An Insider's View of Mormon Origins
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An Insider's View of Mormon Origins is a controversial book on the origins of Mormonism written by Grant H. Palmer, a retired CES instructor and Institute director with a master's degree in history, who is also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Palmer's stated purpose in writing the book was to incorporate recent critical historical and scholarly studies of LDS history in an orthodox defense of the faith. He claimed that his aim was to "increase faith, not diminish it."[1]
Contents |
[edit] Overview of the book
The book covers topics in early Mormon history:
- Joseph Smith's claim to have translated the Book of Mormon from a set of golden plates.
- The "Joseph Smith Translation" of the King James Bible.
- Smith's translation of the Book of Abraham from Egyptian papyri.
- The Kinderhook Plates hoax.
- Theories of Book of Mormon authorship and the source material that Palmer believes was used.
- A theory that the story of the angel Moroni delivering the golden plates to Smith was derived from a fantasy story by E. T. A. Hoffmann called The Golden Pot.
- Theories regarding the official witnesses to the Book of Mormon.
- Early accounts of priesthood restoration and LDS authority claims.
- Smith's First Vision.
[edit] Origin and development of the book
An early draft of Insiders View of Mormon Origins called New York Mormonism was developed and written by Palmer under the pseudonym "Paul Pry, Jr." prior to Palmer's retirement from his job in the LDS Church Educational System (CES).[2] This work was influenced in part by Palmer's original acceptance of Mark Hofmann's "salamander letter" forgery as being valid and supportive of his view.[3] Palmer states that the "salamander letter" caused him to explore Joseph Smith's "mystical mindset".[4] Palmer extensively cites affidavits included in E.D. Howe's book Mormonism Unvailed, but does not actually list the book itself in his bibiography.[5]
[edit] LDS response to Palmer's book
LDS scholars and apologists dispute Palmer's claim that his intent is to "increase faith", and instead regard him as a skeptic. Some speculate that Palmer may be a cultural Mormon, whose research has led him to believe that the Church is not entirely what it claims to be.[citation needed]
Palmer argues that "faith needs to be built on truth—what is, in fact, true and believable". This statement can be perceived to be in opposition to the methods used by practitioners of what has been termed "faithful history". Critics of "faithful history" argue that this sort of scholarship often appears to be based on conclusions, not evidence.[citation needed]
LDS critics of Palmer's book state that Palmer presents only one side of an issue and only uses evidence that supports his own views.[6] According to LDS scholars, Palmer relied extensively upon the Hurlbut affidavits from Eber D. Howe's book Mormonism Unvailed for the purpose of "overlaying run-of-the-mill treasure lore" onto Joseph Smith's original account of the recovery of the golden plates.[7] On the subject of Palmer's treatment of the witnesses to the existence of the golden plates from which the Book of Mormon was purported to have been translated, LDS scholars claim that Palmer is determined "to portray the witnesses as confused simpletons living in a daze and unable to tell the difference between what they saw and what they imagined."[8]
[edit] Response to LDS criticism of Palmer's book
The critics of Palmer's book have themselves been critiqued. Responding to five negative reviews of Palmer's book by FARMS (the LDS affiliated Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies),[9] Ron Priddis states: "Is nothing beyond the reach of sarcasm by FARMS polemicists?" Priddis refers to the book reviews by FARMS as "tabloid scholarship." [10]
[edit] Church action against Palmer
Palmer was disfellowshipped from the Church in December 2004. Palmer has been quoted as saying that he still loves the church, and is pleased he wasn't excommunicated.[11] A disfellowshipped member retains church membership but loses certain privileges.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Palmer 2003, p. Preface, p. ix
- ^ Midgley 2003
- ^ Midgley 2003
- ^ Palmer, Grant. My Years in the Church Education System, 1967-2001. Signature Books. Retrieved on February 1, 2007.
- ^ Allen 2004, p. 271
- ^ Ashurst-McGee 2003
- ^ Ashurst-McGee 2003
- ^ Bitton 2003
- ^ Cobabe 2003
- ^ Priddis, Ron. A Reply to FARMS and the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute. Signature Books. Retrieved on February 1, 2007.
- ^ "Author of Controversial Book Disfellowshipped in Hearing", kutv.com, 12 Dec. 2004. Retrieved on February 1, 2007.
[edit] References
- Allen, James B (2004), "Asked and Answered:A Response to Grant H. Palmer", The FARMS Review 16(1) [link accessed 2007-02-01]
- Ashurst-McGee, Mark (2003), "A One-sided View of Mormon Origins", FARMS Review 15(2): 309-64 [link accessed 2007-02-01]
- Bitton, Davis (2003), "The Charge of a Man with a Broken Lance (But Look What He Doesn't Tell Us)", FARMS Review 15(2): 257-72 [link accessed 2007-02-01]
- Cobabe, George E (2003), A Summary of Five Reviews of Grant Palmer's "An Insider's View of Mormon Origins", Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research (FAIR) [link accessed 2007-02-07].
- Harper, Steven C (2003), "Trustworthy History?", FARMS Review 15(2): 273-308 [link accessed 2007-02-01]
- Midgley, Louis (2003), "Prying into Palmer", FARMS Review 15(2) [link accessed 2007-02-01]
- Palmer, Grant H (2002), An Insider's View of Mormon Origins, Signature Books, ISBN 1-56085-157-0
[edit] External links
- KUTV story on the disfellowship of Grant Palmer
- A review of An Insider's View of Mormon Origins
- A Summary of Five Reviews of Grant Palmer's "An Insider's View of Mormon Origins" of Palmer's book by LDS apologists at F.A.I.R. (Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research)
- A Reply to FARMS and the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute Signature Books response to FARMS reviews.
