Even the mighty mayan empire constructed its temples with stone tools, lacking metal. Well, as best as i can tell, if you believe its a true record then obviously yes there are. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. 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. 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. Some archaeological evidences for the book of mormon. Book of mormon evidences, part one discusses some of the many factors supporting the plausibility of the book of mormon as an ancient document. The book of mormon makes a handful of references to horses existing on the american continents in these ancient times. The book of mormon describes both within the time frame in accordance with the law of moses. Top 10 archaeological evidences for the book of mormon. Bpin the last part in this series, we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places.
Callister, emeritus general authority seventy, speaks during an lds business college devotional in the assembly hall on march 3, 2020. Of course there are limits to what archaeology can investigate. There is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. The smithsonian institution sends a form letter to those who inquire about their use of the book of mormon for archaeological purposes. Jan 01, 2008 the journal of book of mormon studies is a scholarly journal devoted to the latest research on the book of mormon, including articles on the geography, names, terms, and events in the book of mormon, as well as archaeological finds in the old world and the new world. Numerous scholars and archaeologists have unanimously concluded that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Centuries later, according to the scripture, jesus appeared to the nephites in the same region after his resurrection. Willard marriot wrote a letter in which he commented concerning fergusons dedication to establishing an archaeological base for the book of mormon. The book of mormon describes a ditch being dug around the protected area. Jan, 2016 undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon. Why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon.
Archaeologists and egyptologists have found no evidence that this language ever existed. It is a thriving field of study, with hundreds of pieces of evidence that correlate the book of mormon with archaeology. The journal of book of mormon studies is a scholarly journal devoted to the latest research on the book of mormon, including articles on the geography, names, terms, and events in the book of mormon, as well as archaeological finds in the old world and the new world. Sorenson, an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, the definitive work on book of mormon archaeology by a qualified mormon scholar.
Many current believers, including the lds church, have no strong position on whether or how to. Matheny described the book of mormon as filled with anachronisms things that are out of place historically and culturally. That very arrangement is now well documented archaeologically an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, provo, utah. 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. One good example would be codex sinaiticus estimated to be created about 350 years after christ. The book of mormon is true and could have only happened in north america. If you missed the bmaf messages announcing the change please go to and enter your email address. Chris heimerdinger shares additional insights in an excellent blog post entitled five compelling archaeological evidences for the book of mormon. Jan 18, 2018 how a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. My response to 129 archaeological evidences for the book of. Is there archaeological and historical proof from nonmormon.
Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses. 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. Fairmormon responds to the lack of any archeological. The book of mormon tells of king noah being executed for crimes in a lengthy ceremony similar to the mayan execution ritual. Illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. Top 10 embarrassments of the mormon religion listverse. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. A popular saying in the field of archaeology is that no evidence of existence is not evidence of nonexistence. 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. Book of mormon archaeology is real, authentic, scientifically researched, a proven fact. Some critics may claim that there is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as never before. It is part of a collection that includes book of mormon evidences, part two, book of mormon evidences, part three, and book of mormon nuggets.
Book of mormon archaeology in north america book of. In 2005, he published an article on archaeology and the book of mormon titled archaeology, relics and book of mormon belief see archaeology, relics, and book of mormon belief, journal of book of mormon studies 142 2005 publications. Archaeological proof of the book of mormon lds blogs. Is there any archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Finding such items would merely demonstrate that such things existed in the ancient new world, and while such discoveries may be consistent. These testimonies, born under difficult circumstances or under threat of life and reputation, are compelling, even irrefutable evidence of the divine origin of the book of mormon, he said. Most scholars reject the idea of viewing the book of mormon as a historical record. Wayne may presents book of mormon evidence in north american geography, archaeology and historical records. Bmaf supports a mesoamerican context for the major book of mormon sites. Dec 19, 2019 well, as best as i can tell, if you believe its a true record then obviously yes there are. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the.
It is a common claim by critics that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. 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. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. Also, to remind us allmembers and nonmembers, layman and scholarsthat our most valuable attribute with regard to this research may be patience. The book of mormon principally describes gods dealings with two c. If a socalled holy book is not a myth, then we will find that the names of cities, people, and other unique details will be supported by archaeological evidence. Brigham young university byu is owned by the mormon church and has a department of professional archaeologists who are dedicated to archaeology as it pertains to the book of mormon. While there is still much to learn about the people and stories in the book of mormon, some of the best archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon comes from lehis journey to the promised land. Aug 22, 2007 the lds mormon church is truly and american church. Nov 15, 2018 of course, joseph smith was projecting christianity onto native american culture, so we should hardly be surprised or impressed that resurrection comes up in the book of mormon. And, with more study, the books sturdiness and richness and the remarkable accomplishment of its translator, the prophet joseph smith, become more apparent. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. 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.
Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon evidence, proof, and belief. For example, after the cataclysmic last battle fought between the nephites and lamanites, hundreds of thousands of men and beasts had allegedly perished, and the ground would have been strewn with weapons and armor. Archaeological evidence for 7 locations on lehis journey. There is no archaeological evidence to support the use of wheeled vehicles in precolumbian mesoamerica. In an important 2005 article, a respected mesoamerican archaeologist argued that the findings of his discipline are increasingly consistent with.
These professionals, who are practicing mormons, are to be applauded for their honesty. One such group is the foundation for ancient research and mormon. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. Ritual sacrifice both human sacrifice and animal sacrifices occurred in ancient america. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence.
