View of the hebrews and book of mormon comparison

He writes about those who oppose the church who may believe that joseph smith copied large portions of the book of mormon from a book called a view of the hebrews. View of the hebrews people migrated south from the bering strait, while book of mormon people generally moved northward from their original land. Book of mormon people were great record keepers, had prophets, and enjoyed a highly developed civilization. Roberts conducted an exhaustive comparison and analysis of these two books and. Gives an israelitish origin of the american indian. 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. You would see that the book of mormon is not meant in any way to be a secular book, and could be written by and for anyone. In october 20, the authors conducted a data analysis comparing the book of mormon to over 100,000 books from the pre1830s era. The book view of the hebrews was quite popular in its day, but contemporaries of joseph smith didnt consider it similar. I will now examine specific similarities that are cited most often by critics. Studies have shown that american jews generally view mormons more positively than any other religious group, despite often voting on opposite ends of the political spectrum. 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. View of the hebrews is an 1823 book written by ethan smith which argues that native americans were descended from the hebrews. Similarities with the view of the hebrews rmormonscholar book of mormon issue 8.

The first supposed similarity is the fact that both view of the hebrews and the book of mormon reference jerusalem being destroyed. Ethan smith republished view of the hebrews, revised and enlarged, in 1835. The book of mormon teaches that little children are not capable of sin because they do not have a. And it came to pass that many years later, a mormon apologist noticed that some of the sentences in the book of mormon also contained the word if. Introduces perspectives on the author, audience, date and purpose of the book of hebrews that can help us interpret the original meaning and apply this book to our modern world.

Contradictions between the book of mormon and the bible. This direct link between joseph and oliver and view of the hebrews demonstrates that joseph is very likely to have been aware of the theme and content of that book. Buy a cheap copy of studies of the book of mormon by b. It is not to be confused with the lds church handbook of instructions after the death of joseph smith, the church he founded split into several organizations. 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. Roberts 18571933, a prominent lds apologist and historian, was asked to answer nonbelievers five critical questions by lds apostle james e. 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. Despite the churchs claims, the roots of mormonism, rather than being ancient and old world, are often instead nineteenth century and very american. The similarities between this manuscript and the book of mormon are general.

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. Explanations for jews high regard for mormons is speculated to come both from their solidarity with other historically abused religious minorities and the philosemitism. Similarities between the book of mormon and view of the hebrews book duration. 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. View of the hebrews 1825 edition introduction mormons. Brodie, have discussed the possibility that view of the hebrews may have provided source material for the. Jul 12, 2011 first of 15 parts of online version of 1824 book view of the hebrews by ethan smith. You might try reading the book of mormon and comparing it against the view of the hebrews. 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. 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. Knecht 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. Consider the similarities between the book of mormon and view of the hebrews as. 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.

For example, he says that view of the hebrews was very likely a groundplan for the book of mormon. The book of mormon states in a rather late passage that lehi was a descendant of manasseh, the son of joseph alma 10. The author ethan smith was the pastor of the religious congregation in which the oliver cowdrey family attended. View of the hebrews is a polemical essay about ethan smiths theory that the indians are israelites. The messiah did not visit the americas in view of the hebrews. One of the mormon evidences is to ask you to consider if joseph smith could have fabricated the book of mormon. The author ethan smith was the pastor of the religious congregation in which. Alleged relationships of view of the hebrews to the book of mormon have attracted interest periodically through the years. Hebraisms in the book of mormon book of mormon mormon. View of the hebrews was published in 1823 and a second edition was published in 1825. 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.

Book of mormonauthorship theoriesview of the hebrewsnon. Exaggerated similarities between the book of mormon and view. If joseph smith composed this book, the act was a miracle. View of the hebrews denies new revelation or miracles. Did the book of mormon plagiarize or copy from other books. He cited some twentysix similarities between the two books. Jesus ben anunus did not have stones thrown at him. Sources and composition of the book of mormon an introduction. The quote above comes from the mormon periodical times and seasons which joseph smith used to post a quote from a book called view of the hebrews, authored by the minister ethan smith no relation. 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. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church, the largest church in mormonism, is philosemitic in its doctrine. Available for the first time fifty years after the authors death, studies of the book of mormon presents this respected church leaders investigation into.

