Joseph Smith's Letters
In her final testimony, Emma Smith stated:
“Joseph Smith could neither write nor dictate a coherent and well-worded letter, let alone dictating a book like the Book of Mormon. And, though I was an active participant in the scenes that transpired, and was present during the translation of the plates, and had cognizance of things as they transpired, it is marvelous to me, ‘a marvel and a wonder,’ as much so as to anyone else..."
But is this true? Could Joseph Smith not write or dictate a well-worded letter? And if he could, what would it mean about the authenticity of the Book of Mormon?
Book of Mormon Student Manual
2024
In the Book of Mormon Seminary Teacher Manual published by the Church in 2024, for the section “2 Nephi 27: ‘A Marvelous Work and a Wonder’ it reads:
Emma Smith (1804–1879), the wife of the Prophet, testified of the divine assistance Joseph received in his translation of the Book of Mormon:
Joseph Smith could neither write nor dictate a coherent and well-worded letter, let alone dictat[e] a book like the Book of Mormon. And, though I was an active participant in the scenes that transpired, … it is marvelous to me, “a marvel and a wonder.” …
Foundations of the Restoration Class Preparation Material
Dec. 2019
In the Foundations of the Restoration Class Preparation Material for Religion 225, published by the Church in December 2019, Lesson 5 gives an overview of the Book of Mormon, quoting Emma Smith.
Emma Smith, wife of the Prophet Joseph Smith, explained: “[At that time] Joseph Smith … could neither write nor dictate a coherent and well-worded letter; let alone dictating a book like the Book of Mormon. And, though I was an active participant in the scenes that transpired, and was present during the translation of the plates … it is marvelous to me, ‘a marvel and a wonder,’ as much so as to anyone else. … The Book of Mormon is of divine authenticity—I have not the slightest doubt of it” (“Last Testimony of Sister Emma,” The Saints’ Herald, Oct. 1, 1879, 290).
Latter-day Saint History: 1815-1846 Teacher Material
2018
In the Latter-day Saint History: 1815-1846 Teacher Material published by the Church in 2018, they quote Emma’s final testimony in “Lesson 4: Translating the Book of Mormon” then asks the following questions:
- What words or phrases from Emma’s statement support Joseph Smith’s testimony that the Book of Mormon was translated by the gift and power of God?
- How can knowing that the Book of Mormon was translated by the gift and power of God influence the way we view and study the book?
- How have you come to know that the Book of Mormon was translated by the gift and power of God?
Doctrine and Covenants
Student Manual Religion 324-325
2017
In the Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual for Religion 324-325, published by the Church in 2017, it reads in Chapter 14:
The Lord calls “the weak things of the world” to do His work (D&C 35:13), including Joseph Smith. The translation of the Book of Mormon illustrates one way in which the Lord blessed Joseph in his weakness. Near the end of her life, Emma Smith (1804–1879) testified:
“Joseph Smith [as a young man] … could neither write nor dictate a coherent and well-worded letter, let alone dictating a book like the Book of Mormon. And, though I was an active participant in the scenes that transpired, and was present during the translation of the plates, and had cognizance of things as they transpired, it is marvelous to me, ‘a marvel and a wonder,’ as much so as to anyone else. …
Revelations in Context
2016
In the Doctrine and Covenants companion manual titled Revelations in Context published by the Church in 2016, in the section “Thou Art An Elect Lady” they quote this passage from Emma.
Decades later, she marveled at what had happened. She recalled that at the time of their marriage Joseph “could neither write nor dictate a coherent and well-worded letter; let alone dictating a book like the Book of Mormon.”
Book of Mormon Student Manual Religion 212-122
2009
In the Book of Mormon Student Manual: Religion 121-122 published by the Church in 2009, it reads on page 10:
“Although the Prophet would polish his skills over the years, Emma acknowledged that Joseph possessed only rudimentary literacy at the time he translated the gold plates:
“‘Joseph Smith . . . could neither write nor dictate a coherent and well-worded letter; let alone dictating a book like the Book of Mormon. And, though I was an active participant in the scenes that transpired, it is marvelous to me, “a marvel and a wonder,” as much so as to any one else.’ (Ibid)” (“A Treasured Testament,” Ensign, July 1993, 62–63)
Biblical Language
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Nulla euismod condimentum felis vitae efficitur. Sed vel dictum quam, at blandit leo.
