The Spalding Theory of Book of Mormon authorship

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Authorship	Book of Mormon Joseph Smith listed as author and proprietor Spalding theory View of the Hebrews theory Late War theory Golden Pot theory Sidney Rigdon theory Mushrooms and entheogenics theory Creative fiction theories Possible 19th Century influences on Book of Mormon Theory of Book of Mormon place names from area around Joseph Smith's home Theory of Book of Mormon place names from Comoros Islands Understanding accusations of plagiarism
Translation process	Seer stones and the Urim and Thummim Gold plates and the translation process Artistic depictions of the translation Joseph Smith and the translation process
Gold plates	Weight and size Plates too heavy to run? Engravings and sealed portion Stone box where the gold plates were deposited Attempts to steal the gold plates from Joseph Smith Gold plates and the translation process Metal plates in ancient Israel
Witnesses	Eleven official witnesses Statement of the Three Witnesses Oliver Cowdery David Whitmer Martin Harris Statement of the Eight Witnesses Christian Whitmer Jacob Whitmer Peter Whitmer Jr. John Whitmer Hiram Page Joseph Smith Sr. Hyrum Smith Samuel Smith Other witnesses to the Book of Mormon
The Bible and the Book of Mormon	Bible passages in the Book of Mormon The New Testament and the Book of Mormon KJV italicized text in the Book of Mormon KJV translation errors in the Book of Mormon Joseph Smith Translation and the Book of Mormon The Apocrypha and the Book of Mormon Isaiah and the Book of Mormon The documentary hypothesis and the Book of Mormon
Language and the Book of Mormon	Hebraisms Chiasmus Names in the Book of Mormon Hebrew and Native American languages Reformed Egyptian and the Book of Mormon The Book of Mormon as an ancient text
Geography	Church statements on Book of Mormon geography Evaluating Book of Mormon geography theories Old world geography in the Book of Mormon Lehi's journey in the Old World Possible locations for the Valley of Lemuel Possible locations for Shazer Possible locations for Nahom Possible locations for Nephi's Bountiful The Hill Cumorah Mesoamerican Model Hemispheric Geography Model Great Lakes Model Heartland Model Hoaxes related to Book of Mormon geography claims Geographical issues related to DNA and the Book of Mormon
DNA	DNA and the Book of Mormon Identifying ancient DNA related to Book of Mormon people Geographical issues related to DNA and the Book of Mormon
Anachronisms	Anachronism overview Biblical texts Horses Elephants Other animals Synagogues and churches Climate Metals and materials Metal plates in ancient Israel Plants Objects and artifacts
Doctrine and teachings	Moroni's promise The fulness of the gospel The Book of Mormon as the most correct book The nature of God Name of Jesus Christ Virgin birth of Jesus Christ Jesus Christ bled from every pore The Holy Ghost Baptism Priesthood authority Temples The Book of Mormon as the Stick of Ephraim Plural marriage Freemasonry Nephite burnt offerings The great and abominable church The tree of life Baptism before or after remission of sins One versus multiple creators
Lamanites	Identity of the Lamanites Native Americans and the Lamanites Relationship of the Maya and the Olmec to the Lamanites and the Jaredites Polynesians and the Lamanites The Lamanite curse Wrath of God on the Lamanites
Other	Population and demographics The Nephite calendar Biblical archaeology compared to the Book of Mormon Thomas Stuart Ferguson and Mormon archaeology Attempt to sell the Book of Mormon copyright in Canada Textual changes The Book of Mormon as history Legal codes in the Book of Mormon Lehi's ancestry and place of residence Three days of darkness The killing of Laban Human sacrifice Warfare in the Book of Mormon Events in Ether The death of Shiz

The Spalding Theory of Book of Mormon authorship

The Spalding Theory of Book of Mormon authorship

Question: Where can I learn more about the Sidney Rigdon/Solomon Spalding authorship theory?

Many essays have discussed this theory and its weaknesses in depth. See:

• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1462&index=8
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1449&index=3
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1465&index=9
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1462&index=7

 ^{[needs work]}

The Spalding Theory of Book of Mormon authorship

Question: Where can I learn more about the Sidney Rigdon/Solomon Spalding authorship theory?

Many essays have discussed this theory and its weaknesses in depth. See:

• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1462&index=8
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1449&index=3
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1465&index=9
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1462&index=7

 ^{[needs work]}

The Spalding Theory of Book of Mormon authorship

Question: Where can I learn more about the Sidney Rigdon/Solomon Spalding authorship theory?

Many essays have discussed this theory and its weaknesses in depth. See:

• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1462&index=8
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1449&index=3
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1465&index=9
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1462&index=7

 ^{[needs work]}

The Spalding Theory of Book of Mormon authorship

Question: Where can I learn more about the Sidney Rigdon/Solomon Spalding authorship theory?

