Sidney Rigdon?

[Over43]

I was recently presented with the idea that Sidney Rigdon wrote the Book of Mormon. That's a wonderful theory for those who are looking for the "smoking gun", but Sidney didn't join the church until after Parley Pratt gave him a Book of Mormon while proseletizing in Ohio.

O.

[Hemidakota]

A common problem of society today, with the onslaught of poor journalism and the Internet, where people do less research and rely on following others.... :)

Edited September 30, 2009 by Hemidakota

[Just_A_Guy]

The Solomon Spalding theory . . . debunked long ago.

[hordak]

The Solomon Spalding theory . . . debunked long ago.

?

From the link

A 2008 computer analysis of the text of the Book of Mormon compared to writings of possible authors of the text shows a high probability that the authors of the book were Spalding, Rigdon, and Oliver Cowdery; concluding that "our analysis supports the theory that the Book of Mormon was written by multiple, nineteenth-century authors, and more specifically, we find strong support for the Spalding-Rigdon theory of authorship. In all the data, we find Rigdon as a unifying force. His signal dominates the book, and where other candidates are more probable, Rigdon is often hiding in the shadows".[15]

It does say the manuscript written by spalding isn't the BoM and that a study in the 80s showed it would be very unlikely that spalding was the sole author but i don't see it debunking anything.

Not saying it's true just pointing out that the link provided doesn't debunk the theory, but shows opposing responses.

[Just_A_Guy]

Point taken, but the article also cites Rigdon as saying that he never saw the Book of Mormon until he was presented with a finished copy--and appealing to his wife and [Edit] daughter as witnesses of that fact.

[Edit 2]: Anyhoo, more here.

Edited September 29, 2009 by Just_A_Guy

[bytebear]

The problem with computer textual analysis, is that they are easily biased by assumptions by the content provider. You can "conclude" anything you want. I can make a computer think the Book of Mormon was written by William Shakespeare, Thomas Jefferson or Dan Brown, simply by picking the right samples and tweaking the parameters.

[Generally_Me]

JAG, that second link is absolutely fascinating. Thanks for finding it.

[Maxel]

So, textual analysis has shown that the Book of Mormon was written by multiple authors? Who woulda thunk!

(The faithful, who already believe the writings of a few different authors are present throughout the book)

[Moksha]

Uncle Dale has an entire website talking about issues like this. Sidneyrigdon.com. If I remember right, he doesn't think Rigdon wrote it - his website contains tons of original Mormon documents. A history treasure trove.

[cougarfan]

Uncle Dale has an entire website talking about issues like this. Sidneyrigdon.com. If I remember right, he doesn't think Rigdon wrote it - his website contains tons of original Mormon documents. A history treasure trove.

Actually there is a book that recently came out called "Who Really Wrote the Book of Mormon." It updates the Spalding issue. Uncle Dale wrote the preface to the book and agreed with the authors that Rigdon was probably involved in writing the book of Mormon. With some of the additional evidence that has come to light in the last 10 years or so, some historians are reassessing their former position discounting the Spalding theory. For example, even though Rigdon denied being in Pittsburgh prior to 1822 they now have postal records of him receiving his mail there at the same time as Spalding in 1816 or so and other times. It has also been shown that he was friends with one of the employees of the publisher who had the Spalding manuscript when it disappeared. There are other interesting factoids that have come to light recently such as where Rigdon and Cowdery were from 1827-1830 but you will have to read the book and decide for yourselves.

[talisyn]

I was recently presented with the idea that Sidney Rigdon wrote the Book of Mormon. That's a wonderful theory for those who are looking for the "smoking gun", but Sidney didn't join the church until after Parley Pratt gave him a Book of Mormon while proseletizing in Ohio.

O.

But that would involve thinking...

[Moksha]

Cougarfan, just because Rigdon used to go to the print shop to see his friend and was familiar with Spaulding's story, does not connect the dots to the Book of Mormon authorship.

Edited September 30, 2009 by Moksha
less gibberish

[Hemidakota]

Actually there is a book that recently came out called "Who Really Wrote the Book of Mormon." It updates the Spalding issue. Uncle Dale wrote the preface to the book and agreed with the authors that Rigdon was probably involved in writing the book of Mormon. With some of the additional evidence that has come to light in the last 10 years or so, some historians are reassessing their former position discounting the Spalding theory. For example, even though Rigdon denied being in Pittsburgh prior to 1822 they now have postal records of him receiving his mail there at the same time as Spalding in 1816 or so and other times. It has also been shown that he was friends with one of the employees of the publisher who had the Spalding manuscript when it disappeared. There are other interesting factoids that have come to light recently such as where Rigdon and Cowdery were from 1827-1830 but you will have to read the book and decide for yourselves.

Another great author on this subject is Noel B. Reynolds, 'Book of Mormon Authorship Revisited: The Evidence for Ancient Origins'

[cougarfan]

Cougarfan, just because Rigdon used to go to the print shop to see his friend and was familiar with Spaulding's story, does not connect the dots to the Book of Mormon authorship.

True. I'm not going to try and argue one way or the other because people tend to believe whatever they want to believe when it comes to religion. I just threw out the book for consideration in reponse to the initial question about Rigdon. You can read it and make your own judgment call about whether the dots are connected or not.

I think it is far more plausible that an angel appeared to Joseph Smith, and led him to an ancient lost record written on gold plates recorded in a lost language. Then gave him some ancient spectacle-like device to look into to translate it from behind a curtain while someone else wrote down his dictation. Then, when the angel took the translating device back due to his disobedience, allowed him to finish translating the record by peering at a stone placed inside his hat and dictating what he saw in the stone.

That is my story and I'm sticking to it.

[Just_A_Guy]

I think it is far more plausible that an angel appeared to Joseph Smith, and led him to an ancient lost record written on gold plates recorded in a lost language. Then gave him some ancient spectacle-like device to look into to translate it from behind a curtain while someone else wrote down his dictation. Then, when the angel took the translating device back due to his disobedience, allowed him to finish translating the record by peering at a stone placed inside his hat and dictating what he saw in the stone.

Good! We agree then, unless you've been misrepresenting yourself.

Haven't gotten my hands on the book you mention, but it looks to be a real gem.