Letter to a CES Director
Here are some good questions about the Book of Mormon which Jeremy Runnels asks:
Book of Mormon Concerns & Questions:
1. What are 1769 King James Version edition errors doing in the Book of Mormon? An
ancient text? Errors which are unique to the 1769 edition that Joseph Smith owned?
2. When King James translators were translating the KJV Bible between 1604 and 1611, they
would occasionally put in their own words into the text to make the English more
readable. We know exactly what these words are because they're italicized in the KJV
Bible. What are these 17th century italicized words doing in the Book of Mormon? Word
for word? What does this say about the Book of Mormon being an ancient record?
Examples:
The above example, 2 Nephi 19:1, dated in the Book of Mormon to be around 550 BC,
quotes nearly verbatim from the 1611 AD translation of Isaiah 9:1 KJV – including the
translators’ italicized words. Additionally, Joseph qualified the sea as the Red Sea. The
problem with this is that (a) Christ quoted Isaiah in Matt. 4:14-15 and did not mention the
Red Sea, (b) “Red” sea is not found in any source manuscripts, and (c) the Red Sea is 250
miles away.
7
In the above example, the KJV translators added 7 italicized words not found in the source
Hebrew manuscripts to its English translation. Why does the Book of Mormon, completed
1,200 years prior, contain the exact identical seven italicized words of 17th
century
translators?
3. The Book of Mormon includes mistranslated biblical passages that were later changed in
Joseph Smith’s translation of the Bible. These Book of Mormon verses should match the
inspired JST version instead of the KJV version that Joseph later fixed. A typical example of
the differences between the KJV, the BOM, and the JST:
3 Nephi 13:25-27:
25: …Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye
shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat,
and the body than raiment?
26: Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap nor gather into barns;
yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27: Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
Matthew 6:25-27 (from the King James Version Bible – not the JST):
25: Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye
shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat,
and the body than raiment?
26: Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into
barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27: Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
The above passages are identical, which is understandable as Christ may have said the
same thing to both groups of people in the Old world as well as the New world. Let’s look
at the JST version of the above identical passages:
Joseph Smith Translation of the same passages in the LDS Bible for Matthew 6:25-27:
25: And, again, I say unto you, Go ye into the world, and care not for the world: for the
world will hate you, and will persecute you, and will turn you out of their synagogues.
26: Nevertheless, ye shall go forth from house to house, teaching the people; and I will go
before you.
27: And your heavenly Father will provide for you, whatsoever things ye need for food,
what ye shall eat; and for raiment, what ye shall wear or put on.
Joseph Smith corrected the Bible. In doing so, he also corrected the same identical passage
in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is “the most correct book” and was translated
a mere decade before the JST. The Book of Mormon was not corrupted over time and did
not need correcting. How is it that the Book of Mormon still has the incorrect passage and
does not match the JST in the first place? 8
4. DNA analysis has concluded that Native American Indians do not originate from the Middle
East or from Israelites but rather from Asia. Why did the Church change the following
section of the introduction page in the 2006 edition Book of Mormon shortly after the DNA
results were released?
“…the Lamanites, and they are the principal ancestors of the American Indians”
to
“…the Lamanites, and they are among the ancestors of the American Indians”
5. Anachronisms: Horses, cattle, oxen, sheep, swine, goats, elephants, wheels, chariots,
wheat, silk, steel, and iron did not exist in pre-Columbian America during Book of Mormon
times. Why are these things mentioned in the Book of Mormon as being made available in
the Americas between 2200 BC - 421 AD?
6. Archaeology: There is absolutely no archaeological evidence to directly support the Book of
Mormon or the Nephites/Lamanites who numbered in the millions. This is one of the
reasons why unofficial apologists are coming up with the Limited Geography Model (it
happened in Central or South America) and that the real Hill Cumorah is not in Palmyra,
New York but is elsewhere and possibly somewhere down there instead. This is in direct
contradiction to what Joseph Smith and other prophets have taught. Never mind that the
Church has a visitor’s center there in New York and holds annual Hill Cumorah pageants.
