Salamander letter
The salamander letter was a controversial document about the history of the Latter Day Saint movement. The letter was one of hundreds of documents concerning the history of the Latter Day Saint movement that surfaced in the early 1980s. The salamander letter presented a view of the life of the movement's founder, Joseph Smith, that stood sharply at odds with the commonly accepted version of the early progression of the church Smith established.
Initially accepted by some document experts and collectors, and rejected by others,[1][page needed] the salamander letter generated much discussion and debate inside and outside the Latter Day Saint movement. Kenneth W. Rendell, a prominent dealer of historical papers, lent credence to the salamander letter by stating that the ink, paper, and postmark were all consistent with the period; he concluded that "there is no indication that the document is a forgery."[2] The document was later demonstrated to be a forgery created by Mark Hofmann, who had been responsible for the forgery of many other notable documents. Rendell then recast his conclusion, stating that while there was "the absence of any indication of forgery in the letter itself, there was also no evidence that it was genuine."[3]
Contents
The contents of the letter implied a
The letter presented a version of the recovery of the golden plates which contrasted with the orthodox version of events as related by Joseph Smith and the Latter Day Saint movement, which would have, if true, confirmed some controversial aspects of Smith's life. Smith had been accused of "treasure digging" and using a "seer stone," which was later confirmed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).[4]
According to the letter, when Smith dug up the plates a "salamander" appeared, which transformed itself into a spirit that refused to give Smith the plates unless his brother, Alvin Smith, was also present. This would have been very difficult, as Alvin was dead at the time of the alleged appearance. This reference may have been an attempt by Hofmann to associate the recovery of the gold plates to a rumor that Alvin's grave was dug up by Smith's family to use Alvin's remains in a magical ceremony.
Hofmann's use of a salamander drew upon legends about certain animals having supernatural powers. Hofmann may have been inspired by the early anti-Mormon book, Mormonism Unvailed (1834), which claimed that a toad-like animal was rumored to have appeared to Smith in conjunction with the recovery of the plates.
Text
- Palmyra October 23d 1830
- Dear Sir
- Your letter of yesterday is received & I hasten to answer as fully as I can—Joseph Smith Jr first come to my notice in the year 1824 in the summer of that year I contracted with his father to build a fence on my property in the corse [sic] of that work I approach Joseph & ask how it is in a half day you put up what requires your father & 2 brothers a full day working together he says I have not been with out assistance but can not say more only you better find out the next day I take the older Smith by the arm & he says Joseph can see any thing he wishes by looking at a stone Joseph often sees Spirits here with great kettles of coin money it was Spirits who brought up rock because Joseph made no attempt on their money I latter [sic] dream I converse with spirits which let me count their money when I awake I have in my hand a dollar coin which I take for a sign Joseph describes what I seen in every particular says he the spirits are grieved so I through [sic] back the dollar in the fall of the year 1827 I hear Joseph found a gold bible I take Joseph aside & he says it is true I found it 4 years ago with my stone but only just got it because of the enchantment the old spirit come to me 3 times in the same dream & says dig up the gold but when I take it up the next morning the spirit transfigured himself from a white salamander in the bottom of the hole & struck me 3 times & held the treasure & would not let me have it because I lay it down to cover over the hole when the spirit says do not lay it down Joseph says when can I have it the spirit says one year from to day if you obay [sic] me look to the stone after a few days he looks the spirit says bring your brother Alvin Joseph says he is dead shall I bring what remains but the spirit is gone Joseph goes to get the gold bible but the spirit says you did not bring your brother you can not have it look to the stone Joseph looks but can not see who to bring the spirit says I tricked you again look to the stone Joseph looks & sees his wife on the 22d day of Sept 1827 they get the gold bible—I give Joseph $50 to move him down to Pa Joseph says when you visit me I will give you a sign he gives me some hieroglyphics I take then to Utica Albany & New York in the last place Dr Mitchel gives me an introduction to Professor Anthon says he they are short hand Egyption [sic] the same what was used in ancient times bring me the old book & I will translate says I it is made of precious gold & is sealed from view says he I can not read a sealed book—Joseph found some giant silver spectacles with the plates he puts them in an old hat & in the darkness reads the words & in this way it is all translated & written down—about the middle of June 1829 Joseph takes me together with Oliver Cowdery & David Whitmer to have a view of the plates our names are appended to the book of Mormon which I had printed with my own money—space and time both prevent me from writing more at present if there is any thing further you wish to inquire I shall attend to it
- Yours Respect
- Martin Harris
Initial assessments of authenticity
The letter was initially deemed authentic by experienced document examiners, however this conclusion is disputed.
