How could there be so many witnesses of the book of mormon and the plates and not one of them deny their testimony even when some of them became bitter toward joseph smith. Think joseph smith could have gotten that right by sheer chance. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. 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. Further, the weakness of uncertain horses in the book of mormon is an area with a hint of a familiar trend. Though argument does not create conviction, the lack of it destroys belief. In our view, an ancient mesoamerican setting is best supported by the information given in the book of mormon. Though latterday saints have long known that the book of mormon is an important religious text, it is encouraging to see it considered as such by a prestigious american university. Nov 22, 2007 mesoamerica and the book of mormon dr. While the bible continues to prove to be accurate through archaeological findings, evidence for claims made in the book of mormon continue to be lacking. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. Does dna evidence prove the book of mormon is false. Scientists have found evidence of horses in the americas prior to and after the period of time covered by the book of mormon, but not during.
As gospel scholar susan easton black points out, in 1830, u. For believers in the prophetic mission of joseph smith, the book of mormon is a history book as well as another testament of jesus christ. A lack of evidence doesnt show an evidence of lack. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. And if an lds scholar could not have written the book of mormon. If the book is true, as i believe it is, it should hardly be surprising that serious unresolved questions marks persist in some areas. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon.
How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Quotes on north american geography book of mormon evidence. So in the 1840s, mormons, including smith himself, took notice of a u. Jan 18, 2018 how a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very. There are cultural and dna findings that match the book of mormon and old testament. This will be the two day 26th international book of mormon evidence conference which will have just one major stage with over 20 fantastic speakers. In addressing the absence of any archeological or anthropological evidence of the bom, the apologists make the following statement. None of the cities or people mentioned specifically in regard to the book of mormon have been discovered. It is a continuation of book of mormon evidences, part one.
The primary reason is that the book of mormon is not real history. Intellectual evidence of book of mormon authenticity is an issue worthy of careful consideration. Showing that the money system in the book of mormon has ancient parallels because of its binary nature does not prove the book itself to be ancient. Tell us exactly what would be necessary to show that the book of mormon stories do not accurately portray ancient new world history and events. Lds church members are taught that the book of mormon bom is scripture. 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 current believers, including the lds church, have no strong position on whether or how to. Fairmormon responds to the lack of any archeological evidence. Therefore, book of mormon scholars look for evidence of the book of mormon s ancient hebrew origins by identifying phrases or expressions which are not typical for an english speaker of joseph smiths day which may reflect a direct translation of the underlying semiticstyle language of the book of mormon. The book of mormon also spoke of sprawling ancient cities, none of which had been identified in the united states. Second, the book of mormon contains none of the key mormon doctrines. The authority of god given to men throughout time has been taken back and restored many, many times. Evidence, they insists, that the money system described in the book of mormon is definitely an ancient one due to its binary system. The historicity of the book of mormon religious studies. The most frequently mentioned deficiencies of the book concern the lack of hard evidence in the new world for the right time periods of precious metals, old world animals and plants, and book of mormon place names and personal names. 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. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. That attention has swirled around declarations made by thomas w.
We could still find horses in precolumbian america. Lack of archaeological evidence has led some to relegate the book of mormon to just a book of faith rather than a book of history or geography. The lack of evidence of mayan writing during the preclassic period 600 bcad 200, which corresponds to book of mormon dates, may have influenced some latterday saint scholars opinions about the extent of literacy during that era. Jun 17, 2017 the site at nahom even dates back to lehis time period. Internal evidence of widespread literacy in the book of mormon.
The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. Never mind the lack of vowels in the hebrew alphabet that might alter. It is in this light that we should consider many arguments against the book of mormon. Many scholars and laymen have searched known history of the americas for evidence that the book of mormon is true, as has similarly been done with the bible in the middle east. To date, the existing evidence suggests that the introduction of old world flora and fauna to the american continent happened during the columbian exchange.
Feb 05, 2018 none of this will satisfy the critics. If there were no nephites, then there was no one to make the plates, bury the plates, or appear to joseph smith to reveal the plates. If scientists and historians say they have disproved the book. A the book of mormon claims that the ancient inhabitants spoke and wrote in reformed egyptian. I have met my objective the places and people are found. The lack of archaeological evidence is sometimes damaging. As to why this is the most concise dna evidence for the book of mormon is two fold. Book of mormon evidence virtual conference will be held april 9th thru 11th, 2020 conferencing technology will bring the speakers directly to you via the internet. Thomas stuart ferguson lay in his hammock, certain that he had found. Therefore, there is a consensus from professional archaeologists, mormon and nonmormon alike, that there is no specific confirmation of the book of mormon from archaeology.
