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. Many readers have posed this question, both out of genuine interest and also as a challenge to the book s authenticity. Mormonism is there any archaeological evidence for the. Admittedly, evidence surrounding the book of mormon is not our. The book of mormon teaches its followers that the earth was created by jesus, not god. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in. 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. Lyon in 1844, joseph smith, founder of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, was assassinated in carthage, illinois, along with his brother, hyrum. For example, the idea of writing on metal plates was once ridiculed, but in recent years numerous examples of sacred writings on metal plates. I feel strongly that this land of the united states is the promised land spoken of in the book of mormon and this book is the word of god. His library research spurred his first hunt for archaeological evidence. Physical evidence at carthage jail and what it reveals about.
Although we dont base our faith on physical evidence, there is linguistic, historical, and archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. There are also some powerful evidences for the book of mormon, including important correlations from the book of mormon text to mesoamerica and hebrew language and customs. The birth of mormonism is the result of historical happenstance rather than the result of gods divine intervention. 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.
Physical evidence of the book of mormon or just a coincidence. 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. So when was the earth created according to the book of mormon. Evidence for nephis bountiful, journal of book of mormon studies, 71 1998. We should beware to become too invested in the physical evidence of the book of mormon that we mistakenly believe that the physical evidence is more important to our testimonies than the spiritual evidence. For example, when the book was first published, it was commonly thought that native american indians had never achieved the level of civilization as defined in the book ancient society by lewis henry morgan which had become the handbook of instruction for the us government in dealing with the. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. If the book can be shown to be a product of the 19th century, the church is then not what it claims to be.
Sorenson claims that there is fossil evidence that some new world horses may have survived the. However, mormons also believe that god presented his son with already existing elements and that our solar system wasnt simply created out of nothing. I am trying to remain agnostic, but the story told in the book of mormon does have an uncanny resemblance to the artifact. 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. However, at this point, the heartland model is a model and this is still a theory like the mesoamerican theory.
Physical evidence at carthage jail and what it reveals. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. Holland gave a stirring address about the power of physical evidence in defending the gospel at the chiasmus conference sponsored by book of mormon central and byu studies.
Home true book of mormon geography lands western new. As the above logo depicts, we do respect this mandate, and our model. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. As the above logo depicts, we do respect this mandate, and our model is. Nov 30, 20 these facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world.
How corrections in the book of mormon prove its authenticity presents physical evidence that the book of mormon is precisely what it claims to be. Jan 23, 2016 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. Jan, 2017 responsible physical evidence posted january, 2017 jonathan neville critics of the book of mormon point to the lack of physical evidence to corroborate the narrative in the text, but the real problem is choosing among the abundant evidences. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Investigating the evidence for mormonism in six steps cold. Ive done some statistical analysis of the use of the phrase it came to pass and the word exceedingly in the book of mormon, which is discussed in the book of mormon authorship page. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Home true book of mormon geography lands western new york.
If the book of mormon is really true history, then even after 1500 years, there should be some evidence that would support the truthfulness of those historical scriptural events, as recorded in the book of mormon. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. Jan 12, 2015 the geography of the book of mormon has been a complex issue with multiple factors involved. I know for myself that it doesnt take archaeological proof to convince someone ie. Physical and spiritual evidences book of mormon evidence. This physical evidence and the witness statements that it confirms also shed light on the question of the authorship of the book of. Jun 27, 2014 the cumulative circumstantial and direct physical evidence demonstrates that smith was not a prophet and the book of mormon is not divine scripture. Brilliant summary of facts we read about, but have nothing tangible until now thank you. Why is there no evidence for the book of mormon like there is. No bones, hair, chariots, swords, armor, or any other evidence.
This is not the case with new world archaeology and the book of mormon. Is there any historical evidence for the book of mormon. Second, the book of mormon contains none of the key mormon doctrines. The physical evidence simply cannot decide the matter of the books truth. Almost no matter where you look in the americas, scientists are uncovering more and more physical evidence of ancient civilizations that expands our understanding and. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. Physical evidence at carthage jail and what it reveals about the assassination of joseph and hyrum smith author joseph l. 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.
Archaeology is in fact, physical evidence that supports the truthfulness of a historical event. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. The textual evidences narrow the possibilities for the origins of the book of mormon, but do not prove any of them. I originally answered this question early on in my quora experience with the idea that weighing the evidence was not the way to discover the truth of the book of mormon and joseph smith, since the. They disappear from the record by the time of christs ministry 2000 years ago. Izapa stela 5 is a rock found chiapas, mexico with ancient carvings.
Civilizations of their magnitude and duration would be expected to leave extensive archaeological records. 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. How manifest destiny destroyed book of mormon evidence the. Translating and printing the book of mormon the book of.
