Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as. The owner and employees of this site are members of the lds church and in good standing. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america duration. One last topic on the subject of archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that i want to talk about is horses. Smithsonian archaeologists see no direct connection between the archaeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church.
Book of mormon archaeology and anthropology byu studies. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. The smithsonian institute has issued a statement regarding archaeological evidence and the book of mormon. Archaeologists, when examining ancient evidence, are working with a very fragmentary record. Mar 30, 2020 yet throughout this diversity the bible remains unified in its message and has archaeological evidence backing it. The book of mormon brian nicholson, deseret news archives. The resurrected savior, jesus christ, really did visit the book of mormon people in the americas. Mounting evidence for the book of mormon church of jesus.
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. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in. Mar 04, 2020 the book of mormon, combined with the spirit, is the greatest witness one has of the truthfulness of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, said elder tad r. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the book. Exciting discoveries verifying persons, places and events in the bible. Yet throughout this diversity the bible remains unified in its message and has archaeological evidence backing it. 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. The people and places are not proven to exist, it was written by a man and not godbreathed. 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. Join wayne on a book of mormon tour and see the archaeological discoveries of the nephites and jaredites.
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. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide. The purpose of the book of mormon is to convince the world that jesus is the christ, our lord and redeemer. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. Welcome to the book of mormon archaeological forum. 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. 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. Department of education of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Book of mormon the book of mormon has absolutely no credibility. 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. Wayne may presents the supporting evidence for the heartland model, that the book of mormon nephites and jaredites lived in north america. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting.
Holy ghost is greatest witness of the book of mormon. People of all and any faiths are welcome here on the grounds of goodwill and faith. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. 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. See richard lloyd anderson, investigating the book of mormon witnesses salt lake city. He established the new world archaeological foundation. 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. Ancient israelites did come to america over 2400 years ago. Intellectual evidence of book of mormon authenticity is an issue worthy of careful consideration. To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look. Archaeological evidence for the bible the stones cry out.
Book of mormon archaeology is real, authentic, scientifically researched, a proven fact. 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. Some archaeological evidences 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. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. Theres no credible evidence jesus existed the authors of the gospels stole their ideas for jesus life from other ancient religions. Jul 07, 2008 illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Fairmormon is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing welldocumented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of the church of jesus. Ferguson concluded that he was jesus, appearing in bountiful after his resurrection just as the book of mormon recorded. People of all and any faiths are welcome here on the grounds of goodwill and fa. 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.
Therefore, as things stand at the moment, current new world archaeological evidence tends to verify the claims made by the book of mormon. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the. John sorenson from byu published his mormons codex through deseret book, the popular mormon press. Archaeology, relics and book of mormon belief deseret news.
Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu studies. Titles on books full of archaeological halftruths, dilettante on the peripheries of american archaeology calling themselves book of mormon archaeologists regardless of their education, and a department of archaeology at byu devoted to the production of book of mormon archaeologists do not insure that book of mormon archaeology really exists. Come see a live presentation on archaeological discoveries and their correlation to the book of mormon cultures. Holy ghost is greatest witness of the book of mormon, elder. Book of mormon archaeology the irrefutable evidence. The book of mormon, combined with the spirit, is the greatest witness one has of the truthfulness of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, said elder tad r. Most important, the book of mormon and the church of jesus christ of latterday saints affirm that jesus is the christ, the divine savior of the world, and that he will come someday in the future in the manner that the scriptures herald. Is there anything written in the book of mormon that. As of today, there is zero evidence of any of the groups of the book of mormon. Too many historical and cultural references mightve undermined or watered down its spiritual objectives. The book of mormon is advertized by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints as another testament. I had sincerely hoped that bookofmormon cities would be. So there is also archaeological evidence that supports the truthfulness of the book of mormon. 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.
Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Mormonism is there any archaeological evidence for the claims. Joseph claimed he translated by the power of god an ancient record. Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon. The bible and the book of mormon are testaments of jesus.
Callister, emeritus general authority seventy and former sunday school general president. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. This sub is for fellowship and faithful belief in the restored gospel of jesus christ ephesians 2. 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. Nov 30, 20 these facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world.
