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Forgerers
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Throughout the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, many individuals have forged revelations and historical documents. Their motivations were varied, and included lust for power or money, and a desire to embarrass the Church and its leaders. This article examines some of the more prominent forgerers in Church history.
Mark Hofmann
- Main article: Mark Hofmann
- Church reaction to Hofmann forgeries
Kinderhook plates
Main article: Kinderhook Plates
Christopher Marc Nemelka
Main article: Christopher Marc Nemelka
Former employee of Church security (and sometime self-professed atheist) Christopher Marc Nemelka has announced that he has been called to translate the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon plates. He has also produced a text purporting to be from the large plates of Nephi, which was lost by Martin Harris as the well-known "Lost 116 pages."
- TheSealedPortion.com: Christopher Nemelka's web site with his 'translation'.
William Saunders Parrot
In the 19th century, forged metal plates and took them to Salt Lake City. His intent was to prove that Mormonism was a fraud. His daughter, F. Phyllis Parrot, donated the plates to the Bath library in England in 1975. Mr. Parrot also wrote two anti-Mormon pamphlets. Future forger Mark Hofmann displayed great interest in the plates during his LDS mission to England. [See Linda Sillitoe & Allen Roberts, Salamander: The Story of the Mormon Forgery Murders, 212.]
James Strang
Main article: James Strang