In discussing why the prophet called the book of mormon the most correct book, we need to examine joseph smiths complete statement. And those who ask in faith will receive a personal witness from the holy ghost, dew said. On november 28, 1841, the prophet joseph smith met with the nauvoo city. It means that if its not, mormons wouldnt care diddly about the bible. Joseph smith knew book of mormon geography book of mormon. Joseph smith taught the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book. When he was a child his family moved to palmyra in western new york where there was a lot of revivalism and religious fervor due to the second great awakening. Lets say i take the position that joseph smith was a fraud and that he made up the book of mormon, the doctrine and covenants and pearl of great price. Joseph smith said the book of mormon is the most correct book. Initially, the statement offers the book of mormon as the most correct book, challenging the nonmember and the unconverted member with its importance.
Joseph smith said of his teaching that day, i told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book. Smiths death marked the end of a decisive period in mormon history, one that is less familiar to most outsiders than the churchs. There is a small group of critics who hold to the theory that the production of the book of mormon was a conspiracy involving sidney rigdon, joseph smith, oliver cowdery and others. The tensions that they experiencedbetween the right to religious. Millions of readers of the book of mormon find it in the sixth paragraph of the book s introduction. Book of mormon truth in love ministry witnessing to. Because prophets and scribes and others write scriptures, and these people are fallible, scriptures have mistakes. I told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, he once said, and he turned to it for solutions to the last. The founder of mormonism said the book of mormon was the most correct book of any book, including the bible history of the church, vol.
Much can be known about the coming forth of the english text of. The book of mormon by joseph smith and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. I told the brethren, he said, that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. Critics assert that some of these changes were systematic attempts to hide the book s flaws. The spiritual text that forms the basis of mormonism, in the last edition edited by its founder, joseph smith, jr. Joseph smith taught that the book of mormon is the most correct of any book on earth. When a mormon missionary shows people the book of mormon, he usually explains that the gold plates were taken back and no longer exist today. Nyman, associate professor of ancient scripture, brigham young university it was the prophet joseph smith who said that the book of mormon was the most.
Joseph smith and the beginning of book of mormon archaeology did the prophet joseph smith in 1842 locate book of mormon lands in middle america. The publisher obviously decided to choose a neutral observer to analyze what joseph smith called the most correct book on earth. In addition to joseph smith, the lord provided for eleven others to see. The book of mormon is the most correct book there is on the planet earth. How joseph smith and the early mormons challenged american. I told the brethren, he said, that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any. It was in that setting, at the sunday city council meeting in the youngs residence, that joseph smith made what has come to be one of the most axiomatic and memorable statements in mormon literature. If the sermon did match exactly to the bible, wouldnt that be evidence that it was just copied straight out of the bible. Jul 23, 2005 lets say i take the position that joseph smith was a fraud and that he made up the book of mormon, the doctrine and covenants and pearl of great price. Maybe you could actually read the prophecies with regard to jesus christ in the book of mormon, but youll have to take in pretty much all 531 pages. Is the book of mormon the most correct of any book on earth. They say it supports and even outranks the bible as a source of truth. Concerning this record the prophet joseph smith said. Joseph smith s mormon defenders have generally avoided addressing their prophets glasslooking career.
The book of mormon is the most correct of any book on earth, joseph smith stated, and the keystone 1 of our religion. Mormon s consider the bible to be the first witness of him. According to smith, the book is originally written in an otherwise unknown language called reformed egyptian on golden plates and it should be of similar importance as the bible. June 27th will mark the 174th anniversary of the martyrdom of joseph smith. Certainly joseph smith considered the book of mormon more than just a sign of his prophetic call. 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. The book of mormon is the most correct of any book on this earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its p.
In 1841, joseph smith declared the book of mormon to be the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and suggested that a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book history of the church, 4. On these plates was inscribed the text of the book of mormon, which he tra. The book of mormon by joseph smith, paperback barnes. They boldly tie the credibility of their prophet joseph smith. Two other books which are said to have striking resemblance to joseph smiths book of mormon, were written prior what he claimed was the most correct of any book on earth. How joseph smith and the early mormons challenged american democracy. More on joseph smiths plagiarism in the book of mormon.