This wellwritten book is relevant to every member of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. A comparison of passages from isaiah and other old. For comparison purposes, we chose an arbitrary book from joseph smiths time, pride and prejudice, and compared it to the book of mormon. View of the hebrews is an 1823 book written by ethan smith, a congregationalist minister in vermont, who argued that native americans were descended from the ten lost tribes of israel, a relatively common view during the early nineteenth century. Would you respond to the theories that the book of mormon is based. If joseph smith were going to borrow material to help him write the book of mormon. The two books, view of the hebrews and the book of mormon have been undergoing comparisons for decades. He also warns the authorities that they need to look at his research because it will cause problems for the church in the future if they dont answer the questions he has posed. Their view was concisely expressed by brigham young in journal of discourses of july, 1862. Book of mormonauthorship theoriesview of the hebrews. Its a recitation of historical facts and speculation. It is not, like the book of mormon, a narrative history. Did ethan smiths view of the hebrews furnish structural material for joseph smiths book of mormon. To members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints the book of mormon is the word of god and is considered to be in complete harmony with the bible.

Peter manseaus new book suggests that joseph smith and the book of mormon may have been influenced by a seneca religious prophet who died 200 years ago. Lds revelations view of the hebrews book of mormon 1. The book view of the hebrews was published in 1823, 7 years before the book of mormon. The book of mormon compared with the bible watchtower. Apologists may point out that the book of mormon is not a direct. Learn more view of the hebrews, or, the tribes of isreal in america 2nd edition. As time went on people in and out of the church heard about this comparison compiled by roberts and was circulated amongst several groups. Did view of the hebrews influence themes in joseph smith. In order to promote view of the hebrews as a source, critics necessarily reject any limited geography theory proposal for the book of mormon. After the death of joseph smith, the church he founded split into several organizations. Mark twain once said after reading the book of mormon, it is chloroform in print.

A comparison of passages from isaiah and other old testament prophets in ethan smiths view of the hebrews and the book of mormon 1971. Its supposed to be a testimony of jesus christ, not a travel log or a study of anthropolgy. The mormon handbook is a reference to the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds, headquartered in salt lake city, utah. Aug 05, 2006 and he called his novel the book of mormon. Numerous commentators on mormon doctrine, from lds church general authority b. View of the hebrewsethan smithoriginal book of mormon. The view of the hebrews theory was examined in detail by b. This is what weve used in our comparison chart today if youd like to read all of his comparisons his book is available on amazon. The book of mormon in no case contradicts the bible. Roberts presents several parallels between the book of mormon and view of the hebrews, showing that the book of mormon had literary ties to the early nineteenth century. I would be interested in reading it if it actually exists. Similarities between view of the hebrews and the book of mormon. As such, mormons regard jews as a covenant people of god and hold them in high esteem. A comparison of passages from isaiah and other old testament.

Out of the multitude of ideas and events in the book of mormon and in the view of the hebrews there are several broad similarities, but many more significant differences. Ethan smith was a minister of a congregational church in poultney, vermont from 1821 to 1826 when he wrote view of the hebrews. Joseph smith was born in vermont, but the book of mormon was first published in palmyra new york, a good distance away. 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. In addition, fawn brodies book, no man knows my history, and g. I have heard that there is source material for the bom. View of the hebrews, or, the tribes of isreal in america and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Ethan smith, pastor of the congregational church in poultney, vermont, argued that the native americans were scattered israelites who would soon.

