When many first hear about the story of the Book of Mormon, their first reaction is that the story is entirely implausible. Somehow, the prophet Joseph Smith could make up the entire Book of Mormon.
During the time of Joseph Smith, the world did not know about the ancient texts that had been found; certainly, Joseph Smith, as an uneducated farmer in upstate New York State, would not have known about any of the ancient texts. In fact, scholars of Ancient texts were very limited during that time, and indeed texts from south and Central America.
Table of Contents
- No Ancient Text During Time Of The Prophet Joseph Smith
- South and Central America in 1820: A Glimpse into Life, Education, Economy, and Trade
- Related Content
No Ancient Text During Time Of The Prophet Joseph Smith
The Prophet Joseph Smith did not live in the center of the world where ancient texts were a part of daily life. Nor did he live in an area where much was known about the cultures of Central or South America.
He had a better chance to meet an American Indian than to meet someone from South or Central America. The Prophet Joseph Smith was just a farm boy from upstate New York; even today, this area is relatively rural and is not filled with ancient scholars or scholarship.
Hugh Nibley in speaking about the ancient text during the time of the Prophet Joseph said this:
“Few people realize that in Joseph Smith’s day no really ancient manuscripts were known [none at all]. Egyptian and Babylonian could not be read; the Greek and Latin classics were the oldest literature available, preserved almost entirely in bad medieval copies no older than the Byzantine and Carolingian periods [at the earliest].” (Of course, today it’s a different story entirely, but not in Joseph Smith’s time.) ”
NIBLEY’S COMMENTARY ON THE BOOK OF MORMON VOL 1
The fact that many people feel that somehow Joseph Smith could make up the Book of Mormon without any knowledge of ancient manuscripts is almost impossible. He would have barely have had much knowledge of the ancient world, ancient culture or even ancient language.
The fact that all these things are shown in the Book of Mormon is a testiment to the fact that Joseph Smith could not have made up the writings of the Book of Mormon.
South and Central America in 1820: A Glimpse into Life, Education, Economy, and Trade
Joseph Smith had his first vision in 1820 when he was just 14 year old. Before and Not only were there no ancient texts in the 1820s, but the landscape of South and Central America was very different from how we know South and Central America today.
In the early 19th century or about the 1820s South and Central America were marked by political turmoil and a quest for independence. This period witnessed the emergence of several countries in the region as they sought to break free from European colonial rule.
The countries of South and Central America were very different in the 1820s than what they are today. Below is a glimpse at what some major countries in South and Central America were like in the 1820s.
- Mexico:
- Mexico was in the midst of its war for independence from Spain, which would be won in 1821.
- Mexican society was characterized by a rigid social hierarchy, with a small elite class dominating political and economic power.
- Agriculture played a vital role in the economy, with crops like corn, beans, and cotton being major exports.
- Brazil:
- Brazil was still under Portuguese rule in 1820, with a royal court located in Rio de Janeiro.
- Slavery was prevalent, and the plantation economy relied heavily on the labor of enslaved Africans.
- Education was limited to the elite, with a lack of widespread access to schooling.
- Argentina:
- Argentina was in the early stages of its struggle for independence from Spain.
- Buenos Aires emerged as a key city, with its economy centered around livestock farming and trade.
- Education was minimal, with few schools and limited literacy rates.
- Peru:
- Peru had experienced a tumultuous period, including the collapse of the Spanish viceroyalty and the rise of indigenous uprisings.
- The economy relied on silver mining, with Peru being one of the largest silver producers in the world.
- Educational opportunities were limited, with education primarily accessible to the upper class.
- Colombia:
- Colombia was part of the collapsing Spanish empire, and several regions were engaged in battles for independence.
- Agriculture, including coffee and cocoa production, formed the backbone of the economy.
- Education was largely under the control of the Catholic Church, limiting access for the majority.
