Evidence of the truthfulness of the book of mormon lds. This is another in my series of article on challenging questions that missionaries will likely face. The book of mormon does indeed have authentic semitic constructions in it, but lds need to tread cautiously in establishing them. 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.
There is an abundance of historical and archaeological evidence that supports the scriptural historical events as recorded in the book of mormon. To date, no actual evidence to confirm the book of mormon has been found, although many lds believers have faith that it will be uncovered in the future. Archaeological evidence for the book of mormon book of. In this inspiring and informative presentation, dr. Evidence for nephis bountiful, journal of book of mormon studies, 71 1998. 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. Book of mormon evidences mormonism, the mormon church. A book of mistakes, error, and fraud by jon gary williams introduction the mormon church promotes the book of mormon as an inspired writing. Peterson, mounting evidence for the book of mormon, ensign, january 2000, 19,excerpt. That is among the most securely established facts in. Book of mormon the list of archaeological and historical.
The 1st rule of book of mormon evidence there is no. The book of mormon describes both within the time frame in accordance with the law of moses. This is not a list for theological texts, such as the book of mormon. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the. 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. For example, evidence to support the claim by mormons that native americans are descendants of. 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.
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 central archaeological evidence for the book. Mounting evidence for the book of mormon by daniel petersen jan 2000 ensign serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as never before. Think joseph smith could have gotten that right by sheer chance. If there is data supporting the texts, we can calculate whether the book of mormon should be considered to be based on fact or simply a good fiction story.
First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very. Elephants are mentioned twice in the earliest book of mormon record, the book of ether. People keep saying that mormonism isnt true because of this. Historical evidence supporting the book of mormon is.
Dec 02, 20 i was wondering if there is any archaeological evidence to support things mentioned in the book of mormon such as wheat, barley, copper, and steel in america. The book of mormon describes migrations of people from the middle east to central america, and further describes some features of their civilizations in the new world. Some point to what they claim is evidence for the presence of these items and locations. If that were the claim of the book of mormon, any piece of historical, archaeological, or linguistic evidence to the contrary. Many members of the latter day saint movement claim that the book of mormon is historically. One last topic on the subject of archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that i want to talk about is horses. Native american writings are potentially strong evidence that the occurrences described in the book of mormon actually happened. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon.
Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Although historians and archaeologists consider the book to be an anachronistic invention of joseph smith, many members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church and other denominations. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. Is there archaeological evidence to support the book of. The book of mormon makes a handful of references to horses existing on the american continents in these ancient times. If a socalled holy book is not a myth, then we will find that the names of cities, people, and other unique details will be supported by archaeological evidence. In order to remove these inherent improbabilities and attempt to salvage the credibility of the book of mormon, a number of modern mormon scholars have proposed several variations of a new approach to book of mormon geography, usually called the limited geography theory.
Although historians and archaeologists consider the book to be an anachronistic invention of joseph smith, many members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church and other denominations of the latter day saint movement believe that it. A response to dan vogel the place called bountiful in the book of mormon summary. The resurrected savior, jesus christ, really did visit the book of mormon people in the americas. If nehem is the book of mormon site nahom, then is there a bountiful to the east of it on the coast. Civilizations of their magnitude and duration would be expected to leave extensive archaeological records. Jun 22, 2016 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. The book of mormon is the only explanation for this scripture. 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 seen by science, the book of mormon is stronger today than it was in 1830, 1844, 1950, or even 2000, so i expect it will continue to become stronger in the future. Truth shall spring forth out of the earth, journal of book of mormon studies, vol. 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. Too many historical and cultural references mightve undermined or watered down its spiritual objectives. Evidence that the book of mormon, while good to have, is not the essential thing that will convert mankind to its truthfulness, or to the person the book of mormon is bearing witness of.
Some mormon scholars, like grant hardy, who wrote understanding the book of mormon. 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. I suspect there is no answer, i suspect that no amount of evidence would persuade the faithful, i suspect that no lack of probook of mormon evidence will get past faith presuppositions. The book of mormon teaches that the redemption of christ was planned before the world began, and the mayans likewise believed in gods who. 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.
A combination of factors, including the evidence appearing at the right time, at the right place, and in the right relative distance to another site mentioned in the record, converge to make nahom strong archaeological evidence for the book. Is there evidence for great destruction in the land northward at the death of christ. For example, evidence to support the claim by mormons that native americans are descendants of israel,nonlds website that believes the native americans are descendants of the israelites 1 2 3 is given by a. So there is also archaeological evidence that supports the truthfulness of the book of mormon.
The opponents of the historicity of the book of mormon must prove that the people whose religious life it records did not live anywhere in the americas. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. Historical evidence supporting the book of mormon is overwhelming. And, with more study, the books sturdiness and richness and the remarkable accomplishment of its translator, the prophet joseph smith, become more apparent for. All the wordprint studies, understanding of olive culture, or reading of chiasmus will not convert anyone to a life of. Further, there is no evidence at all that joseph smith did any scholarly research, or even that he read very much, before the book of mormon appeared. Smith, then 24 years old, claimed that he had not composed the text of the book, but that he had translated it from a set of golden plates which he had dug out of a nearby hill under the. Lunds love for history and the book of mormon has taken him to mexico, honduras, belize and guatemala more than twenty times. The book is used by nearly thirteen million individuals who read it along with the holy bible, believing that both were written by prophets and contain the words of god. Cbs, book of mormon llc, the harry fox agency, warner chappell. And so this is a kingsize problem, it seems to me, for socalled book of mormon archaeology. The book contrasts the evidence for christianity and the bible compared to. In the paper revisiting sariah at elephantine, neal rappleye, a research project manager here at book of mormon central, explains that scholars have identified a jewish woman named.
