Did joseph smith plagiarize from view of the hebrews when. The view of the hebrews 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. Well, if joseph smith used ethan smiths view of the hebrews as the main source for the book of mormon, as many critics claim, it is a miracle for the same. Could joseph smith have used ethan smiths view of the hebrews as a guideline for creating the book of mormon. 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. Some critics propose that joseph smith modeled the book of mormon after ideas and themes he stole from ethan smith s view of the hebrews. Ethan smith s book proposes that the american indians were the lost tribes of. The book was popular enough that a second edition was. Josiah priest argued that there was a lost race in the ancient americas, possibly of israelite descent. If joseph smith composed this book, the act was a miracle. See from priests american antiquities, times and seasons, 1 june 1842, 3.
The book view of the hebrews was published in 1823, 7 years before the book of mormon. Nephi claims to write in egyptian, an idea that was viewed skeptically in joseph smith s time. View of the hebrewsethan smithoriginal book of mormon. 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. View of the hebrews, or, the tribes of isreal in america 2nd edition. His book contained reports from missionaries and traders who lived among the indians.
Being a study of the jewish ancestry from an impartial standpoint 1910. Oliver cowdery also a poultney, vermont resident was a member of ethans congregation during this time and before he went to new york to join his distant cousin joseph smith. Newview of the hebrewscd ebook pdfdid joseph smith steal. If joseph smith did not rely extensively perhaps even exclusively on ethan smith s view of the hebrews in writing the book of mormon, then the two unrelated smiths are parties to the greatest literary coincidence in history. Nevertheless, there is no evidence that joseph smith ever knew anything about this book. Would you respond to the theories that the book of mormon is based. The book portrays a similar overall narrative to the book of mormon with many details surprisingly congruent with the book of mormon. It is unknown if joseph smith had access to view of the hebrews when he dictated the book of mormon. Aug 17, 2019 lets assume for a moment that joseph smith plagiarized view of the hebrews in the book of mormon. Is the book of mormon like any other nineteenth century book. Did view of the hebrews influence themes in joseph smith.
If joseph smith was to use view of the hebrews in total as the apologists seem to think the critics are saying i. Another book, the wonders of nature and providence displayed, was in the local manchester library five miles from joseph smith s home and extant records show that it was reportedly checked out during the years 1826 to 1828. But this is information which joseph smith could not have gotten from view of the hebrews, because ethan did not discuss it. Book of mormon and view of the hebrews parallels life. The view of the hebrews is a book written by the minister ethan smith and published in 1823. Since several people have pointed out alleged parallels between the book of mormon and view of the hebrews, consider the following unparallels that weaken. Book of mormonauthorship theoriesview of the hebrews. 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. Woodbridge riley argued joseph smith and oliver cowdery worked from ethan smith s view of the hebrews, a book tracing american indian descent to the lost tribes of israel. Ces letter incorrectly lists sharon, vermont as the location of the 1830 book of mormon. Relies heavily on ethan smith s view of the hebrews. Aug 17, 2011 the joseph smith translation jst is the king james version of the bible with joseph smiths revisionsmostly in the form of additions, though with some other kinds of changes. 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. View of the hebrews proposes that the american indians are descended from the lost ten tribes of israel.
Did joseph smith plagiarize from view of the hebrews when writing the book of mormon by jeff lindsay. View of the hebrews flooded the area in which joseph smith lived. View of the hebrews and the book of mormon book of mormon. Is view of the hebrews a source for the book of mormon. These critics search for links between spalding and rigdon. The book view of the hebrews was quite popular in its day, but contemporaries of joseph smith didnt consider it similar enough to. 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. Newview of the hebrewscd ebook pdfdid joseph smith. No direct evidence exists that would prove or disprove joseph smith had read view of the hebrews.
