Ergo, by your own point, the lds church is in conflict with doctrine. There is a small group who hold to the theory that the production of the book of mormon was a conspiracy involving sidney rigdon, joseph smith, oliver cowdery and others. Solomon spalding, who seems to have inadvertantly contributed to the book of mormon stories, once wrote a shorter novel, in which the most important character is a wondrous, lightskinned visitor to americas prehistoric inhabitants a founder of a new religion and of a new social order, whose name is baska. What are the pros and cons of the spauldingrigdon theory of. That was the first time that it was suggested that the book of mormon had in part at least, some inspiration that originated from the work published here. Rice of honolulu hawaii, discovered the spaulding manuscript between some old. Book of mormon plagiarism if ive said it once ive said it a thousand times. 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. How joseph created the book of mormon mormonism exposed. Spaudling never claimed that the book of mormon was a plagiarism of. 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. Aug 31, 2006 furthermore, the idea that native americans were descendents of israelites was an erroneous idea written and promoted by many other americans before the book of mormon existed, including ethan smith and solomon spaulding, authors of accounts many believe to be the basis of the book of mormon.
In the early 1830s he was identified by some witnesses and writers as the original author of part of the book of mormon. The fact that the historical portion of the book of mormon was taken from the work of rev. Ethan smith, hyrum smith, oliver cowdery, solomon spaulding connections. Solomon spauldings manuscript found was clearly and undeniably established in my article published in the watchman, boston, sept. It is far from perfect in its analysis but its new contributions, combined with other theories, finally paints a plausible and rational picture of the origin of. Spaulding manuscript mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. 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. Forget solomon spaulding, ethan smith, and shakespeare. Who realy wrote the book of mormon solomon spalding. May 04, 2009 evidence that the spaulding manuscript is not the source of the book of mormon besides the fact that the spaulding manuscript is just onesixth the size of the book of mormon meaning joseph and sidney needed to come up with much new material, spaulding s widow, matilda davison, gave the manuscript to hurlburt.
The spaulding manuscript is a fictional story about a group of. The theory first appeared in print in the book mormonism unvailed sic, published in 1834 by e. The book of mormon rolled off the grandin press in palmyra, new york, with joseph smith listed as author and proprietor on the title page. Take a look at the powerful and classic ancient semitic speech of king benjamin. The spaulding fable by common consent, a mormon blog. Toward the naturalistic roots of the book of mormon. As a coauthor of the 1977 work who really wrote the book of mormon. 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. Conneaut artifacts inspired controversial novel community. Wunderli, and it is due to be released today, june 17. Many of the passages in the mormon book are verbatim from spaulding, and others in part.
But the rediscovery of the original spaulding manuscript in 1884 proved them to be outright lies. I have lately read the book of mormon, and believe it to be the same as spaulding wrote, except the religious part. However, almost none of these people have actually read manuscript story for themselves. Evidence for solomon spaulding authorship of the book of mormon. The spaulding document was one of the greatest charge against the book of mormon at the beginning, since this manuscript was found it became a charge against the critics and a very good sample how they work against the truth. There was not a single book of mormon proper name in the spaulding manuscript, and spaulding did not write in a scriptural style. Perhaps its a great gift for that nonbelieving dad for fathers day. Solomon spaulding, the b of mormon joseph smith was. Full text of the manuscript story of reverend solomon. There is a small group who hold to the theory that the production of the book of mormon was a conspiracy involving sidney.
Andrew ainsworth did a post in february on the curious case of solomon spaulding, which talks more about the legal aspects of proving plagiarism. Manuscript of solomon spaulding and the book of mormon. Sidney rigdon true author of the book of mormon and. Antimormons continue to grasp at straws in bringing up the spauldingmanuscript theory, but credible historians do not buy their story. Anderson has compared hurlbuts palmyramanchester affidavits to those hurlbut also collected from witnesses in ohio and pennsylvania in september and august 1833 pertaining to the socalled. 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. Apr 24, 2016 you see, the book of mormon bom is devoid of the polytheistic mormon theology and the terminology of polytheistic mormonism that came into being around 1838, when the book of abraham and the plurality of gods, with a capital g, was introduced to mormonism by joseph smith, jr. Olives and butter are mentioned in the book of mormon but not mentioned being in america so this was a geography mistake. Spauldings widow with the intent to print it and expose the book.
Furthermore, the idea that native americans were descendents of israelites was an erroneous idea written and promoted by many other americans before the book of mormon existed, including ethan smith and solomon spaulding, authors of accounts many believe to be the basis of the book of mormon. The subtitle to the book is what the book of mormon tells us about itself. Davis has made numerous public lecture and media appearances on the subject. Full text of the manuscript story of reverend solomon spalding. What are the pros and cons of the spauldingrigdon theory. Evidence for solomon spaulding authorship of the book of. Spaulding s tale, wrote a bitter assault on the latterday saints in 1836, entitled mormonism unveiled, which was published in the name of, and by e. 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. Antimormons continue to grasp at straws in bringing up the spaulding manuscript theory, but credible historians do not buy their story. 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. Book of lies presents a truly unique perspective on the writing and publication of the book of mormon. The myth of the manuscript found, by elder george reynolds.
Howe, a newspaper editor who was hostile to the church, had heard rumors that there were some similarities between the solomon spaulding manuscript and the book of mormon, so they obtained the manuscript from mr. Fairchild solomon spalding home page searchthesite. The book of mormon was a plagiarism of an old manuscript by one solomon spaulding, which sidney rigdon somehow secured from a printing house in pittsburgh. He is also titular head of the spalding research associates. Doctor philastus hurlbut, an apostate of the church, and eber d. A very plausible lost and missing novel by solomon spalding manuscript found, separate and distinct from the oberlin manuscript has not been ruled out by mormon apologists. After adding much religious matter to the story, rigdon determined to publish it as a newly discovered history of the american indian. During the early days of the mormon church, a number of individuals had claimed that the book of mormon was a revised plagiarism of a mockbiblical novel written by a dartmoutheducated former minister solomon spaulding. Roberts studies of the book of mormon introduction by brigham d.