We read about two major war battles that took place at the Hill Cumorah (Ramah to the
Jaredites) that numbered in the deaths of at least 2,000,000 people. No bones, hair,
chariots, swords, armor, or any other evidence found whatsoever.
Compare this to the Roman occupation of Britain and other countries. There are abundant
evidences of their presence during the first 400 years AD such as villas, mosaic floors,
public baths, armor, weapons, writings, art, pottery and so on. Even the major road systems
used today in some of these occupied countries were built by the Romans. Additionally,
there is ample evidence of the Mayan and Aztec civilizations as well as a civilization in
current day Texas that dates back 15,000 years. Where are the Nephite or Lamanite
buildings, roads, armors, swords, pottery, art, etc.?
Latter-day Saint Thomas Stuart Ferguson was BYU’s archaeology division (New World
Archaeological Funding) founder. NWAF was financed by the Church. NWAF and
Ferguson were tasked by BYU and the Church in the 1950s and 1960s to find
archaeological evidence to support the Book of Mormon. This is what Ferguson wrote after
17 years of trying to dig up evidence for the Book of Mormon:
“…you can’t set Book of Mormon geography down anywhere – because it is
fictional and will never meet the requirements of the dirt-archaeology. I should
say – what is in the ground will never conform to what is in the book.”
– Letter dated February 2, 1976 9
7. Book of Mormon Geography: Many Book of Mormon names and places are strikingly
similar to many local names and places of the region Joseph Smith lived.
The following two maps show Book of Mormon geography compared to Joseph Smith's
geography:
Book of Mormon Geography
Joseph Smith’s Geography
(Northeast United States & Southeast Canada)
The first map is the "proposed map," constructed from internal comparisons in the Book of
Mormon. 10
Throughout the Book of Mormon we read of such features as "The Narrow Neck of Land"
which was a day and a half's journey (roughly 30 miles) separating two great seas. We
read much of the Hill Onidah and the Hill Ramah – all place names in the land of Joseph
Smith's youth.
We read in the Book of Mormon of the Land of Desolation named for a warrior named
Teancum who helped General Moroni fight in the Land of Desolation. In Smith's era, an
Indian Chief named Tecumseh fought and died near the narrow neck of land helping the
British in the War of 1812. Today, the city Tecumseh (near the narrow neck of land) is
named after him.
We see the Book of Mormon city Kishkumen located near an area named, on modern
maps, as Kiskiminetas. There are more than a dozen Book of Mormon names that are the
same as or nearly the same as modern geographical locations.
Actual Place Names
Book of Mormon Place Names
Alma
Antrim
Antioch
Boaz
Hellam
Jacobsburg
Jerusalem
Jordan
Kishkiminetas
Lehigh
Mantua
Moraviantown
Noah Lakes
Oneida
Oneida Castle
Rama
Ripple Lake
Sodom
Shiloh
Sherbrooke
Alma, Valley of
Antum
Ani-Anti
Boaz
Helam
Jacobugath
Jerusalem
Jordan
Kishkumen
Lehi
Manti
Morianton
Noah, Land of
Onidah
Onidah, Hill
Ramah
Ripliancum, Waters of
Sidom
Shilom
Shurr
Source: Book of Mormon Authorship: A Closer Look, Vernal Holley
Why are there so many names similar to Book of Mormon names in the region where Joseph
Smith lived? This is all just a coincidence?
11
Hill Cumorah:
Off the eastern coast of Mozambique in Africa is an island country called “Comoros.” Prior
to its French occupation in 1841, the islands were known by its Arabic name, “Camora.”
There is an 1808 map of Africa that refers to the islands as “Camora.”
Camora is near center in the above 1808 Map of Africa
The largest city and capital of Comoros (formerly “Camora”)? Moroni. “Camora” and
settlement “Moroni” were common names in pirate and treasure hunting stories involving
Captain William Kidd (a pirate and treasure hunter) which many 19th
century New
Englanders – especially treasure hunters – were familiar with.