Many essays have discussed this theory and its weaknesses in depth. See:

• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1462&index=8
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1449&index=3
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1465&index=9
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1462&index=7

 ^{[needs work]}

The Spalding Theory of Book of Mormon authorship

Question: Where can I learn more about the Sidney Rigdon/Solomon Spalding authorship theory?

Many essays have discussed this theory and its weaknesses in depth. See:

• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1462&index=8
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1449&index=3
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1465&index=9
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1462&index=7

 ^{[needs work]}

The Spalding Theory of Book of Mormon authorship

Question: Where can I learn more about the Sidney Rigdon/Solomon Spalding authorship theory?

Many essays have discussed this theory and its weaknesses in depth. See:

• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1462&index=8
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1449&index=3
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1465&index=9
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1462&index=7

 ^{[needs work]}

The Spalding Theory of Book of Mormon authorship

Question: Where can I learn more about the Sidney Rigdon/Solomon Spalding authorship theory?

Many essays have discussed this theory and its weaknesses in depth. See:

• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1462&index=8
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1449&index=3
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1465&index=9
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1462&index=7

 ^{[needs work]}

The Spalding Theory of Book of Mormon authorship

Question: Where can I learn more about the Sidney Rigdon/Solomon Spalding authorship theory?

Many essays have discussed this theory and its weaknesses in depth. See:

• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1462&index=8
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1449&index=3
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1465&index=9
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1462&index=7

 ^{[needs work]}

The Spalding Theory of Book of Mormon authorship

Question: Where can I learn more about the Sidney Rigdon/Solomon Spalding authorship theory?

Many essays have discussed this theory and its weaknesses in depth. See:

• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1462&index=8
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1449&index=3
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1465&index=9
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1462&index=7

 ^{[needs work]}

The Spalding Theory of Book of Mormon authorship

Question: Where can I learn more about the Sidney Rigdon/Solomon Spalding authorship theory?

Many essays have discussed this theory and its weaknesses in depth. See:

• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1462&index=8
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1449&index=3
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1465&index=9
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1462&index=7

 ^{[needs work]}

The Spalding Theory of Book of Mormon authorship

Question: Where can I learn more about the Sidney Rigdon/Solomon Spalding authorship theory?

Many essays have discussed this theory and its weaknesses in depth. See:

• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1462&index=8
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1449&index=3
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1465&index=9
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1462&index=7

 ^{[needs work]}

The Spalding Theory of Book of Mormon authorship

Question: Where can I learn more about the Sidney Rigdon/Solomon Spalding authorship theory?

Many essays have discussed this theory and its weaknesses in depth. See:

• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1462&index=8
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1449&index=3
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1465&index=9
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1462&index=7

 ^{[needs work]}

Question: Where can I learn more about the Sidney Rigdon/Solomon Spalding authorship theory?

Many essays have discussed this theory and its weaknesses in depth. See:

• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1462&index=8
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1449&index=3
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1465&index=9
• https://publications.mi.byu.edu/fullscreen?pub=1462&index=7

 ^{[needs work]}

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?

