Hidden Books, and Treasure Troves of Insights
By Kerry A. Shirts
John Tvedtnes has just completed the finest book he has ever written. His book The Book of Mormon and Other Hidden Books, FARMS 2000, is a jewel in the crown of his achievements as one of the most well read and learned of LDS scholars. It is no wonder I try to read everything he publishes. This book is so full of insights and details of the Joseph Smith story of the Angel Moroni bringing the Book of Mormon to light for Joseph, and then taking the book back again. The fit is so truly staggering in all the myriad details, that I found myself gasping as I read through it today in one sitting. I simply could not, would not, put the book down, eating dinner only after I was through reading this fine 266 pager.
We have all read the Joseph Smith story so many times, and taught it, that we actually have fallen asleep as to the incredible amount of details involved. Bro. Tvedtnes shows us that each and every one of the details in the Joseph Smith/Angel Moroni story have exact ancient counterparts in a plethora and panoramic welter of ancient sources brought to light only since Joseph Smith’s day. Here are ancient Jewish, Muslim, Medieval and ancient Christian, Mandaean, Samaritan, Alchemical, Hermetic, Kabbalistic, Latin, and Rabbinic sources in an almost endless parade of incredible detail paralleling Joseph Smith’s story, in, what I believe, is one of the most unique books ever written on the subject. This is simply one powerful contribution to Book of Mormon studies. It is a must have reference and read for LDS scholars, and laypersons alike. No one, but no one should go without reading this book. I’ll give a mere sampling of the more interesting aspects I found in these crisply written, exciting pages. This is a smorgasbord of delight for fans of Book of Mormon authenticity. It is just such a joy and pleasure to read material such as this.
There is an embarrassment of riches concerning hidden records all over the ancient world now with recent archaeological discoveries. They come from China, the Middle East, Mesoamerica (though not nearly as numerous as in the Middle East), and nearly all of them on metal or stone, an imperishable substance, which rings a bell for the Book of Mormon. (see 2 Ne. 25:21; Alma 37:21; Alma 37:4-5, etc.)
Hidden books because what was written on them show up in early Christian literature all over the place, Tvedtnes mentioning the Clemetine Homilies, Epistel of Peter to James, Book of the Resurrection of Christ by Bartholomew the Disciple, Book of the Rolls, Apocryphon of John, Ethiopic Lefafa Sedek, Book of the Mysteries of the Heavens and the Earth, Mandaean Haran Gawaita, Story of Shum bar Nu The Letter of Omega, 4 Ezra, Corpus Hermeticum, Stromata, Arabic Kitab dahirat Aliskandar, the Greek Kore Kosmou, Book of Apollonios, the Sage, Knowledge of the Cause of Things, Tabula, De Virtutibus Herbarum, etc.
And in all this literature, one emphasis is rightly noted, namely the descent into the nether world and ascent to heaven always correspond. (p. 15). In fact, in some Ethiopic Christian documents, there are now documents speaking of books which Christ wrote, but were hidden! (p. 11). In one such event, Christ wrote with a golden pen, and gave the writing to Mary and told her not to reveal it to any man.
The significance of books being hidden in a dark chamber (cf. The same idea in the Hill Cumorah), is the descent and ascent into the other worlds as previously mentioned.
The Rabbi Abraham Eleazer had a book of Abraham the jew, which was made of thin bark sheaves. Its cover was thin copper, and was written in what he called "Chaldaic, Syriac, and Arabic" characters. Cf. What Anthon told Martin Harris when he described the writings Harris brought to him as "Egyptian, Chaldaic, Assyriac, and Arabic." (p. 19-20).
Adam, Enoch, Noah, Melchizedek, and all the ancient Patriarchs had books, which they all wrote, hid, buried to come forth in later times, and then edited themselves as well! They also sealed their books, exactly as was done with the Book of Mormon.
The Petirat Mosheh recounts that the angel Gabriel took the scroll of the Pentateuch to heaven with him. It was actually read out loud by the heavenly court. We also read that the ancient Ark of the Covenant of Israel had hidden records deposited in it as well, and in fact, those records, in one report, was the cause of the miracles in Ancient Israel when they possessed the Ark.(p. 33).
In 3 Enoch the angel in charge of the heavenly archives keep a scroll in a sealed box, and it is only to be read in the heavenly court. (p. 36). In the Lefafa Sedek, all of Michael’s angels bring the records, and they are read aloud by Christ, and then sealed by the seal of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and no one without the proper authorization can open the books. (p. 64).
We now know, thanks to a wealth of archaeological discoveries which Tvedtnes recalls, that records were anciently hidden in stone boxes, exactly as was the Book of Mormon. (p. 50). Angels brought books from heaven, according to 2 Enoch, and the deeds written on the records were copied. Heavenly scrolls were written by angels and contained the books of the dead and the living. (p. 75f).
The Samaritan Memar Marqa says Moses was enthroned in the presence of God, and wrote down the words of the heavenly books as dictated to him by God.(p. 87). The second century Christian writer, Hermas, was given a book by a lady angel, and after he read it, she took it back.. The same thing happened in an Egyptian tale of Setne Khamwas who removed a book from the tomb of Naneferkaptah, but was told by the messenger to put it back.Angels recover books from the hands of mortals. (p. 93). Tvedtnes recounts two medieval stories of angels bringing books from heaven and then taking them back (pp. 93ff).
Sacred relics were also hidden with the books (as the Sword of Laban and the Urim and Thummim were with the Book of Mormon), one such relic being two shining stones. (p. 113).
As the Book of Mormon recounts on many occassions, the ancients usually hid their records in mountains (cf. Hill Cumorah). This also fits the ancient pattern according to the Apocalypse of Adam, Abot de Rabbi Nathan, Tabula Smaragdina, Dead Sea Scrolls, etc. In one instance, Angels guarded the caves in the mountains where the records were hidden. (p. 134).
In the Narrative of Zosimos the devil tried to destroy him and the book he had received, exactly as what happened to Joseph Smith. (p. 134).
The Pseudo Dionysios recalls a book containing revelations from Adam to Seth, which was kept on a mount, where it was studied at the time of the Magi, who upon reading the book learned of Christ from its contents. (p. 135-136).
One reason for writing on metal tablets was so the book would last, and not wear out, as in the case of a dead sea Scroll fragment. The Falasha version of 5 Baruch mentions an angel who accompanied Baruch on a tour of the heavenly Jerusalem, where he saw golden engraving of names on the pillars of the columns. (p. 149).
Tvedtnes notes how the Reverend Lamb at the turn of the century in his book The Golden Bible, commented that records were not anciently engraved, nor were they ever kept on metal plates. Tvedtnes notes how if Lamb had known Hebrew, then he would have known that Isaiah 8:1 speaks of writing on polished metal with an engraving tool. The terms are mistranslated "roll" and "pen" in the King James Bible. (p. 149).
The Book of Mormon actually says that other records would come forth after it did. This has verily been happening now for over 100 years, as Tvedtnes so amply documents, thus confirming a Book of Mormon prophecy. (p. 173). Most if not many of these records are religious in nature as well.
Steven W. Booras shows parallels with the Apocalypse of Paul, and the Book of Mormon. Both accounts involve an angel appearing to reveal the hiding place of an ancient scripture buried in a stone box! (p. 183ff).
Tvedtnes includes the latest updates on glowing stones in antiquity, the most extensive treatment yet on this wonderfully fascinating subject. It’s a marvel to read.
This is an eye opening book in so many regards. This review just cannot do it justice, except to say, if you don’t buy it and enjoy it, you’re the fool, not me. I've got my copy to cherish and reference out of.