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. 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. Pdf view of the hebrews ebooks includes pdf, epub and. 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. Joseph quotes view of the hebrews in support of the book of mormon. One of the conspiracy theories that gained traction after the solomon. 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. It was first published in 1823 the book of mormon was published 6 years later in 1829. View of the hebrews, or, the tribes of isreal in america and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. 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. 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.
Despite the churchs claims, the roots of mormonism, rather than being ancient and old world, are often instead nineteenth century and very american. 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 book of mormon, as it was called, purported to tell the story of the first americans by giving them a hebrew ancestry. 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.
Did joseph smith plagiarize from view of the hebrews when writing the book of mormon by jeff lindsay. View of the hebrews 1825 edition introduction mormons in transition. 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. 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. Ethan smith republished view of the hebrews, revised and enlarged, in 1835. If joseph smith composed this book, the act was a miracle. 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. Ces letter misportrays the content of the two books. Most adherents to the latter day saint movement view the book as a work of inspired scripture. Thus it was that the further i read in view of the hebrews.
Read joseph smith and the origins of the book of mormon. Lds revelations view of the hebrews book of mormon 1. Did ethan smiths view of the hebrews furnish structural material for joseph smiths book of mormon. 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 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. 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. The author ethan smith was the pastor of the religious congregation in which the oliver cowdrey family attended. 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.
Could joseph smith have used ethan smiths view of the hebrews as a guideline for creating the book of mormon. 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. Would you respond to the theories that the book of mormon is based. View of the hebrews and the book of mormon book of mormon. Did joseph smith plagiarize from view of the hebrews when. Consider the similarities between the book of mormon and view of the hebrews as. Animals and objects that appear throughout the book of mormon story confirm its 19th century origins, not the ancient history it purports to be.
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. Harrisons fictitious book, mormons are peculiar people, raised public awareness about some similarities between the two books. 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. Roberts conducted an exhaustive comparison and analysis of these two books and. Book of mormon and view of the hebrews parallels life after.
Alleged relationships of view of the hebrews to the book of mormon have attracted interest periodically through the years. 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 view of the hebrews theory was examined in detail by b. 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 story in scripturesa geographical, cultural, and historical system of understanding and step by step through the book of. 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.
View of the hebrews was published in 1823 and a second edition was published in 1825. 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. Joseph smith was born in vermont, but the book of mormon was first published in palmyra new york, a good distance away. 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. In an article published in the times and seasons on june 1, 1842, joseph quoted view. 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. 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. Early mormons occasionally cited the view of the hebrews to support the authenticity of the book of mormon. Similarities between the book of mormon and the view of the hebrews.
The view of the hebrews is a 1823 book written by ethan smith, a united states congregationalist minister. 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. Exaggerated similarities between view of the hebrews and. None of these are referenced in the book of mormon. The connection between view of the hebrews and the book of mormon has been thoroughly debunked many times. 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. The book and the man, joseph smith, kindled a religion that today numbers over nine million members. Did view of the hebrews influence themes in joseph smiths.
Plagiarism earlier works, like ethan smiths view of the hebrews, provide a working framework for the book of mormon s themes. First of 15 parts of online version of 1824 book 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. Is view of the hebrews a source for the book of mormon. View of the hebrews, or, the tribes of isreal in america. 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. 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. View of the hebrews 1825 edition introduction mormons. The book of mormon shares some thematic elements with view of the hebrews. Interestingly, oliver cowdery, scribe, and later witness of the book of mormon, lived in poultney for 22 years until 1825.
Mark twain once said after reading the book of mormon, it is chloroform in print. But the differences between these books are very significant. The book view of the hebrews was published in 1823, 7 years before the book of mormon. 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.
View of the hebrews1823 book of mormon1829 very very. View of the hebrews 1823 book of mormon 1829 very very similar stories. 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. Roberts conducted an exhaustive comparison and analysis of these two books and concluded there is merit to this criticism. Learn more view of the hebrews, or, the tribes of isreal in. 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 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. It was not long, however, before a number of people realised that the view of the hebrews and the book of mormon had some. This book is significant for it contains parallels to the content of the book of mormon. View of the hebrews and the book of mormon book of. Also contains the parallels between view of the hebrews and the book of mormon by mormon historian b. The view of the hebrews is a book written by the minister ethan smith and published in 1823.
Book of mormon and view of the hebrews parallels life. Did view of the hebrews influence themes in joseph smith. Ethan smith pastored a church in poultney, vt which was adjacent to the county. The most common belief of adherents is that promoted by joseph smith, who said he translated ancient golden plates inscribed by prophets. Similarities with the view of the hebrews rmormonscholar book of mormon issue 8. 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. Ethan smith was a minister of a congregational church in poultney, vermont from 1821 to 1826 when he wrote view of the hebrews. Jesus ben anunus did not have stones thrown at him.
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. View of the hebrews talks of indian traditions that state that their fathers were able to foretell the future and control nature. 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. Did ethan smiths view of the hebrews furnish structural material. The messiah did not visit the americas in view of the hebrews. Ethan smiths book proposes that the american indians were the lost tribes of israel and has several. 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. This was a relatively common view during the early nineteenth century, as most europeans and americans had a view of history as biblical. Is the book of mormon plagiarized from view of the hebrews. 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.
Roberts 18571933, a prominent lds apologist and historian, was asked to answer nonbelievers five critical questions by lds apostle james e. Roberts did his work on the two in 1922, interest in the parallels grew. 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. 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. Photo reprint of the 1825 edition that is believed to have influenced joseph smith during his creation of the book of mormon. In 1921, lds church authorities were asked to reply to questions posed by a mr. 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. In addition, fawn brodies book, no man knows my history, and g.
The book of mormon view of the hebrews the king james bible the book of mormon tells the story of inspired seers and prophets. 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. 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. Ethan smith, pastor of the congregational church in poultney, vermont, argued that the native americans were scattered israelites who would soon. 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. This wellwritten book is relevant to every member of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. This is where ethan smith enters the picture with his book view of the hebrews. Indisputable proof that the book of mormon was written after 1611 and clearly not twelve centuries before. 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. 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. View of the hebrewsethan smithoriginal book of mormon. 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. 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.
Could joseph smith have written the book of mormon. 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. Numerous commentators on mormon history, from lds church general authority b. 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. 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. 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. 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.
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. There was a reference to view of the hebrews within joseph smiths lifetime coming from the prophet himself. The intent in publishing it has been to make it available to all. View of the hebrews flooded the area in which joseph smith lived. The intent in publishing it has been to make it available to all interested readerswhether critics, believers in the book of mormon, or. Learn more view of the hebrews, or, the tribes of isreal in america 2nd edition. The author ethan smith was the pastor of the religious congregation in which the oliver cowdrey family. There are several theories as to the origin of the book of mormon. 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. The excommunication of the hebrews deeply affecting 154 2. 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. Nov 05, 2011 view of the hebrews 1823 book of mormon 1829 very very similar stories.
Nevertheless, there is no evidence that joseph smith ever knew anything about this book. New evidence furnished of the divinity of the bible 169 appendix. View of the hebrews for several years, cowdery and his family attended the congregational church in poultney, vermont, when its minister was the rev. This book is a faithful and accurate reproduction of the 1825 second edition of view of the hebrews. 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. Alleged relationships of view of the hebrews to the book of mormon have. Joseph smith quoted view of the hebrews as supporting the book of mormon. For almost 200 years now, critics have been scrambling to prove that the book of mormon is nothing but a work of fiction. Ethan smiths book was published in the adjoining county west of windsor county, where joseph smith was born and lived from 1805 to 1811.