The Mark Hofmann Case

A Bibliographical Guide

Bibliography

Copies of most of the items referred to in this bibliography have been gathered into MSS 1571, “The Mark W. Hofmann Case Collection,” Archives and Manuscripts, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.

I. Histories of the Hofmann Case

A. Books and Monographs

Campbell, Harry Fredrick. Hofmann Mormon Money Forgeries—Historical Aspects. Salt Lake City: Privately printed, 1988.

Lindsey, Robert. A Gathering of Saints: A True Story of Murder and Deceit. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1988.

Naifeh, Steven, and Gregory White Smith. The Mormon Murders: A True Story of Greed, Forgery, Deceit, and Death. New York: Weidenfeld and Nicholson, 1988.

Sillitoe, Linda, and Allen D. Roberts. Salamander: The Story of the Mormon Forgery Murders, with a Forensic Analysis by George J. Throckmorton. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1988.

Tanner, Jerald. Tracking the White Salamander: The Story of Mark Hofmann, Murder and Forged Mormon Documents. 3d ed. Salt Lake City: Utah Lighthouse Ministry, 1987.

B. Articles/Chapters

Anderson, Richard Lloyd. “The Alvin Smith Story: Fact and Fiction.” Ensign 17 (August 1987): 58–72.

Bitton, Ron. “Hofmann Parole Denied.” Sunstone 12 (January 1988): 42.

Borup, Mel. “Hofmann Case Leaves Unanswered Questions.” Autograph Collector’s Magazine (May–June 1988): 7.

Brigham Young University Studies 24 (Fall 1984) (due to delayed printing, this issue appeared in May 1986).
• Anderson, Richard Lloyd. “The Mature Joseph Smith and Treasure Searching,” 489–560.
• Hill, Marvin S. “Money-Digging, Folklore, and the Beginning of Mormonism: An Interpretive Suggestion,” 473–88.
• Jessee, Dean C. “New Documents and Mormon Beginnings,” 397–428.
• Walker, Ronald W. “Joseph Smith: The Palmyra Seer,” 461–72.
• __. “The Persisting Idea of American Treasure Hunting,” 429–59.

Bushman, Richard. “Treasure-Seeking Then and Now.” Sunstone 11 (September 1987): 5–6.

Carter, Mike. “Hofmann Was Peddling Dickens’ Manuscripts to Several Different Investors.” Salt Lake Tribune, 18 November 1985, B1.

__. “Worthless Forgeries? No, They’re Hofmann Originals.” Salt Lake Tribune, 1 August 1987, A1, A4.

__. “Is Hofmann behind Threats to State Pardons Board?” Salt Lake Tribune, 24 March 1988, A3.

“Church Releases Statement [31 July 1987] on Mark Hofmann Interviews.” Ensign 17 (October 1987): 78–79.

Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 19 (Winter 1986): “The Document Diggers and Their Discoveries: A Panel.” Papers read at the Mormon History Association annual meeting, May 1986.
• Bench, Curt. “Document Dealing: A Dealer’s Response,” 70–76 [Bench did not participate on the original panel].
• Howard. Richard P. “Revisionist History and the Document Diggers,” 65–69.
• Johnson, Jeffery O. “The Damage Done: An Archivist’s View,” 52–60.
• May, Cheryll L. “The Context,” 44–47.
• Roberts, Allen D. “The Hofmann Case: Six Issues,” 47–52.

“Document Dealer Confesses.” Ensign 17 (April 1987): 77.

“Forgeries Continue to Create Concern.” Autograph Collector’s Magazine (November–December 1988).

Flynn, Shannon P. “Responses to ‘The Document Diggers and Their Discoveries.’” MHA Newsletter 63 (October 1986): 1–2, with reply by Jeffrey Johnson, 3.

“Hamilton on Hofmann.” Maine Antique Digest 15 (June 1987): 3A (letter of Charles Hamilton).

Hedengren, Paul. Chaps. 11–12 of In Defense of Faith, Assessing Arguments against Latter-day Saint Belief (Provo: Bradford and Wilson, 1985), 131–94 (these chapters discuss the letters of Joseph Smith to Josiah Stowell [1825], Lucy Smith to Mary Pierce [1829], and Martin Harris to William W. Phelps [1830]).

Hewett, David. “When Collecting Gets Dangerous.” Maine Antique Digest 13 (December 1985): 27.

__. “Is the White Salamander Letter a Fake? Many Don’t Think So.” Maine Antique Digest 14 (April 1986): 10–13.

__. Parts 1 and 2 of “The Mark Hofmann Story.” Maine Antique Digest 14 (June, July 1986): 26A–31A, 1C–8C.

__. “Update on the Mark Hofmann Case.” Maine Antique Digest 14 (November 1986): 9A.

__. “The Mark Hofmann Case: New Evidence of Fake Americana Surfaces in Utah.” Maine Antique Digest 15 (March 1987): 12A.

__. “Mark Hofmann Confesses.” Maine Antique Digest 15 (May 1987): 10–13.

__. “Forgers, Forgeries, and Fakes.” Maine Antique Digest 15 (November 1987): 27D, 36D (review of Tracking the White Salamander and Selling Hitler).

