Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. 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. Although biblical scholars and archaeologists argue about various aspects of israels exodus from egypt, many of them agree that the exodus occurred in some form or another. The absence of archaeological evidence for something is not the same as evidence against it. The archaeological arguments against the book of mormon have always consisted of the absence of something, rather than the proof of the existence of somethingi. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very. Archaeological evidence seems to indicate that the main core or center of the jaredite civilization was located on the mexican gulf coast, in what are now the southern. If only joseph smith hadnt given the plates back to the angel. 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. Barley for the law of moses book of mormon evidence. Essential items required to practice the law of moses book of. 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.
Archaeological and historical evidence where did the. Another test we should put to the book of mormon is the test of archaeology. Ancient israelites did come to america over 2400 years ago. If the resurrected savior, jesus christ, really did visited the book of mormon people in the americas. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. Book of mormon archaeology is real, authentic, scientifically researched, a proven fact. Found in the very area where nephis record locates nahom, these altars may thus be said to constitute the first actual archaeological evidence for the historicity of the book of mormon. Rhonda pickering signs of our time why are the iconic symbols of the hopewell, a hand and a bird. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in. Even the mighty mayan empire constructed its temples with stone tools, lacking metal.
Gold plates or historical evidences that prove that civilizations existed. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. 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. Watch book of mormon centrals new video on one of the best examples of archaeological evidence we have for the book of mormon. This video is part of a new and exciting video initiative by book of mormon central. The bernhisel copy is a valuable historical document.
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. Orson pratts works, evidences of the book of mormon and bible compared, 1851, page 64 we have recently completed a new book entitled mormon scriptures and the bible. Bible literalists claim that it did happen, but that the egyptians destroyed all the records, for reasons generally unspecified, though embarrassment has been offered. 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. The heartland of north america is the only location in the western hemisphere where all ten of the essential items necessary to practice the law of moses were found anciently including. Both ancient testament, new testament and the book of mormon testify of jesus christ, and neither of them are about anthropological or archaeological evidences. Wayne may presents book of mormon evidence in north american geography, archaeology and historical records. Is there any archaeological evidence that the ancient civilizations that flourished in the americas during book of mormon time frames were living that law. Science has consistently presented disconfirming evidence for the book of mormon.
Book of mormon than they have in favor of the bible. The book of mormon makes a handful of references to horses existing on the american continents in these ancient times. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Archaeological and historical evidence jareditesolmecs. Clark had circumstances permitted a marked grave for the slain prophet, a fitting headstone could have read, by joseph smith, junior, author and proprietor. Speaking of the translation of the book of mormon, the lord said, you cannot write. Is the book of mormon without any archaeological support.
The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. It is our testimony that if you truly want to find god and his will for you, turn to the bible, his holy word. These have never been found in the archaeological record of the maya in. But since the book of mormon is so hugely and internally selffalsifying, it predicts. Have mormonfunded archaeological digs refuted mormonism. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. According to the book of mormon this promised land must meet. Did ancient israelites build temples outside of jerusalem.
The book of mormon describes migrations of people from the middle east to central america, and further describes some features of their civilizations in the new world. If you missed the bmaf messages announcing the change please go to and enter your email address. 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. As it stands now, archaeological evidence is the only avenue through which the book of mormon can ever be substantiatedand it fails in all respects. According to the smithsonian institution, archaeological evidence shows that. 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 the book is accurate, archaeologists would expect to find numerous pieces of hard evidence in central america that confirm the presence of these societies.
In digging for truth, bryan windle reveals archeological evidence for biblical characters and events to help us make links between scripture and history. Illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. 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. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas.
Arizona regional conference, book of mormon evidence series. Archaeologists, when examining ancient evidence, are working with a very fragmentary record. Archaeological evidence uncovered after joseph smiths time indicates that ancient israelites built temples outside of jerusalem on a number of occasions, and therefore nephi was. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. The first of these peoples, called jaredites, are supposed to have come to the hitherto. 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. These facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. Warning themes in the book of mormon and the condemnation that resteth upon the children of zion trailer. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Is there any evidence that the book of mormon is scripture.
Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. This is contrary to the normal archaeological practice of testing a theory against the evidence, rather than the. 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. Numerous scholars and archaeologists have unanimously concluded that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Testing the book of mormon part 3 archaeological evidence.
Honestly, i feel like looking for archaeological evidence of the book of mormon is like looking for a needle in a field. The archaeological and historical evidence indicates that the ancient people that we call olmecs in our day are the same people, called the jaredites in the book of mormon. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the. 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. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Due to the nature of its origin, that would support the existence of god. A look at all the archaeological evidence shows that the best fit of the data is to identify the. Ibss biblical archaeology evidence of the exodus from. Archaeological evidence for the bible the stones cry out. In the book of sothis which syncellus believed was the genuine manetho it gives the specific time when joseph rose to power under hyksos king, aphophis who ruled 61 years. 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. Wilson nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence did moses plagiarize from the code of hammurabi hammurapi. What we read in the bible has a clear historical connection. 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.
Is the book of mormon by joseph smith further evidence. 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. While the primary evidence for the authenticity of the book of mormon comes from the holy ghost, many people wonder if there is any archaeological support for the book of mormon. His library research spurred his first hunt for archaeological evidence, in campeche in. Without these the nephites could not have kept the law of moses, as directed3. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. The first archaeological support for the book of mormon. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. Readers of the book of mormon have asked themselves these and similar questions. The book of mormon prophets wrote that they were living the law of moses. Im not really interested in book of mormon archaeology. Some latterday saints believe that there is some archaeological evidence.
For most people, that isnt a big deal, but when you studied archaeology1 at a churchowned university, it surprises some. In our view, an ancient mesoamerican setting is best supported by the information given in the book of mormon. This copy was brought to the west by brother bernhisel and is now in the church offices in salt lake city. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. Book of mormon archaeology the irrefutable evidence. Scott bradley the constitution and the restoration of the gospel trailer. Why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Also, we could not ignore the fact that, in contrast to the vast independent archaeological evidence supporting the bible, there is an obvious lack of similar evidence for the book of mormon. He established the new world archaeological foundation, where his role as.
The book of mormon is another testament of jesus christ. Thoughtful insights from 32 top scholars continue the journey into the book of mormons thousandyear span, aiding understanding of this sacred text. To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look. Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses.
Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins author john e. Diane wirths 2005 book of mormon archaeological forum bmaf presentation called creation, garden of eden, and resurrection in. Is the book of mormon authenticated by archaeology. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. One last topic on the subject of archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that i want to talk about is horses. The book of mormons authors made it clear the record was spiritual, and that it would touch on historical matters but lightly 1 nephi 9.
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