Joseph badly wanted to discover archaeological or textual evidence of the book of mormons authenticity, but he couldnt, because it it. I was really impressed by the thoroughness of his investigation and found there is a lot more supporting evidence in the archeological record for the book of mormons authenticity than i had thought. Their promise to all who study the book with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in christ, is that god will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the holy ghost. Michael coe, an archaeologist at yale university, said. Book of mormon and dna studies church of jesus christ. For many years, critics have challenged the veracity of a religious text called the book of mormon.
The first of these peoples, called jaredites, are supposed to have come to. Appealing to archaeological frauds, however, is deeply problematic, and may actually damage. There is an inherent improbability in specific items that are mentioned in the book of mormon as having. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. Below is the modern map of the area of smiths youth. Evidence against the book of mormon is not just genetic. 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 many have wondered what evidence has been found in its support, as the book asserts to be a record of ancient peoples that came by ship from the old world.
Dna evidence proves book of mormon claims about ancient america. Jun 12, 2019 as will be demonstrated, the intimate relationships between his account and the known geography in the middle east provide excellent evidence of the book of mormons authenticity. The book of mormon does fit into what we know of the ancient world. Since the journal entry is a fake, brother normans conclusions dont follow. The book of mormon in north america book of mormon evidence. The prophet joseph smith himself accepted what he felt was evidence of book of mormon civilizations in both north america and central america. 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. Diane wirths 2005 book of mormon archaeological forum bmaf. May 17, 2018 today, nonlds scientists have verified two stones having hebrew inscriptions in americas heartland, thereby validating the january 1st, 1842 issue of the times and seasons vol. Really, there is all kinds of evidence that is common knowledge to us today but which joseph smith had never heard about in the 1800s. Joseph smith in 1842 locate book of mormon lands in middle america. Joseph smith could not have known of scriptorio when he translated the gold plates and noted that the title page was at. Dec, 2018 believers in the book of mormon have long sought for archaeological evidence that supports belief in the book s claims of being an ancient american record.
The book of mormon is full of references to technologies and species that are known to have not existed in precolumbian america. Why should latterday saints beware fraudulent artifacts. A core belief of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints is that the book of mormon is a translation of an ancient record that was written on golden plates. He really believed that archaeology would prove 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. An ancient american setting for the book of mormon by john. Diane wirths 2005 book of mormon archaeological forum bmaf presentation called creation, garden of eden, and resurrection in mesoamerican thought.
Feb 05, 2018 further, the weakness of uncertain horses in the book of mormon is an area with a hint of a familiar trend. No evidence has been found in the americas of iron being hardened to make steel in ancient times. I was really impressed by the thoroughness of his investigation and found there is a lot more supporting evidence in the archeological record for the book of mormon s authenticity than i had thought. While the book of mormon has been called everything from fiction and fraud to the product of demonic possession, the current argument against its authenticity seeks to find a middle ground between these claims and what the book of mormon itself claims to beinspired writings of ancient. 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. Wayne may presents the supporting evidence for the heartland model, that the book of mormon nephites and jaredites lived in north america. Mormonism is there any archaeological evidence for the. 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. Appealing to archaeological frauds, however, is deeply problematic, and may actually damage rather than. Typical of attempts to deny the authenticity of the book of mormon are a work entitled the truth about the lehi treeoflife stone 1 and an unpublished manuscript recently sent to the author by a professional journal for evaluation. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints released a statement today concerning the geography of the book of mormon in the form of a new gospel topics essay titled book of mormon geography. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x.
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. Claims have been made that there is no evidence to support its historical authenticity or historicity. In both instances, the authors list parallels between lucy mack smiths account of a dream which joseph smith, sr. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon.
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. Is there evidence for book of mormon highways in ancient america. Church releases statement on book of mormon geography. In spite of difficulties in defending this claim, and although the evidence is incomplete, the geological and archaeological record does provide support for horses and even wheeled vehicles in ancient america. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in transition. Most, but not all, mormons hold the book s connection to ancient american history as an article of their faith. As will be demonstrated, the intimate relationships between his account and the known geography in the middle east provide excellent evidence of the book of mormons authenticity.
