Welcome to the book of mormon archaeological forum. According to the smithsonian institution, archaeological evidence. 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. Archaeology, relics and book of mormon belief deseret news.
Civilizations of their magnitude and duration would be expected to leave. A contemporary mormon view is that these civilizations rose and fell in mesoamerica. On this latter issue, see my article on the new world archaeological foundation, which is online at publications. Therefore, there is a consensus from professional archaeologists, mormon and non mormon alike, that there is no specific confirmation of the book of mormon from archaeology. Archaeological evidence for the book of mormon book of. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very.
Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. Hundreds, if not thousands, of examples of metal platescopper, silver. Nahom is a big book of mormon evidence that i respect location is right and the archaeological evidence is sound. The thing that ballard doesnt realize is that if it was true, then there would be evidence supporting it. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. In the past forty years book of mormon scholars have produced much textual evidence for a vorlage of ancient near eastern descent for the received text of the book of mormon. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon.
The book of mormon makes a handful of references to horses existing on the american continents in these ancient times. 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. Is there any archeological evidence that the events in the book of. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic. 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. Some archaeological evidences for 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.
Preearth life similar to mormon teachings, mesoamericans believed gods existed before the world was created. 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. While there is ample archaeological evidence to prove the authenticity of the bible in the middle east, the evidence to support the book of mormon is not there. For example, early mormons believed book of mormon lands stretched. As far as the location of old world bountiful, its up in the air. Is there archaeological evidence to support the book of. Stronger than any external evidence for or against the authenticity of the book of mormon, though, is internal evidence.
Some early20th century mormons claimed various archaeological findings such as place names. The lay mormon is told by the mormon church that archaeology continues to confirm the book of mormon, while mormon scholars, who actually study archaeology for a living, have something quite. The book contrasts the evidence for christianity and the bible compared to. There is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Yet most of this material has provided only necessary and not sufficient evidence for this vorlage. New archaeological evidence for book of mormon prophet. 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. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. The owner and employees of this site are members of. In a previous post, we discussed a number of archaeological evidences or correspondences if you will that unite the book of mormon and the new world setting in which most of the book takes place. But instead of evidence to support the book of mormon, there is actually a mountain of evidence against it. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science.
An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. No historical evidence to support the book of mormon. However, the book of mormon makes many predictions which can be tested through archaeology, sociological records, and historical research. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look. Book of mormon evidence, or its employees, and no information or opinions represent the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. In this post, we look at some of the very compelling evidences found in the old world which correspond with things in the book of mormon that joseph smith. However, unlike the bible which has multiple lines of archaeological support for its historicity and authenticity, the book of mormon is totally lacking in such corroborative evidence.
According to the smithsonian institution, archaeological evidence shows that the western hemisphere was populated by east asian peoples migrating across the bering strait and rules out alternatives involving long sea voyages 23 as a significant contribution to new world settlement, as proposed by the book of mormon. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. 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. 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. Wayne may presents the supporting evidence for the heartland model, that the book of mormon nephites and jaredites lived in north america. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. The lack of archaeological evidence is sometimes damaging.
It is a common claim by critics that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded. Some more archaeological evidences of 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. The book of mormon suggests that the original native americans descended from a. 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 the list of archaeological and historical. The annotated edition of the book of mormon aebom is lined with purported evidence, both archaeological, anthropological, linguistic, and genetic, that the events of the book of mormon took place in the heartland of the united states. Book of mormon archaeology the irrefutable evidence. The book of mormon provides additional definitions of distance, which one. 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.
His library research spurred his first hunt for archaeological evidence, in campeche in. Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible. Book of mormon archaeology and anthropology byu studies. 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. Nonarchaeological corroboration of the text is discussed in the article top ten literary and linguistic evidences for the book of mormon.
Is the book of mormon authenticated by archaeology. 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. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as never before. If the resurrected savior, jesus christ, really did visited the book of.
There is a word for a literary work that claims a certain authorship but does not actually originate the way it claims to. The best known examples are the two volumes by nibley which suffer from an. The first myth we need to eliminate is that book of mormon archaeology existsif one is to study book of mormon archaeology, then one must have a corpus of data with which to deal. Chris heimerdinger shares additional insights in an excellent blog post entitled five compelling archaeological evidences for.
Standard arguments against the book concern things mentioned in the text not. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the. People keep saying that mormonism isnt true because of this. Bpin the last part in this series, we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. Dave whittle, have been studying the book of mormon for over 45 years. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. The book of mormon teaches that the redemption of christ was planned before the world began, and the mayans likewise. The book of mormon claims to be an ancient scripture rooted in the historical setting of the american continents. Is there any archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. 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. 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. Numerous scholars and archaeologists have unanimously concluded that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu studies. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon.
Ancient israelites did come to america over 2400 years ago. If we read the mormon book, we find that in mormon 6. The first period is between 1830, the year the book of mormon was published and 1844, the year joseph smith died. The mayan gods gathered under the tree of life to hold a council all the gods had taken part in the creation of the earth.
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. In the view of one recent commentator, the discovery of the altars amounts to the first actual archaeological evidence for the historicity of the book of mormon. This compilation of groundbreaking book of mormon articles is selected from over fifty years of lds scholarship published by byu studies. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins. Before delving into archaeological matters, it is helpful to take a step back and consider what archaeological evidence means in relation to the book of mormon. Many readers have posed this question, both out of genuine interest and also as a challenge to the books authenticity. What evidence or examples are there that joseph smith the founder of the lds. The book of mormon brian nicholson, deseret news archives. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. The changing face of missing evidence for the book of mormon.
He established the new world archaeological foundation. Top 10 archaeological evidences for the book of mormon. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. For example, a promotional brochure published by the lds church entitled what is. What i would say to you is there is no archaeological proof of the book of mormon. Between those years critics brought up 90 anachronisms. Though argument does not create conviction, lack of it destroys belief.
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. Even if that socalled evidence is irrelevant, as ballard claims, it would still be there none the less. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. The list of archeological and historical claims of the book of mormon compared to nonapologetic evidence. Illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. In 1946 a mormon named thomas ferguson started archeological explorations looking specifically for evidence to support the book of mormon. In order for material in the book of mormon to be sufficient evidence for an ancient near eastern vorlage. A new archaeological excavation at the south of the temple mount in jerusalem has just barely uncovered an 8th century seal impression that might have belonged to the biblical prophet isaiah, revered by nephi and other book of mormon prophets. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon. Book of mormon archaeology is real, authentic, scientifically researched, a proven fact. Of course, the point of what book of mormon central is doing is not to provide compelling archeological evidence, definitely not to those who dont believe in the book of mormon, but to attempt to provide support for the faith of those that do believe in the book of mormon. 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. Prove the existence of zarahemla, for example, and the validity of the rest follows.
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. Archaeologists, when examining ancient evidence, are working with a very fragmentary record. Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses. Joseph claimed he translated by the power of god an ancient record inscribed on. Some critics may claim that there is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. 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. As a final check of the books historical authenticity, i consider a long list of frequently voiced complaints. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. This paper examines the myriad of problems brought about by the lack of. 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. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence.
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