Bpin the last part in this series, we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. The book describes lehis family traveling south southeast from jerusalem for several days and then stopping to bury one of their number at a place called nahom. Nwaf findings did not back up the veracity of the book of. 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.
Is there evidence for the authenticity of the book of mormon. Harrison, editors, new international dictionary of biblical archaeology grand rapids. Book of mormon archaeology and anthropology byu studies. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. 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. This compilation of groundbreaking book of mormon articles is selected from over fifty years of lds scholarship published by byu studies. The book of mormon is supposed to be a history of real people living in a real place. 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. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. Mormonism teaches that a plurality of gods exist or polytheism bible. There is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very. Book of mormon evidences, part 3 presents further evidence supporting the book of mormon as an ancient document. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may.
A contemporary mormon view is that these civilizations rose and fell in mesoamerica. 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. And so this is a kingsize problem, it seems to me, for socalled book of mormon archaeology. In 1972, christian scholar hal hougey wrote to ferguson. With mitt romney, a mormon and former bishop of the mormon religion, having run for president, many wonder are mormons christians.
In 1955, thomas ferguson, a latter day saint and the founder of the new world archaeological foundation nwaf, with five years of funding from the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church, began to dig throughout mesoamerica for evidence of the veracity of the book of mormon claims. His library research spurred his first hunt for archaeological evidence. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. 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. 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. Book of mormon thought false by lds memberarchaelogist. Depending on the scope of this question, it can be very difficult to give any satisfactory answer to. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. The current suggestions are all logically placed along the dhofar coast in oman based on geography, but they dont have hard archaeological evidence like we. 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. In the last chapter we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places.
The book of mormon is true and could have only happened in north america. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted. The only hard archaeological evidence of which i am aware is back in the middle east remember that the book of mormon is only mostly set in the new world. Also keep in mind that according to the book of mormon the new world christians were a persecuted minority who were. Is there archaeological evidence to support the book of.
How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. 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. The aztec, maya, and inca people were expecting the return of a god who their ancestors once believed in. This is one of the reasons why unofficial apologists are coming up with the limited geography model it happened in central or south america and that the real hill cumorah is not in palmyra, new. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon.
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 focus on more. A popular saying in the field of archaeology is that no evidence of existence is not evidence of nonexistence. Some early20th century mormons claimed various archaeological findings such as place names, and. 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. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. One last topic on the subject of archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that i want to talk about is horses. According to the church of jesus christ of latterday saints mormon. Therefore, as things stand at the moment, current new world archaeological evidence tends to verify the claims made by the book of mormon. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. Wayne mays twopart presentation at the november 20 vernal, ut book of mormon evidence conference. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. Though argument does not create conviction, lack of it destroys belief.
Should a follower of jesus christ pray about the book of mormon. The first of these peoples, called jaredites, are supposed to have come to. Nwaf findings did not back up the veracity of the book of mormon claims. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Contrary to the claims of our critics, there are impressive findings that make it difficult to explain away the book of mormon as a nineteenthcentury fraud from joseph smith. Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible is the word of god and that it can be accurately translated. Historical and archaeological evidence for christianity. A comparison of the archaeological evidence for the book of mormon with the evidence for the bible clearly shows the weakness of the mormon position.
There is no historical or archeological evidence to support the book of mormon. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. We build enduring faith in jesus christ by making the book of mormon accessible, comprehensible, and defensible to people everywhere. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. No evidence has been found in the new world for a ferrous metallurgical industry dating to precolumbian times. After all, their church is labeled as the church of. 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. Apr 28, 2017 nahom is a big book of mormon evidence that i respect location is right and the archaeological evidence is sound. Mike licona has produced a practical book to help in our apologetics witness to mormons. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as. 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. But ultimately god requires faith, and is most likely making it intentionally difficult to prove the book of.
Thus, it can be seen that archaeological evidence for the book of mormon which does exist, as will be discussed shortlydoes not constitute proof, nor does it translate into belief. Questions about book of mormon evidence jeff lindsays. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. The word mormon originally derived from the book of mormon, a religious text published by smith, which he said he translated from golden plates with divine assistance. Below is the modern map of the area of smiths youth. Tongan r ather than providing evidence to support the book of mormon, mormons often ask christians to read the book of mormon and pray to see whether or not it is from god. The book contrasts the evidence for christianity and the bible. Aug 09, 2011 after all, i dont believe the words of the bible because of archaeological evidence. Mormonism is the predominant religious tradition of the latter day saint movement of restorationist christianity started by joseph smith in western new york in the 1820s and 30s. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove.
