Rev solomon spalding and the book of mormon

The spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship is the theory that the book of mormon was plagiarized in part from an unpublished manuscript written by solomon spalding. Solomon spalding february 20, 1761 october 20, 1816 was the author of two related t. Pratt who brought me the book of mormon, passed before my eyes with his heart open, and it was as pure as an angel. The manuscript story of reverend solomon spalding, or manuscript found. This theory became the principal nonlds theory for the origins of mormonisms keystone, but since the publication of fawn brodies famous no man knows my history, it has fallen.

What is in the book of mormon and is it really true historical scriptural history. A very plausible lost and missing novel by solomon spalding manuscript found, separate and distinct from the oberlin manuscript has not been ruled out by mormon apologists. Solomon spalding was born in 1761 in ashford, connecticut. The last of a pretended line of hebrew prophets, and the pretended author of the book of mormon, or golden bible, written on golden plates. In the early 1830s he was identified by some witnesses and writers as the original author of part of the book of mormon. Those who do not accept the book of mormon as scripture offer many theories about its origin. The spalding studies site solomon spalding home page. After examining it, he makes the following statement concerning the connection of rev.

Solomon spaldingbook of mormon parallels mormons often insist that there are no similarities. There is a theory that sidney rigdon helped joseph smith create the book of mormon based on a manuscript written by a man named solomon spaulding. However, a manuscript by spalding discovered in 1884 turned out not to have any significant similarities to the book of mormon. Exactly how did joseph smith rip off reverend solomon. Books published as early as 1834 discount the origins of the book of mormon and place solomon spalding as the true author. Excerpt from the manuscript story of reverend solomon spalding, or manuscript found. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. In 17 85 and 1787, he graduated from dartmouth college in receiving the degree of a. The book that spaulding wrote which later became the book of mormon. Solomon spaulding and the book of mormon fairmormon. Im not a mormon and i believe the bom sprang from the mind of joseph smith, but i have no sympathy for proponents of the spalding rigdon theory because it is such a weak, poorlybuttressed alternative explanation. However, another theory is that the book of mormon was taken from an unpublished 1812 novel written by a retired minister, solomon spalding or spaulding, who died in 1816 in ohio. The tanners and william heth whitsitt sidney rigdon. Book of mormon by william a, white press staff writer.

Solomon spalding and revisionist history mormonthink. Pretty damaging evidence, from a this rock article from a very early date, the relatives and acquaintances of a retired congregationalist minister, rev. That was the first time that it was suggested that the book of mormon had in part at least, some inspiration that originated. How philosopher emanuel swedenborg, reverend alexander campbell, professor john smith of dartmouth, solomon spalding, and ethan smith influenced sidney rigdon and joseph smith to plagurize the book of mormon from manusript found, view of the. There is an excellent book on it called who really wrote the book of mormon the spalding enigma available at amazon and other fine book stores. Prior to 2008, no published authorship study results linked sidney rigdon to writing of the book of mormon. Solomon spaulding before us italics ours, that we compared with the mormon bible.

The spalding rigdon theory was first given wide publicity in 1834 with the publication of the book mormonism unvailed. The book of mormon, is in no way solomon spalding s manuscript. For two years before the book of mormon appeared rigdons sermons were full of declarations and prophecies that the age of miracles would be restored, and more complete revelations, than those in the bible, would be given. The theory of the origin of the book of mormon in the tra ditional manuscript of solomon spaulding, will probably have to be relinquished. Was the famous book of mormon written under another title by rev. This theory holds that early in the 19th century a minister by the name of solomon spalding wrote a manuscript entitled, manuscript found. How did joseph smith translate the book of mormon answers. An ongoing study of shared language in spalding s manuscript pages and the book of mormon demonstrates that certain sections of the book of mormon overlap the known spalding writings to a greater degree than do other sections of that book.

