I could swear that this book was written by one man. The title page of the book of mormon refers to its primary records as abridgments. Preface to book of mormon, circa august 1829, page iii. The original manuscript of the translation was completed in 1829, the printers manuscript was completed during 182930, and the first 5,000 copies of the book. Critics claim that it was authored by smith, drawing on material and ideas from contemporary 19thcentury works. Some form of christs name is mentioned more frequently per verse in the book of mormon than even in the new testament. It was written to show what great things the lord does for his children, to explain his covenants, and to convince all people that jesus is the christ see the title page of the book of mormon. The number of attesting witnesses is not a tenth part of what it would have been had a thorough investigation been undertaken even a score of years ago.
To emphasize this point, in the 1840 edition of the book of mormon, moronis name was appended to the title page. The english editions of the book of mormon published today generally result in a book of over 500 pages. Convince jew and gentile that jesus is the christ manifesting himself unto all nations. It attempted to prove that natives had descended from the ancient israelites. According to clyde williams, it seems clear that joseph smith understood moroni to be the author of the title page. As the bible is a record of gods dealings with the inhabitants of the eastern hemisphere, the book of mormon tells of a people who were led by god from jerusalem to the western hemisphere 600 years prior to the birth of the savior. The major mission of the book of mormon, as recorded on its title page, is to the convincing of the jew and gentile that jesus is the christ, the eternal god, manifesting himself unto all nations.
Text matches the title page of the first edition of the book of mormon. The first title page differs from the title page of the current 1981 edition, the most obvious difference being. The book of mormon is a musical comedy with music, lyrics and book by trey parker, robert lopez, and matt stone. Feb 11, 2007 i thought id post some ideas about the title page while we wait for our stragglers to come on board.
The title page is really more moronis title page than mormons. Nephi was instructed to keep a second book for a wise purpose. It is quite likely that at this point moroni wrote the first paragraph as we now have it of the title page of the book of mormon. According to the title page, what are the purposes of the book of mormon. According to the prophet joseph smith, the titlepage of the book of mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand. Joseph smith wrote that the title page of the book of mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the collection or book of plates, which contained the record which has been translated.
What is now the title page was originally on the last of the gold plates, so it is reasonable to assume that moroni wrote it. Joseph smith explained, the titlepage of the book of mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the collection or book of plates history of the church, 1. The book of mormon is another testament of jesus christ. Virtually all other scholars and students of the book of mormon who have written commentary about the title page have reached exactly the same two conclusions. It is the most correct of any book on earth, that a man would get nearer. It also mentions that it includes moronis abridgment of the book of ether, about the people of jared. Introductory pages of the book of mormon book of mormon central. An abridgment is a shortened version of a text, which means that the abridgments found in the book of mormon are only summaries of larger recorded histories. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. In reading the first paragraph, let us change our mindset and assume that mormon wrote it. Introductory pages of the book of mormon book of mormon. But perhaps the most glaring problem with this book is that the title claims i wrote the book of mormon, and calls it a confession of sidney rigdonand there is no confession from rigdon at allnot in any way, shape, or formpresented in this book.
In the history of the church, joseph smith made an important clarification about the title page of the book of mormon. He also wrote the words of mormon, and his son, moroni, later copied two of. In fact, there is no proof presented in this book that rigdon wrote the book of mormon. Book of mormon study notes insights from my daily study.
Book of mormon, 1830, page 0 the joseph smith papers. The title page states, the book of mormon, an account written by the hand of mormon upon plates. Joseph smith wrote a description of the title page of the book of mormon which was published in the times and seasons magazine 1842. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. The book of mormon has a number of original and distinctive doctrinal discussions on subjects such as the fall. Pratt as key players in the authorship of the book of mormon. I was particularly interested in the way each name was used, both in the book of mormon. Joseph smith declared, the title page of the book of mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the collection or book of plates. The first title page differs from the title page of the current 1981 edition, the most obvious difference being that joseph smith is listed as the author and proprietor of the book of mormon.
In march, 2019, i studied 20 different names or titles of jesus christ which appear in the book of mormon. The first title page differs from the title page of the current 1981 edition, the most obvious difference being that joseph smith is listed as the author and proprietor. Title page of the book of mormon who wrote the title page. Title page of book of mormon, circa early june 1829, page 1. Was it translated the way that many have assumed, or was there more to the miracle that brought forth another testament of jesus christ. Come follow me 2020 podcasts with rod meldrum book of. Moroni is the ascribed author of chapters 8 and 9 of mormon s record within the larger book of mormon, the entire book of moroni, and the title page of the book of mormon. The book of mormon has been translated from english into. Exploring how the book of mormons various source texts contribute to its message about christ can be intellectually enlightening. Book of mormon study notes insights from my daily study of. Jesus is the christ, god has great things for the house of israel.
