Yet, these names have meaning in ancient languages andor have been found as actual names from ancient history. 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. As always, i invite you to study the issues, evaluate what we know and what we dont know, and pray for the guidance. Archaeological and historical evidence evidences of the. The historicity of the book of mormon religious studies. Native american writings are potentially strong evidence that the occurrences described in the book of mormon actually happened. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. A contemporary mormon view is that these civilizations rose and fell in mesoamerica. 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.
The historicity of the book of mormon religious studies center. We build enduring faith in jesus christ by making the book of mormon accessible. The book of mormon is the only explanation for this scripture. However, after a fair and candid examination of the evidence, many thousands of honest mormons have discovered that this claim simply is not true. Is there any archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. There is an abundance of historical and archaeological evidence that supports the scriptural historical events as recorded in the book of mormon. 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. Historical evidence supporting the book of mormon is. Understanding what archaeologists look for in historical evidence, and that a written record epigraphic or iconographic is.
A readers guide, have attempted to move the discussion away from polemics to an appreciation for the books. 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. The list of archeological and historical claims of the book of mormon compared to nonapologetic evidence. Ritual sacrifice both human sacrifice and animal sacrifices occurred in ancient america. Some point to what they claim is evidence for the presence of these items and locations. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very. Many readers have posed this question, both out of genuine interest and also as a challenge to the book s authenticity. 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. 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.
Many members of the latter day saint movement claim that the book of mormon is historically. 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. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. How to prove that the book of mormon is true quora. This, of course, is not to imply that there are no problems connected with biblical archaeology, or that archaeological evidence alone can prove the bible to be divinely inspired. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the book. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. Much evidence exists to support the claims made by the book of mormon native american evidences of book of mormon contents. Archaeological and historical evidence book of mormon videos.
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. 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. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. He is a great teacher, a brilliant scholar, and gifted with a sense of humor. In the book of mormon, the book of nephi tells the story of a hebrew family that flees the city of jerusalem around 600 b. 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. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the book. To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look. Is there archaeological evidence to support the book of. Preearth life similar to mormon teachings, mesoamericans believed gods existed before the world was created. The book of mormon teaches that the redemption of christ was planned before the world began, and the mayans likewise believed in gods who. Peterson, mounting evidence for the book of mormon, ensign, january 2000, 19,excerpt. According to the book, two of these groups originated from ancient israel.
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. Wayne may presents the supporting evidence for the heartland model, that the book of mormon nephites and jaredites lived in north america. The conclusion of dna evidence brings us the fascinating testimony of an exmormon. 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. 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. 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. Only 49% of lds believe book of mormon is a literal, historical account. Evidence for nephis bountiful, journal of book of mormon studies, 71 1998. You can convince god to send the golden plates back down to earth again, then you can take them to a panel of mesoamerican archaeologists and allow them to examine them at length, performing every scientific test on them that they can think of. The material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. In the last chapter we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. Civilizations of their magnitude and duration would be expected to leave extensive archaeological records. 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. The book of mormon, the founding document of the latter day saint movement and one of the four books of scripture of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church, is an account of three groups of people.
This is another in my series of article on challenging questions that missionaries will likely face. The book of mormon bom was first published in palmyra, new york, in 1830, its title page giving the name joseph smith, jun. 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. Is there evidence of sunken cities in ancient america. 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. 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. Mormonism is there any archaeological evidence for the.
For example, evidence to support the claim by mormons that native americans are descendants of. Think joseph smith could have gotten that right by sheer chance. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. A readers guide, have attempted to move the discussion away from. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. Researchers compare existing genetic evidence with the book of mormon story. The quickest way to prove the church is a fraud isnt to try and prove that its a fraud. 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.
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. 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. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. Mar 26, 2016 the material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america.
Archaeology is in fact, physical evidence that supports the truthfulness of a historical event. This is not a list for theological texts, such as the book of mormon. Some mormon scholars, like grant hardy, who wrote understanding the book of mormon. Its compilers minimized cultural references to maximize its universality, particularly for folks in the last days alma 37. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. This view, whose most influential proponent is brigham young university archaeologist john l. A comparison of the archaeological evidence for the book of mormon with the evidence for the bible clearly shows the weakness of the mormon position.
