There is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. I was watching an archaeological show and they said you can find all the cities talked about in the bible, and you can find places that the bible talked just by reading the bible. The book of mormon is true and could have only happened in north america. The book of mormon sic patterns of seasonal warfare, festival celebrations at certain times of the year, religious gatherings, travels, kingship coronations, political turmoil as well as warfare, the keeping of records, natural calamities all agree with the archaeological record. If you missed the bmaf messages announcing the change please go to and enter your email address. For one particular physical evidence, look no further than a plethora of archaeological sites from many different centuries, but particularly. David marks was traveling through western new york and there he heard of the recent publication of a very strange book. Archaeology is in fact, physical evidence that supports the truthfulness of a historical event. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in transition. These relate to artifacts, animal, plant, or technology that critics believe did not exist in the americas during the book of mormon time period before 2500 bc to. Wayne mays twopart presentation at the november 20 vernal, ut book of mormon evidence conference. The smithsonian institution sends a form letter to those who inquire about their use of the book of mormon for archaeological purposes. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon.
When marks heard the claims being made for this book that it told the hitherto unpublished story of the ancient inhabitants of the americas it occurred to him that the book, if true, might. Honestly, i feel like looking for archaeological evidence of the book of mormon is like looking for a needle in a field. 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. Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible is the word of god and that it can be accurately translated. Hugh nibley and book of mormon geography by kirk magleby. Ancient israelites did come to america over 2400 years ago.
Book of mormon verses taken from the 1990 independence edition, which is published by the church of christ. 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. Employing the word cement was cited as anachronistic proof of the book of mormons fabrication. 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. Prove the existence of zarahemla, for example, and the validity of the rest follows. Evidence for nephis bountiful, journal of book of mormon studies, 71 1998. Just as antimormons can marshal scholars who will proclaim, as does michael coe, that there is absolutely nothing supporting the historicity of the book of mormon, likewise, atheists could marshal the opinions of numerous scholars, such as william dever, regarding the lack of archaeological proof of the historicity of the bible. The book of mormon makes a handful of references to horses existing on the american continents in these ancient times. One last topic on the subject of archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that i want to talk about is horses. Truth shall spring forth out of the earth, journal of book of mormon studies, vol. Many readers have posed this question, both out of genuine interest and also as a challenge to the book s authenticity.
If the book of mormon is an authentic historical record of real people, language, and cultures, then we would expect to find tangible evidences that corroborate itunless of course it is a work of joseph smiths imagination. Bpin the last part in this series, we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. Hugh nibley and book of mormon geography book of mormon. Each year at its annual book of mormon lands conference, the book of mormon archaeological forum gives the father lehi award and the mother sariah award to a couple who have contributed significantly to book of mormon studies and research. Jan 01, 2008 the journal of book of mormon studies is a scholarly journal devoted to the latest research on the book of mormon, including articles on the geography, names, terms, and events in the book of mormon, as well as archaeological finds in the old world and the new world. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in. Archaeology, relics and book of mormon belief deseret news. The book of mormon challenge was popularised by hugh nibley, and often presented to his students in a course on the book of mormon. Roberts wrote a letter in 1932 citing a few sources for cement work that predated the book of mormons publication, but this information was highly obscure until the middle of the 20 th century. Many a learned person has asked the same thing about the bible or even the existence of god. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Basic problems with the antimormon approach to geograpgy and. So there is also archaeological evidence that supports the truthfulness of the book of mormon. Im not really interested in book of mormon archaeology.
Book of mormon thought false by lds memberarchaelogist. Proof that the book of mormon is true book of mormon facts. Critics trot out this letter as proof that the book of mormon has no archaeological support and is therefore false. Is there any archeological evidence that the events in the. We invite all people everywhere to read the book of mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask god, the eternal father, in the name of christ, if the book is true. The national geographic society has a similar letter. The egyptian symbols for holy, heaven, all, and god are similar to ancient mikmaq glyphs found in canada. Book of mormon archaeology and anthropology byu studies. The hebrew origin of some book of mormon place names. A contemporary mormon view is that these civilizations rose and fell. 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. There does not appear to be archeological proof for their existence in the new world during the time period in which they are mentioned 600 b.
