Lars Nielsen - "How the Book of Mormon Came to Pass" - Review by Dan Vogel

Education

Introduction

Introduction

In his review, Dan Vogel critiques Lars Nielsen's book, "How the Book of Mormon Came to Pass". Vogel accuses Nielsen of presenting historical fiction as legitimate history and criticizes Nielsen for not adhering to accepted historical methodologies. Vogel also dissects Nielsen's claims that are based on the Spalding Theory and calls into question the sources and assertions Nielsen presents.

Narrative & Methodological Critique

Dan Vogel begins by emphasizing the importance of factual accuracy in historical writing, a principle he believes Nielsen neglects. He states that Nielsen's book is filled with factual errors, poorly reasoned arguments, and inadequate documentation. These issues, according to Vogel, make the book misleading, especially to readers unfamiliar with the sources.

The Spalding Theory Revisited

Nielsen's book attempts to introduce a new theory on the origins of the Book of Mormon, which Vogel argues is just a reworking of the old Spalding Theory with additional layers of complexity. Vogel explains that Nielsen attributes the idea of a history of the Ten Lost Tribes in America to Solomon Spalding, inspired by his Dartmouth professor, John Smith, who Vogel disputes had any such influence.

Writing Style Criticism

Vogel finds Nielsen's writing style pretentious, overly pedantic, and self-aggrandizing. He criticizes Nielsen's penchant for verbosity and his habit of digressing into irrelevant tangents. According to Vogel, Nielsen misuses fictional dialogue in historical narratives, confusing historical reconstruction with historical fiction.

Misinterpretations & Speculations

Vogel points out several "egregious errors" in Nielsen's work, particularly the use of imaginary dialogues and speculative scenarios—like conversations between historical figures—that have no factual basis. He explains that genuine historians fill gaps with probable reconstructions, not invented dialogues, and criticizes Nielsen for relying on such methods as major parts of his theory.

Specific Criticisms of Nielsen's Claims

  1. Six “Cisms”:

    • Vogel disputes Nielsen's identification of six "cisms" or unique contextual elements in the Book of Mormon, such as reformed Egyptian, brass and gold plates, and the Liahona. Vogel explains that Nielsen's evidence is weak and speculative.

  2. Influence of Athanasius Kircher:

    • Nielsen's argument links the Book of Mormon to the works of Athanasius Kircher, a 17th-century German Jesuit scholar. Vogel criticizes this connection, arguing that Kircher's work has no verifiable link to Joseph Smith and that similar ideas were already prevalent in Smith’s environment.

  3. Nielsen's Use of Sources:

    • Vogel notes that Nielsen references rare, problematic sources without adequate explanation of their relevance or verification of their authenticity, such as an 1887 article from the Cleveland Plain Dealer which Vogel claims Nielsen misinterprets.

Summary of Vogel's Critique

In conclusion, Vogel's primary aim is to warn readers about the inaccuracies and speculative nature of Nielsen's book. Nielsen's attempts to link 17th-century sources with the origins of the Book of Mormon are, according to Vogel, unsubstantiated and far-fetched. Vogel stresses the importance of rigorous standards in historical writing and finds Nielsen’s attempts to connect historical dots to be tenuous at best.

Keywords

Keywords:

  1. Dan Vogel
  2. Lars Nielsen
  3. Book of Mormon
  4. Spalding Theory
  5. Historical Methodology
  6. Athanasius Kircher
  7. Reformed Egyptian
  8. Fictional Dialogue
  9. Source Criticism
  10. Historical Fiction

FAQ

FAQ:

  1. Who is Lars Nielsen?

    • Lars Nielsen is an author who wrote "How the Book of Mormon Came to Pass," a book critiqued by Dan Vogel for its historical inaccuracies and speculative nature.

  2. What is the Spalding Theory?

    • The Spalding Theory proposes that Solomon Spalding, a Dartmouth graduate, wrote a manuscript that later became the basis for the Book of Mormon, a theory revisited by Nielsen in his book.

  3. What are the "cisms" Nielsen identifies in the Book of Mormon?

    • Nielsen identifies six unique contextual elements or "cisms" such as reformed Egyptian and the Liahona, which Vogel disputes as weak and speculative claims.

  4. What criticism does Vogel have about Nielsen's writing style?

    • Vogel finds Nielsen's writing style pretentious, overly pedantic, and filled with irrelevant tangents. He also criticizes Nielsen’s misuse of fictional dialogue in historical narratives.

  5. How does Vogel critique Nielsen’s use of sources?

    • Vogel argues that Nielsen uses problematic sources without adequate analysis or verification, misinterpreting them to fit his narrative.

  6. What does Vogel think of the connection between Athanasius Kircher and the Book of Mormon?

    • Vogel finds no credible basis for Nielsen's claim that Athanasius Kircher's work influenced the Book of Mormon, arguing that similar ideas were already prevalent in Joseph Smith’s environment.

  7. What is Vogel's main warning about Nielsen's book?

    • Vogel warns that Nielsen's book is filled with misinformation, speculative theories, and lacks rigorous historical standards, making it misleading for readers.