Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. In accordance with early mormon prophets and the book of mormon, this hill is the same place where joseph smith found the gold plates from which it is said he translated the book of mormon. Does archaeology support the book of mormon institute for. The book of mormon reports that nephi and his followers built a temple after the manner of the temple of solomon save it were not built of so many precious things upon their arrival in the land of promise 2 nephi 5. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Dever, cited in gordon govier, biblical archaeologys dusty little secret, christianity today, october 2003, 38. Among other errors, the book of mormon makes numerous claims about society in precolumbian north america which totally contradict the archaeological evidence. And it came to pass in the days of king heth that there began to be a great dearth upon the land, and the inhabitants began to be destroyed exceedingly fast because of the dearth, for there was no rain upon the face of the earth.
Most, but not all, mormons hold the books connection to ancient american history as an article of their faith. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Sorenson, the book of mormon as a mesoamerican codex, in book of mormon authorship revisited. Direct archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. So do the kings and monuments that are mentioned in the book of mormon. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the. These three kings were nephites and direct descendants of nephi.
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. The book of mormon is a religious text of the latter day saint movement. Many members of the latter day saint movement claim that the book of mormon is historically accurate. Nevertheless, some mormon scholars believe that the jaredites were the olmec civilization, though archaeological evidence supporting this theory is disputed and circumstantial.
Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. Why was coriantumrs record engraved on a large stone. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic. The term does not occur in the english of the king james bible.
For most people, that isnt a big deal, but when you studied archaeology1 at a churchowned university, it surprises some. No, not everything is archaeologically confirmed, any more than everything in. 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. Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses. Names of kings, cities, government officials and even festivals have been verified in archaeological evidence. The book of mormon claims to be an ancient scripture rooted in the historical setting of the american continents. The people and places are not proven to exist, it was written by a man and not godbreathed.
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. Nephis brother jacob explains that subsequent kings bore the title nephi. One of the fascinating episodes in jaredite history is the account of poisonous serpents being a threat to their survival. Yet throughout this diversity the bible remains unified in its message and has archaeological evidence backing it.
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. For years archaeologists didnt believe such a pool existed, though the bible clearly describes all five porticoes leading to the pool. However, unlike the bible which has multiple lines of archaeological support for its historicity and authenticity, the book of mormon is totally lacking in such corroborative evidence. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Here you find the photographic, archaeological, and biblical.
In the last chapter we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. After the nephites arrived in america to the reign of mosiah ii c. The record states that mormon wrote an epistle unto the king of the. 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. This paper examines the myriad of problems brought about by the lack of historical and.
Therefore, as things stand at the moment, current new world archaeological evidence tends to verify the claims made by the book of mormon. Jan 27, 2011 this process is not described in the book of mormon, but the whole group of nephites and mulekites were hereafter known as nephites. Many parts of ancient mesoamerica were not suitable for wheeled. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. May 02, 2017 top 10 archaeological evidences for the book of mormon a friend recently shared a story about a young man in his ward. 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. Allen at the grove theater in pleasant grove, utah.
Why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the. Illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. Book of mormon archaeology and anthropology byu studies. The book of mormon mentions the presence of chariots in three instances, in two instances both around 90 bc at the same location inferring them as a mode of transportation. 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. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look. The people having loved nephi exceedingly were desirous to retain in remembrance his name. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. Book of mormon the book of mormon has absolutely no credibility. Apr 11, 2016 the book of mormon mentions horses a few times, even though were not in the americas before the spanish arrived, according to current expert opinion. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas. This view finds no acceptance outside of mormonism in the broader scientific.
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. Mormon scholars have estimated that at various periods in book of mormon history, the populations of civilizations discussed in the book ranged between 300,000 and 1. If the resurrected savior, jesus christ, really did visited the book of mormon people in the americas. Apr 28, 2017 nahom is a big book of mormon evidence that i respect location is right and the archaeological evidence is sound. Furthermore, and very importantly for the book of mormon s 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. Bpin the last part in this series, we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places.
