Ethan smith archives mormon discussions podcasts full. A further two thousand words of the book of mormon are taken from the new testament. Both view of the hebrews and the book of mormon refer to a migration of peoples to america. Concerning this record, the prophet joseph smith, who translated it by the gift and power of god, said, i told the brethren 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 see the introduction at the front of the book of mormon.
Book of mormon and view of the hebrews parallels life after. Roberts conducted an exhaustive comparison and analysis of these two books and concluded there is merit to this criticism. A comparison of passages from isaiah and other old testament. So what about those wonderful stone ruins in mesoamerica and. Was the book of mormon a plagiarism of a book called a view. Ethan smith even traveled promoting his book, stopping in palmyra, josephs hometown, in 1826. This was a relatively common view during the early nineteenth century, as most europeans and americans had a view of history as biblical. With the decline of the spaldingrigdon theory arose alternative theories to take its place. Book of mormon and view of the hebrews parallels life.
But even more importantly, ethan smith resided in poultney, vermont where oliver cowdery, joseph smiths distant cousin and primary scribe lived. Is the book of mormon like any other nineteenth century book. Mar 18, 2015 this new possibility was a book published in 1823, seven years prior to the publishing of the book of mormon, by vermont minister ethan smith no relation to joseph. Brodie, have discussed the possibility that view of the hebrews may have provided source material for the book of mormon, which mormons believe. Would you respond to the theories that the book of mormon. Ethan smith was a new england minister who had a church in vermont town where oliver cowdery, joseph smiths final scribe, lived until 1825. View of the hebrews by ethan smith, the late war between the united states and great britain by gilbert hunt, and the first book of napoleon by michael linning. View of the hebrews is a book first published in 1823 by ethan smith of vermont. Roberts wrote three papers that listed parallels between the book of mormon and the second edition 1825 of ethan smith s view of the hebrews.
Therefore, during the past thirty years some non mormon scholars, realizing the weakness of the spaulding manuscript theory, have postulated that joseph smith might have gained some of the ideas for the book of mormon from a book by ethan smith entitled view of the hebrews, first published in vermont in 1823, with a revised, enlarged edition published in 1835. Review of books on the book of mormon 19892011 volume 9 number 1 article 1997 ethan smith. Some researchers believe that the book of mormon was partly based on an earlier book view of the hebrews or the tribes of israel in america by ethan smith no relation. Mar 09, 2021 was ethan smith s view of the hebrews a potential source for joseph smith s book of mormon.
Cowdery served as scribe during the transcription of the book of mormon, and was one of the three witnesses to the golden plates. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading joseph smith and the origins of the book of mormon, 2d ed. Aug, 2020 a second edition of the book was published in 1825 five years prior to the publication of the book of mormon. In 1902, the american psychology and religion scholar isaac woodbridge riley suggested that joseph smith derived the content of the book of mormon, in part, from the book view of the hebrews by ethan smith no relation to the prophet. It is claimed that a 19th century work by ethan smith, view of the hebrews, provided source material for joseph smith s construction of the book of mormon. 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.
Some critics propose that joseph smith modeled the book of mormon after ideas and themes he stole from ethan smiths view of the hebrews. Where did joseph smith get his ideas for the book of mormon. Jul 05, 2011 the only difference which roberts detects between ethan smith and the book of mormon on the matter of restoration is that the book of mormon sees the converted indians in closer union with the gentile christians than ethan smith contemplates id. After having heard about this allegation since the 1980s, rfm finally took the time to get view of the hebrews and methodically work his. Joseph smith claimed to have come up with the idea for the book of mormon the very same year 1823 that view of the. Ethan smith also pastored the congregational church that cowderys family attended from 1821 to 1826 while he was writing view of the hebrews. That is the question rfm tackles in this important episode hosted by dr. Ethan smith the author of view of the hebrews was oliver cowderys pastor in vermont prior to his working with joseph smith as book of mormon scribe, and it is certain that.
