But hebrews was omitted from both the marcionite canon, written around a. Numerous commentators on mormon doctrine, from lds church general authority b. A very short introduction to the book of mormon daves. I mean the mormon belief didnt come along til the 1800s right. Its not so much a question of borrowing as of the existence in the. Joseph smith is often accused of creating the book of mormon by plagiarizing various contemporary sources such as the spalding manuscript or ethan smiths view of the hebrews. This book is significant for it contains parallels to the content of the book of mormon. Their variety of traditions, historical and religious, do wonderfully accord with the idea, that they descended from the ancient ten tribes.
View of the hebrews 1825 edition introduction mormons. In the few cases where view of the hebrews has something in common with the book of mormon regarding matters not treated in those other sources, the similarities are superficial only. But the differences between these books are very significant. Of course, notable scholars like clement of rome, who died sometime around a. Roberts encountered quotations taken from 2 esdras. Rather than directly respond to each one of the 34 parallels between the view of the hebrews and the book of mormon as well as oliver cowderys direct connection to his pastor, author ethan smith, fairmormon attempts to distract and divert from the real issue by claiming there are a significant number of differences between the two books.
The excommunication of the hebrews deeply affecting 154 2. Did joseph smith plagiarize from view of the hebrews when writing the book of mormon by jeff lindsay. Mar 03, 2020 it seems likely that most latterday saints are unfamiliar with the theory. May 31, 2019 the storyline outline for the book of mormon probably came from ethan smiths 1823 new york novel, view of the hebrews. Joseph smith quoted view of the hebrews as supporting the book of mormon. This video goes over the many similarities between the two books.
Ethan smith was a minister of a congregational church in poultney, vermont from 1821 to 1826 when he wrote view of the hebrews. Similarities between the book of mormon and view of the hebrews book duration. View of the hebrews flooded the area in which joseph smith lived. Ethan smith was a pastor in poultney, vermont when he wrote and published the book. The view of the hebrews theory was examined in detail by b.
The view of the hebrews theory of book of mormon authorship. The book of mormon was emphatically a new revelation, and it insists that miracles continue today mormon 9. Debunking fairmormon letter to a ces director book of mormon. View of the hebrews denies new revelation or miracles. What do mormons think about the theory that the 1816 book. New evidence furnished of the divinity of the bible 169 appendix. What are the similarities and differences between view of the hebrews and the book of mormon.
It is claimed that a 19th century work by ethan smith, view of the hebrews, provided source material for joseph smiths construction of the book of mormon. And the days of miracles are thought to be past 127. The introduction in the present volume traces the history of the claims and counterclaims of a relationship between the book of mormon and view of the hebrews. For example, they misquote the book of mormons account of samuel the lamanite to make it sound like the view of the hebrews account of jesus ben ananias many of the parallels are unique to the second. Roberts conducted an exhaustive comparison and analysis of these two books and concluded there is merit to this criticism. Some also postulate a link between ethan smith and oliver cowdery, since both men lived in poultney, vermont while smith served as the pastor of the church that oliver. The book of mormon also takes many of its concepts from a book called view of the hebrews, published in 1825 by ethan smith not related to joseph smith five years prior to the book of mormon s publication. Is the lds view that the bible is corrupted and untrustworthy a fair and accurate assessment. Criticisms related to view of the hebrews and the book of mormon. Did joseph smith plagiarize from view of the hebrews when. The view of the hebrews theory became more popular as the availability of the book itself diminished.
This, of course, is the same apocryphal book we have been discussing. It contained books like the rule of the community, the damascus covenant, the war scroll, the midrash on melchizedek, as well as sections of 1 enoch called the book of the watchers and the book of dreams. Most adherents to the latter day saint movement view the book as a work of inspired scripture. Welch listed some 84 differences between the two books. Roberts authored a manuscript titled studies of the book of mormon, comparing the content of the book of mormon with view of the hebrews. It is so similar to view of the hebrews and the late war that i am shocked that people believe it. Because it has not been republished since 1825 aside from photocopy printings, those wishing to study view of the hebrews have had difficulty finding a copy. It is therefore from this viewpoint that his book will be evaluated. There are a number of helpful commentaries on the book of hebrews, and the following are five of the best. A reader and commentator here suggested that there were parallels between view of the hebrews, the late war, and the book of mormon.