Source(s) of the criticism

Critical sources

Sources which accept the Spalding manuscript theory: A Little Talk, Between John Robinson and his Master about Mormonism, Shewing its Origin, Absurdity, and Impiety (Bedford: W. White, 1840), 1–8. off-site “The Mormons,” Alton Telegraph (Alton, Illinois) 4, no. 22 (25 May 1839). off-site “More About the Mormon Bible,” Alton Telegraph (Alton, Illinois) 4, no. 23 (1 June 1839). off-site “Origin of Mormonism,” Atkinson’s Evening Post, and Philadelphia Saturday News (Philadelphia) 18 (25 May 1839). off-site “The Book of Mormon and the Mormonites,” Athenaeum, Museum of Foreign Literature, Science and Art 42 (July 1841): 370–74. off-site “The Mormons,” Auburn Journal and Advertiser (22 December 1841). off-site “Mormon Trial,” Chardon Spectator and Geauga Gazette (12 April 1834). off-site [Letter on Mormonism, 29 July 1841,] Christian Advocate and Journal (New York) 15, no. 52 (11 August 1841). off-site [Letter on Mormonism, 26 July 1841,] Christian Advocate and Journal (New York) 15, no. 52 (11 August 1841). off-site “The Mormon Bible,” Christian Register and Boston Observer (Boston, Massachusetts) 18, no. 970 (4 May 1839). off-site C, “For the Register and Observer,” Christian Register and Boston Observer (Boston) 18, no. 971 (11 May 1839). off-site “Mormonism (from the Scotsman),” The Christian Reformer; or, Unitarian Magazine and Review 8 (June 1841): 386. off-site “The Mormon Book,” Michigan Sentinel (3 May 1834). off-site MormonThink.com website (as of 22 April 2012). Page: http://mormonthink.com/witnessesweb.htm “Mormonism,” New York Weekly Messenger and Young Men’s Advocate (29 April 1835). Reprinted from The Pioneer (Rock Springs, Illinois), March 1835. off-site “History of Mormanism,” The Ohio Repository (Canton, Ohio) (1 September 1836). Reprinted from New York Commercial Advertiser, circa August 1836. off-site Does not attribute some work to Rigdon, who is said to be a convert only after the book's publication. “To the Public,” Painesville Telegraph (Painesville, Ohio) (31 January 1834). off-site “Mormonism—Its History,” Philadelphia Mirror (22 August 1836). off-site “Origin of the Mormon Bible,” Trumpet and Universalist Magazine (Boston) (3 September 1836). off-site “The Mormon Bible,” Trumpet and Universalist Magazine (Boston) 11, no. 48 (18 May 1839), n.p.. off-site “The Mormon Mystery Developed,” Wayne Sentinel (Palmyra, New York) (20 December 1833). off-site [the earliest mention of this concept which FAIR has identified] Origen Bachelor, Mormonism Exposed Internally and Externally (New York: Privately Published, 1838), 1. off-site B. D., “Mormonism,” Peoria Register and North-Western Gazetteer (Peoria, Illinois) 3, no. 13 (29 June 1839). off-site Alexander Badlam, “A Cunning Device Detected,” Quincy Whig (Quincy, Illinois) 2, no. 29 (16 November 1839). off-site A[lexander] Campbell, “Mormonism Unveiled,” Millennial Harbinger (Bethany, Virginia) 6, no. 1 (January 1835): 44-45. off-site Campbell here abandons his earlier certainty that Joseph Smith alone was responsible for the Book of Mormon. Alexander Campbell, “The Mormon Bible,” Millennial Harbinger 3, no. 6 (June 1839): 267–68. off-site A.C.[Alexander Campbell], “Mistakes Touching the Book of Mormon,” Millennial Harbinger 1, no. 1 (January 1844): 37-38. off-site Henry Caswall, The Prophet of the Nineteenth Century, or, the Rise, Progress, and Present State of the Mormons, or Latter-Day Saints : To Which Is Appended an Analysis of the Book of Mormon (London: Printed for J. G. F. & J. Rivington, 1843), 12–25. off-site Rev. John A. Clark, Gleanings by the Way, (Philadelphia: W.J. and J.K. Simon; New York: Robert Carter, 1842), 246–254 off-site. John A. Clark, “Gleanings by the Way. No. VII,” Episcopal Recorder (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) 18, no. 25 (12 September 1840), ?. off-site } John A. Clark, “Gleanings by the Way No. X,” Episcopal Recorder (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) (10 October 1840): 114-115. off-site Clericus, “Mormonism,” Christian Register (Boston) 15, no. 52 (24 December 1836): 1. Reprinted from Hampshire Gazette, circa December 1836. (Cites Mormonism Unvailed). off-site Craig Criddle, "Sidney Rigdon:Creating the Book of Mormon," e-paper, sidneyrigdon.com (originally published 8 October 2005; revised 15 Mar 2009), multiple. “Mormonism,” Daily Morning Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) no. 64 (23 November 1842). off-site D. Griffiths, Jun., Two Years’ Residence in the New Settlements of Ohio, North America: With Directions to Emigrants (London: Westley and Davis, 1835), 134–140. off-site Father Brian Harrison, "The Wacky World of Joseph Smith: And the un-Christianity of Mormon Theology," Part 2 of 2 from a pamphlet published by the Australian Catholic Truth Society (no date given) http://archive.catholic.com/thisrock/2003/0305fea4.asp Eber D. Howe, Mormonism Unvailed (Painesville, OH, 1834), 277–. (Affidavits examined) off-site. James H. Hunt, Mormonism: Embracing the Origin, Rise and Progress of the Sect (St. Louis: Ustick and Davies, 1844), 34-35,83. off-site J.A.H., “Origin of Mormonism,” Wayne County Whig (Lyons) 3, no. 51 (14 September 1842). off-site Daniel P. Kidder, Mormonism and the Mormons (New York:Lane and Sandford, 1842), 35-49. off-site Full title E. G. Lee, The Mormons, or Knavery Exposed (Frankford, Philadelphia: Webber & Fenimore, 1841), 2-3. off-site Full title William Alexander Linn, The Story of the Mormons (New York: Macmillan, 1902), ??. Richard Livesey, An Exposure of Mormonism, being a statement of facts relating to the self-styled “Latter day Saints,” and the Origin of the Book of Mormon (Preston: J. Livesey, 1838), 4–5. off-site James M’Chesney, An Antidote To Mormonism, revised by G. J. Bennet (New York, NY: Burnett & Pollard, 1838), 18, 49. off-site Full title W. J. Morrish, The Latter-day Saints and the Book of Mormon. A Few Words of Warning from a Minister to his Flock (Ledbury: J. Gibbs, 1840), 1-4. George Peck, “Mormonism and the Mormons,” Methodist Quarterly Review (January 1843): 111–27. off-site Philanthropist of Chester County, Mormonism Unmasked, Showed to be an Impious Imposture, and Mr. Bennett’s Reply Answered and Refuted (Philadelphia: T. K. & P. G. Collins, 1840), 7. off-site Response Stenhouse, "Tell It All", 267. John Storrs, “Mormonism,” Boston Recorder (Boston, Massachusetts) 24 (19 April 1839). off-site La Roy Sunderland, “Mormonism,” Zion’s Watchman (New York) 3, no. 9 (3 March 1838): 34, citing Howe. off-site Pomeroy Tucker, Origin, Rise, and Progress: of Mormonism.... (New York: D. Appleton, 1867), 111–128. Amos H. Wickersham, An Examination of the Principles of Mormonism, as Developed in the Recent Discussion Between the Author and Elders Wharton & Appleby, With a Brief Statement of Facts in Regard to Said Discussion (Wilmington, DE: Allderidge, Jeandell, & Miles, 1843), 1-21. off-site Reply Wilhelm Wyl, Mormon Portraits Volume First: Joseph Smith the Prophet, His Family and Friends (Salt Lake City: Tribune Printing and Publishing Co., 1886), 20, 118, 122–124, 238–243. Claimed the existence of a second Spalding manuscript when the first theory failed: George B. Arbaugh, Revelation in Mormonism (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1932), ?. Howard A. Davis, Wayne L. Cowdrey, and Walter Martin, Who Really Wrote the Book of Mormon? (Santa Ana, Ca.: Vision House Publishers, 1977), 1–. Analysis Wayne L. Cowdrey, Howard A. Davis, and Arthur Vanick, Who Really Wrote the Book of Mormon? The Spalding Enigma. (St. Louis: Concordia, 2005), 1–. Analysis Walter Martin, The Kingdom of the Cults (Revised) (Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1997), 213, n15-16. ( Index of claims ) William S. West, A Few Interesting Facts, Respecting the Rise Progress and Pretensions of the Mormons (1837), 15-16. off-site S. Williams, Mormonism Exposed (1838), 1-2. off-site (citing Mormonism Unvailed)