The history accounts for three migrations of people from the middle east. A dna study by emory university, accepted by the smithsonian, acknowledges that some native americans have ancestry in common with the peoples in modern israel and the mediterranean area. Is the book of mormon a series of parables rather than a. He will record his presentation friday afternoon, april 10th. There is absolutely no parallel for the existence of horses in america prior to european exploration.
The overall trend in the date over the past 175 years fits the expectations for the book of mormon as history rather than hoax. To answer that question ive spent some time compiling a list of evidence for the divinity of the book of mormon. First, it utterly lacks historical or archaeological support, and there is overwhelming empirical evidence that refutes it. The use of harold blooms description of joseph smith as a religious genius in this video may mislead viewers into thinking bloom was referring directly to the book of mormon. Actually there is lots of evidence for joseph smiths book of mormon archaeology.
Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon. They encourage potential converts to follow suit so that they, too, may know the book of mormon is from god. Why you shouldnt ask god if the book of mormon is true. It meets many but not all of the criteria that wadi sayq does, lacking a suitably.
Book of mormon geography, lands, map, dna true evidence. This is not to say that the book of mormon is wrong because of a lack of evidence which would be an argument from silence. Atop it a fence of timbers was planted and bound together with vines. If scientists and historians say they have disproved the. The book of mormon tells the story of a family from ancient jerusalem that crossed the ocean and colonized somewhere in the western hemisphere where they started an. Update on horses in the book of mormon a mormon blog. The nhm inscription is the most important piece of geographical evidence book of mormon supporters have for their claims. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. If that were the claim of the book of mormon, any piece of historical, archaeological, or linguistic evidence to the contrary would weigh in against the book of mormon, and those who rely exclusively on scholarship would have a promising position to argue.
Jonathan neville jonathan neville is a lawyer, businessman, educator and author who has written over forty books, including both nonfiction and fiction. A the book of mormon claims that the ancient inhabitants spoke and wrote in reformed egyptian and hebrew. A biography, then paul gutjahr is a particularly wellqualified non mormon writer. Sep 08, 2016 if the problem were merely a lack of evidence, one could legitimately argue that a lack of evidence is not refutation absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. What to say to mormons so what evidence is there that mormonism is true.
Lack of archeological evidence xpost rmormonscholar book of mormon issue 6. A core belief of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints is that the book of mormon is a translation of an ancient record that was written on golden plates. Fairmormon responds to the lack of any archeological. The 1st rule of book of mormon evidence there is no. The faith concepts could be written much more concisely so why all the 531 pages that were so difficult to write. The faith concepts could have been treated much more concisely, so why all the detail that was so difficult to write. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as never before. However, on the subject of the historicity of the book of mormon, there are many subsidiary issues that could each be the subject of a book. Apologetics press the book of mormon and the ancient evidence. 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. Some mormon researchers claim that it is not valid to use genetics to attempt to prove or disprove the historicity of the book of mormon, citing a lack of source genes and the improbability of tracing israelite dna even if present. The book of mormon is not supported by any linguistic evidence. The book of mormon, though it mentions a lot of historical things, lacks the archeological evidence to back it up. For some nonbelievers, skeptics, and dogmatists, the book of mormon is a fantasy tale from the creative mind of joseph smith.
The latterday saints revere the book of mormon as the divinely inspired record of those people and of christs appearance to them shortly after his crucifixion in jerusalem. 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. In addition to a lack of fossil evidence, bruce macfaden says, their extinction issuggested by the fact that no horses are known to. Chiasmus, mesoamerican evidences, cement, olives, ancient names like alma, and other evidences for the authenticity of the book of mormon a divine ancient record from the new world that testifies of jesus christ. Rather, it is simply to note that there is an inexplicable lack of evidence where it would be reasonably expected. The book of mormon describes a ditch being dug around the protected area. But here are some reasons why someone might say that. Evidences for the authenticity of the book of mormona divine ancient record.
Our additional 2020 event will be sept 1112th the same mountain america exposition center at 9575 s state st in sandy, ut 84070. 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. We believe that it is scripture that testifies of gods dealings with prophets and followers of jesus christ in the ancient americas. 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. When you think of historical proof, archaeology tends to be the foremost details needed to prove a culture or story indeed existed, sadly the book of mormon lacks. Scientists and historians have not disproven the book of mormon. The book of mormon is a religious and chronological history of a fallen people who lived in the americas from 600 b. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. The earliest documented statement of the three witnessesoliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harrisis their statement in the handwriting of oliver cowdery subsequently published in the 1830 edition of the book of mormon. 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. 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. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu. Update on horses in the book of mormon mormanity a mormon. Book of mormon evidences, part 2 presents more of the factors that suggest the book of mormon may be an ancient document.