Mar 26, 2016 the material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. A contemporary mormon view is that these civilizations rose and fell in mesoamerica. There is not an ounce of credible evidence to support the book of mormon as being historical, and im more than ok with that. A journal of latterday saint faith and scholarship. Another way of explaining the strength of the positive position on the historicity of the book of mormon is to point out that we who are its proponents are content with a standoff on this question. The mayan gods gathered under the tree of life to hold a council all the gods had taken part in the creation of the earth. Anyone who disagrees with the content of this video, didnt watch it. New evidence for the book of mormon name sariah 1 nephi 2. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. A readers guide, have attempted to move the discussion away from.
The material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. 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. Understanding what archaeologists look for in historical evidence, and that a written record epigraphic or iconographic is. Calendar systems in use in north america during this historical period relied on this simple system. 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 principle in this, as in all other matters. 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. Tell us exactly what would be necessary to show that the book of mormon stories do not accurately portray ancient new world history and events. The book of mormon s authors made it clear the record was spiritual, and that it would touch on historical matters but lightly 1 nephi 9.
A readers guide, have attempted to move the discussion away from polemics to an appreciation for the books. Mormonism is there any archaeological evidence for the. This view, whose most influential proponent is brigham young university archaeologist john l. Today we will talk about some common criticisms of the book of mormon around archaeological evidence that some say proves or disproves the truthfulness of the book of mormon. We build enduring faith in jesus christ by making the book of mormon accessible. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. 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. Archaeological and historical evidence evidences of the. Discussion regarding the historicity of the book of mormon often focuses on archaeological issues, some of which relate to the large size and the long time span of the civilizations mentioned in the book. As always, i invite you to study the issues, evaluate what we know and what we dont know, and pray for the guidance. Is there archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. He looks at such things as chiasmus, wordprint analysis, geographical evidence, and much more as he shares his witness that the book of mormon is. Book of mormon evidence the mormon church, mormonism.
Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted. A journal of latterday saint faith and scholarship, book of mormon minimalists and the nhm inscriptions. Best mormon history books this list is for nonfiction works of objective history that examine all aspects of mormonism and mormon history. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the. The plates, the translation, and the witnesses for a brief period in the late 1820s, the prophet joseph smith did indeed possess the gold plates. Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible is the word of god and that it can be accurately translated. Archaeology is in fact, physical evidence that supports the truthfulness of a historical event. That is among the most securely established facts in latterday saint history. For many years, critics have challenged the veracity of a religious text called the book of mormon. He is a great teacher, a brilliant scholar, and gifted with a sense of humor. Well documented facts, and he covered so many different aspects of evidence to back up his video presentation, aside from the compelling dna evidence, he used weather, animal migration, mapping, rivers, water bodies, descriptions from the book of mormon and matched them to the local geography.
For instance, the populations and civilizations described in the book of mormon were likely too small only a few million to fill entire continents. If the book of mormon is really true history, then even after 1500 years, there should be some evidence that would support the truthfulness of those historical scriptural events, as recorded in the book of mormon. We build enduring faith in jesus christ by making the book of mormon accessible, comprehensible, and defensible to the entire world. However, after a fair and candid examination of the evidence, many thousands of honest mormons have discovered that this claim simply is not true. Its compilers minimized cultural references to maximize its universality, particularly for folks in the last days alma 37.
Is there evidence of sunken cities in ancient america. A popular saying in the field of archaeology is that no evidence of existence is not evidence of nonexistence. The historicity of the book of mormon religious studies center. The book of mormon bom was first published in palmyra, new york, in 1830, its title page giving the name joseph smith, jun.
Mormon missionaries continue to claim that the science of archeology substantiates the book of mormon, but whether we consider the alleged cities, persons, animals, fabrics, metals, wars and war implements, kings, palaces, or crops, all the evidence points to their nonexistence. To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look. I was wondering if there is any archaeological evidence to support things mentioned in the book of mormon such as wheat, barley, copper, and steel in america. The historicity of the book of mormon religious studies. Archaeological evidences discovered since the coming forth of the book of mormon and the facts of history point toward the accuracy of many details of its historic account. Is there evidence for the authenticity of the book of mormon. Ritual sacrifice both human sacrifice and animal sacrifices occurred in ancient america. 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. As explored in this video, the location nahom in the book of mormon has been archaeologically confirmed. 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. Much evidence exists to support the claims made by the book of mormon native american evidences of book of mormon contents. In the last chapter we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. Peterson, a noted scholar and lecturer, provides an intriguing look at the evidences that support the book of mormon as an ancient text. The book of mormon tells of king noah being executed for crimes in a lengthy ceremony similar to the mayan execution ritual.
In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. The list of archeological and historical claims of the book of mormon compared to nonapologetic evidence. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. The book of mormon is a vast and epic story that spans hundreds of years on two continents while detailing the rise and fall of unique, previously unheard of civilizations. The overall trend in the date over the past 175 years fits the expectations for the book of mormon as history rather than hoax. The first of these peoples, called jaredites, are supposed to have come to. If the book is accurate, archaeologists would expect to find numerous pieces of hard evidence in central america that confirm the presence of these societies. An additional criticism of the historical authenticity of the book of mormon concerns linguistics. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the book. Preearth life similar to mormon teachings, mesoamericans believed gods existed before the world was created. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it.
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