The Book of Mormon was published by Joseph Smith, Jr in Palmyra, New York in 1830. Smith claimed that the book was a translation into English of ancient American prophetic writings, conveyed to Smith by the ministering of angels. Critics proffer alternate explanations for the origin of the book. Key points of the controversies over these explanations are organized below.
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2 Treatment by contemporary Mormons 3 Alternate explanations for the origin of the book |
See Golden Plates.
See Archaeology and the Book of Mormon.
See Linguistics and the Book of Mormon.
See Archaeology and the Book of Mormon.
See Linguistics and the Book of Mormon
See Book of Mormon.
See Book of Mormon.Smith's Explanation for the book's origin
Most of the controversies over the Book of Mormon are attempts to discredit or support Smith's own explanation. These controversies are discussed in this section.Source text
Archaeology
Linguistics
DNA
Treatment by contemporary Mormons
One problem critics find with the Book of Mormon is its light treatment by its supposed primary proponent, the LDS Church. They reason that the LDS Church uses the Book of Mormon as a mere bait and switch tool for making converts.Changes since first publication
Inconsistent with Mormon doctrine
Alternate explanations for the origin of the book