Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon. This history contains information about the places they lived, including descriptions of landforms, natural features, and the distances and cardinal directions between important points. Miraculous origins theories generally accept joseph smiths own account, that he translated an ancient record compiled and abridged by mormon, a precolumbian resident of the western hemisphere. There is no evidence that joseph smith ever translated anything, including the golden plates into the book of mormon. For example, critics of mormonism have shown convincing proof that the book of mormon is a synthesis of earlier works written by other men, of the vivid imaginings of joseph smith, and of plagiarisms from the king james bible. Top 10 embarrassments of the mormon religion listverse. David collingridge uncovering darwinian deceptions. The historicity of the book of mormon religious studies center. These carvings give incredible archaeological evidence and testify to the world that the resurrected jesus christ did come to the western hemisphere in 34 a. Some who term themselves believing latterday saints are advocating that latterday saints should abandon claims that the book of mormon is a historical record of the ancient peoples of the americas. Why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. This common query often expresses the questioners incorrect assumptions about archaeological methodologyassumptions usually based the questioners lack of knowledge about a very specialized academic area. According to the text, the nephites and the lamanites initially spoke hebrew 600 bc and might have spoken a modified semitic language until at least 400 ad, when the book of mormon ends.
The difference between the book of mormon and the christian. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. Employing the word cement was cited as anachronistic proof of the book of. The list of archaeological and historical claims of the book. Book of mormon evidences, part one discusses some of the many factors supporting the plausibility of the book of mormon as an ancient document. Above all, were these words given by the gift and power of god. The new testament and the apostle pauls writings are in fact historically accurate and supported through archaeology and external historical writers. The list of archeological and historical claims of the book of mormon compared to nonapologetic evidence.
Many members of the latter day saint movement claim historical authenticity of the book of mormon. The most commonly recognized poetic style is parallelism. Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon. David hocking managing editor, annotated edition of the book of mormon. The book of mormon has a weights and measures system that is very similar to those used anciently, and in my opinion, it is virtually impossible that joseph smith. Mormon scholars have estimated that at various periods in book of mormon history, the populations of civilizations discussed in the book ranged between 300,000 and 1. The book of mormon itself suffers the same fate when it comes to its own historical support. After years of studying maps, mormon scripture, and spanish chronicles, ferguson had concluded that the book of mormon took place around the. The nhm inscription is the most important piece of geographical evidence book of mormon supporters have for their claims. Many a learned person has asked the same thing about the bible or. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon evidence, proof, and belief.
Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as never before. Book of mormon evidence come follow me supplementary study podcasts. Mormon is allegedly a prophethistorian who was the native american believed by mormons to have written the book of mormon the main religious text of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints mormonism. Nov 30, 20 these facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. Mormon archaeological argument that proves the historical accuracy of b of m. The size of the late jaredite civilization was even larger. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. There is absolutely no archaeological evidence to directly support the book of mormon or the nephites and lamanites, who were supposed to have numbered in the millions.
How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. Wayne may presents book of mormon evidence in north american geography, archaeology and historical records. Proof that the book of mormon is true book of mormon facts. Many a learned person has asked the same thing about the bible or even the existence of god. Dont expect proof for any religion or matter of faith, but yes, there are many issues that support the concept that the book of mormon is of ancient origin and not a silly fraud by joseph smith.
Roberts wrote a letter in 1932 citing a few sources for cement work that predated the book of mormons publication, but this information was highly obscure until the middle of the 20 th century. Jonathan neville jonathan neville is a lawyer, businessman, educator and author who has written over forty books, including both nonfiction and fiction. Readers of the book of mormon may wonder, at times, where in the americas the events described took place. Employing the word cement was cited as anachronistic proof of the book of mormons fabrication. A core belief of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints is that the book of mormon is a translation of an ancient record that was written on golden plates. Historical setting for its translation and publication larry c. The 1st rule of book of mormon evidence there is no. Mormonism is a religion less than two centuries old, but in this short time it has managed to accrue a long list of embarrassments which the church leaders would prefer were kept. There is evidence from the text itself that it was written on metal plates that were abridged by the prophet mormon. The nahom case provides evidence, not of the authenticity of the book of mormon, but of the willingness of lds scholars to look anywhere to find validation for a historically accurate reading of the book of mormon.
The archaeological and historical evidence indicates that the ancient people that we call olmecs in our day are the same people, called the jaredites in the book of mormon. The 1st rule of book of mormon evidence there is no evidence. These facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. From that point in time it is hard to find records outside of the church of the people in the many stories in the book of mormon. To answer that question ive spent some time compiling a list of evidence for the divinity of the book of mormon.
Due to the nature of its origin, that would support the existence of god. We believe that it is scripture that testifies of gods dealings with prophets and followers of jesus christ in the ancient americas. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in. Both the bible and the book of mormon declare themselves to be ancient, historical, and reliable rules of faiththe very word of god.
