Mormon Stories Podcast Could Joseph Smith Write or Dictate a Well-Worded Letter? LDS Discussions Pt. 67 | Ep. 2089
Dec 2, 2025
Kolby Reddish, an attorney and contributor to LDS Discussions, and researcher Julia dive deep into the often-debated topic of Joseph Smith's writing ability. They dissect historical claims, particularly Emma Smith's testimony about his capabilities. The discussion reveals how church narratives have leaned on her words while examining the reliability of those claims. They explore Joseph's early letters, highlighting their complexity and direct links to the Book of Mormon, ultimately suggesting that these documents challenge the long-held belief of his incompetence in authorship.
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Emma's Quote Became A Foundational Claim
- Emma Smith's 1879 testimony claiming Joseph "could neither write nor dictate a coherent and well-worded letter" has been widely used by LDS leaders to bolster the Book of Mormon's miraculous origin.
- The hosts argue this claim is testable today because Joseph Smith's early letters are publicly available through the Joseph Smith Papers Project.
Primary Letters Replace Hearsay
- Kolby emphasizes that we no longer need to rely on Emma's late testimony because Joseph Smith's own letters are available to evaluate his writing ability.
- The Joseph Smith Papers Project makes those primary documents accessible for direct analysis.
Reddit Example Of Emma's Influence
- Kolby shares a common lay interpretation from Reddit showing believers treat Emma's quote as proof Joseph was illiterate.
- The clip demonstrates how the quote shaped an enduring popular narrative about Joseph's abilities.
