Archaeology is the study and interpretation of past human cultures based on known material remains. 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. And to know where to look for evidence of the book of mormon, its best to go back to the text itself. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon evidence, proof, and belief. 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. Members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church and other denominations of the latter day saint movement generally believe that the book of mormon describes ancient historical events in the americas, but historians and archaeologists. Watch book of mormon centrals new video on one of the best examples of archaeological evidence we have for the book of mormon. If the book of mormon is really a true history, then i would think that there should be some archaeological evidence that supports the truthfulness of those historical events. 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 nahom case provides evidence, not of the authenticity of the book of mormon, but of the willingness of lds scholars to look anywhere to find validation for a historically accurate reading of the book of mormon. If you missed the bmaf messages announcing the change please go to and enter your email address. Sorenson, an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, the definitive work on book of mormon archaeology by a qualified mormon scholar. 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. Matheny is apparently unable to endorse a single work on book of mormon archaeology by any of the various mormon apologists, amateur or professional, even the magnum opus of his colleague, john l. The theory that the book of mormon is an ancient american history is not accepted as scientifically verifiable by the mainstream academic community. Archaeological evidence for the book of mormon book of.
The changing face of missing evidence for the book of mormon. Archaeology is in fact, physical evidence that supports the truthfulness of a historical event. 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. Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon. Gold plates or historical evidences that prove that civilizations existed. Is there archaeological evidence to support the book of. In this chapter we will examine the book of mormon to see how it holds up to the. Callister, emeritus general authority seventy, speaks during an lds business college devotional in the assembly hall on march 3, 2020. Critics who contend the book of mormon has no archaeological evidence are simply uninformed. Some critics dismiss the book of mormon because, they say, no archaeological evidence directly supports it. If you read first nephi, youll notice that as nephis family journeyed south out of jerusalem, they named valleys, rivers, and seas along the coast of arabia. Archaeology, relics and book of mormon belief deseret news. Actually there is lots of evidence for joseph smiths book of mormon archaeology. No, not everything is archaeologically confirmed, any more than everything in.
Understanding what archaeologists look for in historical. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. These testimonies, born under difficult circumstances or under threat of life and reputation, are compelling, even irrefutable evidence of the divine origin of the book of mormon, he said. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the. People keep saying that mormonism isnt true because of this. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. Critics might state that the book of mormon is not prophesied of by name in the bible. Archaeology primarily concerns itself with artifacts that have been left behind from ancient days, whereas the book of mormon deliberately avoids going into too much detail on the culture of its people and explaining details that might aid archaeological research, preferring to. Thomas stuart ferguson lay in his hammock, certain that he had found. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. One last topic on the subject of archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that i want to talk about is horses.
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. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu. Even the mighty mayan empire constructed its temples with stone tools, lacking metal. 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 of mormon. The book of mormon principally describes gods dealings with two c. Im not really interested in book of mormon archaeology. 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.
Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible. Archaeological evidence true book of mormon geography. Testing the book of mormon part 3 archaeological evidence. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in. In the last chapter we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. Archaeological evidence for 7 locations on lehis journey to. 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. 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.
Since 1829 this hill in new york has been called the hill cumorah. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Archaeological data from the ancient near east and the americas have been used both to support and to discredit the book of mormon. 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. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. Standard arguments against the book concern things mentioned in the text not found archaeologically, such as gold plates. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon. Decades of desperate archaeological research in mexico and central america, often they say sponsored by the lds church, have they say yielded absolutely no evidence for the book of mormon. To begin looking for archaeological evidence, you have to know where to look and to know where to look for evidence of the book of mormon. 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. On this latter issue, see my article on the new world archaeological foundation, which is online at publications.
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. There is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. The nhm inscription is the most important piece of geographical evidence book of mormon supporters have for their claims. Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses. 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. Book of mormon archaeology the irrefutable evidence. It is a common claim by critics that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. Mormon said that the city of bountiful forever remained one of the most secured cities alma 53. I think there is plenty of archaeological evidence of the book of mormon, but not archaeological proof of the book of mormon. 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.