On wednesday, january 15, 2020, royal skousen will be presenting a lecture on the history of the text of the book of mormon at brigham young university. When you think of historical proof, archaeology tends to be the foremost details needed to prove a culture or story indeed existed, sadly the book of mormon. Historical evidence supporting the book of mormon is. The book of mormon has traditionally been presented as a historical account of the first inhabitants of the americas the principle ancestors of the native americans. Excluding the bible and similar writing, can you prove to an atheist or to someone that is agnostic that god exists. Jan 18, 2018 how a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. Some people have disparaged the book of mormon for being too repetitive, for example, edward meyer, a prominent scholar of ancient history founded to be clumsy monotonous in the extreme and repetitious and mark twain once joked that if joseph smith had left out the phrase and it came to pass, then the book of mormon would have only been a pamphlet these types of criticisms may cause some some. Most, but not all, mormons hold the books connection to. Royal skousen is a professor of linguistics at brigham young university and has spent years studying the text of the book of mormon to look for variants and textual patterns. Were the nephites and lamanites spread throughout both north and south america or did book of mormon events occur within a more confined area. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very presuppositions. They are promoting the feasibility of reading and using the book of mormon as nothing more than a pious fiction with some valuable.
The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in. T he book of mormon is advertized by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints as another testament of jesus christ and specifically of the account of his supposed visit to the american continent the book of mormon, 3 nephi 11. The list of archaeological and historical claims of the. The jaredites are the first chronological group of people in the book of mormon, though their journey is recorded near the end of the book in the book of ether. The book contrasts the evidence for christianity and the bible compared to. The book of mormon purports to give an account of two civilizations formed by families who migrated to the americas. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas. Jan, 2016 undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. The historicity of the book of mormon religious studies. In the book it states that lehi brought his family lamen, lemuel, nephi. They are discovered in the lands north of the descendants of lehi, which is the group that most of the book of mormon records. An additional criticism of the historical authenticity of the book of mormon concerns linguistics.
Joseph smith said that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book history of the church, vol. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. Employing the word cement was cited as anachronistic proof of the book of mormon s fabrication. Think joseph smith could have gotten that right by sheer chance. This interpretation, still dominant among members of the lds church, remained in the introduction to the book of mormon until recently. Thomas stuart ferguson lay in his hammock, certain that he had found. The historicity historical authenticity of the book of mormon is an issue so fundamental that it rests first upon faith in the lord jesus christ, which is the first principle in this, as in all other matters. As we begin to explore mormon archaeology, it seems appropriate to introduce the fascinating history of thomas ferguson, an attorney by trade, whose true passion manifest as an amateur archaeologist who dedicated decades of his life to the search for evidence to validate the book of mormon as a historical record. The book of mormon the book of mormon claims to be a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible. One group of families came from jerusalem in 600 bc and afterward separated into two nations, known as the nephites and the lamanites. The material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. A book of mistakes, error, and fraud by jon gary williams introduction the mormon church promotes the book of mormon as an inspired writing. Roberts wrote a letter in 1932 citing a few sources for cement work that predated the book of mormon s publication, but this information was highly obscure until the middle of the 20 th century. There are differing views on the origin of the book of mormon.
Hebraisms that could have been known to joseph smith may still be authentic, and may still enhance our appreciation of the text, but they are weak evidence for book of mormon antiquity. Is there evidence for the authenticity of the book of mormon. This influenced mark twain to describe the book of mormon as slow, sleepy, and insipid. The facts are that he mistranslated portions of the bible, as well as the book of abraham, the kinderhook plates, and a greek psalter. That very arrangement is now well documented archaeologically an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, provo, utah. Archaeological evidence seems to indicate that the main core or center of the jaredite civilization was located on the mexican gulf coast, in what are now the southern. Dont expect proof for any religion or matter of faith, but yes, there are many issues that support the concept that the book of mormon is of ancient origin and not a. One of the best ways to test the book of mormons historical authenticity is to look at its names. If that were the claim of the book of mormon, any piece of historical, archaeological, or linguistic evidence to the contrary would weigh in against the book of mormon, and those who rely exclusively on scholarship would have a promising position to argue. Proof that the book of mormon is true, excerpt from. Provides concrete evidence disproving the book of abraham, demonstrating that joseph smith was a false prophet. This site provides you with an overview of what the book of mormon claims from an archeological or historic viewpoint, and compares it to nonapologetic apologetic meaning speak to defend scientific and historical resources.
Book of mormon evidence streaming faithfully exploring. Steven smoot lost americas ancient history social engineers of the 1800s northsouth connection. Critics of the book of mormon have argued that there are words and phrases in the book that are anachronistic with archaeological findings. I have watched more than 20 hours of wayne may book of mormon lecture videos and conversed with both wayne may and rod meldrum in person. The mormon church the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. The book of mormon describes a ditch being dug around the protected area. These relate to artifacts, animal, plant, or technology that critics believe did not exist in the americas during the book of mormon time period before 2500 bc to about 400 ad. Admittedly, evidence surrounding the book of mormon is not our greatest strength, while the bible itself contains hundreds of verifiable events, wars, cities, historical figures, and factual. The evidence left by the book of mormon witnesses is rich, varied, and uneven, including the following. Disproves mormonism using the bible, mormon scripture, statistical analysis and common sense. The book of mormon includes a history of an ancient people who migrated from the near east to the americas. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. However the book of mormon makes many claims that are historically absolutely false. The historicityhistorical authenticityof the book of mormon is an issue so fundamental that it rests first upon faith in the lord jesus christ, which is the first.
