I have done some seraching on the internet and the best answer i have found, is church leaders, but i am looking more specifically which church leaders if it was in fact church leaders, which i do tend to believe. Virtually all other scholars and students of the book of mormon who have written commentary about the title page have reached exactly the same two conclusions. The book of mormon is a musical comedy with music, lyrics and book by trey parker, robert lopez, and matt stone. Because the text was found on the very last page of the plates, it seems likely that the final author, moroni, wrote it. The first title page differs from the title page of the current 1981 edition, the most obvious difference being that joseph smith is listed as the author and proprietor of the book of mormon. Nephi was instructed to keep a second book for a wise purpose. More light on who wrote the title page book of mormon. The title page of the book of mormon was most likely written by moroni, but in recent years scholars have suggested that mormon, moronis father, may have written. Title page of the book of mormon who wrote the title page. Pratt as key players in the authorship of the book of mormon. The first title page differs from the title page of the current 1981 edition, the most obvious difference being. But perhaps the most glaring problem with this book is that the title claims i wrote the book of mormon, and calls it a confession of sidney rigdonand there is no confession from rigdon at allnot in any way, shape, or formpresented in this book. Jan 03, 2020 the title page of the book of mormon was actually written by moroni, an ancient israelite prophet who also wrote the closing chapter literally of the history of his people called the nephites.
Come, follow me latest posts names and titles of jesus christ in march, 2019, i studied 20 different names or titles of jesus christ which appear in the book of mormon. Book of mormon study notes insights from my daily study. It is quite likely that at this point moroni wrote the first paragraph as we now have it of the title page of the book of mormon. The book of mormon is a musical comedy with music, lyrics and book by trey parker, robert lopez, and matt stone first staged in 2011, the play is a satirical examination of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints beliefs and practices that ultimately endorses the positive power of love and service. Moroni, when he wrote what would be the title page of the book of mormon, expressly stated that one of the key purposes of the book they had prepared was for the convincing of the jew and gentile that jesus is the christ, the eternal god, manifesting himself unto all nations. Miner, from step by step through the book of mormon. Jan 21, 2019 to emphasize this point, in the 1840 edition of the book of mormon, moronis name was appended to the title page. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to. What purposes of the book of mormon are stated on the title page. Did moroni write the title page to the book of mormon. The english editions of the book of mormon published today generally result in a book of over 500 pages. Wherefore it is an abridgment of the record of the people of nephi, and also of the lamaniteswritten to the lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of israel. Book of mormon, 1830, page 0 the joseph smith papers.
Mormon, has been the recognized author of the title page of the book. Members of the church have long held that its joseph smith. I was particularly interested in the way each name was used, both in the book of mormon. The second paragraph clearly follows his decision to abridge the book of ether. David hocking managing editor, annotated edition of the book of mormon. Joseph smith explained, the titlepage of the book of mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the collection or book of plates history of the church, 1. Williams journal of book of mormon studies 102 2001.
The title page states that the purpose of the book of mormon is to show unto the remnant of the house of israel. The book of mormon title page the doctrine of exaltation. Introductory pages of the book of mormon book of mormon central. According to the narrative in the book of mormon, the prophet mormon abridged the large plates, including the book of lehi the translation of which martin harris lost in july 1828 and the books of mosiah, alma, helaman, nephi the third and fourth books under the name of nephi, and mormon. The title page states that the purpose of the book of mormon is to show unto the remnant of the house of israel what. Joseph smith wrote a description of the title page of the book of mormon which was published in the times and seasons magazine 1842. Should the eyes of any honest believer in the inspiration of the book of mormon fall upon these pages, his impartial and unbiased examination of the evidence here adduced is earnestly solicited. When he did make his additions, he also wrote the title page of the book of mormon, but in two stages, each stage necessitating a return to the hill cumorah. It is useful to compare the purposes of the book of mormon as stated on the title page with the purposes for writing given in the text by nephi, jacob, mormon, and moroni who between them wrote 98. The title page of the book of mormon was most likely written by moroni, but in recent years scholars have suggested that mormon, moronis father, may have written the first six lines of the title page, with moroni writing the rest.
Why is the book of mormons historical authenticity so. Solomon spaulding and the book of mormon fairmormon. More light on who wrote the title page byu scholarsarchive. According to the prophet joseph smith, the titlepage of the book of mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the collection or book of plates, which contained the record which has been translated, the language of the whole running the same as all hebrew writing in general.
He also wrote the words of mormon, and his son, moroni, later copied two of. Is it possible that a single author wrote the book of mormon. Book of mormon authorship the encyclopedia of mormonism. In my opinion, this is one of the most valuable statements from the title page. It attempted to prove that natives had descended from the ancient israelites. Joseph smith once wrote, i wish to mention here that the titlepage of the book of mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the collection or book of plates, which contained the record which has been translated. The title page of the book of mormon refers to its primary records as abridgments. Why did the book of mormon originally say that joseph. A blog post by the prophet moroni was all that remained.
