Most adherents to the latter day saint movement view the book as a work of inspired scripture. This book, written by a minister, ethan smith, demonstrates that the book of mormon was not unique in its assertion that the native americans were descended from the house of israel within a religious history framework. View of the hebrews 1825 edition introduction mormons in transition. If joseph smith composed this book, the act was a miracle. Exaggerated similarities between view of the hebrews and. In addition, fawn brodies book, no man knows my history, and g. Woodbridge riley in 1902 was the first author to suggest a relationship between view of the hebrews and the book of mormon the founder of mormonism, new york, 1902, pp. Plagiarism earlier works, like ethan smiths view of the hebrews, provide a working framework for the book of mormon s themes. Scholars today have varying theories about the true authorship of the book of mormon, but most conclude that smith composed the book himself, possibly with the help of oliver cowdery and sidney rigdon, drawing from information and publications available in his time, including the king james bible, the wonders of nature, and view of the hebrews. View of the hebrews was published in 1823 and a second edition was published in 1825.
Mark twain once said after reading the book of mormon, it is chloroform in print. The messiah did not visit the americas in view of the hebrews. 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. The author ethan smith was the pastor of the religious congregation in which the oliver cowdrey family attended. Photo reprint of the 1825 edition that is believed to have influenced joseph smith during his creation of the book of mormon. There was a reference to view of the hebrews within joseph smiths lifetime coming from the prophet himself.
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 the 1820s, to. Did ethan smiths view of the hebrews furnish structural material for joseph smiths book of mormon. 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. 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. In short, similarities between view of the hebrews and the book of mormon do not require the dependance of one upon the other but are most easily explained as two reflections of common nineteenthcentury assumptions about the american indians. There are several theories as to the origin of the book of mormon. Roberts 18571933, a prominent lds apologist and historian, was asked to answer nonbelievers five critical questions by lds apostle james e.
The view of the hebrews is a 1823 book written by ethan smith, a united states congregationalist minister. Similarities with the view of the hebrews rmormonscholar book of mormon issue 8. 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. Animals and objects that appear throughout the book of mormon story confirm its 19th century origins, not the ancient history it purports to be.
Alleged relationships of view of the hebrews to the book of mormon have attracted interest periodically through the years. 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. 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. Another look at book of mormon and view of the hebrews.
Could joseph smith have used ethan smiths view of the hebrews as a guideline for creating the book of mormon. Would you respond to the theories that the book of mormon is based. First of 15 parts of online version of 1824 book view of the hebrews by ethan smith. 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.
Did joseph smith plagiarize from view of the hebrews when writing the book of mormon by jeff lindsay. Fairmormon answers wiki table of contents critics point to the fact that view of the hebrews cites the biblical book of isaiah, and claim that this represents an influence upon the book of mormon text they ignore, however, that view of the hebrews also uses many other scriptural citations. 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 many of the parallels are unique to the second. The intent in publishing it has been to make it available to all interested readerswhether critics, believers in the book of mormon, or scholars of early american religious history. For part i of my study of the similarities between the bom and voth, i would like to provide a summary of several differences between the two works. View of the hebrews, or, the tribes of isreal in america and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Interestingly, oliver cowdery, scribe, and later witness of the book of mormon, lived in poultney for 22 years until 1825. This book, written by a minister, ethan smith, demonstrates that the book of mormon was not unique in its assertion that the native americans were descended from the house of israel within a. This is where ethan smith enters the picture with his book view of the hebrews. 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. The view of the hebrews theory was examined in detail by b. Roberts conducted an exhaustive comparison and analysis of these two books and.
Read joseph smith and the origins of the book of mormon. Pdf view of the hebrews ebooks includes pdf, epub and. Roberts did his work on the two in 1922, interest in the parallels grew. Would you respond to the theories that the book of mormon.
