I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. Aug 09, 2011 yes, there is sufficient evidences from all the sciences and scholarship to support the book of mormon as a true book, given by the power and glory of god. Members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church and other denominations of the latter day saint movement generally believe that the book of mormon describes ancient historical events in the americas, but historians and archaeologists. Smithsonian archaeologists see no direct connection between the archaeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. This paper examines the myriad of problems brought about by the lack of historical and. Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses. The first nation, known as the jaredites, claims to have. The comparatively rich archaeological corroboration of the old testament j. This burning in the bosom must provide the best evidence the book of mormon has going for it, since scientific and archaeological evidence certainly doesnt support its claims. Thus, it can be seen that archaeological evidence for the book of mormon which does exist, as will be discussed shortlydoes not constitute proof, nor does it translate into belief.
There is no good evidence that these are scripture. Many books have questionable authorship, and many places remain unidentified. Much left to discover between archaeology and the book of mormon. The comparatively rich archaeological corroboration of the. 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. Fortunately now changed to the department of anthropology and archaeology, with such qualified men as. Nwaf findings did not back up the veracity of the book of mormon claims.
In a previous post, i discussed questions about the exodus. The book of mormon is advertized by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints as another testament. This volume features articles on archaeological and anthropological aspects of the book of mormon, such as the use of the wheel in ancient america, hagoth and the polynesian tradition, the mulekites, ancient writing in the americas, and the use of metal. If the book of mormon is actually a novel, why would a protestant minister say there are multiple gods, etc. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the book. 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. The record tracks the history of two civilizations. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as never before.
Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. Depending on the scope of this question, it can be very difficult to give any satisfactory answer to. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. Archaeologists, when examining ancient evidence, are working with a very fragmentary record.
Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible. Sorenson claims that there is fossil evidence that some new world. Book of mormonarchaeologycompared to the bible fairmormon. Mike licona has produced a practical book to help in our apologetics witness to mormons. See richard lloyd anderson, investigating the book of mormon witnesses salt lake city. The book of mormon makes a handful of references to horses existing on the american continents in these ancient times. Most people believe the bible is on solid archaeological footing, but that isnt actually true. What evidence do you have for the book of mormon, the.
Warner april 6, 2018 biblical reliability, writings 14,220 views when i first began examining the claims of the book of mormon, i was an atheist who had just become interested in the person of jesus. 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. Id like to discuss both biblical and book of mormon archaeology. Archeology alone, no not for the whole book, but yes on its beginnings. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as. This is another in my series of article on challenging questions that missionaries will likely face.
Allegedly, joseph smith found the text for the book of mormon inscribed on gold plates buried near. Mormonism is there any archaeological evidence for the. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds doesnt take an official position on. Wilson, professor of egyptology at the university of chicago, wrote. Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible is the word of god and that it can be accurately translated. Also, the book of mormon contains grave errors and contradictions. According to the church of jesus christ of latterday saints mormon. Also keep in mind that according to the book of mormon the new world christians were a persecuted minority who were.
Evidence for nephis bountiful, journal of book of mormon studies, 71 1998. Apologetics press the book of mormon and the ancient evidence. Illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. As always, i invite you to study the issues, evaluate what we know and what we dont know, and pray for the guidance. Among other errors, the book of mormon makes numerous claims about society in precolumbian north america which totally contradict the archaeological evidence. But ultimately god requires faith, and is most likely making it intentionally difficult to prove the book of mormon is true, secularly. 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 book of mormon is said to have been written in a reformed egyptian characters, but no archaeological, linguistic, or other evidence of the use of egyptian writing in ancient america has been discovered. 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. Archaeological evidence for the bible the stones cry out. 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. Facts are facts and truth is truth, ferguson once wrote about the archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that he was sure was about to be discovered in southern mexico.
Christianity there is a lot in the press today concerning mormonism verses traditional christianity. Anderson, personal writings of the book of mormon witnesses, in book of mormon authorship revisited. This video will help you understand that the foundation of the lds faith is built upon myth. For example, in the book of mormon, proper names of places and people have no substantiation from outside sources. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Wayne may presents the supporting evidence for the heartland model, that the book of mormon nephites and jaredites lived in north america. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence.
His library research spurred his first hunt for archaeological evidence. In the last chapter we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. Therefore, as things stand at the moment, current new world archaeological evidence tends to verify the claims made by the book of mormon. Does archaeology support the book of mormon institute. You do not find evidence for the book of mormon, the doctrine and covenants and the pearl of great price at my web site because i am convinced that these books, written by joseph smith, with some help from brigham young and later mormon prophets are not the inspired word of god. This compilation of groundbreaking book of mormon articles is selected from over fifty years of lds scholarship published by byu studies. Truth shall spring forth out of the earth, journal of book of mormon studies, vol.
Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. Stated on the title page, the book of mormons central purpose is for the convincing of the jew and gentile that jesus is the christ, the eternal god, manifesting himself unto all nations. But ultimately god requires faith, and is most likely making it intentionally difficult to prove the book of. Though argument does not create conviction, lack of it destroys belief. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very. No direct geographical, archaeological or any other scientific field supports fictional narratives. The book of mormon contains doctrinal and philosophical teachings on a wide range of topics, from basic themes of christianity and judaism to political and ideological teachings jesus. And to be less sardonic about the matter, this is also why direct evidence actually can sometimes di.
