Full Bibliography by Date

Tells of the mysterious stories concerning three men who had reported that an angel had appeared telling of a “gold log” in the area that had been hidden for fourteen hundred years in a stone chest.

A series: extracts from the pages of the Book of Mormon prior to publication of the book.

States that it is too early to discuss the merits or demerits of the Book of Mormon, but finds nothing treasonable that would have a tendency to subvert liberties. The religious nature cannot be determined—it must stand or fall on its own merits.

Calls the Book of Mormon a “wonderful work” In an effort to correct misunderstanding of the book, this article clarifies that it is unbelievers who call the Book of Mormon the “Gold Bible” States that the book as well as the “sacred volume” (the Bible) has its revilers. Says that the Book of Mormon is comprised of a number of books by different authors. It is a compilation by Mormon in “ancient Hieroglyphics” upon plates of gold.

Declares that Joseph Smith himself was the scribe of the Book of Mormon, and that he was unlearned in letters, spelling, and punctuation. Believes that the book was inspired by the devil.

Early, hysterical announcement of the publication of the Book of Mormon.

A series of articles, printed in scripture-style verse—a spin-off of the Book of Mormon for the purpose of derision.

A letter dated March 1831 from S. Bainbridge to the Magazine and Advocate in an effort to stop the progress of the Mormon religion, provides a history of Joseph Smith declaring that he is a deceitful impostor of no good character. His great deception lies in his claim to have received new revelation in the Book of Mormon.

The autobiography of a young preacher’s experiences in New England during the early 19th Century. Pages 340-42 discuss his brief encounter with Mormons and the Book of Mormon and his dismissal of the book as a fraud.

Writes that Joseph Smith’s Book of Mormon, the “most clumsy of all impositions” has excited curiosity.

An early attempt to identify speciic problems with the Book of Mormon. Various anachronisms, absurdities and contradictions with the Bible are identiied. The Book of Mormon shows evidence of being a mere product of its environment.

Tells about Oliver Cowdery’s mission to Painesville and his meeting with the “notorious Sidney Rigdon” Rigdon took the Book of Mormon under advisement and shortly declared it of “heavenly origin” Rigdon then testified that the world would come to an end in two or three years.

Tells of the conversion of Sidney Rigdon who read the Book of Mormon and “partly condemned it” but after two days accepted it as truthful. He asked for a sign though he knew it was wrong and saw the devil appearing as an angel of light. The author of this article warns against the Book of Mormon and against the deception of the Mormons.

A correspondent relates that Joseph Smith entered Waterloo with his wife decked in a profusion of gold jewelry. They were selling stocks in the “Gold Bible”

An early attempt to identify speciic problems with the Book of Mormon. Various anachronisms, absurdities and contradictions with the Bible are identiied. The Book of Mormon shows evidence of being a mere product of its environment.

The personal account of a woman preacher’s experiences while preaching in America. Pages 137-46 discuss her encounter with the Book of Mormon and the Mormons in Kirtland. Appalled by the pretensions of such a book, she dismisses it as a deceitful fraud.

Finds that Joseph Smith, Martin Harris, and Sidney Rigdon are religious fanatics claiming to possess a Golden Bible, but in reality only possessing a wild imagination and a desire to become rich. These reprobates hold meetings to disseminate their plot—the Book of Mormon.

Submits archaeological finds in North Carolina and Ohio as evidence that the ancient inhabitants of America, as portrayed in the Book of Mormon, were skilled in the arts and sciences.

Twelve-part series. Discussions include: the discovery, translation, and contents of the gold plates; Oliver Cowdery’s description of Hill Cumorah; the Three Witnesses; loss of the 116 pages of the Book of Mormon and the substitution of the small plates of Nephi; the 1830 edition; the history of the Book of Mormon, including the abridgment work of Mormon; a synopsis of Nephite history, which is divided into 3 epochs; the history of the Jaredites.