Joseph quotes view of the hebrews in support of the book of mormon. Believes mound builders had been destroyed by the indians, mentions the discovery of large stone crosses in central america and records the indian tradition of a lost book of god. In spite of its weaknesses, this theory continues to surface from time to time even in our day. 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. Lets assume for a moment that joseph smith plagiarized view of the hebrews in the book of mormon. Yates, john and joseph moulton, history of the state of new york, 1824. 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. Ethan smith was a pastor in poultney, vermont when he wrote and published the book. The author ethan smith was the pastor of the religious congregation in which the oliver cowdrey family attended. Did joseph smith plagiarize the book view of the hebrews. In it, ethan argues that ancient israelites traveled from the middle east. Lds did joseph smith and the 1830 bom plagairize the. The joseph smith translation jst is the king james version of the bible with joseph smith s revisionsmostly in the form of additions, though with some other kinds of changes.
Hardly any of these points are found in the book of mormon, as one would expect if joseph smith were using view of the hebrews or trying to make his book persuasive. There was, however, a reference to view of the hebrews within joseph smith s lifetime, but it came from the prophet himself. 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. Where did joseph smith get his ideas for the book of mormon. 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. Did ethan smith s view of the hebrews furnish structural material. View of the hebrews was published in 1823 and a second edition was published in 1825. Ethan smiths view of the hebrews was first published in 1823 in poultney, vermont. As some critics who relate joseph smith s book of mormon to ethan smith s view of the hebrews have pointed out, oliver cowdery, joseph s cousin and his scribe during the writing of the mormon scripture, had lived in poultney for twentytwo years until 1825. Roberts 18571933, a general authority of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church, which examine the validity of the book of mormon as a translation of an ancient american source. Chapter 3 is the longest chapter in view of the hebrews. 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.
View of the hebrews 1825 by ethan smith this book, written by a minister named ethan smith, contained stories and information proposing that the first settlers of ancient america were the lost ten tribes of israel. Ethan smiths view of the hebrews for parts of the book of mormon has. Earlier works, like ethan smith s view of the hebrews, provide a working framework for the book of mormons themes. View of the hebrews 1825 edition introduction mormons. Many of the pieces of evidence in view of the hebrews for the hebrew origins of american indians are not mentioned in the book of mormon. Alleged relationships of view of the hebrews to the book of mormon have attracted interest periodically through the years. Another look at book of mormon and view of the hebrews. 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. The most common belief of adherents is that promoted by joseph smith, who said he translated ancient golden plates inscribed by prophets. 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. 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. Shortly following the death of joseph smith in 1844, and into 1845, lucy mack smith dictated her recollections and family story to nauvoo schoolteacher martha jane coray. 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.
The view of the hebrews is a 1823 book written by ethan smith, a united states congregationalist minister. Joseph smith and the origins of the book of mormon, 2d ed. View of the hebrews 1823 book of mormon1829 very very similar stories. Book of mormon and view of the hebrews parallels life after. If joseph smith were influenced by view of the hebrews, why would joseph smith take a few evidences from view of the hebrews and ignore a bunch of others. Ok, so in 1823, this guy named ethan smith not related to joseph smith published view of the hebrews. With the decline of the spaldingrigdon theory arose alternative theories to take its place. The book of hebrews and the joseph smith translation. Featured lds did joseph smith and the 1830 bom plagairize the 1823 book view of the hebrews. For example, the story about amalickiah and lehonti at mount antipas. 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. Referring to the borrowing of the ideas from view of the hebrews, persuitte writes, joseph did not plagiarizein the technical sense of that wordview of the hebrews. 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. Mormonism and masonry, the sub ject of josephs possible reliance on.
Mar 07, 2016 joseph smith quoted view of the hebrews as supporting the book of mormon there was, however, a reference to view of the hebrews within joseph smith s lifetime, but it came from the prophet himself. Similarities between the book of mormon and the view of the hebrews. Ethan smith republished view of the hebrews, revised and enlarged, in 1835. Roberts conducted an exhaustive comparison and analysis of these two books and concluded there is merit to this criticism. Joseph smith quoted view of the hebrews as supporting the book of mormon there was, however, a reference to view of the hebrews within joseph smith s lifetime, but it came from the prophet himself. Most adherents to the latter day saint movement view the book as a work of inspired scripture. It may never be proved that joseph saw view of the hebrews before writing the book of mormon, wrote brodie in 1945, but the striking parallelisms between the two books hardly leave a case for mere coincidence. Scholarly analysis of these writings suggests that nephi phrase learning of the jews and the language of the egyptians is an apt description of. View of the hebrews1823 book of mormon1829 very very. There are several theories as to the origin of the book of mormon. 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.