In fact, the uniform spelling for Hill Cumorah in the 1830 edition of the Book of Mormon is
spelled as “Camorah.”
Pomeroy Tucker was born in Palmyra, New York in 1802, three years before Joseph Smith.
He is considered to be a contemporary source. This is what he said about Joseph Smith:
"Joseph ... had learned to read comprehensively ... [reading] works of fiction and
records of criminality, such for instance as would be classed with the 'dime novels'
of the present day. The stories of Stephen Buroughs and Captain Kidd, and the
like, presented the highest charms for his expanding mental perceptions."
– Mormonism: Its Origin, Rise, and Progress, p.17
Some apologists say that Tucker’s Mormonism: Its Origin, Rise, and Progress is anti-Mormon
and thus anything in the book cannot be trusted. The problem with this premise is that LDS
scholar and Church history compiler B.H. Roberts quoted Tucker for background information
on Joseph and FairMormon has an article where they quoted Tucker 4 times from his book
as support for Joseph and even referred to Tucker as an “eye witness” to Joseph and his
family. Is Tucker’s peripheral information only useful and accurate when it shows Joseph and
the Church in a positive and favorable light?
"We are sorry to observe, even in this enlightened age, so prevalent a disposition
to credit the accounts of the marvellous. Even the frightful stories of money being
hid under the surface of the earth, and enchanted by the Devil or Robert Kidd 12
(Captain Kidd), are received by many of our respectable fellow citizens as truths."
– Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra, New York, February 16, 1825
Notice that this is considered “prevalent” and “received by many of our respectable fellow
citizens as truths.” The above contemporary 1825 Palmyra, New York newspaper quote
was not tainted by any desire to damage Joseph Smith. This article provides a snapshot of
the worldview of 1825 New England.
Hill Cumorah and Moroni have absolutely nothing to do with Camora and Moroni from
Captain Kidd stories? Stories that Joseph and his treasure hunting family and buddies were
familiar with? The original 1830 Book of Mormon uniform “Camorah” spelling? This is all
just a mere coincidence?
8. There was a book published in 1825 Vermont entitled View of the Hebrews. View of the
Hebrews compared to the Book of Mormon:
View of the Hebrews
Online Source
Book of Mormon
Online Source
Published 1823, first edition
1825, second edition
1830, first edition
Location Vermont
Poultney, Rutland County
Note: Oliver Cowdery, one of the
Book of Mormon witnesses, lived in
Poultney when “View of the Hebrews”
was published.
Vermont
Sharon, Windsor County
Note: Windsor County is adjacent
to Rutland County.
The destruction of Jerusalem √ √
The scattering of Israel √ √
The restoration of the Ten Tribes √ √
Hebrews leave the Old World for
the New World
√ √
Religion a motivating factor √ √
Migrations a long journey √ √
Encounter "seas" of "many waters" √ √
The Americas an uninhabited land √ √
Settlers journey northward √ √ 13
Encounter a valley of a great river √ √
A unity of race (Hebrew) settle the
land and are the ancestral origin of
American Indians
√ √
Hebrew the origin of Indian
language
√ √
Egyptian hieroglyphics √ √
Lost Indian records √
A set of "yellow leaves" buried in
Indian hill. Elder B.H. Roberts noted
the "leaves" may be gold.
√
Joseph Smith claimed the gold plates
were buried in Hill Cumorah.
Breastplate, Urim & Thummim √ √
A man standing on a wall warning
the people saying, “Wo, wo to this
city…to this people” while
subsequently being attacked.
√
Jesus, son of Ananus, stood on the
wall saying “Wo, wo to this city, this
temple, and this people.”
- Came to preach for many days
- Went upon a wall
- Cried with a loud voice
- Preached of destruction of Jerusalem
- Had stones cast at him
Source: View of Hebrews, p.20
√
Samuel the Lamanite stood on the
wall saying “Wo, wo to this city” or
“this people”.