Book of mormon evidence streaming faithfully exploring. The book of mormon geography lands and map with dna evidence. The dna and scriptural narrative is nothing without the cultural evidence displayed by native american culture. The nahom case provides evidence, not of the authenticity of the book of mormon, but of the willingness of lds scholars to look anywhere to find validation for a historically accurate reading of the book of mormon. The purpose of the book of mormon is to convince the world that jesus is the christ, our lord and redeemer. This is a running theme not only throughout the essay on dna but throughout defenses of the historicity of the book of mormon. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Book of mormon evidences the book of mormon is a religious and chronological history of a fallen people who lived in the americas from 600 b. Gardner the tempest in a teapot dna studies and the book of mormon there has been a tremendous flurry of media attention over the scientific study of human genetic inheritance and the book of mormon. The argument many have used to try and dismiss the book of mormon is the lack of evidence. Secret combinations evidence of early mormon counterfeiting 18001847 2nd edition 2018. David allan will be speaking at the book of mormon evidence conference.
This is important because the latterday saints make such a point about it containing the fullness of the everlasting gospel. Mormon topics book of mormon geography and evidences. The awkward part for the mormon church is the total lack of historical and archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. Lack of archeological evidence xpost if you follow any of the above links, please respect the rules of reddit and dont vote in the other threads. I suspect there is no answer, i suspect that no amount of evidence would persuade the faithful, i suspect that no lack of pro book of mormon evidence will get past faith presuppositions. However, the essence of the videos claim is still valid. The obsidian laced wooden swords may have come too late for the book of mormon people, but maybe there is more evidence to find. And while the evidence or lack thereof is apparent, it doesnt make the book itself any less enjoyable with its superhero like stories, and examples of love. His library research spurred his first hunt for archaeological evidence. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. Jul 30, 2019 the book of mormon, though it mentions a lot of historical things, lacks the archeological evidence to back it up. As seen by science, the book of mormon is stronger today than it was in 1830, 1844, 1950, or even 2000, so i expect it will continue to become stronger in the future. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it.
The evidence left by the book of mormon witnesses is rich, varied, and uneven, including the following. The book of mormon claims that nonspecific seeds were brought from the land of jerusalem and planted on arrival in the new world and produced a successful yield. In addition to things being in the book of mormon that shouldnt, there also is a lack of important aspects of mesoamerican we typically isolate mesoamerica in this because mesoamerica is deemed to be the most likely civilization in ancient america that could correlate with book of mormon people items that it should have such as bison, deer. That very arrangement is now well documented archaeologically an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, provo, utah. The latter day saints revere the book of mormon as the divinelyinspired record of those people and of christs appearance to them shortly after his crucifixion in jerusalem. Lets look at examples where the earth in time has provided answers to questions joseph smith would have been utterly unable to know.
Bloom actually found the book of mormon to be tedious and admitted that he hadnt seriously read it. They are pointing to a lack of evidence rather than evidence. But keep in mind that horses in the book of mormon are one of the biggest weaknesses in a book abounding with strengths. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. Mormon missionaries regularly quote this verse and accompany it with heartfelt personal testimony about how the holy ghost bore witness to them of the truth of the book of mormon. For a little background, nahom is mentioned only once in the book of mormon, in 1 nephi 16. 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. These pages are written by jeff lindsay, a book of mormon aficionado, who takes full responsibility for the statements and opinions offered on this page. The book of mormon is further undermined by the fact that there is no evidence of a semitichieroglyphicdemotic hybrid script called reformed egyptian in the text or a spoken hebrew dialect ever being used by pre or postcolumbian natives of north or south america. The site at nahom even dates back to lehis time period.
The church of jesus christ of latterday saints purports to be a reboot, if you will, of the divine franchise. The book of mormon is the only explanation for this scripture. But ultimately god requires faith, and is most likely making it intentionally difficult to prove the book of mormon is true, secularly. The book of mormon geography and map with dna evidence and the location of lands and cities such as zarahemla, cumorah, the narrow neck, mexico, caribbean sea, american indians, and true evidence are all here. Stephen smoot at book of mormon central walks viewers through the discovery of nahom and what it means for book of mormon evidence.