Wayne may presents the supporting evidence for the heartland model, that the book of mormon nephites and jaredites lived in north america. Many mormons believe this to be linked with lehis dream, thus proving the bom with evidence. Anderson, personal writings of the book of mormon witnesses, in book of mormon authorship revisited. Both religious and secular scholars and even a number of lds scholars acknowledge there is a wealth of physical evidence supporting the accounts described in the bible, while the accounts described in the book of mormon have absolutely no tangible evidence connecting it to the real world.
Royal skousen is professor of english at brigham young university and since 1988 has served as the editor of the book of mormon critical text project. Because of that, i believe we will find secondary evidences to assist us if needed. I suspect that many of my colleagues are more upset with my belief in god than with my belief in the book of mormonbut the beliefs are inseparable. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. Dna evidence has relatively little to do with the authenticity of the book of mormon, but does provide importance tentative insights into the origins of many ancient american peoples. Is there any archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in transition.
Along with my own insights ive provided evidence from archaeologists, historians, gospel scholars, and others who have made such study the. This is important because the latterday saints make such a point about it containing the fullness of. If the swords used by lamanites were at least partly made from wood, then a once puzzling discussion of such swords in the book of mormon makes sense, as noted by matthew roper in swords and cimeters in the book of mormon, journal of book of mormon studies, vol. Jun 17, 2017 is there any archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. I urge those interested to pray to god about the matter. But ultimately god requires faith, and is most likely making it intentionally difficult to prove the book of mormon is true, secularly. But ultimately god requires faith, and is most likely making it intentionally difficult to prove the book of. See richard lloyd anderson, investigating the book of mormon witnesses salt lake city.
A contemporary mormon view is that these civilizations rose and fell in mesoamerica. In this article i discuss what the original manuscript of. Compare the absent evidence of book of mormon civilizations to the archaeological remains of other past civilizations such as the roman occupation of britain and other countries. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. 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. Evidence from the original manuscript, 91, for a list of sources that discuss the witnesses statements. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. In general, they find physical evidence, but such evidence in and of.
Archaeology in the old world continues to uncover physical evidence of biblical history. Feb 05, 2018 further, the weakness of uncertain horses in the book of mormon is an area with a hint of a familiar trend. There is no mention of them being ridden by humans or being used in battle. Archaeological and historical evidence evidences of the. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. Oct 30, 2019 the spirit of truth can be physical and spiritual. Many readers have posed this question, both out of genuine interest and also as a challenge to the books authenticity. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the. When talking to mormons, expect to hear them say, i know the book. Archaeologists, when examining ancient evidence, are working with a very fragmentary record.
How manifest destiny destroyed book of mormon evidence. He established the new world archaeological foundation, where his role as. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in. 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. Alma 63 versus 57 5 and it came to pass that hagoth, he being an aexceedingly curious man, therefore he went forth and built him an exceedingly large ship, on the borders of the land bbountiful, by the land desolation, and launched it forth into the west sea, by the cnarrow neck which led into the land northward. For one particular physical evidence, look no further than a plethora of archaeological sites from many different centuries, but particularly. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. 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. Joseph smith, history, 1839, in the papers of joseph smith, ed.
Now imagine having physical evidence that fully supports that personal, spiritual testimony. Responsible physical evidence the book of mormon in. These facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. Because of these conflicts with mormon tradition and book of mormon internal evidence, the limited geography theory has been repeatedly condemned by lds leaders, including joseph fielding smith, jr.
Investigating the evidence for mormonism in six steps. One of the possibilities is, as you state, that the book was written by persons who had a knowledge of ancient texts. To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence.
The keystone of the church is unquestionably the book of mormon. Critics of the book of mormon point to the lack of physical evidence to corroborate the narrative in the text, but the real problem is choosing among the abundant evidences. 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. This conference, held on august 16, celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the discovery of chiasmus in the book of mormon. Gods word is to be established by two or more witnesses 2 cor.
Sep 04, 2007 alma 63 versus 57 5 and it came to pass that hagoth, he being an aexceedingly curious man, therefore he went forth and built him an exceedingly large ship, on the borders of the land bbountiful, by the land desolation, and launched it forth into the west sea, by the cnarrow neck which led into the land northward. Truth shall spring forth out of the earth, journal of book of mormon studies, vol. Due to the nature of its origin, that would support the existence of god. Why is there no evidence for the book of mormon like there. In fact, the dna evidence does not refute the claims of the text itself, nor does it preclude a divine origin for the book of mormon. 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. Responsible physical evidence posted january, 2017 jonathan neville critics of the book of mormon point to the lack of physical evidence to corroborate the narrative in the text, but the real problem is choosing among the abundant evidences. The additional problems links provide further evidence of the book of mormon and joseph smiths illegitimacy.
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