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by Mister IT is trying to Liahona outta here on January 23rd, 2011

Mister IT is trying to Liahona outta here

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Help answer this question below.

How did Alexander Campbell's theology end up in the Book of Mormon?


This question is derived from the following observation from Mormon Studies Scholar Aaron Shafovaloff:
"Joseph Smith calls out Alexander Campbell by name in the King Follett Discourse: "Alexander Campbell, how are you going to save people with water alone?" My question is, "Joseph Smith, how did Alexander Campbell's theology end up in the Book of Mormon?"
(see http://www.facebook.com/aaronshaf )

And Craig Criddle did a rather thorough job of outlining the Campbellite Theology embedded in the Book of Mormon in this presentation:
http://www.concernedchristians.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=42&func=view&catid=520&id=82123#82123

You're going to have to parse just a bit to find it but it's there.

And I have also included a list in my answer which you will find below.

Finally, you will find a copy of the King Follett discourse, with the Alexander Campbell reference in it here: http://mldb.byu.edu/follett.htm

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Answers. 4 helpful answers below.

  • by Mister IT is trying to Liahona outta here on January 23rd, 2011

    Mister IT is trying to Liahona outta here

    Asker's Pick

    Selected by the asker, Mister IT is trying to Liahona outta here. (What's this?)

    HERE IS A PARTIAL LIST OF THE CAMPBELLITE THEOLOGY THAT CAN BE FOUND IN THE BOOK OF MORMON. NOTE: I MAY PIN THIS ANSWER NEAR THE TOP OF THE THREAD FOR READY REFERENCE BY MARKING IT "ASKER'S PICK" IF IT STARTS TO DRIFT DOWNWARD IN THE DISCUSSION THREAD.

    TThe following list summarizes Campbellism doctrines, and indicates where they can be found in The Book of Mormon:

    1. A Great Apostasy necessitating a Restoration of the doctrines and practices of New Testament Christianity.
    Campbell referred to this as a restoration of the "Ancient Order of Things." Rigdon referred to it as a "restoration of all things."

    References in The Book of Mormon include the following: 1 Ne 12:11; 13:26; 2 Ne 26:9-10, 20; Hel 13:5.

    2. Restoration and Gathering of the Jews.
    -- 1 Ne 15:19-20; 2 Ne 29:4; Restoration and Gathering of the House of Israel -- 3 Ne 29:1.

    3. Imminent millennial reign of Christ,
    -- 1 Ne 20:26.

    4. Campbell's followers used the "Bethany dialect," and especially what was referred to as the "word alone system."
    This is a belief that religious experience came from hearing the divine word alone. Alexander Campbell referred to this concept in his remarks on the Bible Dec. 1, 1828: http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/acampbell/tcb/TCB605.HTM.

    Mosiah 26:15-16 reads:
    Blessed art thou, Alma, and blessed are they who were baptized in the waters of Mormon. Thou art blessed because of thy exceeding faith in the words alone of my servant Abinadi. And blessed are they because of their exceeding faith in the words alone, which thou hast spoken unto them.

    5. Sacrament prayer and partaking of the sacrament bread and wine as a memorial rite in frequent gatherings.
    -- Moroni 4:3, 5:2, 6:6.

    6. Rejection of infant baptism and original sin.
    -- Moroni 8:1-12, 14, 20, 22.

    This doctrine is at odds with Methodism.

    This is relevant because of Smith's documented attraction to Methodism, even during the translation process.

    7. Adult immersion for the remission of sins as the central ordinance of the Gospel.
    -- 3 Ne 11:26.

    This elevation of the importance of baptism happened at a time when practically no other group of Christians made baptism that important or so easy to obtain. Calvinist churches demanded proof of a spiritual conversion experience before acceptance into a congregation. Campbellites merely asked for a statement of belief, and baptism was possible at a moment's notice. In Mormonism, acceptance of The Book of Mormon qualified a new convert for immediate baptism, quick confirmation, and speedy ordination of male converts. This was a useful strategy for rapidly acquiring new converts among those who had been turned down for membership in other faiths.

    8. Missionaries of the church should provide their own support
    -- Mos. 18:24-26; Mos. 27:4-5; Alma 1:3, 26; Alma 30:31-32; 2 Nephi 26:31 -- and the clergy as well -- Alma 1:3. Alma 35:3, 1 Nephi 22:23.

    9. Elders set apart by the laying on of hands.
    -- Alma 6:1.

    10. Speaking as if authorized by Jesus Christ.
    -- Words of Mormon 1:17; Mos. 13:6; Mos. 18:13; Alma 17:3; 3 Nephi 5:13; 3 Nephi 11:25; Moro. 7:2; Moro. 8:16.

    11. Reference to "the Holy Spirit" as a kind of shared divine nature.
    --1 Nephi 2:17; 2 Nephi 2:28; Jar. 1:4; Mos. 3:19; Alma 5:46; 11:44; 13:28; 18:34; 31:35.

    Ideally, data on beliefs, such as the information on Campbellism summarized above, should be analyzed in the context of the major beliefs of each of the Christian sects in North America 1820-30. The relative uniqueness of each belief or practice could then be determined. However, in the absence of such data, it is reasonable to assume that those best qualified to compare Mormonism with the beliefs of other religions at the same time and place would be those living in that same time and place. Among them, Mormonism was quickly branded "Campbellism Improved."
    (see: http://www.lavazone2.com/dbroadhu/OH/miscohio.htm#111830 )

    FURTHER SUPPORTING EVIDENCE:
    http://sidneyrigdon.com/criddle/rigdon1.htm#16
    http://www.concernedchristians.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=42&func=view&catid=520&id=82123#82123

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  • by easy_enough on February 23rd, 2011
    voted: Other (please elaborate)

    easy_enough

    Seems simple enough. Smith was influenced by the restoration movement preachers just like many other people were at the time. Consciously or unconsciously he included some of that line of thinking while fabricating the Book of Mormon. In the end it proved helpful in attracting people like Rigdon, people who were dissatisfied with denominational infighting and attracted to the restoration movement's message.

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by laie_techie on January 23rd, 2011
    voted: Other (please elaborate)

    laie_techie

    Many of those campbellite doctrines you cite were either common in America in the 1820s OR could be derived from the Bible itself.

    4 comments | Post one | Permalink

  • by Bridget_D8547 on February 18th, 2011

    Bridget_D8547

    I'm not sure if you're claiming that baptism is of no importance. Surely the Lord himself would not have been baptized (having no need of it, being God in the flesh) if he wasn't giving us an object lesson. No one is exempt from what the Lord requires, whether they like it or not.

    That said, there are churches that place their own interpretations on the law of the Lord, abusing authority, and these are to be looked at as the works of men, not of God.

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

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