Another look at book of mormon and view of the hebrews parallels. Nov 27, 2010 you might try reading the book of mormon and comparing it against the view of the hebrews. 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. Jan 01, 1977 mark twain once said after reading the book of mormon, it is chloroform in print. It gives weight to all the similarities described in the preceding comparison chart. Though this book presents a lot of interesting information, it was written during the early twentieth. Alleged relationships of view of the hebrews to the book of mormon have. For example, the book of mormons principal focus is to testify of jesus christ and his doctrine. Brodie, have discussed the possibility that view of the hebrews may have provided source material for the book of. What nonparallels are apparent in a comparison of view of the hebrews and the book of mormon. View of the hebrews is an 1823 book written by ethan smith december 19, 1762 august 29, 1849 which argues that native americans were descended from the hebrews. Suffice it to say, these two books have totally different objectives and writing styles. Ethan smiths book was published in the adjoining county west of windsor county, where joseph smith was born and lived from 1805 to 1811. View of the hebrews people had neither books nor the ability to write, and they became savages.

This book is significant for it contains parallels to the content of the book of mormon. 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. Oliver cowdery, one of the book of mormon witnesses, lived in poultney when view of the hebrews was published. Deals with the destruction of jerusalem and the scattering of israel. The book of mormon was emphatically a new revelation, and it insists that miracles continue today mormon 9. The most thorough attempt to show the book of mormons indebtedness to view of the hebrews to date is david persuitte, joseph smith and the origins of the book of mormon, 2nd ed. View of the hebrews1823 book of mormon1829 very very.

Pleads for an israelitish origin of the american indian on every page. The contradictions between the book of mormon and the bible constitute a most serious obstacle to accepting the book of mormon as latterday scripture supplemental to the bible. Roberts conducted an exhaustive comparison and analysis of these two books and concluded there is merit to this criticism. 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 did his work on the two in 1922, interest in the parallels grew. View of the hebrews and the book of mormon book of. View of the hebrews 1825 edition introduction mormons in transition. Another look at book of mormon and view of the hebrews.

There are many elements of ethan smiths book which would have provided a rich source of material for joseph smith, but he didnt use them. 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. New evidence furnished of the divinity of the bible 169 appendix. What are the similarities and differences between view of the hebrews and 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. Interestingly, oliver cowdery, scribe, and later witness of the book of mormon, lived in poultney for 22 years until 1825. But persuittes parallels certainly fall short of proving his contention that the resultant preponderance of evidence demonstrates conclusively that the book of mormon had its conceptual origins in view of the hebrews. View of the hebrews flooded the area in which joseph smith lived. And it came to pass that many years later, a mormon apologist noticed that some of the sentences in the book of.

Is the book of mormon like any other nineteenth century. Did view of the hebrews influence themes in joseph smiths. The excommunication of the hebrews deeply affecting 154 2. And his novel did have the a peculiar characteristic of using the word and exceedingly often.

While this does not prove that the book of mormon was plagiarized from the view of the hebrews, it does demonstrate that key elements of the story of the book of mormon i. Joseph smith quoted view of the hebrews as supporting the book of mormon. Published 1823, first edition 1825, second edition 1830, first edition location vermont poultney, rutland county note. 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. Is view of the hebrews a source for the book of mormon. Mormonism, or the latter day saint movement, teaches that its adherents are either direct descendants of the house of israel or adopted into it. 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. Did ethan smiths view of the hebrews furnish structural material for joseph smiths book of. It is often represented by mormon speakers and writers, that the book of mormon was the first to represent the american indians as the descendants of the hebrews. Is the book of mormon plagiarized from view of the hebrews. View of the hebrews and the book of mormon book of mormon.

This is where ethan smith enters the picture with his book view of the hebrews. Accordingly, the historical setting is not the focus. 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. What are the similarities and differences between view of. It is not to be confused with the lds church handbook of instructions. Book of mormon and view of the hebrews parallels life after. Book of mormon and view of the hebrews parallels life. Out of the top matches, we discovered a book called the late war between the united states and great britain, a scriptural style account of the war of 1812 published in new york in 1816. Native americans as hebrew descendants, ancient records of natives preserved, scattering and gathering of israel, hebrew origin of native american language, etc.