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I Have A Question: Some scholars have implied that the Book of Mormon and LDS theology are products of Joseph Smith’s environment. To what extent did Joseph Smith’s environment influence the theological developments of the Church?

TitleI Have A Question: Some scholars have implied that the Book of Mormon and LDS theology are products of Joseph Smith’s environment. To what extent did Joseph Smith’s environment influence the theological developments of the Church?
Publication TypeMagazine Article
Year of Publication1992
AuthorsPorter, Larry C.
MagazineEnsign
Volume22
Issue Number6
Pagination27-29
Date PublishedJune 1992
KeywordsAuthorship; Smith, Joseph, Jr.; Translation
Abstract

Rejects the so-called environment theory for the origin of the Book of Mormon. Discredits Indian, philosophical, historical, and literary influences (such as the Spaulding manuscript) upon the Book of Mormon. Contemporary religious thought appears to have been influential because the Book of Mormon answers and clarifies fundamental theological issues, but the only true source of influence upon the Book of Mormon was that of the Holy Ghost.
URLhttps://www.lds.org/ensign/1992/06/i-have-a-question/to-what-extent-did-joseph-smiths-environment-influence-the-theological-developments-of-the-church?lang=eng

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