Solomon spalding, who died in 1816, had complained against the latterday saints that the book of mormon was really a plagiarized version of an unpublished novel, manuscript found, which the deceased clergyman had written and circulated. Since the book of mormon was first published, many have been unwilling to accept joseph smiths account of how it was produced. This timeline is a summary of all events that indicate that this theory may be true based on my notes collected over a sixyear period. Solomon spalding, but was claimed by joseph smith as a direct revelation to him by the angel mormon. This theory claimed that sidney rigdon wrote the religious parts of the book of mormon while the historical parts were plagiarized from an unpublished manuscript written in 1812 by solomon spaulding rigdon having secretly acquired the spaulding document from a pittsburgh printer named jonathan h. Preservation and transmission until it came solomon spaulding on. Solomon spalding, who died in 1816, had complained against the latterday saints that the book of mormon was really a plagiarized version of an unpublished novel, manuscript. The theory is that a spalding manuscript was stolen by sidney rigdon, who used it in collusion with joseph smith and oliver cowdery to produce the book of mormon. This theory was presented in the 1834 book, mormonism unvailed, by e.

Brown when the book of mormon was first published in march of. How soon after joseph smith claimed to have received the revelation. Disproves mormonism using the bible, mormon scripture, statistical analysis and common sense. Solomon spalding was the author of two related texts.

Believing mormons often state that solomon spaldings manuscript story if you are unfamiliar with the spaldingrigdon theory, click herefor a brief background has absolutely nothing in common with the book of mormon. Believing mormons often state that solomon spalding s manuscript story if you are unfamiliar with the spalding rigdon theory, click here for a brief background has absolutely nothing in common with the book of mormon. Davis and arthur vanick in consultation with dale r. From a verbatim copy of the original now in the library of oberlin. He also made many attempts in business, but failed. Some time since, i became the owner of the book of mormon, i put it into the hands of mr. The spalding rigdon theory of book of mormon authorship is the theory that the book of mormon was plagiarized in part from an unpublished manuscript written by solomon spalding. Jun 16, 2018 howe suggested, basing himself on witnesses collected by doctor hurlbut, that the book of mormon was a revised form of a fictional work written by solomon spalding. The fact that the historical portion of the book of mormon was taken from the work of rev. This book critically examines key historical documents, personal testimonies, and records of 19thcentury mormon history concluding that the book of mormon is an adaptation of an obscure historical novel written by revolutionary war veteran solomon spalding during the war of 1812. Sidney rigdon in some way obtained this document and it eventually was used by rigdon and smith to create the book of mormon.

After spaldings death, a number of individuals suggested that spaldings work was used as a source by joseph smith for the book of mormon, a scripture in the latter day saint movement. How philosopher emanuel swedenborg, reverend alexander campbell, professor john smith of dartmouth, solomon spalding, and ethan smith influenced sidney rigdon and joseph smith to plagurize the book of mormon from manusript found, view of the hebrews, the late war, the golden pot, and the bible. This course seemed to be rendered necessary by the fact that joe did not know how to write. The story is that a printer in pittsburgh copied a story written by rev.

In the early 1800s, a man named solomon spaulding wrote a fictional story about ancient romans who came to north america. Which is why he translated it behind a curtain, so no would would see what he was doing. It should be noted that solomon spalding lived in pittsburgh. I have heard that joseph smith plagiarized the writings of solomon spaulding to produce the book of mormon. Historians and scholars can no longer acquiesce in perpetuating the myth that the spalding theory has been refuted, repudiated, demolished, or disproved.

Solomon spalding, who died in 1816, had complained very vocally against the latterday saints that their new bible, that is the book of mormon was really a plagiarized version of an unpublished novel, manuscript found, which was written by. Solomon spaulding, the b of mormon joseph smith was. Who wrote the chapter headings in the book of mormon answers. It seems rather obvious that anyone wishing to establish the nature and scope of textual.

