Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins author john e. People keep saying that mormonism isnt true because of this. Book of mormon evidences, part one discusses some of the many factors supporting the plausibility of the book of mormon as an ancient document. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the credibility of these claims of archaeological support for the book of mormon. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Though mentioned twenty times in the text of the book of mormon, there is no archaeological evidence of any hardened metal production in precolumbian america, and a. 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. When googling archaeological evidence and the book of mormon one cannot help, but be impressed by the success of fairmormon, the mormon churchs go to apologist site at web optimization. Dec 10, 2012 the idea that there is archaeological evidence for the book of mormon is purely wishful thinking. 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.
Many scholars see no support for the book of mormon in the archaeological record, since no one has found any inscriptional evidence for. Is there any direct geographical or archaeological. Nov 30, 20 these facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. There are literally hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of pieces of archaeological evidence supporting the bible, so why is there not even one piece of archaeological evidence supporting the. And, with more study, the books sturdiness and richness and the remarkable accomplishment of its translator, the prophet joseph smith, become more apparent. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. Physical evidence for the ancient origins of joseph smiths book of mormon. Book of mormon archaeology and anthropology byu studies. Nonetheless, they have published in full detail the results of their excavations in papers of the new world. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins. In addressing the absence of any archeological or anthropological evidence of the bom, the apologists make the following statement.
Civilizations of their magnitude and duration would be expected to leave extensive archaeological records. If you missed the bmaf messages announcing the change please go to and enter your email address. 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 direct geographical or archaeological evidence to support 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. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the book. 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. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science.
It is all based on the word of one man joseph smith who has been proven to be a. An example of the mormon claim that archaeological evidence supporting the book of mormon exists is john sorensons book images of ancient america. 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. Instead, he offers positive support for the book of mormon in multiple areas. 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 lehi and his party traveled through after leaving jerusalem.
The video is the third in book of mormon centrals evidence video series, the two previous videos being one on the archaeological evidence for the place called nahom, mentioned by nephi 1 nephi 16. 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 american archaeological data. Along with my own insights ive provided evidence from archaeologists, historians, gospel scholars, and others who have made such study the. 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. 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. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. 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. 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. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Clark, a respected authority on the archaeology of. Even the mighty mayan empire constructed its temples with stone tools, lacking metal. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the. The book of mormon makes a handful of references to horses existing on the american continents in these ancient times.
Is there anything written in the book of mormon that. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. In this chapter we will examine the book of mormon to see how it holds up to the. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. Think about it a jewishchristian culture in the middle of a polytheist mesoamerican culture that has no mention in any codex, monument or literature. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the book. Fairmormon responds to the lack of any archeological evidence. Archaeology, relics and book of mormon belief deseret news. 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 books historical authenticity, i consider a long list of frequently voiced complaints. A contemporary mormon view is that these civilizations rose and fell in mesoamerica.
Most, but not all, mormons hold the books connection to ancient american history as an article of their faith. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the. The book of mormon principally describes gods dealings with two c. Recently one of the cities mentioned in the book of mormon was discovered. May 12, 2017 not only is there absolutely no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon, there is also absolutely no evidence for any other claim the lds make in doctrine or revelations, etc. 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. The idea that there is archaeological evidence for the book of mormon is purely wishful thinking. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas.
Mormon apologists have proposed multiple theories to explain apparent inconsistencies wi. If the resurrected savior, jesus christ, really did visited the book of mormon people in the americas. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in. This presumption removes from discussion the most compelling evidence of the.
In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. 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. It is a common claim by critics that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. Wayne may presents book of mormon evidence in north american geography, archaeology and historical records. This view finds no acceptance outside of mormonism. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon evidence, proof, and belief. It is part of a collection that includes book of mormon evidences, part two, book of mormon evidences, part three, and book of mormon nuggets.
They have discovered no evidence that supports the book of mormon in any way. Is there evidence for the authenticity of the book of mormon. 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. 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. 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. The first of these peoples, called jaredites, are supposed to have come to the hitherto. 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 and other denominations of the latter day saint movement believe that it describes ancient historical events in the americas. 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. Due to the nature of its origin, that would support the existence of god. Archaeological evidence in support of the book of mormon. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting.
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. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. These facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. 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. To support our nonprofit science journalism, please make a. In the last chapter we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places.
Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu studies. Reverend lamb found no support for the books claims as he understood them. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. 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.
Nonetheless, they have published in full detail the results of their excavations. The theory that the book of mormon is an ancient american history is not accepted as scientifically verifiable by the mainstream academic community. 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. It is all based on the word of one man joseph smith who has been proven to be a 100% false prophet. Archaeological evidence for the book of mormon book of. There is absolutely no archaeological evidence to support any of this. I think the other answers must be answering a different question than the one asked. Many members of the latter day saint movement claim historical authenticity of the book of mormon.
Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon. Numerous scholars and archaeologists have unanimously concluded that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. There are literally hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of pieces of archaeological evidence supporting the bible, so why is there not even one piece of archaeological evidence supporting the book of mormon. 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. Nonetheless, they have published in full detail the results of their excavations in. When talking to mormons, expect to hear them say, i know the book. Though mentioned twenty times in the text of the book of mormon, there is no archaeological evidence of any hardened metal production in precolumbian america, and a tremendous volume of evidence to the contrary. Critics frequently like to compare the lack of archaeological support for the book of mormon with what they are certain is voluminous. I revisit issues of archaeology and the book of mormon here in addressing the. There is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. The changing face of missing evidence for the book of mormon.
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. Not only is there absolutely no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon, there is also absolutely no evidence for any other claim the lds make in doctrine or revelations, etc. During a series of conversations i once had with a mormon friend and some mormon missionaries, i turned to them in the first meeting and said that one objection i had to mormonism was that there is no archaeological evidence to support the stories in the book of mormon. The different statutes, icons, symbols and hieroglyphs convey a knowledge of the saviors hands with the prints of the nails in jesus christs hands. I like this quote from the video, the evidence to support josephs writings simply does not exist. 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. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. Russel ballard to the lack of any archaeological or any other type of evidence supporting the book of mormon. This book is filled with photographs showing ancient and presentday mesoamerica, the location where the cities and civilizations described in the book of mormon. Fairmormon responds to the lack of any archeological. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu. Understanding what archaeologists look for in historical. One last topic on the subject of archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that i want to talk about is horses.
Clark had circumstances permitted a marked grave for the slain prophet, a fitting headstone could have read, by joseph smith, junior, author and proprietor. His library research spurred his first hunt for archaeological evidence, in campeche in 1948. Jan, 2016 undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. Is there archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. These remnants of the civilizations that once flowered in the western hemisphere are supporting proofs that the book of mormon is true. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. This compilation of groundbreaking book of mormon articles is selected from over fifty years of lds scholarship published by byu studies. No historical evidence to support the book of mormon. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in transition. Standard arguments against the book concern things mentioned in the text not found. The description of lehis journey in the arabian desert, given the book of mormon, was sufficient to identify the region where the town of nahom should be 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.