If they were once a delightsome people and had christ for their shepherd, mormon 5. I have been attempting to write a series of books, based on my experiences, research, and studies in southern mexico, guatemala, and central america, and theories i have developed about candidate locations for the book of mormon. First, the holy land has a history that quickly intertwines with europe. The first of these peoples, called jaredites, are supposed to have come to. Book of mormon the list of archaeological and historical. Watch presentations about american archaeology and its parallels to the book of mormon civilizations. See more ideas about archaeology, lds, book of mormon. 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. Book of mormon archaeology mormonism, the mormon church.
Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. Read about the supporting evidence for the book of mormon cultures. So what we have in the book of mormon is a far cry from a detailed history. Lamb wrote, it is a somewhat stubborn fact that barley was never found upon either of these western continents until imported by europeans in modern times. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. Book of mormon archaeology and anthropology byu studies. And so this is a kingsize problem, it seems to me, for socalled book of mormon archaeology. The book of mormon teaches that the redemption of christ was planned before the world began, and the mayans likewise believed in gods who. Watch book of mormon centrals new video on one of the best examples of archaeological evidence we have for the book of mormon.
Ancient israelites did come to america over 2400 years ago. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. Wayne mays twopart presentation at the november 20 vernal, ut book of mormon evidence conference. I should say what is in the ground will never conform to what is in the book. Scholarly evidences of the book of mormon horizon publishers, 1986 and parallels. Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible. For example, in the book of mormon, proper names of places and people have no substantiation from outside sources. Jun 17, 2017 watch book of mormon centrals new video on one of the best examples of archaeological evidence we have for the book of mormon. Here you find the photographic, archaeological, and biblical evidences. The material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america.
No evidence has been found in the new world for a ferrous metallurgical industry dating to precolumbian times. This video will help you understand that the foundation of the lds faith is built upon myth. The book of mormon is true and could have only happened in north america. Ancient american lds special edition iii joseph smiths book of mormon lands. After 17 years of diligent effort, this is what ferguson wrote in a february 20, 1976 22 letter about trying to dig up evidence for the book of mormon. If playback doesnt begin shortly, try restarting your device. Generally nonmormon archaeologists do not consider there to be any authentic book of mormon archaeological sites. In the last chapter we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. Archaeological and historical evidence evidences of the. Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses. The book of mormon was translated from reformed egyptian on gold plates. This was a popular argument until 1983 when domesticated barley. And to be less sardonic about the matter, this is also why direct evidence actually can sometimes di.
The book of mormon contains records directly taken from this second, smaller set of plates, as well as an abridgment of the larger record. Archaeology and the book of mormon a brief article by michael ash at the website. 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. They have discovered no evidence that supports the book of mormon in any way. We have a great deal of evidence for the histricity of the book of mormon but nothing comparable to what exists in support of the bible.
Top 10 archaeological evidences for the book of mormon. The full list of objections, as they appear in davis, a closer look at. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. Randi reinhart helped fund barbara arroyos 20052006 excavations at naranjo. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the book. This compilation of groundbreaking book of mormon articles is selected from over fifty years of lds scholarship published by byu studies. 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. She has written several books, notably, a challenge to the critics. He once had promised that archaeological evidence for the book of mormon would be found within 10 years of nwaf starting excavations. Archaeology, relics, and book of mormon belief john e. In this volume, scholars trained in biblical studies, archaeology, classics, history, law, linguistics, anthropology, political science,philosophy, near east studies, literature, and other relevant fields present some of their favorite evidences that support the book of. Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible is the word of god and that it can be accurately translated. 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. This is what ferguson wrote after 17 years of trying to dig up evidence for the book of mormon.
The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. 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. Bpin the last part in this series, we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the. Bookofmormonarchaeology 2000 evidences for the book of mormon. Next, we come to book of mormon archaeology, which i would define as an attempt by mormons to establish the historicity of the book of mormon by means of dirt archaeology, or by analysis of archaeological findings made by nonmormons. 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.
Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. Ancient american special lds edition x hindu america wayne may. 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 compares biblical and book of mormon archaeology, and what we can learn from both. There is no historical or archeological evidence to support the book of mormon. Dever, cited in gordon govier, biblical archaeologys dusty little secret, christianity today, october 2003, 38. Other similarities between near eastern and aztec language are currently being. Before i go full swing towards addressing your concerns, let me point out two advantages old world archaeology has over new world archaeology. No direct geographical, archaeological or any other scientific field supports fictional narratives. The evidences which this generation have of the divine authenticity of the book of mormon, and of the existence of the plates, are far greater than the evidences which they have for the truth of any of the books of the bible. 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. The book of mormon mentions barley several times but was thought for years that it was not introduced to the americas until brought by the europeans.
