Possible Modern Source for the Book of Mormon

[_Shulem]

I don't believe what we are looking at is plagiarism. It is generic imitation. Joseph Smith seems to have become aware, most likely through Hunt, of this quasi-biblical prose epic genre and run with it for his own prose epic on Hebrews in Ancient America. There are simply too many echoes of Hunt's work in Smith's for this to be mere coincidence.

I tend to agree. However, these works need to be combed over to make sure there isn't a silver bullet within the silver bullet. All it could take is one word. Much like the blood on the clothes of whats-his-name in the Book of Mormon which gave himself away as the assassin.

Paul O

[_mms]

Although, I think one would be hard pressed to say that the terms, "freemen", "stripling warrior", "fine workmanship", "curious workmanship", etc. don't border on plagarism.

Was "stripling" used directly next to "warrior"?

[_Blixa]

"Have a slice of Emma's layer cake, boys..."

[_Everybody Wang Chung]

Although, I think one would be hard pressed to say that the terms, "freemen", "stripling", "fine workmanship", "curious workmanship", etc. don't border on plagarism.

Was "stripling" used directly next to "warrior"?

Good catch. I need to slow down. Here's the quote I was referring to:

32. About this time, a stripling from the south, with his weapon of war in his hand.

Chapter XIX, verse 32

[_Blixa]

Although, I think one would be hard pressed to say that the terms, "freemen", "stripling warrior", "fine workmanship", "curious workmanship", etc. don't border on plagarism.

If it's just a word or short phrase, then barely bordering---and other than "stripling warrior," I imagine one could find the other phrases elsewhere, too. Nothing in the text ever sounded completely outside of 19thC vernacular, to my ears....

[_Shulem]

Although, I think one would be hard pressed to say that the terms, "freemen", "stripling warrior", "fine workmanship", "curious workmanship", etc. don't border on plagarism.

Each point adds up and the odds must be weighed. There is a cumulative effect that needs to be taken into consideration. It's clear to me where Joe Smith got his ideas and as Dr. Scratch pointed out, all Joe had to do was cut and paste. Presto!

Paul O

[Guest]

Someone please read Chapter XX, verses 11-16 and tell me if I'm the only one seeing an amazing coincidence.

not enough to support a charge of plagiarism, in my opinion.

But, taken as a whole, one could certainly say that, with the Late War, there are now known contemporary sources for language, style and religious and political themes in the Book of Mormon to go along with known contemporary sources for character and place names, and the source of the Anthon Caracters (purported examples of Reformed Egyptian).

This, taken together with JSJr.'s track record regarding the Book of Abraham, the Kinderhook Plates and the Greek Psalter, all sort of leaves him batting pretty much zero.

As Paul said upthread (sort of): Weight of Evidence (Baby).

[_mms]

Good catch. I need to slow down. Here's the quote I was referring to:

32. About this time, a stripling from the south, with his weapon of war in his hand.

Chapter XIX, verse 32

Pretty easy to come up with stripling warrior from that, and then mix it with the 2000 that went to battle. Wow. Seriously, this seems to be an amazing find.

[_Kishkumen]

This expression of outrage on behalf of virtue violated is pretty interesting:

38. Instead of protecting the tender women, the fairest work of God, the life of the world; behold! what hast thou done?

39. See! the shrieking matron cast herself into the waters that she may escape brutal violence: but all in vain; her garments are torn from her; she becomes prey to thy savage lust.

40. Not she alone, but her daughter, and her fair sisters, have fallen into thy unhallowed hands, and been defiled!

41. Oh, Britain! the voice of violated chastity riseth up against thee; the mark of the beast is indelibly printed in thy forehead:

[_Nevo]

You guys are hilarious. Where did all the critical thinkers on the board go?