From jerry smith s research he is convinced that in the early years of the restoration joseph smith s early vision of the temple worship was not influenced by free masonry, but was initially inspired by what he found in the book of mormon and in the schooling experiences centered in the book of mormon translation period, from 1823 to 1830. Written by prophets to a people who lived in america long before white people ever came, some believe they were the beginnings of some native indian tribes. Smith translated the ancient language into english through divine revelation. New joseph smith papers volume published book of mormon. And now we wish to honor you with the story of joseph smith, the american moses. The book of mormon is the most correct of any book on earth, joseph smith stated, and the keystone1 of our religion. Many reject joseph smiths claims that he received and translated the book of mormon through divine direction and assistance. The founder of the mormon church, joseph smith, wed as many as 40 wives, including one as young as 14 years old, the church acknowledged. Smith had received a revelation from god, first through an angel, and then through a book inscribed on golden plates. Joseph smiths translation and publication of the book of mormon, excerpted by fairmormon. Pre1830 works that possibly influenced the book of mormon a list of books available in joseph smiths time written about topics present in the book of mormon.
Smith published the book of mormon in 1830 and shortly thereafter organized a small church of his first. Did joseph smiths mother believe he could have written. Book of mormon, 1830, page 6 the joseph smith papers. Smith also asserted that john the baptist appeared to him while he was translating the book of mormon and instructed him to restore the church by preaching the true gospel. The coming forth of the book of mormon, foretold by ancient prophets, began with an angelic visitation in 1823 to 17yearold joseph smith. An account written by the hand of mormon, upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. The book of mormon is another testament of jesus christ.
The book of mormon by joseph smith, paperback barnes. Original broadway cast recording joseph smith american moses performed by nikki m james and the company. Knowhy 4 march 6, 2018 book of mormon central, how. What did joseph smith learn from the book of mormon about. Skeptics have put forth several theories of book of. The mormon religion is based upon the story and religious. How joseph smith and the early mormons challenged american. One of four major biographies of joseph smith, donna hills awardwinning book is the most comprehensive.
Joseph smith characterized the book of mormon as the keystone of mormonism, and claimed that it was the most correct of. Transcribed only once, from ancient writings, this book is an. Another testament of jesus christ behold, i am jesus christ, whom. The urgency for joseph smith to secure additional protection for his to the book of mormon was punctuated by the fact that in january 1830 abner cole a former justice of the. Honestly, because of the sheer volume of anachronistic errors contained in joseph smiths book, even trying to read it as a novel is taxing. Music, lyrics and book by trey parker, matt stone and. If the primary purpose of the book of mormon were to function as a sign as tangible evidence that joseph smith was a true prophet of god that mission. The book of mormon is set in north america in the first century. Mormon origins is created to make available historical information andor documents relating to the beginnings of mormonism in america. To participate in the bicentennial commemoration of the restoration, to heighten appreciation for joseph smiths first vision, and to help better inform latterday saints of the founding event of their history. On april 6, 1830, joseph smith organized the church of jesus christ of. According to mormon belief, the book of mormon was inscribed on golden plates by generations of prophets, quoted and abridged by the prophethistorian mormon, and buried in the.
Joseph smith and the book of mormon mormonism research. A new book, kingdom of nauvoo, examines joseph smiths. Book of mormon, 1830, page ii the joseph smith papers. Prophet joseph smith the prophet joseph smiths own words about the coming forth of the book of mormon are. Indeed, as jensen and hauglid point out in their introductory remarks in the new volume, joseph smiths keen interest in egyptian writings may have stemmed in part from his belief that the writing system on.
Fourteen centuries later, in 1823, the angel moroni led joseph smith to the plates hidden in a hillside in upstate new york. Joseph smith, american prophet and founder of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. October 1st is the anniversary of a little known event in early church history that i believe, in consequence of significant research progress, now deserves recognition for identifying a region of major book of. In nauvoo, illinois, smith established a theocracy, ran for president, and tested the limits of religious freedom.
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. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. Seven years later, in 1830, this scriptural canon of the latterday saints was published for the world. This script is taken from portions of joseph smiths own testimony, found at the beginning of the book of mormon. Palmyra, known as swifts landing and tolland before being renamed palmyra, 1796.
Lds scripture instructs that joseph smith, the prophet and seer of the lord. In 1823, 17yearold joseph smith was visited by the angel moroni, who declared that josephs name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both. It is a general instruction or rule for action, a maxim, esp. December 23, 1805 june 27, 1844 was the founder of the latter day saint movement, also known as mormonism, and an important religious and political figure during the 1830s. How joseph smith and the early mormons challenged american democracy. Midgley has pointed out that alternate theories on the authorship of. The book of mormon is one of the most influential, as well as. Latterday saints are accustomed to speaking of joseph smith as the inspired translator of the book of mormon. A precept is a command, a mandate, an order pertaining to proper behavior. Smith published the book of mormon in 1830 and shortly. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. December 23, 1805 june 27, 1844 was an american religious leader and founder of mormonism and the latter day saint movement. Smith translated the writing on the plates into the book of mormon, which tells the story of the ancient people of america.
Why didnt joseph smith translate the book of mormon right. Joseph smith, the founder and leader of the mormon religion, is murdered along with his brother hyrum when an antimormon mob breaks into a jail where they are being held in carthage. The completed work, titled the book of mormon, was published in palmyra on march 26, 1830, by printer e. According to smiths account and the books narrative, the book of mormon was originally written in otherwise unknown characte. The spiritual text that forms the basis of mormonism, in the last edition edited by its founder, joseph smith, jr. The testimony of joseph smith about the book of mormon. Why did joseph smith attempt to secure the book of mormon.
Joseph smiths plagiarism of the bible in the book of mormon the book of mormon, one of the books of scripture accepted by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, is purported to be the record of. In the unfolding book of mormon text, joseph smith found answers to some of the questions that had brought him to the sacred grove as a 14yearold boy. Smiths death marked the end of a decisive period in mormon history, one that. The book of mormon is the most correct of any book on earth, joseph smith stated, and the keystone 1 of our religion. On april 6, 1830, joseph smith organized the church of jesus christ of latterday saints and became its first president.
1251 98 101 221 1426 1344 283 305 1438 275 1161 255 165 231 1115 1398 1536 920 1353 917 940 656 1566 1236 1291 849 469 900 578 812 1038 1258