If ethan smith suspected or even wished to charge that the book of mormon plagiarized or purloined from his work, it is strange that he proceeded as if there was no relationship between the two books. Roberts concluded, assuming a hemispheric geography theory for the book of mormon, sufficient parallels existed that future critics could claim that view of the hebrews had provided a. The book of mormon also takes many of its concepts from a book called view of the hebrews, published in 1825 by ethan smith not related to joseph smith five years prior to the book of mormons publication. Fairmormon is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing welldocumented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Jul 12, 2011 first of 15 parts of online version of 1824 book view of the hebrews by ethan smith. In october 20, the authors conducted a data analysis comparing the book of mormon to over 100,000 books from the pre1830s era. Population migrations in the book of mormon, however, always move from the south to the north.
Brodie, have discussed the possibility that view of the hebrews may have provided source material. There are several theories as to the origin of the book of mormon. This book is a faithful and accurate reproduction of the 1825 second edition of view of the hebrews. Book of mormonauthorship theoriesview of the hebrewsanalysis. Fairmormon faithful answers to criticisms of the lds church. The resultant preponderance of evidence demonstrates conclusively that the book of mormon had its conceptual origins in view of the hebrews p. View of the hebrews proposes that the american indians are descended from the lost ten tribes of israel.
In this response to gp chapter 10 we provide an overview and short evaluation of each of the major mormon scriptures and how they compare to one another and. What specific books are believed to have inspired or. For example, they misquote the book of mormons account of samuel the lamanite to make it sound like the view of the hebrews account of jesus ben ananias. View of the hebrews 1825 edition introduction mormons in transition. Lds revelations view of the hebrews book of mormon 1. Effectively on that link i have provided, fair 100% without a doubt proves that the entire view of the hebrews theory is utter garbage. Debunking fairmormon letter to a ces director book of. Fred rogers widow joanne rogers talks about the new documentary about him megyn kelly today duration. Hebrews is one of the most significant books in the new testament for understanding the relationship between the old and new covenants. Out of the top matches, we discovered a book called the late war between the united states and great britain, a scriptural style account of the war of 1812 published in new york in 1816. Ethan smiths view of the hebrews, published seven years before the book of mormon is thought to be source material for joseph smiths book of mormon. First published in 1823, with a second edition in 1825, ethan smiths hugely popular book view of the hebrews reflects the prevailing notions of the origin of the american indians of the time.
The book of mormon might have remained no more than an intangible promise to a group of money diggers if joseph had not come across a copy of view of the hebrews. Book of mormonauthorship theoriesview of the hebrews. Is view of the hebrews a source for the book of mormon. This is the chance for people to actually document the similarities and differences. One of the mormon evidences is to ask you to consider if joseph smith could have fabricated the book of mormon. Despite the churchs claims, the roots of mormonism, rather than being ancient and old world, are often instead nineteenth century and very american. It seems likely that most latterday saints are unfamiliar with the theory. Could joseph smith have used ethan smiths view of the hebrews as a guideline for creating the book of mormon. It was ethan smiths book that would provide the young seer with the concepts that would get his active imagination to work on transforming the expectations of the treasure hunters.
They did this in 2009 and mt responded then and now again in 2012 which we respond to below. Ethan smith, a pastor of a church in poultney, vermont, was by no means the first to advance the idea that the indigenous americans were descended from the hebrews. As for the claim that most critics find the book of mormons parallels to books like view of the hebrews less than persuasive of borrowing, i think givens is not framing the issue very well here to be fair, id say the same of most others, on both sides of the debate. Joseph smiths use of the apocrypha utah lighthouse ministry. Did view of the hebrews influence themes in joseph smith. Was the view of the hebrews theory of book of mormon origin advanced during the lifetime of joseph smith. Lets face it, they say, joseph smith was an uneducated young man living in poverty with almost no access to books, and he dictated the entire text of the book of mormon in 63 days. Ethan smith, pastor of the congregational church in poultney, vermont, argued that the native americans were scattered israelites who would soon. For almost a century critics of the authenticity of the book of mormon have claimed that view of the hebrews, first published by ethan smith in 1823 2d ed. View of the hebrews is an 1823 book written by ethan smith which argues that native americans were descended from the hebrews. It is claimed that a 19th century work by ethan smith, view of the hebrews, provided source. Ethan smith republished view of the hebrews, revised and enlarged, in 1835. View of the hebrews 2 nd edition by ethan smith manuscript story by solomon spaulding i also give you a comparison between this story and the book of mormon.