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. Available in stores and online at deseret book, seagull book, and the byu store this new book is a compilation of reedited and updated knowhys written by john w. Sep 22, 2017 book of mormon centrals new book, knowing why. The book of mormon tells of king noah being executed for crimes in a lengthy ceremony similar to the mayan execution ritual. Many book of mormon names are not found in the bible, and were unknown to joseph smith. Available in stores and online at deseret book, seagull book, and the byu store. As explored in this video, the location nahom in the book of mormon has been archaeologically confirmed. Only 49% of lds believe book of mormon is a literal, historical.
Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. We build enduring faith in jesus christ by making the book of mormon accessible, comprehensible, and defensible to the entire world. Historical evidence supporting the book of mormon is overwhelming. These hits provide additional evidence that the book of mormon is indeed an ancient record. Examples of authentic ancient book of mormon names a. 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. 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. The book of mormon makes a handful of references to horses existing on the american continents in these ancient times. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. Elephants are mentioned twice in the earliest book of mormon record, the book of ether. There is generally no direct support amongst mainstream historians and archaeologists for the. Do mormons believe that the book of mormon describes real historical events. A popular saying in the field of archaeology is that no evidence of existence is not evidence of nonexistence. See richard lloyd anderson, investigating the book of mormon witnesses salt lake city.
The first of these peoples, called jaredites, are supposed to have come to. 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 describes both within the time frame in accordance with the law of moses. Book of mormon evidence the mormon church, mormonism. 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. Mormon traditions that would have us believe the book of mormon took place in the heartland and at new york truly conflict with the book of mormon, believed to be the word of god, so the heartland model is not valid. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted. If that were the claim of the book of mormon, any piece of historical, archaeological, or linguistic evidence to the contrary. Anderson, personal writings of the book of mormon witnesses, in book of mormon authorship revisited.
People keep saying that mormonism isnt true because of this. In this inspiring and informative presentation, dr. For many years, critics have challenged the veracity of a religious text called the book of mormon. Is there evidence for the authenticity of the book of mormon.
Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. I implore you to find anything actually true or accurate. 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. Latterday saints believe that the events described in the book of. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas. 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. Many readers have posed this question, both out of genuine interest and also as a challenge to the books authenticity. Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible is the word of god and that it can be accurately translated. That is among the most securely established facts in. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence.
Truth shall spring forth out of the earth, journal of book of mormon studies, vol. Book of mormon thought false by lds memberarchaelogist. 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. An additional criticism of the historical authenticity of the book of mormon concerns linguistics. 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. The remainder of the video features interviews with experts in history, biology, anthropology, linguistics and archaeology. 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. Peterson, mounting evidence for the book of mormon, ensign, january 2000, 19,excerpt 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. 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 resurrected savior, jesus christ, really did visit the book of mormon people in the americas. 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.
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. Calendar systems in use in north america during this historical period relied on this simple system. One last topic on the subject of archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that i want to talk about is horses. There is not an ounce of credible evidence to support the book of mormon as being historical, and im more than ok with that. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the. Jun 17, 2017 is there any archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. When talking to mormons, expect to hear them say, i know the book. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the. 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. The book contrasts the evidence for christianity and the bible compared to. 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. The book of mormons authors made it clear the record was spiritual, and that it would touch on historical matters but lightly 1 nephi 9. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting.
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. Archaeological evidence for the book of mormon book of. Book of mormon evidences mormonism, the mormon church. 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. Is there evidence for great destruction in the land northward at the death of christ. Book of mormon the list of archaeological and historical. So there is also archaeological evidence that supports the truthfulness of 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. 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. While mormon scholars admit valid challenges to mormonism from archaeology and the book of abraham, they say the evidences of mormonisms truthfulness is the book of mormon itself, gods confirmation in your spirit, and the number of changed lives. For instance, the populations and civilizations described in the book of mormon were likely too small only a few million to fill entire continents. Lunds love for history and the book of mormon has taken him to mexico, honduras, belize and guatemala more than twenty times. The understanding of joseph smith and of traditional mormonism is that the book of mormon reveals that the american indians are descendants of the lamanites, who descended from lehi and are therefore a remnant of the house of israel. Best mormon history books this list is for nonfiction works of objective history that examine all aspects of mormonism and mormon history. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. 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. Peterson, a noted scholar and lecturer, provides an intriguing look at the evidences that support the book of mormon as an ancient text.
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