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. Roberts asks, did the author of the book of mormon follow too closely the course of ethan smith in this use of isaiah would be a legitimate query. Is the book of mormon plagiarized from book of the hebrews. Criticisms related to view of the hebrews and the book of mormon. Many points that ethan smith thought were important are not mentioned at all in the book of mormon, and many of the parallels are no longer valid based upon current scholarship. Would you respond to the theories that the book of mormon is. Ethan smith s book was in joseph smith s local library. The stage which our task has now reached demands that we shall consider the question, does the book by ethan smith furnish any material for the ground plan of the book of mormon. Joseph did quote from view of the hebrews in 1842 was it. Did ethan smith s view of the hebrews furnish structural material. Numerous commentators on mormon history, from lds church general authority b.
Would you respond to the theories that the book of mormon is based. Ethan smiths view of the hebrews not notorious in its. Hollands conference talk the name ethan smith has been more active across the blogosphere than normal. Id be very interested in reading ethan smiths critique on the book of mormon. Finally, joseph smith, while acting as editor of the times and seasons, approvingly republished a quotation from view of the hebrews. Ethan smith 17621849 was a new england congregationalist clergyman in the united states who wrote view of the hebrews 1823, a book that argued that. Roberts notes several parallels between the migration of the jaredites and that of the ten lost tribes in the jewish apocalypse 2 esdras as interpreted by ethan smith. Ethan smith the author of view of the hebrews was oliver cowderys pastor in vermont prior to his working with. View of the hebrews is an 1823 book written by ethan smith, a united states congregationalist minister, who argued that native americans were descended from the ten lost tribes of israel. Its first edition was published in 1823 and was very popular in the area where joseph smith lived. Ethan smiths view of the hebrews 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. Roberts made a list of the parallels between view of the hebrews and.
Choice above all other lands book of mormon covenant. 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. 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. Both journeys are religiously motivated, both groups enter valleys at the commencement of their journeys, both apparently travel north between the tigris and euphrates rivers, both cross water barriers, both trips take years, and. Skins as garments in the book of mormon lds scripture. The human origins of the book of mormon part 1 mormons. Sperry, answers to book of mormon questions salt lake city. A comparison of passages from isaiah and other old testament prophets in ethan smith s view of the hebrews and the book of mormon 1971. First published in 1823, with a second edition in 1825, ethan smith s hugely popular book view of the hebrews reflects the prevailing notions of the origin of the american indians of the time. This book was an attempt to prove that the native americans were descendants of the lost ten tribes of israel. Nov 30, 2020 ethan smith lived in poultney, vermont, the same town as oliver cowdery, who later acted as joseph smith s scribe 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.
If joseph smith did not rely extensively perhaps even exclusively on ethan smiths view of the hebrews in writing the book of mormon, then the two unrelated. Other ideas found in the book of mormon that are also found in books of smith s time include. Ethan smith 17621849 was a new england congregationalist clergyman in the united states who wrote view of the hebrews 1823, a book that argued that native americans were descended from the ten lost tribes of israel. Buy joseph smith and the origins of the book of mormon book. Absence of joseph smith in the book of mormon religious. Ethan smith lived in poultney, vermont, the same town as oliver cowdery, who later acted as joseph smith s scribe for the book of mormon. 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.
Source books for the book of mormon share this page. Even if ethan smith s book was not readily available around josephs home town, there was a reasonable period of time in which oliver cowdery could have supplied joseph with a copy. Ethan smith was oliver cowdreys pastor and published a book just before the book of mormon which contained so many elements found in the book of mormon that church historian bh roberts petitioned the brethren for an explanation and got shut down. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Did ethan smith s view of the hebrews furnish structural material for joseph smith s book of mormon. Nevertheless, there is no evidence that joseph smith ever knew anything about this book. Did oliver cowdery learn about the view of the hebrews from ethan smith and then collude with joseph smith in writing the book of mormon. Nov 01, 2016 with the demise of this argument, critics alleged that the supposed source for the book of mormon was another book titled view of the hebrews, written by ethan smith in 1823. Therefore, during the past thirty years some non mormon scholars, realizing the weakness of the spaulding manuscript theory, have postulated that joseph smith might have gained some of the ideas for the book of mormon from a book by ethan smith entitled view of the hebrews, first published in vermont in 1823, with a revised, enlarged edition. In this one, were going to discuss possible sources for the book of mormon that critics love to throw out. Is the book of mormon plagiarized from view of the hebrews. Unfortunately not many people know who he was or solomon spaudling for that matter. His position was not uncommon among religious scholars, who based their history on the bible.
