That joseph smith and successive generations of mormon presidents and apostles taught that the nephites and lamanites ranged over all or most of south and north america and fought a battle to. Oct 25, 2008 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. Thomas stuart ferguson lay in his hammock, certain that he had found. This volume features articles on archaeological and anthropological aspects of the book of mormon, such as the use of the wheel in ancient america, hagoth and the polynesian tradition, the mulekites, ancient writing in the americas, and the use of metal. The term horse in the book might really have referred to a deer that people rode. No non mormon specialist in new world archaeology supports the premise of a. Come see a live presentation on archaeological discoveries and their correlation to the book of mormon cultures. Atop it a fence of timbers was planted and bound together with vines. A response to wayne may book of mormon archaeology in. The life of joseph smith, the mormon prophet new york. It is a common claim by critics that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. Why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Critics of the book of mormon have argued that there are words and phrases in the book that are anachronistic with archaeological findings.
Actually, there is one, and that one is a personal revelation from god that the book of mormon is true. Watch presentations about american archaeology and its parallels to the book of mormon civilizations. 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. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. Your browser does not currently recognize any of the video formats available. See the article entitled introduction that appears in the front of editions of the book of mormon from 1981 to the present. The book of mormon describes a ditch being dug around the protected area.
In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. Further, church leaders discourage attempts to align the book of mormon. There is no historical or archeological evidence to support the book of. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. The author lives in australia and after a short author tour in the us has no current plans to return. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in transition.
Sorenson, an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, salt lake city. 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. Members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church and other denominations of the latter day saint movement generally believe that the book of mormon describes ancient historical events in the americas, but historians and archaeologists. Members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints have a new authoritative statement from church leaders on book of mormon geography. The latest archaeology information on the lands of the book of mormon in north america. Once again, patience transformed this into a nonissue. During the period of 195961, nwaf colleague dee green was editor of the byu archaeological society newsletter and had an article from it published in the summer of 1969 edition of dialogue. Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible is the word of god and that it can be accurately translated. This is clear in any other reproduction of the uncle sam figure. To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look. Oct 24, 2014 this video will help you understand that the foundation of the lds faith is built upon myth. Smiths book lists bellows, brass, chains, copper, gold, iron, molten ore, plows, silver and swords. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic. A groundbreaking study on the relationship between the book of mormon and genetic studies of native americans.
Archaeology and the book of mormon, presentation at the 2005 fair apologetics conference august 2005. No archaeological evidence in favor or against can debunk a solid testimony that comes from god. As a result, signed copies of this book will be in short supply. Does the book of mormon have archaeology to back up any of. Is there any archeological evidence that the events in the book of. Lots and lots of hopewell, but its moot if weve already shown the hoepwell dont correspond with the timeline or genetic makeup of the peoples described in the book of mormon.
In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very. 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. A contemporary mormon view is that these civilizations rose and fell in mesoamerica. According to joseph smith and subsequent presidents and apostles of the lds church, the geographical extent of book of mormon lands included virtually all of north and south america.
Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. Joseph allen is leading both land tours and cruises into the lands of the book of mormon for meridian trips. New evidence for the book of mormon name sariah 1 nephi 2. Official statement on book of mormon geography and its. Welcome to the book of mormon archaeological forum. 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 ancient american archaeological data.
So many physical pieces of the puzzle have been found, but there are always going to be missing pieces, because we are talking about an ancient civilization that got wiped out. Bennett, the history of the saints, or, an expose of joe smith and mormonism boston. However, there exists no credible archaeological evidence to support the notion that the book of mormon is a record of highly literate ancient american people of hebrew descent. Again, everyone of the above are practicing mormons. Jan 18, 2018 how a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. 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 ancient. In a times and seasons editorial, october 1, 1842, the prophet joseph smith, after progressive study. As has been reported elsewhere here and here, the new entry in the gospel topics section book of mormon geography states, the church takes no position on the specific geographic location of. One must go back to joseph smith himself and the milieu in which he lived to find an answer. Book of mormon archaeology and anthropology byu studies.
And to be less sardonic about the matter, this is also why direct evidence actually can sometimes di. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu. No direct geographical, archaeological or any other scientific field supports fictional. 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. The book of mormon is supposed to be a history of real people living in a real place. Again, it seems that young joseph smith did not think through such details. If we read the mormon book, we find that in mormon 6. Is the book of mormon authenticated by archaeology.
In the paper revisiting sariah at elephantine, neal rappleye, a research project manager here at book of mormon central, explains that scholars have identified a jewish woman named. There is no proof in language, dna and archeology for the book of mormon and its claims. The book of mormon is really there so one can have book of mormon studies, and archaeology is really there so one can study archaeology, but the two are not wed. Book of mormon archaeology in north america home facebook. No direct geographical, archaeological or any other scientific field supports fictional narratives. These relate to artifacts, animal, plant, or technology that critics believe did not exist in the americas during the book of mormon time period before 2500 bc to about 400 ad. This compilation of groundbreaking book of mormon articles is selected from over fifty years of lds scholarship published by byu studies. In the last chapter we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. A journal of latterday saint faith and scholarship. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Just because no artifacts have been found that support the book of mormon, that is no proof that future artifacts will not be found which verify the book. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in.