__. “Hofmann Pleads Guilty: Many Questions Left Unanswered.” Maine Antique Digest 15 (November 1987): 18A.

__. “Mark Hofmann: A Boy and His Chemistry Set Gone Bad.” Maine Antique Digest 15 (November 1987): 1D–7D.

__. “What Has Hofmann Faked?” Maine Antique Digest 16 (December 1988): 25C.

“Hofmann Case: A Chronology.” Deseret News [Salt Lake City], 31 July 1987, A6.

“How to Detect a Hofmann Forgery.” Manuscripts 40 (Winter 1988).

Johnston, Jerry. “Post-Hofmann Days Hard for Rare Book Dealers.” Deseret News, 13 March 1988, E4.

Jones, Robert A. Part 1 of “The White Salamander Murders.” Los Angeles Times Magazine, 29 March 1987, 6–12, 34–36.

__. Part 2 of “The White Salamander Murders.” Los Angeles Times Magazine, 5 April 1987, 14–18, 23, 38, 46, 47.

Kimball, Edward L. “The Artist and the Forger: Han Van Meegeren and Mark Hofmann.” BYU Studies 27 (Fall 1987): 5–14.

Larsen, Paul. “The Chameleon and the Salamander.” Utah Holiday 14 (December 1985): 84–88.

“Leonard J. Arrington Responds.” This People 7 (November 1986): 38–39.

Quinn, D. Michael. Early Mormonism and the Magic World View. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1987.

Rendell, Kenneth. “The End of the Mormon Case but Not of the Questions.” Rendell Review, no. 5 (c. October 1987): 1–2.

__. “Latter Day Taints.” Art and Auction (October 1987): 32–42.

__. “Latter Day Taints: The Mark Hofmann Case.” Manuscripts 40 (Winter 1988): 5–14.

__. “The Mormon Bombing, Forgery and Fraud Case.” Rendell Review, no. 3, n.d.

__. Other People’s Mail: 30 Years as a Dealer in Historical Letters and Documents (N.p.: n.p., [March 1989]), 23–26.

Roberts, Allen D. “Brief Summary of the Hofmann Case.” MHA Newsletter, no. 63 (October 1986): 3–5.

‘The Truth Is the Most Important Thing’: The New Mormon History According to Mark Hofmann.” Dialogue 20 (Winter 1987): 87–96.

Roberts, Allen D., and Fred Esplin. “When the Dealing’s Done: Bombs and Historical Bombshells.” Utah Holiday 15 (January 1986): 42–43, 47, 49–50, 52–58.

Russell, William M. [Allen Roberts on Mark Hofmann], John Whitmer Historical Association Newsletter, no. 23 (July 1988): 2–3 (account of Roberts’s address at the JWHA spring banquet, Independence, Missouri, 9 April 1988).

“A Scandal in America.” Parts 1, 2. Book Collector [London] 36 (Winter 1987): 449–70; and 37 (Spring 1988): 9–28.

Sillitoe, Linda. “Documents of Death.” Utah Holiday 15 (September 1986): 52–54, 68–80.

__. “The Mormon Documents’ Day in Court.” Sunstone 10 (November 1986): 23–29 (originally presented at the Sunstone Theological Symposium, August 1986).

__. “The Successful Marketing of the Holy Grail.” Dialogue 20 (Winter 1987): 97–104.

Sillitoe, Linda, and Allen D. Roberts. Parts 1 and 2 of “Salamander: The Story of the Mormon Forgery.” Utah Holiday 17 (February 1988): 22–37, 59; and (March 1988): 34–46.

Smith, Robert F. “Forgeries” (chap. 7, pp. 99–124) and “The Forger and His Friends” (chap. 8, pp. 125–42) in “Oracles and Talismans, Forgery and Pansophia: Joseph Smith, Jr. as a Renaissance Magus.” Unpublished MS, privately distributed, 1987.

Spangler, Jerry. “Media Became Part of the Hofmann Story.” Utah Journalism Review 7 (October 1987): 2ff.

“Stalking the Wild Document: An Interview with Lyn Jacobs.” Sunstone 10 (c. March 1986): 9–19.

Tracy, Dawn. “Hofmann Fallout? Store [Deseret Book Co.] to Write off Rare-Book Section.” Salt Lake Tribune, 5 November 1987, B1, 2.

__. “Hofmann’s Forgeries Are Likely to Have Lasting Import on LDS History.” Salt Lake Tribune, 24 January 1987, A9.

Walton, Tom. “Here’s Synopsis of LDS Church Releases on Hofmann.” Daily Herald [Provo], 6 August 1987, 3.

II. Interviews with and Articles by Mark Hofmann

A. Articles by

“Finding the Joseph Smith Document.” Ensign 10 (July 1980): 73 (Anthon Transcript).

Part 1 of “The Prophet for President.” TAMS Journal 20 (August 1980): 150–52 (official organ of the Token and Medal Society).

“Behind the Scenes: The Joseph Smith III Blessing.” Sunstone Review 2 (August 1982): 1, 6–7 (includes address Hofmann gave at Mormon History Association annual meeting, with responses by Richard P. Howard and Donald T. Schmidt).

“Text of Hofmann Letter Given to Pardons Board.” Salt Lake Tribune, 30 January 1988, B1, 2.

B. Interviews with

“Hunting for LDS Documents: An Interview with Mark Hofmann.” Sunstone Review 2 (September 1982): 1619 (interviewed by Peggy Fletcher, 17 September 1982).

