Possible Modern Source for the Book of Mormon

[_lostindc]

This will in no way budge mainstream LDS. Just imagine yourself on a couch with a typical TBM friend or family member. Imagine having your charges nicely organized and presenting each piece of evidence slowly and carefully. Do you think this TBM is going to fold?

I don't.

[_Runtu]

Would anyone mind explaining the connection between Joseph Smith and Samuel L. Mitchill for us never-mo's?

http://mormoncanon.com/articles/The-Anthon-visit

[_TruthSeeker2013]

Would anyone mind explaining the connection between Joseph Smith and Samuel L. Mitchill for us never-mo's?

http://mormoncanon.com/articles/The-Anthon-visit

Or, in short, Joseph copied some of the characters from the gold plates onto a piece of paper and and sent it with Martin Harris to two academics for a review of the validity of the characters and his translation of them. One was Samuel Mitchill, the other was Charles Anthon.

[Guest]

Thanks for the tip, DrW. You are correct. One can readily see how a young Joseph Smith could have been influenced by this work.

Two words: Samuel Mitchill. Holy crap!

ETA: Samuel L. Mitchill., as in Samuel Latham Mitchill. Yes, it's the same man. There's only one reason to put someone's name in the preface, and that is to add prestige to the book. Thus, the person must be someone noteworthy, and there was only one reknowned Samuel L. Mitchill in that time period in New York.

Runtu,

Thanks for running this down. Interesting and probably significant.

I found the Preface to be an important component of the Last War in several regards. Aside from the mention of S.L. Mitchel, it served as an introduction to the main work, especially in terms of Zeitgeist.

For me, at least, the Preface heightened the stun factor of what followed in terms of better understanding the literary environment and tradition from whence the Book of Mormon came.

As to the effect of Last War on the claims of uniqueness born of the divine and/or ancient origin of the Book of Mormon, Last War is definitely interfering prior art of the secular variety.

[_Runtu]

Or, in short, Joseph copied some of the characters from the gold plates onto a piece of paper and and sent it with Martin Harris to two academics for a review of the validity of the characters and his translation of them. One was Samuel Mitchill, the other was Charles Anthon.

Thanks. I was too lazy to type that. :)

[_gramps]

Now follow this link to the presenter's web page and a explanation of his presentation.

http://askreality.com/hidden-in-plain-sight/#more-56

[_Runtu]

Now follow this link to the presenter's web page and a explanation of his presentation.

http://askreality.com/hidden-in-plain-sight/#more-56

I got a 404.

[_Molok]

Would anyone mind explaining the connection between Joseph Smith and Samuel L. Mitchill for us never-mo's?

http://mormoncanon.com/articles/The-Anthon-visit

Thank you sir!

[Guest]

Now follow this link to the presenter's web page and a explanation of his presentation.

http://askreality.com/hidden-in-plain-sight/#more-56

I got a 404.

...works for me. Click it again and see if the link resolves

[_mcjathan]

I don't see evidence of actual borrowing.