--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Widtsoe, John A. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 16 number: 5 published: 1913-03 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Widtsoe, John A., "Comments on the Spalding Pamphlet," *Improvement Era* 16, no. 5 (March 1913): 454–460.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1605unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera1605unse start_page: 454 end_page: 460 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1913-03) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1605unse publication_year: 1913 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1913, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Comments on the Spalding Pamphlet 454 IMPROVEMENT ERA seeking for this, we And some things Orient, from which, in relation to not mentioned by our critics. Egypt, Abraham had come. The use The offering table has its significance of "AB," "AV," "IB," or "IV," to inin hieroglyphic as both writing, a dicate Abraham is quite analogous to "phonogram," or indicator of sound the use of the familiar tri-grammator not spelled in letters, and as an "ideo- IHS (Greek for IES) to indicate the gram," or sign indicating an idea, in- name "Jesus;" in both cases the first dependent of words, or in connection syllable denotes the full name. In the with spelled words. Its pnonographic latter case the example is only one of significance, as given by modern a -eneral run of instances in which Egyptologists, is either HAU-T or proper names and other words are ab- HAWT, in which the A indicates a breviated in Greek manuscripts. breathing similar to the Hebrew Considered hieroglynhically, there- ADEPH, the first sign of the alpha- fore, there is no doubt but what the bet, which may indicate, not only "a" "lotus-crowned standard" may be inbut also any other vowel or semi- terpreted to signify "Egypt and the vowel whatever, according to pointing Orient," or "Egypt and lb (raim), Iv or usage. Champollion's grammar (raim), or Ab (ram)," quite as clearly transliterates this sign with EIEBT. and certainly as it connotes the ac- As an ideogram this figure signifies tual use to which it was devoted. the "Orient," the "East." In view of the points above noted, it The flowers shown upon the table seems safe to say that the assertion closely resemble those shown in the made by one of our critics to the efconventional cluster, which constitutes fect that "Smith .has misinter- . . the familiar ideogram for Lower preted the significance of every one Egypt. figure" stands now with burden of We have, therefore, a figure closely proof shifted to the shoulders of those suggesting an association of Egypt who reject him, both as a prophet of with some word or name indicated by God and even as a man of ordinary a combination of ALEPH and a labial honesty. consonant (B or V), or else with the 1 Comments on the Spaulding Pamphlet BY JOHN A. WIDTSOE, A. M., PH. D. Rt. Rev. F. S. Spalding, D.D., Salt Lake not convinced. Your argument has dis- City, Utah. appointed me, for I had hoped to find — My Dear. Dr. Spalding The pressure in your book an investigation that of official work has made it very dif- would be worthy of the steel of "Morficult to find the time necessary to keep monism." Instead, I have come to the my promise to give you my opinion of conclusion that you have only begun your book, "Joseph Smith, Jr., As a the inquiry, which you announce has Translator." I have, however, read the been concluded. work several times and have given the Do not misunderstand me. You have matter with which it deals consider- given your word that you are sincere able thought. In the hour at my dis- in this inquiry. That is enough. The posal I can only suggest some of the apparent unfairness on some of your many thoughts that have come as pages can well be charged to the aber- I have followed your argument against rations of vision which beset every the correctness of Joseph Smith's in- person who takes sides on any questerpretation of the hieroglyphics print- tion. ed in the Pearl of Great Price. Your title page is splendid. "Joseph I may as well say at once that I am Smith, Jr., as a Translator. An Inquiry * From the Desetet News of Jan. 11, 1913 "JOSEPH SMITH, JR., AS A TRANSLATOR' 455 Conducted by Rt. Rev. F. S. Spalding, The very first words in the text of D.D., Bishop of Utah, with the kind as- the book explain why the inquiry must sistance of capable scholars." It is full be an honest search after truth. "If of promise. Especially do I like the the Book of Mormon is true, it is next word "inquiry" in the sub-title, which to the Bible, the most important book undoubtedly you are using in the scien- in the world." You later explain that, tific sense. The word is one which has according to your method of thinking, become hallowed in the history of sci- if Joseph Smith interpreted the Egypence. The great masters who laid the tian hieroglyphics in the Pearl of Great foundations of systematic knowledge Price correctly, the Book of Mormon were wont to entitle the reports of must be true; if must be incorrectly, their