Book of mormon archaeology in north america book of mormon. As a final check of the books historical authenticity, i consider a long list of frequently voiced complaints. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Bpin the last part in this series, we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. Jun 22, 2016 book of mormon archaeology in north america. Many scientific volumes have been written about evidence for the book of mormon civilizations. 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. Sorenson claims that there is fossil evidence that some new world horses may have survived the. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. 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.
Though argument does not create conviction, lack of it destroys belief. 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. Book of mormon thought false by lds memberarchaelogist. Ancient american magazine explore the precolumbian americas with. Such civilizations left numerous artifacts in the form of hewn stone ruins, tombs, temples, pyramids, roads, arches, walls, frescos, statues, vases, and coins. May 02, 2017 non archaeological corroboration of the text is discussed in the article top ten literary and linguistic evidences for the book of mormon. Wayne mays twopart presentation at the november 20 vernal, ut book of mormon evidence conference. 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. Illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. Thus, it can be seen that archaeological evidence for the book of mormonwhich does exist, as will be discussed shortlydoes not constitute proof, nor does it. Top 10 archaeological evidences for the book of mormon.
Jan 28, 2020 when lehi embarked on his journey around 600 b. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon evidence, proof, and belief. In our view, an ancient mesoamerican setting is best supported by the information given in the book of mormon. Unresolved issues of the book s historicity and the lack of supporting archaeological evidence have led some adherents to adopt the position that the book of mormon may have been the creation of smith, but that it was nevertheless divinely inspired. 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. 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. He established the new world archaeological foundation, where his role as. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. If a socalled holy book is not a myth, then we will find that the names of cities, people, and other unique details will be supported by archaeological evidence. Hunters archaeological evidence was inserted into the book of mormon.
Archaeological evidence for 7 locations on lehis journey. Most scholars reject the idea of viewing the book of mormon as a historical record. On the other hand, every year in the holy land, archaeologists are discovering weapons, coins, animals, cities, and civilizations mentioned in the bible. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the book.
As far as the location of old world bountiful, its up in the air. From book of mormon population estimates, it is evident that the civilizations described are comparable in size to the civilizations of ancient egypt, ancient greece, ancient rome, and the maya. Apr 28, 2017 nahom is a big book of mormon evidence that i respect location is right and the archaeological evidence is sound. 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 list of archaeological and historical claims of the book. 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. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in. 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. Many try to prove the book with archaeological finding. The book of mormon is true and could have only happened in north america. 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 book of mormon geography lands and map with dna evidence.
Clark, a respected authority on the archaeology of precolumbian mesoamerica, teaches at brigham young university. Numerous scholars and archaeologists have unanimously concluded that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. 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. As a final check of the book s historical authenticity, i consider a long list of frequently voiced complaints. One last topic on the subject of archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that i want to talk about is horses. Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations.
The people and places are not proven to exist, it was written by a man and not godbreathed. Archaeological evidence true book of mormon geography. 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. If the resurrected savior, jesus christ, really did visited the book of mormon people in the americas.
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. 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. 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. A contemporary mormon view is that these civilizations rose and fell in mesoamerica. This presumption removes from discussion the most compelling evidence of the books authenticityjosephs unfamiliarity with its contents. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu studies. If there is data supporting the texts, we can calculate whether the book of mormon should be considered to be based on fact or simply a good fiction story. In 2005, he published an article on archaeology and the book of mormon titled archaeology, relics and book of mormon belief see archaeology, relics, and book of mormon belief, journal of book of mormon studies 142 2005 publications. Mormonism is there any archaeological evidence for the. His library research spurred his first hunt for archaeological evidence.
In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. Is there any archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. What i would say to you is there is no archaeological proof of the book of mormon. People keep saying that mormonism isnt true because of this. It is worth noting that for some twenty years, milton r. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very presuppositions. Understanding what archaeologists look for in historical. Evidence for nephis bountiful, journal of book of mormon studies, 71 1998. Have mormonfunded archaeological digs refuted mormonism. Jun 17, 2017 is there any archaeological evidence for the book of mormon.
Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. This common query often expresses the questioners incorrect assumptions about archaeological methodologyassumptions usually based the questioners lack of knowledge about a very specialized academic area. As interest has grown in these new continents, archaeologists inside and outside of the church have made more and more discoveries backing up the book of mormon s bold claims. By the way, where are the gold plates the book of mormon. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Nahom is a big book of mormon evidence that i respect location is right and the archaeological evidence is sound. Also, the book of mormon contains grave errors and contradictions. The book of mormon geography book, a promised land, the land of promise is available at. 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. Archaeological evidence for the book of mormon book of. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines.
Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. Civilizations of their magnitude and duration would be expected to leave extensive archaeological records. Jan 18, 2018 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. In fulfillment of book of mormon prophecy, the gentiles would obtain buy book of mormon lands.
There is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. 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 central archaeological evidence for the. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. Archaeological evidence true book of mormon geography lands. If, after a reasonable period of diligent searching, material evidence is not found, then the book of mormon would be shown to be imaginary. Chris heimerdinger shares additional insights in an excellent blog post entitled five compelling archaeological evidences for the book of mormon.
Book of mormon the book of mormon has absolutely no credibility. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. But since the book of mormon is so hugely and internally selffalsifying, it predicts. And so this is a kingsize problem, it seems to me, for socalled book of mormon archaeology. In fact, there is a great deal of history tied to the land. Book of mormon archaeology is real, authentic, scientifically researched, a proven fact. Anderson, personal writings of the book of mormon witnesses, in book of mormon authorship revisited. To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. Standard arguments against the book concern things mentioned in the text not found archaeologically, such as gold plates. Book of mormon archaeology the irrefutable evidence. For example, after the cataclysmic last battle fought between the nephites and lamanites, hundreds of thousands of men and beasts had allegedly perished, and the ground would have been strewn with weapons and armor. The book of mormon makes a handful of references to horses existing on the american continents in these ancient times.
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. Hunters book is full of footnotes that do not check out and assumptions that will amuse those who have studied the history of ancient america. 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. Truth shall spring forth out of the earth, journal of book of mormon studies, vol. Is there archaeological evidence to support the book of. Once the prophets have spoken, there are no other options, and they have. Ancient israelites did come to america over 2400 years ago. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. The changing face of missing evidence for the book of mormon. Archaeological evidence for 7 locations on lehis journey to.
Have mormon funded archaeological digs refuted mormonism. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Is there any archaeological evidence around the city of buffalo that there were fortified cities. 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.
Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. Wayne may presents the supporting evidence for the heartland model, that the book of mormon nephites and jaredites lived in north america. It is a thriving field of study, with hundreds of pieces of evidence that correlate the book of mormon with archaeology. The book of mormon also spoke of sprawling ancient cities, none of which had been identified in the united states. So in the 1840s, mormons, including smith himself, took notice of a u. The list of archeological and historical claims of the book of mormon compared to nonapologetic evidence. 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. 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 gap in scholarship is rapidly closing, and yet, thats not what brings the believer to the throne of grace. 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.
Join wayne on a book of mormon tour and see the archaeological discoveries of the nephites and jaredites. 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. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the. See richard lloyd anderson, investigating the book of mormon witnesses salt lake city. Is there archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. 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. 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. It is a common claim by critics that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. Jan 23, 2016 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. 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. The evidence for this conclusion, as has been addressed by many scholars, includes the limited geography of events and travel described in the text and a historical chronology consistent with the archaeological record of the region.
Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. 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. Archaeology, relics and book of mormon belief deseret news. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon. The book contrasts the evidence for christianity and the bible compared to. As of today, there is zero evidence of any of the groups of 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. Is there 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. Testing the book of mormon part 3 archaeological evidence. Yet throughout this diversity the bible remains unified in its message and has archaeological evidence backing it. Matheny notes that while scattered iron artifacts have been found in precolumbian settings, in the absence of evidence of a metallurgical industry, they must be accounted for by random means, such as meteorites. Non archaeological corroboration of the text is discussed in the article top ten literary and linguistic evidences for the book of mormon. Many readers have posed this question, both out of genuine interest and also as a challenge to the book s authenticity. As explored in this video, the location nahom in the book of mormon has been archaeologically confirmed. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. According to the book of mormon, the final war that destroyed the jaredites resulted in the deaths of at least two million people. The awkward part for the mormon church is the total lack of historical and archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america.
The nhm inscription is the most important piece of geographical evidence book of mormon supporters have for their claims. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the book. Welcome to the book of mormon archaeological forum. Callister, emeritus general authority seventy, speaks during an lds business college devotional in the assembly hall on march 3, 2020.
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