Analysis of textual variants of the book of mormon part. Book of mormon reading chart worthy written wordsyou can find book of mormon and more on our website. Thriftbooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. All men have heard of the mormon bible, but few except the elect have seen it, or, at least, taken the trouble to read it. Does wordprint prove the book of mormon is the real deal. Find thousands of lds books, movies, music and more. The book is a curiosity to me, it is such a pretentious affair, and yet so slow, so sleepy. When the book of mormon appeared, all who heard him were satisfied that he referred to it. The book of mormon is divided into smaller books, titled after the individuals named as primary authors and, in most versions, divided into chapters and verses. Hilton, byu studies, on verifying word print studies, endnote 21. Thus, while valid and objective wordprinting is no substitute for faith, wordprinting can, nevertheless, bolster the. Jump up hilton, byu studies, on verifying word print studies, 101. One challenge in performing a linguistic analysis of the book of mormon is that no original text is available for analysis. The book of mormon historic publication site is a historic site located in the village of palmyra, wayne county, new york, united states.
Fortunately the book of mormon is a nearideal document for such objective wordprint studies, provided the measurement is made correctly. The term wordprint was coined by the larsen group to represent patterns. The initial book of mormon wordprint studies were carried out by larsen. A forum for exmormons and others who have been affected by mormonism to share news, commentary, and comedy about the mormon church. On early modern english and the book of mormon times. What do wordprint studies say about the book of mormon. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to adherents, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. The book of mormon is one of the most influentiala as well as controversiala religious documents in american history, and is regarded as sacred scripture by followers around the world, including members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, the fourthlargest. Widtsoe, council of the twelve apostles, in search of truth. First, skousen makes it very clear that the book of mormon is not an early modern english text. Was the book of mormon a novel written by the late author solomon spaulding. Since the larsen study of the book of mormon authors used common words as. The original 1830 edition, book of mormon had s of. Printers manuscript of the book of mormon, circa august.
According to most adherents of the latter day saint movement, the book of mormon is a. Including the mormon churches conflicting results of computer analyses of the book of mormon. Book of mormon scriptures book of mormon stories lds books fhe lessons primary lessons lds primary school lessons lds sunday school scripture study. Analysis of textual variants of the book of mormon. As early as 1831, eber howe, in his antimormon book mormonism unvailed, noted the use of names desolation and bountiful from pilgrims progress reappear in the book of mormon. The hilton wordprint study of the book of mormon mormanity. Discussion of themes and motifs in joseph smith, translators the book of mormon.
Chris johnson did a very good big data analysis of the book of mormon and compared it to books published before 1830. Challenge your class to read the book of mormon on their time table. As john hilton put the matter, if wordprinting is a valid technique, then this analysis suggests that it is statistically indefensible to claim that joseph, oliver, or solomon spaulding wrote the 30,000 words in the book of mormon attributed to nephi and alma. Im not a statistician or an expert in word print studies, so my studies will need to be validated by an expert. The article is essentially the same as chapter 9 of one of my favorite books, book of mormon authorship revisited, ed. Print the pdf, doublesided, on a laser printer, or take it to a copy and print shop and have them print it for you.
Book of mormon, i wrote a part of it, as he dictated each sentence, word for word, and when he came to proper names he could not pronounce, or long words, he spelled them out, and while i was writing them, if i made a mistake in spelling, he would stop me and correct my spelling, although it was impossible. Petersons engaging style and convincing presentation will make this video a valuable resource for every gospel library. Book of mormon reading chart worthy written words what others are saying book of mormon reading chart worthy written words you are in the right place about books to read funny here we offer you the most beautiful pictures about the. The spiritual text that forms the basis of mormonism, in the last edition edited by its founder, joseph smith, jr. It becomes more personal and deep than any other scripture study method that i. Book of mormon wordprints reexamined a look at the byu study. It is written in english very similar to the early modern english linguistic style of the king james version of the bible, and has since been fully or partially translated into 111. The psalms in israels temple worship in the old testament and in the book of mormon. Photocopy of the printers copy of the book of mormon. The book of mormon has been described as the bible of north america i.
Each of these individuals have distinctive patterns in how they use the word baptize, indicating that each speaker has his own unique voice. Gilbert, the man who helped to print the book of mormon, claimed that the mormons did not want him to correct the grammatical errors which were in the manuscript. The spiritual text that forms the basis of mormonisma in the last edition edited by its founder, joseph smith, jr. Peterson, chairman and president of the interpreter foundation speaking on behalf of the interpreter foundation, i can say that its a great honor and a privilege for the foundation to host volume 4 of royal skousens book of mormon critical text project analysis of textual variants of the book of mormon, or atv on its website. In a recent article appearing in byu studies, 1 wayne larsen, alvin rencher, and tim layton, specialists in statistics at brigham young university, used some highly sophisticated, computerized statistical techniques to examine wordprints of authors in the book of mormon. Its no surprise that the mostused word in the book of mormon is the mostused word in almost any work of literature. Early on, joseph smith convinced 1 martin harris that together they would make money publishing the book of mormon.
