Jeremy jacobs comments will be listed in green, the mormon apologists comments will be listed in purple, and mine will be in black. The author ethan smith was the pastor of the religious congregation in which the oliver cowdrey family attended. Criticisms related to view of the hebrews and the book of mormon. View of the hebrews and the book of mormon book of. The book of mormon claims that jesuss atonement provided for the immortality for all people. 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. Lehi, an alleged prophet and contemporary of jeremiah, led his wife, children, and their spouses through the arabian wilderness to the shores of the large waters. As ive mentioned, they appointed david galbraith as project manager and john tvedtnes both in the branch presidency as the one to approve the final reading. All opinions, speakers and presenters represent and express their own individual opinions, and not necessarily the opinions of firm foundation, book of mormon evidence, or its employees, and no information or opinions represent the church of jesus christ of latterday saints.
Hebrew numerology in the book of mormon book of mormon. One group, the lamanites, forgot their beliefs, became heathens, and. Woodworth 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. The book of hebrews and the joseph smith translation. Did view of the hebrews influence themes in joseph smiths. The book of mormon teaches of the atonement of jesus christ and is the instrument by which god will fulfill his ancient. In addition, the suggestion that the writer of this epistle relied upon knowledge and information provided by others who were actual eyewitnesses of. In contrast, the bible specifically declares that adams transgression was a sinful act of rebellion that unleashed the power of sin and death in the human.
In an article published in the times and seasons on june 1, 1842, joseph quoted view of the hebrews in support of the book of mormon. Oliver cowdery was joseph smith\s distant cousin, whose family\s minister was ethan smith of poultney, vermont, author of the 1823 \ view of the hebrews. View of the hebrews begins with a chapter on the destruction of jerusalem by the romans. Though the book of mormon was written in nonhebrew script, patterns such as parallelisms could still be used. The quote above comes from the mormon periodical times and seasons which joseph smith used to post a quote from a book called view of the hebrews, authored by the minister ethan smith no relation. This may lead readers to wonder if it has any literary merit at all. Brodie, biographer of joseph smith, have noted similarities in the content of view of the hebrews and the book of mormon, which was first published in 18. May 02, 2020 regardless of the human hand that held the pen, the holy spirit of god is the divine author of all scripture 2 timothy 3. Of course, it could also be that josephs plagiarism lifting content from multiple authors, each with their differing writing style fingerprint, would also show differing wordprints in byus analysis. Some also postulate a link between ethan smith and oliver cowdery, since both men lived in poultney. Roberts conducted an exhaustive comparison and analysis of these two books and concluded there is merit to this criticism.
Some critics believe joseph smith plagiarized the view of the hebrews when he wrote the book of mormon. Did view of the hebrews influence themes in joseph smith. The book of mormon resembles the bible in its length and complexity and in its division into books named for individual prophets. Criticisms related to view of the hebrews and the book of mormon it is claimed that a 19th century work by ethan smith, view of the hebrews. Ces letter misportrays the content of the two books. Hebrew translations of the bom by common consent, a mormon blog.
And also to the convincing of the jew and gentile that jesus is the christ, the eternal god, manifesting himself unto all nationsand now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men. Ces letter picks 34 parallels between view of the hebrews and the book of mormon. 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. 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. 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. In the book the view of the hebrews, what counterarguments h. Consider the following antiparallels noted by john welch in his article view of the hebrews. It was distributed free of charge around the world, especially in israel and new york city. The book of mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible. View of the hebrews contrary to popular belief, the book of mormon was not the first to suggest. The early church father clement quoted from the book of hebrews in a.
He conferred with his counselors and the 12, then instructed translation services to work with the branch to get it done. The book of mormon in hebrew a labor of love jewish. The only reason why this book continues to be in print is because its been cited as a possible source of influence on the writers of the book of mormon. View of the hebrews flooded the area in which joseph smith lived. Mormon is a prophet in the book of mormon, who collected and transcribed the records of his people on the american continent. Book of mormon and view of the hebrews parallels 04242014 by lifeafterministry if such may have been the fact, that a part of the ten tribes came over to america, in the way we have supposed, leaving the cold regions of assareth behind them in quest of a milder climate, it would be natural to look for tokens of the presence of jews of some. Ethan smith was a minster at a church in a neighboring community in vermont when joseph smith came. 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. The book of mormon teaches that the disobedience of adam and eve in eating the forbidden fruit was necessary so that they could have children and bring joy to mankind 2 nephi 2. Another look at book of mormon and view of the hebrews. For almost 200 years now, critics have been scrambling to prove that the book of mormon is nothing but a work of fiction. The view of the hebrews is a book written in 1823 by ethan smith no relation to joseph.
