The Spalding Theory of Book of Mormon authorship

Revision as of 03:32, 11 April 2017 by RogerNicholson (talk | contribs)

The Spalding Theory of Book of Mormon authorship

The Mormon Bible.—The origin of this work which it has puzzled many to account for, evidently the production of a cultivated mind, yet found in the hands of exceedingly ignorant and illiterate persons is at length explained.

— “The Mormon Bible,” Trumpet and Universalist Magazine (Boston) 11, no. 48 (18 May 1839), n.p.. off-site


Template loop detected: Question: What is the Spalding Theory of Book of Mormon authorship? Template loop detected: Question: Is the Spalding theory of Book of Mormon authorship credible? Template loop detected: Question: What do most critics think of the Spalding theory of Book of Mormon origin? Template loop detected: Source:Plowman:Christianity Today:1977:Mormon archivists have assembled a large amount of evidence -- some of it impressive -- to rebut the Spalding theory Template loop detected: Source:Gospel Topics:Spaulding Manuscript:Similarities between his manuscript and the Book of Mormon are general and superficial Template loop detected: Source:Rigdon:Manuscript found:in all of my intimacy with Joseph Smith he never told me but one story Template loop detected: Question: Did Solomon Spaulding's doctor state that Spaulding talked to him about the Nephites in his manuscript? Template loop detected: Source:Howe:Spalding theory:I could better believe that Spaulding wrote it than that Joe Smith saw an angel Template loop detected: Source:William Smith:The Old Soldier's Testimony:1884:It was not written from the Spaulding Romance. That story is false Template loop detected: Source:Roper:The Mythical "Manuscript Found":Subsequent variants of this hypothesis have been published from time to time Template loop detected: Question: Did Joseph Smith know Sidney Rigdon prior to 1830?

Critical theories that Sidney Rigdon was a Book of Mormon author or co-conspirator

Summary: Some claim that Sidney Rigdon authored the Book of Mormon, and conspired with Joseph Smith well ahead of time to compose it and start a religion.

Early reactions to the Book of Mormon

Summary: The Book of Mormon was met by a storm of criticism from early critics. This page archives examples of these early responses.

The Hurlbut Spalding affidavits

Summary: Joseph's neighbors claimed that Joseph had copied the Spalding manuscript

Vernal Holley map—Book of Mormon place names from North America?

Summary: Common place names in the region around New York used as Book of Mormon names?


Template loop detected: Question: What is the Spalding Theory of Book of Mormon authorship? Template loop detected: Question: Is the Spalding theory of Book of Mormon authorship credible? Template loop detected: Question: What do most critics think of the Spalding theory of Book of Mormon origin? Template loop detected: Source:Plowman:Christianity Today:1977:Mormon archivists have assembled a large amount of evidence -- some of it impressive -- to rebut the Spalding theory Template loop detected: Source:Gospel Topics:Spaulding Manuscript:Similarities between his manuscript and the Book of Mormon are general and superficial Template loop detected: Source:Rigdon:Manuscript found:in all of my intimacy with Joseph Smith he never told me but one story Template loop detected: Question: Did Solomon Spaulding's doctor state that Spaulding talked to him about the Nephites in his manuscript? Template loop detected: Source:Howe:Spalding theory:I could better believe that Spaulding wrote it than that Joe Smith saw an angel Template loop detected: Source:William Smith:The Old Soldier's Testimony:1884:It was not written from the Spaulding Romance. That story is false Template loop detected: Source:Roper:The Mythical "Manuscript Found":Subsequent variants of this hypothesis have been published from time to time Template loop detected: Question: Did Joseph Smith know Sidney Rigdon prior to 1830?

Critical theories that Sidney Rigdon was a Book of Mormon author or co-conspirator

Summary: Some claim that Sidney Rigdon authored the Book of Mormon, and conspired with Joseph Smith well ahead of time to compose it and start a religion.

Early reactions to the Book of Mormon

Summary: The Book of Mormon was met by a storm of criticism from early critics. This page archives examples of these early responses.

The Hurlbut Spalding affidavits

Summary: Joseph's neighbors claimed that Joseph had copied the Spalding manuscript

Vernal Holley map—Book of Mormon place names from North America?

Summary: Common place names in the region around New York used as Book of Mormon names?


