Why so many Mormon Fantasy Fiction Writers?

Fantasy, Fraud, and Faith: A Christian Apologist’s Perspective on Mormonism and Fantasy Fiction

When you think of fantasy fiction, certain modern names stand out—Brandon Sanderson, Orson Scott Card, and Stephenie Meyer, to name a few. What connects these successful writers, beyond their contributions to the genre, is their shared faith in Mormonism. This raises an intriguing question: what is it about Mormonism that fosters a creative explosion of fantasy writers?

As a Christian presuppositional apologist, I argue that the roots of this phenomenon go back to the very origins of Mormonism itself. The historical and theological foundations of Mormonism not only foster a cultural embrace of storytelling but also reveal the religion’s deep connections to the fantastical and speculative. By examining Joseph Smith’s use of a stolen fantasy manuscript, his questionable character, and the theological and historical inconsistencies of Mormonism, we can trace a lineage from Smith’s imaginative beginnings to today’s Mormon fantasy writers.

The Spaulding Manuscript: Fantasy in Mormonism’s Foundation

At the heart of Mormonism’s origin lies the Book of Mormon, a text Joseph Smith claimed to have translated from ancient golden plates given to him by an angel named Moroni. However, historical evidence suggests that the Book of Mormon has drawn heavily from Solomon Spaulding’s unpublished manuscript, Manuscript Found. Spaulding’s work was a fictional story that speculated about the ancient origins of Native Americans, blending themes of migration, war, and divine intervention.

Evidence of Plagiarism

1. Witness Testimonies: Multiple individuals who had read Spaulding’s manuscript before his death recognized substantial similarities between it and the Book of Mormon. John Spalding, Solomon’s brother, noted that the narrative structure, plotlines, and even the style of the two texts were nearly identical.

2. Sidney Rigdon’s Role: Sidney Rigdon, an early leader in Mormonism, was reportedly in possession of Spaulding’s manuscript years before he joined forces with Smith. Critics argue that Rigdon collaborated with Smith to adapt Spaulding’s work into what became the Book of Mormon.

3. Surviving Manuscript: Portions of Spaulding’s manuscript were rediscovered in the 19th century, revealing thematic and stylistic parallels to the Book of Mormon. While not an exact match, these fragments strongly reveal that Spaulding’s ideas influenced Smith’s work.

Joseph Smith: The Imaginative Prophet

Joseph Smith’s early life and character further illuminate the fantastical origins of Mormonism. Smith was a known treasure hunter and practiced occultism, using “seer stones” to locate buried treasures—a practice deeply rooted in superstition and condemned by Scripture (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). His conviction for fraud and reputation as a con artist raise significant doubts about his claims to divine revelation.

Even after founding Mormonism, Smith demonstrated a flair for imaginative storytelling. His Book of Abraham, for instance, was later proven to be a mistranslation of an Egyptian funerary text, showing a pattern of fabricating sacred narratives.

The Fantasy Connection: Themes and Tropes

The Book of Mormon itself reads like a work of speculative fiction, employing common fantasy tropes:

• Lost Civilizations: Similar to Spaulding’s manuscript, the Book of Mormon describes ancient civilizations with no archaeological evidence to support their existence.

• Divinely Chosen Heroes: Characters like Nephi and Moroni echo the archetypal fantasy “chosen one,” destined to fulfill divine purposes.

• Prophecies and Battles: The text’s dramatic prophecies and epic battles mirror the narrative techniques of fantasy and science fiction.

These elements align with 19th-century speculative literature, reinforcing the argument that the Book of Mormon was more a product of human imagination than divine revelation.

Theological Contradictions with Biblical Christianity

Mormon teachings, as derived from the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith’s other writings, deviate significantly from biblical Christianity:

1. The Nature of God: Mormonism’s view of God as a physical being who was once a man contradicts the biblical teaching of God as eternal, unchanging, and spirit (John 4:24; Psalm 90:2).

2. Polytheism: Mormon doctrine suggests the existence of multiple gods and the potential for humans to become gods, a concept entirely at odds with the monotheism of Scripture (Isaiah 45:5).

3. Salvation by Works: Mormonism’s emphasis on works and temple rituals contradicts the biblical doctrine of salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Mormonism and Modern Fantasy Writers

Why, then, does Mormonism produce so many successful fantasy authors? The connection lies in the religion’s cultural and theological embrace of storytelling. From Joseph Smith’s elaborate narratives to the modern LDS missionary emphasis on personal testimony, storytelling is central to Mormon identity.

For contemporary Mormon writers, fantasy provides a safe space to explore moral and theological questions allegorically. Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive series, for instance, delves into themes of leadership, redemption, and destiny, echoing motifs from Mormon teachings while remaining accessible to a broad audience. Similarly, Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game reflects Mormon views on agency and moral responsibility through a speculative lens.

This cultural predisposition for storytelling can be traced directly to Smith himself. Just as Smith blurred the lines between fiction and divine revelation, modern Mormon authors use speculative worlds to grapple with big questions, echoing the imaginative spirit of their faith’s founder.

Conclusion

The historical and theological roots of Mormonism reveal a religion founded on fantasy, plagiarism, and speculative storytelling. The evidence surrounding Solomon Spaulding’s manuscript, Joseph Smith’s character, and the fantastical elements of the Book of Mormon undermine its claims of divine origin and highlight its departure from biblical Christianity.

Modern Mormon fantasy writers may not consciously draw on this history, but the imaginative foundation of their faith undeniably shapes their creative pursuits. As Christians, we must approach this topic with grace and truth, exposing the errors of Mormonism while pointing to the sufficiency of Scripture and the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

Fantasy fiction can captivate the imagination, but our faith must rest not on cleverly devised myths (2 Peter 1:16) but on the historical reality of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection—the ultimate story of redemption written by the Author of truth.