Did Joseph Smith Use 19th-Century Bible Scholarship to produce the Book of Mormon? | Ep. 2002

New research by PhD student Colby Townsend reveals striking connections between The Book of Mormon and Adam Clarke’s Bible Commentary, a widely used biblical resource in Joseph Smith’s time. In this episode, we explore how Smith engaged with Clarke’s insights, made textual modifications, and reframed biblical passages to fit his theological vision. Was Smith restoring lost scripture, or was he influenced by contemporary scholarship?

Show Notes

YouTube

00:11:35 Summary of Joseph Smith using the Adam Clarke Commentary

00:17:06 During this time, this is NOT considered plagiarism

00:19:55 The new article by Colby Townsend

00:23:24 Clip of Hayley talking about Joseph Smith using the Bible Commentary

00:29:45 What were we taught about how the Book of Mormon was produced?

00:30:17 Quote from David Whitmer on the translation through the seer stone

00:35:00 The Expansion Theory

00:40:26 Quote from Emma on the Book of Mormon translation

00:42:33 Quote from Martin Harris on it being a direct translation

00:44:00 There is no account from Oliver Cowdery on the translation process; Oliver was also willing to lie

00:44:51 Clip of Brad Wilcox on how the Book of Mormon was translation

00:48:08 Background of Colby Townsend

00:50:08 Quotes from the article

00:57:55 Joseph used other Bible Commentaries

01:02:00 Conclusion from Colby Townsend’s article

01:07:40 Clip of the the Bible not having plain and precious things being removed

01:09:25 Clip - The Book of Mormon is to bring back the things lost from the Bible

01:11:20 2 Nephi 11:2 Nephi talks about the importance of Isaiah

01:22:43 Quote from the Colby’s article about how Joseph was well versed in the Bible

01:24:55 Dan Vogel’s theory about the presence of Isaiah in the Book of Mormon

01:26:14 Colby Townsend discussing Joseph and Methodism

01:29:25 Adam Clarke’s Biblical Commentary

01:33:35 Joseph’s access to Clarke

01:40:00 Comparing The Book of Mormon to the Adam Clarke Commentary

01:49:35 Joseph copying both the KJV and then Adam Clarke’s commentary

01:58:38 Next example in Isaiah 50:2 “their fish is dried up”

02:12:20 The example of Isaiah 2: 12-16 “cedars and oaks” and “high mountains and lofty hills”

02:18:45 Isaiah 9:3 “thou hast increased their joy”

02:24:20 Gerardo found his own examples

02:32:24 Examples in Isaiah 14:3 “in that day”

02:38:59 Isaiah 49:1 “O ye distant lands”

02:48:10 Example Isaiah 29:11 “read it, for it is sealed up”

02:56:50 If this is the most correct book why was so much of it changed?

Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!

Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:

• One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox
• Support us on Patreon
• PayPal
• Venmo

Our Platforms:

• YouTube
• Patreon
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts

Contact us:
[email protected]
PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Social Media:

• Insta: @mormstories
• TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast
• Join the Discord