Joseph smith view of the hebrews and books

To have done this, he would have needed a copy of view of the hebrews. There is no real evidence of joseph relying on that text. Is view of the hebrews a source for the book of mormon. 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. Ethan smith even traveled promoting his book, stopping in palmyra, josephs hometown, in 1826. Ethan smiths view of the hebrews, published seven years before the book of mormon is thought to be source material for joseph smiths book. Smith quotes dozens of scriptures in an attempt to show that in the latter days israel would be restored in fulfillment of gods covenant promises and sets out to prove that native americans are these covenant people. Jan 19, 2020 so, the current argument being made is that joseph smith was a creative genius who read numerous books, such as view of the hebrews and the late war between the united states and great britain and then copied ideas and stories from them.

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 cowderys family attended at the time that view of the hebrews was being written. Oliver cowdery, one of the bom witnesses, just so happened to be a member of ethan smiths church from18211825 or 1826 during which time ethan. Early mormons occasionally cited the view of the hebrews to support the authenticity of the book of mormon. Roberts conducted an exhaustive comparison and analysis of these two books and concluded there is merit to this criticism. 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. Many of the parallels are unique to the secondedition of view of the hebrews, which oliver cowdery did not have access toand joseph smith certainly didnt. Ces letter misportrays the content of the two books. This is where ethan smith enters the picture with his book view of the hebrews. 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 many of the parallels are. View of the hebrews 1825 edition introduction mormons in.

Rare 1830 edition book of mormonjoseph smithon cd ebook. 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. What specific books are believed to have inspired or influenced joseph smith in his authoring of the book of mormon. 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. 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. 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.

Ethan smiths view of the hebrews was first published in 1823 in poultney, vermont. Joseph smith and the origins of the book of mormon, 2d ed. Ces letter picks 34 parallels between view of the hebrews and the book of mormon. Ethan smith s is by far the most important and interesting work dealing with the origin of the american indians and the mound builders. The book was popular enough that a second edition was. Ethan smiths is by far the most important and interesting work dealing with the origin of the american indians and the mound builders. However ethan smith s argument was a popular one, advanced by many theological writers over the years. Evidence shows that view of the hebrews was very successful, being first printed in 1823 and then a second edition in 1825 and was distributed all over the burned out district where joseph smith lived. 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 reason. 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. Book of mormonauthorship theoriesview 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. More on joseph smiths plagiarism in 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. Ethan smiths book was published in the adjoining county west of windsor county, where joseph smith was born and lived from 1805 to 1811. Joseph smith sr became a grand master mason in may 1818. 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. 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. Persuitte also demonstrates that joseph smiths plan for the book of mormon evolved from a nonreligious history of the precolumbians to a sacred text. 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. 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. Ethan smiths close proximity to joseph and relationship with the cowdery family is interesting, but ultimately the point of these comparisons is to demonstrate the environment that the book of mormon came out of.

Lds did joseph smith and the 1830 bom plagairize the. Several commentators on mormon history and the book of mormon, including lds church general authority b. There was, however, a reference to view of the hebrews within joseph smith s lifetime, but it came from the prophet himself. Smith, view of the hebrews hedges 65 subsequent generations discussed and promoted tbe idea until 1775, when james adair fully developed it in his history of the american indians. View of the hebrews contrary to popular belief, the book of mormon was not the first to suggest. 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. Could joseph smith have used ethan smiths view of the hebrews as a guideline for creating the book of mormon. Ethan smith s close proximity to joseph and relationship with the cowdery family is interesting, but ultimately the point of these comparisons is to demonstrate the environment that the book of mormon came out of. Another book, the wonders of nature and providence. Lets assume for a moment that joseph smith plagiarized view of the hebrews in the book of mormon. But the differences between these books are very significant.

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. So the current argument being made is that joseph smith was a creative genius who read numerous books, such as view of the hebrews and the late war between the united states and great britain and then copied ideas and stories from them. 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 roberts served in the. He made an excellent study of the environment and source material available to joseph smith in the 1820s. 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. 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. Joseph smith quoted view of the hebrews as supporting the book of mormon. The book of hebrews and the joseph smith translation.

View of the hebrewsethan smithoriginal book of mormon. 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. Would you respond to the theories that the book of mormon is based. Criticisms related to view of the hebrews and the book of mormon. Book of mormon and view of the hebrews parallels life after. View of the hebrewsethan smithoriginal book of mormonlatter daycd ebook pdf. No direct evidence exists that would prove or disprove joseph smith had read view of the hebrews. Did view of the hebrews influence themes in joseph smith.

According to his enemies joseph smith would have had to read and study a view to the hebrews, the late war, philosophy of a future state, solomon spauldings manuscript, the book of napoleon, the star in the west, the study of war, the apocrypha etc. Ethan smith republished view of the hebrews, revised and enlarged, in 1835. 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. The most notable literary products of joseph smiths relatively short life were his ancient scriptures. Another book, the wonders of nature and providence displayed, was in the local manchester library five miles from joseph smiths home and extant records show that it was reportedly checked out during the years 1826 to 1828. Suggests that the first settlers of the new world were the lost ten tribes of israel. Did view of the hebrews influence themes in joseph smiths. View of the hebrews reads very much like a gospel tract. Is the book of mormon like any other nineteenth century book. The author ethan smith was the pastor of the religious congregation in which the oliver cowdrey family attended.

