Was the book of Mormon plagarized?

Question

Many of the basic historical notions found in the Book of Mormon had appeared in print already in 1825, just two years before Smith began producing the Book of Mormon, in a book called View of the Hebrews, by Ethan Smith (no relation) and published just a few miles from where Joseph Smith lived. A careful study of this obscure book led one LDS church official (the historian B. H. Roberts, 1857-1933) to confess that the evidence tended to show that the Book of Mormon was not an ancient record, but concocted by Joseph Smith himself, based on ideas he had read in the earlier book.

Answer 1

The book of mormon was dreamed up. Supposedly there were these little "gold tablets" that were kept hidden in a bag. Smith dictated what was "revealed" to him on these tablets and the book of mormon was written by god through him. When the person taking the notes accidentally (selectively) "lost" a portion (because he became suspicious), Smith had to redictate this part and was quite upset. The person writing this all down compared the two supposedly same "divine revelations" and they were completely different. Smith was dictating what he remembered from other works of religion, dictated to suit his own needs.

Okay, so just how hard does someone have to think to realize that all religions everywhere were created by humans because humans could not explain their environment. The further along we go, the more we discover, the more we can explain, the less any religion makes sense.

Answer 2

To answer Dave S question, The text people try to use about Roberts' "admission" or that he lost his testimony of The Book of Mormon is in his autobiography. The fact is though, they take the quote out of context and, as sometimes happens, they "copy and paste" quotes together to fit their agenda, that is what people have done here. And even if Roberts had made this statement, it would not prove the book to be false, as it may well have been his own opinion.
To the original post: Do you have a copy of the view of the Hebrews or are you using another source, if that's the case, you may want to find out where they got their information..

Answer 3

i have spent about 40 years in bishoprics, severe councils, and clerk positions, and that i have considered countless human beings depart the Church. i have sat on countless disciplinary councils. None of them left the Church because of "info" hostile to the Church. There are some who merely gradually glide away into state of being inactive. often times it is via a lack of religion, extra on by doubts brought about by something they have study. one among my brothers became like that, inspite of the actual undeniable reality that he has considering the fact that come decrease back to Church. He did not prefer to inform me about his doubts because he had develop into confident that there became no answer to his doubts, and he did not prefer to burden me jointly with his doubts. it is merely too undesirable he did not refer to me, because there is continuously an answer. element of his difficulty besides the undeniable fact that became that he became searching for a reason now to not bypass on a challenge, and "blindly" keep on with the social gathering of his older brothers. It became in part a delight situation. I have a theory about those who depart the Church and declare it became because of info. They fall into 3 communities. (a million) some are genuinely wondered by the arguments of adult males. (2) some seek for info the Church isn't authentic, yet deep down they comprehend the authentic reason became they were indignant or they felt to blame about their sins. (3) And others do not comprehend their own causes. In a psychology type I once took I heard of an exciting attempt with regards to this third crew. someone in yet another psychology type became hypnotized and given a submit-hypnotic suggestion. The hypnotized student became informed that when the instructor coughed the student would upward push up from his seat and open the window to the lecture room. He would not save in recommendations something he became informed at the same time as hypnotized. He became then awaken from his hypnotic trance and informed to bypass decrease back to his seat. the student remembered no longer something of what he became informed at the same time as hypnotized. the instructor after a jiffy coughed, and the student were given up and opened the window. Now right it is the point of this tale. at the same time as requested why he opened the window his mind in the present day man made a reason. He said he became warm, and unusually sufficient his body proved it by getting purple and sweaty.

Answer 4

you are aware joseph smith only had what would be equivelant today to a third grade education aren't you? it seems like some of the things you are giving him credit for in all of your questions seems beyond the reach of a 3rd grader.

Answer 5

What is your source for the B.H. Roberts confession? Where can I find the original version (not an Internet copy of it)?

Answer 6

No. The book of Mormon is WRONG and should be revered.

Christ lives!

Answer 7

do u seek to rip apart our religion....u dont see us trying to tear though all ur religions stuff......y cant we just live in this country like free people the reason it was founded .....let us worship how we wont ok?

Answer 8

hey why don't you talk to some missionaries about it if it bothers you that much

Answer 9

wow, where can we find this book?

Answer 10

probly