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PrevPrevious EpisodeWhat is the Dead Lee Scroll? (Part 5)
Next ExpisodeDaniel Stone on Forgotten ProphetNext

Buying the Spalding Conspiracy

Table of Contents: Buying the Spalding Conspiracy

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Mark Hofmann tried to create evidence of the Spalding Conspiracy.  There has long been a theory that Book of Mormon was plagiarized from a manuscript originally written by Solomon Spaulding (or Spalding.)  The problem with the theory is that there was never a connection between Joseph Smith and Solomon Spaulding—until Mark Hofmann came up with a document.  Steve Mayfield talks about buying this Hofmann forgery.

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Steve: So, in January of 2000, the former owner of Cosmic Aeroplane sold it to Ken Sanders who used to work there. He now had his own bookstore there in Salt Lake, Ken Sanders Books. Well he had it on display and I’m just sitting there just [thinking], “Oh, oh, I love it.” But it was like $4,000 they wanted for it. Well, I had enough in a credit card, so I bought it from him.

GT: Oh my goodness.

Steve: In August of 2000. So, for four years I owned a Hofmann.

GT: You knew it was a forgery.

Steve: Yeah, Yeah. I mean he sold it as that. The minute he sold it after I bought it, I take it back to the office and show George [Throckmorton.] He showed some things on the document that only he and I know.

I guess this proves there is a market for Hofmann forgeries!  What do you think of Steve’s purchase?

Check out our conversation, as well as Steve’s other conversations….

Mark Hofmann forged a document that attempted to tie Sidney Rigdon & Solomon Spalding together.  Steve discusses why it is a forgery.
Mark Hofmann forged a document that attempted to tie Sidney Rigdon & Solomon Spalding together. Steve discusses why it is a forgery.

194: What is the Dead Lee Scroll? (Mayfield)

193: John D. Lee’s Role in Mountain Meadows Massacre (Mayfield)

192: Mormons & the FBI (Mayfield)

191: Steve Mayfield: Crime Photographer (Mayfield)

190: Mormon Connection in Patty Hearst Kidnapping (Mayfield)

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More Podcasts with these Guests:

  • Mormons and Crime (Steve Mayfield)
  • Nephi's Voyage to New World (George Potter 1 of 4)
  • Hofmann’s Court Mistake (Part 11 of 13)
  • Why 3rd Bomb Wasn’t Suicide Attempt (Part 6 of 13)
  • Trials of Lee/Forgery

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

  • Guest: George Throckmorton, Steve Mayfield
  • Theology: Book of Mormon
  • Hofmann Bombings/Forgeries, Mormons & Crime, Spalding Conspiracy
  • Science Topics Covered: Mormon Science
  • Historical Mentions Mark Hoffman, Mark Hofmann, Mormon History, Sidney Rigdon, Solomon Spalding
  • Tags: Book of Mormon forgery, forgery, GT Podcast, iTunes, Lost Manuscript, Manuscript Found, Mark Hoffman, Mark Hofmann, plagiarism, Sidney Rigdon, Solomon Spalding, Spalding Conspiracy Theory, Spalding land deed, Spaulding

Tell me when the next episode drops!

PrevPrevious EpisodeWhat is the Dead Lee Scroll? (Part 5)
Next ExpisodeDaniel Stone on Forgotten ProphetNext
  • Date: September 10, 2018
  • Guest: George Throckmorton, Steve Mayfield
  • Theology: Book of Mormon
  • Hofmann Bombings/Forgeries, Mormons & Crime, Spalding Conspiracy
  • Science Topics Covered: Mormon Science
  • Historical Mentions Mark Hoffman, Mark Hofmann, Mormon History, Sidney Rigdon, Solomon Spalding
  • Tags: Book of Mormon forgery, forgery, GT Podcast, iTunes, Lost Manuscript, Manuscript Found, Mark Hoffman, Mark Hofmann, plagiarism, Sidney Rigdon, Solomon Spalding, Spalding Conspiracy Theory, Spalding land deed, Spaulding
  • 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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