This argument reappeared in joseph smith s no relation book of mormon published seven years later, and many have attempted to establish a connection between the two works. 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. Could joseph smith have written the book of mormon. Usual scattered foxing, else a very good, tight copy.

The point of comparisons to books like view of the hebrews is not to prove that joseph smith ripped off ethan smith. Roberts and fawn brodie, joseph smiths, biographer noted the considerable similarities in the content of view of the hebrews and the book of mormon, which was published seven years after ethan smiths book. It is one of several books reflecting the popular fascination at the time of joseph smith with the question of indian origins. Is the book of mormon like any other nineteenth century. 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. Alleged relationships of view of the hebrews to the book of mormon have attracted interest periodically through the years. Joseph smiths transformation of hebrews in alma 12 david p. If joseph smith was to use view of the hebrews in total as the apologists seem to think the critics are saying i. Lds did joseph smith and the 1830 bom plagairize the 1823.

The strongest part of the book is the sidebyside comparisons he makes with the view of the hebrews, which persuitte theorizes was the impetus providing smith with the concepts that would get his active imagination to work on transforming the expectations of the treasure hunters into the foundations of a church p. 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. Persuitte is so detailed in his comparison of the two books that he has put to rest any doubt that view of the hebrews is father to 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. This, of course, is a total flipflop, a 180degree reversal from the original argument that. Get cozy and expand your home library with a large online selection of books at. This, of course, is a total flipflop, a 180degree reversal from the original argument that joseph was. 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 flooded the area in which joseph smith lived. 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. View of the hebrews was published in 1823 and a second edition was published in 1825. View of the hebrews 1825 edition introduction mormons.

What specific books are believed to have inspired or. The view of the hebrews is a 1823 book written by ethan smith, a united states congregationalist minister. 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. Where did joseph smith get his ideas for the book of mormon. Did joseph smith plagiarize the book 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. As noted repeatedly in various sections of this book, josephlike all prophets was, in part, a product of his milieu. 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. Smith 17621849 was a congregationalist minisher in vermont.

Is the book of mormon plagiarized from view of the hebrews. In the manuscript he examines some of the claims of the book of mormon regarding the native inhabitants of the western hemisphere, compares the content of the book with an earlier book entitled view of the hebrews and comments on the likelihood that joseph smith could have been the author of the book of mormon without divine assistance. 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. 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. He published the passage in the times and seasons, apparently to show that there were at least some authorities who believed ancient hebrews had come to america. It is unknown if joseph smith had access to view of the hebrews when he dictated the book of mormon. Aug 17, 2011 apparently, joseph smith didnt understand that hebrews was quoting the same old testament text in all three verses. If joseph plagiarized from ethan smith, we would expect to find that unique aspects of view of the hebrews ideas, names, stories that are not also found in the bible or other sources would have been incorporated into the book of mormon, but no such fingerprints are found.

Jan 01, 1977 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 reason. 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. History, reason, and power of the spirit confirm divine. Did joseph smith plagiarize from view of the hebrews when. Numerous commentators on mormon doctrine, from lds church general authority b. Divided into three parts the first part of studies of the book of mormon roberts deals with his quandry in attempting to answer five questions which were asked by a doctor who had read the book of mormon given to him by a friend. Nevertheless, there is no evidence that joseph smith ever knew anything about this book. There was zero mention of quetzalcoatl or a white bearded god in the first edition, for example.

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. Book of mormon and view of the hebrews parallels life. 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. I dozed off several times in my attempt to get through these 220 pages of rambling, 19th century, anecdotal evidence that native americans were the mark twain once said after reading. 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. Aug 17, 2019 lets assume for a moment that joseph smith plagiarized view of the hebrews in the book of mormon. Josephs environment and the book of mormon book of. Josephs plagiarism in book of mormon and other revelations. His worldview, environment, and education no doubt influenced his interpretation of scripture, how it related to his surroundings, his understanding of past and future prophecies, and his interpretation of.

Critics 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. Persuitte also demonstrates that joseph smith s plan for the book of mormon evolved from a nonreligious history of the precolumbians to a sacred text. Ethan smith pastored a church in poultney, vt which was adjacent to the county where joseph smith lived in ny. Pre1830 works that possibly influenced the book of mormon a list of books available in joseph smiths time written about topics present in the book of mormon. Many publications and materials predated the publication of the book of mormon. View of the hebrews is not a book with stories like the book of mormon is.

Would you respond to the theories that the book of mormon. Furthermore, there is no evidence that joseph smith was familiar with the view of the hebrews before 1842, when he quoted from an 1833 book which quoted from the view of the hebrews. View of the hebrews, or, the tribes of isreal in america 9781930679610. Apparently, joseph smith didnt understand that hebrews was quoting the same old testament text in all three verses. Joseph smith didnt change the wording of hebrews 4. One need only spend an afternoon reading through the most recent crop of books and essays dedicated to explaining away joseph smith and the church he restored as mere products of the nineteenth century to realize that the need for accessible copies of ethan smiths view of the hebrews has perhaps never been greater than at present. So, the current argument being made is that joseph smith was a creative genius who read numerous books, such as view of the hebrews and the late war between the united states and great britain and then copied ideas and stories from them. Similarities between the book of mormon and the view of the hebrews. View of the hebrews 1823 ethan smith internet archive.