Original Letter
Oct. 22, 1829
Handwriting of Frederick G. Williams
[text displayed as shown on the Joseph Smith Papers website]
Respected sir I would in form you that I arrived at home on sunday morning the 4th. after having a prosperous journy, and found all well the people are all friendly to <us> except a few who are in opposition to evry thing unless it is something that is axactly like themselves and two of our most formadable persacutors are now under censure and are cited to a tryal trial in the church for crimes which if true are worse than all the Gold Book business. we do not rejoice in the affliction of our enimies but we shall be glad to have truth prevail[.] there begins to be a great call for our books in this country the minds of the people are very much excited when they find that there is a copy right obtained and that there is really books about to be printed I have bought a horse of Mr. [Josiah] Stowell and want some one to come after it as soon as convenient Mr Stowell has a prospect of getting five or six hundred dollars he does not know certain that he can get it but he is a going to try and if he can get the money he wants to pay it in immediately for books we want to hear from you and know how you prosper in the good work, give our best respects to Father & Mother and all our brothers and Sisters to Mr. [Martin] Harris and all the company concerned tell them that our prayers are put up daily for them that they may be prospered in evry, good word and work and that they may be preserved from sin here and and from the consequen[c]e of sin here after and now dear brother be faithful in the discharge of evry duty looking for the reward of the righteous and now may God of his infinite mercy keep an<d> preserve us spotless untill his coming and receive us all to rest with him in eternal repose through the attonement of Christ our Lord Amen
Joseph Smith Jr
Book of Mormon Language
A diam sollicitudin tempor id eu. Laoreet suspendisse interdum consectetur libero id faucibus nisl tincidunt eget. Justo nec ultrices dui sapien eget. Tortor consequat id porta nibh venenatis cras. Consectetur libero id faucibus nisl tincidunt. Purus gravida quis blandit turpis cursus in hac habitasse platea.
Biblical Language
Philippians 4:1
Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may recieve mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
James 4:2
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire ot have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, becasue ye ask not.
Matthew 21:22
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall recieve.
Psalm 119:36
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
James 4:3
Ye ask, and recieve not, becuase ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
2 Timothy 4:8
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Matthew 10:22
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Matthew 24:13
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Revelation 3:11
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Acts 3:19
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
Philippians 14:13
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that i have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Revelation 14:13
And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Psalm 16:11
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Philippeans 4:1
Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
2 Corinthians 1:8
For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even life:
Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Matthew 10:16
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Acts 13:10
And said, O full of all subtility and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
Psalm 18:13
The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire
Luke 21:28
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and life up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh.
Isaiah 26:9
With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgements are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
Exodus 12:27
That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord's passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed teh head and worshipped.
Galatians 6:7
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that she he also reap.
Revelation 14:15
And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in the sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
Genesis 7:4
For yet seven dats, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.
Isaiah 14:27
For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?
Job 40:9
Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Acts 3:21
Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
Isaiah 11:12
And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
Isaiah 11:6
The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
2 Timothy 3:1
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
Jeremiah 14:12
When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.
Revelation 6:8
And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
Matthew 5:18
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Romans 9:28
For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
1 Corinthians 3:15
If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
2 Corinthians 13:14
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
Original Letter
Aug. 28, 1830
Handwriting of unknown scribe and others.
Dearly beloved in the Lord
We are under necessity to disappoint you this time for reasons which I shall mention hereafter, but trusting that your meeting may not be an unprofitable one May you all realize the necessity of getting together often to pray [p. 128] and supplicate at the Throne of grace, that the spirit of the Lord may always rest upon you. Remember that without asking we can receive nothing, therefore ask in faith, and ye shall receive such blessings as God sees fit to bestow upon you. Pray not with covetous hearts that ye may consume it upon your lusts, but pray earnestly for the best gifts— fight the good fight of faith, that ye may gain the Crown which is laid up in for those [p. 129] that endure faithful unto the end of their probation. Therefore hold fast that which ye have received so liberally from the hand of God so that when the time of refreshing shall come ye may not have labored in vain, but that ye may rest from all your labors and have fulness of joy in the Kingdom of God.