“Making a Buck Off Church History.” 7th East Press, September 1982, 6–7 (summary of an interview conducted by Jeffrey E. Keller).

C. The Prison Interviews

Mark Hofmann Interviews, Transcripts, Supplements and Exhibits. Two volumes; 537 pp. Issued by the Office of Salt Lake County Attorney (interviews conducted at Utah State Prison between 11 February and 27 May 1987).

1. Index to Selected Topics in the Prison Interviews

a. The forgeries:

Anthon transcript: 3–133, 506–8, 456–57

Articles of Agreement (moneydigging): 501–2

Boone, Daniel, letter: 491

Bridger notes: 288–93

Bullock, Thomas, to Brigham Young: 309–11, 313–16

Canadian copyright revelation: 531

Coins: 409

Dunham letter: 387–402

Grandin, E. B., contract: 372–87

Harris, M., to W. W. Phelps: 243, 397–98, 432–509

McLellin Collection: 519–36

Money (notes and scripts): 175–222

Oath of a Freeman: 230–88, 302–8, 313–15, 363–68

Ross, Betsy, letter: 509–14

Smith, Emma, Hymnal: 223–30, 306

Smith, Joseph, to Emma Smith: 402

Smith, Joseph, to Hyrum Smith: 214

Smith, Joseph, to Josiah Stowell: 75, 243, 245–61, 368–72

Smith, Joseph, to Lawrence sisters: 109–11

Smith, Joseph, III, blessing: 133–73, 297–301, 309–11

Smith, Lucy Mack, letter: 243, 320, 333–45

White notes: 176–82, 323–33

Whitmer to Conrad: 317–23, 411–17, 422

Wilding Group transactions: 514–18

b. Hofmann on Hofmann

Desire to change LDS history: 113–14, 130, 133, 148, 150–51, 165–66, 289, 426

Destroyed evidence: 178, 192, 199, 201, 212–14, 228, 248–49, 262, 288, 537

Diary: 123–24

As a forger (methods, techniques): 64, 73–74, 78, 84, 86–87, 93, 95, 98–99, 100, 106, 113, 116–17, 124–25, 127–30, 132, 134ff., 146, 151–67, 170, 173, 176, 189, 200–202, 206, 216–19, 222, 229, 232, 235, 250–53, 256, 260, 262, 269–70, 283–84, 300–305, 310, 313, 315–16, 318–19, 322, 324–25, 328, 332–36, 341–43, 346, 351–52, 356, 358, 363–68, 379, 382–83, 385, 389, 393–94, 397, 409–10, 414, 416, 418–21,425–27, 429–30, 431, 437, 440, 460, 474, 490, 493–95, 508–10, 522 (394: “My best forgery attempts are obviously in national-type material rather than church material”; 284: “If I write a book you will learn a lot more”)

On himself: 90, 98, 99, 117, 123, 125, 127, 128, 130, 132, 156, 161, 178, 187, 192, 199, 201f., 248, 262, 284, 387, 392, 407, 408, 410, 416, 421, 424, 454, 474–75

On Joseph Smith’s handwriting: 347, 371

Methods of Research: 71, 134–44, 158, 248–51, 257–58, 299, 324–25, 338–39, 340, 397, 412, 421–22, 433–35, 457, 508

Motives: 96, 133–34, 150, 187, 203, 265, 276, 279, 332, 334, 373, 387–88, 400, 402, 407, 412, 473–74

Personal lack of faith: 112, 148, 165, 425–27, 455

Sources: 294, 372, 390, 392, 444, 447

c. Selected references to miscellaneous topics:

Ashworth, Brent: 317, 321, 333–41, 344, 399, 401, 423

Brigham Young University Library: 125 (a lab on campus), 236, 257–59, 280–81

Dart, John: 452–56

Flynn, Shannon: 281–82, 332, 513

Genealogical Library, LDS Church: 374–75

Hamilton, Charles: 357, 419–23

Historical Department, LDS Church: 417, 418, 434

Jacobs, Lyn: 224, 225, 232, 461, 469ff., 535

Jessee, Dean: 125, 126, 342, 359, 394, 448,498

Marquardt, Michael: 298–99, 487

Metcalfe, Brent: 422, 441

“Oliver Cowdery History”: 453–54

Quinn, Michael: 165

Rendell, Kenneth: 490ff.

University of Utah Library: 181, 196, 210, 244, 247, 248, 293–94, 302, 304, 308, 319, 326–27, 329, 339, 369–70, 378, 381, 413, 457

Utah State Archives: 309

Vault of the First Presidency: 453

2. Law suit over the rights to

“Commission Rejects Claim by Bookseller.” Deseret News, 19 August 1988, B1.

Perkins, Ken. “Book Dealer [Sam Weller] Sues County over Hofmann Transcripts.” Salt Lake Tribune, 4 August 1988, B3.

III. Reporter’s Transcript of Preliminary Hearing, State of Utah, Plaintiff, Mark Hofmann, Defendant [12 volumes, 2,517 pages; 14 April 1986–May 1986].

