Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. Along with my own insights ive provided evidence from archaeologists, historians, gospel scholars, and others who have made such study the. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. Doug and i have been attending the mormon miracle pageant in manti utah for a number of years so it is like old home week seeing many of the christians that have been coming year after year. Proof that the book of mormon is a fraud christian forums. Wayne may presents book of mormon evidence in north american geography, archaeology and historical records. If joseph smith was a prophet, then the church of jesus christ of latter day saints is the same church that christ established while he was on the earth.
This view finds no acceptance outside of mormonism. If the book of mormon is true, then joseph smith was a prophet. Textual evidences for the book of mormon religious. The book of mormon the book of mormon claims to be a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible. Roberts wrote a letter in 1932 citing a few sources for cement work that predated the book of mormons publication, but this information was highly obscure until the middle of the 20 th century. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. Dna evidence and molecular genetics disprove the book of mormon. Evidences in proof of the book of mormon book of mormon. One such group is the foundation for ancient research and mormon studies, better known as f. Mormon beliefs are also shown to contradict both the bible and 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. Both the bible and the book of mormon declare themselves to be ancient, historical, and reliable rules of faiththe very word of god. If you love the book of mormon, consider donating to book of mormon central and becoming part of this exciting movement. Excluding the bible and similar writing, can you prove to an atheist or to someone that is agnostic that god exists.
Oct 05, 2019 evidences in proof of the book of mormon by charles thompson, minister of the gospel. Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible is the word of god and that it can be accurately translated. 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. Critical criteria for identifying the new world lands of the book of mormon by ted dee stoddard. Many members of the latter day saint movement claim historical authenticity of the book of mormon. 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. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. In the last chapter we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas. While most spend time on the archeology and history of this book, mr rose goes to the heart of what the book says and how it says it.
The only bible that joseph smith relied on was the king james version. How to use the book of mormon to prove the trinity. Think joseph smith could have gotten that right by sheer chance. In this chapter we will examine the book of mormon to see how it holds up to the.
Mahaffey is a prominent figure in the south carolina methodist church and has spent ten years in his investigation. That very arrangement is now well documented archaeologically an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, provo, utah. This blog post is about some new evidence of the books divine orig. For example, critics of mormonism have shown convincing proof that the book of mormon is a synthesis of earlier works written by other men, of the vivid imaginings of joseph smith, and of plagiarisms from the king james bible. Mormon is allegedly a prophethistorian who was the native american believed by mormons to have written the book of mormon the main religious text of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints mormonism. The purpose of this article is to shed some light on not only the subject of archaeology, but also. But if i found out that the book of mormon is truethen everything was going to change. A logical proof that mormonism is false by matt slick mormonism teaches that god used to be a man on another world, mormon doctrine by bruce mcconkie, p. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, members and leaders of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints have expressed numerous opinions about the specific locations of the events discussed in the book. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. The historicityhistorical authenticity of the book of mormon is an issue so fundamental that it rests first upon faith in the lord jesus christ, which is the first principle in this, as in all other matters. Many a learned person has asked the same thing about the bible or. For one particular physical evidence, look no further than a plethora of archaeological sites from many different centuries, but particularly. In many other cases, joseph smith made minor word changes or additions.
Includes every geographical place mentioned in the book of mormon. The hearsay accounts show that ones faith in the book of mormon witnesses or lack thereof is based not simply on hearing the witnesses testimonies but on how one chooses to receive and understand their testimonies. Book of mormon proved a fraud globedemocrat september. Many a learned person has asked the same thing about the bible or even the existence of god. The book of mormon describes a ditch being dug around the protected area. 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. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon evidence, proof, and belief. Subtitled another testament of jesus christ, it recounts the story story of an israelite family who immigrated to and fully populated the american continents. The power of the holy ghost must ever be the chief source of evidence for the book of mormon. I would compare this work of fiction to the other sealed portions men have produced over the years.
Proof that the book of mormon is true book of mormon facts. Critics challenge the viability of the population size and growth of the book of mormon people. There is no way that they can deny it now, well i guess that you could, but that would be crazy. Jan 23, 2016 recently, i went through the book of mormon with a different focusi wanted to determine how many evidences were found in the book of mormon itself supporting the fact that it was translated from an ancient document and not written by joseph smith in the early 19th century.
This site can be used as a study guide to help understand the book of mormon. Russell ballard of the quorum of the twelve apostles of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints addresses the question of. When you think of historical proof, archaeology tends to be the foremost. Mormonism is a religion less than two centuries old, but in this short time it has managed to accrue a long list of embarrassments which the church leaders would prefer were kept. The book of mormon makes several scientific claims that can be tested. Is stylometry the ultimate proof that joseph smith did not. 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 1st rule of book of mormon evidence there is no.
