In the last chapter we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. As a reader of the book of mormon, it is essential to understand the old world and the jewish customs and laws. Lamb wrote, it is a somewhat stubborn fact that barley was never found upon either of these western continents until imported by europeans in modern times. 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. Is there any archaeological evidence for the book of mormon.
People keep saying that mormonism isnt true because of this. Book of mormon evidences mormonism, the mormon church. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. The little book of book of mormon evidences by john hilton iii. Nothing can take the place of a spiritual witness that the book of mormon is true. 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. After lehis family left jerusalem, they traveled in the arabian peninsula on their way to the promised land. The book of mormon is true and could have only happened in north america.
Thus, it can be seen that archaeological evidence for the book of mormonwhich does exist, as will be discussed shortlydoes not constitute proof, nor does it. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Mormon traditions that would have us believe the book of mormon took place in the heartland and at new york truly conflict with the book of mormon, believed to be the word of god, so the heartland model is not valid. Book of mormon archaeology in north america book of mormon. This presumption removes from discussion the most compelling evidence of the books authenticityjosephs unfamiliarity with its contents.
Other locations may meet some of the following criteria, but only mesoamerica meets all these elements required by the book itself. The book of mormon describes both within the time frame in accordance with the law of moses. For a little background, nahom is mentioned only once in the book of mormon, in 1 nephi 16. Read about the supporting evidence for the book of mormon cultures. To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look.
I have to wonder why would i want to watch a video produced by a mormon owned research group that is biased. Jun 22, 2016 book of mormon archaeology in north america. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. His library research spurred his first hunt for archaeological evidence. Jun 20, 2017 many of my few readers have probably already seen the new video by book of mormon central on nahom as archaeological evidence for the book of mormon, starring my good friend and coauthor on a related paper stephen smoot.
Archaeological evidence for the book of mormon book of mormon. However, additional evidences of the divinity of this book also exist. However, hugh nibley, a mormon apologist, argues that reformed egyptian is actually meroitic egyptian. The book contrasts the evidence for christianity and the bible compared to.
Wayne mays twopart presentation at the november 20 vernal, ut book of mormon evidence conference. Based on these physical evidences, the book of mormon could not have been the work of a young man with limited knowledge, such as joseph smith was. Jun 17, 2017 is there any archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. The overall trend in the date over the past 175 years fits the expectations for the book of mormon as history rather than hoax.
What i would say to you is there is no archaeological proof of the book of mormon. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon. The little book of book of mormon evidences kindle edition. There is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. The book of mormon contains accounts by many different people, mostly prophets, over a thousand years, harmonized and abridged into a whole narrative by a father and son, mormon and moroni, who lived around 400 ad. Dec 10, 2012 the idea that there is archaeological evidence for the book of mormon is purely wishful thinking. It is a common claim by critics that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. In this inspiring and informative presentation, dr. A combination of factors, including the evidence appearing at the right time, at the right place, and in the right relative distance to another site mentioned in the record, converge to make nahom strong archaeological evidence for 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. A combination of factors, including the evidence appearing at the right time, at the right place, and in the right relative distance to another site mentioned in the record, converge to make nahom.
Is there evidence for the authenticity of the book of mormon. Responding to the new video on nahom as archaeological. When they say directly support, they typically mean that they are looking for a direct corroboration, such as the presence of the name nephi or zarahemla in association with. Many readers have posed this question, both out of genuine interest and also as a challenge to the book s authenticity. Ritual sacrifice both human sacrifice and animal sacrifices occurred in ancient america. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. Archaeology is in fact, physical evidence that supports the truthfulness of a historical event. Most, but not all, mormons hold the book s connection to ancient american history as an article of their faith. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. Dec 02, 20 i was wondering if there is any archaeological evidence to support things mentioned in the book of mormon such as wheat, barley, copper, and steel in america. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. 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. This article list many mormon archeologist that claim there is no evidence to support the book of mormon claims concerning indigenous native americans and culture.
Jun 17, 2017 the site at nahom even dates back to lehis time period. Archaeological evidences discovered since the coming forth of the book of mormon and the facts of history point toward the accuracy of many details of its historic account. Intellectual evidence of book of mormon authenticity is an issue worthy of careful consideration. Archaeological and historical evidence evidences of the. In 1994, an archeaological discovery in yemen has the same name as mentioned in 1 ne. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu studies. Bmaf supports a mesoamerican context for the major book of mormon sites.
Any book of mormon lands proposal must be able to demonstrate all. 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. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. I now know that the book of mormon happened in the usa in the historic heartland that is such a significant part of american and book of mormon history. 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. Some early20th century mormons claimed various archaeological findings such as place names, and. Stephen smoot at book of mormon central walks viewers through the discovery of nahom and what it means for book of mormon evidence.
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. 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. The list of archeological and historical claims of the book of mormon compared to nonapologetic evidence. Archaeological evidence for the book of mormon book of. Many members of the latter day saint movement claim historical authenticity of the book of mormon. Sep 29, 2017 the book of mormon tells of king noah being executed for crimes in a lengthy ceremony similar to the mayan execution ritual. The purpose of the book of mormon is to convince the world that jesus is the christ, our lord and redeemer. The list of archaeological and historical claims of the book. Jan, 2016 undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. Native american writings are potentially strong evidence that the occurrences described in the book of mormon actually happened.
In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very presuppositions. Many readers have posed this question, both out of genuine interest and also as a. As lds scholars have attested, time has not diminished the book of mormon s relevance. 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. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. Is there archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. Archaeological survey of northwestern samaria book of. 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 and other denominations of the latter day saint movement believe that it describes ancient historical events in the americas. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. May 23, 2014 this is another in my series of article on challenging questions that missionaries will likely face. All my studies suddenly made sense, all aspects of the book of mormon finally became clear. This book is great, but like i said, is the tip of the iceberg. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in.
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. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas. Archaeologists and egyptologists have found no evidence that this language ever existed. An interesting analysis of some of the physical evidences which show that joseph smith translated the book of mormon by revelation through the power of god. If they were once a delightsome people and had christ for their shepherd, mormon 5. 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. Think about it a jewishchristian culture in the middle of a polytheist mesoamerican culture that has no mention in any codex, monument or literature. Much evidence exists to support the claims made by the book of mormon native american evidences of book of mormon contents. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the book. The aztec, maya, and inca people were expecting the return of a god who their ancestors once believed in. And to know where to look for evidence of the book of mormon, its best to go back to the text itself. The little book of book of mormon evidences kindle edition by hilton iii, john.
Jun 22, 2016 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. 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. The book of mormon principally describes gods dealings with two c. This site provides you with an overview of what the book of mormon claims from an archeological or historic viewpoint, and compares it to nonapologetic apologetic meaning speak to defend scientific and historical resources. 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. Actually there is lots of evidence for joseph smiths book of mormon archaeology. Peterson, a noted scholar and lecturer, provides an intriguing look at the evidences that support the book of mormon as an ancient. 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. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the little book of book of mormon evidences. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. This view finds no acceptance outside of mormonism.
245 1424 862 976 1494 92 204 1173 171 1522 719 1404 450 421 367 1032 1351 1092 1609 963 1084 360 66 352 275 207 883 1380 1184 25 1010