A. Contents (Guide to Examinations of State’s Witnesses)

Vol. 1 (14 April 1986)
• Bruce L. Passey, 8–112
• Janet McDermott, 113–95
• Margene Robbins, 196–227
• James Gary Sheets, 227–45

Vol. 2 (15 April 1986)
• Gary Sheets, 3–50,
• Aaron Teplick, 50–136,
• Nancy Earl, 137–45,
• Jerry Thompson, 145–88,
• Bradley Robert Christensen, 188–238
• Kelly Maria Elliott, 238–50

Vol. 3 (16 April 1986)
• James Bryant, 3–31
• Jim Bell, 31–91
• Jerry Andrew Taylor, 92–190

Vol. 4 (17 April 1986)
• Jerry Taylor, 3–27
• Jorgen Olsen, 28–34
• Jack Smith, 34–60
• Edward Q. Cannon, 61–82
• Sonda Gary, 83–93
• Blanch Leake, 93–96
• Jim Bell, 97–99
• Scott L. Pratt, 99–114
• Shannon Patrick Flynn, 115–54
• Donald T. Schmidt, 155–228

Vol. 5 (18 April 1986)
• Donald T. Schmidt, 3–109
• Barbara Zellner, 109–26
• Ralph Bailey, 127–34
• Wilfred Alan Cardon, 135–98
• Richard Marks, 198–217
• Glen Rowe, 218–32

Vol. 6 (22 April 1986)
• Glen Rowe, 3–30
• Alvin Eugene Rust, 31–127
• Hugh Pinnock, 127–96
• Richard Forbes, 197–207

Vol. 7 (22 April 1986)
• Steven G. Barnett, 3–20
• Kenneth Rendell, 23–170
• Curt Bench, 171–228
• Lyn Richard Jacobs, 228–81

Vol. 8 (5 May 1986)
• Gaylen Rust, 3–36
• Wade Lillywhite, 36–100
• Robert Dale Pitts, 100–128
• Jack Smith, 129–42
• Jim Bell, 143–48

Vol. 9 (6 May 1986)
• Thomas R. Wilding, 3–86
• Francis Magee, 86–176
• Brent Ashworth, 176–232

Vol. 10 (7 May 1986)
• William J. Flynn, 3–163

Vol. 11 (12 May 1986)
• George Throckmorton, 3–206

Vol. 12 (13 May 1986)
• Jim Bell, 3–117

IV. Forgery Symposium, Brigham Young University (6 August 1987)

A. Accounts of

Carter, Mike. “Lack of Skepticism Helped Him, Charges Prosecutor.” Salt Lake Tribune, 7 August 1987, B1, 6.

“Church History and Recent Forgeries Symposium.” BYU Religious Studies Center Newsletter 2 (September 1987): [1–3].

“Conference Asks Questions while Hofmann Raises New Ones.” Sunstone 11 (July 1987): 38–41 (this issue was published in November 1987).

Gates, Chuck. “Elder Oaks Says Media Unfairly Targeted LDS Church.” Deseret News, 7 August 1987, B1, 3.

Harker, Brent. “The Black and the White.” BYU Today 41 (October 1987): 38–46.

“The Hofmann Case.” Daily Universe [BYU student newspaper], 11 August 1987, 4 (series of articles).

“Mormon Official Accuses Media of Church ‘Bashing’ in Bomb Reports.” Los Angeles Times, 8 August 1987, pt. 1, p. 30.

Thompson, Jan. “Historians Pledge More Scrutiny of Documents.” Deseret News, 7 August 1987, B1, 3.

__. “Hofmann became a Lying Machine, Author Declares.” Deseret News, 6 August 1987, B1, 2 (summary of comments of Allen D. Roberts).

Tracy, Dawn. “LDS Church Seen as Just One of Hofmann’s Fraud Victims.” Salt Lake Tribune, 7 August 1987, B1, 6.

Walton, Tom. “Hofmann Wanted to Destroy History, Faith.” Daily Herald, 7 August 1987, 1,6.

__. “Jessee Explains Story behind Letter.” Daily Herald, 7 August 1987, 3.

__. “Oaks Denies Coverup Accusations.” Daily Herald, 7 August 1987, 1, 5.

B. Talks at

Howard, Richard P. “Why Were Scholars Misled? What Can We Learn from This?” Dialogue 21 (Summer 1988): 146–48.

Oaks, Dallin H. “Recent Events Involving Church History and Forged Documents.” Ensign 17 (October 1987): 63–69.

V. Published Reviews

A. Tanner, Jerald. Tracking the White Salamander: The Story of Mark Hofmann, Murder and Forged Mormon Documents.

Hewett, David. Maine Antique Digest 15 (November 1987): 360, 370.

Schindler, Harold. Salt Lake Tribune, 15 February 1987, E2 (review of 2d ed.).

B. Sillitoe, Linda, and Allen D. Roberts. Salamander: The Story of the Mormon Forgery Murders, with a Forensic Analysis by George J. Throckmorton.

Alder, Douglas. Student Review [independent BYU student newspaper], 8 June 1988, 14.

Blanchard, Mary. Dialogue 21 (Winter 1988): 170–71.

DeVilbiss, John. Standard-Examiner [Ogden], 10 April 1988.

Evans, Max S. Utah Historical Quarterly 56 (Summer 1988): 294–96.

Hewett, Janna, and David Hewett. Maine Antique Digest 16 (December 1988): 24C–26C.

Howard, Richard P. Saints Herald 135 (July 1988): 16. See response by Linda Sillitoe in Saints Herald (September 1988), with rejoinder by Howard, 33, 36.

