rumor of a book joseph smith wrote declaring that everything he said about mormonism is a lie what book? TRUE?

Question

I heard a rumor about a book that Joseph Smith wrote before his death where he declared that everything he said about the Mormon religion that he started was completely 100% a lie. A Farce. I would like to know for one. Is this rumor more than a rumor. If so what is the book? Where is it? Why is it not known?

Answer 1

Did Joseph Smith recant his prophecies? Not that I personally know of (I am not an expert but have had conversations with members and ex-communicated members over time). However, the Mormon Church has undergone a great deal of criticism particularly based on the allegations that the Book of Mormon is based on teachings presented on gold plates but never witnessed by anyone other than Joseph Smith, the founder.

Perhaps you might wish to research both sides of the story of this sometimes controversial theology. Below is an excerpt from the side which detracts from the Mormon religion as these criticisms were fewer in number when searching than those which uphold and support this religion.

Here is glimpse in first-hand account of the young Joseph Smith. It is from a written affidavit by Isaac Hale in March of 1834 (http://www.xmission.com/~research/about/docum3.htm) :

"I first became acquainted with Joseph Smith, Jr. in November, 1825. He was at that time in the employ of a set of men who were called "money-diggers;" and his occupation was that of seeing, or pretending to see by means of a stone placed in his hat, and his hat closed over his face. In this way he pretended to discover minerals and hidden treasure. His appearance at this time, was that of a careless young man - not very well educated, and very saucy and insolent to his father.

Smith, and his father, with several other 'money-diggers' boarded at my house while they were employed in digging for a mine that they supposed had been opened and worked by the Spaniards, many years since. Young Smith gave the 'money-diggers' great encouragement, at first, but when they had arrived in digging, to near the place where he had stated an immense treasure would be found - he said the enchantment was so powerful that he could not see. They then became discouraged, and soon after dispersed. This took place about the 17th of November, 1825; and one of the company gave me his note for $12[.]68 for his board, which is still unpaid."

In conclusion, Mr. Hale writes the following:

"Joseph Smith Jr. resided near me for some time after this, and I had a good opportunity of becoming acquainted with him, and somewhat acquainted with his associates, and I conscientiously believe from the facts I have detailed, and from many other circumstances, which I do not deem it necessary to relate, that the whole "Book of Mormon" (so called) is a silly fabrication of falsehood and wickedness, got up for speculation, and with a design to dupe the credulous and unwary - and in order that its fabricators might live upon the spoils of those who swallowed the deception."

ISAAC HALE.

Affirmed to and subscribed before me, March 20th, 1834.

CHARLES DIMON, J[ustice]. [of the] Peace

Answer 2

No, Joseph Smith contiuned to have revelations from God right up until he was killed and they were all recorded. There is nothing in which he took back anything he said or did. The book is nowhere, and not known, because it doesn't exist.

If he was lying, he chose an interesting path. He was tarred and feathered (extremely painful) twice, his life was threatened repeatedly, he was ridiculed and driven from his home several times, imprisoned several times, tortured and eventually killed. All this started almost from the beginning. If he had been planned to retract everything, I tend to think he might have done it long before things got out of hand. Why on earth would he perpetuate such a lie when his persecutors gave him so many opportunities to renounce what he knew and be spared?

Sorry, but there is only one conclusion. He truly was called of God.

Answer 3

After reading "Inside the mind of Joseph Smith", I believe just about everything he wrote, both public and private, contains a great many falsehoods, ie:

The Book of Mormon
The Pearl of Great Price
Any entry in his diary describing himself

So, by inference, everything he wrote was fantasy, and passed off as truth or fact. He did not have the capacity to speak or write anything remotely "Truthful".

Answer 4

I never heard about such a book. It may have been James MacPherson (Ossian Chronicles) who you heard of. His story is about digging some plates out of a hill with the history on plates. He recanted that before his death and said that it was false. There is much to compare between James MacPherson and Joe Smith.

Answer 5

I read a book about Cults and the Mormon religion was in there and the people who helped him with his "visions" said he used divining things like a fortune teller and he made a lot of the stuff up. Look in book stores for a book like that.

Answer 6

You should have posted this in the religion section, as far as I am concerned there is no book. Never even heard of that.

Answer 7

no longer basically that, yet he additionally inserted Bible passages, and that they weren't word for word! If he advance into going to, and that i do no longer comprehend why in the international he could, then he could've put in the appropriate wording in those passages.

Answer 8

I seriously doubt there is such a book.