Purchase and publicity
The letter was initially offered to
In the
Suspicion and resolution
Hofmann drew suspicion for discovering so many astounding documents that others had missed, including the so-called "Oath of a Freeman", which he was attempting to sell to the Library of Congress.
By early 1984,
Hofmann was struggling under massive debt and falling behind on delivering on deals that he had made. In 1985, when he learned that the pedigree of the salamander letter was under widespread suspicion, he produced and placed a number of bombs. They were detonated with a mercury switch, but without a safety switch. Two people were killed: Christensen at his office, the main target; and Kathleen Sheets at her home. That bomb was intended as a diversion, to draw off investigators by causing them to focus on unrelated business dealings between Christensen and Sheets's husband. Hofmann himself was subsequently injured when a third bomb went off prematurely in his car. That bomb exploded in a way that most of the blast did not hit Hofmann.
The police investigated these bombings, and during a search of Hofmann's home found a studio in the basement where he could create counterfeited documents as well as a semi-automatic carbine which had been converted to full automatic fire. Many of the documents Hofmann sold or donated were proven to be forgeries by a new forensic technique developed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, chiefly to detect his forgeries.
The Salt Lake City Police Department used Utah State special agent and forensic examiner George Throckmorton and Arizona document examiner William Flynn to examine a poem supposedly written by Harris and placed in his old Book of Common Prayer and determined it had actually been created by Hofmann. Hofmann used the poem to authenticate the writing in the salamander letter. Although this was enough proof by itself that the letter was a forgery, Throckmorton and Flynn bolstered their case by getting in touch with Frances Magee, the widow of a descendant of Robert Harris. Magee's family had owned the book for many years, and Magee told investigators that she'd never seen the poem before. She suspected someone had planted it there after she sold the book. Hofmann ultimately pleaded guilty to his forgeries and murders and was sentenced to life in prison.[14]
Church leaders, especially First Presidency member Gordon B. Hinckley, continued to field criticism for some time for "being duped" and being "unable to discern the evil intentions of a man like Hofmann". Hinckley later noted: "I accepted him to come into my office on a basis of trust … I frankly admit that Hofmann tricked us. He also tricked experts from New York to Utah, however .... I am not ashamed to admit that we were victimized. It is not the first time the Church has found itself in such a position. Joseph Smith was victimized again and again. The Savior was victimized. I am sorry to say that sometimes it happens."[15]
Following the Hofmann trial, in a speech at Brigham Young University titled "Recent Events Involving Church History and Forged Documents", Dallin H. Oaks addressed media critiques of the church, saying:
I was saddened but not surprised that the news coverage of the truth about the forgeries and lies of Mark Hofmann was small by comparison with the earlier trumpeting of the claims that his newly discovered documents destroyed faith... In the course of this episode, we have seen some of the most sustained and intense LDS church-bashing since the turn of the century. In a circumstance where The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints could not say much without interfering with the pending criminal investigation and prosecution, the Church and its leaders have been easy marks for assertions and innuendo ranging from charges of complicity in murder to repeated recitals that the Church routinely acquires and suppresses Church history documents in order to deceive its members and the public. In the hands of clever writers and cartoonists, the mythical salamander proved a most effective instrument to pique public interest...
In addition to addressing the media's treatment of the church during this period, Oaks also spoke about other concerns including alleged suppression of documents, Hofmann's access to church officials, actual amounts paid for documents, and reminders of the many cautions Church leaders gave as to the documents' authenticity prior to Hofmann's arrest.
In addressing why Hofmann's lies were not detected by church leaders, Oaks said:
In order to perform their personal ministries, Church leaders cannot be suspicious and questioning of each of the hundreds of people they meet each year. Ministers of the gospel function best in an atmosphere of trust and love. In that kind of atmosphere, they fail to detect a few deceivers, but that is the price they pay to increase their effectiveness in counseling, comforting, and blessing the hundreds of honest and sincere people they see. It is better for a Church leader to be occasionally disappointed than to be constantly suspicious.
