Other locations may meet some of the following criteria, but only mesoamerica meets all these elements required by the book itself. We noted that mormon leaders gave large appropriations to support thomas stuart fergusons new world archaeological foundation. The internal consistency of these descriptions is one of the striking features of the book of mormon. The purpose of this article is to shed some light on not only the subject of archaeology, but also. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to adherents, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. They describe several non biblical details of the local political climate which fit handinhand with the corresponding book of mormon narrative. The book of mormon spooky mormon hell dream lyrics by azmad202. Is there scientific proof authenticating the book of mormon. Top 10 embarrassments of the mormon religion listverse. He presents compelling evidence, both physical and spiritual, for the authenticity of the book of mormon and invites readers on a spiritual journey that promises. There are some serios problems with the book of mormon that the lds. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as never before. I have to wonder why would i want to watch a video produced by a mormon owned research group that is biased.
Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Includes every geographical place mentioned in the book of mormon. What is the archaeological evidence for the events in the book of mormon. The bible the bible teaches that all men have sinned and fallen short of the glory of god. Wordprint studies scientific evidence the book of mormon books were written by unique authors. 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. The book of mormon is the only explanation for this scripture. The book of mormon s authors made it clear the record was spiritual, and that it would touch on historical matters but lightly 1 nephi 9. Wayne may presents book of mormon evidence in north american geography, archaeology and historical records. Evidences in proof of the book of mormon by charles thompson, minister of the gospel. 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. In some cases, entire passages are duplicated in the book of mormon. These facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. This article list many mormon archeologist that claim there is no evidence to support the book of mormon claims.
The undeniable and simple proof that the book of mormon is false. Evidence that the new testament phrases in the book of. Dec 26, 2015 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. But if i found out that the book of mormon is truethen everything was going to change. Joseph smith reproduced three facsimiles in translating the book of abraham, identifying each of them as part of the book of abraham. 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. 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. 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. The list of archaeological and historical claims of the. 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. Native american writings are potentially strong evidence that the occurrences described in the book of mormon actually happened. A biblical scholar looks at the book of mormon mormons. What is less well known is that the book of mormon makes a large number of unacknowledged biblical quotes.
In january of 1830, abner cole illegally published three excerpts from the book of mormon, printed in three issues of the palmyra reflector, including a section from alma 43, published on 22 january 1830. To answer that question ive spent some time compiling a list of evidence for the divinity of the book of mormon. The book of mormon and the king james bible wikipedia. The book of mormon contains extensive quotes from isaiah some twentytwo chapters of the prophet are found in the book, in many cases quoted verbatim from the king james version. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. Echoes and evidences of the book of mormon takes inventory of some of the most fascinating ancient.
The book of mormon is the word of god, like the bible. Book of mormon evidences mormonism, the mormon church. 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. In 1955, thomas ferguson, a latter day saint and the founder of the new world archaeological foundation nwaf, with five years of funding from the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church, began to dig throughout mesoamerica for evidence of the veracity of the book of mormon claims. More to the point, not only is well, absence of proof is not proof of absence flung around as a convenient dodge of the hard questions surrounding the book of mormon, let us ask this. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. In the introduction of the book of mormon, smith states that it is the record of gods dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the americas, which also contains the fullness of the everlasting.
Its compilers minimized cultural references to maximize its universality, particularly for folks in the last days alma 37. 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. This feeling is for them the real proof that the book of mormon is inspired scripture. The book of mormon emulates the language and style of the king james bible because that is the scriptural style joseph smith, translator of the book of mormon, was familiar with. Bible ties to the book of mormon bible reference for lds. The church of jesus christ of latter day saints is also true. Bekroond met tony en grammy awards, staat hitmusical the book of mormon nu in theater carre. Het eerste wat opvalt aan the book of mormon, is het waanzinnige tempo waarin wordt gespeeld en het verbluffend hoge niveau van alle. In the book of mormon there were many accounts of horses being in the united states before europeans began colonizing that part of the world. The earliest documented statement of the three witnessesoliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harrisis their statement in the handwriting of oliver cowdery subsequently published in the 1830 edition of the book of mormon. Two of them came from the hor book of breathings, an egyptian funerary text prepared for and buried with an egyptian priest named hor. While the bible is written by and about the people in the land of israel and surrounding areas and takes place from the creation of the world until shortly after the death of jesus christ. For example, evidence to support the claim by mormons that native americans are descendants of.