Past responses

Anon., "Caswall’s Prophet of the Nineteenth Century," Millennial Star 3 no. 12 (April 1843), 196. off-site George J. Adams, A Few Plain Facts (Bedford: C. B. Merry, 1841), ii–16. Full title W.I. Appleby, Mormonism Consistent! Truth Vindicated, and Falsehood Exposed and Refuted: Being A Reply to A. H. Wickersham (Wilmington DE: Porter & Nafe, 1843), 1–24. John Hardy, Hypocrisy Exposed (Boston: Albert Morgan, 1842), 3-12 off-site Full title John E. Page, “Mormonism Defended,” Morning Chronicle (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) (2 July 1842). off-site John E. Page, “Mormonism, alias Truth,” Morning Chronicle (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) (8 July 1842). off-site [Parley P. Pratt,] “Joe Smith and the Devil: A Dialogue,” The New York Herald (New York) 10, no. 236 (25 August 1844). off-site Parley P. Pratt, "The Mormonites. To the Editor of the New Era [Reprinted from New Era (New York) (27 November 1839)," Times and Seasons 1 no. 3 (January 1840), 45-46. off-site GospeLink off-site Parley P. Pratt, A Reply to...“Complete Failure,”...and...“Mormonism Exposed,” (Manchester: W. R. Thomas, 1840), 1-9. off-site Full title Parley P. Pratt, "Reply to the Athenæum: Being An Exposition of the Ignorance and Folly of men Who Oppose the Truth," Millennial Star 2 no. 1 (May 1841), 1-5. off-site John Taylor, Calumny Refuted and the Truth Defended (Liverpool: J. Tompkins, 1840), 1–12. Full title E. Snow and Benjamin Winchester, "An Address to the Citizens of Salem (Mass.) And Vicinity," Times and Seasons 2 no. 24 (1 October 1841), 574-76. off-site GospeLink off-site B[enjamin] Winchester, The Origin of the Spaulding Story, Concerning the Manuscript Found (Philadelphia: Brown, Bicking & Guilpert, 1840), 1-16, 20-21 off-site

Notes