classical investigations, patiently felse. "With such an important matand exhaustively carried on for years, ter at stake, the inquiry certainly must "An Inquiry" into this, that, or some be an honest search, a thoroughly sciother, natural phenomenon. It is with entific investigation, for if the transa feeling akin to reverence that I lation is wrong, it means the salvation peruse any "inquiry" made by a learned from gross error of the half million man "assisted by capable scholars." souls in the "Mormon" Church; if "Mormonism" has had so few inquiries right, the doubling of the holy books made into it in an unprejudiced, truly of all Christendom. scientific spirit, that the few that have been made should receive respectful THE ESSENTIAL QUESTION. attention. I shall not consider at all the ques- Your dedication is equally good tion whether your claim that one er- "To my many Mormon friends — who . ror in "Mormonism" makes the whole are as honest searchers after the truth erroneous. Some of my fellow-believ- — as he hopes he is himself this book is ers have already expressed themselves dedicated by the Author." The "Mor- vigorously on that point. The esmon" has been so persistently viewed sential question is: Did or did not through the eyes of narrow clerical pro- Joseph Smith translate the hieroglyphjudice, that it feels good to have a ics in the Pearl of Great Price correctleader of the cloth give "Mormons" ly? A fact is to be established. After credit for being at least as honest as that has been done it may be time to are other people. I am a "Mormon" be- discuss the application of the fact. As cause I honestly believe "Mormonism" I understand your book, that was the to be true. There are some hundreds impelling motive in the inquiry. of thousands who are equally honest in I confess that your purpose thus their belief. Your admission of this clearly s|hown appealed to me imfact* puts us on a footing of equality mensely. To have a trained, capable in the inquiry, the results of which mind apply itself with all the resources you are submitting to the world. I of the age, to a thoroughly scientific thank you for the gracious words. examination of a point in "Mormon- The thing in your dedication which ism," put on edge my expectant appeespecially appeals to me, however, is tite. Why did you not carry out your the statement that you and we, in this purpose? Can not a man carry to the investigation, are searchers after truth, end an inquiry concerning "Mormonthereby confirming the opinion derived ism?" Instead of passing a direct from the title page, that this inquiry opinion on the book, let me express it is in reality an honest search after indirectly, in the form of some questruth— that it is to be thoroughly sci- tions which I ask in all sincerity "as entific. Such inquiries are welcomed an honest searcher after truth," and by the Latter-day Saints; their sys- in the hope that you may be persuadtem of belief must stand every hon- ed to continue the inquiry. est test of truth. To you and to me, Whydid you secure opinions from truth is indeed "the sum of existence." eight men? Why not from eighty? This Before truth we stand with shoes re- is not a matter which has been exam- moved and heads uncovered. ined and re-examined until settled be- 456 IMPROVEMENT ERA yond dispute. As I remember I have not write a book on agricultural chemheard you say that you are not an istry or socialism. That is done, or Egyptologist; neither am I. If, there- should be done, only by the man who fore, we are to rest our decided opin- has by independent research made himions concerning Egyptology upon the self a specialist on the subject. Yet that opinions of others, we should certain- is precisely what you have done in thy ly follow the statistical procedure and matter of Joseph Smith's translation reduce the probable error by bringing of the Egyptian hieroglyphics. The in all the possible witnesses. True, method of the layman has been used there is not an abundance of persons by you in reaching conclusions of the who claim the ability to read Egyp- specialists. In an inquiry defined as tian hieroglyphics, but certainly many an honest search after truth, concluscores are found in the countries of sions resting on such a method have the world. You have certainly used no value. You have forgotten, in a scientific inquiry, to assure yourself the statistical method in a most un- manner. that your data are correct. If a man scientific of science should do such a thing he I note with regret, also, an element would soon acquire the title of pseudoof haste in your important inquiry. It scientist. Why did you, a man trained was impossible to secure evidence from in the learning of the day, adopt an Dr. Lythgoe because he was in Egypt. unscientific method in a scientific Mails pass regularly between Utah and inquiry? Do you carry such reverence Egypt .every few weeks. In my own little correspondence I receive occa- — for authority into all matter say into the higher criticism of the Bible? I sional letters from diverse places in assure you that "Mormons," so fre- Egypt, and we both have friends who