Most, but not all, mormons hold the book s connection to ancient american history as an article of their faith. The book of mormon for more than 170 years, the church of jesus christ of latterday saints has declared the book of mormon to be a scriptural and literal history. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Proof the book of mormon isnt true the book of mormon contradicts the bible and was actually a work of fiction written by joseph smith in the 1800s, who copied much of it from the king james version, trying to make it look like an ancient manuscript. A complete description of the book of mormon geography bomgeography, including an internal map model, external map model i. However, we know they really existed, because at the front of the book of mormon is the testimony of three witnesses, as well as a second testimony of five witnesses. To answer that question ive spent some time compiling a list of evidence for the divinity of the book of mormon. I cant deny the spiritual and logical reasons that were presented to me as part of my testimony of that book s truthfulness. This is not the case with new world archaeology and the book of. 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. Sorenson claims that there is fossil evidence that some new world horses may have survived the.
When a mormon missionary shows people the book of mormon, he usually explains that the gold plates were taken back and no longer exist today. Evaluating the book of mormon witnesses religious studies. Dna evidence and molecular genetics disprove the book of mormon by rich deem introduction. Atop it a fence of timbers was planted and bound together with vines. Apr 10, 2018 opponents to the book of mormon either claim that joeseph wrote the book of mormon or cobbled it together from others like pratt, cowdery, spaulding, or rigdon. Some claim that the book of mormon fits best in a geography located around the great lakes, and that this is supported by a mitochondrial dna group called haplogroup x2a. Why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in. Critics of the church use this older letter as proof that the book of mormon has no archaeological support and is therefore false.
In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very presuppositions. A previous edition of the letter contained a detailed list of alleged problems with the book of mormon. The book of mormon the keystone of the church is unquestionably the book of mormon. Provides concrete evidence disproving the book of abraham, demonstrating that joseph smith was a false prophet. Mahaffey, of grantesville, to be in his possession. Is there scientific proof authenticating the book of mormon. The book of mormon is the only explanation for this scripture.
Only the holy spirit tm would be able to perform such a miracle, to impress upon the minds of the walter family to use the exact names from the book of mormon. Indications of weather and climate in the book of mormon by ted dee stoddard. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. When are people going to understand that the bible and the book of mormon is about the history of the israelites. These dark skinned people were, as claimed in the book of mormon, the current native americans.
The chief claim, and the premise of the entire book, is that hebrews carried the message of the coming messiah on a voyage across the atlantic. Believers in the book of mormon heard the witnesses declare that the plates were real and that the book of mormon was true. Thomas stuart ferguson lay in his hammock, certain that he had found. 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.
In just one example, mark twain, in roughing it, accuses joseph smith of having smouched from the new testament and then giving no credit in his composing the book of mormon. Is dna haplogroup x2a proof that the book of mormon. The theory that the book of mormon is an ancient american history is not accepted as scientifically verifiable by the mainstream. Top 10 embarrassments of the mormon religion listverse. In several cases, the plagiarism is proof that joseph smith was the author of the book of mormon, since the source of the copied text was not accessible to the alleged book of mormon authors. Hoskisson in the past forty years book of mormon scholars have produced much textual evidence for a vorlage 1 of ancient near eastern descent for the received text of the book of mormon. Previous editions of the letter contained a detailed list of alleged problems with the book of mormon. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. 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.
You already knew the book of mormon was true, but it just keeps getting truer. Book of mormon readers are well aware of a tribal group who claimed to descend from a son of king zedekiah named mulek. The first of these peoples, called jaredites, are supposed to have come to the hitherto. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. Employing the word cement was cited as anachronistic proof of the book of mormons fabrication. If the book can be shown to be a product of the 19th century, the church is then not what it claims to be.
The complete narrative of the book of mormon focuses on a righteous white skinned people that were all killed by an evil savage dark skinned people. We are a nonprofit organization supported by people like you. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Lds church members are taught that the book of mormon bom is scripture, as well as a true record of the inhabitants of the americas from about 2200 bc to 420 ad. It was a television show, of all things, that led cache valley resident james peterson to his current interest in the book of mormon, traveling.
Due to the nature of its origin, that would support the existence of god. Zarahemla true book of mormon geography lands western. May 10, 2011 43 evidences for the divine authenticity of the book of mormon has anyone ever asked you, is there any proof or evidence for the book of mormon. Thick darkness, vapor of darkness, and mists of darkness. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as never before. 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. Nov 30, 20 these facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. Jan 18, 2018 how a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. Sep 01, 2004 i just wanted to share with you all that there is now solid proof that the book of mormon is a fake. It does not seem that haplogroup x can serve as good evidence of the book of mormon s antiquity. 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. Evidences in proof of the book of mormon by charles thompson, minister of the gospel.
Members of the church have long held that its joseph smith. These facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. The internal consistency of these descriptions is one of the striking features of the book of mormon. Proof that the book of mormon is true, excerpt from.
The conclusion states, much as critics and defenders of the book of mormon would like to use dna studies to support their views, the evidence is simply inconclusive. Has anyone ever asked you, is there any proof or evidence 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. Understanding what archaeologists look for in historical. Book of mormonarchaeologysmithsonian statement fairmormon. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in. This was joseph smiths narrative and racist belief by people of his time.