Foundation for ancient research and mormon studies, 1985, p. In the book of mormon region, none of this appears until the 9th century a. Book of mormon archaeology gives evidence for the heartland model of the book of mormon location. Is there any archeological evidence that the events in the. Further, there is currently no archaeological evidence of american bison having been domesticated. Though argument does not create conviction, lack of it destroys belief. Thereve been books written by mormon scholars saying that this event took place here or this event took place here. That very arrangement is now well documented archaeologically an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, provo, utah. 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. The book of mormon does not say that all the natives in the new world were either lamanites or nephites. 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 lds believers and apologists respond to the critics assertions of no archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon with a claim that a location mentioned in the book of mormon has been found, but not in america, but rather one of the locations lehi and his party traveled through after leaving jerusalem. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations.
There is no historical or archeological evidence to support the book of mormon. Book of mormon thought false by lds memberarchaelogist. The book of mormon was written for the purpose of convincing those who are sincere abou. Blake ostler, a respected mormon scholar, states that in my view, there is not and cannot be any book of mormon archaeology until we find at least one place or object that we can say with some certitude derives from book of mormon peoples. Most hordeum pusillum has been found in iowa, dating back to around 2,500 years ago. Jan, 2016 lecture 01 book of mormon like nothing else hugh nibley mormon duration. At least they are not wed in reality since no book of mormon location is known with reference to modern topography. Welch pointed out that no archeologist in 1829 could have known how accurately the dating of this technological adaptation correlated with what was happening on the ground. John sorenson noted, the firstcenturybc appearance of cement in the book of mormon agrees strikingly with the archaeology of central mexico. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Most scholars reject the idea of viewing the book of mormon as a historical record.
New light from ancient yemen, journal of book of mormon studies 8, no. October 1st is the anniversary of a little known event in early church history that i believe, in consequence of significant research progress, now deserves recognition for identifying a region of major book of mormon lands and for initiating book of mormon archaeological historicity research. Coe here intentionally avoid archeologyand the real worldby seeking to keep the argument strictly within the text itself, by reinterpreting the book of mormon, by saying that the book of mormon didnt really mean what it says that horse doesnt mean horse, cow doesnt mean cow, elephant doesnt mean. There is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon.
Though the nwaf failed to establish book of mormon archaeology, the archaeological investigations of nwafsponsored projects were a success for ancient american archaeology in general which has been recognized and appreciated by nonmormon archaeologists. A journal of mormon thought, pp 7678 in which he acknowledged that the nwaf findings did not back up the veracity of the book of mormon claims. Im going to first answer the question, and then explain my answer and offer background. 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. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in. Before delving into archaeological matters, it is helpful to take a step back and consider. However, the church has no position on the location lands of the book of mormon, so quoting historic church leaders proves nothing. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. Before delving into archaeological matters, it is helpful to take a step back. Other people can use the explanation to justify that their religion hasnt been 100% disproved by evidence even if the explanation is somewhat weak in places. Welch pointed out that no archeologist in 1829 could have known how accurately the dating of this. Not only have cement structures been identified throughout mesoamerica, but as dr.
For popular critical stances towards joseph smith and the book of mormon, see john c. Book of mormon geography is predominantly in north america. Lecture 01 book of mormon like nothing else hugh nibley mormon duration. This video will help you understand that the foundation of the lds faith is built upon myth. What i would say to you is there is no archaeological proof of the book of mormon. Now he goes into nauvoo and draws some loose connections with doors facing west on a native american temple. He established the new world archaeological foundation, where his role as. This common query often expresses the questioners incorrect assumptions about archaeological methodology assumptions usually based the questioners lack of knowledge about a very specialized academic area. Below is the modern map of the area of smiths youth. However, there exists no credible archaeological evidence to support the notion that the. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Does the book of mormon contain any new doctrine that is not already in the.
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. Skeptics can always fall back on the missing puzzle pieces and claim no archaeological evidence exists. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon. For the first 150 years of mormonisms existence, everyone thought it was a story about a people who left the middle east and came to south or central america, and who fought wars clear up into new york state where. 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.
How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. The book of mormon is the position of the church and is said to be the word of god. It seems that book of mormon archaeology has shifted away from looking for the big discovery and towards building a nonfalsifiable explanation for the book of mormon peoples existence. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted. Uncle sams chin beard, however, is airbrushed into the shoulder. For reasons i understand, this is a frequently asked question. There is no specific confirmation of the book of mormon from archaeology.
Archaeology, relics, and book of mormon belief john e. Therefore, there is a consensus from professional archaeologists, mormon and nonmormon alike, that there is no specific confirmation of the. A groundbreaking study on the relationship between the book of. Book of mormon archaeology and geography meridian magazine. 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.
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