Johnson, Jeffrey O. Dialogue 21 (Winter 1988): 169–70.

Kent, Steven L. Seattle Times, reprinted in the Daily Universe, 21 September 1988, 1, 3.

Launius, Roger D. Journal of the John Whitmer Historical Society 8 (1988): 2.

Limerick. Patricia Nelson. Western Historical Quarterly 20 (May 1989): 217–18.

Midgley, Louis. Student Review, 8 June 1988, 15, 16.

Nelson, Bryce. International Herald Tribune. 13 October 1988, 16 (from Washington Post, 9 October 1988).

__. Los Angeles Times Book Review, 7 May 1989.

Pugsley, Sharon. Americana Archivist 52 (Winter 1989): 104–6.

Roberts, Kurt H. Dallas Morning News, 10 July 1988, 20.

“Salamander.” Christian Century 105 (22 June 1988): 614.

Schindler, Harold. Salt Lake Tribune, 10 April 1988, El, 3.

Somers, Wayne. Book Source Monthly 4 (February 1989): 9–13.

Spangler, Jerry. Deseret News, 16 October 1988, E9.

Turner, Wallace. New York Times Book Review, 31 July 1988, 19.

Van Atta, Dale, and Daryl Gibson. Sunstone 12 (September 1988): 40–42.

Wadley, Carma. Deseret News, 22 May 1988, E4.

C. Naifeh, Steven, and Gregory White Smith. The Mormon Murders: A True Story of Greed, Forgery, Deceit and Death.

Braunagel, Don. San Diego Tribune, 30 September 1988, C3.

Burns, Rex. Rocky Mountain News [Denver], 30 October 1988, M29. Deseret News, 16 October 1988, B1, 2.

DeVilbiss, John. Standard-Examiner, 28 August 1988, D4.

Katzenbach, John. New York Times Book Review, 9 October 1988, 28, 30.

Kent, Steven L. Seattle Times, reprinted in the Daily Universe, 21 September 1988, 1, 3.

Hewett, Janna, and David Hewett. Maine Antique Digest 16 (December 1988): 24C–26C.

“Like Hofmann, the Authors Made up Stories, Ward Says.” Deseret News, 16 October 1988, B2 (see also article by Jan Thompson in same issue, plus other pieces).

Johnston, David. Los Angeles Times Book Review, 18 December 1988, 7 (responded to by Richard Lindsey, Managing Director of Public Communications, Social Affairs Department, LDS Church, in ibid., 22 January 1989, 8).

Nelson, Bryce. International Herald Tribune, 13 October 1988, 16 (from Washington Post, 9 October 1988).

Roberts, Kent H. Dallas Morning News, 10 July 1988.

Salm, Arthur. “2 Authors Felt Uncomfortable in Utah.” San Diego Tribune, 30 September 1988, C3, 12.

Schindler, Harold. Salt Lake Tribune, 11 September 1988,E2.

Spangler, Jerry. Deseret News, 16 October 1988, E9.

Stuttaford, Genevieve. Publishers Weekly 234 (1 July 1988): 64.

Van Atta, Dale, and Daryl Gibson. Sunstone 12 (September 1988): 40–42.

D. Lindsay, Robert. A Gathering of Saints: A True Story of Mark Hofmann, Murder and Forged Mormon Documents.

Goodman, Walter. New York Times, 12 November 1988.

Hewett, Janna, and David Hewett, Maine Antique Digest 16 (December 1988): 24C–26C.

Johnson, David. Los Angeles Times Book Review, 18 December 1988, 7 (responded to by Richard Lindsay in ibid., 22 January 1989, 8).

Katzenbach, John. New York Times Book Review, 9 October 1988, 28–30.

Kent, Steven L. Seattle Times, reprinted in the Daily Universe, 21 September 1988, 1, 3.

King, Florence. San Jose Mercury News, 18 September 1988.

Nelson, Bryce. International Herald Tribune, 13 October 1988, 16 (from Washington Post, 9 October 1988).

Schindler, Harold. Salt Lake Tribune, 11 September 1988, E2.

Somers, Wayne. Book Source Monthly 4 (February 1989): 9–13.

Spangler, Jerry. Deseret News, 16 October 1988, E9.

Van Atta, Dale, and Daryl Gibson. Sunstone 12 (September 1988): 40–42.

VI. The planned movies

Anderson, Vern. “‘Mormon Murders’ Maker Expects Church Cooperation.” Salt Lake Tribune, 29 January 1989, B1, 3.

Brown, Peter A. “Coming Soon, the Mormon Murders.” Los Angeles Times, Calendar Section, 18 September 1988.

__. “Tales Told Out of Church: The Rumblings Over ‘Mormon Murders.’” Washington Post, 22 January 1989, G1, 6, 7.

Porter, Don. “Studios Moving Ahead with Plans for Hofmann Bombings Films.” Standard-Examiner, 30 September 1988, 5D.

Schindler, Harold. “Miniseries Movie to Tell Hofmann Tale.” Salt Lake Tribune, 24 August 1988, D1.

VII. The Hofmann forgeries (Mormon-related)

A. Published lists of Hofmann documents

“Church Acquired 48 Documents from Hofmann.” Deseret News, Church News Section, 20 April 1986.

