Hi, I’m Danny and I was LDS for 60 years. I have recorded several videos examining the Book of Mormon and comparing it to the Bible. During the numerous times I’ve read the Book of Mormon as a Latter-day Saint, I noticed familiar passages that I also had read in the Bible. Of course, I rationalized them by thinking God spoke the same things to all people regardless of the chronology or the location. But I also knew that Scripture was written by men as they were inspired by the Spirit. Each author of the Bible for instance had their own unique way of expressing that inspiration. When you read the gospel of Luke, you know it was the physician Luke who had his unique way of describing the garden of Gethsemane scene. When you read the letter to the Romans, you know it was the former Pharisaic Jew become Apostle, Paul who was the author. But, when I read the Book of Mormon, I never detected the difference in writing style of the different books - even though, I recognized that Mormon and Moroni were the ones abridging the metal plates. All that to say – I often suspected when reading the Book of Mormon, I was instead reading words and phrases from various books in the New Testament. Especially, from the Gospels and Paul’s letters. While it can be argued that some of the parallels might be just coincidental – I think most parallels are so strong, it is impossible to not conclude that their true source was from the King James Version of the Bible. Today, I’m going to compare just two chapters – Hebrews 11 in the New Testament, written around AD 60 and Ether 12 in the Book of Mormon, written supposedly around 2,000 BC. A time difference of about twenty centuries. To give you just a sample of the comparisons of these two chapters from different books - let me read from Hebrews 11:1 and then from Ether 12:6. Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Ether 12:6 “And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.” Both verses are almost identical. Are these statements of faith from both books coincidental? Or is one copied from the other? Remember, the time difference is two thousand years, and the locations are on opposite sides of the world. Could it be that someone decided to copy the famous faith statement in the New Testament into their Book of Mormon - but simply modify it a bit so it wasn’t too apparent? As we take a closer look at the rest of these two parallel chapters, I want you to consider the similarities. I’m first going to read a list of biblical characters from Hebrews chapter 11 - who demonstrated faith: In fact, this chapter is affectionately referred to as the “Hall of Faith” chapter. For the sake of time, I’m just going to read the highlighted verses. 4 “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” 5 “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” 7 “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” 8 “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” 9 “By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.” 11 “Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.” 13 “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,” 20 “By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21 “By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 22 “By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 23 “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. 24 “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter.” 27 “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.” 28 “Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.” 29 “By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. 33 “Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.” The chapter goes on to mention the faith of “Rahab, Gedeon, Barak, Samson, David, Samuel, and the prophets.” Now, I’m going to read from Ether chapter 12, Book of Mormon characters - who accomplished great things through faith: 11 “Wherefore, by faith was the law of Moses given. But in the gift of his Son hath God prepared a more excellent way; and it is by faith that it hath been fulfilled.” 13 “Behold, it was the faith of Alma and Amulek that caused the prison to tumble to the earth.” 14 “Behold, it was the faith of Nephi and Lehi that wrought the change upon the Lamanites, that they were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost.” 15 “Behold, it was the faith of Ammon and his brethren which wrought so great a miracle among the Lamanites.” 17 “And it was by faith that the three disciples obtained a promise that they should not taste of death; and they obtained not the promise until after their faith.” 20 “And behold, we have seen in this record that one of these was the brother of Jared; for so great was his faith in God, that when God put forth his finger he could not hide it from the sight of the brother of Jared, because of his word which he had spoken unto him, which word he had obtained by.” 22 “And it is by faith that my fathers have obtained the promise that these things should come unto their brethren through the Gentiles; therefore the Lord hath commanded me, yea, even Jesus Christ.” 29 “And I, Moroni, having heard these words, was comforted, and said: O Lord, thy righteous will be done, for I know that thou workest unto the children of men according to their faith;” 30 “For the brother of Jared said unto the mountain Zerin, Remove—and it was removed. And if he had not had faith it would not have moved; wherefore thou workest after men have faith.” 31 “For thus didst thou manifest thyself unto thy disciples; for after they had faith, and did speak in thy name, thou didst show thyself unto them in great power.” Okay, so there is a brief comparison of the two faith chapters – one in the New Testament and one in the Book of Mormon. I think in many ways they resemble each, other? On the positive side - both Hebrews 11 and Ether 12 are parallel "faith chapters" highlighting that faith is not just about believing in God but trusting in his promises - even when evidence is not immediately visible. Both chapters serve to encourage believers by showing that faith precedes the substance or evidence of divine intervention. Both chapters define faith using nearly identical language. Both use a similar, repetitive writing structure. Hebrews 11 draws on Old Testament figures like: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sara, Issac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gedeon, Samson, David, and Samuel. While Ether 12 focuses on Book of Mormon figures like: Lehi, Nephi, Ammon, Alma, Amulek, three Nephite disciples, and the brother of Jared.
In my opinion, whoever wrote Ether 12 seems to have had an uncanny knowledge of the New Testament - specifically Hebrews 11. Both chapters have the exact same literary format. They both begin with the same definition of “faith” and then list examples of how the faith of Bible and Book of Mormon characters led to good actions. I wonder how honest Latter-day Saints can avoid the conclusion that Hebrews 11 was most likely plagiarized to write Ether 12? As a side note - I found it interesting that in Ether 12:30, Moroni gives an example of faith when he writes, “For the brother of Jared said unto the mountain Zerin, Remove – and it was removed.” Interestingly, there is no instance in the Bible – Old or New Testaments – where someone literally moved a mountain. When Yeshua or Jesus spoke about having the faith to move mountains, He wasn’t talking in a literal sense. He was using it as an illustration. But, here in the book of Ether, Moroni says that Jared’s brother did move a specific named, mountain. But, for what purpose, we aren’t told? Was it just to demonstrate or show off his faith? That was not the point Yeshua was teaching during His mortal ministry. In my analysis, I think Ether 12 came from Hebrews 11. You notice that even the chapter numbers are nearly parallel – chapter 11 and chapter 12. Moroni (or Joseph Smith) was copying Paul. As I have carefully read and studied more in detail the Book of Mormon, I have discovered countless examples of the author taking verses, phrases, even whole chapters from the New Testament like in this case - and manipulating them to fit the storyline and the characters in the Book of Mormon. The plagiarisms are impossible to ignore once you start to recognize them – unless you simply refuse to admit they aren’t there - or don’t care if they are there. I have completed several videos - demonstrating the plagiarisms and anachronisms in the Book of Mormon. To name a few of those videos - here is a list of titles you can search for: Italicized words in the Book of Mormon Nephi or Moroni? Book of Mormon temples Lucifer in the Book of Mormon Other sheep in the Book of Mormon Ending of Mark in the Book of Mormon Bible predictions of the Book of Mormon Women in the Book of Mormon Sermon on the Mount vs Sermon at the temple Book of Mormon racism Testing the Book of Mormon Book of Mormon synagogues Moroni’s ambiguous promise Zelph, the white Lamanite Moroni dedicates temple site Book of Mormon Jesus kills and destroys Jesus’ ascension in Mormonism Mystery of Christ in Mormonism Book of Mormon Fall of Adam Book of Mormon Law of Moses Did Ether copy Hebrews? I intend to continue my examination of the Book of Mormon in future videos. Honestly, it will keep me busy for a long time.
But as always, thank you for watching. Find more videos on YouTube or at TalkingtoMormons.com. God Bless!