- Came to preach for many days
- Went upon a wall
- Cried with a loud voice
- Preached of destruction of Nephites
- Had stones cast at him
Source: Helaman 13-16
Prophets, spiritually gifted men
transmit generational records
√ √
The Gospel preached in the
Americas
√ √
Quotes whole chapters of Isaiah √ √
Good and bad are a necessary
opposition
√ √
Pride denounced √ √
Polygamy denounced √ √
Sacred towers and high places √ √ 14
Messiah visits the Americas √
Quetzalcoatl, the white bearded
"Mexican Messiah"
√
Idolatry and human sacrifice √ √
Hebrews divide into two classes,
civilized and barbarous
√ √
Civilized thrive in art, written
language, metallurgy, navigation
√ √
Government changes from monarchy
to republic
√ √
Civil and ecclesiastical power is
united in the same person
√ √
Long wars break out between the
civilized and barbarous
√ √
Extensive military fortifications,
observations, "watch towers"
√ √
Barbarous exterminate the civilized √ √
Discusses the United States √ √
Ethan/Ether Elder B.H. Roberts noted: "Ethan is
prominently connected with the
recording of the matter in the one
case, and Ether in the other."
Source: B.H. Roberts, Studies of the Book of Mormon, p.240-242,324-344
Reverend Ethan Smith was the author of View of the Hebrews. Ethan Smith was a pastor in
Poultney, Vermont when he wrote and published the book. Oliver Cowdery – also a Poultney,
Vermont resident – was a member of Ethan’s congregation during this time and before he went
to New York to join his cousin Joseph Smith. As you know, Oliver Cowdery played an
instrumental role in bringing forth the Book of Mormon.
LDS General Authority and scholar Elder B.H. Roberts privately researched the link between the
Book of Mormon, the View of the Hebrews, Joseph’s father having the same dream in 1811 as
Lehi’s dream, etc. that were available to Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris and others
before the publication of the Book of Mormon. Elder Roberts’ private research was meant only
for the eyes of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve and was never intended to be 15
available to the public. Roberts’ work was later published in 1985 as Studies of the Book of
Mormon. At the conclusion of his research, Elder B.H. Roberts came to the following conclusion:
9. The Late War Between the United States and Great Britain: This was an 1819 textbook
written in King James Version style language for New York state school children, one of them
very likely being Joseph Smith. The first chapter alone is stunning as it reads incredibly like
the Book of Mormon:
1. Now it came to pass, in the one thousand eight hundred and twelfth year of the
christian era, and in the thirty and sixth year after the people of the provinces of
Columbia had declared themselves a free and independent nation;
2. That in the sixth month of the same year, on the first day of the month, the chief
Governor, whom the people had chosen to rule over the land of Columbia;
3. Even James, whose sir-name was Madison, delivered a written paper to the
Great Sannhedrim of the people, who were assembled together.
4. And the name of the city where the people were gathered together was called
after the name of the chief captain of the land of Columbia, whose fame
extendeth to the uttermost parts of the earth; albeit, he had slept with his fathers…
Along with the above KJV language style presence throughout the book, what are the
following Book of Mormon phrases, verbatim, themes, and storylines doing in a children’s
school textbook that was used in Joseph Smith’s own time and backyard? A mere decade
before the publication of the Book of Mormon?
Devices of “curious workmanship” in relation to boats and weapons.
A “stripling” soldier “with his weapon of war in his hand.”
“A certain chief captain…was given in trust a band of more than two thousand
chosen men, to go forth to battle” and who “all gave their services freely for the good
of their country.”
Fortifications: “the people began to fortify themselves and entrench the high Places
round about the city.”
Objects made “partly of brass and partly of iron, and were cunningly contrived with
curious works, like unto a clock; and as it were a large ball.”
“Their polished steels of fine workmanship.”
“Nevertheless, it was so that the freeman came to the defence of the city, built strong
holds and forts and raised up fortifications in abundance.” 16
Three Indian Prophets.
“Rod of iron.”
War between the wicked and righteous.
Maintaining the standard of liberty with righteousness.