“Fraudulent Documents from Forger Mark Hofmann Noted.” Ensign 17 (October 1987): 79 (10 items noted).

“A List of Alleged Forgeries.” Salt Lake Tribune, 24 January 1987, A1.

“Scores of Documents Were Really Forgeries.” Deseret News, 23 January 1987 (21 items listed).

Throckmorton, George J. “A Forensic Analysis of Twenty-One Hofmann Documents.” In Linda Sillitoe and Allen D. Roberts, Salamander: The Story of the Mormon Forgery Murders, 531–52.

B. The Mormon-related Hofmann forgeries

1. The Solomon Spalding-Sidney Rigdon land deed (19 January 1822)

Throckmorton. Salamander, 548–49.

2. 1825 “money-digging” agreement (typescript) with J. Smith signature

Throckmorton. Salamander, 542–43.

3. Letter of Joseph Smith to Josiah Stowell (18 June 1825)

Throckmorton. Salamander, 542–43.

4. Anthon Transcript (c. 1828)

Knight, Hal. “Utahn Finds 1828 Writing by Prophet.” Deseret News, Church News Section, 3 May 1980, 3–4.

Brigham, Janet. “Original Copy of Gold Plate Characters Discovered.” Ensign 10 (June 1980): 74–76.

Bachman, Danel W. “A Look at the Newly Discovered Joseph Smith Manuscript.” Ensign 10 (July 1980): 69–73.

Hofmann, Mark W. “Finding the Joseph Smith Document.” Ensign 10 (July 1980): 73.

Bachman, Danel W. “Sealed in a Book: Preliminary Observations on the Newly Found ‘Anthon Transcript.’ “BYU Studies 20 (Spring 1980): 321–45.

“Anthon Transcript.” Ensign 13 (December 1983): 34.

Ensign 17 (October 1987): 79.

Jessee, Dean C., comp. and ed., The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1984), 223–26.

Throckmorton. Salamander, 538–39.

5. Letter of Peter Whitmer and David Whitmer to Bithel Todd (12 August 1828)

Throckmorton, Salamander, 547.

6. Oliver Cowdery Holograph Manuscripts of Original MS of Book of Mormon (1829) (Hel. 14:20–15: 12; parts of Mosiah 2:6–7; 2:17–18)

Ensign 13 (October 1983): 77.

Ensign 13 (December 1983): 37–38.

Ensign 17 (October 1987): 79.

7. Letter of Lucy Mack Smith to Mary Pierce (23 January 1829)

LeFevre, L. Don. “Early LDS Document Found.” Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints—News Release, 23 August 1982, 1–4.

“Lucy M. Smith Letter Discovered.” Deseret News, Church News Section, 28 August 1982, 3, 14.

Raine, George. “LDS Church Releases 1829 Smith Letter.” Salt Lake Tribune, 24 August 1982, B1, 3.

Christians, Patrick. “Lucy Mack Smith Letter Sparks Mormondom Stir.” Daily Herald, 1 September 1982, 27.

“Lucy Mack Smith Letter Displayed.” Ensign 12 (October 1982): 70–73.

Jessee, Dean C. “Lucy Mack Smith’s 1829 Letter to Mary Smith Pierce.” BYU Studies 22 (Fall 1982): 455–65.

Dickman, Diane. “Brent Ashworth.” This People 4 (March 1983): 39.

“Was the Lucy Mack Smith Letter Delivered?” Ensign 13 (April 1983): 78–79.

“Lucy Mack Smith Letter.” Ensign 13 (December 1983): 35.

Ensign 17 (October 1987): 79.

Throckmorton. Salamander, 540–41.

8. Joseph Smith signature in a first edition of Book of Mormon

Ensign 15 (September 1985): 77–78.

Ensign 17 (October 1987): 79.

9. E. B. Grandin contract (17 August 1829)

“Contract with E. B. Grandin.” Ensign 13 (December 1983): 41.

Ensign 17 (October 1987): 79.

Throckmorton. Salamander, 543–44.

10. Letter of Martin Harris to W. W. Phelps (“Salamander” letter) (23 October 1830)

“Moroni or Salamander?” Salt Lake City Messenger 53 (March 1984): 1–4.

Christensen, Steven F. “Letter from Martin Harris to William W. Phelps Dated October 23, 1830.” Press release, 7 March 1984.

Dart, John. “Mormons Ponder 1830 Letter Altering . . . .” Los Angeles Times, 25 August 1984), sec. 2, pp. 4, 5.

“Embarrassing Letters.” Salt Lake City Messenger 54 (September 1984): 11–12.

“The Salamander Letter.” Salt Lake City Messenger 55 (January 1985): 1–13.

Hart, John L. “Letter Sheds Light on Religious Era.” Deseret News, Church News Section, 28 April 1985, 6–7.

“Moses, Moroni, and the Salamander.” Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies Update, June 1985.

“‘Salamandergate’: Mormon Church Caught in Magic Cover-up.” Salt Lake City Messenger 57 (23 June 1985): 1–23.

“Elder Decries Criticism of LDS Leaders.” Salt Lake Tribune, 18 August 1985, 2B.

Tracy, Dawn. “Symposium Examines Smith’s Involvement in Magic.” Salt Lake Tribune, 24 August 1985, B1, 4.