He also warns the authorities that they need to look at his research because it will cause problems for the church in the future if they dont answer the questions he has posed. Some critics claim that joseph smith copied much of the structure and content of the book of mormon from the 1823 book view of the hebrews by ethan smith no relation to joseph smith. Is the book of mormon plagiarized from view of the hebrews. View of the hebrews and the book of mormon book of mormon. The author ethan smith was the pastor of the religious congregation in which. Roberts took the position of examining the book of mormon from a. These books have a number of teachings that closely parallel the theological issues addressed in hebrews. Book of mormon published the latter part of march, 1830. Book of mormonauthorship theoriesview of the hebrewscriticalsources.
Several changes to the book of hebrews in joseph smiths translation reflect smiths lack of understanding of the bible. No contemporary critic of joseph smith and the book of mormon pointed out the supposedly obvious connection to the view of the hebrews and the book of mormon. Similarities between view of the hebrews, the late war. The most common belief of adherents is that promoted by joseph smith, who said he translated ancient golden plates inscribed by prophets. View of the hebrews proposes that the american indians are descended from the. The book of mormon and view of the hebrews have only 30 verses from isaiah in common, some of which are in isaiah 11, which entire chapter ethan smith. The author ethan smith was the pastor of the religious congregation in which the oliver cowdrey family attended. Was the view of the hebrews theory of book of mormon. The book of mormon shares some thematic elements with view of the hebrews. The best evidence that argues against view of the hebrews as the primary source for the book of mormon is a reading of the text itself, yet the ability to access that text had become more difficult over the years. Similarities between view of the hebrews, the late.
Did view of the hebrews influence themes in joseph smiths. Numerous commentators on mormon history, from lds church general authority b. Similarities between the book of mormon and view of the. The book of mormon by joseph smith and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi.
It was first published in 1823 the book of mormon was published 6 years later in 1829. Ethan smith, pastor of the congregational church in poultney, vermont, argued that the native americans were scattered israelites who would soon be restored into the gospel fold. Roberts concluded that this book, originally published in poultney, vermont in 1823 7 years prior to the book of mormon was available to joseph smith and contained enough parallel material to the book of mormon so as to furnish a virtual groundplan for it. Book of mormonauthorship theoriesview of the hebrewsnon. 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. View of the hebrews claim not present in book of mormon no revelation. The intent in publishing it has been to make it available to all. Some have suggested that the source for much of the history and theology in the book of mormon was an early nineteenthcentury book entitled view of the hebrews, by ethan smith. What specific books are believed to have inspired or influenced joseph smith in his authoring of the book of mormon. This theory that there was a connection between the book of mormon and the late war between the united states and great britain was.
The connection between view of the hebrews and the book of mormon has been thoroughly debunked many times. The above donut chart shows percentages of the book of mormon section of letter to a ces director that fairmormon is in agreement, disagreement, and neutral on if one assumes that fairmormons undisputed silence is acceptance of the facts, fairmormon agrees with 62. Between 1817 and 1819 it was marketed for the use of schools throughout the. To the convincing of the jew and the gentile that jesus is the christ. He writes about those who oppose the church who may believe that joseph smith copied large portions of the book of mormon from a book called a view of the hebrews. T he w rit er has h ad hi s ears open to objections. Studies of the book of mormon, edited by brigham d. Ces letter misportrays the content of the two books. Roberts took the position of examining the book of mormon from a critical perspective in order to alert the general authorities to possible future avenues of attack by critics. View of the hebrews reports that the indians are israelites because they use the word hallelujah. Just as the bibles present chapter and verse notation system is a later addition of bible publishers to books that were originally solid blocks of undivided text, the chapter and verse markers within the books of the book of mormon are conventions, not part of the original text. Did josephs changes to the bible restore parts that were lost from the original manuscripts. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. The storyline outline for the book of mormon probably came from ethan smiths 1823 new york novel, view of the hebrews.
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