Righteous Indians vs. savage Indians.
False Indian prophets.
Conversion of Indians.
Bands of robbers/pirates marauding the righteous protagonists.
Brass plates.
“And it came to pass, that a great multitude flocked to the banners of the great
Sanhedrim” compared to Alma 62:5: “And it came to pass that thousands did flock
unto his standard, and did take up their swords in defense of their freedom…”
Worthiness of Christopher Columbus.
Ships crossing the ocean.
A battle at a fort where righteous white protagonists are attacked by an army made
up of dark-skinned natives driven by a white military leader. White protagonists are
prepared for battle and slaughter their opponents to such an extent that they fill the
trenches surrounding the fort with dead bodies. The surviving elements flee into the
wilderness/forest.
Cataclysmic earthquake followed by great darkness.
Elephants/mammoths in America.
Literary Hebraisms/Chiasmus.
Boats and barges built from trees after the fashion of the ark.
A bunch of “it came to pass”
Many, many more parallels.
The staggering parallels and similarities to the Book of Mormon are astounding. This
outstanding website outlines very clearly and simply just how devastating the Late War is to
the Book of Mormon and its claims.
Rick Grunder states in his paper:
“The presence of Hebraisms and other striking parallels in a popular
children’s textbook (Late War), on the other hand – so close to Joseph
Smith in his youth – must sober our perspective.” – p.770
10. Another fascinating book published in 1809, The First Book of Napoleon, is shocking. The
first chapter:
1. And behold it came to pass, in these latter days, that an evil spirit arose on
the face of the earth, and greatly troubled the sons of men.
2. And this spirit seized upon, and spread amongst the people who dwell in the
land of Gaul.
3. Now, in this people the fear of the Lord had not been for many generations,
and they had become a corrupt and perverse people; and their chief priests, 17
and the nobles of the land, and the learned men thereof, had become
wicked in the imagines of their hearts, and in the practices of their lives.
4. And the evil spirit went abroad amongst the people, and they raged like unto
the heathen, and they rose up against their lawful king, and slew him, and
his queen also, and the prince their son; yea, verily, with a cruel and bloody
death.
5. And they moreover smote, with mighty wrath, the king’s guards, and
banished the priests, and nobles of the land, and seized upon, and took unto
themselves, their inheritances, their gold and silver, corn and oil, and
whatsoever belonged unto them.
6. Now it came to pass, that the nation of the Gauls continued to be sorely
troubled and vexed, and the evil spirit whispered unto the people, even unto
the meanest and vilest thereof…
…and it continues on. It’s like reading from the Book of Mormon.
When I first read this along with other passages from The First Book of Napoleon, I was
floored. Here we have two early 19th
century contemporary books written at least a decade
before the Book of Mormon that not only read and sound like the Book of Mormon but
which also carry so many of its parallels and themes as well.
The following are a side-by-side comparison of the beginning of The First Book of Napoleon
with the beginning of the Book of Mormon:
The First Book of Napoleon:
Condemn not the (writing)…an account…the First Book of Napoleon…upon the face of the
earth…it came to pass…the land…their inheritances their gold and silver and…the
commandments of the Lord…the foolish imaginations of their hearts…small in
stature…Jerusalem…because of the perverse wickedness of the people.
Book of Mormon:
Condemn not the (writing)…an account…the First Book of Nephi…upon the face of the
earth…it came to pass…the land…his inheritance and his gold and his silver and…the
commandments of the Lord…the foolish imaginations of his heart…large in
stature…Jerusalem…because of the wickedness of the people.
11. The Book of Mormon taught and still teaches a Trinitarian view of the Godhead. Joseph
Smith’s early theology also held this view. As part of the over 100,000 changes to the
Book of Mormon, there were major changes made to reflect Joseph’s evolved view of the
Godhead.
Examples:
18
Original 1830 Edition Text
View Online
Current, Altered Text
View Online
1 Nephi 3 (p.25):
And he said unto me, Behold, the virgin whom thou
seest, is the mother of God, after the manner of the flesh.
