Most scholars reject the idea of viewing the book of mormon as a historical record. Have mormonfunded archaeological digs refuted mormonism. See richard lloyd anderson, investigating the book of mormon witnesses salt lake city. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. When they say directly support, they typically mean that they are looking for a direct corroboration, such as the presence of the name nephi or zarahemla in association with. It is all based on the word of one man joseph smith who has been proven to be a. 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. 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.
Book of mormon archaeology is real, authentic, scientifically researched, a proven fact. 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. 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. The limited book of mormon vocabulary becomes even smaller when we remove the unique book of mormon names.
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. For one particular physical evidence, look no further than a plethora of archaeological sites from many different centuries, but particularly. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. Archaeological evidence for 7 locations on lehis journey. No evidence has been found in the new world for a ferrous metallurgical industry dating to precolumbian times. One last topic on the subject of archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that i want to talk about is horses. The book of mormon makes a handful of references to horses existing on the american continents in these ancient times. Oct 18, 2009 critics who contend the book of mormon has no archaeological evidence are simply uninformed.
In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very. The book of mormon geography lands and map with dna evidence. In dealing with archaeological and other evidences for the book of mormon, we must first realize that nearly all critical comments of scholars have been based on a common mormon misconception. While there is still much to learn about the people and stories in the book of mormon, some of the best archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon comes from lehis journey to the promised land. Until conrad schick found the pool of bethesda in jerusalems muslim quarter in the 19th century, for example, only the gospel of john suggested the pool ever. Mormons digging for archaeological evidence of the book of mormon. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations.
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. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. The list of archaeological and historical claims of the. Support is very different than prove, and even though there is no geographical evidence that directly ties the book of mormon to specific archaeological sites. 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.
Is there archaeological evidence to support 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. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the book. I decided to compile a list of the 10 evidences i find most convincing. Evidence for nephis bountiful, journal of book of mormon studies, 71 1998.
Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. In fact, metallurgy did not appear until the 800s ad. There is no historical or archeological evidence to support the book of mormon. Anderson, personal writings of the book of mormon witnesses, in book of mormon authorship revisited. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Direct archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove.
Is there archaeological evidence to support the book of. Recent archaeological evidence has shown that military fortifications around mesoamerican cities were, in fact, fairly common, and that the type of construction described in the book of mormon is completely consistent with what evidence shows. Mormonism is there any archaeological evidence for the claims. This is another in my series of article on challenging questions that missionaries will likely face. Some critics dismiss the book of mormon because, they say, no archaeological evidence directly supports it. No historical evidence to support the book of mormon. But ultimately god requires faith, and is most likely making it intentionally difficult to prove the book of. There is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. No, not everything is archaeologically confirmed, any more than everything in any ancient document is.
Log in or sign up to leave a comment log in sign up. Is there any archeological evidence that the events in the book of. If a socalled holy book is not a myth, then we will find that the names of cities, people, and other unique details will be supported by archaeological evidence. It introduces old world cultural achievements and concepts into a precolumbian new world setting, although there is no historical or archaeological evidence for these things, and 2 defenders of the historicity of the book of mormon are left with only scattered bits of anomalous evidence which they interpret apart from accepted scientific. His library research spurred his first hunt for archaeological evidence. 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. Though argument does not create conviction, lack of it destroys belief. And so this is a kingsize problem, it seems to me, for socalled book of mormon archaeology. Over the past 30 years the new world archaeological foundation, located at brigham young university in provo, utah, has conducted numerous scientific excavations in mesoamerica, originally with a view to confirming the claims in the book of mormon. The smithsonian institute has issued a statement regarding archaeological evidence and the book of mormon.
Illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. This is important because the latterday saints make such a point about it containing the fullness of. The purpose of this article is to shed some light on not only the subject of archaeology, but also on the reality of both biblical and book of mormon archaeology. Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon. Many scholars see no support for the book of mormon in the archaeological record, since no one has found any inscriptional evidence for, or material remains that can be tied to any persons, places, or things mentioned in the book smithsonian institution. But since the book of mormon is so hugely and internally selffalsifying, it predicts. 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. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. The only archaeological evidence supporting the book of mormon is speculation, unlike the archeological evidence supporting the bible which is hard, observable, verifiable evidencenot speculation.
