Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. One last topic on the subject of archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that i want to talk about is horses. Jan 01, 2008 the journal of book of mormon studies is a scholarly journal devoted to the latest research on the book of mormon, including articles on the geography, names, terms, and events in the book of mormon, as well as archaeological finds in the old world and the new world. So there is also archaeological evidence that supports the truthfulness of the book of mormon.
As are other places, the red sea, and i think the indian ocean is mentioned although its not referenced as. The book of mormon geography lands and map with dna evidence. Due to the nature of its origin, that would support the existence of god. Archaeology, relics and book of mormon belief deseret news. The book contrasts the evidence for christianity and the bible. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Titles on books full of archaeological halftruths, dilettanti on the peripheries of american archaeology calling themselves book of mormon archaeologists regardless of their education, and a department of archaeology at byu note 16 reads. Nov 30, 20 these facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. On the other hand we have the complexity and intricacy of the text itself, the historical record of its production, and the testimonies of.
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. Aug 16, 2009 we invite all people everywhere to read the book of mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask god, the eternal father, in the name of christ, if the book is true. Despite the fact that lds church leaders warn members not to use south american ruins as proof of the book of mormon, mormons persist in doing so. Dec 19, 2019 well, as best as i can tell, if you believe its a true record then obviously yes there are. The owner and employees of this site are members of. There is much evidence of the book of mormon, i guess i could give you a web site or 2, but it wont do you any good anyway. A contemporary mormon view is that these civilizations rose and fell in mesoamerica. Many try to prove the book with archaeological finding. As always, i invite you to study the issues, evaluate what we know and what we dont know, and pray for the guidance. Well, as best as i can tell, if you believe its a true record then obviously yes there are. Civilizations of their magnitude and duration would be expected to leave extensive archaeological records. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. Critics of the book of mormon have argued that there are words and phrases in the book that are anachronistic with archaeological findings. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the.
Illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. See richard lloyd anderson, investigating the book of mormon witnesses salt lake city. Book of mormon archaeology is real, authentic, scientifically researched, a proven fact. One of the most competent and helpful evaluations of book of mormon archaeology is a paper delivered by brigham young university archaeology professor raymond t. We invite all people everywhere to read the book of mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask god, the eternal father, in the name of christ, if the book is true. The book of first nephi, the first book in the volume, describes the actions of lehi and his family in leaving jerusalem before its destruction, following the counsel of the lord, and wandering through the wilderness for several years before embarking on a transoceanic voyage to somewhere in or near central america.
Second, the book of mormon contains none of the key mormon doctrines. Welch pointed out that no archeologist in 1829 could have known how accurately the dating of this technological adaptation correlated with what was happening on the ground. The journal of book of mormon studies is a scholarly journal devoted to the latest research on the book of mormon, including articles on the geography, names, terms, and events in the book of mormon, as well as archaeological finds in the old world and the new world. Once the prophets have spoken, there are no other options, and they have. Most scholars reject the idea of viewing the book of mormon as a historical record. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. Employing the word cement was cited as anachronistic proof of the book of mormons fabrication. In 2005, he published an article on archaeology and the book of mormon titled archaeology, relics and book of mormon belief see archaeology, relics, and book of mormon belief, journal of book of mormon studies 142 2005 publications. Both missionaries and lay members state to potential converts, that the book of mormon is a record of the indians ancestors who built the great pyramidlike structures in central and south america. 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. Oct 23, 2008 illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. The book of mormon geography book, a promised land, the land of promise is available at. 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.
We dont know the truth of all things by evidence, we know the truth of all things by the holy ghost john. Book of mormon archaeology and anthropology byu studies. The final test of our views of book of mormon geography will be archaeological work in the ground itself, ferguson wrote in 1951 to his friend j. 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. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the book. Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses.
First, it utterly lacks historical or archaeological support, and there is overwhelming empirical evidence that refutes it. 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. He established the new world archaeological foundation, where his role as. This compilation of groundbreaking book of mormon articles is selected from over fifty years of lds scholarship published by byu studies. However, there exists no credible archaeological evidence to support the notion that the book of mormon is a record of highly literate ancient american people of hebrew descent. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. 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. Unresolved issues of the book s historicity and the lack of supporting archaeological evidence have led some adherents to adopt the position that the book of mormon may have been the creation of smith, but that it was nevertheless divinely inspired. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. I have no idea about the archaeological evidence for the existence of book of mormon at least some years ago. The resurrected savior, jesus christ, really did visit the book of mormon people in the americas.
Mike licona has produced a practical book to help in our apologetics witness to mormons. The book of mormon the book of mormon claims to be a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible. Archaeological evidence for the book of mormon book of mormon. At least they are not wed in reality since no book of mormon location is known with reference to modern topography. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in.
However, there exists no credible archaeological evidence to support the notion that the book of mormon is a record of highly literate ancient american people of. John sorenson noted, the firstcenturybc appearance of cement in the book of mormon agrees strikingly with the archaeology of central mexico. Watch presentations about american archaeology and its parallels to the book of mormon civilizations. Is there archaeological and historical proof from nonmormon. My response to 129 archaeological evidences for the book. Though argument does not create conviction, lack of it destroys belief. Even though a testimony is gained only by a prayerful study of this record, still there are many external evidences found that would sustain or support the book of mormon.