The book of mormon claims that jewish ancestry formed the majority of precolumbian inhabitants of america. Therefore, book of mormon scholars look for evidence of the book of mormon s ancient hebrew origins by identifying phrases or expressions which are not typical for an english speaker of joseph smiths day which may reflect a direct translation of the underlying semiticstyle language of the book of mormon. Significantly, the book makes no reference to the destruction of the temple at jerusalem in ad 70, and the author wrote as if the sacrificial system were still in existence hebrews 10. Brodie, biographer of joseph smith, have noted similarities in the content of view of the hebrews and the book of mormon, which was first published in 1830, seven years after ethan smiths book. But to achieve exaltation or godhood it is available only to mormons who obey the teachings specific to the book of mormon. Book of hebrews overview insight for living ministries.
Ethan smiths book was published in the adjoining county west of windsor county, where joseph smith was born and lived from 1805 to 1811. The book of mormon teems with scriptures proclaiming that it must go forth unto the jews, starting with its very title page. For example, they misquote the book of mormon s account of samuel the lamanite to make it sound like the view of the hebrews account of jesus ben ananias. Book of mormon and view of the hebrews parallels life. 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. A few years later it was withdrew from public distribution and the remaining copies were kept by the lds archives. On the poetry of the hebrews book of mormon central.
One of the conspiracy theories that gained traction after the. Sep 21, 2016 for years, mormons have been looking for archaeological evidence to support their 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. In 1996, view of the hebrews was republished by the byu religious studies center, with charles d. Numerous commentators on mormon history, from lds church general authority b.
In his spare time, he translates the book of mormon into hebrew. Church of jesus christ of latterday saints, 1948 physical description. The book of mormon was written for the intent that we may believe the bible, morm. But the differences between these books are very significant. Aug 17, 2011 here are some examples of such changes in the jst version of the book of hebrews. The paper focuses on the number seven, resulting in the snazzy title, a study in seven. Another 2,000 words were taken from the new testament. Hebrew numerology in the book of mormon by corbin volluz the thesis of the paper is that the same type of numerology used by hebrews in the ancient world shows up in the book of mormon.
Is view of the hebrews a source for the book of mormon. 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. 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. View of the hebrews is an 1823 book written by ethan smith, a congregationalist minister in vermont, who argued that native americans were descended from the ten lost tribes of israel, a relatively common view during the early nineteenth century. Contradictions between the book of mormon and the bible. Nevertheless, there is no evidence that joseph smith ever knew anything about this book. A potent representation of how the book of mormon follows popular but ultimately falsified early 19th century beliefs about the native americans and a possible direct source of influence for some specific book of mormon content in 1922 lds leader bh roberts stated the following. There was, however, a reference to view of the hebrews within joseph smiths lifetime, but it came from the prophet himself.
It professes to be a religious and secular history of hebrews who fled jerusalem and certain persecution in 600 b. Believers testify it is a ancient record but comparing the book with sources contemporary to. An unparallel, in welch, reexploring the book of mormon provo. Did ethan smiths view of the hebrews furnish structural material for joseph smiths book of mormon. The following video demonstrates that the book of mormons redundancies are actually sophisticated literary features which, in many cases, are similar or identical to literary techniques used by ancient hebrew authors. Many publications and materials predated the publication of the book of mormon. If the book of mormon is not historical, but rather a reflection of the misconceptions current in joseph smiths. 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. The book of mormon in hebrew was published by the latter day saints in 1981. Does the bible reference the book of mormon answers. Similarities between the book of mormon and view of the. Roberts privately researched the link between the book of mormon, the view of the hebrews, josephs father having the same dream in 1811 as lehis dream, etc. 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.
It was not long, however, before a number of people realised that the view of the hebrews and the book of mormon had some rather startling similarities. Hebrews chapter 11 appeared to inspire other parts of the book of mormon as well. Another look at book of mormon and view of the hebrews parallels 04102019 by lifeafterministry if such may have been the fact, that a part of the ten tribes came over to america, in the way we have supposed, leaving the cold regions of assareth behind them in quest of a milder climate, it would be natural to look for tokens of the presence. With its myriad references to hebrew customs and the old testament, the book was likely sent to a jewish christian community, possibly in rome. Is the book of mormon plagiarized from view of the hebrews. Book of mormonauthorship theoriesview of the hebrews.
The book of mormon does indeed have authentic semitic constructions in it, but lds need to tread cautiously in establishing them. And if our plates had been sufficiently large we should have written in hebrew. We build enduring faith in jesus christ by making the book of mormon accessible, comprehensible, and defensible to the entire world. They multiplied and eventually split into two groups. One of the conspiracy theories that gained traction after the solomon. Occasionally, they will promote some type of archaeological artifact that is similar to something built or written by hebrew people to try to validate their claim that the book of mormon people were indeed from the land of israel. Hebrew book of mormon i came across an interesting site for those who love all things jewish like i do. It cannot be categorized in this manner since it was published prior to the publication of the book of mormon. Hebraisms that could have been known to joseph smith may still be authentic, and may still enhance our. Lds revelations view of the hebrews book of mormon 1. The book of mormon shares some thematic elements with view of the hebrews. The book of mormon comprises 15 books, each allegedly written by an ancient american prophet. Roberts authored a manuscript titled studies of the book of mormon, comparing the content of the book of mormon with view of the hebrews.