Introductory remarks; Oliver’s first meeting with Joseph Smith; translating the Book of Mormon; visitation of John the Baptist

Introductory remarks; Oliver’s first meeting with Joseph Smith; translating the Book of Mormon; visitation of John the Baptist

The theory that Joseph Smith copied the Book of Mormon from someone else’s writings was first introduced in 1834 in Eber D. Howe’s book, Mormonism Unvailed. It published materials gathered by Philastus Hurlbut which were intended to prove that the Book of Mormon came from a manuscript written by Solomon Spaulding (sometimes also spelled Spalding) in 1812. The claim that Joseph Smith used Spaulding’s writings as the source for the Book of Mormon has come to be known as the “Spaulding theory.”

A polemical article attempting to discredit the Book of Mormon. The writer notes similarities between Book of Mormon and New Testament language and doctrines. Various anachronisms are mentioned such as the usage of the phrase “it came to pass,” poor grammar, modern ideas, a Christian Church before Christ, Gadianton robbers are viewed as nineteenth-century Masons, and lack of Israelite festivals and geographical evidences.

The first LDS biblical commentary

The first LDS biblical commentary

The first LDS biblical commentary

Mr. Hale handled the box that contained the gold plates but was not allowed to look. Tells how Martin Harris came to assist in the translation, how the 116 pages were lost, and concerning Oliver Cowdery as scribe. Finds that the whole affair was a “silly fabrication of falsehood and wickedness”

Responds to attacks against the Book of Mormon dealing with the Spaulding Manuscript, the birth of Jesus at Jerusalem, the ascription of Mary as the “mother of God,” and the appearance of Jesus to the Lehites.

Further discussion on the gathering of Israel; biblical prophecies on the restoration of Israel; “rehearsal of what was communicated” to Joseph Smith by Moroni; summary of Book of Mormon teachings concerning the redemption of Israel in the latter days.

Description of Joseph Smith’s discovery of the golden plates; description of the hill in Palmyra, N.Y. “in which these records were deposited”; location identified as the “hill Cumorah”; identified as the same location where the Nephites and Jaredites were exterminated

Visitation of Moroni to Joseph Smith in 1823; description of Moroni’s physical appearance and instructions to Joseph Smith

Description of the topography of the hill Cumorah; description of the “cement” box in which the plates were deposited; description of Joseph Smith’s first attempt to retrieve the plates; extensive quotations of Moroni’s teachings and instructions to Joseph Smith; history of Joseph Smith from 1823–1827; concluding remarks

Praises Orson Pratt’s skills in explaining and defending the Book of Mormon.

The earliest known reference guide to the Book of Mormon. Items listed are in order of pagination. The references refer to the chapters of the Book of Mormon and describe the contents of the chapter.

Blustery article on the Book of Mormon and its production by “Joe Smith,” Martin Harris, and Oliver Cowdery. Accepts the Spaulding story.

Reiterates his testimony as one of the Eight Witnesses of the Book of Mormon. Testimony is borne with conviction.

An account of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and the receiving of the gold plates by Joseph Smith.

Relates the Book of Mormon to American Indians and the gathering of Israel.

Contains information about “traces of an Egyptian custom in Kentucky,” “traits of the Mosaic history found” among the Indians of Mexico, and the “great stone calendar of the Mexicans”

In November 1837, the second issue of the church’s new periodical, Elders’ Journal of the Church of Latter Day Saints, was published in Kirtland, Ohio. The paper was first published in October 1837 as an instrument for the elders of the church to “communicate to others, all things pertaining to their mission, and calling as servants of the living God, and messengers of righteousness to the nations among whom they are sent.” As editor of the Elders’ Journal, JS was ultimately responsible for its content, including editorial selections in the November issue that introduced conference minutes, prefaced a letter from Orson Hyde in England, articulated an editorial philosophy, and implored subscribers to remit payment for their subscriptions. Though JS authored an account of his trip to Missouri and an attending list of questions, the extent of his involvement in writing the other editorial pieces is unclear.2 Given that he did not return to Kirtland from Far West, Missouri, until 10 December 1837, the November issue was likely not published until after that date.