From a very early date, the relatives and acquaintances of a retired congregationalist minister, rev. With him he carried important statements he had just obtained from of john and martha spalding in crawford county. Presented by robert hancock of the southern utah post mormon association, dec. Oh and collects statements from eight people claiming that the historical content of the book of mormon is from solomon spalding s manuscript. Solomon spauldings romance, entitled manuscript found. Additional information from part 1 of joseph smiths plagiarism of the bible in the book of mormon, pages 3738 in 2008 another computer study was done by matt jockers, craig criddle and daniela witten, comparing various authors word prints, including solomon spalding and sidney rigdon, with that of the book of mormon. The spalding enigma, provides this brief attribution. One of the earliest theories of book of mormon authorship was that joseph plagiarized the unpublished manuscript of a novel written by the reverend solomon spalding. May 01, 2003 from a very early date, the relatives and acquaintances of a retired congregationalist minister, rev.

Asked in the book of mormon who was rev solomon spalding born 1771 died in 1809 and how is he related to the book of mormon. Mormons, isnt it true that the book of mormon is actually. The back cover of our 2005 book, who really wrote the book of mormon. Howes antimormon book mormonism unvailed, family members and. In the early 1800s, a man named solomon spaulding wrote a fictional story. At that time sidney rigdon was an ordained baptist minister who had never even heard of solomon spalding or his manuscript. I have read every word of both it and the book of mormon, and i compiled a list of. Indeed, it is ironic that the very arguments meant to authenticate the book of mormon point to solomon spalding as the book s author. This claim has been discredited many times by people inside and outside of the church. The way out of this embarrassing predicament was given in a revelation in. I know this has been refuted before, but can you help me understand this issue and get to the bottom of it.

Points out the contradictions between the bible and book of mormon as well as errors in translation in the king james version kjv of the bible that were copied into the book of mormon. Solomon spauldings manuscript found was clearly and undeniably established in my article published in the watchman, boston, sept. Similar analysis showed that the sound correspondences in the names sidney rigdon, parley pratt, oliver cowdery, ethan smith, and solomon spalding individuals proposed as book of mormon authors were different than correspondences with joseph smith in the unique names of the book of mormon, but not enough to identify any as a possible author. Spalding died in 1816 and his manuscript was never published.

For my analysis of the brodiebush argument, see book of mormon. Solomon spalding suspects sidney rigdon 1820 of taking his missing manuscript later found. Unique textual parallels from the oberlin spalding manuscript. Solomon spalding with the authorship of the book of mormon, mr.

Manuscript found by solomon spalding the controversy between manuscript found and the book of mormon goes all the back to e. One of the earliest theories was that the book of mormon was based on a manuscript by solomon spaulding also spelled spalding, a fictional story about early inhabitants of america. Book of mormonauthorship theoriesspalding manuscript. Evidence for solomon spaulding authorship of the book of. It was unpublished and joseph smith had the manuscript. The spalding or spaldingrigdon theory gained traction from a number of testimonies by individuals who had known spalding and who said that the book of mormon was very similar to spaldings lost manuscript. Who was rev solomon spalding born 1771 died in 1809 and.

While revelations that js dictated in 1828 and 1829 referred to the lost manuscript in generic terms, jss mention of 116 pages in the preface to the book of mormon was the first time he specified the number of. Whether the spalding book of mormon parallels are charted by gross common word count for the two books, distribution of their common words, or distribution of their common word groupings, alma remains the one book of mormon text most like spalding. Whitsitt stooped to the deceitful act of forging antimormon documents. Davis, and arthur vanick have conducted extensive research into the origin of the book of mormon. Solomon spalding february 20, 1761 october 20, 1816 was the author of two related texts. Their statements said that johns late brother, the rev. John spalding solomon s brother,martha spalding johns wife,henry lake solomon s partner in the forge business,john n. The question of book of mormon authorship cannot be solved by dismissing or excising solomon spalding from mormon. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the book. It must be admitted, purely as an academic possibility that the tanners may be correct in theorizing that dr.