Lasting effects
More than twenty years later, effects of the letter still lingered. The letter was referenced in research by both Mormons and critics of Mormonism alike. Resulting publications that include conclusions based on the presumption that the letter was authentic are still available and may influence the opinions of those seeking information on "deep Mormon doctrine" or evidence to support a naturalistic or magical historical view of Mormonism or Joseph Smith.
Grant H. Palmer, author of the book An Insider's View of Mormon Origins, stated that his work was influenced in part by his original acceptance of the salamander letter as being valid and supportive of his view.[16] Palmer stated that the "salamander letter" caused him to explore Joseph Smith's "mystical mindset".[17]
The salamander letter also influenced the content of the film
See also
- List of references to seer stones in the Latter Day Saint movement history
- Salamander (legendary creature)
- The Magus (book)
- Treasure guardians in folklore
Notes
- ^ Naifeh & Smith 2005.
- ^ Naifeh & Smith 2005, pp. 169–70.
- ^ Rendell 1994, p. 130.
- ^ "Treasure Seeking". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
- ^ "THE SALAMANDER LETTER - Sandra and Jerald Tanner - Venner 01". www.veneermagazine.com. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
- ^ Quinn 1998, p. 330
- ^ "Sandra Tanner on Mark Hofmann/Salamander Letter". Wheat & Tares. 2018-07-23. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
- ^ Turley 1992, p. 99
- ^ Tanner 1987, Appendix A
- ^ Schindler 1987
- ^ Tvedtnes 1994, p. 210
- ^ Faust, James E. (October 1989). "Continuous Revelation".
We make no claim of infallibility or perfection in the prophets, seers, and revelators.
- ^ "Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual". The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 2002. pp. 389–92.
No claim is put forth by the prophets of God to suggest that they are infallible, that everything they say and do is what the Lord would say and do. Only when they act in harmony with the will of the Lord do they become the Lord's mouthpiece. Each President of the Church has been quick to point out that he has weaknesses and imperfections.
- ^ Lindsey 1988[page needed]
- ^ Dew 1996, p. 432
- ^ Midgley 2003
- ^ Palmer 2010
- ^ Tanner & Tanner 1993, p. 7
References
- Anderson, Richard Lloyd (August 1987), "The Alvin Smith Story: Fact and Fiction", Ensign.
- OCLC 35364667.
- Hinckley, Gordon B. (September 1985), "Keep the Faith", Ensign: 3.
- OCLC 18105692.
- FARMS Review, 15 (2), Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, retrieved 2014-02-27.
- OCLC 58808810.
- Oaks, Dallin H (October 1987), "Recent Events Involving Church History and Forged Documents", Ensign, retrieved 2014-02-27.
- Palmer, Grant H. (June 2010), "My Years in the Church Education System, 1967–2001", signaturebooks.com, archived from the original on 2012-05-30, retrieved 2014-02-27.
- ISBN 1560850892.
- OCLC 29754616.
- Schindler, Harold (15 February 1987), "First 'Hofmann' history-mystery", The Salt Lake Tribune.
- Tanner, Jerald (1987), "Appendix A: More on the Salamander Letter", Tracking the White Salamander, Utah Lighthouse Ministry, retrieved 2007-03-19.
- Tanner, Jerald; Tanner, Sandra (1993), Problems in the Godmakers II, Salt Lake City: Utah Lighthouse Ministry.
- ISBN 0-252-01885-0.
- Tvedtnes, John A (1994), "Review of Answering Mormon Scholars: A Response to Criticism of the Book 'Covering Up the Black Hole in the Book of Mormon'", Review of Books on the Book of Mormon, 6 (2), Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, retrieved 2014-02-27.
- "Church Releases Statement on Mark Hofmann Interviews", News of the Church, Ensign, pp. 78–79, October 1987.
- "Fraudulent Documents from Forger Mark Hofmann Noted", News of the Church, Ensign, p. 79, October 1987. Contains a list of various documents forged by Hofmann.
External links
- "LDS Documents & Murder" by Jerald Tanner(Salt Lake City Messenger. No. 59, January 1986)