Template loop detected: Question: What is the Spalding Theory of Book of Mormon authorship? Template loop detected: Question: Is the Spalding theory of Book of Mormon authorship credible? Template loop detected: Question: What do most critics think of the Spalding theory of Book of Mormon origin? Template loop detected: Source:Plowman:Christianity Today:1977:Mormon archivists have assembled a large amount of evidence -- some of it impressive -- to rebut the Spalding theory Template loop detected: Source:Gospel Topics:Spaulding Manuscript:Similarities between his manuscript and the Book of Mormon are general and superficial Template loop detected: Source:Rigdon:Manuscript found:in all of my intimacy with Joseph Smith he never told me but one story Template loop detected: Question: Did Solomon Spaulding's doctor state that Spaulding talked to him about the Nephites in his manuscript? Template loop detected: Source:Howe:Spalding theory:I could better believe that Spaulding wrote it than that Joe Smith saw an angel Template loop detected: Source:William Smith:The Old Soldier's Testimony:1884:It was not written from the Spaulding Romance. That story is false Template loop detected: Source:Roper:The Mythical "Manuscript Found":Subsequent variants of this hypothesis have been published from time to time Template loop detected: Question: Did Joseph Smith know Sidney Rigdon prior to 1830?

Critical theories that Sidney Rigdon was a Book of Mormon author or co-conspirator

Summary: Some claim that Sidney Rigdon authored the Book of Mormon, and conspired with Joseph Smith well ahead of time to compose it and start a religion.

Early reactions to the Book of Mormon

Summary: The Book of Mormon was met by a storm of criticism from early critics. This page archives examples of these early responses.

The Hurlbut Spalding affidavits

Summary: Joseph's neighbors claimed that Joseph had copied the Spalding manuscript

Vernal Holley map—Book of Mormon place names from North America?

Summary: Common place names in the region around New York used as Book of Mormon names?


Template loop detected: Question: What is the Spalding Theory of Book of Mormon authorship? Template loop detected: Question: Is the Spalding theory of Book of Mormon authorship credible? Template loop detected: Question: What do most critics think of the Spalding theory of Book of Mormon origin? Template loop detected: Source:Plowman:Christianity Today:1977:Mormon archivists have assembled a large amount of evidence -- some of it impressive -- to rebut the Spalding theory Template loop detected: Source:Gospel Topics:Spaulding Manuscript:Similarities between his manuscript and the Book of Mormon are general and superficial Template loop detected: Source:Rigdon:Manuscript found:in all of my intimacy with Joseph Smith he never told me but one story Template loop detected: Question: Did Solomon Spaulding's doctor state that Spaulding talked to him about the Nephites in his manuscript? Template loop detected: Source:Howe:Spalding theory:I could better believe that Spaulding wrote it than that Joe Smith saw an angel Template loop detected: Source:William Smith:The Old Soldier's Testimony:1884:It was not written from the Spaulding Romance. That story is false Template loop detected: Source:Roper:The Mythical "Manuscript Found":Subsequent variants of this hypothesis have been published from time to time Template loop detected: Question: Did Joseph Smith know Sidney Rigdon prior to 1830?

Critical theories that Sidney Rigdon was a Book of Mormon author or co-conspirator

Summary: Some claim that Sidney Rigdon authored the Book of Mormon, and conspired with Joseph Smith well ahead of time to compose it and start a religion.

Early reactions to the Book of Mormon

Summary: The Book of Mormon was met by a storm of criticism from early critics. This page archives examples of these early responses.

The Hurlbut Spalding affidavits

Summary: Joseph's neighbors claimed that Joseph had copied the Spalding manuscript

Vernal Holley map—Book of Mormon place names from North America?

Summary: Common place names in the region around New York used as Book of Mormon names?


Template loop detected: Question: What is the Spalding Theory of Book of Mormon authorship? Template loop detected: Question: Is the Spalding theory of Book of Mormon authorship credible? Template loop detected: Question: What do most critics think of the Spalding theory of Book of Mormon origin? Template loop detected: Source:Plowman:Christianity Today:1977:Mormon archivists have assembled a large amount of evidence -- some of it impressive -- to rebut the Spalding theory Template loop detected: Source:Gospel Topics:Spaulding Manuscript:Similarities between his manuscript and the Book of Mormon are general and superficial Template loop detected: Source:Rigdon:Manuscript found:in all of my intimacy with Joseph Smith he never told me but one story Template loop detected: Question: Did Solomon Spaulding's doctor state that Spaulding talked to him about the Nephites in his manuscript? Template loop detected: Source:Howe:Spalding theory:I could better believe that Spaulding wrote it than that Joe Smith saw an angel Template loop detected: Source:William Smith:The Old Soldier's Testimony:1884:It was not written from the Spaulding Romance. That story is false Template loop detected: Source:Roper:The Mythical "Manuscript Found":Subsequent variants of this hypothesis have been published from time to time Template loop detected: Question: Did Joseph Smith know Sidney Rigdon prior to 1830?