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. 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. Howe says was lying in his office at painesville for years, and which the mormons pretend was compared. Solomon spalding february 20, 1761 october 20, 1816 was the author of two related texts. 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. The spalding theory of the origin of the book of mormon began twe. Feb 15, 2019 olives and butter are mentioned in the book of mormon but not mentioned being in america so this was a geography mistake. Solomon spalding was the author of two related texts. The theory is that a spalding manuscript was stolen by sidney rigdon, who used it in collusion with joseph smith. Discussions of book of mormon issues and evidences, plus other topics related to the church of jesus christ of latterday saints.
Spauldings characters were not jews from jerusalem, but romans from rome. 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. Other arguments from alsup were concerned with the use of a mariners compass by the israelite emigrants while crossing the ocean, which he said conflicted with known science. Anderson has compared hurlbuts palmyramanchester affidavits to those hurlbut also collected from witnesses in ohio and pennsylvania in september and august 1833 pertaining to the socalled spaulding theory of the book of mormon s origin. Being born and raised in an lds family in ogden, utah came with the understanding youd be learning all you could about joseph smith, mormonism, and your book of mormon. Solomon spaulding, while walking this area in 1809, claimed in his. The top 10 lies your mormon friend is telling you exploring.
For years now ive heard people offhandedly dismiss the book of mormon as a known plagiarism of the solomon spaulding manuscript. The book of mormon is one of the boldest hoaxes of all time. Nov 01, 2016 doctor philastus hurlbut, an apostate of the church, and eber d. In an attempt to impugn hurlbut, mormon apologist richard l. The handwriting evidence did not support a connection between solomon spaulding and joseph smith. One item i wished to examine at princeton was a manuscript by one solomon spaulding entitled the manuscript found. 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. Hurlbut, an apostate, the originator of the fabrication that the book of mormon originated in mr.
There was not a single book of mormon proper name in it. Signature books sent me an advance copy of an imperfect book by earl m. Solomon spaulding and the book of mormon fairmormon. In 1888, walter sidney rigdon sidney rigdons grandson said that his grandfathers role in fabrication of the book of mormon was a family secret. Historically, some have suggested that in writing the book of mormon joseph smith copied a manuscript written by a mr. See his manuscript of solomon spaulding and the book of mormon in magazine of western history 4 mayoctober 1886, pp. Reviewed by richard packham for the association for mormon letters. It is far from perfect in its analysis but its new contributions, combined with other theories, finally paints a plausible and rational picture of the origin of the lds church. Spauldings characters were not jews from jerusalem but romans from rome. In early 1830, an unknown farmer in upstate new york burst upon the worlds bookpublishing scene.
Spalding studies home page solomon spalding home page. Book of mormon impossibilities edits in video description. 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. There was not a single book of mormon proper name in the spaulding manuscript, and spaulding did not write in. 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. Solomon spaulding told me that he was writing a history of that race of people. Spauldings tale, wrote a bitter assault on the latterday saints in 1836, entitled mormonism unveiled, which was published in the name of, and by e.
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 matters which i did not meet with in the manuscript found. 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. Solomon spaulding was born in connecticut in 1761, he was ordained a. I have read every word of both it and the book of mormon, and i compiled a list of. 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 spauldingrigdon having secretly acquired the spaulding document from a pittsburgh printer named jonathan h. The curious case of solomon spaulding mormon matters. In book of mormon, book of lies, authors meredith ray sheets and kendal sheets present the book of mormon and the story surrounding its creation as one of the.
For rarely does one find an alternative theory advanced to expose the true origins of a. Jul 18, 2009 see his manuscript of solomon spaulding and the book of mormon in magazine of western history 4 mayoctober 1886, pp. The book of mormon was not an ordinary translation. This he raised with a lever, uncovering a cave in which lay a stone box. Abcs of science and mormonism now available in print. Sidney rigdon true author of the book of mormon and founder. Spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship. For the book of mormon being true then joseph smith is a prophet of god and.
The book of mormon states that church leaders should not be paid. This theory has been discredited by modern academians. Reports that in bainbridge, ohio, sidney rigdon engaged in seancelike sessions with others in adjacent places to produce the book of mormon. That was the first time that it was suggested that the book of mormon had in part at least, some inspiration that originated from the. Spaulding manuscript the encyclopedia of mormonism. 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. The complicated production of the book of mormon, from its original writing by nephi, mormon, moroni, and others to its most recent editings and printings, is a human process that has been well described. Book of mormonauthorship theoriesspalding manuscript.
The theory first appeared in print in the book mormonism unvailed, published in 1834 by e. As it turns out, olivers grandfather william cowdery, sr. When a distant cousin of one of the three founders of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints lds coauthors a book with two other prominent scholars proving beyond the shadow of a doubt that. 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. He never used the book of mormon phrases it come to pass or now it come to pass the discovery of the manuscript. It is claimed by some that joseph smith either plagiarized or relied upon a manuscript by solomon spaulding to write the book of mormon. During the time hurlbut was gathering material for this. The spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship is the theory that the book of mormon was plagiarized in part from an unpublished manuscript written by solomon spalding.
Debunking the spaulding manuscript theory mormon heretic. Madsen is professor emeritus of history at the university of utah, salt lake city. Spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship wikipedia. Naturalistic explanations of the origin of the book of. Naturalistic explanations of the origin of the book of mormon.
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