Shulthies, Val, and Jan Thompson. “Findings Haven’t Altered LDS Historian’s Faith.” Deseret News, 24 August 1985, 6B.

Tracy, Dawn. “Did Smith ‘Use’ Magic Relics? Debate Continues.” Salt Lake Tribune, 25 August 1985, B1, 4.

“Church Leaders Overreacted to Historical Documents, Sunstone Editor Says.” Deseret News, 25 August 1985, 2B.

“LDS Origin Theories More Compatable Than Some Say.” Daily Herald, 26 August 1985, 3.

Church Says Letter Poses No Threat to Story of Prophet.” Daily Herald, 27 August 1985, 7.

Warner, Cecelia. “The ‘Martin Harris Letter’: Fact, Fiction . . . Fate.” Sunstone 10 (January 1985): 50–51.

Throckmorton. Salamander, 544.

11. Letter of Joseph Smith to Emma Smith (6 March 1833)

Jessee, Dean C. Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, 277–78.

12. Emma Smith hymnal (1835) last page—tipped in

13. Isaac Galland promissory notes (11 September 1837; 14 December 1841)

Throckmorton. Salamander, 551.

14. Letter-Revelation of Joseph Smith to Hyrum Smith (May 1838)

Anderson, Richard Lloyd. BYU Studies 24 (Fall 1984 [issued May 1986]): 508–21.

Jessee, Dean C. Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, 358–59.

Throckmorton. Salamander, 550–51.

15. Joseph Smith III blessing (17 January 1844)

“Prophet’s Blessing of Son Given RLDS.” Deseret News, Church News Section, 21 March 1981, 5,12.

“Saints Encouraged to Respond Appropriately to Joseph Smith III Blessing.” Saints Herald 128 (15 April 1981): 1, 4.

“Document Found of Father’s Blessing to Joseph Smith III.” Ensign 11 (May 1981): 107–8.

Howard, Richard P. “The Joseph Smith III Blessing—Designation: The Story of the LDS-RLDS Exchange.” Saints Herald 128 (1 May 1981): 12–13, 23.

__. “Events Clarified.” Sunstone 6 (May–June 1981): 4.

__. “Joseph Smith III Blessing Document Is Authentic.” Saints Herald 128 (1 August 1981): 10–11.

Stathis, Steven W. “Mormonism and the Periodical Press: A Change Is Underway.” Dialogue 14 (Summer 1981): 58–61.

Quinn, D. Michael. “Joseph Smith III’s Blessing and the Mormons of Utah.” John Whitmer Historical Association Journal 1 (1981): 12–26 (includes responses by Paul M. Edwards and Richard P. Howard, 27–29). Quinn’s essay was reprinted in Dialogue 15 (Summer 1982): 69–90.

“Mormon History Conference Draws Record Crowd.” Sunstone Review 2 (June 1982): 8–10.

Hofmann, Mark, and Richard P. Howard. “Behind the Scenes: The Joseph Smith III Blessing.” Sunstone Review 2 (August 1982): 1, 6–7.

Jessee, Dean C. Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, 565–66.

Newell, Linda King, and Valeen Tippetts Avery. Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith, Prophet’s Wife, “Elect Lady,” Polygamy’s Foe (Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1984), 169–70.

Editorial, Saints Herald 134 (November 1987): 3–4.

Howard, Richard. “Under Cloud of Mark Hofmann.” Saints Herald 134 (December 1987): 15–18.

Throckmorton. Salamander, 539–40.

Howard, Richard P. Review of Salamander, in Saints Herald 135 (July 1988): 16 (corrects errors regarding RLDS and Joseph Smith III blessing).

16. Letter of Joseph Smith to Maria Lawrence and Sarah Lawrence (23 June 1844)

Jessee, Dean C. Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, 598.

Throckmorton. Salamander, 536–38.

17. Letter of Joseph Smith to Jonathan Dunham (27 June 1844)

Anderson, Richard Lloyd. “Joseph Smith’s Prophecies of Martyrdom.” Sidney B. Sperry Symposium, 26 January 1980 (Provo: BYU Press for the LDS Church Educational System, 1980), 1–26.

Jessee, Dean C. Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, 616–18.

Throckmorton. Salamander, 547–48.

18. William Clayton. Latter Day Saint’s Emigrants Guide (1848; pages tipped in)

Hewett, David. “New Evidence of Fake Americana Surfaces in Utah.” Maine Antique Digest 15 (February 1987): 12A.

19. Handwritten white notes (dated 1849)

Throckmorton. Salamander, 540.

20. Spanish Fork notes (n.d.)

Rust, Alvin. Mormon and Utah Coin and Currency (Salt Lake City: Rust Rare Coin Co., 1984), 153.

Throckmorton. Salamander, 541–42.

21. Deseret currency (1858)

Campbell, Harry Fredrick. Hofmann Mormon Money Forgeries—Historical Aspects (Salt Lake City: Privately printed, 1988).

Throckmorton. Salamander, 545.

22. Letter of Thomas Bullock to Brigham Young (27 January 1865)

Prison Interviews, 310: “I created it to give validity to the Joseph Smith 3rd Blessing.”

23. Letter of Martin Harris to Walter Conrad (13 January 1873)

“Church Releases Harris Letters.” Daily Herald, 5 October 1982, 1.

“Martin Harris Letter.” Ensign 13 (December 1983): 44–45.