Book of mormontextual changeswhy were these changes made. Joseph smith quote intro to the book of mormon i told the brethern that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book. Top ten biggest controversies of the mormon lds church. Its clear then that joseph smith copied freemasonry. Joseph smith the book of mormon is the most correct of any book on this earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by. A biography is the first book that this college professor of english has written on the subject of mormonism. They boldly tie the credibility of their prophet joseph smith to this. When joseph smith referred to the book of mormon as the most correct book on earth, he was referring to the principles that it teaches, not the accuracy of its. I told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth. Top 10 teachings of mormonism not supported by the book of. Why is the book of mormon the most correct of any book on earth. Joseph smith was born on december 23, 1805 in sharon, vermont.
May 11, 2010 the book of mormon is a sacred text that was published in march 1830 by joseph smith, jr. The book of mormon is the most correct of any book on this earth, and the keystone of our. Just as the arch crumbles if the keystone is removed, so does all the church stand or fall with the truthfulness of the book of mormon. The most correct book on earth miscellaneous mormon.
The book of mormon bills itself as a second witness to jesus christ. I told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on. Yet the book of mormon is intense prose, filled with complex, highly developed philosophical concepts that are presented extensively, logically, and coherently. Book of mormon, work accepted as holy scripture, in addition to the bible, in the church of jesus christ of latterday saints and other mormon churches. Smith claimed that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and martin harris said that the words which appeared on the seer stone would not disappear until they were correctly written. Jesus never asks his followers to do temple ceremonies in the bible. Continue reading similar books written before the book of mormon. The book of mormon is the most correct of any book on this earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its. Messenger of the restoration joseph smith translates the gold plates another testament of jesus christ. Nov 18, 2009 the quote comes from joseph smith, who was a true prophet. According to joseph smith in the history of the church 4. Smith meant that, at the time of publication in 1830, the book of mormon was the most correctly translated inspired work.
Critics of the church assert that the phrase the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth means that the prophet joseph smith was declaring. The book of mormon restored plain and precious truths about the savior, his atonement and his gospel and is, as joseph declared, the most correct of any book on earth. Does it mean mormons consider the bom to be superior to the bible. Since latterday saints believe the book of mormon is the. Joseph smith and the origins of the book of mormon, 2d ed. The book of mormon is true, just what it purports to be, and for this testimony i expect to give an account in the day of judgment. Putting joseph smiths statement in its historical context includes examining the. What does the claim that the book of mormon is the most correct book mean.
Another part of the statement, that the book of mormon is the most correct of any book on. Yet, essential mormon doctrines arent even found in it. The joseph smith papers welcomes engagement with its work and gratefully acknowledges the important work of various scholars on the book of abraham. The spalding manuscriptcritics claim that joseph smith either plagiarized or relied upon a manuscript by solomon spaulding to write the book of mormon. The prophet joseph smith s statement, i told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book, may be one of his most recognizable quotes.
The book of mormon claims that moroni, a prophet, originally wrote the book and that it was translated by joseph smith. If this were so, why have there been over four thousand changes to the book since it was first published in 1830. Many do especially those born and raised in the faith, but i dont think that was joseph smiths intent. In a similar manner, joseph smith once stopped the dictation of the book of mormon to enquire if jerusalem actually had walls, as the text suggested. The book of joseph is an untranslated text identified by joseph smith after analyzing egyptian papyri that came into his possession in 1835. These factors dont rule out the possibility that emma was correct, but they do cast doubt on her. The important things that i noted as i went through my own spreadsheet. The book of mormon came into the world through a series of miraculous events. Why did joseph smith say that the book of mormon was the most. December 23, 1805 june 27, 1844 was an american religious leader and founder of mormonism and the latter day saint movement. In nauvoo, illinois, smith established a theocracy, ran for president, and tested the limits of religious freedom. If the book of mormon is the most correct book and joseph smith corrected the bible, then they ought to be perfectly the same, right. Faithful members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints believe that the prophet joseph smith received a set of metal plates which had the appearance of gold.