Critics trot out this letter as proof that the book of mormon has no. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. The journal of book of mormon studies is a scholarly journal devoted to the latest research on the book of mormon, including articles on the geography, names, terms, and events in the book of mormon, as well as archaeological finds in the old world and the new world. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the book. Here you find the photographic, archaeological, and biblical. Wayne may, author and publisher of ancient american magazine now in its 25th year of print, continues to fill its pages with new and past discoveries in the americas. Jun 17, 2017 is there any archaeological evidence for 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. How come archaeological experts havent found any evidence of. Book of mormon archaeology is real, authentic, scientifically researched, a proven fact. Is there evidence for the authenticity 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. The material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. These relate to artifacts, animal, plant, or technology that critics believe did not exist in the americas during the book of mormon time period before 2500 bc to about 400 ad.
Critics of the book of mormon have argued that there are words and phrases in the book that are anachronistic with archaeological findings. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look. The archaeological record comparing the book of mormon narrative with the archaeological record. There is an abundance of historical and archaeological evidence that supports the scriptural historical events as recorded in the book of mormon. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the book. Each year at its annual book of mormon lands conference, the book of mormon archaeological forum gives the father lehi award and the mother sariah award to a couple who have contributed significantly to. 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.
Is there any archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Come see a live presentation on archaeological discoveries and their correlation to the book of mormon cultures. 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. Many readers have posed this question, both out of genuine interest and also as a challenge to the books authenticity. Jun 09, 2017 illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. But they said that all the great cities joseph smith said existed in the americas and the cities he was apart of have never been found. Archaeological proof of the book of mormon lds blogs. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas. 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. The first of these peoples, called jaredites, are supposed to have come to the hitherto. The honest in heart, who feel that the true kingdom of god ought to have special and powerful credentials, and not just be another voice in the.
And to be less sardonic about the matter, this is also why direct evidence actually can sometimes di. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. Archaeological and historical evidence evidences of the. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon.
Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Numerous scholars and archaeologists have unanimously concluded that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence for 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. His library research spurred his first hunt for archaeological evidence. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. 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. Mike licona has produced a practical book to help in our apologetics witness to mormons. For most people, that isnt a big deal, but when you studied archaeology1 at a churchowned university, it surprises some. Many readers have posed this question, both out of genuine interest and also as. The book of mormon was translated from reformed egyptian on gold plates. Jun 22, 2016 book of mormon archaeology in north america. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon.
Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses. There are a small number of mentions in the book of mormon of horses. No direct geographical, archaeological or any other scientific field supports fictional narratives. 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. Further, there is currently no archaeological evidence of american bison having been domesticated. The resurrected savior, jesus christ, really did visit the book of mormon people in the americas. 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. Book of mormon archaeology in north america book of mormon. The missionaries make fantastic claims about proof of the events depicted in the book of mormon. 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. Proof that the book of mormon is true, excerpt from. Basically, the idea is that the detractors of the book are invited to try their hand at writing a similar epic, the point presumably being that it is so difficult that it could only have come about with divine help. The critics like to claim that there is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon, but the truth is that there is scant archaeological data to tell us anything about the names of ancient new world inhabitants or locationsand names are the only means by which we could archaeologically identify whether there were nephites in ancient. Other similarities between near eastern and aztec language are currently being.
How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. The book contrasts the evidence for christianity and the bible. Aug 16, 2009 we invite all people everywhere to read the book of mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask god, the eternal father, in the name of christ, if the book is true. Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is. In this new episode of the book of mormon history podcast, bmc associate stephen smoot discusses the new archaeological discovery of an ancient temple within four miles of jerusalem with independent book of mormon researcher joshua gehly. Illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. They said that no book in the mormon bible has any archaeological evidence, why. Dec 12, 2007 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. 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. Proof the book of mormon isnt true the book of mormon contradicts the bible and was actually a work of fiction written by joseph smith in the 1800s, who copied much of it from the king james version, trying to make it look like an ancient manuscript. 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.
They contend that these events have been historically and archaeologically verified, and that, since they are in the book of mormon, the mormon church is the only true church. In the last chapter we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. Basic problems with the antimormon approach to geograpgy. Watch presentations about american archaeology and its parallels to the book of mormon civilizations.
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