However, unlike the bible which has multiple lines of archaeological support for its historicity and authenticity, the book of mormon is totally lacking in such corroborative evidence. Welcome to the book of mormon archaeological forum. Allegedly, joseph smith found the text for the book of mormon inscribed on gold plates buried near a hill named cumorah in upstate new york. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may.
To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look. The smithsonian institute has issued a statement regarding archaeological evidence and the book of mormon. I had sincerely hoped that bookofmormon cities would. 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. Civilizations of their magnitude and duration would be expected to leave extensive archaeological records. It is all based on the word of one man joseph smith who has been proven to be a. There is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. While it is important and nice to have such evidence, such evidence is miniscule in its strength of conversion compared to the beautiful, powerful, wonderful witness of the truth through the. The type of faith mormons exhibit is the third type and is not the way god works as modeled throughout the bible. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted. Book of mormon archaeology is real, authentic, scientifically researched, a proven fact.
Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. After all, their church is labeled as the church of. Bpin the last part in this series, we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. Book of mormon archaeology and anthropology byu studies. Too many historical and cultural references mightve undermined or watered down its spiritual objectives. Reply toa few objections to mormonism, by professor d. According to the smithsonian institution, archaeological evidence shows that the western hemisphere was populated by east asian peoples migrating across the bering strait and rules out alternatives involving long sea voyages 23 as a significant contribution to new world settlement, as proposed by the book of mormon. Is there sufficient archaeological evidence to support the. The people and places are not proven to exist, it was written by a man and not godbreathed. As you have seen, we mormons have more than plenty of solid, profound, and irrefutable physical evidence to support the claims of the book of mormon. Archaeology primarily concerns itself with artifacts that have been left behind from ancient days, whereas the book of mormon deliberately avoids going into too much detail on the culture of its people and explaining details that might aid archaeological research, preferring to focus on more. Archaeology and the book of mormon still have much to say to each.
The book of mormon claims to be an ancient scripture rooted in the historical setting of the american continents. The lack of correlation between locations described in the book of mormon and american archaeological sites. Until we see book of mormon scholarship accepted by and spread into a secular forum, i withhold my exuberance over perceived evidence. Yet throughout this diversity the bible remains unified in its message and has archaeological evidence backing it. Dever, cited in gordon govier, biblical archaeologys dusty little secret, christianity today, october 2003, 38. The book of mormon has not a shred of such evidence, not even a single coin as evidence for the stories which supposedly took place in america. Yes, there is sufficient evidences from all the sciences and scholarship to support the book of mormon as a true book, given by the power and glory of god. There is no historical or archeological evidence to support the book of mormon. Not only is there absolutely no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon, there is also absolutely no evidence for any other claim the lds make in doctrine or revelations, etc. A contemporary mormon view is that these civilizations rose and fell in mesoamerica. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Well, the book of mormon is a migration story, similar to the idea of the book of exodus in the old testament, except there are three migrations involved in this.
This is important because the latterday saints make such a point about it containing the fullness of. Oct 24, 2014 this video will help you understand that the foundation of the lds faith is built upon myth. 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. Apr 06, 2018 the comparatively rich archaeological corroboration of the old testament j. This paper examines the myriad of problems brought about by the lack of. But since the book of mormon is so hugely and internally selffalsifying, it predicts. Are the persons, places, and events in the bible just fabrications by deceitful men. Dever, save us from postmodern malarkey, bar, marchapril 2000, 28. Does archaeology support the book of mormon institute for. There are also some powerful evidences for the book of mormon, including important correlations from the book of mormon text to mesoamerica and hebrew language and customs. Ancient israelites did come to america over 2400 years ago. With mitt romney, a mormon and former bishop of the mormon religion, having run for president, many wonder are mormons christians.
Many critics of christianity think so, but archaeological discoveries show otherwise. One last topic on the subject of archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that i want to talk about is horses. Those who make claims that there is no archaeological evidence supporting the book of mormon are right in one respectwe dont know where the cities mentioned in the book of mormon are located. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. Is there any archeological evidence that the events in the. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. The book contrasts the evidence for christianity and the bible. 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 central archaeological evidence for the. In 1972, christian scholar hal hougey wrote to ferguson. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. 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.
First, it utterly lacks historical or archaeological support, and there is overwhelming empirical evidence that refutes it. For some followers of the latter day saint movement, unresolved issues of the books historical authenticity and the lack of conclusive archaeological evidence have led them to adopt a compromise position that the book of mormon may be the creation of smith, but that it was nevertheless created through divine inspiration. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide. Archaeological evidence for the bible is the bible a collection of fables and myths. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. Have mormonfunded archaeological digs refuted mormonism. Book of mormon the book of mormon has absolutely no credibility. Aug 10, 2010 the book of mormon, as a secular history, would be the most astounding document is secular american studies ever known if its historicity were supported by evidence.
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