Book of Mormon vs. View of the Hebrews: Debunking the Plagiarism Claim

Did Joseph Smith copy the Book of Mormon from View of the Hebrews by Ethan Smith? In this episode, we examine one of the most common critical claims about the Book of Mormon’s origins and ask whether the evidence really holds up.

We break down what View of the Hebrews actually is, why critics compare it to the Book of Mormon, where the plagiarism theory came from, and whether the supposed parallels are truly compelling. We also look at issues like Oliver Cowdery, Ethan Smith, B.H. Roberts, Fawn Brodie, the CES Letter claims, and whether there is any real evidence of direct borrowing.

If you’ve heard the claim that Joseph Smith copied from View of the Hebrews, this episode gives historical context, textual analysis, and a clear response to one of the most repeated arguments against the Book of Mormon. 

===Informed Saints Credits===

Produced by The Ancient America Foundation

Producer: Spencer Clark

Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye

Show Notes and Further Sources:

https://mormonr.org/qnas/vFzgdj/the_book_of_mormon_and_view_of_the_hebrews

https://archive.org/details/adissertationon01smitgoog/page/n6/mode/1up

https://bhroberts.org/records/0rGxg3-bStRSd/s_w_l_scott_reports_on_debate_where_view_of_the_hebrews_was_claimed_to_be_a_source_of_plagiarism_for_the_book_of_mormon

https://bhroberts.org/records/8Lyyfk-vrdPjg/fawn_brodie_argues_that_voth_was_a_source_of_inspiration_for_joseph_smith

https://mormonr.org/qnas/sk58P/b_h_roberts_testimony

https://bhroberts.org/records/8Lyyfk-b4jsdk/richard_s_van_wagoner_speculates_that_oliver_cowdery_provided_js_with_voth_and_may_have_helped_print_the_book

https://bhroberts.org/records/jpNwrg-R4Fwqg/john_l_brooke_postulates_a_connection_between_ethan_smith_and_oliver_cowdery

https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byusq/vol39/iss1/7/

https://scripturecentral.org/archive/books/book/view-hebrews-1825-2nd-edition

https://scripturecentral.org/archive/presentations/report/finding-answers-bh-robertss-questions-and-unparallel

https://www.dialoguejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/Dialogue_V20N01_68.pdf

https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1068&context=msr

https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/EoM/id/4310

https://bhroberts.org/records/jpNwrg-qHmshg/terryl_givens_reviews_the_view_of_the_hebrews_issue_as_it_relates_to_the_book_of_mormon

https://rsc.byu.edu/book/view-hebrews

===Discover===

If any of our thoughts resonated with you, consider learning more about the single most influential book in our lives.

https://www.discoverbookofmormon.org/

===Content Disclaimer===

The views expressed represent ours alone and do not necessarily reflect the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

#BookOfMormon #ViewOfTheHebrews #JosephSmith #LDS #Mormon #BookOfMormonEvidence #Apologetics #ChurchHistory #Restoration #EthanSmith #CESLetter #ReligiousDebate #ScriptureStudy #FaithAndReason #InformedSaints