Jasmine Rappleye creates lots of content for social media, and most of it is great. She's enthusiastic, articulate, and committed.
For example, she recently posted a strong endorsement of the Joseph Smith Papers (JSP), which I fully endorse. I agree with Jasmine that this is a sensational resource. I use it all the time.
https://x.com/JasminRappleye/status/1982923892298789075
Every Latter-day Saint should be at least familiar with the Joseph Smith Papers, and anyone interested in Church history should begin there.
(I realize this is a serious obstacle for non-English readers, which is why I've been translating some of the key materials. I also realize the annotations and commentaries have some problems, for which I've proposed improvements many times in detail at https://www.ldshistoricalnarratives.com/)
Among other things, Jasmine said, "for those willing to actually read the documentary history of the early Church it is some of the most transparent you are ever going to see. You are sleeping on this invaluable resource."
In the pursuit if clarity, charity and understanding, we recognize that "sleeping on this invaluable resource" is not the most serious problem.
Most people are happy to defer to "experts" for their opinions and beliefs about everything because they have lives to lead. They do not have the time or interest to study things for themselves.
For most people, including Latter-day Saints, the primary decision they make is choosing which "experts" to believe and follow. Their opinions are assigned to them by the experts and they don't bother with footnotes, original sources, etc.
That's why the larger problem--the Jasmine Rappleye paradox--arises when faithful, knowledgeable Latter-day Saints who read the Joseph Smith Papers, such as Jasmine, affirmatively and continually reject what we learn from the Joseph Smith Papers.
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Regarding the origin and setting of the Book of Mormon, Joseph, Oliver and others repeatedly, formally, and unambiguously taught that
(i) Joseph translated the engravings on the plates by means of the Urim and Thummim that came with the plates, and
(ii) the hill Cumorah/Ramah in New York is the same hill Cumorah/Ramah named in the Book of Mormon.
See references from the JSP at https://www.mobom.org/church-history-issues
We can all see that Jasmine and her like-minded friends and followers specifically reject what Joseph, Oliver and their closest associates said about the origin and setting of the Book of Mormon.
For example, Royal Skousen declares that Joseph and Oliver deliberately misled everyone about the translation of the Book of Mormon. See https://www.bookofmormoncentralamerica.com/2024/11/thank-you-royal-skousen.html
It's one thing to read the Joseph Smith Papers, and something entirely different to believe what the early leaders actually taught. But instead of embracing those teachings, Jasmine embraces
(i) the teachings of Mormonism Unvailed (SITH) about the origin of the Book of Mormon, and
(ii) the teachings of RLDS scholars Stebbins and Hills (originators of M2C) about the setting of the Book of Mormon.
We can all hope that Latter-day Saints will see the difference between authentic, original sources found in the JSP vs the spin created by latter-day scholars, including Jasmine.
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Nevertheless, we can also hope that someday, Jasmine will encourage people (including her colleagues, friends, and followers) to not only use the Joseph Smith Papers, but to believe what Joseph, Oliver and others specifically taught about the origin and setting of the Book of Mormon.
That would produce the clarity, charity and understanding we all seek.
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SITH, as taught by Jasmine and other like-minded modern LDS intellectuals, was published in Mormonism Unvailed by E.D. Howe, although the real author was Hurlburt:
The translation finally commenced. They were found to contain a language not now known upon the earth which they termed "reformed Egyptian characters." The plates, therefore, which had been so much talked of, were found to be of no manner of use. After all, the Lord showed and communicated to him every word and letter of the Book. Instead of looking at the characters inscribed upon the plates, the prophet was obliged to resort to the old "peep stone," which he formerly used in money-digging. This he placed in a hat, or box, into which he also thrust his face. Through the stone he could then discover a single word at a time, which he repeated aloud to his amanuensis, who committed it to paper, when another word would immediately appear, and thus the performance continued to the end of the book.
Joseph Smith and his associates knew all about Hurlburt. Below is the Elders' Journal editorial on Hurlburt. Read this and then compare it with the way the modern SITH scholars embrace the narrative from Mormonism Unvailed.
