Early Life and Background
Mark Hofmann was born on December 7, 1954, in Utah, United States. He grew up in a devout Mormon family and was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Hoffman was described as a bright and talented young man with a passion for collecting and selling rare books and documents.
Education and Career
Hoffman attended Brigham Young University in Utah, where he studied business and pursued his interest in rare books and historical documents. He eventually dropped out of college to focus on his book dealing business full-time. Hoffman quickly gained a reputation as a knowledgeable and trustworthy dealer in the rare book world.
The Forgeries
Despite his success as a rare book dealer, Hoffman had a dark side. In the early 1980s, he began forging historical documents related to the Mormon faith. These forgeries included letters written by famous Mormon leaders such as Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, as well as other important figures in American history.
The Salamander Letter
One of Hoffman’s most famous forgeries was the “Salamander Letter,” which purported to be a letter written by Martin Harris, a key figure in the early days of the Mormon church. The letter described Joseph Smith’s discovery of the golden plates with the help of a magical salamander, rather than an angel as the official church history claimed.
The Oath of a Freeman
Another notable forgery by Hoffman was “The Oath of a Freeman,” a document that supposedly dated back to the early days of American history. The document was believed to be one of the first printed items in America, but it was later revealed to be a fake created by Hoffman.
The Bombings
In an attempt to cover up his forgeries and avoid detection, Hoffman resorted to extreme measures. In 1985, he set off two bombs in Salt Lake City that killed two people and injured several others. The bombings were meant to divert attention away from his fraudulent activities and create chaos in the community.
The First Bombing
The first bombing occurred on October 15, 1985, when a bomb exploded in the car of Steven Christensen, a businessman who had purchased one of Hoffman’s forgeries. Christensen was killed in the blast, along with Kathy Sheets, who happened to be nearby at the time.
The Second Bombing
Less than two weeks later, on October 16, 1985, another bomb exploded at Hoffman’s own home while he was inside. Miraculously, he survived the blast but suffered serious injuries. The bombings shocked the community and raised suspicions about Hoffman’s involvement.
The Unraveling
Despite his attempts to cover up his crimes, Hoffman’s forgeries began to unravel under scrutiny. Experts began to question the authenticity of his documents, leading to investigations by law enforcement authorities. As evidence mounted against him, Hoffman’s facade began to crumble.
The Arrest
In January 1986, Mark Hofmann was arrested and charged with multiple counts of forgery and murder. The authorities uncovered a trail of deceit and deception that had been carefully constructed by Hoffman over the years. His downfall was swift and dramatic.
The Trial
During his trial, Hoffman attempted to plead insanity as a defense for his actions. However, prosecutors argued that he was fully aware of what he was doing and had carefully planned his crimes. In February 1987, Hoffman was convicted on multiple counts of murder and forgery and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Legacy
Mark Hofmann’s crimes shocked the Mormon community and the rare book world. His forgeries have left a lasting impact on both fields, raising questions about authenticity and trustworthiness. The bombings that he orchestrated also left scars on the community that are still felt today.
The Aftermath
In the aftermath of Hofmann’s arrest and conviction, new measures were put in place to prevent similar forgeries from happening again. The case served as a cautionary tale about the dangers of deceit and manipulation in the pursuit of profit or fame.
Conclusion
Mark Hofmann’s story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of deception and greed. His crimes have left a dark stain on both the rare book world and the Mormon community. Despite his initial success as a talented book dealer, Hofmann’s descent into forgery and violence ultimately led to his downfall.