“Dearly beloved brethren we are not ignorant of your tribulation, knowing that ye are placed among ravening [p. 130] wolves, therefore we have the more earnest desire to come to see you, but our friends from the west have not yet come, and we can get no horse and wagon, and we are not able to come afoot so far, therefore we cannot come this Saturday, but we look for our friends from the west every day and with safety we can promise to come next Saturday, if the Lord will; therefore our desire is that ye should assemble yourselves together next Saturday [p. 131] So that all things will be in order when we come. Be careful that the enemy of all righteousness will not get the advantage over you in getting the news abroad. Were it not for the prayers of you few, the Almighty would have thundered down his wrath upon the inhabitants of that place; but be not faint, the day of your deliverance is not far distant, for the judgements of the Lord are already abroad in the earth, and the cold hand of [p. 132] death, will soon pass through your neighborhood, and sweep away some of your most bitter enemies, for you need not suppose that God will be mocked at, and his commandments be trampled under their feet in such a manner as your enemies do, without visiting them in his wrath when they are fully ripe, and behold the angel cries, thrust in your sickle for the harvest is fully ripe; and the earth will soon be reaped.
— that is, the wicked [p. 133] must soon be destroyed from off the face of the earth, for the Lord hath spoken it, and who can stay the hand of the Lord, or who is there that can measure arms with the Almighty, for at his commands the heavens and the earth must pass away, for the day is fast hastening on when the restoration of all things shall be fulfilled, which all the Holy Prophets have prophecid of even unto the gathering in of the House of Israel. Then shall come to pass that the [p. 134] lion shall lie down with the lamb &c.
But brethren be not dis-couraged when we tell you of perilous times, for they must shortly come, for the sword, famine, and pestilence <are> approaching, for there shall be great destructions upon the face of this land, for ye need not suppose that one jot or tittle of the prophecies of all the Holy Prophets shall fail, and there are many that remain to be fulfilled [p. 135] yet, and the Lord hath said that a short work will he make of it, and the righteous shall be saved if it be as by fire.
“May the grace of God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost be and abide with you from henceforth and forever, Amen.
John Whitmer
Joseph Smith
Book of Mormon Language
Alma 26:9
these our dearly beloved brethren, who have so dearly beloved us...
Alma 17:13
And it came to pass when they had arrived in the borders of the land of the Lamanites, that they separated themselves and departed one from another, trusting in the Lord that they should meet again
Mosiah 4:21
And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another.
Mormon 9:28
...ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and living God.
2 Nephi 31:16
And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved.
Alma 40:12
And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.
3 Nephi 28:10
And for this cause ye shall have fulness of joy; and ye shall sit down in the kingdom of my Father; yea, your joy shall be full, even as the Father hath given me fulness of joy; and ye shall be even as I am, and I am even as the Father; and the Father and I are one;
Summary of August 28, 1830 Letter
The letter is a total of sixteen sentences over two substantive paragraphs. In those sixteen sentences, there are thirty seven scriptural phrases or allusions from nineteen books:
- Philippians, First and Second Timothy, Hebrews, James, Psalms, Matthew, Revelation, Acts, First and Second Corinthians, Luke, Isaiah, Exodus, Galatians, Genesis, Job, Jeremiah, and Romans.
Three sentences have five references, one sentence has seven references alone.
Direct quotations are approximately 35% of the letter’s text, while paraphrases and allusions are another 40% of the letter’s text.
Biblical Language
Original Letter
Dec. 2, 1830
Handwriting of Joseph Smith and John Whitmer
[text displayed as shown on the Joseph Smith Papers website]
Dearly beloved in the Lord
According to your prayers, the Lord hath called, chosen, ordained, sanctified and sent unto you, another servant and Apostle separated unto his gospel through Jesus Christ his our Redeemer, to whom be all honor & praise henceforth and forever— even our beloved brother Orson Pratt, the bearer of these lines. Whom I recommend unto you as a faithful Servant [p. 196] in the Lord, through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, Amen.
