Think joseph smith could have gotten that right by sheer chance. We are constantly looking for and discovering new archaeological evidence. View the original article at the book of mormon resources blog. Upcoming events firm foundation expo featuring the 17th international book of mormon evidence conference dates. Truth shall spring forth out of the earth, journal of book of mormon studies, vol. 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. If playback doesnt begin shortly, try restarting your device. In the first case, there is a representation of early christians in the americas, and in the second, examples of the very script of the anthon transcript. 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.
Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. The book of mormon claims to be a translation of ancient writing on gold plates. 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. Presentation given at the ancient american conference, salt lake city, ut march 31, 2011. Sorenson claims that there is fossil evidence that. This view, whose most influential proponent is brigham young university archaeologist john l. Where does the bom really take place and does it matter. Naturalistic explanations of the origin of the book of mormon. The work in question is who really wrote the book of mormon. But ultimately god requires faith, and is most likely making it intentionally difficult to prove the book of mormon is true, secularly.
Eduard meyer, the origin and history of the mormons, trans. Evidences showing the mesoamerica theory to be false. I duly agreed that if you found such a thing, according to those specifications, then. However, i dont consider these strong arguments for the book of mormon. 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. 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. Evidence for nephis bountiful, journal of book of mormon studies, 71 1998. Here, then, is direct evidence from smith, himself, of what the book of mormon really isnamely, a mere fiction, conjured up from the brains of smith, or his. In addition to a lack of fossil evidence, bruce macfaden says, their extinction issuggested by the fact that no horses are known to. Apr 22, 2016 more important, the book of mormon bears evidence of being an orally composed document rather than a traditionally edited one, and joseph is known to have been a skilled storyteller. Wayne morgan, william mckinley and his america syracuse, n.
Implied are the coverup by the smithsonian institute in the name of manifest destiny. You can convince god to send the golden plates back down to earth again, then you can take them to a panel of mesoamerican archaeologists and allow them to examine them at length, performing every scientific test on them that they can think of. In order to remove these inherent improbabilities and attempt to salvage the credibility of the book of mormon, a number of modern mormon scholars have proposed several variations of a new approach to book of mormon geography, usually called the limited geography theory. Howard davis and arthur vanick, recently published by concordia, the highly respected publishing arm of the lutheran church missouri synod. I have listened attentively to his fireside presentation and watched in amazement as he almost mesmerized his audience with tall tales and misrepresentations of what the book of mormon states. Apologetics press the book of mormon and the ancient evidence. Book of mormon evidences mormonism, the mormon church. May has been exploring the heartland of north america for evidences of the book of mormon for decades.
April 7th9th 2016 one week after lds general conference at utah valley university in the uccu event center orem, utah 3 educationpacked days. Mar 26, 2016 the material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. A very plausible lost and missing novel by solomon spalding manuscript found, separate and distinct from the oberlin manuscript has not been ruled out by mormon apologists. 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. Watch book of mormon centrals new video on one of the best examples of archaeological evidence we have for the book of mormon. The message of the book of mormon, as well as the bible, is fundamental in this regard. Below are links to videos videos of lectures by wayne may describing secularly confirmed evidence of the book of mormon peoples on the north american continent. More important, the book of mormon bears evidence of being an orally composed document rather than a traditionally edited one, and joseph is known to have been a skilled storyteller. Contrary to the claims of our critics, there are impressive findings that make it difficult to explain away the book of mormon as a nineteenthcentury. The first of these peoples, called jaredites, are supposed to have come to. The translation and printing of the book of mormon played a predominant role in jss life.
Scribe 1oliver cowdery scribe 2 unknown scribe 3 unknown reply to critics. I dont believe this claim is correct as it would be an amazing discovery worthy. Any content or opinions expressed, implied or included in or with the goods services. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon.
He is a 36 year convert to the lds church and has served in four branch presidencies, three elder quorum presidencies, seminary instructor, gospel doctrine instructor, veil worker at the st. Join the 18th semiannual international book of mormon evidence conference sponsored by the firm foundation. Mar 14, 2020 you can convince god to send the golden plates back down to earth again, then you can take them to a panel of mesoamerican archaeologists and allow them to examine them at length, performing every scientific test on them that they can think of. Because of the lack of credible evidence, i have noticed defenders of the book of mormon often rely on the witness testimonies and textual support from the book instead. Both of the examples are so remarkable that they would appear to be conclusive proof of the book of mormon. On subsequent days, the story was picked up by other major media outlets such as bbc, washington post, npr, the new york times, and. For example, evidence to support the claim by mormons that native americans are descendants of. 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. Much evidence exists to support the claims made by the book of mormon native american evidences of book of mormon contents. Royal skousen collected and examined the existing fragments of the original manuscript of the book of mormon to produce a critical text. I have watched more than 20 hours of wayne may book of mormon lecture videos and conversed with both wayne may and rod meldrum in person. Wayne may distorts facts about hill cumorah book of mormon.
Book of mormon evidence the mormon church, mormonism. Golden jensen letter june 10, 1954 to author riley l. 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. All the wordprint studies, understanding of olive culture, or reading of chiasmus will not convert anyone to a life of.
The book of mormon is the only explanation for this scripture. These facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. Wayne may distorts facts about hill cumorah book of. 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. Newest news here we will share with you every other day or so, many important items. 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. 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 of the latter day saint movement believe that it. Ancient american publisher and renown book of mormon scholar wayne n. On february 1, 2018, national geographic broke a story about some incredible new discoveries in mesoamerican archaeology using new technology.
