Book of Mormon/Early reactions to

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Early reactions to the Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon was met by a storm of criticism from early critics. This page archives examples of these early responses.

"Adding to or taking away"

Summary: Bible forbids "adding to or taking away" from God's word

New revelation not necessary

Summary: It is claimed that new revelation is blasmphemous or unnecessary

Clumsy or obvious forgery

Summary: Some critics claim that the Book of Mormon is a clumsy or obvious forgery

Difficult to explain Book of Mormon before Spalding theory

Grammar and spelling errors

Summary: Complaints about grammar, spelling, or style.

Joseph Smith as the obvious author

Joseph Smith obviously not the author

Joseph as author and proprietor

Joseph Smith's character

Joseph Smith's personality and temperament

Joseph Smith as a money digger

Occultism and magic

Peep stone

Heretical

Summary: Claims that the existence of the Book of Mormon marks members of the Church as Christian heretics

Claims that no intelligent person could believe it

Summary: No intelligent person could believe the Book of Mormon to be divine

KJV plagiarism?

Summary: Plagiarized from the King James Bible

Sidney Rigdon

Summary: Claims that Sidney Rigdon had major role in authorship

Lazy Smiths?

Summary: Claims that the Smith family was lazy

Spalding theory

All "interested," so not to be trusted

All related, so not to be trusted

Character assaults

Spiritual or literal?

Summary: Did not literally see plates/angel?

Marin Harris and spiritual eyes

"Supernatural"