Is it any wonder then, that we say of the priests of modern days that they are of Satan’s own making and are of their father the devil. Nay verily nay, for no being but a scandalous sycophant and base hypocrite would say other ways. As it was with Doctor Philastes Hurlburt, so it is with these creatures. While Hurlburt was held in bounds by the Church and made to behalf himself, he was denounced by the priests as one of the worst of men, but no sooner was he excluded from the Church for adultery, than instantly he became one of the finest men in the world. Old deacon Clapp of Mentor ran and took him and his family into the house with himself and so exceedingly was he pleased with him, that purely out of respect to him, he went to bed to his wife. This great kindness and respect Hurlburt did not feel just so well about but the pious old deacon gave him a hundred dollars and a yoke of oxen, and all was well again.
This is the Hurlburt that was author of a book which bears the name of E. [Edward] D. Howe [Mormonism Unvailed], but it was this said Hurlburt that was the author of it. But after the affair of Hurlburt wife and the pious old deacon, the persecutors thought it better to put some other name as author to their book than Hurlburt , so E. D. Howe substituted his name. The change however was not much better. Asahel Howe, one of E. D.’s brothers who was said to be the likeliest of the family, served apprenticeship in the work house in Ohio for robbing the post office. And yet notwithstanding all this, all the pious priests of all denominations were found following in the wake of these mortals.
Hurlburt and the Howes are among the basest of mankind, and known to be such and yet the priests and their coadjutors hail them as their best friends and publish their lies, speaking of them in the highest terms. And after all this, they want us to say that they are pious souls and good saints. Can we believe it? Surely men of common sense will not ask us to do it.
https://www.ldshistoricalnarratives.com/p/elders-journal-editorial-on-hurlburt.html
For a history of the SITH problem, see
https://www.ldshistoricalnarratives.com/p/the-sith-problem-1829-2024.html
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M2C (the Mesoamerican/two-Cumorahs theory), as taught by Jasmine and the other M2Cers, specifically rejects all the references to Cumorah in the Joseph Smith Papers as the product of a false narrative.
They also reject the 200 references to Cumorah from General Conference.
https://www.mobom.org/cumorah-in-general-conference
The reason?
Solely because the New York Cumorah contradicts their own interpretations of the text.
Dozens of articles about this topic are available here: https://www.lettervii.com/
Among other sources, she rejects these:
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[Moroni told Joseph] the record is on a side hill on the Hill of Cumorah 3 miles from this place remove the Grass and moss and you will find a large flat stone pry that up and you will find the record under it laying on 4 pillars of cement— then the angel left him
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/lucy-mack-smith-history-1844-1845/41
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[Joseph Smith said] “I have taken the severest chastisement, that I have ever had in my life”. My husband, supposing it was from some of the neighbors, was quite angry; and observed, “I would would like to know what business any body has to find fault with you.”
“Stop, father, Stop.” said Joseph, “it was the angel of the Lord— as I passed by the hill of Cumorah, where the plates are, the angel of the Lord met me and said, that I had not been engaged enough in the work of the Lord; that the time had come for the record to <be> brought forth; and, that I must be up and doing, and set myself about the things which God had commanded me to do: but, Father,’ continued he, ‘give yourself no uneasiness concerning the reprimand that I have received; for I now know the course that I am to pursue; so all will be well.”
It was also made known to him at this interview, that he should make another effort to obtain the plates on the 22d. of the following September; But this he did not mention to us at that time.
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/lucy-mack-smith-history-1845/111
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"the time when he took <it> out of the stone <cement> box in the hill of cumorah which took place the mor[n]ing that Mr Knight [Joseph Knight Sr.] missed his horse and waggon when <Joseph> he took the plates into his hands at this time the angel of the Lord stood by and said now you have got the record into your own hands and you are but a man therefore you will have to be watchful and faithful to your trust or you will be overpowered by wicked men
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/lucy-mack-smith-history-1844-1845/69
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"When I was returning to Fayette with Joseph and Oliver all of us riding in the wagon, Oliver and I on an old fashioned wooden spring seat and Joseph behind us, while traveling along in a clear open place, a very pleasant, nice-looking old man suddenly appeared by the side of our wagon who saluted us with, “good morning, it is very warm,” at the same time wiping his face or forehead with his hand. We returned the salutation, and by a sign from Joseph I invited him to ride if he was going our way. But he said very pleasantly, “No, I am going to Cumorah.’ This name was something new to me, I did not know what Cumorah meant. We all gazed at him and at each other, and as I looked round enquiringly of Joseph the old man instantly disappeared, so that I did not see him again."
