Grudunza wrote:I assume grindael doesn’t ascribe to the Spalding theory, from what he said before. I do like “Joseph Smith did it alone” more, as it’s cleaner with fewer moving parts, but if we were lining up possible suspects in a room, I think there is some interesting evidence/testimony worth bringing in Rigdon/Spalding for. The big stumbling point is putting Rigdon in contact with Joseph prior to the official story (i.e., before the Book of Mormon was published). There are some who claim they saw them together during those formative years, but it’s pretty thin and difficult to substantiate.
Joseph could've written the entire Book of Mormon by himself in the span of a few months. It's not a superhuman feat, like many people claim it is. I believe it's called "automatic writing;" where one has the ability to write extensively for prolonged periods of time. Think of L. Ron Hubbard, or Sayyid Ali Muhammad (known as, the Báb).
However, the problem I have with the "sole-authorship theory" is that, it would mean Joseph eventually disregarded many of the instructions in the Book of Mormon, and blatantly. And there is also the theology of the Book of Mormon as well, which Joseph would eventually reject. He was a clever man; so why would he make such a clear about-face? From what I understand, there were many in the early movement who called Joseph out on his reversal and caused much contention.
There is also this verse from the Book of Commandments, which to me seems to suggest that, somehow, the folly and the abominations of Joseph and whoever is for some purpose; because, in them, there will come some good:
And it shall come to pass, that there shall be a great work in the land even among the Gentiles, for their folly and their abominations shall be made manifest, in the eyes of all people: For I am God and mine arm is not shortened and I will show miracles, signs and wonders, unto all those who believe on my name [37:8-9].
I connect this verse with another verse:
and the rebellious shall be pierced with much sorrow, for their iniquities shall be spoken upon the housetops, and their secret acts shall be revealed; and the voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples [1:1].
Did Joseph have a plan for iniquity since the beginning? Is that what these verses are describing, or am I just misinterpreting them?