Nov 12, 2007 a small but significant correction is that the change is not on the title page, which was written by the hand of mormon himself, but rather the change is to change wording in the introduction to the book of mormon. A photoreprint of the original 1830 edition of the book of mormon with all changes marked compared to a 1964 edition. For nearly two centuries, faithful members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds. Cowdrey is an ex mormon whose interest in the origins of the book of mormon derives from his familys tradition that they are relatives of the oliver cowdery who figures so prominently in the spalding enigma. Critics do not accept that the bom relates an actual history of real people who came to the. Next post is by simon in oz who wrote on the book of mormon and. Book of mormon changes the fall of mormonism rich kelsey. It is a record of gods dealings with ancient inhabitants of the americas and contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel. Many book of mormon names are either biblical, formed from a rhyming pattern, changed by a prefix or suffix. One derived from a single family who fled from jerusalem in 600 b. It introduces the book of mormon to the modern reader by providing background information and a description of the book. One expert says these additions to mormon scripture show signs of a more. The bible, the book of mormon, and continuing revelation duration.
Day after day i continued, uninterrupted, to write from his mouth, as he translated with. 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. Cowdrey is an exmormon whose interest in the origins of the book of mormon derives from his familys tradition that they are relatives of the oliver cowdery who figures so prominently in the spalding enigma. I get it, when talking to someone who denies the claims that the foundation for mormonism is a stolen story from a mediocre writer no one has ever heard of you have to show an overwhelming amount of evidence, but holy cow. 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. Joseph fielding smith, the tenth president of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, proclaimed. A new introduction included in doctrine and covenants, givens says. I am curious as to who wrote the introduction the page after the title page in the book of mormon. The first title page adds the significant statement that the book of mormon has been carefully revised by the translator, and the second title page adds the name moroni, thus giving proper credit to moroni who wrote this introduction to the book of mormon. More power i feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the book of mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. Book of mormon, changes and missing doctrines this page displays many of the doctrines unique to mormonism which are nowhere to be found in the book of mormon itself, a book which supposedly contains the fulness. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to.
The remainder of the book of mormon is written in thirdperson historical. Understanding textual changes in the book of mormon. 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. The most common belief of adherents is that promoted by joseph smith, who said he translated ancient golden plates inscribed by prophets.
Nov 08, 2007 one word can speak volumes says this mornings salt lake tribune. First nephi through omni are written in firstperson narrative, as are mormon and moroni. Choose from 500 different sets of book of mormon flashcards on quizlet. It claims to be the most correct book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book introduction in book of mormon. The work in question is who really wrote the book of mormon. Significant book of mormon introduction change mormons talk. Who really wrote the book of mormon the spalding enigma by. Who really wrote the book of mormon solomon spalding. The book of mormon is a second witness, confirming the validity of biblical doctrine and verifying the divinity of christ through the inspired words of other sheep in christs fold see john 10. Invite students to write the second paragraph of president bensons statement in. Introduction to the book of mormon page 3 in 1844 at the hands of an angry mob, still claiming that the book of mormon was the word of god, translated by the gift and power of god from ancient records. A oneword change in the introduction to a 2006 edition of the book of mormon has reignited discussion among some latterday saints about the book s historicity, geography and the descendants of those chronicled within its pages. In making this study we obtained photocopies of an original 1830 edition of the book of mormon from the university of utah library.
The book of mormon spooky mormon hell dream lyrics by azmad202. Joseph smith at the age of 16 maybe 14,15 or 17 was led to the site of the plates by the angel moroni, joseph was instructed not to remove the items until he was given permission. Mcconkie wrote the introduction in 1981 for the then new edition of the book of mormon and it contained this statement. I have done some seraching on the internet and the best answer i have found, is church leaders, but i am looking more specifically which church leaders if it was in fact church leaders, which i do tend to believe.