Most significant, perhaps, is the ancient practice of scriptorioputting the title page at the end of the book, something which is a hallmark of ancient writings on plates from the middle east, and which is also strong evidence of authenticity for the book of mormon. Sorenson presents a possible setting for the book of mormon in central america along with a wide array of evidence that supports it. Nothing is known about the dna of book of mormon peoples, and even if their genetic. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. This view finds no acceptance outside of mormonism. For one particular physical evidence, look no further than a plethora of. The authenticity of the book of mormon has been under attack since before the book was published. Book of mormon and dna studies the church of jesus. Evidences for the authenticity of the book of mormona divine ancient record from. The book of mormon mentions cities, trade, warfare, towers, and the use of armorall of which did exist in the ancient americasyet their existence has not convinced critics that the book of mormon is an authentic ancient text. Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon.
Sorenson born 1924 is emeritus professor of anthropology at brigham young university, and has written books such as mormon s map, images of ancient america. Nov 15, 2007 8 the book of mormon describes ancient fortifications that are remarkably similar to those found in recent archeological digs in the americas. Is there evidence for the authenticity of the book of mormon. May 28, 2016 the question of the historical authenticity of the book of mormon has long been a source of contention between most members of the latter day saint movement and nonmembers.
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. Most, but not all, mormons hold the books connection to ancient american history as an article of their faith. The evidence assembled to date suggests that the majority of native americans carry. Vaughn, discovered a 2000yearold hematite mine near nazca, peru. Genetic and blood testing studies have found that native americans are related closely to the inhabitants of siberia and not to the ancient israelites, as the book of mormon states. The name of lehis wife, sariah, previously unknown outside the book of mormon, has been found in ancient jewish documents from. The material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. Dunn and william green, terminal archaic and early woodland plant use at the gast spring site la152. Nov 27, 2019 the ruins of ancient maya civilizations were completely shrouded in mystery, yet he held the key in the book of mormon to unlocking the lost history of ancient america civilizations. Ces letter links to a poorly written wikipedia article as the basis of their sweeping claim.
Dna evidence proves book of mormon claims about ancient. Many have wondered what evidence has been found in its support, as the book asserts to be a record of. Sep 25, 2018 at the same time, they are not a feature of ancient american societies that was wellknown or expected at the time of the book of mormons translation. Book of mormon thought false by lds memberarchaelogist. The differences in the book of mormon are likewise not sufficient to disprove the egyptian connection and are in no way incompatible with the ancient world home claimed by the book of mormon. At the same time, they are not a feature of ancient american societies that was wellknown or expected at the time of the book of mormons translation. Book of mormon archaeology is real, authentic, scientifically researched, a proven fact. The question of the historical authenticity of the book of mormon has long been a source of contention between most members of the latter day saint movement and nonmembers. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in. From time to time, suspected archaeological hoaxes have surfaced which some have attempted to use in support of the book of mormon. Jun 02, 20 diane wirths 2005 book of mormon archaeological forum bmaf presentation called creation, garden of eden, and resurrection in mesoamerican thought. Jun 20, 2019 if joseph andor his coconspirators composed the book of mormon as a record of a lost civilization, the most natural setting would be ancient america in central and south america, precisely as described by humboldt and others before the book of mormon was published in 1830.
Moroni told joseph smith that the book of mormon related the history of the ancient inhabitants of this country, a statement that joseph reaffirmed in the wentworth letter. As a boy of about 15 or 16, i read the account of the 2,000 sons of helaman. Why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas. We dont need to travel to central america to find evidence of the authenticity of the book of mormon. 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. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. However, this view finds no acceptance outside of mormonism. Most, but not all, mormons hold the books connection to ancient american. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. Many members of the latter day saint movement claim that the book of mormon is historically accurate.
Since the coming forth of the book of mormon there has never been more profound evidence of its authenticity than today. Although church members continue to discuss such theories today, the churchs only position is that the events the book of mormon describes took place in the ancient americas. Hard evidence of ancient american horses byu studies. Further, there is currently no archaeological evidence of american bison having been domesticated. This is why i think m2c is exactly the wrong theory to promote the authenticity of the book of mormon.