Critical theories that Sidney Rigdon was a Book of Mormon author or co-conspirator

Summary: Some claim that Sidney Rigdon authored the Book of Mormon, and conspired with Joseph Smith well ahead of time to compose it and start a religion.

Early reactions to the Book of Mormon

Summary: The Book of Mormon was met by a storm of criticism from early critics. This page archives examples of these early responses.

The Hurlbut Spalding affidavits

Summary: Joseph's neighbors claimed that Joseph had copied the Spalding manuscript

Vernal Holley map—Book of Mormon place names from North America?

Summary: Common place names in the region around New York used as Book of Mormon names?


Template loop detected: Question: What is the Spalding Theory of Book of Mormon authorship? Template loop detected: Question: Is the Spalding theory of Book of Mormon authorship credible? Template loop detected: Question: What do most critics think of the Spalding theory of Book of Mormon origin? Template loop detected: Source:Plowman:Christianity Today:1977:Mormon archivists have assembled a large amount of evidence -- some of it impressive -- to rebut the Spalding theory Template loop detected: Source:Gospel Topics:Spaulding Manuscript:Similarities between his manuscript and the Book of Mormon are general and superficial Template loop detected: Source:Rigdon:Manuscript found:in all of my intimacy with Joseph Smith he never told me but one story Template loop detected: Question: Did Solomon Spaulding's doctor state that Spaulding talked to him about the Nephites in his manuscript? Template loop detected: Source:Howe:Spalding theory:I could better believe that Spaulding wrote it than that Joe Smith saw an angel Template loop detected: Source:William Smith:The Old Soldier's Testimony:1884:It was not written from the Spaulding Romance. That story is false Template loop detected: Source:Roper:The Mythical "Manuscript Found":Subsequent variants of this hypothesis have been published from time to time Template loop detected: Question: Did Joseph Smith know Sidney Rigdon prior to 1830?

Critical theories that Sidney Rigdon was a Book of Mormon author or co-conspirator

Summary: Some claim that Sidney Rigdon authored the Book of Mormon, and conspired with Joseph Smith well ahead of time to compose it and start a religion.

Early reactions to the Book of Mormon

Summary: The Book of Mormon was met by a storm of criticism from early critics. This page archives examples of these early responses.

The Hurlbut Spalding affidavits

Summary: Joseph's neighbors claimed that Joseph had copied the Spalding manuscript

Vernal Holley map—Book of Mormon place names from North America?

Summary: Common place names in the region around New York used as Book of Mormon names?


Template loop detected: Question: What is the Spalding Theory of Book of Mormon authorship? Template loop detected: Question: Is the Spalding theory of Book of Mormon authorship credible? Template loop detected: Question: What do most critics think of the Spalding theory of Book of Mormon origin? Template loop detected: Source:Plowman:Christianity Today:1977:Mormon archivists have assembled a large amount of evidence -- some of it impressive -- to rebut the Spalding theory Template loop detected: Source:Gospel Topics:Spaulding Manuscript:Similarities between his manuscript and the Book of Mormon are general and superficial Template loop detected: Source:Rigdon:Manuscript found:in all of my intimacy with Joseph Smith he never told me but one story Template loop detected: Question: Did Solomon Spaulding's doctor state that Spaulding talked to him about the Nephites in his manuscript? Template loop detected: Source:Howe:Spalding theory:I could better believe that Spaulding wrote it than that Joe Smith saw an angel Template loop detected: Source:William Smith:The Old Soldier's Testimony:1884:It was not written from the Spaulding Romance. That story is false Template loop detected: Source:Roper:The Mythical "Manuscript Found":Subsequent variants of this hypothesis have been published from time to time Template loop detected: Question: Did Joseph Smith know Sidney Rigdon prior to 1830?

