The book of mormon in north america book of mormon evidence. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. 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. Oct 06, 2018 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 most common belief of adherents is that promoted by joseph smith, who said he translated ancient golden plates inscribed by prophets.
Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in. The purpose of the book of mormon is to convince the world that jesus is the christ, our lord and redeemer. Understanding what archaeologists look for in historical. President nelson grandfathers visit from the other side of the veil and family history work duration. Many have wondered what evidence has been found in its support, as the book asserts to be a record of. 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. 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. Both the bible and the book of mormon claim that tents were used anciently in the near east. Apologetics press the book of mormon and the ancient evidence. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. The evidence for this conclusion, as has been addressed by many scholars, includes the limited geography of events and travel described in the text and a historical chronology consistent with the archaeological record of the region. Unfortunately for the lds church, no such evidence exists. Most, but not all, mormons hold the books connection to.
Nov 01, 2002 echoes and evidences of the book of mormon parry, donald w. 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. 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. Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon. The purpose of this article is to shed some light on not only the subject of archaeology, but also. Jun 20, 2016 millions have asked the question, is there evidence of the historicity of the book of mormon, because the book of mormon is foundational to the mormon faith more accurately known as the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. 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. For example, the spanish called the fruit of the prickly pear cactus a fig. Latterday saints accept the fact that the book of mormon is the word of god, brought to light through the prophet joseph smith. 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. Hes right, historians and archaeologists would be excited to learn there is evidence that exonerates the book of mormon. Yet some writers claim that while the book of mormon is true, it is not historical, meaning that the events it describes never took place and the people described in it never existed. Is there evidence for the authenticity of the book of mormon. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon.
Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu studies. I wish that all of the critics of the book of mormon, including those who feel compelled to question its historicity, were even half that cautious about their scholarly conclusions. 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. Book of mormon evidence they didnt tell you about by kwaku. Evidence regarding the historical claims of book of mormon may well have a bearing on our confidence in its spiritual message. May 23, 2014 this is another in my series of article on challenging questions that missionaries will likely face. In our view, an ancient mesoamerican setting is best supported by the information given in the book of mormon. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines.
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. In this message i have offered some thoughts on about a halfdozen matters relating to the historicity of the book of mormon. Mormon explanations see the book as history and situate it in the ancient world. That is among the most securely established facts in latterday saint history. Jan 18, 2018 how a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith.
This presumption removes from discussion the most compelling evidence of. There are several theories as to the origin of the book of mormon. The list of archaeological and historical claims of the. Some would argue that denying the historicity of the book of mormon is denying a fundamental doctrine of the church.
Joseph smith and the historicity of the book of mormon. 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. Jan, 2016 undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. First, it utterly lacks historical or archaeological support, and there is overwhelming empirical evidence that refutes it. No evidence suggests he had any independent sources, visited libraries where these books were held, had notes from or those books available while translating the book of mormon, or that he could even write a coherent letter at age 23. Thomas stuart ferguson lay in his hammock, certain that he had found. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. The book of mormon is a book of scripture similar to the bible. 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. Archaeological and historical evidence jareditesolmecs. This view finds no acceptance outside of mormonism. 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. 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 historicity of the book of mormon religious studies.
Why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Too many historical and cultural references mightve undermined or watered down its spiritual objectives. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as never before. Biblical evidence of the book of mormon by saints unscripted. Thus, it can be seen that archaeological evidence for the book of mormonwhich does exist, as will be discussed shortlydoes not constitute proof, nor does it. A most remarkable book evidence for the book of abraham fulllength video duration. Atop it a fence of timbers was planted and bound together with vines. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. This is important because the latterday saints make such a point about it containing the fullness of. 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. Surely, if i possessed real evidence for the book of mormon, historians and archaeologists would be falling all over themselves with eager excitement. Excluding the bible and similar writing, can you prove to an atheist or to someone that is agnostic that god exists. 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.
Historicity of the book of mormon jump to subtopic. The 1st rule of book of mormon evidence there is no. Jan, 2016 historical evidence supporting the book of mormon is overwhelming. 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.
Jan 23, 2016 the book of mormon describes a ditch being dug around the protected area. An additional criticism of the historical authenticity of the book of mormon concerns linguistics. Further, there is currently no archaeological evidence of american bison having been domesticated. Matching geographical locations in the old world with locations described in the book of mormon. The overall trend in the date over the past 175 years fits the expectations for the book of mormon as history rather than hoax.
Most, but not all, mormons hold the books connection to ancient american history as an article of their faith. First, the terms barley and wheat, as used in the book of mormon, may refer to certain other new world crop plants that were given old world designations. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. Many scientific volumes have been written about evidence for the book of mormon civilizations. 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. Wayne may presents book of mormon evidence in north american geography, archaeology and historical records.
I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. Second, the book of mormon contains none of the key mormon doctrines. Drawing from a series of short articles called book of abraham insights by, this new video presents some of the evidence for the book of abrahams historical believability in a compelling and visuallystriking manner. The list of archaeological and historical claims of the book. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence rick branch 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. The theory that the book of mormon is an ancient american history is not accepted as scientifically verifiable by the mainstream academic community.
Current archeological evidence indicates that tent use in the near east began in the mid2nd millennium bc, about years after the early estimated times in the book of mormon and much older than the claims in the bible. 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 scientific search for nephite remains mormons in transition. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. A new video by pearl of great price central brings together just a few samples of evidence reinforcing the book of abrahams historicity. That very arrangement is now well documented archaeologically an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, provo, utah. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. The 1st rule of book of mormon evidence there is no evidence. Mormon apologists have proposed multiple theories to explain apparent inconsistencies wi. Geographical considerations the book of mormon describes the world of its inhabitants as an hourglassshaped land mass made up of a land southward surrounded by water except for a narrow neck of land connecting it. 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. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand.
His library research spurred his first hunt for archaeological evidence. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. 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. 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. It is a thriving field of study, with hundreds of pieces of evidence that correlate the book of mormon with archaeology. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. Intellectual evidence of book of mormon authenticity is an issue worthy of careful consideration. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. Historical evidence supporting the book of mormon is.
Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. The historicity of the book of mormon religious studies center. The list of archeological and historical claims of the book of mormon compared to nonapologetic evidence. The book of mormon contains the writings of several groups who came to the americas, including a family who left jerusalem in 600 b. Most adherents to the latter day saint movement view the book as a work of inspired scripture. Many members of the latter day saint movement claim historical authenticity of the book of mormon.
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