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. A response to wayne may book of mormon archaeology in north america this is the video in question, and heres the thread that prompted the investigation. There are five incidences where horses are mentioned in the book of mormon, and are portrayed as being in the forest upon first arrival of the nephites, raised, fed, prepared in conjunction with chariots, used for food, and being useful unto man. Betty red ant lafontaine long ago their fathers came trailer. A response to wayne may book of mormon archaeology in. Another group came much earlier, when god confounded the tongues at the tower of babel.
Parallels of the hopewell culture as described by william c. Sunday attended sunday school and afternoon service in hawthorne hall, and was a speaker at each assembly. Help fund the search for the lost city of zarahemla. For many years, critics have challenged the veracity of a religious text called the book of mormon. Book of mormon evidence compiled from video interviews done in 2014, 2016 and 2017. One group of families came from jerusalem in 600 bc and afterward separated into two nations, known as the nephites and the lamanites. 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. Dixon is not only highly questionable but does not provide physical evidence that the hill near palmyra, new york is the original hill cumorah wayne n. If we had a mesoamerican inscription which mentioned a book of mormon king, with a date and historical context that matched the date and context for the book of mormon, would that be objective evidence in favor of the historicity of the book of mormon. Mormon missionaries continue to claim that the science of archeology substantiates the book of mormon, but whether we consider the alleged cities, persons, animals, fabrics, metals, wars and war implements, kings, palaces, or crops, all the evidence points to their nonexistence. A book of commandments for the government of the church of christ. The best way to judge the book of mormon may be to read it for yourself, comparing it to the bible and gauging the spirit that piggybacks on its words. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. Book of mormon the list of archaeological and historical.
Now you can have wayne take you on a private tour of these sacred sites of the book of mormon through incredibly beautiful photography and video work that is the next best. This still doesnt answer to the smoking gun that steel wasnt manufactured in the americas, despite the book of mormon claiming steel weaponry. A contemporary mormon view is that these civilizations rose and fell in mesoamerica. Contrary to the claims of our critics, there are impressive findings that make it difficult to explain away the book of mormon as a nineteenthcentury fraud from joseph smith.
Based on the lack of independent substantiating evidence, it is my conclusion that the factual content of the j. But ultimately god requires faith, and is most likely making it intentionally difficult to prove the book of. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. There is no evidence that horses existed on the american continent during the timeframe of the book of mormon.
Evidence from the book of mormon manuscript mormonthink. Book of mormon evidences, part 3 presents further evidence supporting the book of mormon as an ancient document. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. Wayne may on book of mormon archeology joseph smith. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable.
Native american writings are potentially strong evidence that the occurrences described in the book of mormon actually happened. Mormonism is there any archaeological evidence for the. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. Lest anyone be misled, this is a scholarly undertaking, not a religious work.
The book of mormon purports to give an account of two civilizations formed by families who migrated to the americas. Evidence that the book of mormon, while good to have, is not the essential thing that will convert mankind to its truthfulness, or to the person the book of mormon is bearing witness of. 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 is used by nearly thirteen million individuals who read it along with the holy bible, believing that both were written by prophets and contain the words of god. Zarahemla and the nephite nation, hayriver press,colfax, wisconsin march 2002. 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. Wayne may a response to book of mormon central regarding fake artifacts in north america trailer. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science.
I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. We are constantly looking for and discovering new archaeological evidence and other artifacts about the book of mormon in north america. In addition, the very content of the book of mormon makes it impossible to accept it as divine revelation. Latterday candidate local news colorado springs colorado. Paul minnesota temple, and currently is serving as gospel doctrine teacher of the menomonie wisconsin branch, oakdale, minnesota stake.
Mar 26, 2016 below are links to videos videos of lectures by wayne may describing secularly confirmed evidence of the book of mormon peoples on the north american continent. Wayne may describes independent archaeologicalevidence confirming book of mormon dates and cultures among the cherokee, iroquois. How do these new discoveries relate to the book of mormon. The list of archeological and historical claims of the book of mormon compared to nonapologetic evidence.
These plates were supposedly written 1,400 years ago and detailed the history of the jewish nephites from 600 b. Given the sparse nature of the mesoamerican data, and the uncertainties of the pronunciation of maya glyphs 1500 years ago, the akishukix connection is as good as we can expect to find. Reminiscent evidence suggests that by late summer 1829 believers began. Robert kay the covenant structure of the book of mormon. This page is a continuation of book of mormon evidences, part one and part two. Jun 17, 2017 watch book of mormon centrals new video on one of the best examples of archaeological evidence we have for the book of mormon. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. The material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. Wayne may presents the supporting evidence for the heartland model, that the book of mormon nephites and jaredites lived in north america. However, i found john hiltons 90page book jampacked with convincing evidence that the book of mormon is no ordinary book. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas. Mills, chief archaeologist of ohio, with the book of mormon may 20, 1917. I dont believe this claim is correct as it would be an amazing discovery worthy of the best scientific journals, if it could be proven. Our additional 2020 event will be sept 1112th the same mountain america exposition center at 9575 s state st in sandy, ut 84070.
Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. 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. Evidence of the truthfulness of the book of mormon lds. Your belief of the great apostasy cannot be proven, there is no evidence that the. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted. Cowan contend that certain linguistic properties of the book of mormon provide evidence that the book was fabricated by joseph smith. How to prove that the book of mormon is true quora. Due to the nature of its origin, that would support the existence of god.
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