REPORT OF ELDERS ORSON PRATT AND JOSEPH F. SMITH to President John Taylor and Council of the Twelve.
http://www.lettervii.com/p/trip-to-fayette-references.html
Original: https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/dca15baa-a0ac-4fc1-b2ec-7f3cd75e4906/0/44
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Oliver Cowdery (quoted by Parley P. Pratt) during the mission to the Lamanites (D&C 28, 30 and 32).
"This Book, which contained these things, was hid in the earth by Moroni, in a hill called by him, Cumorah, which hill is now in the State of New York, near the village of Palmyra, in Ontario County.
"In that neighborhood there lived a young man named Joseph Smith, who prayed to the Great Spirit much, in order that he might know the truth; and the Great Spirit sent an angel to him, and told him where this Book was hid by Moroni; and commanded him to go and get it. He accordingly went to the place, and dug in the earth, and found the Book written on golden plates.
"But it was written in the language of the forefathers of the red man; therefore this young man, being a pale face, could not understand it; but the angel told him and showed him, and gave him knowledge of the language, and how to interpret the Book. So he interpreted it into the language of the pale faces, and wrote it on paper, and caused it to be printed, and published thousands of copies of among them; and then sent us to the red men to bring some copies of it to them, and to tell them this news. So we have now come from him, and here is a copy of the Book, which we now present to our red friend, the chief of the Delawares, and which we hope he will cause to be read and known among his tribe; it will do them good."
We then presented him with a Book of Mormon.
There was a pause in the council, and some conversation in their own tongue, after which the chief made the following reply: "We feel truly thankful to our white friends who have come so far, and been at such pains to tell us good news, and especially this new news concerning the Book of our forefathers; it makes us glad in here"—placing his hand on his heart.
Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, page 58 of Chapter VIII.
https://archive.org/details/autobiographyofp00prat/page/58/mode/2up
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Excerpt from Letter IV.
He [Moroni] then proceeded and gave a general account of the promises made to the fathers, and also gave a history of the aborigenes of this country, and said they were literal descendants of Abraham. He represented them as once being an enlightned and intelligent people, possessing a correct knowledge of the gospel, and the plan of restoration and redemption. He said this history was written and deposited not far from that place, and that it was our brother’s privilege, if obedient to the commandments of the Lord, to obtain and translate the same by the means of the Urim and Thummim, which were deposited for that purpose with the record.
At about one mile west rises another ridge of less height, running parallel with the former, leaving a beautiful vale between. The soil is of the first quality for the country, and under a state of cultivation, which gives a prospect at once imposing, when one reflects on the fact, that here, between these hills, the entire power and national strength of both the Jaredites and Nephites were destroyed.
By turning to the 529th and 530th pages of the book of Mormon120 you will read Mormon’s account of the last great struggle of his people, as they were encamped round this hill Cumorah. (it is printed Camorah, which is an error.) In this valley fell the remaining strength and pride of a once powerful people, the Nephites... [Mormon], however, by divine appointment, abridged from those records, in his own style and language, a short account of the more important and prominent items, from the days of Lehi to his own time, after which he deposited, as he says, on the 529th page, all the records in this same hill, Cumorah and after gave his small record to his son Moroni, who, as appears from the same, finished, after witnessing the extinction of his people as a nation. …
This hill, by the Jaredites, was called Ramah: by it, or around it pitched the famous army of Coriantumr their tents. Coriantumr was the last king of the Jaredites…
In this vale lie commingled, in one mass of ruin the ashes of thousands, and in this vale was destined to consume the fair forms and vigerous systems of tens of thousands of the human race—blood mixed with blood, flesh with flesh, bones with bones and dust with dust!
http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/history-1834-1836/90
1842 Times and Seasons (D&C 128)
Eighteen months after Don Carlos Smith republished the eight historical letters in the Times and Seasons, Joseph Smith wrote a letter that he sent to the Editor of the Times and Seasons for publication. This letter has since been canonized as D&C 128. In it, Joseph explained that he learned the name Cumorah from Moroni even before he obtained the plates.
20 And again, what do we hear? Glad tidings from Cumorah! Moroni, an angel from heaven, declaring the fulfilment of the prophets—the book to be revealed.
