INTRODUCTION.

Ethan Smith originally published the First Edition of his Book, View of the Hebrews in 1823, at Poultney, Vermont. This is approximately 200 miles from Palmyra, New York. There have been some critics of the Book of Mormon who have made claimed that Joseph Smith used Ethan Smith's book as a source of information in writing the Mormon scripture.

The writer has read completely Ethan Smiths book and the Book of Mormon and bases the following analysis on the comparison of the two works.

There is the possibility that the View of the Hebrews was available to Joseph Smith prior to the publication of the Book of Mormon. An investigation has been made and a list compiled of the books that were in the library in Palmyra from 1820 to 1830. From examination of this list, Ethan Smith's book was not found among the list. This, of course, does not presuppose thot Joseph Sith could not have had access to the book from another source.

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Continuing the analysis, an impression of the overall comparison is significant. The writer was impressed to note that there was no similarity of story, location (other than general origin) or time. Ethan's story of the origin of the Indians is dated approximately 722 BC. when the Ten Tribes leave Jerusalem. He has them travel over the Beering Straits taking one and a half years to accomplish the journey. The Book of Mormon people came in three groups from Jerusalem by way of marine navigation, leaving in two time periods, approximately 2800 B.C. and 600 B.C. In the Book of Mormon there is a strong religious message given; the View of the Hebrews has no such message.

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CONCLUSION

For any person to suggest that the Book of Mormon thesis was adopted from ideas found in the View of the Hebrews suggests that a proper

comparison was not attempted.

The writer is of the opinion that Ethan Smith's book has a great value in authenticating the Book of Mormon. Since View of the Hebrews contains a collection of many of the teachings and legends secured by early American historians, it becomes very beneficial. The sources used were in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries so the legends of the Indians were less likely to be adulteratad by early Christian missionary teachings. Many of these stories contain elements which, when compared with the story of the Book of Mormon and the history of the Israelites, confirm and authenticate the origin of the customs, ceremonies and thought of the Indians with that of the old world. In fact, I would think that Ethan Smith has made a groat contribution towards substantiating the efficacy of the Book of Mormon as scripture.

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Miscellaneous Considerations.

1. Critics of the Book of Mormon who choose to think that Joseph Smith used View of the Hebrews in compiling the Book of Mormon do not necessarily think that the plot or plan is copied but rather that it may have suggested to him the idea of writing the Book of Mormon, and provided the source material. Their main point is that both books state that the Indians are of Hebraic origin. On this basis hangs their evidence!

2. It should be noted that Oliver Cowdery, Joseph's scribe when the Book of Mormon was being written, bad lived in Poultney, Vermont, from the age of three until the year 1825. This is the same small town where Ethan Smith 1ived and published his View of the Hebrews. In 1825 Oliver left Poultney and went to western New York, where he soon came in contact with the Smith family.