Critical theories that Sidney Rigdon was a Book of Mormon author or co-conspirator

Summary: Some claim that Sidney Rigdon authored the Book of Mormon, and conspired with Joseph Smith well ahead of time to compose it and start a religion.

Early reactions to the Book of Mormon

Summary: The Book of Mormon was met by a storm of criticism from early critics. This page archives examples of these early responses.

The Hurlbut Spalding affidavits

Summary: Joseph's neighbors claimed that Joseph had copied the Spalding manuscript

Vernal Holley map—Book of Mormon place names from North America?

Summary: Common place names in the region around New York used as Book of Mormon names?


Template loop detected: Question: What is the Spalding Theory of Book of Mormon authorship? Template loop detected: Question: Is the Spalding theory of Book of Mormon authorship credible? Template loop detected: Question: What do most critics think of the Spalding theory of Book of Mormon origin? Template loop detected: Source:Plowman:Christianity Today:1977:Mormon archivists have assembled a large amount of evidence -- some of it impressive -- to rebut the Spalding theory Template loop detected: Source:Gospel Topics:Spaulding Manuscript:Similarities between his manuscript and the Book of Mormon are general and superficial Template loop detected: Source:Rigdon:Manuscript found:in all of my intimacy with Joseph Smith he never told me but one story Template loop detected: Question: Did Solomon Spaulding's doctor state that Spaulding talked to him about the Nephites in his manuscript? Template loop detected: Source:Howe:Spalding theory:I could better believe that Spaulding wrote it than that Joe Smith saw an angel Template loop detected: Source:William Smith:The Old Soldier's Testimony:1884:It was not written from the Spaulding Romance. That story is false Template loop detected: Source:Roper:The Mythical "Manuscript Found":Subsequent variants of this hypothesis have been published from time to time Template loop detected: Question: Did Joseph Smith know Sidney Rigdon prior to 1830?

Critical theories that Sidney Rigdon was a Book of Mormon author or co-conspirator

Summary: Some claim that Sidney Rigdon authored the Book of Mormon, and conspired with Joseph Smith well ahead of time to compose it and start a religion.

Early reactions to the Book of Mormon

Summary: The Book of Mormon was met by a storm of criticism from early critics. This page archives examples of these early responses.

The Hurlbut Spalding affidavits

Summary: Joseph's neighbors claimed that Joseph had copied the Spalding manuscript

Vernal Holley map—Book of Mormon place names from North America?

Summary: Common place names in the region around New York used as Book of Mormon names?


Template loop detected: Question: What is the Spalding Theory of Book of Mormon authorship? Template loop detected: Question: Is the Spalding theory of Book of Mormon authorship credible? Template loop detected: Question: What do most critics think of the Spalding theory of Book of Mormon origin? Template loop detected: Source:Plowman:Christianity Today:1977:Mormon archivists have assembled a large amount of evidence -- some of it impressive -- to rebut the Spalding theory Template loop detected: Source:Gospel Topics:Spaulding Manuscript:Similarities between his manuscript and the Book of Mormon are general and superficial Template loop detected: Source:Rigdon:Manuscript found:in all of my intimacy with Joseph Smith he never told me but one story Template loop detected: Question: Did Solomon Spaulding's doctor state that Spaulding talked to him about the Nephites in his manuscript? Template loop detected: Source:Howe:Spalding theory:I could better believe that Spaulding wrote it than that Joe Smith saw an angel Template loop detected: Source:William Smith:The Old Soldier's Testimony:1884:It was not written from the Spaulding Romance. That story is false Template loop detected: Source:Roper:The Mythical "Manuscript Found":Subsequent variants of this hypothesis have been published from time to time Template loop detected: Question: Did Joseph Smith know Sidney Rigdon prior to 1830?

Critical theories that Sidney Rigdon was a Book of Mormon author or co-conspirator

Summary: Some claim that Sidney Rigdon authored the Book of Mormon, and conspired with Joseph Smith well ahead of time to compose it and start a religion.

Early reactions to the Book of Mormon

Summary: The Book of Mormon was met by a storm of criticism from early critics. This page archives examples of these early responses.

The Hurlbut Spalding affidavits

Summary: Joseph's neighbors claimed that Joseph had copied the Spalding manuscript

Vernal Holley map—Book of Mormon place names from North America?

Summary: Common place names in the region around New York used as Book of Mormon names?


