. Richards uncorked the bottle, and presented a glass to Joseph, who tasted, as also Brother Taylor and the doctor, and the bottle was then given to the guard, who turned to go out. When at the top of the stairs some one below called him two or three times, and he went down. (énfasis añadido)
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