Conservatism In The 19th Century

Mormonism originates from claims of revelation by God to New York farmer Joseph Smith, in the 19th century. According to his account, God and Jesus appeared to him and ordered him not to join any currently organized religion, for they were all imperfect. He was then told to await a visit by an angel for further instruction (Gutjahr 15). On September 21st, the angel Moroni visited Joseph and instructed him to dig up ancient golden plates buried near his home (Gutjahr 15). Joseph obeyed, going to the hill where the angel directed. There he dug up the plates just as the angel had said. Along with the golden plates, Joseph found ancient instruments called the “Urim” and “Thumim”, referred to as the interpreters, which would be used to translate the plates (Gutjahr 16). Joseph then began to translate the writing on the plates using the interpreters. The plates were said to be written in “Reformed Egyptian”, which no one else was able to read (Gutjahr 5). According to Martin Harris, when Joseph was translating, words would “‘Apper in Brite Roman Letters. Then he would tell the writer and he would write it. Then that would go away the next sentence would Come and so on’” (Gutjahr 24). Joseph eventually translated the majority of the plates, which made up the Book of Mormon, the Mormon holy text. He was unable to translate some sections, which apparently were prophecies about the future. The validity of the plates became the source of conflict as Joseph’s fame grew. …show more content…
For three years, Joseph had defended the plates from individuals who wished to obtain them (Gutjahr 17). First, treasure hunters attempted to steal the plates for their value as an artifact. Later, a mob threatened to tar and feather Joseph if he refused to show them the writing on the plates (Gutjahr 19). Joseph recruited wealthy farmer Martin Harris for financial support; Harris helped him translate by recording what Joseph dictated. Desiring confirmation of their authenticity, Harris took the plates to several language scholars. He claimed that one of the scholars, Charles Anthon, had confirmed that the plates were genuine but then withdrew his endorsement. Anthon denied he had ever made such confirmation, but it was enough for Harris. Throughout the whole process, Joseph maintained strict secrecy—no one but he was allowed to see the plates during translation. Even with Harris, Joseph translated from behind a curtain (Gutjahr 20). This led Harris to begin to doubt again if the operation was a hoax. Joseph allowed him to take the partially completed manuscript to show to his family. Harris did so, but became so loose with the manuscript that he would show it to almost anyone who asked (Gutjahr 21). Then the manuscript, which was known as the Book of Lehi, disappeared forever. Following this, the angel Moroni returned to Joseph and commanded him to return the plates and interpreters, and to not retranslate the lost manuscript (Gutjahr 22). On September 22, 1828, the angel brought the plates and interpreters back and Joseph continued translating. Joseph then recruited Oliver Cowdery to join the operation. Cowdery once said he tried to translate the plates’ writing by himself but was unable to (Gutjahr 26). With accusations of fraud increasing, Joseph relented and showed the plates to a small circle of disciples including Harris and Cowdery. When he