If joseph smith wrote the book of mormon, we should be able to see his literary style across the entire book. About a year ago, i put together a database, splitting up the book of mormon electronic text, and spent some time doing computer wordprint analysis. It has been used to analyze disputed works of shakespeare, contrast books of. These results yield strong statistical evidence that the wordprints of joseph smith, oliver cowdery, and solomon spaulding are not measurable in the book of mormon. The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. For instance, the word that was listed by the larsen group as the fourth most commonly used word in the book of mormon. The final data set, at the very top of the chart, is a colorcoded representation of a section of computer output showing the distribution of frequently used, noncontextual words in the book of mormon, which correspond most closely with wordprint derived in the oberlin spalding manuscript. The book of mormon also contains work written by more than one author.
Bortles in the press work, which gilbert had been assisting with before that time, in addition to his work as compositor. To latterday saints there can be no objection to the careful and critical study of the scriptures, ancient or modern, provided only that it be an honest studya search for truth. They compared twentyfour book of mormon authors each having at least 1,000 words to each other, and concluded on the basis of three separate statistical tests that these authors were distinct from each other and oliver cowdery, joseph smith, jr. Translating and printing the book of mormon the book of. Search the worlds most comprehensive index of fulltext books. Organized in 1830, the church had recently issued february 2000 the one hundred millionth copy of the book of mormon, the volume that has been central to. This knowhy is the first in a series which discusses stylometry and its relevance to questions of book of mormon authorship. Following the publication of the book of mormon, the persecutions against joseph and the church grew even stronger. Heres the full list of the rare and out of print mormon books, lds lessons, scriptures and manuscripts.
Word print analysis can evidently be slanted pro or con, but no ones testimony of the book s truthfulness ever came from such an analysis, and never will. For two years before the book of mormon appeared rigdons sermons were full of declarations and prophecies that the age of miracles would be restored, and more complete revelations, than those in the bible, would be given. Get some copies of the book, or print columns from online, do this activity for one of the lessons. Word print analysis on the book of mormon update on my work. New approaches to the book of mormon signature books.
Analysis of textual variants of the book of mormon part one. By wordprint analysis, it is now possible with a high degree of certainty to tell which suspected authors did not write a given work. No word print analysis by john lund or others can refute the historical fact that joseph smith did not abandon, dismiss, or forsake his previous revelations wherein he emphatically claimed that through revelation from the lord he knew these people were the actual and literal remnant of the lamanites of the book of mormon and they are without. Gilbert recalled that with mcauleys help, they could typeset and print two forms of the book of mormon in one week. We personally assess every book s quality and offer rare, outofprint treasures. This was the lords glorious promise to nephi, son of helaman.
Analysis of textual variants of the book of mormon part two. There was so much internal consistency with the book of mormon, its phenomenal, especially when you even think about the fact that we have the lost 116 pages, and so the beginning of the translation process really after. Book of mormon historic publication site wikipedia. After conducting numerous tests and analyses, larsen and his colleagues. If he copied from someone, we should see that authors writing style likewise.
Thus moroni will speak with a different word print to alma and nephi will be different to mormon. The seventh annual book of mormon symposium at byu all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will. The book of mormon is a translation of golden tablets given to joseph smith who wrote of their account of a plan for salvation and what men must do to gain peace in this life and eternal redemption in the life to come. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. Here are schedules to read it in 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year the red headed hostess lesson packet is full of more great. Hilton, byu studies, on verifying word print studies, 101. Linguistic anachronisms in the book of mormon are words that represent.
Was the book of mormon a novel written by the late author. The book of mormon comprises fifteen books, each named after its principal writer. Feb, 2010 i have wordread the book of mormon, and find plenty of variety among its different authors. The evidence for emoe in the book of mormon is interesting, but there are a few caveats. Linguistically based assertions are frequently cited and discussed in the context of the subject of. He looks at such things as chiasmus, wordprint analysis, geographical evidence, and much more as he shares his witness that the book of mormon is the word of god, brought forth by the prophet joseph smith.