Archaeological and historical evidence jareditesolmecs. Critics argue that there is no archaeological evidence to support the use of wheeled vehicles in. Variations of this theory only include that the text is a divinely inspired narrative, regardless of its. However, it can evaluate the historical claims which both books make, and that evaluation shows that while the bibles claim to be authentic history is supported by objective evidence click for article on the bible and archaeology, the same cannot be said for the book of mormon. According to the church of jesus christ of latterday saints mormon church, the book of mormon is a divinely inspired revelation that is complimentary to the bible. Atop it a fence of timbers was planted and bound together with vines.
Brian nettles deciphering the reformed egyptian of michigan. Joseph smiths claims are just too ridiculous and the south park episode effectively captures this incredulous attitude, but what is the actual history of the coming forth of the book of mormon mormon and and is is is there there there evidence evidence evidence evidence that that that that supports supports supports. The only bible that joseph smith relied on was the king james version. In addition to joseph smith, 11 official witnesses and several unofficial witnesses testified to the existence of the plates and, in some cases, to dramatic supernatural confirmation of their truth. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. There is no stronger circumstancial evidence of the authenticity of the latter book, can be given, than that contained in mr.
Understanding what archaeologists look for in historical. Oct 06, 2018 there is not an ounce of credible evidence to support the book of mormon as being historical, and im more than ok with that. The video is the third in book of mormon centrals evidence video series, the two previous videos being one on the archaeological evidence for the place called nahom, mentioned by nephi 1 nephi 16. However, after a fair and candid examination of the evidence, many thousands of honest mormons have discovered that this claim simply is not true. The earliest documented statement of the three witnessesoliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harrisis their statement in the handwriting of oliver cowdery subsequently published in the 1830 edition of the book of mormon. In a nutshell, mormonism is based off the book of mormon which has no proof and is in fact discredited through historical and archaeological facts. Mormonism teaches that god used to be a man on another world, mormon doctrine by bruce mcconkie, p. This is a work stephens and catherwoods book that ought to be in the hands of every latter day saint. The purpose of this article is to shed some light on not only the subject of archaeology, but also. Come follow me 2020 podcasts with rod meldrum book of. The book of mormon claims to be a history of ancient peoples inhabiting central america until 421 a. In response to what they see as overwhelming evidence against the book of mormons historical authenticity, but in a wish to maintain that the book might still be inspired scripture in some sense, some have originated a theory that the book of mormon may not be historical yet somehow revelatory or inspired and therefore scriptural. John dehlin september 16, 2015 apologetics, book of mormon, top 10 truth claims, top 25, top 5 response to essays 377 comments. Mormon beliefs are also shown to contradict both the bible and the book of mormon.
That is among the most securely established facts in latterday saint history. Porter in may 1829, joseph smith and oliver cowdery found that a combination of circumstances had made continuing the translation of the book of mormon at harmony, pennsylvania, untenable. Along with my own insights ive provided evidence from archaeologists, historians, gospel scholars, and others who have made such study the. All opinions, speakers and presenters represent and express their own individual opinions, and not necessarily the opinions of firm foundation, book of mormon evidence, or its employees, and no information or opinions represent the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Jan 23, 2016 the book of mormon describes a ditch being dug around the protected area.
Understanding what archaeologists look for in historical evidence, and that a written record epigraphic or iconographic is. Also recruited was gordon ekholm, an anthropologist at the american museum of natural history in new york city. The book of mormon is a tome detailing a vast pre columbian culture that supposedly existed for centuries on the north and south american land masses. The marvel of the book itself being proof enough, having the. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. It is part of a collection that includes book of mormon evidences, part two, book of mormon evidences, part three, and book of mormon nuggets. The book of mormon does indeed have authentic semitic constructions in it, but lds need to tread cautiously in establishing them. The book of mormon is the only explanation for this scripture. Three geneticists respond to the lds essay on dna and the book of mormon, and to apologist michael ash. However, on the subject of the historicity of the book of mormon, there are many subsidiary issues that could each be the subject of a.
Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. Why new testament words and phrases are in the book of mormon part 9. A strong case can be made for the authenticity of joseph smiths account of the coming forth of the book of mormon first, the eyewitness testimony of those directly involved with the translation unanimously agree that joseph was not copying from another book or manuscript, but rather the text of the book of mormon as he peered into the sear. How could there be so many witnesses of the book of mormon and the plates and not one of them deny their testimony even when some of them became bitter toward joseph smith. Two of the most prevalent claims for the book of mormon are, there is much archaeological proof to the book of mormon, and the american indians are descendants of israelites who came to america as described in the book of mormon. Each of its unique names has now been looked at by scholars with linguistic training, and it turns out that a good number of them have plausible links with words or names in ancient near eastern languages, especially with hebrew and egyptian.
551 568 1104 789 1087 359 906 174 1555 1331 1268 788 515 465 1032 207 1356 143 230 374 1402 676 457 41 403 804 272 1375 1157 599 961