Take a look at the powerful and classic ancient semitic speech of king benjamin. 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. A behind the scenes look at changes in mormon doctrine and practice. The solomon spalding theory chapter 9 of joseph smiths. The complete original spaulding manuscript publication type. I like to keep an open mind and hear all possible angles. 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. However, almost none of these people have actually read manuscript story for themselves. In the early 1800s, a man named solomon spaulding wrote a fictional story about ancient romans who came to north america. Spaulding s manuscript, lost for fortyfive years, was. The spaulding manuscript in the oberlin college library. Mental illness expanded smiths abilities to write the book of mormon. The question of book of mormon authorship cannot be solved by dismissing or excising solomon spalding from mormon history or by ignoring clear evidence. Solomon spauldings manuscript found was clearly and undeniably established in my article published in the watchman, boston, sept.
Spauldings reputed romance, the manuscript found, as the groundwork for that divine record. In the early 1830s he was identified by some witnesses and writers as the original author of part of the book of mormon. Those who do not accept the book of mormon as scripture offer many theories about its origin. Did spalding write the book of mormon tanner, jerald. In every set comparing the book of mormon texts against these three writers, at. For rarely does one find an alternative theory advanced to expose the true origins of a. As a result, if the book of mormon can be proved to be manmade, then the church is manmade.
In fact, i decided to reread the book of mormon from start to finish after finishing these episodes, with a more thoughtful and critical approach of. The theory of the origin of the book of mormon in the traditional manuscript of solomon spaulding will probably have to be relinquished. I know this has been refuted before, but can you help me understand this issue and get to the bottom of it. By the 1840s, the socalled spaulding theory had become the main anti mormon explanation for the book of mormon. The curious case of solomon spaulding mormon matters. The spalding studies site solomon spalding home page. Finally, i am more than half convinced that this is his only writing of the sort, and that any pretence that spaulding was in any sense the author of the other, is a sheer fabrication. Nevertheless, this unique edition will be a useful reference for students of latterday saint history and nineteenthcentury american culture. 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. Nov 01, 2016 as a result, if the book of mormon can be proved to be manmade, then the church is manmade. Forget solomon spaulding, ethan smith, and shakespeare. Im not a mormon and i believe the bom sprang from the mind of joseph smith, but i have no sympathy for proponents of the spaldingrigdon theory because it is such a weak, poorlybuttressed alternative explanation. For years now ive heard people offhandedly dismiss the book of mormon as a known plagiarism of the solomon spaulding manuscript. 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.
I have heard that joseph smith plagiarized the writings of solomon spaulding to produce the book of mormon. Or was the book really derived from solomon spalding. For the 24 book of mormon authors included in the analysis, see larsen, rencher, and layton, who wrote the book of mormon. Presentation about the spaldingrigdon theory and the authorship of the book of mormon. 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.
To make an objective comparison of the book of mormon and spaulding s manuscript story, the student should not only consider the story resemblances but also the style of writing, the use of the english language, the themes used in developing story plots, and the story outlines, before coming to any conclusion as to the similarities in the works. Evidence for solomon spaulding authorship of the book of mormon. 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 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. Many of the passages in the mormon book are verbatim from spaulding, and others in part. I have read every word of both it and the book of mormon, and i compiled a list of. Andrew ainsworth did a post in february on the curious case of solomon spaulding, which talks more about the legal aspects of proving plagiarism. Howe suggested that the book of mormon was based on an unpublished novel called manuscript found, written by a former minister named solomon spalding. 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. Book of mormon vs spaulding manuscript book of mormon facts. Hilton, comparing writings of nephi and alma with the words of joseph smith, oliver cowdery, and solomon spaulding.
We build enduring faith in jesus christ by making the book of mormon accessible, comprehensible, and defensible to the entire world. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. However, another theory is that the book of mormon was taken from an unpublished 1812 novel written by a retired minister, solomon spalding. The fact that the historical portion of the book of mormon was taken from the work of rev. Spauldings manuscript, lost for fortyfive years, was. Jan 29, 2015 im not a mormon and i believe the bom sprang from the mind of joseph smith, but i have no sympathy for proponents of the spaldingrigdon theory because it is such a weak, poorlybuttressed alternative explanation. To make an objective comparison of the book of mormon and spauldings manuscript story, the student should not only consider the story resemblances but also the style of writing, the use of the english language, the themes used in developing story plots, and the story outlines, before coming to any conclusion as to the similarities in the works. 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. Mar 30, 2009 was the book of mormon a novel written by the late author solomon spaulding. But it will not take long for readers to see that it bears no resemblance to the book of mormon. Discussions of book of mormon issues and evidences, plus other topics related to the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. May 30, 2012 the spalding enigma did an angel of god in the late 1820s really give 18yearold con artist joseph smith mormon bible, as he claimed. Spauldings manuscript is considerably shorter than the book of mormon.