quently charged with slavish obedigo from Utah to Egypt and back in a ence to authority, establish their faith few weeks. Haste is unscientific; the quite otherwise. masters of "inquiry" take their time; what matters a year or two. if spent ACCElPTS DISCORDANT VIEWS. in the interest of truth? Since you It is yet mere surprising to note that decided to begin your inquiry by ask- you accept the answers, obtained by ing opinions, you greatly violated the the faulty methods of the layman, scientific method by asking only eight in the face of the patent fact that they — especially since the matter rested do not agree. Your attention has allargely on individual interpretations of ready been called to the disagreement long-past days. of the jury. It can not be denied ex- More surprising still is the fact that cept by speciousness, and I believe you you assume that the answers of eight will not do it. A layman, receiving experts: would settle this tremendously from experts discordant answers to important question: The method of the same question, would simply be ipse dixit, "I have said it, therefore it is confused and lay the matter by with true," is not scientific. No reputable the thought that where the doctors disman of science uses it. If a layman agree there is no help for him. A desires some information on agricul- scientific inquirer, however, an hon- tural chemistry he may put a question est searcher after truth, would not to me and to other specialists, and if lose heart, but would set to work to he have sufficient confidence in our discover why there was disagreement, soundness may govern his practices whether it was apparent or real, and accordingly. Similarly, if a layman would dig out the truth. if possible Why desires information concerning social- did not you do this? Many books have ism he may apply to you and other ex- been written on Egyptology, by men pert students of the subject, and may living and dead. Why were they not make your views his own. However, examined to harmonize, if possible, the the layman who thus secures informa- discordant answers? The museums on tion by the easy method of asking of both sides of the water, as we have convenient experts a few questions does both seen, are filled with papyri found '•'JOSEPH SMITH, JR., AS A TRANSLATOR' 457 with mummies that might have beet, body for mummification. It is agreed examined to secure the counterparts of that this scene occurs with thousands Joseph Smith's "hieroglyphics." of funeral papyri. Do you ask us to Out of your own mouth is the state- believe that this representation was ment that this inquiry is in importance made with trouble and expense simply next only to one concerning the truth- to perpetuate the method of embalmfulness of the Eible, yet you dare draw ing? That is. is it only a sort of a final conclusion from an inquiry so record whereby embalmers of future loosely conducted that I can hardly be- years might acquire the modus operlieve that you, with your training, andi of the business? If so, it apwere really in charge. You remember, pears to me to be fearfully misleadno doubt, the accuracy, the painful accuracy, with which the facts of science ing. No self-respecting corpse should look tremendously alive; and no so are established. If the relative weight clever embalmer should hold his knife of an atom of hydrogen is to be deter- so high in evident surprise. The nomined, a dozen men, in several countries, labor for years, with errors so tion of course is preposterous. The small as to make a speck of dust look scene, naturally, is symbolical, as are as large as a hill. The methods of the the other figures in question. What higher critics— I speak of the big work — do they symbolize in essence? What —are based upon the accurate study hope, fear, conviction, made it necesof minute differences and similarities. sary to place these representations The earnestly scientific method of with the dead? Who is Osiris, from higher criticism is, after all, the chief the beginning, by the method of scien- reasons why the questionable conclu- tific inquiry? What is the place of sions of the study have received such Osiris in the theological system of anwide acceptance among scholarly men cient Egypt? Whence was the conof your type. Yet in your own higher ception of Osiris, and how did it change criticism of Joseph Smith's powers as a through the years? Who and what translator, north and south have ap- were Isis and Horus and all the other parently pointed in one direction. gods of Egypt? Not by name and re- Did you not notice in the letters re- lationship, but as expressing the ceived by you that some of the schol- Egyptian's vision of the known ana ars were unable to read the charac- the unknown, the past, the present and ters surrounding the main picture, the hereafter? What is the mighty while one declares them to be the symbolism of the writings of the dwell- ers by the Nile, the shakers and usual funeral inscriptions? Did you the not know that M. Deveria seemed able makers of the empires of old? Did you search to decipher many of them? As a sci- go into all this in your honest entific