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PrevPrevious EpisodeLDS Succession Crisis (Part 6)
Next ExpisodeWomen Have Priesthood Since 1843! (Part 8)Next

Smith & Strang Translation Process (Part 7)

Table of Contents: Smith & Strang Translation Process (Part 7)

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We’re continuing our discussion of the Succession Crisis. Strang was known to translate the Voree Plates. How does that compare to Book of Mormon translation process Joseph Smith did? Michael Quinn tells his beliefs about the translation process of the Book of Mormon.

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GT: Do you have an opinion on the Book of Mormon?

Michael:  Yes, I believe it is written based on ur-text? I believe it’s tribal history. The way the Old Testament was tribal history originally told around campfires and that the Book of Mormon is based on an actual ur-text, written ur-text, Gold plates. I believe those. But I don’t think that everything in the published 1830 Book of Mormon derives from that ur-text, derives from that ur-text.  That’s a German phrase: Ur-text meaning the original text. I don’t believe that. I mean, there are things in there you can see as Joseph Smith’s understanding of the Bible. You can see things in there that reflect attitudes of the people at the time.

James Strang was a big rival to the Brigham Young movement. He claims to have a letter from Joseph Smith putting him in charge of the LDS Church. Dr. Michael Quinn tells why he believes the letter was a forgery.

GT: So what do you think about Strang’s claim?

Michael: Absolute fraud.

GT:  Really?

Michael: Oh yes.

GT: Oh Wow.  Why do you say that?

Michael:  The document itself was hand-printed.

GT: Okay.

Michael: The signature was hand-printed.

GT: Really?

Michael:  Joseph never did that. No, it’s an absolute fraud.

GT: Absolute fraud.

Michael: Yeah.

GT: I know that some…

Michael: But he was a charismatic fraud, which is why people followed him because Brigham Young did not come across as charismatic even though he spoke in tongues and sang in tongues.

Check out our conversation… as well as our other conversations with Dr. Quinn!

Both Joseph Smith & James Strang translated plates. How do they compare. What are Dr. Quinn's thoughts on Book of Mormon translation?
Both Joseph Smith & James Strang translated plates. How do they compare. What are Dr. Quinn’s thoughts on Book of Mormon translation?

187: LDS Succession Crisis (Quinn)

186: Quinn on Hofmann (Quinn)

185: “The Church Makes No Distinction Between God & Mammon” (Quinn)

184: Would LDS Church Income Ever Support a Paid Ministry?(Quinn)

183: Are LDS Church Revenues really $50 Billion/Year? (Quinn)

182: Michael Quinn Discusses Deseret Hemp Company (Quinn)

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More Podcasts with these Guests:

  • Michael Quinn: The Full Interview
  • Deep Dive Mormon Schisms (John Hamer 2 of 2)
  • Succession Crisis (John Hamer 1 of 2)
  • Remembering Michael Quinn (Part 2 of 5)
  • My Cousin Vinny - Alice Cooper's Mormon Roots (Part 10)

Get more information on the people and things discussed in this episode:

  • Guest: John Hamer, Michael Quinn
  • Denomination: Brighamites, Strangites
  • Theology: Book of Mormon, Mormon Scripture
  • Succession Crisis
  • Historical Mentions James Strang, Mormon History
  • Tags: Book of Mormon translation, forgery, GT Podcast, iTunes, James Strang

Tell me when the next episode drops!

PrevPrevious EpisodeLDS Succession Crisis (Part 6)
Next ExpisodeWomen Have Priesthood Since 1843! (Part 8)Next
  • Date: August 20, 2018
  • Guest: John Hamer, Michael Quinn
  • Denomination: Brighamites, Strangites
  • Theology: Book of Mormon, Mormon Scripture
  • Succession Crisis
  • Historical Mentions James Strang, Mormon History
  • Tags: Book of Mormon translation, forgery, GT Podcast, iTunes, James Strang
  • Posted By: RickB

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Rick Bennett, Host of Gospel Tangents

Rick Bennett is the friendly, independent historian at the heart of Gospel Tangents LDS Podcast: The Best Source for Mormon History, Science, and Theology. When he isn't interviewing Mormon scholars, prophets, and others, he is teaching math and statistics at Utah Valley University. He also freelances as a research biostatistician in the fields of Dermatology and Traumatic Brian Injuries, as well as in the network television/cable T.V. industries as a sports statistician. Rick holds a Master of Statistics Degree from the University of Utah.

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