The prophet joseph smiths statement, i told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book, may be one of his most recognizable quotes. Even the book of mormon, which joseph smith said was the most correct book on earth, never even mentions temple ceremonies. Jul 12, 20 in 1841, joseph smith declared the book of mormon to be the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and suggested that a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book history of the church, 4. Millions of readers of the book of mormon find it in the sixth paragraph of the books introduction. Joseph smith said the book of mormon is the most correct book on. The question of the authenticity of the book of mormon is the basis for any discussion on the truthfulness of the lds church. It was in that setting, at the sunday city council meeting in the young s residence, that joseph smith made what has come to be one of the most axiomatic and memorable statements in mormon literature. The concept that the book of mormon is the most correct book in the world comes from a statement made by the prophet joseph smith. Joseph smith characterized the book of mormon as the keystone of mormonism, and claimed that it was the most correct of any book on earth. Now, some critics also claim that smith gained most of his theories from a manuscript of a novel written by solomon spaulding. The book of mormon is one of the most influential, as well as controversial, religious documents in american history, and is regarded as sacred scripture by followers around the world, including members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints.
Based on the earliest sources available, this corrected text represents the most accurate and readable edition of thebook of mormonever published first published in 1830, the book of mormon is the authoritative scripture of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints and its estimated million members. Could joseph smith have written the book of mormon. Mormons consider the book of mormon a compilation of historical records kept by the primary ancestors of the native americans. Joseph smith said the book of mormon is the most correct book on earth. I told the brethren, he said, that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and. Joseph smith said the book of mormon is the most correct. Garth norman posted by permission of ancient america foundation and the author. Big increase in the number of stakes 90 new stakes, more than double the average of the previous decade. Come follow me 2020 podcasts with rod meldrum book of. Why is the book of mormon the most correct of any book on. Its followers hold that it is a divinely inspired work revealed to and translated by the founder of their religion, joseph smith. Joseph smith declared that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth history of the church 4. The coming forth of the book of mormon, foretold by ancient prophets, began with an angelic visitation in 1823 to 17yearold joseph smith. This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original.
Feb 28, 2017 mormons consider the book of mormon a compilation of historical records kept by the primary ancestors of the native americans. A new book, kingdom of nauvoo, examines joseph smiths. You will get closer to god and our savior jesus christ by abiding by its precepts and principles. He said, i told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book book of mormon introduction. Now according to church critics, joseph smith fabricated all of these works after carefully studying, covertocover, all of the following. Smith produced a written revelation in 1832 that condemned the whole church for treating the book of mormon lightly.
If you remove quotes from the bible, the book of mormon has about 258k words, compared to 184k words in the new testament, and 77k in the quran and the first harry potter novel. Quoted by david osbourne in recollections of the prophet joseph smith, juvenile instructor, mar. Oct 14, 2019 when read in context, joseph appears to be thanking bishop bernhisel for his friendship and support and then mentions that he had read the book set incidents of travel in central america which he considered to be the most correct and comprehensive of any book written pertaining to this country. As the end of the preceding quote clarifies, by most correct this he meant in principle and teaching. When he was 24, smith published the book of mormon.
When the apologists responded to such accusations during the 20th century, one tactic they employed was to blame the 1820s upstate new york moneydigging commotion on persons other than smith. Second, the keystone aspect appeals to the church member as he views himself within the framework of the church. In honor of the beloved prophet, here are 9 books to help you learn more about him and the events of his life. Jul 12, 2019 the book of mormon is the most correct of any book on this earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than any other book. Could joseph smith have authored the book of mormon. The book of mormon is the most correct of any book on earth, joseph smith stated, and the keystone of our religion. Most, but not all, mormons hold the books connection to ancient american.
Is the book of mormon the most correct book on earth. Joseph smith said that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book, history of the church, vol. How is it that the book of mormon is correctin fact, the most correct of any book. The most correct of any book on earth was a bold statement to make in joseph.
Hugh nibley, since cumorah, the collected works of hugh nibley. How can a man or woman get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts than any other book. An analysis of worths language, by qualified researchers, shows a substantially correct use of idiom and spelling for seventeenth century england. I told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book. By the time of his death, 14 years later, he had attracted tens of thousands of followers and founded a religion that continues to the present. Seven years later, in 1830, this scriptural canon of the latterday saints was published for the world.
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