"Idle and Slothful Strange Stories": Book of Mormon Origins and the Historical Record

Title

"Idle and Slothful Strange Stories": Book of Mormon Origins and the Historical Record

Publication Type

Journal Article

Year of Publication

2016

Authors

Rappleye, Neal (Primary)

Journal

Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship

Pagination

21-37

Volume

20

Terms of use

Items in the BMC Archive are made publicly available for non-commercial, private use. Inclusion within the BMC Archive does not imply endorsement. Items do not represent the official views of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or of Book of Mormon Central.

Bibliographic Citation

Abstract

From the very beginning, Joseph’s story about the origins of the Book of Mormon seemed wild and unbelievable. Today, however, Joseph’s account enjoys a high degree of corroboration from (1) eyewitness accounts confirming Joseph’s possession of actual metal plates and other artifacts, with some even corroborating the involvement of an angel in providing access to the record; (2) eyewitness reports on the process of producing the text; and (3) evidence from the original manuscript. This evidence is reviewed here, and the implications it has for the Book of Mormon’s origin are considered.

Early Church History
Translation
Harris, Martin
Eight Witnesses
Gold Plates
Three Witnesses
Other Witnesses
Smith, Joseph, Jr.
Smith, Emma Hale
Whitmer, David
Cowdery, Oliver

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