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. The owner and employees of this site are members of. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in. Obviously, resurrection is an idea that is shared broadly across many distinct cultures and religions, so even if true, the connection is not novel, unless the references to resurrection are distinctly christian. This compilation of groundbreaking book of mormon articles is selected from over fifty years of lds scholarship published by byu studies. There is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Fortunately now changed to the department of anthropology and archaeology, with such qualified men as. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon.
Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. For the first 150 years of mormonisms existence, everyone thought it was a story about a people who left the middle east and came to south or central america, and who fought wars clear up into new. 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. 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 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. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. Welcome to the book of mormon archaeological forum. One last topic on the subject of archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that i want to talk about is horses.
My response to 129 archaeological evidences for the book of. 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. Jan 28, 2020 when lehi embarked on his journey around 600 b. On the other hand we have the complexity and intricacy of the text itself, the historical record of its production, and the testimonies of all the. Book of mormon archaeology and anthropology byu studies. So what we have in the book of mormon is a far cry from a detailed history. Today we will talk about some common criticisms of the book of mormon around archaeological evidence that some say proves or disproves the truthfulness of the book of mormon. The book of first nephi, the first book in the volume, describes the actions of lehi and his family in leaving jerusalem before its destruction, following the counsel of the lord, and wandering through the wilderness for several years before embarking on a transoceanic voyage to somewhere in or near central america.
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. 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. Jan 18, 2018 the final test of our views of book of mormon geography will be archaeological work in the ground itself, ferguson wrote in 1951 to his friend j. This is another in my series of article on challenging questions that missionaries will likely face. At least they are not wed in reality since no book of mormon location is known with reference to modern topography. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. As are other places, the red sea, and i think the indian ocean is mentioned although its not referenced as. Aug 22, 2007 the lds mormon church is truly and american church. Mike licona has produced a practical book to help in our apologetics witness to mormons. 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. Bpin the last part in this series, we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. Is there archaeological and historical proof from nonmormon.
Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. So in the 1840s, mormons, including smith himself, took notice of a u. I have no idea about the archaeological evidence for the existence of book of mormon at least some years ago. The book of mormon the book of mormon claims to be a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as never before. The book of mormon manti is a land and city situated in the southern highlands of nephite territory, near the head of the. Archaeologists, when examining ancient evidence, are working with a very fragmentary record. That, by itself, is a pretty big stretch to describe as archaeological proof of the book of mormon, even if the match is sound. 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. Below is the modern map of the area of smiths youth.
Namely, the anachronisms and lack of hard archaeological proof. My response to 129 archaeological evidences for the book. His library research spurred his first hunt for archaeological evidence. Archaeology, relics and book of mormon belief deseret news. 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. Dec 10, 2012 the book of mormon contains records directly taken from this second, smaller set of plates, as well as an abridgment of the larger record. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded. Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible. Archaeological evidence for 7 locations on lehis journey to. The lds mormon church is truly and american church.
Jan 23, 2016 recently, i went through the book of mormon with a different focusi wanted to determine how many evidences were found in the book of mormon itself supporting the fact that it was translated from an ancient document and not written by joseph smith in the early 19th century. The book contrasts the evidence for christianity and the bible. The book of mormon contains records directly taken from this second, smaller set of plates, as well as an abridgment of the larger record. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the. This is acknowledged by leading mormon scholars, including david j. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon evidence, proof, and belief. 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. Watch presentations about american archaeology and its parallels to the book of mormon civilizations. Fairmormon responds to the lack of any archeological. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. The book of mormon makes a handful of references to horses existing on the american continents in these ancient times.
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. The resurrected savior, jesus christ, really did visit the book of mormon people in the americas. Jun 22, 2016 archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Titles on books full of archaeological halftruths, dilettanti 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. Critics of the book of mormon have argued that there are words and phrases in the book that are anachronistic with archaeological findings. 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. 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. However, archaeological study has failed to produce a single piece of evidence that can be identified as nephite or jaredite, in mesoamerica or anywhere else in the new 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. Is there archaeological and historical proof from non. Written records are a prominent feature of peoples described in the book of mormon.