Sidney rigdon computerized enhancement sidney rigdon as john the baptist and smiths angelic messenger. Dec 26, 2015 a very plausible lost and missing novel by solomon spalding manuscript found, separate and distinct from the oberlin manuscript has not been ruled out by mormon apologists. Even the spalding manuscript, which appears to be an experimental, unpolished, and unfinished story, seems to qualify as an ancient work according to the requirements proposed by scholars. Although rigdon claimed that he was converted to the. When the book of mormon appeared, all who heard him were satisfied that he referred to it. In it, the author followed up on indications previously published in ohiobased newspapers that a man named solomon spalding was the real and unwitting originator of the book of mormon this is in contrast to some lds apologists who claim that the author simply.

One of the earliest theories was that joseph plagiarized the unpublished manuscript of a novel written by the reverend solomon spalding 17611816. Spalding sometime between 1809 and 1812 about twenty years before the book of mormon came to press a reverend solomon spalding also spelled spaulding wrote a novel about a group of ancient roman sailors who were blown off course and landed in america. It is now pretty well established that the book of mormon was written in 1812 by the rev. The spalding or spalding rigdon theory gained traction from a number of testimonies by individuals who had known spalding and who said that the book of mormon was very similar to spalding s lost manuscript. Preface to book of mormon, circa august 1829, page iii. Spaulding manuscript mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. The solomon spalding theory chapter 9 of joseph smiths. Evidence for solomon spaulding authorship of the book of mormon. Solomon spalding, who died in 1816, had complained against the latterday saints that the book of mormon was really a plagiarized version of an unpublished novel, manuscript found, which the deceased clergyman had written and circulated among.

One source that supposedly supports the arguments of critics that the book of mormon is not authentic is a 175page manuscript known as the manuscript story also entitled manuscript found in some editions which was written by solomon spaulding sometimes spelled spalding in the early 1800s. Introducing the true author of the book of mormon solomon spalding. Spauldings manuscript is considerably shorter than the book of mormon. Solomon spalding, had unknowingly written a large part of the published book of mormon text. Innumerable arguments have failed to settle this question. The presence of such ideas in the book of mormon and spaldings novel may have. Otherwise the book might have gone to the printer in the handwriting of old mormon himself. Solomon spalding, but was claimed by joseph smith as a direct revelation to him by the angel mornion. The solomon spalding manuscript 1812 by solomon spalding this unpublished manuscript was a work of fiction created by a retired minister, solomon spalding who died in 1816 before being able to publish his work. Introduction, near the west bank of the coneaught river there are the remains of an ancient fort. Who was rev solomon spalding born 1771 died in 1809 and how. Latin by solomon spalding, was the source of the book of mormon thomas 1999, 6768. Sources and composition of the book of mormon an introduction.

The theory first appeared in print in the book mormonism unvailed, published in 1834 by e. Spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship wikipedia. Solomon spalding manuscript found rough draft for the book of mormon. Spaldingrigdon theory of book of mormon authorship. However, almost none of these people have actually read manuscript story for themselves. What are the pros and cons of the spauldingrigdon theory. Solomon spalding wrote a document now called the spalding manuscript. Who really wrote the book of mormon the spalding enigma s. It may be possible for literary analysts to recreate portions of the nephite record attributable to. The manuscript story of reverend solomon spalding, or. Solomon spalding february 20, 1761 october 20, 1816 was the author at least two related texts. Presentation about the spalding rigdon theory and the authorship of the book of mormon. Howes antimormon book mormonism unvailed, family members and other.

Critics claim that joseph smith did not actually translate ancient plates into the book of mormon, but rather wrote the book. Mormon challenges could the book of mormon story have. Lambdin wants spalding to write a preface and provide funds to print it. World heritage encyclopedia, the aggregation of the largest online encyclopedias available, and the most definitive collection ever assembled. Some critics of the church have claimed that joseph smith used the manuscript to write the book of mormon. As i was walking and forming various conjectures respecting the character, situation. Solomon spalding 17611816 was a lapsed calvinist evangelist, a failed new york businessman, and hopeful author of a prehistoric american epic story giving an account of the vanished mound builders of the ohio valley. Full text of the manuscript story of reverend solomon. Full text of the manuscript story of reverend solomon spalding.