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. 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. Mormonism is the predominant religious tradition of the latter day saint movement of restorationist christianity started by joseph smith in western new york in the 1820s and 30s the word mormon originally derived from the book of mormon, a religious text published by smith, which he said he translated from golden plates with divine assistance. Stronger than any external evidence for or against the authenticity of the book of mormon, though, is internal evidence. The nhm inscription is the most important piece of geographical evidence book of mormon supporters have for their claims. Eleven years after ferguson was no longer affiliated with the nwaf, in 1972 christian scholar hal hougey wrote ferguson. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. 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. Should a follower of jesus christ pray about the book of. Mormonism is there any archaeological evidence for the claims. Archaeological evidence 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.
Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Archaeological evidence archaeology and the bible from discusses the ebla tablets, the hittites, sargon ii, belshazzar. Mormonism is there any archaeological evidence for the. If they were once a delightsome people and had christ for their shepherd, mormon 5.
Christianity there is a lot in the press today concerning mormonism verses traditional christianity. 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. When talking to mormons, expect to hear them say, i know the book. This view, whose most influential proponent is brigham young university archaeologist john l. Archaeological evidence of the exodus from the institute for. Jun 22, 2016 book of mormon archaeology in north america. Contrary to the claims of our critics, there are impressive findings that make it difficult to explain away the book of mormon as a nineteenthcentury. Archaeologists, when examining ancient evidence, are working with a very fragmentary record. Book of mormon archaeology in north america book of mormon. The book of mormon is advertized by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints as another testament. The book of mormon makes a handful of references to horses existing on the american continents in these ancient times.
This theory has been around for more than 100 years in some form, but was first emphasized in the 1980s, and has become popular among many members and church leaders within the last 20 years. If the resurrected savior, jesus christ, really did visited the book of mormon people in the americas. Archaeological evidence archaeology and the bible from discusses the ebla tablets, the hittites, sargon ii, belshazzar archaeology and the old testament by pat zukeran discusses the hittites, sodom and gomorrah, jericho, king david. This theory is somewhat satisfactory to account for the lack of israelite dna, language, and cultural evidences. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in. 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. It is a common claim by critics that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. Apologetics press the book of mormon and the ancient evidence. Civilizations of their magnitude and duration would be expected to leave extensive archaeological records. 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.
To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look. Oct 24, 2014 this video will help you understand that the foundation of the lds faith is built upon myth. 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. As far as the location of old world bountiful, its up in the air. In both cases, the books themselves give sufficient cause for the seeking soul to reach toward heaven for confirmation of their messianic witness to mankind. Archaeology and the old testament by pat zukeran discusses the hittites, sodom and gomorrah, jericho, king david. 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. This page is a continuation of book of mormon evidences, part one and part two.
Direct archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Is there sufficient archaeological evidence to support the. Wayne may presents the supporting evidence for the heartland model, that the book of mormon nephites and jaredites lived in north america. And when ye shall receive these things, i would exhort you that ye would ask god, the eternal father, in the name of christ, if these things are not true. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds doesnt take an official position on. Why, therefore, should i believe, or not, the words of the book of mormon on a different principle. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the. Archaeological evidence for the book of mormon book of. To date, no actual evidence to confirm the book of mormon has been found, although many lds believers have faith that it will be uncovered in the future. There is a word for a literary work that claims a certain authorship but does not actually originate the way it claims to. Mar 26, 2016 key are the videos and the books describing the coverup by the smithsonian institute in the name of manifest destiny, and the wayne may videos describing independent archaeological evidence confirming book of mormon dates and cultures among the cherokee, iroquois, and the algonquian tribes from florida to michigan and from missouri to. 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.
There is absolutely no archaeological evidence to directly support the book of mormon or the nephiteslamanites who numbered in the millions. Welcome to the book of mormon archaeological forum. 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. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the book.
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. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. I had sincerely hoped that bookofmormon cities would. Book of mormon archaeology in north america book of. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the. I have personally seen a mormon publication with color pictures of aztec, mayan and incan ruins such as incan pyramids, and machu picchu in peru from central and south america, but there is as yet not a shred of actual archaeological evidence confirmed by legitimate archaeological scholars which shows that these ancient peoples of the. This, of course, is not to imply that there are no problems connected with biblical archaeology, or that archaeological evidence alone can prove the bible to be divinely inspired. The book of mormon contains accounts by many different people, mostly prophets, over a thousand years, harmonized and abridged into a whole narrative by a father and son, mormon and moroni, who lived around 400 ad. 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.
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