Get cozy and expand your home library with a large online selection of books at. A printing history of the book of mormon 101 the year 2000 marked an important event in the publishing history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Modern computers have given birth to a new science of analyzing word patterns in documents whose authorship is disputed. Book of mormon doctrinal mastery allonone page possibly the most useful item in all our doctrinal mastery helps, this allonone page contains all 25 book of mormon doctrinal mastery passages, references, and key phrases in one place. In every set comparing the book of mormon texts against these three writers, at least seven and often many more rejections were measured. Also, technology has given us word print analysis to show how there were all these different authors of the book of mormon. It is a record of gods dealings with ancient inhabitants of the americas and contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel. Various authors in the book of mormon have distinctive styles of word prints. Grandin printed and sold the first copies of the book of mormon. Book of mormon word count hi guys, ive never posted here but im working on a proposal for an article and it deals with word count of the book of mormon. He supports this by explaining that when he and stan carmack sat down and read early modern english texts, they kept having to look up words. The understanding that the book of mormon has a divine origin is obtainable only by developing faith. Book of mormon wordprint analysis posted by churchistrue here is what will probably be the first of several book of mormon wordprint analysis posts, based on a database i put together and curiosity ive had for many years about voices in the book of mormon. Since the book of mormons publication in 1830, a number of different.
Mormon included in his compilation the first six books as they were written. Analysis of textual variants of the book of mormon, the fourth volume in professor royal skousen s ongoing book of mormon critical text project, represents the central task of the project. The first edition of the book of mormon was published in march of 1830 and the church of jesus christ of latterday saints was organized shortly thereafter. The book of mormon is published is to increase our gratitude about the availability to read and study the book of mormon today teaching thoughts.
This means that nsc analysis will always deliver positive results for. It is used 19,203 times in the book of mormon, making it 7. New approaches to the book of mormon explorations in critical methodology edited by brent lee metcalfe. Mar 29, 2019 1 word print analysis or authorship testing determined that the book of mormon was written by 20 separate people, none of which were joseph smith or any known contemporary. At least three computer analyses have been completed to date in an effort to determine who wrote the book of mormon, and whether it was a single individual or a group. A pdf of the printers manuscript of the book of mormon. Book of mormon hard cover large print smith, joseph on.
Ive tried to find someone besides joseph smith who has produced a book of 273,725 words while in their midtwenties. A pdf copy of the wide margin edition of the book of mormon. The church of jesus christ of latter day saints was established as a religious group in 1830 by joseph smith. Book of mormon wordprint analysis lds church is true blog.
What can stylometry tell us about book of mormon authorship. This is a page that can be printed again and again and be used with activities, studying, discussion, etc. This is a digital file that you download and print at home, not a physically shipped product. An extraordinary mormon upbringing recounted with evocative lyricism. The word baptize in the book of mormon by john hilton iii. The book of mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible. Book of mormon wordprint or word pattern studies parent page. The book of mormon is a native american book, and it seems totally appropriate for its resurrection to be a redletter day on those two native american calendars. Through computer based statistical analysis a unique word print can be developed for each author. This claim, as well as all claims to historical authenticity of the book of mormon, are rejected by nonlatter day saint historians and scientists. Smith claims to have translated the book from a group.
Although there have been thousands of changes made in the book of mormon, the changes made in some of the other mormon books are of a more serious. Printers manuscript of the book of mormon, circa august 1829. Word print analysis on the book of mormon update on my. Lds word searches for kids free printables live craft eat. We carry a variety of book of mormon books, from 1830 heritage editions to journals and study guides. Volume 4 of the critical text of the book of mormon. The problem of book of mormon authorship has challenged historians and.
Of course, wordprint analysis, while it can measure certain facts objectively, cannot prove the holiness of the book of mormon. See more ideas about book of mormon, scripture study and lds scriptures. The book of mormon by joseph smith, paperback barnes. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. Book of mormon journaling scripture study lds, book of. Readers are cautioned that the results of wordprint analysis of the book of mormon are only as reliable as they would be for other written works, and that the jury is still out as to whether wordprints can actually do what their advocates hope. Wordprint studies of the book of mormon fairmormon. Thus, on both calendars it was on exactly the same day as the resurrection of jesus christ, hence a perfect day to represent the coming forth of the book of mormon from the earth. An analysis of wordprints, book of mormon authorship 1982. It occurs 5717 times 20 and was used in most of the tests and results reported in the larsen study.
However, there are over 250 places where that occurs in the 1830 edition but not in the present edition. The initial book of mormon wordprint studies were carried out by larsen, rencher, and layton. Book of mormon wordprints reexamined a look at the byu. By wordprint analysis, it is now possible with a high. Oct 28, 2017 the mostused word in the book of mormon. Ninety blocks of words were used from joseph smith, w. The word baptize appears 119 times in the book of mormon. According to most adherents of the latter day saint movement, the book of mormon is a 19thcentury translation of a record of ancient inhabitants of the american continent, which was written in a script which the book refers to as reformed egyptian. A stylometric analysis of mormon scripture and related texts d. This first article explains what stylometry is and gives readers a short history of stylometric studies performed on the book of mormon.