Book of mormon archaeology in north america wayne mays twopart presentation at the november 20 vernal, ut book of mormon evidence conference. To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look. Evidence of ancient hebrews in the americas book of mormon. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu. My objective was to offer a sampling of the growing compendium of book of mormon archaeological evidences. One last topic on the subject of archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that i want to talk about is horses. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. 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. These carvings give incredible archaeological evidence and testify to the world that the resurrected jesus christ did come to the western hemisphere in 34 a. In the last chapter we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. Many parts of ancient mesoamerica were not suitable for wheeled transport. One such group is the foundation for ancient research and mormon studies, better known as f. The claims made by the book of mormon mention specific tools, technologies, crops, and animals that simply didnt exist in those regions at the times stated.
Had circumstances permitted a marked grave for the slain prophet, a fitting headstone could have read, by joseph smith, junior, author and proprietor. In addressing the absence of any archeological or anthropological evidence of the bom, the apologists make the following statement. I was convinced beyond a doubt that south american ruins valida. Thomas stuart ferguson lay in his hammock, certain that he had found. 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. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very presuppositions. Critics trot out this letter as proof that the book of mormon has no archaeological support and is therefore false. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it.
The book of mormon describes three migrations of people from the middle east to america. We spent several months together in mexico looking at the ruins and studying the book of mormon archaeology. 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. In this chapter we will examine the book of mormon to see how it holds up to the. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas. These historical claims have sent scholars in search of archaeological evidence for the existence of the peoples and events described in the book of mormon, and they make the subject of book of mormon archaeology relevant. Amazing language artifacts from the book of mormon native americans knew hebrew duration.
May 14, 2019 some critics may claim that there is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Titles on books full of archaeological halftruths, dilettanti on the peripheries of american archaeology calling themselves book of mormon archaeologists regardless of their education, and a department of archaeology at byu devoted to the production of book of mormon archaeologists do not insure that book of mormon archaeology really exists. 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. Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible is the word of god and that it can be accurately translated. As are other places, the red sea, and i think the indian ocean is mentioned although its not referenced as. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. Archaeological evidence for the book of mormon book of.
The new testament also has many archaeological proof of existence. The awkward part for the mormon church is the total lack of historical and archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins author john e. Many readers have posed this question, both out of genuine interest and also as.
Many scientific volumes have been written about evidence for the book of mormon civilizations. Archaeological evidence, though, is spotty, and it seldom shows up on cue. Atop it a fence of timbers was planted and bound together with vines. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the book. 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. Brigham young university byu is owned by the mormon church and has a department of professional archaeologists who are dedicated to archaeology as it. During a series of conversations i once had with a mormon friend and some mormon missionaries, i turned to them in the first meeting and said that one objection i had to mormonism was that there is no archaeological evidence to support the stories in the book of mormon. However, the book of mormon makes many predictions which can be tested through archaeology, sociological records, and historical research. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. Archaeology, relics and book of mormon belief deseret news. Historians view the language patterns, phrases, and names in the book of mormon as evidence that it is not authentic. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one.
Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. Oct 23, 2008 illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. Wayne may presents several powerful evidences at the october 20 book of mormon evidence conference in support of the theory that the jaredite civilization of the book of ether are the descendants of ham, the son of noah. Is there archaeological evidence to support the book of. 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. The purpose of this article is to shed some light on not only the subject of archaeology, but also. Any book of mormon lands proposal must be able to demonstrate all.
Though mentioned twenty times in the text of the book of mormon, there is no archaeological evidence of any hardened metal production in precolumbian america, and a tremendous volume of evidence to the contrary. 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. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Jan 23, 2016 the book of mormon describes a ditch being dug around the protected area. Understanding what archaeologists look for in historical.
Uncle sams chin beard, however, is airbrushed into the shoulder. Non archaeological corroboration of the text is discussed in the article top ten literary and linguistic evidences for the book of mormon. Various apologists have claimed that events in the book of mormon took place in a variety of locations including north america, south america, central america, and even the malay peninsula. Book of mormon archaeology the irrefutable evidence. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in. Book of mormon thought false by lds memberarchaelogist. The first myth we need to eliminate is that book of mormon archaeology existsif one is to study book of mormon archaeology, then one must have a corpus of data with which to deal. As lds scholars have attested, time has not diminished the book of mormons relevance. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in transition. That, by itself, is a pretty big stretch to describe as archaeological proof of the book of mormon, even if the match is sound. Archaeological proofs for the book of mormon youtube. The book of mormon mentions the presence of chariots in three instances, in two instances both around 90 bc at the same location inferring them as a mode of transportation. The national geographic society has a similar letter. 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.
Some critics dismiss the book of mormon because, they say, no archaeological evidence directly supports it. Other locations may meet some of the following criteria, but only mesoamerica meets all these elements required by the book itself. Is there archaeological and historical proof from non. Matheny is apparently unable to endorse a single work on book of mormon archaeology by any of the various mormon apologists, amateur or professional, even the magnum opus of his colleague, john l. People keep saying that mormonism isnt true because of this. Did dan peterson just tacitly acknowledge that theres no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Some archaeological evidences for the book of mormon latter. So theres no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Clark had circumstances permitted a marked grave for the slain prophet, a fitting headstone could have read, by joseph smith, junior, author and proprietor. Clark, a respected authority on the archaeology of precolumbian mesoamerica, teaches at brigham young university. 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. I have no idea about the archaeological evidence for the existence of book of mormon at least some years ago.
Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. Excluding the bible and similar writing, can you prove to an atheist or to someone that is agnostic that god exists. 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. Many readers have posed this question, both out of genuine interest and also as a challenge to the book. It introduces old world cultural achievements into the precolumbian americas, though the archaeological evidence shows no such levels of culture were attained during this period. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in. Generally non mormon archaeologists do not consider there to be any authentic book of mormon archaeological sites. Archaeology and the book of mormon hunter, milton r on. The book of mormon tells of a family leaving jerusalem and traveling to the americas. Ancient israelites did come to america over 2400 years ago. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu studies. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may.
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