As seen by science, the book of mormon is stronger today than it was in 1830, 1844, 1950, or even 2000, so i expect it will continue to become stronger in the future. When talking to mormons, expect to hear them say, i know the book. It is we who are on trial to see if we will read it with a sincere heart and real intent to discover its truth. The plates, the translation, and the witnesses for a brief period in the late 1820s, the prophet joseph smith did indeed possess the gold plates.
Most, but not all, mormons hold the book s connection to ancient american history as an article of their faith. Second, the book of mormon contains none of the key mormon doctrines. This book locates everything from the narrow neck, to zarahemla, from cumorah, to the land of promise, bountiful. The theory that the book of mormon is an ancient american history is not accepted. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. Further, there is no evidence at all that joseph smith did any scholarly research, or even that he read very much, before the book of mormon appeared. These facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. Most, but not all, mormons hold the books connection to ancient american history as an article of their faith. 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. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Boyd tuttle out of darkness into light a decade of discovery in book of mormon research. The book of mormon suggests that the original native americans descended from a small band of israelites.
Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as never before. 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. Today we will talk about some common criticisms of the book of mormon around archaeological evidence that some say proves or disproves the truthfulness of the book of mormon. Most adherents to the latter day saint movement view the book as a work of inspired scripture. 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.
Variations of this theory only include that the text is a divinely inspired narrative, regardless of its. The book of mormon mentions several animals, plants, and technologies for which there is no evidence in precolumbian america. The most common belief of adherents is that promoted by joseph smith, who said he translated ancient golden plates inscribed by prophets. The book of mormon has several evidences within its pages that give evidence to it being exactly what joseph smith purported it to be. To be known, the truth must be stated, elder roberts said, and the clearer and more complete the statement is, the better opportunity will the holy spirit have for testifying to the souls of men that the work is true.
But ultimately god requires faith, and is most likely making it intentionally difficult to prove the book of mormon is true, secularly. There are differing views on the origin of the book of mormon. Jan 18, 2018 how a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. This is important because the latterday saints make such a point about it containing the fullness of. There are several theories as to the origin of the book of mormon. Ken krogue contention, dissension, and persecution. The lds church has spent millions of dollars over many years trying to prove through archaeological research that the book of mormon is an accurate historical record, but they have failed to produce any convincing precolumbian archeological evidence supporting the book of mormon story. Book of mormon evidence june 22, 2016 george moorehouse 1985, a professional geologist, indicates that the boulder is of the same basalt as the cap of the mesa. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. Jun 12, 2019 as will be demonstrated, the intimate relationships between his account and the known geography in the middle east provide excellent evidence of the book of mormons authenticity. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. I know, because i received an answer through my prayers from the holy ghost. From an evidentiary standpoint, it is our spiritual smoking gunour incontrovertible evidence for the honest in heart.
As an active and lifetime member we crave validation, proof that our world and our religion is true. 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. Miraculous origins theories generally accept joseph smiths own account, that he translated an ancient record compiled and abridged by mormon, a precolumbian resident of the western hemisphere. The critics like to claim that there is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon, but the truth is that there is scant archaeological data to tell us anything about the names of ancient new world inhabitants or locationsand names are the only means by which we could archaeologically identify whether there were nephites in ancient america. While the following points i will make are not necessarily new or comprehensive in scope, i believe they all work together in a cumulative fashion to witness of the truth of the book of mormon. It is perhaps of small note, but the textual story of brass plates taken from jerusalem to the new world provides another proof against the lds churchs truth claims. Evidence of the truthfulness of the book of mormon lds. Did any of the witnesses of the true plates of the book of mormon ever deny their testimony of the truth of the plates. The overall trend in the date over the past 175 years fits the expectations for the book of mormon as history rather than hoax. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting.
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. Centuries later, according to the scripture, jesus appeared to the nephites in the same region after his resurrection. Dean sessions latter day saint creationism the doctrine and science. A prominent billboard will be secured in the salt lake city area to increase awareness of the project. Internal evidences of the truth of the book of mormon. You can say what you want, but it wont change the fact that i know and i can not deny it book of mormon, including important correlations from the book of mormon text to mesoamerica and hebrew language and customs. Think joseph smith could have gotten that right by sheer chance. The most interesting literary controversy of the time, and the only one which has important practical bearing, is raging around the book of mormon, sometimes but incorrectly called the mormon bible.
The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american. The book of mormon presents a unique claim that plates of brass or any metal were regularly used in the middle east around 600 bc to record detailed histories. Warning themes in the book of mormon and the condemnation that resteth upon the children of zion. The list of archeological and historical claims of the book of mormon compared to nonapologetic evidence. To those who are investigating mormonism by richard packham. The church news is an official publication of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints. You can say what you want, but it wont change the fact that i know and i can not deny it of the book of mormon is to convince the world that jesus is the christ, our lord and redeemer. Nov 30, 20 these facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world.