The question of book of mormon authorship cannot be solved by dismissing or excising solomon spalding. I am of the opinion that no one who reads the manuscript will give credit to the story that solomon spaulding was in any wise the author of the book of mormon. Since the book of mormon was first published, many have been unwilling to accept joseph smiths account of how it was produced. Historians and scholars can no longer acquiesce in perpetuating the myth that the spalding theory has been refuted, repudiated, demolished, or disproved. It is where i attended school, where i met my wonderful wife, and where all six of our children have attended. Was the book of mormon a novel written by the late author solomon spaulding. Even with the connection, the book has no redeeming value whatsoever and wont help you in your studies of the bom.
Smiths intellect was sufficient for him to dictate the words in. 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. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. A behindthescenes look at changes in mormon doctrine and practice. Solomon spaulding penned a manuscript that joseph smith plagiarized.
The theory first appeared in print in the book mormonism unvailed, published in 1834 by e. 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. Oct 09, 2005 discussions of book of mormon issues and evidences, plus other topics related to the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. This chart shows the results of tests that were run by john l. Solomon spalding february 20, 1761 october 20, 1816 was the author of two related texts. April 22, 2019 join us now as we interview bryce blankenagel of naked mormonism podcast to discuss the solomon spaulding theory of book of mormon authorship. 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. Collaborators assisted smith in writing the book of mormon. Brown when the book of mormon was first published in march of. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. The testimonies claimed that most of the main incidents in the book of mormon originated with solomon spaulding. The spalding enigma did an angel of god in the late 1820s really give 18yearold con artist joseph smith mormon bible, as he claimed.
An analysis of wordprints, book of mormon authorship, 181. Is the book of mormon ancient history or a work of. But it will not take long for readers to see that it bears no resemblance to the. Spauldings novel provides an engaging view into one mans fanciful reconstruction of native american life. Evidence for solomon spaulding authorship of the book of. Book of mormonauthorship theoriesspalding manuscript. Spaldingrigdon theory proves the book of mormon is false. On the other hand, if its origin is godgiven, then joseph smith was a prophet, and if he was a prophet, then the church of jesus christ of latterday saints is true. Sidney rigdon true author of the book of mormon and. 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 is the keystone of our religion it is good to be with you today.
Some critics of the church have claimed that joseph smith used the manuscript to write the book of mormon. In 1834 the credibility of these testimonies was at best suspect. One source that supposedly supports the arguments of critics that the book of mormon is not authentic is a 175page manuscript known as the manuscript story also entitled manuscript found in some editions which was written by solomon spaulding sometimes spelled spalding in the early 1800s. Dec 12, 2017 for the 24 book of mormon authors included in the analysis, see larsen, rencher, and layton, who wrote the book of mormon. In every set comparing the book of mormon texts against these three writers, at least seven and often many more rejections were measured. Feb 23, 2009 presentation about the spaldingrigdon theory and the authorship of the book of mormon. Spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship. Was the book of mormon a novel written by the late author. Mormon stories podcast spaulding theory of book of. 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. The dartmouth university connections to the book of mormon. Historical evidence, however, refutes each of these assertions.
His preparation, thorough research, and absolute brilliance are on display as bryce gives us the context surrounding the solomon spaulding manuscript theory of the book of mormoneven including some of the apologetic arguments against the theory. Once we have a foundational testimony of the book of mormon, then. In the early 1800s, a man named solomon spaulding wrote a fictional story about. Were excited to finally bring on bryce blankenagel of the naked mormonism podcast to mormon stories. This theory claimed that sidney rigdon wrote the religious parts of the book of mormon while the historical parts were plagiarized from an unpublished manuscript written in 1812 by solomon spaulding rigdon having secretly acquired the spaulding document from a pittsburgh printer named jonathan h. It was first published in 1830 in palmyra, new york, and was thereafter widely reprinted and translated. Spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship wikipedia. Ever since the book of mormon was first published in 1830, its origins have been disputed. Solomon spalding was the author of two related texts. What are the pros and cons of the spauldingrigdon theory.
If it were not for the book of mormon connection, this book would be completely worthless. The 19th century writers included sidney rigdon, solomon spaulding, joseph smith, w. Solomon spaulding, the b of mormon joseph smith was. Smith created the book of mormon through automatic writing. The solomon spaulding manuscript theory of book of mormon authorship. 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. By the 1840s, the socalled spaulding theory had become the main antimormon explanation for the book of mormon. Book of mormon, work accepted as holy scripture, in addition to the bible, in the church of jesus christ of latterday saints and other mormon churches.
Looking at the spaulding manuscript mormon heretic. This theory was presented in the 1834 book, mormonism unvailed, by e. Short interview transcript about the solomon spalding issue. Ive finally gotten around to researching this oftcited alternative theory about the true origins of the book of mormon, and i was both perplexed and amused by what i found. 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. Enlarged edition, and a more readable distillation is the changing world of mormonism. Spaulding manuscript the encyclopedia of mormonism. Apr 29, 2019 were excited to finally bring on bryce blankenagel of the naked mormonism podcast to mormon stories. Manuscript of solomon spaulding and 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. May 04, 2009 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. Presented by robert hancock of the southern utah post mormon association, dec. 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. This claim has been discredited many times by people inside and outside of the church.
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