The type of faith mormons exhibit is the third type and is not the way god works as modeled throughout the bible. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. Honestly, i feel like looking for archaeological evidence of the book of mormon is like looking for a needle in a field. An additional criticism of the historical authenticity of the book of mormon. Mar 30, 2020 yet throughout this diversity the bible remains unified in its message and has archaeological evidence backing it. 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. There is no archaeological evidence of the jaredite people described in the book of mormon that is accepted by mainstream archaeologists. This paper examines the myriad of problems brought about by the lack of. Dec 27, 2010 illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. One last topic on the subject of archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that i want to talk about is horses. This compilation of groundbreaking book of mormon articles is selected from over fifty years of lds scholarship published by byu studies. Unresolved issues of the books historicity and the lack of supporting archaeological evidence have led some adherents to adopt the position that the book of.
Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. October 14, 2003 where is the book of mormon hill ramah located. There is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as never before. Uaxactun for which the ancient pronunciation remain uncertain and five kings from these. September 30, 2003 is the book of mormon a hebrew or a maya document. 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. Im not really interested in book of mormon archaeology. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu studies. This process is not described in the book of mormon, but the whole group of nephites and mulekites were hereafter known as nephites. Book of mormon archaeology and geography meridian magazine. Book of mormonarchaeologycompared to the bible fairmormon.
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. Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible is the word of god and that it can be accurately translated. This presumption removes from discussion the most compelling evidence of the books authenticityjosephs unfamiliarity with its contents. And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even the ten words. 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. Archaeology and the book of mormon wikimili, the best. Truth shall spring forth out of the earth, journal of book of mormon studies, vol. See the references at the end of this page for details. Has an artifact that relates to the book of mormon been. Evidence for nephis bountiful, journal of book of mormon studies, 71 1998.
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 america. You may call 18882265205 for information on book of mormon tours and cruises. Each possible explanation also teaches important lessons about archaeology, ancient writings, and the. The student graduated from high school and enrolled at utah state university in logan. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. Archaeology, relics and book of mormon belief deseret news. In dealing with archaeological and other evidences for the book of mormon, we must first realize that nearly all critical comments of scholars have been based on a common mormon misconception. Also, the book of mormon contains grave errors and contradictions. 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. The first of these peoples, called jaredites, are supposed to have come to. Oct 29, 2008 illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. 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.
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. Oct 24, 2014 this video will help you understand that the foundation of the lds faith is built upon myth. The term is used throughout the book of mormon to describe the religious, political, and cultural traditions of the group of settlers. If the book of mormon is actually a novel, why would a protestant minister say there are multiple gods, etc. 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. For example, in the book of mormon, proper names of places and people have no substantiation from outside sources. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in transition. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the book. Each possible explanation also teaches important lessons about archaeology, ancient.
Ancient israelites did come to america over 2400 years ago. Numerous scholars and archaeologists have unanimously concluded that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. There are three possible ways to approach this puzzle, dealing with archaeology, ancient cultural practices, and difficulties in translation. 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. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in. New archaeological discovery sheds light on nephis temple. Despite the reforms of the judahite kings hezekiah and josiah that saw the centralization of temple worship in jerusalem 2 kings 18, 23. The book of mormon mentions horses a few times, even though were not in the americas before the spanish arrived, according to current expert opinion. Book of mormon archaeology the irrefutable evidence. Book of mormon archaeology is real, authentic, scientifically researched, a proven fact.
Actually there is lots of evidence for joseph smiths book of mormon archaeology. Mormon cultural belief regarding book of mormon archaeology archaeological evidence of large populations. There is no archaeological evidence to support the use of wheeled vehicles in precolumbian mesoamerica. Dever, save us from postmodern malarkey, bar, marchapril 2000, 28. Though argument does not create conviction, lack of it destroys belief.
As far as the location of old world bountiful, its up in the air. 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 for the book of mormon book of. Critics who contend the book of mormon has no archaeological evidence are simply uninformed. The book of mormon brian nicholson, deseret news archives. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the book. The book of mormon makes a handful of references to horses existing on the american continents in these ancient times.
If these monumental battles took place at cumorah, as the book of mormon states, there should be copious evidence for mormon archaeologists to find. Wayne may presents the supporting evidence for the heartland model, that the book of mormon nephites and jaredites lived in north america. Does archaeology support the book of mormon institute. There is no historical or archeological evidence to support the book of mormon. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in. Apologetics press the book of mormon and the ancient evidence. Welcome to the book of mormon archaeological forum. The book of mormon says the people of zarahemla commonly called mulekites sailed across the sea from the ancient near east ca. This video will help you understand that the foundation of the lds faith is built upon myth. Further, church leaders discourage attempts to align the book of mormon narrative with.
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