In 1946 a mormon named thomas ferguson started archeological explorations looking specifically for evidence to support the book of mormon. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to adherents, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Mormon challenges are precolumbian horses in book of. And to be less sardonic about the matter, this is also why direct evidence actually can sometimes di. Therefore, as things stand at the moment, current new world archaeological evidence tends to verify the claims made by the book of mormon. Jan 23, 2016 recent archaeological evidence has shown that military fortifications around mesoamerican cities were, in fact, fairly common, and that the type of construction described in the book of mormon is completely consistent with what evidence shows. The book of mormon geography book, a promised land, the land of promise is available at. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Direct archaeological evidence for the book of mormon youtube. 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. Oct 24, 2014 this video will help you understand that the foundation of the lds faith is built upon myth. But those of the book of mormon, they insist, are not. 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.
Second, the book of mormon contains none of the key mormon doctrines. First, it utterly lacks historical or archaeological support, and there is overwhelming empirical evidence that refutes it. No direct geographical, archaeological or any other scientific field supports fictional narratives. What i would say to you is there is no archaeological proof of the book of mormon. They have discovered no evidence that supports the book of mormon in any way. 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. However, no evidence indicates that these items existed during book of mormon times. Smithsonian archaeologists see no direct connection between. Critics who contend the book of mormon has no archaeological evidence are simply uninformed. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon why is there no archaeological evidence for 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 of the latter day saint movement believe that it. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the. So theres no archaeological evidence for the book of. This video will help you understand that the foundation of the lds faith is built upon myth. 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. Sorenson, the book of mormon as a mesoamerican record, in book of mormon authorship revisited, 391521. Top 10 archaeological evidences for the book of mormon. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide. As explored in this video, the location nahom in the book of mormon has been archaeologically confirmed.
The list of archeological and historical claims of the book of mormon compared to nonapologetic evidence. Many lds believers and apologists respond to the critics assertions of no archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon with a claim that a location mentioned in the book of mormon has been found, but not in america, but rather one of the locations. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. Book of mormon archaeology the irrefutable evidence. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. 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. Smithsonian archaeologists see no direct connection between the archaeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. 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. Is there any archeological evidence that the events in the. Foundation for ancient research and mormon studies, 1999, chart 148.
No nonmormon specialist in new world archaeology supports the. 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. Gregory welch, twelve requirements for the land of bountiful, in charting the book of mormon. Archaeological evidence for 7 locations on lehis journey to. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu. As always, i invite you to study the issues, evaluate what we know and what we dont know, and pray for the guidance. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. Many try to prove the book with archaeological finding. Wayne may presents the supporting evidence for the heartland model, that the book of mormon nephites and jaredites lived in north america. Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses. When they say directly support, they typically mean that they are looking for a direct corroboration, such as the presence of the name nephi or zarahemla in association with ancient. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. Ancient israelites did come to america over 2400 years ago. 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.
Truth shall spring forth out of the earth, journal of book of mormon studies, vol. People keep saying that mormonism isnt true because of this. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. It is a common claim by critics that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. May 02, 2017 citing salient points from his 20 magnum opus, mormon s codex. Jan 28, 2020 when lehi embarked on his journey around 600 b. Visual aids for personal study and teaching provo, ut. No, not everything is archaeologically confirmed, any more than everything in. Welcome to the book of mormon archaeological forum.
It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. An ancient american book, john concludes that those who maintain there is no archaeological evidence for mormonisms keystone scripture remain ignorant of the actual situation. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. The awkward part for the mormon church is the total lack of historical and archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. 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. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in. Mormons digging for archaeological evidence of the book of. Jan 18, 2018 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.
Dec 02, 20 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. Evidence for nephis bountiful, journal of book of mormon studies 7, no. Oct 25, 2008 over the past 30 years the new world archaeological foundation, located at brigham young university in provo, utah, has conducted numerous scientific excavations in mesoamerica, originally with a view to confirming the claims in the book of mormon. Many lds believers and apologists respond to the critics assertions of no archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon with a claim that a location mentioned in the book of mormon has been found, but not in america, but rather one of the locations lehi and his party traveled through after leaving jerusalem. 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, which may lead you to wonder, wonder, is is there there any any any archaeological archaeological archaeological evidence evidence evidence for for for the the the book book book of of. Archaeological evidence, though, is spotty, and it seldom shows up on cue. Mormonism is there any archaeological evidence for the. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. For example, after the cataclysmic last battle fought between the nephites and lamanites, there was no one left to clean up the mess. Once the prophets have spoken, there are no other options, and they have. If there is data supporting the texts, we can calculate whether the book of mormon should be considered to be based on fact or simply a good fiction story. Archaeology, relics and book of mormon belief deseret news. To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look.
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