View of the hebrewscritics claim that a 19th century work by ethan smith, view of the hebrews, provided source material for joseph smiths construction of the book of mormon. Today, however, over 200 examples of egyptian writing are known from israel and judah, often mixed with hebrew writing as well. Recent imputations against joseph smith contain the charge that the isaiah chapters of the book of mormon were purloined by the prophet from a popular book first published in 1823 by a protestant clergyman named ethan smith, under the title view of the hebrews. More on joseph smiths plagiarism in the book of mormon. 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. Another book, the wonders of nature and providence. To plagiarize means to pass off someone elses words as ones own. Similarities between the book of mormon and view of the hebrews book.
Another more recent theory, also open to criticism, suggests that joseph smith used ethan smith s no relation view of the hebrews, which was published during the 1820s, to help him write the book of mormon. A full pdf of view of the hebrews can be found here, and it is the source of the page number references in this document. But joseph was not so careless as to quote ethan smiths book word for word. There was a reference to view of the hebrews within joseph smith s lifetime coming from the prophet himself.
The book of mormon, published in 1830, and ethan smiths 1823 book view of the hebrews parallel each other in some two dozen general themes. Woodbridge riley argued joseph smith and oliver cowdery worked from ethan smiths view of the hebrews, a book tracing american indian descent to the lost tribes of israel. One of the mormon evidences is to ask you to consider if joseph smith could have fabricated the book of mormon. While not claiming any divine command, this smith, like his prophetic namesake, also argued that native americans were descended from the ten lost tribes of israel. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Ethan smith, pastor of the congregational church in poultney, vermont, argued that the native americans were scattered israelites who would soon. In the 20th century, mormon scholars noted the parallels between view of the hebrews and the book of mormon and suggested that joseph smith had used view of the hebrews as a source in composing the book of mormon, or that he was at least influenced by the popular 19thcentury ideas expounded in the earlier work. Could joseph smith have written the book of mormon. 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. Is the book of mormon plagiarized from view of the hebrews. Ethan smiths view of the hebrews, published seven years before the book of mormon is thought to be source material for joseph smiths book. Lds did joseph smith and the 1830 bom plagairize the 1823.
There is evidence of other parallels with josephus in the book of mormon, which joseph smith could not have known about by reading view of the hebrews. Smith supposedly produced these revisions under divine inspiration. Reverend ethan smith was the author of view of the hebrews. See a thorough description at the end of this page. Did view of the hebrews influence themes in joseph smiths. Studies of the book of mormon is a collection of essays written at the beginning of the 20th century though not published until 1985 by b. The messiah did not visit the americas in view of the hebrews. Oliver cowdery also a poultney, vermont resident was a member of ethans congregation during this time and before he went to new york to join his cousin third cousins joseph smith. The book and the man, joseph smith, kindled a religion that today numbers over nine million members. To have done this, he would have needed a copy of view of the hebrews.
Would you respond to the theories that the book of mormon. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading joseph smith and the origins of the book of mormon, 2d ed. This was a relatively common view during the early nineteenth century, as most europeans and americans had a view of history as biblical. Joseph smith began his role as a prophet with minimal traditional education. Coray worked with her husband to compile these books of notes and other. View of the hebrews critics claim 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. When it came time to translate the book of mormon, he did the translation, but friends and his wife served as his scribe, because he lacked the skills needed to write the translations well. Joseph smith quoted view of the hebrews as supporting the book of mormon. Is the book of mormon plagiarized from book of the hebrews. 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. Isaiah the extensive quoting from the king james translation of the book of isaiah poses several problems for the book of mormon to be considered an authentic ancient record. Mark twain once said after reading the book of mormon, it is chloroform in print. Joseph smith was born in vermont, but the book of mormon was first published in palmyra new york, a good distance away.
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