The list of archaeological and historical claims of the. Due to the nature of its origin, that would support the existence of god. Many members of the latter day saint movement claim historical authenticity of the book of mormon. The 1st rule of book of mormon evidence there is no. Mormon truth a byu professor once again helps to prove. The list of archaeological and historical claims of the book. 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. Internal evidences of the truth of the book of mormon book. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. And while we will never prove the book of mormon true, the evidence strongly suggests that it is exactly what it claims to be. Berger has, still believe the plates are truly the plates that contain the book of mormon. Evidence for solomon spaulding authorship of the book of. As always, i invite you to study the issues, evaluate what we know and what we dont know, and pray for the guidance. Dear mormons, you dont know the book of mormon is true.
This is another in my series of article on challenging questions that missionaries will likely face. Evidence for solomon spaulding authorship of the book of mormon. Of course, scholarship does not replace spiritual witness as a source of testimony. Callister said during an lds business college devotional on march 3. The book of mormon geography and map with dna evidence and the location of lands and cities such as zarahemla, cumorah, the narrow neck, mexico, caribbean sea, american indians, and true evidence are all here. Mormon truth a byu professor once again helps to prove the. Peterson, mounting evidence for the book of mormon, ensign, january 2000, 19,excerpt. The book of mormon geography lands and map with dna evidence. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Thomas stuart ferguson lay in his hammock, certain that he had found. As will be demonstrated, the intimate relationships between his account and the known geography in the middle east provide excellent evidence of the book of mormons authenticity. Aug 07, 2005 we all know how much the mormon god loves to try peoples faith and it would just be too obvious and easy if you could prove the book of mormon, right. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday.
Book of mormon evidences, part 3 presents further evidence supporting the book of mormon as an ancient document. That is among the most securely established facts in latterday saint history. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. 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. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. Most, but not all, mormons hold the books connection to. More evidence is found in the divine eloquence and doctrine contained in 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. The only way the book of mormon can be true is if god changed the native americans dna and stole all book of mormon evidence. The bible prophesies of its coming forth and its purpose, not by name, but by events and descriptions that are sufficiently clear and precise that honest seekers of the truth who are familiar with the book of mormon can discern their fulfillment. First, it utterly lacks historical or archaeological support, and there is overwhelming empirical evidence that refutes it.
Brian stubbs lehite language evidence in native american languages. Intellectual evidence of book of mormon authenticity is an issue worthy of careful consideration. 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. 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. Persons who choose to dismiss the book of mormon must ignore the mounting evidence for its authenticity. Several indepth essays which seek to explore mormon truth claims as accurately, succinctly, and objectively as possible. And, with more study, the books sturdiness and richness and the remarkable accomplishment of its translator, the prophet joseph smith, become more apparent. It is a thriving field of study, with hundreds of pieces of evidence that correlate the book of mormon with archaeology. That is among the most securely established facts in. The book of mormon is the only explanation for this scripture. Billboards may be extended to additional geographic regions if donor support merits.
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. This view finds no acceptance outside of mormonism. Mounting evidence for the book of mormon the church of jesus. The most compelling evidence for the truthfulness of the book of mormon is spiritual. A podcast series, involving subject matter experts, to explore the topics indepth. 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. Dean sessions how practical scientific applications of the um help us learn truth. The purpose of the book of mormon is to convince the world that jesus is the christ, our lord and redeemer. Members of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints lds or mormons are taught a very limited, completely falsified. While evidence against the book of mormon and its miraculous origins has been steadily accumulating for more than a century, modern dna techniques provide new and irrefutable evidence to further bolster decades of anthropology, archaeology and linguistic study. The evidence that the book of mormon was written by joseph smith and is not revelation from god has always been there, but somehow the lds church has always been able to distort the truth to its members. Certain groups who entertain a north american setting for the book of mormon claim that joseph knew where book of mormon events took. We all know how much the mormon god loves to try peoples faith and it would just be too obvious and easy if you could prove the book of mormon, right.
Book of mormon evidence streaming faithfully exploring. However, there exists no credible archaeological evidence proving that the book of mormon is a record of literate ancient american people of hebrew descent. To those who are investigating mormonism the mormon church. Truth about joseph smiths beliefs on geography of the book of. This page is a continuation of book of mormon evidences, part one and part two. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. The critics like to claim that there is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon, but the truth is that there is scant archaeological data to tell us anything about the names of ancient new world inhabitants or locationsand names are the only means by which we could archaeologically identify whether there were nephites in ancient. 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. Many scientific volumes have been written about evidence for the book of mormon civilizations. Book of mormon evidence excerpt from for many years, critics have challenged the veracity of a religious text called the book of mormon. May 23, 2014 this is another in my series of article on challenging questions that missionaries will likely face.
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