Jan 03, 2020 the title page of the book of mormon was actually written by moroni, an ancient israelite prophet who also wrote the closing chapter literally of the history of his people called the nephites. Miner, from step by step through the book of mormon. More light on who wrote the title page book of mormon. The title page of the book of mormon was most likely written by moroni, but in recent years scholars have suggested that mormon, moronis father, may have written the first six lines of the title page, with moroni writing the rest. More light on who wrote the title page byu scholarsarchive.
Ludlow notes that virtually all other scholars and students of the book of mormon who had written commentary up until his 1986 presentation had reached. Moroni states the precise purposes of the book of mormon on the title pagewhich is to show unto the remnant of the house of israel. Jan 21, 2019 to emphasize this point, in the 1840 edition of the book of mormon, moronis name was appended to the title page. Nyman, professor of ancient scripture, brigham young university, provo, utah. Book of mormon authorship the encyclopedia of mormonism. The book of mormon, though the most correct book on earth 20 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. Members of the church have long held that its joseph smith.
Book of mormon evidence come follow me supplementary study podcasts. Perhaps the first question the title page throws up is who wrote it. Howe suggested, basing himself on witnesses collected by doctor hurlbut, that the book of. The titlepage of the book of mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the collection or book of plates, which contained the record which has. Title page step by step through the book of mormon. In reading the first paragraph, let us change our mindset and assume that mormon wrote it rather than moroni. The second paragraph clearly follows his decision to abridge the book of ether. To the inside front cover are affixed four clippings of descriptions of different versions of first edition copies of the book of mormon and of an 1854 edition of the doctrine and covenants, along with a clipping describing the origin of the text of the book of mormon and a bookplate of the shepard book company of salt lake city, utah. Moroni, when he wrote what would be the title page of the book of mormon, expressly stated that one of the key purposes of the book they had prepared was for the convincing of the jew and gentile that jesus is the christ, the eternal god, manifesting himself unto all nations.
Did moroni write the title page to the book of mormon. What purposes of the book of mormon are stated on the title page. The brief fourword title the book of mormon is the same title that has appeared on the cover and title page of all editions and appears first on the title page of the current edition. The precise purposes of the book of mormon religious. More light on who wrote the title page book of mormon central. An american, james adair, wrote a book a history of the american indians in 1775.
David hocking managing editor, annotated edition of the book of mormon. Quotes the book of mormon was first printed in 1830. Over onehalf of all the verses in the book of mormon refer to our lord. The lord established the basic foundation for temple work in the book of mormon and left the specific teachings about exaltation within the celestial kingdom to the doctrine and covenants. The book of mormon title page the doctrine of exaltation.
Moroni had been commanded by his father to complete the nephite record, which mormon had abridged from previous records. The original book of mormon title page book of mormon central. Joseph smith once wrote, i wish to mention here that the titlepage of the book of mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the collection or book of plates, which contained the record which has been translated. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. Solomon spaulding and the book of mormon fairmormon. Some scholars have suggested that perhaps mormon wrote the first paragraph of the title page and moroni the. Is it possible that a single author wrote the book of mormon. Come, follow me latest posts names and titles of jesus christ in march, 2019, i studied 20 different names or titles of jesus christ which appear in the book of mormon. The title page is therefore the translation of an ancient document, at least partially written by moroni 2, son of mormon, in the fifth century a.
The 1830 edition of the book of mormon named joseph smith as the author and proprietor of the book. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle. Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of nephi, and also of the lamaniteswritten to the lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of. And as joseph smith is a very ignorant man and is called the author on the title page, i cannot doubt for a single moment that he is the sole author and proprietor of it. According to the narrative in the book of mormon, the prophet mormon abridged the large plates, including the book of lehi the translation of which martin harris lost in july 1828 and the books of mosiah, alma, helaman, nephi the third and fourth books under the name of nephi, and mormon. More light on who wrote the title page, by clyde j. Mormon, has been the recognized author of the title page of the book. I have done some seraching on the internet and the best answer i have found, is church leaders, but i am looking more specifically which church leaders if it was in fact church leaders, which i do tend to believe. In this one and only post, moroni would describe the content and continue reading the book of mormon title page. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. The title page of the book of mormon declares that it was translated by the gift and power of god, but what do we know about this divine process. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to adherents, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. However, a more indepth analysis of the text on that page and the specific language that is used provides evidence supporting the notion that the title page. Williams, journal of book of mormon studies 10, no.