Template loop detected: Question: What is the Spalding Theory of Book of Mormon authorship? Template loop detected: Question: Is the Spalding theory of Book of Mormon authorship credible? Template loop detected: Question: What do most critics think of the Spalding theory of Book of Mormon origin? Template loop detected: Source:Plowman:Christianity Today:1977:Mormon archivists have assembled a large amount of evidence -- some of it impressive -- to rebut the Spalding theory Template loop detected: Source:Gospel Topics:Spaulding Manuscript:Similarities between his manuscript and the Book of Mormon are general and superficial Template loop detected: Source:Rigdon:Manuscript found:in all of my intimacy with Joseph Smith he never told me but one story Template loop detected: Question: Did Solomon Spaulding's doctor state that Spaulding talked to him about the Nephites in his manuscript? Template loop detected: Source:Howe:Spalding theory:I could better believe that Spaulding wrote it than that Joe Smith saw an angel Template loop detected: Source:William Smith:The Old Soldier's Testimony:1884:It was not written from the Spaulding Romance. That story is false Template loop detected: Source:Roper:The Mythical "Manuscript Found":Subsequent variants of this hypothesis have been published from time to time Template loop detected: Question: Did Joseph Smith know Sidney Rigdon prior to 1830?

Critical theories that Sidney Rigdon was a Book of Mormon author or co-conspirator

Summary: Some claim that Sidney Rigdon authored the Book of Mormon, and conspired with Joseph Smith well ahead of time to compose it and start a religion.

Early reactions to the Book of Mormon

Summary: The Book of Mormon was met by a storm of criticism from early critics. This page archives examples of these early responses.

The Hurlbut Spalding affidavits

Summary: Joseph's neighbors claimed that Joseph had copied the Spalding manuscript

Vernal Holley map—Book of Mormon place names from North America?

Summary: Common place names in the region around New York used as Book of Mormon names?


Template loop detected: Question: What is the Spalding Theory of Book of Mormon authorship? Template loop detected: Question: Is the Spalding theory of Book of Mormon authorship credible? Template loop detected: Question: What do most critics think of the Spalding theory of Book of Mormon origin? Template loop detected: Source:Plowman:Christianity Today:1977:Mormon archivists have assembled a large amount of evidence -- some of it impressive -- to rebut the Spalding theory Template loop detected: Source:Gospel Topics:Spaulding Manuscript:Similarities between his manuscript and the Book of Mormon are general and superficial Template loop detected: Source:Rigdon:Manuscript found:in all of my intimacy with Joseph Smith he never told me but one story Template loop detected: Question: Did Solomon Spaulding's doctor state that Spaulding talked to him about the Nephites in his manuscript? Template loop detected: Source:Howe:Spalding theory:I could better believe that Spaulding wrote it than that Joe Smith saw an angel Template loop detected: Source:William Smith:The Old Soldier's Testimony:1884:It was not written from the Spaulding Romance. That story is false Template loop detected: Source:Roper:The Mythical "Manuscript Found":Subsequent variants of this hypothesis have been published from time to time Template loop detected: Question: Did Joseph Smith know Sidney Rigdon prior to 1830?

Critical theories that Sidney Rigdon was a Book of Mormon author or co-conspirator

Summary: Some claim that Sidney Rigdon authored the Book of Mormon, and conspired with Joseph Smith well ahead of time to compose it and start a religion.

Early reactions to the Book of Mormon

Summary: The Book of Mormon was met by a storm of criticism from early critics. This page archives examples of these early responses.

The Hurlbut Spalding affidavits

Summary: Joseph's neighbors claimed that Joseph had copied the Spalding manuscript

Vernal Holley map—Book of Mormon place names from North America?

Summary: Common place names in the region around New York used as Book of Mormon names?


Critical theories that Sidney Rigdon was a Book of Mormon author or co-conspirator

Summary: Some claim that Sidney Rigdon authored the Book of Mormon, and conspired with Joseph Smith well ahead of time to compose it and start a religion.

Early reactions to the Book of Mormon

Summary: The Book of Mormon was met by a storm of criticism from early critics. This page archives examples of these early responses.

The Hurlbut Spalding affidavits

Summary: Joseph's neighbors claimed that Joseph had copied the Spalding manuscript

Vernal Holley map—Book of Mormon place names from North America?

Summary: Common place names in the region around New York used as Book of Mormon names?


To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, [[../CriticalSources|click here]]

Notes



Further reading and additional sources responding to these claims