The book of mormon is another testament of jesus christ. Come follow me 2020 title page the book of mormon title page and its testimony of jesus christ. The major mission of the book of mormon, as recorded on its title page, is to the convincing of the jew and gentile that jesus is the christ, the eternal god, manifesting himself unto all nations. The title page states, the book of mormon, an account written by the hand of mormon upon plates. According to the title page, what are the purposes of the book of mormon. Let us consider some of the attributes of our lord, as found in the book of mormon, that show that jesus is the christ. In fact, there is no proof presented in this book that rigdon wrote the book of mormon. Convince jew and gentile that jesus is the christ manifesting himself unto all nations. Those who reject joseph smiths claim that he translated the book through divine power assume that he or one of his contemporaries wrote the book. Nyman, professor of ancient scripture, brigham young university, provo, utah. I have written about some of the similarities between the final chapter of the book of mormon moroni 10 and the title page, which suggests to me that moroni might have written both at approximately the same time. Title page step by step through the book of mormon. Book of mormon evidence come follow me supplementary study podcasts. Joseph smith wrote that the title page of the book of mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the collection or book of plates, which contained the record which has been translated.
Howe suggested, basing himself on witnesses collected by doctor hurlbut, that the book of. Preface to book of mormon, circa august 1829, page iii. The book of mormon has a number of original and distinctive doctrinal discussions on subjects such as the fall. The first title page differs from the title page of the current 1981 edition, the most obvious difference being that joseph smith is listed as the author and proprietor. The precise purposes of the book of mormon religious. I thought id post some ideas about the title page while we wait for our stragglers to come on board. The brief fourword title the book of mormon is the same title that has appeared on the cover and title page of all editions and appears first on the title page of the current edition. Perhaps the first question the title page throws up is who wrote it.
Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle. Moroni states the precise purposes of the book of mormon on the title pagewhich is to show unto the remnant of the house of israel. It was written to show what great things the lord does for his children, to explain his covenants, and to convince all people that jesus is the christ see the title page of the book of mormon. Quotes the book of mormon was first printed in 1830. Why new testament words and phrases are in the book of.
First staged in 2011, the play is a satirical examination of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints beliefs and practices that ultimately endorses the positive power of love and service. Over onehalf of all the verses in the book of mormon refer to our lord. It is the most correct of any book on earth, that a man would get nearer. Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of nephi, and also of the lamaniteswritten to the lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of. The lord established the basic foundation for temple work in the book of mormon and left the specific teachings about exaltation within the celestial kingdom to the doctrine and covenants. An abridgment is a shortened version of a text, which means that the abridgments found in the book of mormon are only summaries of larger recorded histories. I was particularly interested in the way each name was used, both in the book of mormon and in the bible. The title page states, the book of mormon, an account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. The title page of the book of mormon published today contains the wo. And as joseph smith is a very ignorant man and is called the author on the title page, i cannot doubt for a single moment that he is the sole author and proprietor of it.
Oct 30, 2018 the book of mormon attempts to persuade all men and women that jesus is the christ, the eternal god book of mormon title page not only by describing the inspired teachings of ancient prophets who foretold his birth, life, ministry, atonement, death, and resurrection, but also by narrating the actual appearance of the resurrected jesus. The original book of mormon title page book of mormon central. Moroni is the ascribed author of chapters 8 and 9 of mormon s record within the larger book of mormon, the entire book of moroni, and the title page of the book of mormon. Many studies have investigated book of mormon authorship because the book presents itself as a composite work of many ancient authors.
In reading the first paragraph, let us change our mindset and assume that mormon wrote it. Introductory pages of the book of mormon another testament. According to clyde williams, it seems clear that joseph smith understood moroni to be the author of the title page. Book of mormon study notes insights from my daily study of. Parker and stone were best known for creating the animated comedy. Aug 31, 2006 i am curious as to who wrote the introduction the page after the title page in the book of mormon.
The book of mormon has been translated from english into. The honest seeker after truth can gain the testimony that jesus is the christ as he prayerfully ponders the inspired words of the book of mormon. A comprehensive commentary of the title page of the book of mormon, by paul nolan hyde. The number of attesting witnesses is not a tenth part of what it would have been had a thorough investigation been undertaken even a score of years ago. Introductory pages of the book of mormon book of mormon. As the page explains see chart 167, he named himself the author and proprietor consistent with federal law only to secure a. The title page, however, is typically categorized as part of jss translation, rather than as a revelation. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. An american, james adair, wrote a book a history of the american indians in 1775. However, a more indepth analysis of the text on that page and the specific language that is used provides evidence supporting the notion that the title page. Some form of christs name is mentioned more frequently per verse in the book of mormon than even in the new testament.
Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. Joseph smith explained, the title page of the book of mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the collection or book. Critics claim that it was authored by smith, drawing on material and ideas from contemporary 19thcentury works. To the inside front cover are affixed four clippings of descriptions of different versions of first edition copies of the book of mormon and of an 1854 edition of the doctrine and covenants, along with a clipping describing the origin of the text of the book of mormon and a bookplate of the shepard book company of salt lake city, utah. Title page of the book of mormon together with references for further study from the general conferences of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints the encyclopedia of mormonism and other doctrinal texts by general authorities of the church written and compiled by paul nolan hyde parrish press orem, utah. More light on who wrote the title page, by clyde j. I am curious as to who wrote the introduction the page after the title page in the book of mormon. The title page states that the book of mormon was being sealed up and hid up unto the lord sealed by the hand of moroni. Come follow me 2020 podcasts with rod meldrum book of.
The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to adherents, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. Joseph smith declared, the title page of the book of mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the collection or book of plates. According to the prophet joseph smith, the titlepage of the book of mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand. Dec 29, 2019 come follow me 2020 title page the book of mormon title page and its testimony of jesus christ. The title page of the book of mormon declares that it was translated by the gift and power of god, but what do we know about this divine process. The 1830 edition of the book of mormon named joseph smith as the author and proprietor of the book. Joseph smith declared, the titlepage of the book of mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the collection or book of plates.
Some scholars have suggested that perhaps mormon wrote the first paragraph of the title page and moroni the. Who most likely wrote the title page of the book of mormon. Was it translated the way that many have assumed, or was there more to the miracle that brought forth another testament of jesus christ. As the bible is a record of gods dealings with the inhabitants of the eastern hemisphere, the book of mormon tells of a people who were led by god from jerusalem to the western hemisphere 600. Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the. As the bible is a record of gods dealings with the inhabitants of the eastern hemisphere, the book of mormon tells of a people who were led by god from jerusalem to the western hemisphere 600 years prior to the birth of the savior. The book of mormon, though the most correct book on earth 20 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.
Moroni had been commanded by his father to complete the nephite record, which mormon had abridged from previous records. In reading the first paragraph, let us change our mindset and assume that mormon wrote it rather than moroni. The title page was first published on 26 june 1829 in the wayne sentinel, representing the first portion of the book of mormon to be published. It also mentions that it includes moronis abridgment of the book of ether, about the people of jared. Moroni states the precise purposes of the book of mormon on the title page which is to show unto the remnant of the house of israel. I could swear that this book was written by one man. In march, 2019, i studied 20 different names or titles of jesus christ which appear in the book of mormon. Ludlow notes that virtually all other scholars and students of the book of mormon who had written commentary up until his 1986 presentation had reached.
The title page is really more moronis title page than mormons. In the history of the church, joseph smith made an important clarification about the title page of the book of mormon. More light on who wrote the title page book of mormon central. To emphasize this point, in the 1840 edition of the book of mormon, moronis name was appended to the title page. The spalding enigma, our authors set out to accomplish a monumental task. The original manuscript of the translation was completed in 1829, the printers manuscript was completed during 182930, and the first 5,000 copies of the book. What is now the title page was originally on the last of the gold plates, so it is reasonable to assume that moroni wrote it. Text matches the title page of the first edition of the book of mormon. The titlepage of the book of mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the collection or book of plates, which contained the record which has. In this one and only post, moroni would describe the content and continue reading the book of mormon title page. Jesus is the christ, god has great things for the house of israel. The title refers to alma the younger, a prophet and chief judge of the nephites. What is the name of the book that came from gold plates.
Feb 11, 2007 i thought id post some ideas about the title page while we wait for our stragglers to come on board. Gramps, did moroni write the title page to the book of mormon. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. Title page of book of mormon, circa early june 1829, page 1. Exploring how the book of mormons various source texts contribute to its message about christ can be intellectually enlightening. I wish also to mention here, that the title page of the book of mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. However, a more indepth analysis of the text on that page and the specific language that is used provides evidence supporting the notion that the title page was. Williams, journal of book of mormon studies 10, no. The title page is therefore the translation of an ancient document, at least partially written by moroni 2, son of mormon, in the fifth century a. The book of mormon is a little less than half the size of the old testament and is larger than the new testament. This article argues that the term gentiles in the title page of the book of mormon does not carry the modern connotation of nonisraelite, but instead refers to nonephraimites. I would rather make mistakes in kindness and compassion than work miracles in unkindness and hardness.
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