One of the first major exposes of the Book of Mormon. The author considers the book “trash,” “vulgar,” and utterly devoid of merit. He provides a plethora of examples of what he considers bad English, modern phraseology and language, anachronistic statements, contradictions with the Bible, and absurdities. Provides a fairly good summary of common objections to the Book of Mormon.

A careful reading of the Book of Mormon exposes its “meanness” of diction, error in language, contradictions, and gross blasphemies. Any intelligent thinking person could not be deceived by such hypocrisy. The Book of Mormon is directly opposed to the Bible. The Book of Mormon is a book of plagiarism, filled with fraud. Favors the Spaulding theory.

Denounces Mormonism and the Book of Mormon that breathes “a spirit of cruelty” that is common in every man-devised religion. Through its doctrine of endless misery Mormonism consigns to hell those who do not believe in it.

The Elders’ Journal, which published two issues in Kirtland, Ohio, in 1837 before the church’s printing office was destroyed, was reestablished in Far West, Missouri, in 1838, after JS and most other church leaders migrated from Kirtland to Far West. Thomas B. Marsh was the proprietor of the newspaper, and JS was the editor, though the amount and nature of JS’s involvement and editorial oversight is unclear.1 By May 1838, JS and Sidney Rigdon began working on material for the first Far West issue, dated July 1838.2 Ultimately, two issues were published in Missouri, dated July 1838 and August 1838. The July issue included letters to and from church elders serving proselytizing missions, as well as articles, minutes of meetings, and other items.3 The August issue contained similar material, including an editorial by JS and a letter that the First Presidency commissioned George W. Robinson to write to Latter-day Saints who had not yet gathered to Missouri. The August issue also included an obituary for Ethan Barrows Jr., who died in mid-August 1838,4 indicating that the issue was published sometime in the second half of the month or later.

Corrill presents a short history of the Church, including his thorough investigation of the Book of Mormon, his ultimate acceptance of it, his conversion to the Church, and the reasons he left the Church.

A purported denial of Mormonism, allegedly made by Oliver Cowdery in 1839. Likely a spurious account that denies Mormonism, and questions the truth of the Book of Mormon and the translation process. See Anderson, Richard Lloyd. “Oliver Cowdery’s Testimony” Ensign 17 (April 1987): 23-25.

The wife of Solomon Spaulding, Matilda Spaulding Davidson, provides reasons why Spaulding wrote Manuscript Found. She believes that the Book of Mormon is built on Manuscript Found and that Sidney Rigdon had access to the manuscript left by Spaulding at the printing office of Mr. Patterson sometime between the years 1812 and 1816.

The wife of Solomon Spaulding, Matilda Spaulding Davidson, provides reasons why Spaulding wrote Manuscript Found. She believes that the Book of Mormon is built on Manuscript Found and that Sidney Rigdon had access to the manuscript left by Spaulding at the printing office of Mr. Patterson sometime between the years 1812 and 1816.

The wife of Solomon Spaulding, Matilda Spaulding Davidson, provides reasons why Spaulding wrote Manuscript Found. She believes that the Book of Mormon is built on Manuscript Found and that Sidney Rigdon had access to the manuscript left by Spaulding at the printing office of Mr. Patterson sometime between the years 1812 and 1816.

A polemical tract based on a lecture given to a Methodist congregation in Alston in 1838. The Book of Mormon is “a foolish and wicked forgery” that has no historical basis whatsoever. It is a book full of anachronistic statements, absurdities, and contradictions with the Bible.

Synopsis of an Address by President Joseph Smith, Delivered in Commerce, Illinois, Tuesday, June 2, 1839. Reported By: Unknown.

A letter from John Green reporting the activities of the mission in New Jersey. The elders had borne testimony concerning the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.