Roberts came to the following conclusion on the view of the hebrews. 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. However, roberts work was later published in 1985 as studies of the book of mormon. Ethan smith, view of the hebrews or the tribes of israel in america second edition, 1825.
A pastor who lived near cowdery, ethan smith, had written view of the hebrews, another work that has been posited as a source for the book of mormon. He also presented an extensive comparative analysis positing that the probable conceptual source for the book of mormon was a book entitled view of the hebrews. It is known that this book was sold in palmyra bookstores, and. 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. View of the hebrews 1825 edition introduction mormons. A comparison of passages from isaiah and other old. Did ethan smith as author of view of the hebrews ever read and. Oliver cowdery was joseph smith s distant cousin, whose familys minister was ethan smith of poultney, vermont, author of the 1823 view of the hebrews. In this book ethan smith endeavored to show, on the basis of scientific research of the time, that the american indians were the. We build enduring faith in jesus christ by making the book of mormon accessible, comprehensible, and defensible to the entire world. Mar 29, 2008 alleged relationships of view of the hebrews to the book of mormon have attracted interest periodically through the years. Solomon splading and ethan smith, attend dartmouth college during professor john smiths tenure there. Investigating the evidence for mormonism in six steps cold. Numerous commentators on mormon doctrine, from lds church general authority b.
Joseph smith and the origins of the book of mormon, 2d ed. Joseph smith claimed to have come up with the idea for the book of mormon the very same year 1823 that view of the hebrews was first published. View of the hebrewsethan smithoriginal book of mormon. Ethan smith s view of the hebrews, published seven years before the book of mormon is thought to be source material for joseph smith s book of mormon. Criticism of mormonismbooksstudies of the book of mormona. 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. Ethan smith pastored a church in poultney, vt which was adjacent to the county where joseph smith lived in ny. Thus name letter effects are not involved in his book. Book of mormonauthorship theoriesview of the hebrews. Joseph smith and the origins of the book of mormon. The official story, of course, is that smith and cowdery had never met, and that cowdery just happened to get a job teaching school in palmyra and boarded with the smith family.
Thus neither his name letters nor the style of his manuscript give support for his authorship. He used the ministers book as proof in 1842 to further his claim that the lost ten tribes of israel had migrated over the behring strait to build a new life on the american continent. It seems very probable that at least some of the ideas joseph smith wrote about in the book of mormon came from reading of or knowledge of ethan smith s book. 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. In view of the hebrews, ethan smith argues among other things. No one gave this possibility much thought until the 1980s when critics got a hold of a research paper written fifty years earlier by lds church historian b. 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.
Ethan smiths view of the hebrews not notorious in its own. Ethan smith s book was published in the adjoining county west of windsor county, where joseph smith was born and lived from 1805 to 1811. Roberts, a book of mormon study, studies of the book of mormon, p. Riley, a comparison of passages from isaiah and other old testament prophets of ethan smith s view of the hebrews and the book of mormon, masters thesis, brigham young university, 1971.
Ethan smith was a minster at a church in a neighboring community in vermont when joseph smith came up with the idea to write and publish the book of mormon. John welch responds to that claim by addressing the issues roberts raised and by. The human origins of the book of mormon part 1 mormons in. His book contained reports from missionaries and traders who lived among the indians. Newview of the hebrewsdid joseph smith steal the book of. Studies of the book of mormon, edited by brigham d. Advocates of the ethan smith theory must also explain why joseph, the ostensible forger, had the chutzpah to point out the source of his forgery. The book of mormon storyline was inspired from the combined works of solomon spalding and ethan smith, both students of professor john smith. Investigating the evidence for mormonism in six steps. 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. Oliver, remember, had left poultney for new york state about the year 1825, the same year in which the second edition of ethan smith s book was published pp. Relatively unknown to the general public, view of the hebrews is an 1823 book written by ethan smith december 19, 1762 august 29, 1849, no relation to joseph smith which argues that native americans were descended from the hebrews. I spoke last week about how these types are arguments are really weak and badly presented, which i hope will come to be. When ethan smith s name letters were compared to the unique names in the book of mormon, a 45 percent correspondence was found with consonants and 25.
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