Despite the churchs claims, the roots of mormonism, rather than being ancient and old world, are often instead nineteenth century and very american. The book of mormon, as it was called, purported to tell the story of the first americans by giving them a hebrew ancestry. View of the hebrews talks of indian traditions that state that their fathers were able to foretell the future and control nature. 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 of mormon. The book view of the hebrews was published in 1823, 7 years before the book of mormon. The book of mormon shares some thematic elements with view of the hebrews. The book of mormon view of the hebrews the king james bible the book of mormon tells the story of inspired seers and prophets.
Book of mormon and view of the hebrews parallels life. 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. Early mormons occasionally cited the view of the hebrews to support the authenticity of the book of mormon. The book and the man, joseph smith, kindled a religion that today numbers over nine million members. 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. This book is significant for it contains parallels to the content of the book of mormon.
Could joseph smith have written the book of mormon. Learn more view of the hebrews, or, the tribes of isreal in. Did view of the hebrews influence themes in joseph smiths. View of the hebrews for several years, cowdery and his family attended the congregational church in poultney, vermont, when its minister was the rev. Ethan smiths book proposes that the american indians were the lost tribes of israel and has several.
View of the hebrews 1823 book of mormon 1829 very very similar stories. Consider the similarities between the book of mormon and view of the hebrews as. 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. 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. 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. In order to promote view of the hebrews as a source, critics necessarily reject any limited geography theory proposal for the book of mormon. View of the hebrews and the book of mormon book of. Nevertheless, the prophet insisted that the book of mormon is 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 1841. Thus it was that the further i read in view of the hebrews.
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 19th. The intent in publishing it has been to make it available to all interested readerswhether critics, believers in the book of mormon, or. Jesus ben anunus did not have stones thrown at him. Alleged relationships of view of the hebrews to the book of mormon have. 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. Ethan smiths book was published in the adjoining county west of windsor county, where joseph smith was born and lived from 1805 to 1811. View of the hebrews1823 book of mormon1829 very very. Lds revelations view of the hebrews book of mormon 1. Joseph smith quoted view of the hebrews as supporting the book of mormon. It was first published in 1823 the book of mormon was published 6 years later in 1829. The book provides an honest comparison of the source material available to joseph smith, a book titled view of the hebrews, that preceded the book of mormon. The most common belief of adherents is that promoted by joseph smith, who said he translated ancient golden plates inscribed by prophets. 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.
Harrisons fictitious book, mormons are peculiar people, raised public awareness about some similarities between the two books. The book portrays a similar overall narrative to the book of mormon with many details surprisingly congruent with the book of mormon. 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 smiths lifetime, but it came from the prophet himself. Posted in book of mormon, tagged bh roberts, book of mormon, ethan smith, false gospel, joseph smith, parallels between book of mormon and view of the hebrews, view of the hebrews on 04242014 1 comment. 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 sort, along countries adjacent to the atlantic.
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. Ethan smith republished view of the hebrews, revised and enlarged, in 1835. Nevertheless, there is no evidence that joseph smith ever knew anything about this book. Ethan smith was a minister of a congregational church in poultney, vermont from 1821 to 1826 when he wrote view of the hebrews. Joseph smith was born in vermont, but the book of mormon was first published in palmyra new york, a good distance away. In order to read online or download view of the hebrews ebooks in pdf, epub, tuebl and mobi format, you need to create a free account. Ethan smith, author of view of the hebrews, an 1823 book suggesting that native americans were of hebrew origin, a not uncommon speculation during the. Did view of the hebrews influence themes in joseph smith.
But the differences between these books are very significant. We cannot guarantee that view of the hebrews book is in the library, but if you are still not sure with the service, you can choose free trial service. New evidence furnished of the divinity of the bible 169 appendix. The author ethan smith was the pastor of the religious congregation in which the oliver cowdrey family. Ethan smith pastored a church in poultney, vt which was adjacent to the county. Did ethan smiths view of the hebrews furnish structural material. You can read view of the hebrews online at no charge at in addition to that theres a lot of great information at the website as well. View of the hebrews 1825 edition introduction mormons. The two books, view of the hebrews and the book of mormon have been undergoing comparisons for decades.