Life in South and Central America in 1820:
The countries of South and Central America were very different in the 1820s than what they are today. Below is a glimpse at what the socieity, culture, education, economy and trade was like in the 1820s:
- Society and Culture:
- The societies were predominantly agrarian, with most people engaged in farming or related activities.
- Indigenous populations, alongside the descendants of African slaves, played significant roles in shaping the culture and traditions of the region.
- Religion, particularly Catholicism, exerted a strong influence on daily life.
- Education:
- Education was limited, with literacy rates varying across countries.
- Schools were often reserved for the privileged classes, and education for the masses was scarce.
- The Catholic Church played a significant role in education, particularly in religious instruction.
- Economy:
- The economies of these regions were primarily based on agriculture and mining.
- Cash crops such as coffee, sugar, cotton, and cocoa were major exports, contributing to international trade.
- The exploitation of natural resources, such as silver and gold, fueled the economy in certain areas.
- Trade:
- Trade routes connected South and Central America with Europe and North America, facilitating the exchange of goods.
- Ports and coastal cities served as crucial hubs for trade and commerce.
- The Atlantic slave trade played a significant role in the movement of enslaved Africans to the region.
In 1820, South and Central America were undergoing significant transformations, marked by struggles for independence and the development of nascent nations. Education, economy, and trade varied across countries, with limited access to education for the majority, agrarian-based economies, and diverse trade connections.
Understanding this period helps us appreciate how difficult it would have been for Jospeth Smith to even know about this part of the world, including their writings, culture and economy.
There is no evidence that Joseph Smith knew much about the life, cultures, politics, or economics of South and Central America in the 1820s. After all, he was only 14 years old, lived in a small farming community, and barely had any education.
Joseph Smith certainly did not have access to ancient manuscripts, particularly any ancient ones from South and Central America. For people to say that an uneducated farm boy made up the Book of Mormon and did not translate it with the help of God is impossible.
Furthermore, in the 1820s, traveling from upstate New York to South or Central America was a long and challenging journey.
Travel to South and Central America Explored in the 1820s.
In the 1820s, traveling from upstate New York to South and Central America would have been a challenging and time-consuming journey. Here are some possible ways a person could have traveled during that time:
- Sea Voyage: The most common method of long-distance travel in the 1820s was by sea. A person could have sailed from a port in New York, such as New York City or Albany, to a port in South or Central America. Ships traveling these routes would have carried passengers and cargo.
- Land and River Travel: Another option would be to travel overland and use river transportation where available. One possible route would be to travel south through the United States, following major rivers like the Mississippi and Ohio, and then joining the Ohio River to the Mississippi River. From there, they could continue downstream to New Orleans, a major port city, and find a ship heading to South or Central America.
- Overland Journey: Although more challenging, it was possible to undertake an overland journey from upstate New York to South and Central America. This would involve traveling through various territories and countries, facing difficult terrain, and crossing borders. It would require extensive planning, local knowledge, and possibly hiring guides or joining trade caravans.
- Combination of Modes: Travelers could have combined different modes of transportation to reach their destination. For instance, they might have traveled by stagecoach or horseback to reach a coastal city, and then boarded a ship for the overseas journey.
It’s important to note that travel during this period was much slower and less comfortable compared to modern transportation. The journey would have taken several weeks, if not months, depending on the specific route and means of travel chosen.
That is why it is significant that not only were there no ancient manuscripts during the time of the Prophet Joseph Smith, but for him to know about, have studied, and even be aware of South and Central American culture, life, and language was highly unlikely. He just would not have had access to those things in his daily life – especially in the everyday life of an early 19th century uneducated upstate New York farm boy.
The Nibleys Commentary website is dedicated to the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the scriptures, including The Bible, The Book of Mormon, the Doctrine of Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. To review these gospel teachings and scriptures, we will use many of the teachings of Hugh Nibley and refer to the book Nibley’s Commentary Volume 1 and 2 that Sharman B Hummel edited.
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