What is salamander letter?

The Salamander Letter, also known as the "White Salamander Letter," was a controversial document that played a significant role in the Mormon forgery crisis of the 1980s. It was purportedly written by Martin Harris, an early follower of Joseph Smith, to William W. Phelps in 1830.

• The letter became infamous because its content differed significantly from the official narrative of the founding of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Instead of describing the Angel Moroni appearing to Joseph Smith, the letter suggested that a white salamander guarded the golden plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated. This depiction clashed with the established religious account and raised questions about the nature of Smith's experience.

• Content of the Letter: The letter described how Joseph Smith found the golden plates. The letter described a white salamander instead of an angel, guarding the golden plates.

• Martin Harris's Role: The letter was supposedly written by Martin Harris, one of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon.

• Significance to Mormon History: The letter challenged the accepted narrative of the founding of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

• Forgery: The letter was later proven to be a forgery created by Mark Hofmann. He was a master forger who created numerous historical documents related to Mormon history.

• Mark Hofmann's Role: Hofmann's activities and the exposure of his forgeries shook the Mormon community and led to significant re-evaluation of historical documents. The unmasking of the forgeries eventually led to Hofmann's arrest and conviction for fraud and murder.