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Overview of The Book of Mormon Online Booklet
One of the most important claims in the Joseph Smith Story is that the Book of Mormon is a literal history of an ancient American civilization, a branch of the House of Israel that worshipped Christ and established his gospel on the American Continent. Contrary to Gordon B. Hinckley’s assertion, there are many “open-minded” historians, critics, and believing members of the church that are “stimulated to dig deeper” into the origins of the Book of Mormon, but fail to find “an accumulation of evidence” for Joseph Smith’s claims. On the contrary, they become convinced that the Book of Mormon has been grossly misrepresented – that it is not the record of an ancient people, but rather a product of the 19th Century. A large number of these people are devout members of the Mormon Church, who were only trying to strengthen their faith in the restored gospel when they first began to investigate. The more deeply they dig, however, the less that “literary analysis or scientific research” provides any reassurance for their embattled testimonies.
The fact that a work is inspiring does not make it true, however. Take for instance the faith-promoting masterpiece, Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. Many have drawn strength, gained hope, and increased faith by pondering its messages and applying its truths. In fact, several general authorities have made reference to and quoted from it over the years, including Elders James M. Paramore, M. Russell Ballard, Vaughn J. Featherstone, and President Spencer W. Kimball. However edifying it may be, Les Miserables remains a work of fiction. Likewise, the fact that the Book of Mormon inspires its readers does not prove its historicity. Lest a Book of Mormon apologist consider me a “wolf in sheep’s clothing,” let me make something clear. I will not consider how it might be possible to accept the Book of Mormon as religious fiction and at the same time retain faith in Joseph Smith’s prophetic calling. Such acrobatics are entirely up to the reader. Surely it would be difficult to uphold the authenticity of one while discounting the other. Still, a select few in the church have managed it – they embrace both the Prophet and what they consider to be his fictitious, but inspired book. The rest of the doubters fall into a few other categories: Some become disillusioned with the Book of Mormon and leave the church; some suppress their concerns and doubts and forge ahead in the faith; and some transform their discomfort into a vigorous and desperate defense, becoming even more staunchly loyal to the Book of Mormon. My purpose in creating the following web pages is to review the evidence that proves the Book of Mormon is a product of the 19th Century. Whether the reader finds my conclusions meritorious or repellent, he should at least have access to some of the pertinent facts. If an honest examination of the information leads to greater faith in the Book of Mormon, then so be it. At the very least, the reader will be informed. As Apostle John A. Widstoe said, “To Latter-day Saints there can be no objection to the careful and critical study of the scriptures, ancient or modern, provided only that it be an honest study – a search for truth.”2 True to that spirit, scholars and historians of Mormon history have spent the last four decades objectively examining the text of the Book of Mormon. They have combed through the church archives and traveled to distant cities in search of extant documents that help them to recreate the contemporary context in which the book emerged. My aim, then, is to summarize many of their findings, contribute a few observations of my own, and provide interpretation where useful. These Book of Mormon pages fall into two main categories: Internal and external evidence. The first includes an examination of the grammar, the style of language, the influence of the Bible and Apocrypha, and the existence of 19th Century elements, among others things. The second provides a brief overview of the external factors that challenge the historicity of the Book of Mormon, including evidence from the scientific fields of archeology, genetics, linguistics, and geography. 1 “The
Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ," Ensign, Nov. 2001, 62 |
"I
take in my hand the Book of Mormon... I have read Joseph Smith's explanation of
how it
came to be. To the unbelieving it is a story difficult to accept, and critics
for generations
have worn out their lives writing books intended to refute that story and to
offer other explanations than
the one given by Joseph the Prophet. But to the open minded, this
critical writing has only stimulated them to dig deeper; and the more deeply
they dig, the greater the
accumulation of evidence for the validity of Joseph Smith's story. Still,
as has been demonstrated for a hundred and fifty years, the truth of the Book of
Mormon will not be determined
by literary analysis or by scientific research, although these
continue to be reassuring...” (Gordon B. Hinckley, "Praise to the
Man," Ensign, Aug.
1983, 4)
My thesis for this section on the Book of
Mormon is simple and unequivocal: The book is not a genuine history;
it is most likely the product of the creative genius of Joseph Smith. I leave no
room in the following pages for a discussion
about the worth of the Book of Mormon. As Boyd K. Packer
said, “For generations it has inspired those who read it.”1
The truth of such a statement
is beyond debate. Doubtless, there are millions in the world today, myself included, that would heartily agree with Elder Packer,
and if their testimonies could be written and
collected, the combined pages might fill an entire library.