To the Church in Colesville—
Having many things to write to you, but being assured that ye are not ignorant of all that I can write to you, finally I would inform you that Zion is prospering here, there are many serious inquirers in this place, who are seeking the Lord. It gave us much joy to hear from you, to hear that God is softening the hearts of the children of men [p. 197] in that place, it being the seat of Satan. But blessed be the name of God, it also hath become the abode of our savior, and may you all be faithful and wait for the time of our Lord, for his appearing is night at hand. But the time, and the season, Brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you, for ye yourselves perfectly know that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night: for when they shall say peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh [p. 198] upon them, as travail upon a woman, but they shall not escape. But ye, brethren are not in darkness, therefore let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch and be sober, for they that sleep, sleep in the night, and they that be drunken are drunken in the night, but let us who be of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and law, and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us unto wrath; but to obtain [p. 199] [sa]lvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore comfort one another, even as ye also do; for perilous times are at hand, for behold the dethronement and deposition of the kings in the eastern continent,— the whirlwinds in the West India Islands, it has destroyed a number of vessels, uprooted buildings and strewed them in the air; the fields of spices have been destroyed, and the inhabitants have barely escaped with their lives, [p. 200] and many have been buried under the ruins. In Columbia, South America, they are at war and peace is taken from the earth in part. and it will soon be in whole, yea destructions are at our doors, and they soon will be in the houses of the wicked, and they that know not God. Yea lift up your heads and rejoice for your redemption draweth nigh. We are the most favored people that ever have been from the foundation of the world, if we remain faith [p. 201] ful in keeping the commandments of our God. Yea, even Enoch, the seventh from Adam beheld our day and rejoiced, and the prophets from that day forth have prophecied of the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and rejoiced at the day of the rest of the Saints, Yea, and the Apostle of our Savior also did rejoice in his appear[d] in a cloud with the host of Heaven, to dwell with man on the earth a thousand years. Therefore we have reason to [p. 202] rejoice. Behold the prophecies of the Book of Mormon are fulfilling as fast as time can bring it about. The Spirit of the Living God is upon me therefore who will say that I shall not prophecy. The time is soon at hand that we shall have to flee whithersoever the Lord will, for safety, Fear not those who are making you an offender for a word but be faithful in witnessing unto a crooked and a perverse generation, that thy the day of the coming of our Lord and Savior [p. 203] is at hand. Yea, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make strait his path. Who will shrink because of offences, for offences must come, but woe to them by whom they come, for the rock must fall on them and grind them to powder, for the fulness of the gentiles is come in, and woe will be unto them if they do not repent and be baptized in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins, and come in at the strait gate [p. 204] and be numbered with the House of Israel, for God will not always be mocked, and not pour out his wrath upon those that blaspheme his holy name, for the sword, famines and destruction will soon overtake them in their wild career, for God will avenge, and pour out his phials of wrath, and save his elect. And all those who will obey his commandments are his elect, and he will soon gather them from the four winds of heaven, from [p. 205] one quarter of the earth to the other, to a place whithersoever he will, therefore in your patience possess ye your souls. Amen.
Joseph Smith Junr.
John Whitmer.
Book of Mormon Language
Handwriting of Joseph Smith and John Whitmer
[text displayed as shown on the Joseph Smith Papers website]
Dearly beloved in the Lord
According to your prayers, the Lord hath called, chosen, ordained, sanctified and sent unto you, another servant and Apostle separated unto his gospel through Jesus Christ his our Redeemer, to whom be all honor & praise henceforth and forever— even our beloved brother Orson Pratt, the bearer of these lines. Whom I recommend unto you as a faithful Servant [p. 196] in the Lord, through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, Amen.
To the Church in Colesville—
Summary of December 2, 1830 Letter
This letter is a total of thirty sentences over six paragraphs. In those thirty sentences, there are forty three scriptural phrases or allusions from twenty-one books:
- Romans, First Corinthians, First and Second Timothy, Second Peter, Amos, Psalms, Revelation, Job, First and Second Thessalonians, James, Daniel, Jeremiah, Luke, Jude, Isaiah, Philippians, Matthew, Acts, and Galatians.
One sentence has ten references alone; Joseph quotes almost verbatim from eight verses from First Thessalonians Chapter 5.
Direct quotations are approximately 40-50% of the letter’s text, while paraphrases and allusions are another 30% of the letter’s text.