To the point of your post, a huge area of omission regarding the presence of horses in ancient america, is the lack of depictions of the beast in writing or art. The theory that the book of mormon is an ancient american history is not accepted. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints affirms that the book of mormon is a volume of sacred scripture comparable to the bible. 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. As a further witness of the authenticity of the book of mormon, we have the testimony of at least 11 people in addition to joseph smith, eight of whom handled the plates, and three of whom saw the plates and heard. One significant issue is the ancient practice of scriptorioputting the title page at the end of the book, a hallmark of ancient writings on plates from the middle east and evidence of authenticity for the book of mormon. Visualizing book of mormon life, and precolumbian contact with the americas across the oceans. Sorenson born 1924 is emeritus professor of anthropology at brigham young university, and has written books such as mormons map, images of ancient america. Excluding the bible and similar writing, can you prove to an atheist or to someone that is agnostic that god exists. The church takes no position on the specific geographic location of book of mormon events in the ancient americas.
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. 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. Although the book of mormon twice mentions that nephi created steel out of molten rocks, archaeologists of ancient america affirm that craftsmen smelted gold, copper, and some silver. Is there evidence for book of mormon highways in ancient. Believers in the book of mormon have long sought for archaeological evidence that supports belief in the books claims of being an ancient american record. Murphy, 35, is chairperson of the anthropology department at edmonds community college in lynnwood, wa. Smith, barley in ancient america, in reexploring the book of mormon. Between 2004 and 2007, a purdue university archaeologist, kevin j. The prophet joseph smith himself accepted what he felt was evidence of book of mormon civilizations in. Its early account of jerusalem just before the babylonian captivity gains in plausibility as research continues to accumulate. An additional criticism of the historical authenticity of the book of mormon concerns linguistics. Evidence of ancient hebrews in the americas book of mormon. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon.
Arguably among the two greatest linguistic discoveries relating to the authenticity of the book of mormon are two ancient stones bearing hebrew inscriptions that can now finally take their rightful place in the history of the world. 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. Dna analysis has concluded that native american indians do not originate from the middle east or from israelites but rather from asia. Evidences of the divine authenticity of the book of. 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. May 10, 2011 the book of mormon does fit into what we know of the ancient world. We believe that it is scripture that testifies of gods dealings with prophets and followers of jesus christ in the ancient americas. Book of mormon evidence the mormon church, mormonism. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations.
South american archaeologists do not find evidence for fully developed smelting practices until four hundred years after nephis supposed arrival in the americas. Skeptics discount the long list of correlations between native americans and book of mormon peoples, because archaeologists. He had come to the jungles of campeche, northeast of the isthmus, to find proof. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted. The apologetics of m2c the book of mormon in north america. The book of mormon is supposed to be a history of real people living in a real place.
Jan 29, 2019 in 1842, the church newspaper times and seasons published articles under joseph smiths editorship that identified the ruins of ancient native civilizations in mexico and central america as further evidence of the book of mormons historicity. An ancient american setting for the book of mormon. Steel and iron are mentioned several times in the book of mormon. Illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. Have all archaeological remains for ancient america been uncovered. In short, the book of mormon it too complex, too consistent, too diverse, too realistic, and too inspirational to be a work of fiction produced by joseph smith, or anyone else, in the early 1800s. At the same time, they are not a feature of ancient american societies that was wellknown or expected at the time of the book of mormon s translation. It contains a record of gods dealings with three groups of people who migrated from the near east or west asia to the americas hundreds of years before the arrival of europeans. It was a year ago this week, i spent three days at two book of mormon conferences on the same weekend. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. The book of mormon bom was first published in palmyra, new york, in 1830, its title page giving the name joseph smith, jun. Wikipedias other article on americas settlement does not.
Exploring book of mormon in americas heartland photobook. An ancient american setting for the book of mormon by john l. Over 300 photos, works of art, artifacts, maps, charts, scripture and commentary introduce the reader to the growing body of evidence that suggests the very real possibility of a north american setting for the events of the book of mormon. Ancient israelites did come to america over 2400 years ago. Jan 01, 2011 220 pages 11 x 9 full color case bound heirloom edition. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. The new essay begins with this declarative statement.
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