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. Elephants are mentioned twice in the earliest book of mormon record, the book of ether. The most recent issue of byu studies quarterly includes an article by wade miller and matt roper with new evidence challenging this view. 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. It conflicts with details in the book of mormon, contradicts the teaching of a long line of lds presidents and apostles, and in the end cannot produce a single piece of archaeological evidence that can be identified as nephite or jaredite a fact which byu professors such as hugh nibley, bruce w. Challenges and perspectives, provides an overview of the issue and discusses some of the complexity involved in the study of ancient animal remains. No historical evidence to support the book of mormon. Jan 29, 2018 the most recent issue of byu studies quarterly includes an article by wade miller and matt roper with new evidence challenging this view. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. 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. 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. I revisit issues of archaeology and the book of mormon here in addressing.
Due to the nature of its origin, that would support the existence of god. Mounting evidence for the book of mormon the church of jesus. Ancient american magazine explore the precolumbian americas with this quarterly publication. This is important because the latterday saints make such a point about it containing the fullness of. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. There is an abundance of historical and archaeological evidence that supports the scriptural historical events as recorded in the book of mormon. 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. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. Though argument does not create conviction, lack of it destroys belief. Mounting evidence for the book of mormon, ensign, jan. Callister, emeritus general authority seventy and former sunday school general president in his tuesday, march 3, lds business college devotional held in the assembly hall on temple square, elder callister listed. The book of mormon makes a handful of references to horses existing on the american continents in these ancient times.
Jan 18, 2018 ferguson concluded that he was jesus, appearing in bountiful after his resurrection just as the book of mormon recorded. Book of mormon evidence, or its employees, and no information or opinions represent the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the book. Jan 18, 2018 how a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Mounting evidence for the book of mormon church of jesus christ. New evidence for horses in america book of mormon central. It is highly reasonable to conclude that the book of mormon narrative would have left discernible and substantially unique or specific archaeological evidence in the record that would highly correlate with the bom story and be difficult to explain. 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. Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses. 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.
Welcome to rlatterdaysaints a gathering place for those supporting or investigating the church of jesus christ of latterday saints and its members. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the. Illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. The article, entitled animals in the book of mormon. Sorensons book is parallelomania of totally nonspecific points of correspondence between. Most scholars reject the idea of viewing the book of mormon as a historical record. As explored in this video, the location nahom in the book of mormon has been archaeologically confirmed. These facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. 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. May 17, 2019 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. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very.
On the other hand, every year in the holy land, archaeologists are discovering weapons, coins, animals, cities, and civilizations mentioned in the bible. The changing face of missing evidence for the book of mormon. Watch presentations about american archaeology and its parallels to the book of mormon civilizations. 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. Also, the book of mormon contains grave errors and contradictions. Jesus christ is at the center of their worship, not mormon, joseph smith, or any other prophet. Standard arguments against the book concern things mentioned in the text not. Standard arguments against the book concern things mentioned in the text not found archaeologically, such as gold plates. 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. It is a common claim by critics that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. Callister, emeritus general authority seventy and former sunday school general president in his tuesday, march 3, lds business college devotional held in the assembly hall on temple square, elder. Testing the book of mormon part 3 archaeological evidence. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x.
But ultimately god requires faith, and is most likely making it intentionally difficult to prove the book of mormon is true, secularly. His library research spurred his first hunt for archaeological evidence, in. Art depicting jesus christ to become the standard focus of foyers in latterday. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded. In 1975, he submitted a paper to a symposium about book of mormon geography outlining the failure of archaeologists to find old world plants, animals, metals, and scripts in mesoamerica. Anderson, personal writings of the book of mormon witnesses, in book of mormon authorship revisited. In 1946 a mormon named thomas ferguson started archeological explorations looking specifically for evidence to support the book of mormon. 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. As a final check of the books historical authenticity, i consider a long list of frequently voiced complaints.
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. Second, the book of mormon contains none of the key mormon doctrines. Archaeological evidence for the book of mormon book of. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. First, it utterly lacks historical or archaeological support, and there is overwhelming empirical evidence that refutes it.
551 462 1179 175 1228 884 708 1045 1196 1540 1578 557 953 816 746 5 900 1199 727 146 896 829 1331 609 146 858 156 529 1323 12 23 353