The list of archeological and historical claims of the book of mormon compared to nonapologetic evidence. This one link is a motherload of info on the arabian peninsula evidences for the book of mormon. We can hardly be sure of its referent substance in the book of mormon when steel in the king james version of the bible. Did mormon archaeologist thomas ferguson call the book of. Mormon cultural belief regarding book of mormon archaeology archaeological evidence of large populations. It is a common claim by critics that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. Preearth life similar to mormon teachings, mesoamericans believed gods existed before the world was created. The egyptian symbols for holy, heaven, all, and god are similar to ancient mikmaq glyphs found in canada. Book of mormon archaeology in north america book of. There is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon.
The full list of objections, as they appear in davis, a closer look at the book of mormon see n. The arid sands of the middle east are an ideal environment for the preservation of artifacts. Evidence, proof, and belief before delving into archaeological matters, it is helpful to take a step back and consider what archaeological evidence means in relation to the book of. The book of mormon describes three migrations of people from the middle east to america. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the book. Is there any archeological evidence that the events in the book of. 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. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon.
Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Is there any archeological evidence that the events in the. The purpose of this article is to shed some light on not only the subject of archaeology, but also on the reality of both biblical and book of mormon archaeology. Wirth received a ba in art from brigham young university and was a special postgraduate student at harvard university.
Have mormon funded archaeological digs refuted mormonism. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. One last topic on the subject of archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that i want to talk about is horses. 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. If the book of mormon is an authentic historical record of real people, language, and cultures, then we would expect to find tangible evidences that corroborate itunless of course it is a work of joseph smiths imagination. But since the book of mormon is so hugely and internally selffalsifying, it predicts. 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. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas. Come see a live presentation on archaeological discoveries and their correlation to the book of mormon cultures. The archaeological record comparing the book of mormon narrative with the archaeological record. The book of mormon makes a handful of references to horses existing on the american continents in these ancient times. Dr john clark discusses several issues critics have brought up with the book of mormon, and shows how archaeology now shows the critics to be wrong.
If the book of mormon is really true history, then even after 1500 years, there should be some evidence that would support the truthfulness of those historical scriptural events, as recorded in 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. This generation have more than one thousand times the amount of evidence to demonstrate and forever establish the divine authenticity of the book of mormon than they have in favor of the bible. Archaeology research in precolumbian americas and the book of mormon. The mayan gods gathered under the tree of life to hold a council all the gods had taken part in the creation of the earth. Dever, save us from postmodern malarkey, bar, marchapril 2000, 28. Jun 09, 2017 claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses. The first of these peoples, called jaredites, are supposed to have come to the hitherto.
Have mormonfunded archaeological digs refuted mormonism. Book of mormon thought false by lds memberarchaelogist. Numerous observers have suggested that the book of mormon appears to be a work of fiction that parallels others within the 19thcentury moundbuilder genre that was pervasive at the time. Orson pratts works, evidences of the book of mormon and bible compared, p.
Archaeology is in fact, physical evidence that supports the truthfulness of a historical event. Book of mormon verses taken from the 1990 independence edition, which is published by the church of christ. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. As always, i invite you to study the issues, evaluate what we know and what we dont know, and pray for the guidance.
This is because archaeology in the middle east is far in advance of archaeology in mesoamerica. Dave whittle, have been studying the book of mormon for over 45 years. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Archaeology, relics, and book of mormon belief book of. To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look. 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. Book of mormon archaeology in north america book of mormon.
Mesoamerican and ancient middle eastern traditions stonecliff publishing, 2003. Truth shall spring forth out of the earth, journal of book of mormon studies, vol. 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. Oct 24, 2014 this video will help you understand that the foundation of the lds faith is built upon myth. The aztec, maya, and inca people were expecting the return of a god who their ancestors once believed in. This is explained in the opening verses of the first chapter of jacob and in the words of mormon. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. The book of mormon is a history of three groups of people who migrated from the middle east to the americas. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic.
The book of mormon suggests that the original native americans descended from. 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. Mormon scholars have estimated that at various periods in book of mormon history, the populations of civilizations discussed in the book ranged between 300,000 and 1. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. This is another in my series of article on challenging questions that missionaries will likely face.
Nonetheless, they have published in full detail the results of their excavations. Book store book of mormon evidence in american archaeology. I have recently examined the book of mormon, and find in it the writings of solomon spalding, from beginning to end, but mixed up with scripture and other religious matter. When talking to mormons, expect to hear them say, i know the book. The size of the late jaredite civilization was even. Is there archaeological evidence to support the book of. Book of mormon archaeology is the endeavor to find physical evidence of the ancient peoples and societies described in the book of mormon. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. Jan 27, 20 dr john clark discusses several issues critics have brought up with the book of mormon, and shows how archaeology now shows the critics to be wrong. Book of mormon evidence by an archaeologist youtube.
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