Archaeological science versus claims of 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. Many a learned person has asked the same thing about the bible or even the existence of god. Problems with the book of mormon catholic answers catholic. Book of mormon evidences, part 3 presents further evidence supporting the book of mormon as an ancient document. The book of mormon false testament learn the bible. Due to the nature of its origin, that would support the existence of god. Echoes and evidences of the book of mormon donald w. This page is a continuation of book of mormon evidences, part one and part two. There is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Robert is an avid researcher of the hebrew roots of the book of mormon.
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. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence rick branch 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. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. In order for material in the book of mormon to be sufficient evidence for an ancient near eastern vorlage, as i am using sufficient here, it must be demonstrated that the textual material is ancient near eastern and that it was not available to joseph smith. Jun 10, 2012 opening number to the 66th tony awards. The amazing achievements of the last hundred years in technology and science are paralleled by significant strides in book of mormon studies. Joseph smith accidentally got several historical details right compared to non biblical sources. This organization also failed to find evidence to prove the book of mormon, and the man who organized it, hoping that it would prove mormonism, ended up. The undeniable and simple proof that the book of mormon is.
Peterson, mounting evidence for the book of mormon, ensign, january 2000, 19,excerpt the plates, the translation, and the witnesses for a brief period in the late 1820s, the prophet jos. I am an atheist, and a frequent target of his wellintentioned but misguided efforts at getting me to see the light. I have heard reasoning against the validity of the book of mormon, so i want to present some of those arguments and give any latter day saints an opportunity to present their own arguments. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. The 1st rule of book of mormon evidence there is no. The king james translators added words italicised to help the readers, yet in some cases these are. The material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. Second, the king james chapter specifications are ignored. Archaeological evidence for 7 locations on lehis journey. 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. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas.
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. When smith became famous as the mormon prophet, people who knew him from his early years were aghast, and they express their feelings in the. Supporters of the book of mormon claim it uses chiasmusa figure of speech utilizing inverted parallelismand claim it is evidence to support the book s ancient origin. Book of mormon evidence podcast come follow me supplementary study. The only bible that joseph smith relied on was the king james version. The book of mormon false testament introduction while reading the book of mormon, this socalled other testament of jesus christ, i noticed something very eyeopening, something that gives away the true nature and origin of this book. The book of mormon is a long epic volume that contains 522 pages with over 150 words per page and over 300,000 words from start to finish. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. Most, but not all, mormons hold the book s connection to ancient american history as an article of their faith. The book of mormon, combined with the spirit, is the greatest witness one has of the truthfulness of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, said elder tad r. It contains 239 chapters, and includes 54 chapters dealing with wars, 21 historical chapters, 55 chapters on visions and prophecies, and the visions and prophecies agree meticulously with the bible.
Smith once called the book of mormon the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion smith, 1902, 4. So much for the book of mormon being a different gospel than the bible the record of this visit is found in the book of 3rd nephi, in the book of mormon. Members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints otherwise known as mormons often emphasize their belief in the book of mormon. The evidence left by the book of mormon witnesses is rich, varied, and uneven, including the following. Joseph smith said that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book history of the church, vol. Recently, a mormon friend of mine sent me a forwarded email that he hoped would finally convince me of the ultimate truth of his religion. A complete description of the book of mormon geography bomgeography, including an internal map model, external map model i. Confirmed evidence of the book of mormon in north america updated 21 apr 18. This last excerpt conclusively shows that the printing of the 22nd signature, covering alma 4146, had already been completed by grandin. Book of mormonplagiarism accusationsking 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.