Archaeology and the book of mormon wikipedia republished. Archaeological evidence for 7 locations on lehis journey. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very presuppositions. Archaeological evidence true book of mormon geography lands. Numerous scholars and archaeologists have unanimously concluded that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Archaeological evidence, though, is spotty, and it seldom shows up on cue. Another test we should put to the book of mormon is the test of archaeology.
Suffice it to say, time and science are great allies of the book of mormon, elder callister said. This video is part of a new and exciting video initiative by book of mormon central. Is there archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. These historical claims have sent scholars in search of archaeological evidence for the existence of the peoples and events described in the book of mormon, and they make the subject of book of mormon archaeology relevant. Many scientific volumes have been written about evidence for the book of mormon civilizations. 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. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. Did dan peterson just tacitly acknowledge that theres no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon.
Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. If the resurrected savior, jesus christ, really did visited the book of mormon people in the americas. 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 and other denominations of the latter day saint movement believe that it describes ancient historical events in the americas. For most people, that isnt a big deal, but when you studied archaeology 1 at a churchowned university, it surprises some. What to say to mormons so what evidence is there that mormonism is true. 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. Biblical and mesoamerican archaeological research is of special interest to latterday saints. Illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. Direct archaeological evidence for the book of mormon.
That is no wonder if you consider how it was bounded by rivers on two sides, and that they built palisades around the land as well. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. 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. It follows that no amount of scrutiny of the book will ever betray josephs mind or heart because it is not mirrored in the text.
Think about it a jewishchristian culture in the middle of a polytheist mesoamerican culture that has no mention in any codex, monument or literature. 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. Bpin the last part in this series, we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. The list of archeological and historical claims of the book of mormon compared to nonapologetic evidence. Mormon apologists have proposed multiple theories to explain apparent inconsistencies with the archaeological, genetic, linguistic and other records. It is a thriving field of study, with hundreds of pieces of evidence that correlate the book of mormon with archaeology. Of course there are limits to what archaeology can investigate. Josephs translation of these alleged records is published as the book of mormon. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the book. 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. Wayne may presents book of mormon evidence in north american geography, archaeology and historical records. Intellectual evidence of book of mormon authenticity is an issue worthy of careful consideration. Therefore, as things stand at the moment, current new world archaeological evidence tends to verify the claims made by the book of mormon.
The idea that there is archaeological evidence for the book of mormon is purely wishful thinking. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the. As a final check of the books historical authenticity, i consider a long list of frequently voiced complaints. If you eat the book of first nephi, youll notice that his knee fights family journeyed south out of jerusalem. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel.
The scientific trend of archaeological evidence of its historic facticity indicates that the book of mormon is what joseph smith claimed it wasan ancient book. Most scholars reject the idea of viewing the book of mormon as a historical record. Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible is the word of god and that it can be accurately translated. Ancient israelites did come to america over 2400 years ago. Though mentioned twenty times in the text of the book of mormon, there is no archaeological evidence of any hardened metal production in precolumbian america, and a tremendous volume of evidence to the contrary.
Im going to disagree with your post title, although i agree with your sentiment. 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. Book of mormon archaeology is real, authentic, scientifically researched, a proven fact. Archaeological and historical evidence evidences of the. Is there any archaeological evidence around the city of buffalo that there. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as never before. The book of mormon makes a handful of references to horses existing on the american continents in these ancient times.
Jan 28, 2020 when lehi embarked on his journey around 600 b. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. The purpose of the book of mormon is to convince the world that jesus is the christ, our lord and redeemer. So theres no archaeological evidence for the book of. Apr 28, 2017 2 not everyone who believes in the book of mormon is ignorant of the lack of archaeological evidence, which means 3 arguing that the lack of archaeological evidence proves the book of mormon is a fraud isnt going to be as convincing as some people think. 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. And still no archaeological evidence of the book of mormon. The different statutes, icons, symbols and hieroglyphs convey a knowledge of the saviors hands with the prints of the nails in jesus christs hands. No archaeological evidence if the book of mormon narrative were true, then this hill where these two epic battles were fought should be an archaeological gold mine. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may.
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