Ensign 17 (October 1987): 79.

“1873 Martin Harris Letter Reaffirms Book of Mormon Testimony.” Ensign 12 (November 1982): 97–99.

24. Letter of David Whitmer to Walter Conrad (2 April 1873)

Ensign 17 (October 1987): 79.

25. Second Anointing blessing (earliest known forgery) (c. 1912)

Throckmorton. Salamander, 537.

26. Nathan Harris. Book of Common Prayer with Martin Harris poem

VIII. The Hofmann Forgeries (non-Mormon)

1. The Oath of a Freeman, n.d. (1638)

“The Ultimate Ephemera?” Maine Antique Digest 13 (June 1985): 7A.

McDowell, Edwin. “Gallery Said to Possess First American Imprint.” New York Times, 2 November 1985, 11.

Hewitt, David. “Mark Hofmann Confesses.” Maine Antique Digest 15 (May 1987).

__. “The History and Importance of the ‘Oath of a Freeman.’” Maine Antique Digest 15 (May 1987): 12A–13A.

Throckmorton. Salamander, 546–47.

Solia-Cohen, Lita, and Samuel Pennington. “Scout or Scoundrel? Has Mark Hofmann Found the Earliest American Printing?” Maine Antique Digest 13 (7 December 1985): 26A.

2. The Oath of a Freeman; 2d copy (1638)

Throckmorton. Salamander, 549.

3. Daniel Boone letter (1775)

“Boone Letter a Forgery.” Daily Herald, 16 August 1987, 2.

Hewett, David. “New Evidence of Fake Americana Surfaces in Utah.” Maine Antique Digest 15 (February 1987): 12A (includes a copy of the Boone letter).

New York Times, 14 August 1987 (Sotheby’s auction house buys back Boone letter originally sold to them by Hofmann), 123.

4. Betsy Ross letter (29 November 1807)

Throckmorton. Salamander, 545–46.

5. Jim Bridger promissory notes (1852)

Hewett, David. “New Evidence of Fake Americana Surfaces in Utah.” Maine Antique Digest 15 (February 1987): 12A.

Throckmorton. Salamander, 549–50.

6. Call of the Wild book plate and Jack London signature (c. 1903)

Hewett, David. “New Evidence of Fake Americana Surfaces in Utah.” Maine Antique Digest 15 (February 1987): 12A.

Throckmorton. Salamander, 550.

IX. The Rumored Documents

A. Oliver Cowdery history

“Unnamed Source Announces Valuable Historical Document.” Sunstone 10 (July 1985): 37.

Dart, John. “Mormons Deny Papers Exist That Contradict Origins.” Los Angeles Times, 17 October 1986, sec. 1, p. 32.

“Rumor Concerning Early Oliver Cowdery History Refuted by Church Researchers.” Ensign 16 (December 1986): 71–72.

Anderson, Richard Lloyd. “The Alvin Smith Story: Fact and Fiction.” Ensign 17 (August 1987): 58–72.

B. The William E. McLellin papers

Fielding, Cecilia. “Salt Lake Collector Finds Famous LDS Document.” Daily Herald, 7 July 1985, 5.

“Collector Says Purchase Is Part of Book of Abraham.” Daily Universe, 9 July 1985, 2.

Collett, Rod. “Papers Hofmann May Have Were of Early LDS Dissenter.” Daily Herald, 18 October 1985, 3 (interview with Lyndon Cook).

Carter, Mike. “Expert Claims to Have Sold Hofmann 2 Second-Century Egyptian Papyri.” Salt Lake Tribune, 25 October 1985, 2A.

Smith, Calvin N. “McLellin Became Enemy of Church.” Deseret News, Church News Section, 27 October 1985, 7.

Tracy, Dawn. “McLellin Became Bitter Enemy of Joseph Smith.” Salt Lake Tribune, 30 October 1985, B1.

__. “Location of Letters McLellin Wrote to Joseph Smith a Mystery.” Salt Lake Tribune, 28 November 1985, B1, 3.

__. “Missing LDS Documents in Texas.” Salt Lake Tribune, 28 November 1985, A1, 2.

__. “‘LDS Papers’ Found in Houston.” Salt Lake Tribune, 2 December 1985, A1, 3.

__. “Papers Seem Authentic, Expert Says.” Salt Lake Tribune, 3 December 1985, A1, 3.

__. “Grand Jury Subpoenas Traughber.” Salt Lake Tribune, 4 December 1985, A1, 3.

__. “McLellin a Mormon? News to Us, Descendants Say.” Salt Lake Tribune, 3 January 1986, B1.

__. “Appraiser, Publisher Say McLellin Collection Is Authentic.” Salt Lake Tribune, 26 July 1986, B1, 2.

“LDS Statement Addresses McLellin Series.” Salt Lake Tribune, 4 December 1985, A1.

“McLellin Expresses Feelings in Letter” (14 August 1880, MS in New York Public Library), Deseret News, Church News Section, 8 December 1985, 6, 10.

“Here’s Context of LDS Statement Released in McLellin Situation.” Daily Herald, 12 December 1985, 17.

“Mormons Cite Interest in Church’s Foe’s Documents.” Los Angeles Times, 14 December 1985, sec. 2, p. 7.

Ensign 17 (October 1987): 79.

Notes

 

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