1 Nephi 11:18:
And he said unto me: Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is
the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh.
1 Nephi 3 (p.25):
And the angel said unto me, behold the Lamb of God, yea,
even the Eternal Father!
1 Nephi 11:21:
And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea,
even the Son of the Eternal Father!
1 Nephi 3 (p.26):
And I looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he was
taken by the people; yea, the Everlasting God, was judged
of the world;
1 Nephi 11:32:
And I looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he was
taken by the people; yea, the Son of the everlasting God
was judged of the world;
1 Nephi 3 (p.32):
These last records…shall make known to all kindreds,
tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Eternal
Father and the Savior of the world;
1 Nephi 13:40:
These last records…shall make known to all kindreds,
tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Son of the
Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world;
The following verses are among many verses still in the Book of Mormon that hold a
Trinitarian view of the Godhead:
Alma 11:38-39:
38: Now Zeezrom saith again unto him: Is the Son of God the very Eternal Father?
39: And Amulek said unto him: Yea, he is the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth,
and all things which in them are; he is the beginning and the end, the first and the last;
Mosiah 15:1-4:
1: And now Abinadi said unto them: I would that ye should understand that God himself
shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people.
2: And because he dwelleth in flesh he shall be called the Son of God, and having
subjected the flesh to the will of the Father, being the Father and the Son –
3: The Father, because he was conceived by the power of God; and the Son, because of
the flesh; thus becoming the Father and Son –
4: And they are one God, yea, the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth.
Ether 3:14-15:
14: Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my
people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all
mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and
they shall become my sons and my daughters.
15: And never have I showed myself unto man whom I have created, for never has man 19
believed in me as thou hast. Seest thou that ye are created after mine own image?
Yea, even all men were created in the beginning after mine own image.
(Emphasis added).
Mosiah 16:15:
15: Teach them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord, who is the very Eternal
Father. Amen.”
LDS scholar, Boyd Kirkland, made the following observation:
“The Book of Mormon and early revelations of Joseph Smith do indeed vividly
portray a picture of the Father and Son as the same God…why is it that the
Book of Mormon not only doesn’t clear up questions about the Godhead
which have raged in Christianity for centuries, but on the contrary just adds to
the confusion? This seems particularly ironic, since a major avowed purpose
of the book was to restore lost truths and end doctrinal controversies caused
by the “great and abominable Church’s” corruption of the Bible…In later
years he [Joseph] reversed his earlier efforts to completely ‘monotheise’ the
godhead and instead ‘tritheised’ it.” – LDS scholar, Boyd Kirkland, “An Evolving God”
Assuming that the official 1838 First Vision account is truthful and accurate, why would
Joseph Smith hold a Trinitarian view of the Godhead if he personally saw God the Father
and Jesus Christ as separate and embodied beings a few years earlier in the Sacred Grove?
20
Book of Mormon Translation Concerns & Questions:
Unlike the story I've been taught in Sunday School, Priesthood, General Conferences, Seminary,
EFY, Ensigns, Church history tour, Missionary Training Center, and BYU...Joseph Smith used a rock
in a hat for translating the Book of Mormon.
In other words, he used the same "Ouija Board" that he used in his days treasure hunting where he
would put in a rock – or a peep stone – in his hat and put his face in the hat to tell his customers the
location of buried treasure. He used the exact same method while the gold plates were covered or
put in another room or buried in the woods during translating the Book of Mormon. These facts are
not only confirmed in Rough Stone Rolling (p. 71-72), by FairMormon here and here, by Neal
Maxwell Institute (FARMS), but also in an obscure 1992 talk given by Elder Russell M. Nelson of
the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. December 2013 Update: Church’s new essay admits this.
Book of Mormon translation that the Church portrays to its members:
The above nine images are copyrighted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Click on each respective picture to be linked to its original source. 21
Book of Mormon translation as it actually happened:
Why is the Church not being honest and transparent to its members about how Joseph Smith
really translated the Book of Mormon? How am I supposed to be okay with this deception?
