Gold plates or historical evidences that prove that civilizations existed. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. Book of mormonarchaeologycompared to the bible fairmormon. Testing the book of mormon part 3 archaeological evidence. While the book of mormon may follow the common biblical precedent of referring to all domesticated animals as cattle, there is no evidence that old world cattle. 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 a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. 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.
Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Critics challenge the viability of the population size and growth of the book of mormon people. In this episode of digging for truth, hear bryan windle discuss archaeological evidence for daniel. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the book. The book of mormon describes three migrations of people from the middle east to america. Both the bible and the book of mormon declare themselves to be ancient, historical, and reliable rules of faiththe very word of god. Book of mormon the book of mormon has absolutely no credibility.
In the last chapter we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. The purpose of the book of mormon is to convince the world that jesus is the christ, our lord and redeemer. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. Also, the book of mormon contains grave errors and contradictions. Ive provided evidence from archaeologists, historians, gospel scholars. 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. Exciting discoveries verifying persons, places and events in the bible this book explores dozens of archaeological discoveries that have confirmed the trustworthiness of the bible. Artifacts that support the old testament, for example, are rare and highly. While there is ample archaeological evidence to prove the authenticity of the bible in the middle east, the evidence to support the book of mormon is not there. What archaeological evidence might be considered the minimal irrefutable proof needed to convince a nonbelieving world of the authenticity of the. This is important because the latterday saints make such a point about it containing the fullness of. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon.
Matheny described the book of mormon as filled with anachronisms things that are out of place historically and culturally. Archaeological survey of northwestern samaria book 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 introduces old world cultural achievements into the precolumbian americas, though the archaeological evidence shows no such levels of culture were attained during this period. These claims have historically been taken on faith. The claim that there is no archaeological evidence supporting the book of mormon is incorrect. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as never before. 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. Archaeological evidence makes it clear that all the grains, metals, silk and animals mentioned in the book of mormon did indeed exist in the lands of the book of mormon in western new york. 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.
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. Common questions about the book of mormon, ensign, oct. The mormon church the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Mormon archaeological argument that proves the historical accuracy of b of m. Is the book of mormon authenticated by archaeology. 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. Ten reasons you can trust the scriptures was the bible written by deceitful men. Both the bible and the book of mormon declare themselves to be ancient.
Another test we should put to the book of mormon is the test of archaeology. Jan 28, 2020 when lehi embarked on his journey around 600 b. May 19, 2016 furthermore, and very importantly for the book of mormons historicity, as with the rare discovery of the nihm altars in southern arabia linked to ishmaels death and burial,7 with the even rarer discovery of this small, inscribed seal, it is quite possible that an archaeological artifact of a book of mormon personality has been identified. Well, the mormon church does not do this, because any archaeological finding could be called a fraud, or dismissed as a coincidence, and real faith is not built on this kind of physical pursuit. Mike licona has produced a practical book to help in our apologetics witness to mormons. Archaeological evidence for the bible the stones cry out. Even the mighty mayan empire constructed its temples with stone tools, lacking metal. 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. If youve put any serious study into the book of mormon, you know it is filled. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. At first glance the book of mormon appears to be biblical in heft and style. John sorenson from byu published his mormons codex through deseret book, the popular mormon press.
Has an artifact that relates to the book of mormon been found. Of course, outside of the mormons own writings, there are no records, no evidence whatsoever of any such visit by jesus to the americas. Has the bible undergone corruption as it was translated down through the centuries. Mar 30, 2009 in view of the overwhelming evidence, to banner an article in harpers as false testament when referring to the hebrew bible is clearly an outrage. 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. Most, but not all, mormons hold the books connection to ancient american history as. The introduction tells you that the book of mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible. 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. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in transition. Nov 06, 2006 order the dvd at the book of mormon claims to be a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible. This kind of focus on archaeological evidence sets the narrative that we need to have some kind of physical objects, like the catholic crusaders who scoured the holy land for objects from the bible.
Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. What we read in the bible has a clear historical connection. If the resurrected savior, jesus christ, really did visited the book of mormon people in the americas. Archaeology, relics and book of mormon belief deseret news. Intellectual evidence of book of mormon authenticity is an issue worthy of careful consideration. Critics might state that the book of mormon is not prophesied of by name in the bible. The book contrasts the evidence for christianity and the bible. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of. May 11, 2010 the book of mormon is a sacred text that was published in march 1830 by joseph smith, jr. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. 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. In digging for truth, bryan windle reveals archeological evidence for biblical characters and events to help us make links between scripture and history. Archaeological evidence for 7 locations on lehis journey to. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon.
In this chapter we will examine the book of mormon to see how it holds up to the. Many members of the latter day saint movement claim historical authenticity of the book of mormon. Unfortunately, the king james version bible which is officially. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. Is there evidence for the authenticity of the book of mormon. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to adherents, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. Second, the book of mormon contains none of the key mormon doctrines. 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. Numerous scholars and archaeologists have unanimously concluded that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. A cartoon in that article, showing the bible being eaten away with vast corridors cut through its text, is an appropriately false caricature that goes with the rest of the article. The book of mormon claims to be a history of ancient peoples inhabiting central america until 421 a. Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible is the word of god and that it can be accurately translated.
Before delving into archaeological matters, it is helpful to take a step back and consider what archaeological evidence means in relation to the book of mormon. Jan 18, 2018 how a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. Are the persons, places and events mentioned in the bible mythological. Its couched in king james english, and it features color renderings of mormon scenes made to look like bible illustrations.
A popular saying in the field of archaeology is that no evidence of existence is not evidence of nonexistence. Oct 11, 2017 so much for the book of mormon being a different gospel than the bible the record of this visit is found in the book of 3rd nephi, in the book of mormon. Whether from friends, family, the truly interested, or the antagonistic, we all get asked questions about the book of mormon. Though this vast archaeological evidence does not prove god wrote the bible, it surely must compel the honest skeptic. However, archaeologists and researches have looked for evidence in the americas to see if the book of mormon is true but have found nothing not even one single coin. 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. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as.
Is the bible out of sync with scientific discoveries. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look. Jul 30, 2019 yet throughout this diversity the bible remains unified in its message and has archaeological evidence backing it. Archaeological discoveries ranging from evidence for the tower of babel, to exodus 6, to the fallen walls of jericho, all the way to the tombs of contemporaries of st. Smith said he has received these plates in 1827 from an angel named.
President benson said that the church had neglected its charter scripture and. Nov 30, 20 these facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. Archaeological evidence for 7 locations on lehis journey. Thomas stuart ferguson lay in his hammock, certain that he had found. Due to the nature of its origin, that would support the existence of god. The conclusion states, much as critics and defenders of the book of mormon would like to use dna studies to support their views, the evidence is simply inconclusive. His library research spurred his first hunt for archaeological evidence, in campeche in 1948. Sectarian critics who accept the bible, but not the book of mormon, sometimes claim that the bible has been proven or confirmed by archaeology, and insist that the same cannot be said for the book of mormon. Some early20th century mormons claimed various archaeological findings such as place names, and ruins of the inca, maya, olmec, and other ancient american and old world civilizations as giving credence to the book of mormon record. 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 a reader of the book of mormon, it is essential to understand the old world and the jewish customs and laws. First, it utterly lacks historical or archaeological support, and there is overwhelming empirical evidence that refutes it.
Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. The people and places are not proven to exist, it was written by a man and not godbreathed. Paul, have greatly enhanced the believability of the bible. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. The bible and the book of mormon are testaments of jesus. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas. The purpose of this article is to shed some light on not only the subject of archaeology, but also on the reality of both biblical and book of mormon archaeology. The book of mormon, he points out, is unique in world scripture. Suffice it to say, time and science are great allies of the book of mormon, elder callister said.
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