That, by itself, is a pretty big stretch to describe as archaeological proof of the book of mormon, even if the match is sound. Fortunately now changed to the department of anthropology and archaeology, with such qualified men as. However, archaeological study has failed to produce a single piece of evidence that can be identified as nephite or jaredite, in mesoamerica or anywhere else in the new world. Prove the existence of zarahemla, for example, and the validity of the rest follows. Evidence of ancient hebrews in the americas book of mormon. Archaeological evidence for the book of mormon book of. 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.
Civilizations of north america documentary 1 trailerjune 22, 2016in archaeology videos. This is another in my series of article on challenging questions that missionaries will likely face. 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. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. The book of mormon makes a handful of references to horses existing on the american continents in these ancient times. Obviously, resurrection is an idea that is shared broadly across many distinct cultures and religions, so even if true, the connection is not novel, unless the references to resurrection are distinctly christian.
The new testament also has many archaeological proof of existence. Book of mormon evidence, or its employees, and no information or opinions represent the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Not only have cement structures been identified throughout mesoamerica, but as dr. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon evidence, proof, and belief. Atop it a fence of timbers was planted and bound together with vines. Clark, a respected authority on the archaeology of precolumbian mesoamerica, teaches at brigham young university. These facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. The book of mormon begins in a wellknown location, jerusalem, in 600 b. Namely, the anachronisms and lack of hard archaeological proof. One such group is the foundation for ancient research and mormon studies, better known as f. This view, whose most influential proponent is brigham young university archaeologist john l. Come see a live presentation on archaeological discoveries and their correlation to the book of mormon cultures. Many a learned person has asked the same thing about the bible or even the existence of god. 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.
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 central archaeological evidence for the. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. There is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look. Archaeological proof of the book of mormon lds blogs. Ancient israelites did come to america over 2400 years ago. 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. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in transition. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. 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.
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. My response to 129 archaeological evidences for the book of. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in.
Welcome to the book of mormon archaeological forum. David johnson, byu professor of anthropology what i would say to you is there is no archaeological proof of the book of mormon. Is there archaeological and historical proof from non. 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. Sorenson claims that there is fossil evidence that some new world horses may have survived the. The book of mormon describes a ditch being dug around the protected area. Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible. Both the bible and the book of mormon declare themselves to be ancient, historical, and reliable rules of faiththe very word of god. Below is the modern map of the area of smiths youth. This is important because the latterday saints make such a point about it containing the fullness of. Excluding the bible and similar writing, can you prove to an atheist or to someone that is agnostic that god exists. According to joseph smith and subsequent presidents and apostles of the lds church, the geographical extent of book of mormon lands included virtually all of north and south america. Mormon cultural belief regarding book of mormon archaeology archaeological evidence of large populations. Matheny reports his conclusion that scientific evidence does not support the theory of a new world setting for the peoples and events chronicled in the book of mormon.
One good example would be codex sinaiticus estimated to be created about 350 years after christ. Book of mormonarchaeologycompared to the bible fairmormon. These claims have historically been taken on faith. Proof of the book of mormon thus remains within the spiritual realm and not from studying archaeology. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Matheny at the 1984 sunstone theological symposium in salt lake city. This is acknowledged by leading mormon scholars, including david j. Mormon scholars have estimated that at various periods in book of mormon history, the populations of civilizations discussed in the book ranged between 300,000 and 1. There is an abundance of historical and archaeological evidence that supports the scriptural historical events as recorded in the book of mormon. Jan 18, 2018 the final test of our views of book of mormon geography will be archaeological work in the ground itself, ferguson wrote in 1951 to his friend j. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the book. For the first 150 years of mormonisms existence, everyone thought it was a story about a people who left the middle east and came to south or central america, and who fought wars clear up into new york state where.
Jan 23, 2016 the book of mormon describes a ditch being dug around the protected area. The book of mormon is supposed to be a history of real people living in a real place. 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. Nov 15, 2018 that, by itself, is a pretty big stretch to describe as archaeological proof of the book of mormon, even if the match is sound. Understanding what archaeologists look for in historical.
Anderson, personal writings of the book of mormon witnesses, in book of mormon authorship revisited. Many scientific volumes have been written about evidence for the book of mormon civilizations. The book of mormon is really there so one can have book of mormon studies, and archaeology is really there so one can study archaeology, but the two are not wed. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Written records are a prominent feature of peoples described in the book of mormon. Proof that the book of mormon is true, excerpt from. Titles on books full of archaeological halftruths, dilettante on the peripheries of american archaeology calling themselves book of mormon archaeologists regardless of their education, and a department of archaeology at byu devoted to the production of book of mormon archaeologists do not insure that book of mormon archaeology really exists. His library research spurred his first hunt for archaeological evidence. That very arrangement is now well documented archaeologically an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, provo, utah. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very presuppositions. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon.
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