investigator, why did you not truth second only to the truth after a satisfy yourself and us on this point? of the Bible? Your correspondents The prints from the original wood cuts point out the shell of the thing, and may be obtained from The Times and hardly that. To them, Fig. 1 is of the Seasons, numerous copies of which are embalmer at work, or of Osiris rising available. Did you examine these? If from the dead; Fig. 2, a magical disk; you did not, and there is no evidence Fig. 3, the dead person appearing be- similar, with in your book that you did, you violated fore Osiris or something a word of explanation. Joseph the method of science, and have dis- not credited your conclusions. Smith attempts the interpretation or Moreover, I must ask you what you the symbolical meaning, and if his read would have us believe from the testi- translation of the hieroglyphics is in connection with the Book of Abramonial letters which are the only evidence for your argument. For in- ham, a consistent beginning of explainstance, one cf the "capable scholars" ing the whole symbolical system of declares that the scene in Fig. 1 de- Egypt is made. Why did you not ex- the literature of this subject picts the eml: aimer preparing the dead amine 458 IMPROVEMENT ERA when you undertook this fundamental- to great subject is anything but this ly important inquiry. truth is desired. scientific, if Since the Book of Abraham is not INQUIRY SHOWN TO BE LOOSE. used at all in your argument, and since you decided to institute an in- In science, similarities are as Im- quiry which should be an honest portant as differences. Why is not a search for truth, why did you prejuword of comment ofterea on the strik- dice your jury by sending to them the ing- similarities between Joseph Smith's Fearl of Great Price, as is evident from version and those of your correspon- several of the replies? According to dents, which have been publicly point- the method of science, every precaued out. to you? Again, the inquiry i» tion should be taken to prevent the shown to have been of the loosest sci- element of prejudice from entering the ent'fic nature. observations sought. "Mormonism," In yet another way does it seem to thanks to the efforts of sundry memme that you have grossly forgotten bers of the Christian clergj is not a , the method of science in your study ropular system of theology. Egyptolof the "Mormon" Prophet's power of ogists, even the most eminent, are translating Egyptian hieroglyphics. men of flesh and blood, and subject to You are an earnest follower of many the common passions of the race. Why ot the higher critics. Your views of did you not, in this day of photo-enthe Bible are not those of the majority. graving, spend the dollar or two neces- The evidences upon which you base sary to secure cuts freed 'from the conmany of your views are of the internal text of the Pearl of Great Price? It kind. The tricks of phrase and the was not at all necessary, in a scientific kind of imagery are means whereby inquiry, to let the jury know the source information concerning authorship and of the hieroglyphics; the question at date of composition is obtained. Why issue was simply the meaning of them. was not this method employed in your The prejudicing of your witnesses, acstudy of Joseph Smith as translator? cidental as I hope it to have been, was The hieroglyphics in question wero distinctly unscientific, and reduces merely incidents in the longer trans- greatly the value of the testimony. lation of theBook of Abraham. Why The letters themselves, with one or was not this book carefully examined two exceptions bear evidence of havfor evidences to establish or over- ing been thrown off lightly. They are throw the claim to genuineness of the the letters hastily though courteously translation of the hieroglyphics? A dispatched, to correspondents of sufcomplete scientific inquiry would not ficient importance, by busy men who fail to employ all the means by which are anxious to get back to their work. modern man ascertains truth, especial- It was not to be expected that these ly of a matter second only to one in men, with only a most passing interest importance to the followers of Christ. in Joseph Smith, should do more. It The omission of this test makes your was your investigation, not theirs. book appear still more unscientific. Meanwhile, not one of the letters is Why did you so carefully avoid any a thoroughgoing statemenl concernreference to the history of Egypt in its ing the questions which you asked, and relation to Semitic influences? You which, peculiarly enough in a scientific must have noticed the possibility of inquiry, you do not print. Your corcomparing the words of the Book of respondents give their offhand opin- Abraham with the views of many lead- ions, no more. I am fairly sure that ing scholars? Did you note the ab- none of them, were the facts set besurdity of the remark of one of your fore him, would justify you in so unscholars concerning "Joseph Smith's scientific a use as you have made of monotheistic Abraham," in view of the their letters in this book, even concerndoctrines actually set