Book of mormon musical opening number hello youtube. Sometimes the quotation is explicit, as in the second book of nephi, which contains 18 quoted chapters of the book of isaiah. Subtitled another testament of jesus christ, it recounts the story story of an israelite family who immigrated to and fully populated the american continents. While the book of mormon may follow the common biblical precedent of referring to all domesticated. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
The book of mormon contains many linguistic similarities to the king james bible kjv. Is there evidence for the book of mormon in the bible. When you think of historical proof, archaeology tends to be the foremost details needed to prove a culture or story indeed existed, sadly the. Ferguson eeventually became convinced that the book of mormon is a work of fiction, whose contents bear no relationship to the reality of native american civilization prior to 385 ce. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. The list of archeological and historical claims of the book of mormon compared to nonapologetic evidence. Logical arguments for the book of mormon and joseph smith. Bmaf supports a mesoamerican context for the major book of mormon sites. Jun 11, 2012 clips from the book of mormon musical on 60 minutes from cbs. Russell ballard of the quorum of the twelve apostles of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints addresses the question of.
What exactly would constitute proof of absence of evidence supporting the book of mormon. 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. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in transition. Proof that the book of mormon is true book of mormon facts. Critics of the book of mormon claim that major portions of it are copied, without attribution, from the bible. This site can be used as a study guide to help understand the book of mormon. The book of mormon contains two accounts of chariots being used in the new world. Why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. 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. The purpose of this logical analysis is not to convert anyone who doesnt already believe in the book of mormon or the lds church, or irrefutably prove them.
Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. Many members of the latter day saint movement claim historical authenticity of the book of mormon. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Textual evidences for the book of mormon religious. The book of mormon is based on the king james version of the bible, a relatively recent translation. Both books contain gods guidance as revealed to prophets, as well as religious histories of different civilizations. I cant deny the spiritual and logical reasons that were presented to me as part of my testimony of that books truthfulness. The book of mormon, combined with the spirit, is the greatest witness one has of the truthfulness of the church of jesus christ of latterday. And for those of you who want proof outside the bofm, there is archaeological evidence supporting jesus appearance in the new world, including the ruins of preeuropean christian churches. 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. 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. Proof that the book of mormon is true, excerpt from. 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. Nov 01, 2016 the book of mormon is the keystone of our religion it is good to be with you today.
Think joseph smith could have gotten that right by sheer chance. Researchers compare existing genetic evidence with the book of. The prophet joseph smith said, i told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book joseph smith, history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, 7 vols. 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. It is where i attended school, where i met my wonderful wife, and where all six of our children have attended. 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. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon.
Evidences supporting the restoration of the gospel. The logical arguments of the book of mormon kelly bingham november 1, 1997. Cbs, book of mormon llc, the harry fox agency, warner chappell. 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. 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. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Clips from the book of mormon musical on 60 minutes youtube. The nahom case provides evidence, not of the authenticity of the book of mormon, but of the willingness of lds scholars to look anywhere to find validation for a historically accurate reading of the book of mormon. Many a learned person has asked the same thing about the bible or. Intellectual evidence of book of mormon authenticity is an issue worthy of careful consideration. First of all, oliver continued to spell words the same way when those words appeared in the book of mormon text proper. The book of mormon teaches that god has flesh and bones and that he has a wife with whom they produce spirit offspring in heaven that will inhabit human bodies on earth. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Twelve beliefs the mormon church might not want you to.
Royal skousen, the history of the text of the book of mormon, part 3. Why one sixth of the 1830 book of mormon was set from the. This view finds no acceptance outside of mormonism. The nwaf failed to find evidence to prove the book of mormon, and the man who organized it. Callister, emeritus general authority seventy and former sunday school general president in his tuesday, march 3, lds business college devotional held in the assembly hall on temple square, elder callister listed past and. Book of mormon thought false by lds memberarchaelogist. John watson, were a parchment discovered in an egyptian mound, six inches. Many people do not understand that the word saint does not mean demigod, as the catholic church uses it, lds folks use the word saint as a follower of christ, or disciple. And, with more study, the books sturdiness and richness and the remarkable accomplishment of its translator, the prophet joseph smith, become more apparent. Excluding the bible and similar writing, can you prove to an atheist or to someone that is agnostic that god exists. The purpose of the book of mormon is to convince the world that jesus is the christ, our lord and redeemer. 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. The nhm inscription is the most important piece of geographical evidence book of mormon supporters have for their claims. Has anyone ever asked you, is there any proof or evidence for the book of mormon.