It was not long, however, before a number of people realised that the view of the hebrews and the book of mormon had some. The connection between view of the hebrews and the book of mormon has been thoroughly debunked many times. Ces letter misportrays the content of the two books. The intent in publishing it has been to make it available to all. In 1921, lds church authorities were asked to reply to questions posed by a mr.
This was a relatively common view during the early nineteenth century, as most europeans and americans had a view of history as biblical. View of the hebrews, or, the tribes of isreal in america. Is the book of mormon plagiarized from view of the hebrews. Numerous commentators on mormon history, from lds church general authority b.
Read the book of hebrews, 1 in the past god spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. One of the conspiracy theories that gained traction after the solomon. I have on my possession the spaulding manuscript and everybody could buy it in every deseret book store, there is nothing to resemble the book of mormon story. Parallels between view of the hebrews and the book of mormon it has been argued that there are significant parallels between view of the hebrews and the book of mormon.
Indisputable proof that the book of mormon was written after 1611 and clearly not twelve centuries before. In an article published in the times and seasons on june 1, 1842, joseph quoted view. So we must now believe that joseph smith studied both editions and perhaps even compared the text of the two versions. Learn more view of the hebrews, or, the tribes of isreal in america 2nd edition. The view of the hebrews is a book written by the minister ethan smith and published in 1823. He therefore asserts that joseph apparently had the first edition as well as the second edition of view of the hebrews, as those sentences appear to have provided the basis for a turning point in the book of mormon p. The excommunication of the hebrews deeply affecting 154 2. Similarities between the book of mormon and view of the hebrews book duration. Would you respond to the theories that the book of mormon is.
For almost 200 years now, critics have been scrambling to prove that the book of mormon is nothing but a work of fiction. The story in scripturesa geographical, cultural, and historical system of understanding and step by step through the book of. Roberts privately researched the link between the book of mormon and the view of the hebrews, josephs father having the same dream in 1811 as lehis dream, and other sources that were available to joseph smith, oliver cowdery, martin harris and others before the publication of the book of mormon. For the meantime, i will assume that the reader has a basic understanding of what is contained in both the view of the hebrews voth and the book of mormon bom.
Similarities between the book of mormon and the view of the hebrews. Did joseph smith plagiarize from view of the hebrews when. 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. The acceptance of the view of the hebrews theory is therefore contingent upon the acceptance of a hemispheric geography model for the book of mormon. 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. Jul 24, 2019 for almost 200 years now, critics have been scrambling to prove that the book of mormon is nothing but a work of fiction. Everything that is common or even vaguely similar between the book of mormon and the view of the hebrews could have been borrowed more easily from the bible or from prevailing beliefs at that time. Joseph quotes view of the hebrews in support of the book of mormon.
Is view of the hebrews a source for the book of mormon. Similarities with the view of the hebrews if you follow any of the above links, please respect the rules of reddit and dont vote in the other threads. The book of mormon, of course, makes precisely this claim about baptism, along with several others that likewise cannot be reconciled with the nineteenthcentury model explaining indian origins. 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 the other. Book of mormon and view of the hebrews parallels life after. View of the hebrews and the book of mormon book of mormon. None of these are referenced in the book of mormon. View of the hebrews flooded the area in which joseph smith lived. View of the hebrewsethan smithoriginal book of mormon. Roberts took the position of examining the book of mormon from a critical perspective in order to alert the general authorities to possible future avenues of attack by critics.
Ethan smith, pastor of the congregational church in poultney, vermont, argued that the native americans were scattered israelites who would soon. Also contains the parallels between view of the hebrews and the book of mormon by mormon historian b. Therefore, an apologist answer that both joseph smith and ethan. In fact, this would have been much more likely, since joseph smith and his family were avid readers of the bible. 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. 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. Roberts conducted an exhaustive comparison and analysis of these two books and concluded there is merit to this criticism. This wellwritten book is relevant to every member of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. 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. 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. Nov 05, 2011 view of the hebrews 1823 book of mormon 1829 very very similar stories. For example, view of the hebrews asserts repeatedly that the ten tribes came to america via the bering strait, which they crossed on dry land.