Even though a testimony is gained only by a prayerful study of this record, still there are many external evidences found that would sustain or support the book of mormon. Nov 15, 2018 that, by itself, is a pretty big stretch to describe as archaeological proof of the book of mormon, even if the match is sound. 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. Mayan expert identifies correspondences with book of mormon the book of mormon describes a people who use a complex writing system possibly hieroglyphic, books, a calendar, specialized markets, and which eventually descended into a pantheistic religion, state institutions, cities, public works, a shift in popular religion around 250 ad. Archaeological proofs for the book of mormon youtube. The book of mormon mentions several animals, plants, and technologies that are not substantiated by the archaeological record of the period 3100 bc to 400 ad in the americas. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very presuppositions. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. Is there any archaeological evidence for the book of mormon.
Various amateur archaeologists and mormon authors have cited controversial evidence that north. See richard lloyd anderson, investigating the book of mormon witnesses salt lake city. These claims have historically been taken on faith. The book of mormon begins in a wellknown location, jerusalem, in 600 b. The book of mormon tells of a family leaving jerusalem and traveling to the americas. 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. This is explained in the opening verses of the first chapter of jacob and in the words of mormon. Both the bible and the book of mormon declare themselves to be ancient, historical, and reliable rules of faiththe very word of god. Many scientific volumes have been written about evidence for the book of mormon civilizations. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. The book of mormon is supposed to be a history of real people living in a real place.
The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in transition. 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. Clark, a respected authority on the archaeology of precolumbian mesoamerica, teaches at brigham young university. Archaeological evidence for 7 locations on lehis journey. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. One such group is the foundation for ancient research and mormon studies, better known as f.
Book of mormon evidence, or its employees, and no information or opinions represent the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. One good example would be codex sinaiticus estimated to be created about 350 years after christ. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. Archaeological proof of the book of mormon lds blogs. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the book. Before delving into archaeological matters, it is helpful to take a step back and consider. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. 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.
Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look. Anderson, personal writings of the book of mormon witnesses, in book of mormon authorship revisited. Though argument does not create conviction, lack of it destroys belief. 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. Most scholars reject the idea of viewing the book of mormon as a historical record.
Mar 15, 2019 the book of mormon is a strange phenomenon. There is an abundance of historical and archaeological evidence that supports the scriptural historical events as recorded in the book of mormon. He established the new world archaeological foundation. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. Book of mormonarchaeologycompared to the bible fairmormon. Come see a live presentation on archaeological discoveries and their correlation to the book of mormon cultures. There is much evidence of the book of mormon, i guess i could give you a web site or 2, but it wont do you any good anyway. Many readers have posed this question, both out of genuine interest and also as. Book of mormon thought false by lds memberarchaelogist. The new testament also has many archaeological proof of existence. As always, i invite you to study the issues, evaluate what we know and what we dont. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas. 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.
The book of mormon is really there so one can have book of mormon studies, and archaeology is really there so one can study archaeology, but the two are not wed. Well, as best as i can tell, if you believe its a true record then obviously yes there are. 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. Excluding the bible and similar writing, can you prove to an atheist or to someone that is agnostic that god exists. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Smith said he has received these plates in 1827 from an angel named moroni, who. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. So there is also archaeological evidence that supports the truthfulness of the book of mormon. Prove the existence of zarahemla, for example, and the validity of the rest follows. The book of mormon is a sacred text that was published in march 1830 by joseph smith, jr. 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. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. Proof of the book of mormon thus remains within the spiritual realm and not from studying archaeology.
Despite the fact that lds church leaders warn members not to use south american ruins as proof of the book of mormon, mormons persist in doing so. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the. 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.
Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. In addressing the absence of any archeological or anthropological evidence of the bom, the apologists make the following statement. Archaeological evidence for the book of mormon book of. The book of mormon also spoke of sprawling ancient cities, none of which had been identified in the united states. We dont know the truth of all things by evidence, we know the truth of all things by the holy ghost john. According to smith, the book is originally written in an otherwise unknown language called reformed egyptian on golden plates and it should be of similar importance as the bible. Some archaeological evidences for the book of mormon. Employing the word cement was cited as anachronistic proof of the book of mormons fabrication. 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. 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. The final test of our views of book of mormon geography will be archaeological work in the ground itself, ferguson wrote in 1951 to his friend j. It is a thriving field of study, with hundreds of pieces of evidence that correlate the book of mormon with archaeology.