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. 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. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as never before. Smith said he has received these plates in 1827 from an angel named. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith.
Thomas stuart ferguson lay in his hammock, certain that he had found. The book of mormon is a tome detailing a vast pre columbian culture that supposedly. 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. Readers of the book of mormon may wonder, at times, where in the americas the events described took place. Thomas stuart ferguson lay in his hammock, certain that he. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. The difference between the book of mormon and the christian.
Matching geographical locations in the old world with locations described in the book of mormon. Were the nephites and lamanites spread throughout both north and south america or did book of mormon events occur within a more confined area. There are several theories as to the origin of the book of mormon. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. 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. According to smith, the book is originally written in an otherwise unknown language called. The 1st rule of book of mormon evidence there is no. Too many historical and cultural references mightve undermined or watered. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon. Vaughn, discovered a 2000yearold hematite mine near nazca, peru.
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. There are differing views on the origin of the book of mormon. He undertook on that occasion to bear his testimony of the book of mormon, he being perhaps one of the most qualified men in the church to do so in terms of demonstrating the external. Most adherents to the latter day saint movement view the book as a work of inspired scripture. Although hematite is today mined as an iron ore, vaughn believes that the hematite was then being mined for use as red pigment. Thoughts on evidences for the historical authenticity of.
Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. Archaeological and historical evidence evidences of the. Porter in may 1829, joseph smith and oliver cowdery found that a combination of circumstances had made continuing. It is a thriving field of study, with hundreds of pieces of evidence that correlate the book of mormon with archaeology. Indeed, the ancient practice now is known to have occurred at precisely the era and place from which book of mormon peoples came. 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 book of mormon is the only explanation for this scripture. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. Many scientific volumes have been written about evidence for the book of mormon civilizations. Book of mormon evidences, part one discusses some of the many factors supporting the plausibility of the book of mormon as an ancient document. In this chapter we will examine the book of mormon to see how it holds up to the. Both the bible and the book of mormon declare themselves to be ancient. This general collection of evidence points to a strong possible north american book of mormon geographic location. Excluding the bible and similar writing, can you prove to an atheist or to someone that is agnostic that god exists. According to wilford woodruff, i brought the thigh bone to missouri.
First, it utterly lacks historical or archaeological support, and there is overwhelming empirical evidence that refutes it. Top 10 embarrassments of the mormon religion listverse. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in transition. Understanding what archaeologists look for in historical. 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. 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. The book of mormon is supposed to be the account of people who came from the middleeast to the americas. Between 2004 and 2007, a purdue university archaeologist, kevin j. Miraculous origins theories generally accept joseph smiths own account, that he translated an ancient record compiled. Employing the word cement was cited as anachronistic proof of the book of mormon s fabrication. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. Second, the book of mormon contains none of the key mormon doctrines.
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. Jan, 2016 undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. In this episode, three geneticists respond to the lds essay book of mormon and dna studies, and to apologist michael ashs article entitled the dna challenge to the book of mormon. Debunking the myth of elviss book of mormon keith a. The book of mormon the book of mormon claims to be a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. 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. 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.
Historical setting for its translation and publication larry c. Excluding the bible and similar writing, can you prove to an atheist or to someone that is. No evidence has been found in the americas of iron being hardened to make steel in ancient times. 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. This is important because the latterday saints make such a point about it containing the fullness of. Two of the most prevalent claims for the book of mormon are, there is much archaeological proof to the book of. 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. 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.
The issue of the historicity of the book of mormon highlights the difference between those who rely solely on scholarship and those who rely on revelation, faith, and scholarship. According to smith, the book is originally written in an otherwise unknown language called reformed egyptian on golden plates and it should be of similar importance as the bible. Jul 26, 2018 the book of mormon is a sacred text that was published in march 1830 by joseph smith, jr. The purpose of the book of mormon is to convince the world that jesus is the christ, our lord and redeemer. One last topic on the subject of archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that i want to talk about is horses. The historicity of the book of mormon oaks, dallin h on. The historicity of the book of mormon religious studies center. 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. Many a learned person has asked the same thing about the bible or even the existence of god. The book of mormon is a sacred text that was published in march 1830 by joseph smith, jr. Book of mormon amazing historicity book of mormon evidence. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. The historicity of the book of mormon religious studies. 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.
Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Erekson this story appeared in the marchapril 2020 issue of lds living. 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. Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible is the word of god and that it can be accurately translated. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. Historicity of the book of mormon jump to subtopic. Proof that the book of mormon is true book of mormon facts. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. Proof that the book of mormon is true, excerpt from. 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. 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. 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. Mar 03, 2020 remarkably, items discovered in the zelph mound area fit precisely within the parameters of the book of mormon historical chronology. If the book of mormon is really true history, then even after 1500 years.
How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. The new testament and the apostle pauls writings are in fact historically accurate and supported through archaeology and external historical writers. Wayne may presents book of mormon evidence in north american geography, archaeology and historical records. The book of mormon itself suffers the same fate when it comes to its own historical support. Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in. May 23, 2014 this is another in my series of article on challenging questions that missionaries will likely face. Could joseph smith, who had only three years of formal schooling, have been acquainted enough with ancient horticultural practices to write the. Think joseph smith could have gotten that right by sheer chance. Archaeology is in fact, physical evidence that supports the truthfulness of a historical event. Jan, 2016 historical evidence supporting the book of mormon is overwhelming. It was written by prophets anciently, preserved, and translated in our era by the power of god as a tool to bring souls to christ. Also, the 1825 2nd edition of ethan smiths view of the hebrews provides evidence for the book of mormon.
A book of mistakes, error, and fraud by jon gary williams introduction the mormon church promotes the book of mormon as an inspired writing. 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. 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. Book of mormon geography raises a theological dilemma. Intellectual evidence of book of mormon authenticity is an issue worthy of careful consideration. 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. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon evidence, proof, and belief. Employing the word cement was cited as anachronistic proof of the book of mormons fabrication. Jan 18, 2018 how a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. Historical evidence supporting the book of mormon is. 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. Why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Historical evidence supporting the book of mormon is overwhelming.
Lehi and his family belonged to the tribe of manasseh and ishmael and his family belonged to the tribe of ephraim. 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. In the last chapter we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. 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. Most, but not all, mormons hold the books connection to. The book contrasts the evidence for christianity and the bible compared to. An additional criticism of the historical authenticity of the book of mormon concerns linguistics. Over the last three decades, word of the churchs acquisition of a book of mormon supposedly written in by elvis presley spread easily through fireside speakers, classroom teachers, and newspaper columnists. Remarkably, items discovered in the zelph mound area fit precisely within the parameters of the book of mormon historical chronology. 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. Steel and iron are mentioned several times in the book of mormon. The book of mormon does indeed have authentic semitic constructions in it, but lds need to tread cautiously in establishing them. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in. Finding such items would merely demonstrate that such things existed in the ancient new world, and while such discoveries may be consistent with the book of.
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. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Another way of explaining the strength of the positive. The new testament and the apostle pauls writings are in. When are people going to understand that the bible and the book of mormon is about the history of the israelites. Were the nephites and lamanites spread throughout both north and. Those who rely solely on scholarship reject revelation and focus on a limited number of issues. Many members of the latter day saint movement claim that the book of mormon is historically accurate.
Many a learned person has asked the same thing about the bible or even the. 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. The purpose of this article is to shed some light on not only the subject of archaeology, but also. President nelson grandfathers visit from the other side of the veil and family history work duration. 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. A logical proof that mormonism is false by matt slick mormonism teaches that god used to be a man on another world, mormon doctrine by bruce mcconkie, p. Critics of the book of mormon have argued that there are words and phrases in the book that are anachronistic with archaeological findings. Both the bible and the book of mormon declare themselves to be ancient, historical, and reliable rules of faiththe very word of god. The most common belief of adherents is that promoted by joseph smith, who said he translated ancient golden plates inscribed by prophets.