Wherefore it is an abridgment of the record of the people of nephi, and also of the lamaniteswritten to the lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of israel. A comprehensive commentary of the title page of the book of mormon, by paul nolan hyde. Introductory pages of the book of mormon another testament. Gramps, did moroni write the title page to the book of mormon. The title refers to alma the younger, a prophet and chief judge of the nephites. Dec 29, 2019 come follow me 2020 title page the book of mormon title page and its testimony of jesus christ. Williams journal of book of mormon studies 102 2001. Those who reject joseph smiths claim that he translated the book through divine power assume that he or one of his contemporaries wrote the book. The spalding enigma, our authors set out to accomplish a monumental task. The honest seeker after truth can gain the testimony that jesus is the christ as he prayerfully ponders the inspired words of the book of mormon. This article argues that the term gentiles in the title page of the book of mormon does not carry the modern connotation of nonisraelite, but instead refers to nonephraimites. The title page of the book of mormon published today contains the wo. I wish also to mention here, that the title page of the book of mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very. Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the.
The book of mormon is a little less than half the size of the old testament and is larger than the new testament. The title page states that the purpose of the book of mormon is to show unto the remnant of the house of israel what. As the page explains see chart 167, he named himself the author and proprietor consistent with federal law only to secure a. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. Why is the book of mormons historical authenticity so. Because the text was found on the very last page of the plates, it seems likely that the final author, moroni, wrote it. Let us consider some of the attributes of our lord, as found in the book of mormon, that show that jesus is the christ. Moroni states the precise purposes of the book of mormon on the title page which is to show unto the remnant of the house of israel. According to the prophet joseph smith, the titlepage of the book of mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the collection or book of plates, which contained the record which has been translated, the language of the whole running the same as all hebrew writing in general. Title page of the book of mormon together with references for further study from the general conferences of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints the encyclopedia of mormonism and other doctrinal texts by general authorities of the church written and compiled by paul nolan hyde parrish press orem, utah.
Why new testament words and phrases are in the book of. The title page was first published on 26 june 1829 in the wayne sentinel, representing the first portion of the book of mormon to be published. I am curious as to who wrote the introduction the page after the title page in the book of mormon. A blog post by the prophet moroni was all that remained. In my opinion, this is one of the most valuable statements from the title page. The title page, however, is typically categorized as part of jss translation, rather than as a revelation. It is useful to compare the purposes of the book of mormon as stated on the title page with the purposes for writing given in the text by nephi, jacob, mormon, and moroni who between them wrote 98. What is the name of the book that came from gold plates.
As the bible is a record of gods dealings with the inhabitants of the eastern hemisphere, the book of mormon tells of a people who were led by god from jerusalem to the western hemisphere 600. I have written about some of the similarities between the final chapter of the book of mormon moroni 10 and the title page, which suggests to me that moroni might have written both at approximately the same time. The book of mormon is a musical comedy with music, lyrics and book by trey parker, robert lopez, and matt stone first staged in 2011, the play is a satirical examination of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints beliefs and practices that ultimately endorses the positive power of love and service. I thought id post some ideas about the title page while we wait for our stragglers to come on board.
Parker and stone were best known for creating the animated comedy. Aug 31, 2006 i am curious as to who wrote the introduction the page after the title page in the book of mormon. Joseph smith explained, the title page of the book of mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the collection or book. The title page states, the book of mormon, an account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. The title page states that the purpose of the book of mormon is to show unto the remnant of the house of israel. I was particularly interested in the way each name was used, both in the book of mormon and in the bible. Should the eyes of any honest believer in the inspiration of the book of mormon fall upon these pages, his impartial and unbiased examination of the evidence here adduced is earnestly solicited. I would rather make mistakes in kindness and compassion than work miracles in unkindness and hardness. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to. Joseph smith declared, the titlepage of the book of mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the collection or book of plates. The title page states that the book of mormon was being sealed up and hid up unto the lord sealed by the hand of moroni. Who most likely wrote the title page of the book of mormon. Why did the book of mormon originally say that joseph. However, a more indepth analysis of the text on that page and the specific language that is used provides evidence supporting the notion that the title page was.