A recent word change to the introduction of the book of mormon has once again brought attention to the question regarding the historical reliability of one of mormonisms most sacred texts. The book of mormon never mentions quetzalcoatl or any of ethans details of quetzalcoatls indian traditionssuch as bare feet, pierced ears, fieryflying serpents, green plumage, and more. Book of mormon introduction change may reflect new. A careful check of the list of changes shows there is not one change or. Ive read both sides many times over, and i can argue the promormon side just as easily as the nomormon side, with the prime diference being that the. The question of the authenticity of the book of mormon is the basis for any discussion on the truthfulness of the lds church. A readers guide, have attempted to move the discussion away from polemics to an appreciation for the books. Then i would like to turn to the issue of changes in the text to the book of mormon. Here on the title page it says reading joseph smith, jr.
Hi im superpensfan8771, ever since i was a little kid ive always loved taking care of reptiles, playing the guitar, and doing almost everything to. The introduction was written by bruce r mcconkie, not mormon or moroni. Changes in the book of mormon book of mormon central. The pinnacle event in the book of mormon is a visitation from christ, himself. The introduction to the book of mormonbook of mormon teacher resource manual. Single word change in book of mormon speaks volumes the salt.
More evidence there is another class of evidence that proves the divine origin of the book of mormon. Changes in the book of mormon introduction juvenile. Its first edition was published in 1823 and was very popular in the area where joseph smith lived. Over time we have to evaluate our previous assumptions to assess whether they were correct or incorrect. However, after a fair and candid examination of the evidence, many thousands of honest mormons have discovered that this claim simply is not true. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints 165,852 views. At the conclusion of the original article, i provide some specific numbers for the different types of changes in the history of the book of mormon text, including the number of changes introduced in the book of mormon. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. Mormon challenges could the book of mormon story have. The book of mormon is a musical comedy with music, lyrics and book by trey parker, robert lopez, and matt stone.
For example, william shakespeare wrote in his play, julius caesar, that. Large and small doubleday editions of the book of mormon. A popular charge of antimormons is that the church is guilty of fraud because of changes in the book of mormon, or that the book of mormon cant be true and divine because corrections have been made. It is not part of the original book of mormon, but only later added as. The problem of book of mormon authorship has challenged historians and theologians since the book was published in 1830. Another change affirms the teaching that the book of mormon alone contains the fullness of the gospel. A copy of the second edition of this book is available online 1 which you can compare to the original version of the book of mormon. Introduction to the book of mormon another testament. The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Lots of good information, but really starts to drag because they cite so many letters and documents to prove their point. We printed this study under the title 3,9 changes in the book of mormon. 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.
Some mormon scholars, like grant hardy, who wrote understanding the book of mormon. Aug 31, 2006 the introduction was written by bruce r mcconkie, not mormon or moroni. The book of mormon is the keystone in our witness of jesus christ, who is. Opponents of the book have claimed that joseph smith wrote it himself, or that an accomplice such as solomon spaulding or sidney rigdon penned it and somehow transferred it to joseph smith. In essence, the challenge states that the critic should produce a text of like character to the book of mormon, before he assumes that smith could have been the sole author. For nearly two centuries, faithful members of the church.
Gilbert, the man who helped to print the book of mormon, claimed that. Critics charge that many changes were made after the initial printing but. It is not part of the original book of mormon, but only later added as a helpful introduction. A recently announced change in the book of mormons introduction, however, allows for a greater diversity of ancestry of native americans. 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. In the bible, jesus spoke to the jews in jerusalem of other sheep who. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which adherents. Debate renewed with change in book of mormon introduction. A readers guide, have attempted to move the discussion away from. Jun 11, 2009 a recent word change to the introduction of the book of mormon has once again brought attention to the question regarding the historical reliability of one of mormonisms most sacred texts. Since its first publication in 1830, the book of moron has undergone thousands of changes. The 1830 book of mormon summary of changes this gives an intriguing explanation of the origin of the words cumorah and moroni. Critical texts have previously been prepared for important historical and literary works but until fairly.
