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Book of Mormon
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General information: Book of Mormon & Bible: Criticisms: |
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Production of the Book of Mormon
Discovery
Translation
- Translation
- Witnesses
- Seer stones—Joseph Smith used the Urim and Thummim as well as his own seer stone to translate the Book of Mormon.
Publication
- Author and proprietor listed as Joseph Smith—Joseph Smith is listed as the "Author and Proprietor" of the first edition of the Book of Mormon. Critics use this to claim that Joseph wrote the book himself, despite that fact that the following page clearly states that he translated the book.
- Copyright—attempt to sell in Canada
- Printing timeframe
Secular authorship theories
- B.H. Roberts and "Studies of the Book of Mormon"—B.H. Roberts produced several critical examinations of the Book of Mormon. These were later published after his death under the title Studies of the Book of Mormon.
- B.H. Roberts' testimony—Critics claim that B.H. Roberts lost his testimony of the Book of Mormon as the result of his work on the material contained in Studies of the Book of Mormon.
- Plagiarism accusations—Joseph Smith is often accused of creating the Book of Mormon by plagiarizing various contemporary sources.
Language used in the Book of Mormon
Revisions
- Textual changes—The claim is often heard that there are more than 4000 changes to the Book of Mormon text. The majority of these are typographical. Few of the changes are significant. We examine the more noteworthy changes.
- "white" changed to "pure"—Critics accuse the Church of attempting to hiding a racially offensive statement.
Content of the Book of Mormon
Completeness
- As the most correct book—Critics claim that since Joseph stated that it was "the most correct book," that the Book of Mormon should not have contained any errors. Yet, Mormon himself states in the preface that any mistakes contained therein are the mistakes of men.
- Contains the fulness of the gospel—If the Book of Mormon contains the "fulness of the gospel," then why are certain ordinances such as baptism for the dead and eternal marriage not mentioned?
Archaeology
Anachronisms
Doctrinal issues
- Plain and precious doctrines
- Great and abominable church—What is the "great and abominable church" referred to in the Book of Mormon?
- Nephi's killing of Laban