forth in the Book ing so unpopular a subject ar> is "Mcrof Abraham? To omit any reference monism." "JOSEPH SMITH, JR., AS A TRANSLATOR" 459 THE ATTITUDE OF THE JUDGES. the authority of these men; you ignore May I ask you further, why, in an the radical differences in their opininquiry to be characterized by an hon- ions; you fail to make the necessary est search after truth, you did not ca*ll minute comparisons and bibliographiattention to the doubtful value of some cal researches; you virtually deny the of the opinions received as evidenced symbolical meaning of all Egyptian fuby the manifest prejudice and ill tem- neral inscriptions; you refrain from per of the authors? Do you think Dr. mentioning the striking similarities be- Sayce was helping you in your honest tween Joseph Smith's translation and search after truth when he opened his your eight opinions; you disregard the letter with the words, "It is difficult to possible internal evidences of the Book of Abraham in support of the prophet's deal seriously with Joseph Smith's im- translation; you are silent on the whole pudent fraud?" Was he in a frame of vitalmatter of Egypt and Abraham; mind to render impartial judgment on you have prejudiced your witnesses, the subject? The spirit of this opening sentence is not scientific, and evident- though probably unintentionally; your eight letters are not in the remotest ly it had not been impressed upon Dr. sense studies of the matter under con- Sayce that this inquiry was an honest sideration; you have accepted at their search after the truth of one of the face value letters that are clearly most vital matters before civilized prejudiced and ill tempered. Were it man. I assure you that the authors not that you have said otherwise, I of your letters were not half so much should be tempted to say from the inamused at "Joseph Smith's impudent ternal evidences of the book, that you fraud," as I was at the introduction of prejudiced the case and wrote the consuch opinions as the foundations of an clusion before the investigation beimportant conclusion, into a book pro- gan. fessedly embodying the history and These changes should be made in the findings of the scientific inquiry by a next edition of the book. On the title man liberally trained in the learning page should be added the words "The of the day. Plan and a Preliminary Study." On The evening is closing. There are pages 18 and 19, all words that convey many other thoughts that have oc- a conclusion should be eliminated. At curred to me, but which must be left the end it should be stated that the unwritten. I can only repeat that I inquiry isbeing vigorously and scienam unconvinced; and that your book, tifically continued. one as an honest search after truth by EVIDENCE OF PROPHET'S INSPIRcompetent to conduct such an inquiry, ATION. extraordinarily unscientific. It is is Tour plan is ex- I trust you will receive this letter in not worthy of you. but your method so loose and the spirit in which it is sent. You want cellent, to know the truth; so do I. We want incomplete that your conclusion is un- You, yourself, would be frankness in criticism. Continue the warranted. con- investigation in accordance with the the last to accept for yourself any with which youi upon so rickety a meth- methods of science, clusion based evidence as are so thoroughly familiar. Final re- od and so attenuated an sults may come slowly if the inquiry is are found in your book on Joseph carried on intensively, but as you have Smith, Jr., as a tranr'ater. Why did yourself explained, it is quite worth "Mor- you perpetrate it upcn your while. mon" friends? Finally, permit me to say that, as a that the subject is of You declare young man, gave long and careful I highest importance to all Christendom; study to the books of Moses and Abra- your nevertheless you proceed tr. *ase ham, as found in the Pearl of Great eight conclusions on the opinion-, of Price, came out of the study with available; scholars, when scores are splendid to get a conviction that they were you show an unscientific haste evidences of the divinity of the work into print;you accept without question 460 IMPROVEMENT ERA of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Time to it again. I have no fear of the outhas not altered this view. Your book come when Joseph Smith is subjected has set me investigating the question to scientific study— but the study must concerning the accuracy of the trans- be an "honest search after truth." lation of the hieroglyphics incidentally With best wishes, very sincerely inserted with the Book of Abraham. As yours, JOHN A. WIDTSOE. far as I have gone in the study, I have been happy to find that the evidence is — P. S. I may send a copy of this letwonderfully in favor of Joseph Smith's ter for publication to the editor of The translation. I shall continue the study Deseret News, so that if it is published in my occasional spare moments. To it may serve as an 'answer to a numme it is not a vital thing in "Mormon- ber of people who have asked for my ism," but it is interesting, and I am views of your book. grateful to you for calling my attention