Could joseph smith have written the book of mormon. Howard davis and arthur vanick, recently published by concordia, the highly respected publishing arm of the lutheran church missouri synod. The claim is often heard that there are more than 4000 changes to the book of mormon text. Later, the prophet joseph smith, by the gift and power of god, translated an abridgment of those original plates. First staged in 2011, the play is a satirical examination of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints beliefs and practices that ultimately endorses the positive power of love and service. Hi im superpensfan8771, ever since i was a little kid ive always loved taking care of reptiles, playing the guitar, and doing almost ev.
Mormonism must stand or fall on the story of joseph smith. One word can speak volumes says this mornings salt lake tribune. Royal skousen, a professor of linguistics at byu and a recognized expert of the textual history of the book of mormon, has identified 5,280 variations in all editions of the book of mormon. We who created and who maintain this onomasticon work under the belief that the book of mormon is an ancient document whose cultural roots, except for the jaredite cultural legacy, reach back to 7th century bc judah. Im first going to describe the critical text project, some of its major findings. How can you believe that the book of mormon is perfect. Mormon apologists will immediately recognize this as the counterpart to the socalled book of mormon challenge. The book of mormon is a complex book covering a variety of historical, religious, political, and military events in a variety of ancient communities. For a long time, mormons assumed that the book of mormon took place all over the americas.
Pratt as key players in the authorship of the book of. A brief analysis and discussion of the geography of 1 nephi 16 and 17 in the book of mormon and the discoveries of plausible locations for nahom and bountiful in the ababian peninsula that, on its own, disprove that theory that joseph smith or anyone else from 1830 authored the book of mormon. Most adherents to the latter day saint movement view the book as a work of inspired scripture. A book of mistakes, error, and fraud by jon gary williams introduction the mormon church promotes the book of mormon as an inspired writing. Learn book of mormon with free interactive flashcards. The book of mormon may have undergone some minor changes but these. The book of mormon records that the nephites constructed houses of cement, 34 as well as temples, synagogues and sanctuaries 35 throughout their territories. The book of mormon has been described as the bible of north america i. In making this study we obtained photocopies of an original 1830. Proof the book of mormon isnt true the book of mormon contradicts the bible and was actually a work of fiction written by joseph smith in the 1800s, who copied much of it from the king james version, trying to make it look like an ancient manuscript. As it turns out, olivers grandfather william cowdery, sr. The introduction to the book of mormon was not a part of the original plates. It is confirming evidence of the birth, life, and crucifixion of jesus and of his work as the messiah and the redeemer. Having read tens of thousands of pages of material, pro and con, here in a nutshell is my current best guess, included with a preface that i dont care what anyone has to refute my position.
Just as the arch crumbles if the keystone is removed, so does all the church stand or fall with the truthfulness of the book of mormon. The book of mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible. Ive read both sides many times over, and i can argue the pro mormon side just as easily as the no mormon side, with the prime diference being that the. In 1965 we published a photographic reproduction of the first edition of the book of mormon showing that thousands of changes were made in the text since it was first published. Book of mormon introduction change may reflect new thinking about an ancient people. But the truth is that there is more than one change in the book of mormon. The title page of the book of mormon, written by its final author, moroni.
In 1881 whitmer, the one witness who never returned to the church, issued an affidavit. How the book of mormon was translated let us reason. A small but significant correction is that the change is not on the title page, which was written by the hand of mormon himself, but rather the change is to change wording in the introduction to the book of mormon. The arguments are rather weak but need to be dealt with thats the purpose of this page.
Yet, with all of the digs and research ferguson and his team undertook, they failed to find one artifact to prove that book of mormon nephite cities, villages, or territories ever existed. The spalding enigma, our authors set out to accomplish a monumental task. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. Book of mormon word change christian research institute.
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