Joseph Smith and the Greek Psalter

34 Primary Sources

Date
Summary
Nov 20, 1835

Journal entry in 1835 shows Joseph owned a Greek lexicon.

Dec 23, 1835

Journal entry in 1835 indicates Joseph studied Greek.

1839

Henry Caswall's remarks on the Mormons in 1839 with disparaging language.

Dec 12, 1840

Sample of Joseph's private language from 1840 (a holographic letter).

Mar 31, 1842

Joseph's letter to the Relief Society, March 1842.

Apr 9, 1842

Sample of private language used by Joseph in April 1842 from letter to John E. Page.

Apr 15, 1842

Published sample of Joseph's language in April 1842.

Apr 19, 1842

Joseph's journal entry for April 19, 1842.

May 21, 1842

The Churchman newspaper publishes secondhand account of the Greek Psalter incident.

Jun 1842

Henry Caswall's earliest published account of the Greek Psalter incident.

Jul 14, 1842

Christian Mirror reprints report of the Churchman saying Caswall met with Joseph and showed him the Greek manuscript.

Jul 30, 1842

Gloucestershire Chronicle reprints article from the Churchman reporting Caswall showed JS a Greek manuscript.

Jul 30, 1842

The Caledonian Mercury reprints an article from the Churchman saying Caswall met Joseph and showed him a Greek manuscript.

Aug 18, 1842

Holographic letter from Joseph to the Whitney family dated August 18, 1842.

1843

Henry Caswall's abridged account of the Greek Psalter episode from 1843.

Oct 15, 1843

Times and Seasons article mentions Caswall's visit with Joseph.

Oct 16, 1843

Reuben Hedlock mentions Henry Caswall's visit to Nauvoo.

Nov 15, 1843

Warsaw Message publishes an account of Caswall's visit to Nauvoo.

Aug 3, 1844

Henry Caswall writes about the death of Joseph.

1850

John Taylor publishes account of meeting Henry Caswall.

1851

Henry Caswall gives another account of his encounter with Joseph and the Greek Psalter.

1852

Henry Caswall's third account of the Greek Psalter incident published in 1852.

1861

Richard Burton remarks on Henry Caswall and reviews his books.

1865

William Saunders Parrott reprints Henry Caswall's Greek Psalter account in his 1865 book.

1892

John W. Hess recalls seeing Joseph studying Greek.

Oct 2, 1895

"W. J. M." says he had seen Henry Caswall's Greek manuscript.

1914

Henry C. Sheldon appeals to the Greek Psalter incident to criticize Joseph Smith.

1951

John A. Widtsoe briefly reviews the Greek Psalter incident.

1961

Nibley analyzes and critiques Caswall's accounts of the Greek Psalter episode.

1971

Fawn Brodie reviews the Greek Psalter incident.

1995 - 1996

Craig Foster reviews the life of Henry Caswall; documents a lifelong antagonism towards the Church.

2015

Religious Studies Center 2015 publication on JS interest in ancient languages, artifacts.

2015

Welch reviews the Greek Psalter episode, points out problems with Caswall's account.

2023

Met Museum example of a medieval Greek Psalter with description.