Despite the churchs claims, the roots of mormonism, rather than being ancient and old world, are often instead nineteenth century and very american. Some critics have disparaged the book of mormons language for being too repetitive. Here is the first part of a transalation of the book of mormon in hebrew. The book of mormon and the bible will grow together, 2 ne. An unparallel in reexploring the book of mormon, deseret book, salt lake city, ut, 1992, pp. Missing is pauls customary salutation common to his other works.
As some critics who relate joseph smiths book of mormon to ethan smiths view of the hebrews have pointed out, oliver cowdery, josephs cousin and his scribe during the writing of the mormon scripture, had lived in poultney for twentytwo years until 1825. The storyline outline for the book of mormon probably came from ethan smiths 1823 new york novel, view of the hebrews. These include endowments, celestial marriage, and specific tithing. In a logical argument, the author demonstrates christs superiority, then adds practical instructions for following jesus. The book and the man, joseph smith, kindled a religion that today numbers over nine million members. Hebrew book of mormon general discussions mormon dialogue. Hebrew idioms in the book of mormon byu scholarsarchive. In an introduction to the critical study and knowledge of the holy scriptures, 446473.
Although it is referenced by church critics, there is nothing anti mormon about the book itself. View of the hebrews 1825 edition introduction mormons. It has been pointed out in these pages that there are many things in the former book that might well have suggested many major things in. 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. Copy of original characters obtained in 1903 from david whitmers heirs. Download pdf here is the web site and more on the topic here at common consent. Although some include the book of hebrews among the apostle pauls writings, the certain identity of the author remains an enigma. It relates the history of a group of hebrews who migrated from jerusalem to america about 600 bce, led by a prophet, lehi. Roberts considered the evident parallels between the book of mormon and ethan smiths view of the hebrews, a book that predated the mormon scripture by seven years. May 25, 2015 the prophet joseph smith said that the book of mormon was the most correct of any 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. Mary anne evans 1819 1880, known by her pen name george eliot, was an english novelist, poet, journalist, translator and one of the leading writers of the victorian era. The king james quotations in the book of mormon, the history of the text of the book of mormon.
Reflecting his talent for combining history and theology, b. Did ethan smiths view of the hebrews furnish structural material. While some have claimed it to be a source for the book of mormon, no direct connections between this book and the book of mormon have been. Hebrew translations of the bom by common consent, a.
Hebrew words reflected in the book of mormon book of. It is a record of gods dealings with ancient inhabitants of the americas and contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel. Roberts asked for help with the similarities between the two books. For an indepth look at where book of mormon names came from, visit this page.
Would you respond to the theories that the book of mormon is based. View of the hebrews1823 book of mormon1829 very very. The lord covenanted with enos to bring forth the book of mormon to the lamanites, enos 1. The prophet joseph smith said that the book of mormon was the most correct of any 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. Since the symbolic use of the number seven was prevalent among the ancient hebrews, as reflected in the old testament, it will be assumed that the nephites brought this religious and cultural predilection with them from the old world as part of their scriptural and cultural heritage. The book of mormon mentions the word hebrew in only one verse, and even that passage, mormon 9. Since the book of mormon was first published in 1830, its critics have endeavored to find explanations for it other than the one given by joseph smith. Above, characters reportedly copied by joseph smith from the gold plates. A few years later it was withdrew from public distribution and the.
View of the hebrews was published in 1823 and a second edition was published in 1825. Jeremy began the discussion below by responding to the claim that the book of mormon showed evidence of hebrew names and phrases. The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Alleged relationships of view of the hebrews to the book of mormon have attracted interest periodically through the years. View of the hebrews and the book of mormon book of mormon.
Categorization of view of the hebrews there seems to be some attempt here to categorize view of the hebrews as an anti mormon work. The book of hebrews boldly proclaims the superiority of jesus christ and christianity over other religions, including judaism. View of the hebrews, or, the tribes of isreal in america. Approximately 25,000 words in the book of mormon consist of passages from the old testament, mainly chapters from isaiah that ethan smith mentioned in view of the hebrews. Since mormons believe that the book was originally written in reformed egyptian characters by people who also knew hebrew leading. The lords words will hiss forth unto the ends of the earth, 2 ne.
Thus, in 182629, js was motivated by the need of a large amount of money in a hurry. Nov 05, 2011 jospeh smith liked to tell a good tale convincing his followers. Joseph smith quoted view of the hebrews as supporting the book of mormon. Did joseph smith plagiarize from view of the hebrews when. Thus, there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest a. Another more recent theory, also open to criticism, suggests that joseph smith used ethan smiths no relation view of the hebrews, which was published during.
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