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''Mormonism Unvailed'' is a book published in 1834 by Eber D. Howe. The title page proclaims the book to be a contemporary exposé of Mormonism, and makes the claim that the historical portion of the Book of Mormon text was based upon a manuscript written by Solomon Spalding. :''"A faithful account of that singular imposition and delusion, from its rise to the present time. With sketches of the characters of its propagators, and a full detail of the manner in which the famous Golden Bible was brought before the world. To which are added, inquiries into the probability that the historical part of the said Bible was written by one Solomon Spalding, more than twenty years ago, and by him intended to have been published as a romance"'' . The publication of ''Mormonism Unvailed'' is significant in Mormon history as it is considered to be the first anti-Mormon book . The book represented the first significant opposition to Mormonism by an author who had actually addressed the contents of the Book of Mormon. Of the many subjects discussed in the book, two had a significantly lasting impact. The first of these was the publication of a number of affidavits and other statements related to the character of Joseph Smith and Martin Harris. The second significant item was the introduction of a popular early authorship theory for the Book of Mormon known as the "Spalding–Rigdon theory of Book of Mormon authorship." ==Overview of the book== *Chapter 1 discusses the character of Joseph Smith and his family, as well as "some of the principal actors in the imposition." Howe presents "old Joseph and wife, the parents of the pretended Prophet, as lazy, indolent, ignorant and superstitious" and "not much disposed to obtain an honorable livelihood by labor" . *Chapters 2 discusses the production of the Book of Mormon or "Golden Bible" . *Chapters 3 through 7 discuss the contents of the Book of Mormon itself. Howe begins with a comment regarding the style in which the book was written, stating that "The whole work is written in a miserable attempt to imitate the style of King James the first" . *Chapter 8 discusses the conversion and involvement of Sidney Rigdon. Howe remarks on reports that "Rigdon has been the Iago, the prime mover, of the whole conspiracy. Of this, however, we have no positive proof" . *Chapter 9 deals more with Rigdon during his time in Kirtland. Included in this chapter is a lengthy letter to Rigdon from Thomas Campbell, who refers to Rigdon as "a professed disciple and public teacher of the infernal book of Mormon." Regarding this letter, Howe states that "after Rigdon had read a few lines of the above, he hastily committed it to the flames" .〔The ability of Howe to reproduce Campbell's letter in its entirety (covering a full seven and one-half pages in his book) after Rigdon burned it is not explained.〕 *Chapter 10 deals with alleged Mormon practices of healing and the execution of missionary work "by sending abroad every thing that could walk, no matter how ignorant" . *Chapter 11 discusses the "gift of tongues," of which Howe comments: "This gibberish for several months was practiced almost daily" . *Chapter 12 discusses the conflicts of the Mormons with the inhabitants of Jackson County, Missouri. *Chapters 13 and 14 deal with the "Mormon War." *Chapter 15 includes a number of letters written by Methodist clergyman Ezra Booth. *Chapter 16 addresses the subject of Mormon revelations. *Chapter 17 includes a set of affidavits collected by Doctor Philastus Hurlbut, which discuss the character of Joseph Smith and Martin Harris. *Chapter 18 discusses the visit of Martin Harris to Charles Anthon. *Chapter 19 introduces the claim that the Book of Mormon plagiarized from a manuscript written by Solomon Spalding. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Mormonism Unvailed」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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