It’s Heartbreak Hotel time for any of you who have been inspired by the story of Elvis Presley’s deep appreciation of the Book of Mormon, supported by a copy of the book that contained his signature and extensive notes. Sadly, the Elvis edition of the Book of Mormon, upon closer examination, has been ruled an obvious forgery. See the LDS.org story by Keith A. Erekson, Church History Library Director, “Elvis Presley–Signed Copy of the Book of Mormon a Forgery, Historian Says,” also available at Meridian Magazine.

It’s a warning to not give much weight to faith-promoting stories that
are not adequately substantiated. It’s also a warning that believers can
be too eager to accept questionable evidence that we find comforting. What a shame that someone created this forgery in the first place. Come on, people, don’t be cruel!

I’m happy to report, on the other hand, that extensive, word-by-word, line-by-line examination of the Original Text of the Book of Mormon, the Printer’s Manuscript, and analysis of numerous statements of witnesses of the translation process and of the text itself continue to add growing evidence that the translation of the Book of Mormon was not a fraudulent story but truly was a miraculous fruit of oral dictation, hour after hour at an amazing pace, giving us the intricate text we have today, loaded with growing evidences of ancient origins beyond anything scholars or farm boys could have fabricated in 1830. Stick with the original and don’t be bothered or misled by peripheral issues like Elvis’ alleged infatuation with the the book.