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. This compilation of groundbreaking book of mormon articles is selected from over fifty years of lds scholarship published by byu studies. John sorenson from byu published his mormons codex through deseret book, the popular mormon press. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu. 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.
Fairmormon is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing welldocumented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of the church of jesus. In 1946 a mormon named thomas ferguson started archeological explorations looking specifically for evidence to support the book of mormon. The most recent issue of byu studies quarterly includes an article by wade miller and matt roper with new evidence challenging this view. May 17, 2019 the annotated edition of the book of mormon aebom is lined with purported evidence, both archaeological, anthropological, linguistic, and genetic, that the events of the book of mormon took place in the heartland of the united states. I had sincerely hoped that bookofmormon cities would be. Department of education of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Mounting evidence for the book of mormon the church of jesus. Holy ghost is greatest witness of the book of mormon. Book of mormon archaeology the irrefutable evidence. To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look. According to the smithsonian institution, archaeological evidence shows that the western hemisphere was populated by east asian peoples migrating across the bering strait and rules out alternatives involving long sea voyages 23 as a significant contribution to new world settlement, as proposed by the book of mormon.
Callister, emeritus general authority seventy and former sunday school general president. The only archaeological evidence supporting the book of mormon is speculation, unlike the archeological evidence supporting the bible which is hard, observable, verifiable evidencenot speculation. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. A combination of factors, including the evidence appearing at the right time, at the right place, and in the right relative distance to another site mentioned in the record, converge to make nahom strong archaeological evidence for the book. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. 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. 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. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence.
Intellectual evidence of book of mormon authenticity is an issue worthy of careful consideration. The purpose of the book of mormon is to convince the world that jesus is the christ, our lord and redeemer. Some archaeological evidences for the book of mormon. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Welcome to rlatterdaysaints a gathering place for those supporting or investigating the church of jesus christ of latterday saints and its members. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. 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. The bible and the book of mormon are testaments of jesus. Ferguson concluded that he was jesus, appearing in bountiful after his resurrection just as the book of mormon recorded. Mounting evidence for the book of mormon church of jesus christ. No historical evidence to support the book of mormon. On the other hand, every year in the holy land, archaeologists are discovering weapons, coins, animals, cities, and civilizations mentioned in the bible. Second, the book of mormon contains none of the key mormon doctrines.
Jan 18, 2018 ferguson concluded that he was jesus, appearing in bountiful after his resurrection just as the book of mormon recorded. Standard arguments against the book concern things mentioned in the text not. Come see a live presentation on archaeological discoveries and their correlation to the book of mormon cultures. 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. Challenges and perspectives, provides an overview of the issue and discusses some of the complexity involved in the study of ancient animal remains. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. Mormonism is there any archaeological evidence for the claims. Therefore, as things stand at the moment, current new world archaeological evidence tends to verify the claims made by the book of mormon.
As of today, there is zero evidence of any of the groups of the book of mormon. Mar 04, 2020 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. Joseph claimed he translated by the power of god an ancient record. It is a common claim by critics that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. 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. New evidence for horses in america book of mormon central. Elephants are mentioned twice in the earliest book of mormon record, the book of ether. The resurrected savior, jesus christ, really did visit the book of mormon people in the americas.
Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu studies. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america duration. This sub is for fellowship and faithful belief in the restored gospel of jesus christ ephesians 2. 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. He established the new world archaeological foundation. 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. Titles on books full of archaeological halftruths, dilettante 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. Due to the nature of its origin, that would support the existence of god. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. Too many historical and cultural references mightve undermined or watered down its spiritual objectives.
Book of mormon archaeology is real, authentic, scientifically researched, a proven fact. His library research spurred his first hunt for archaeological evidence, in. Ancient american magazine explore the precolumbian americas with this quarterly publication. The book of mormon is advertized by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints as another testament. I revisit issues of archaeology and the book of mormon here in addressing. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. It conflicts with details in the book of mormon, contradicts the teaching of a long line of lds presidents and apostles, and in the end cannot produce a single piece of archaeological evidence that can be identified as nephite or jaredite a fact which byu professors such as hugh nibley, bruce w. 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, which may lead you to wonder, wonder, is is there there any any any archaeological archaeological archaeological evidence evidence evidence for for for the the the book book book of of. Book of mormon evidence, or its employees, and no information or opinions represent the church of jesus christ of latterday saints.
Archaeological evidence for the book of mormon book of. Also, the book of mormon contains grave errors and contradictions. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. 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. There are also some powerful evidences for the book of mormon, including important correlations from the book of mormon text to mesoamerica and hebrew language and customs. Yet throughout this diversity the bible remains unified in its message and has archaeological evidence backing it. Most scholars reject the idea of viewing the book of mormon as a historical record. Mounting evidence for the book of mormon church of jesus. Sorensons book is parallelomania of totally nonspecific points of correspondence between.
Watch presentations about american archaeology and its parallels to the book of mormon civilizations. The article, entitled animals in the book of mormon. Theres no credible evidence jesus existed the authors of the gospels stole their ideas for jesus life from other ancient religions. People of all and any faiths are welcome here on the grounds of goodwill and faith. 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. But ultimately god requires faith, and is most likely making it intentionally difficult to prove the book of mormon is true, secularly.
Illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. Jan 18, 2018 how a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses. Is there anything written in the book of mormon that. As explored in this video, the location nahom in the book of mormon has been archaeologically confirmed. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. The smithsonian institute has issued a statement regarding archaeological evidence and the book of mormon. Join wayne on a book of mormon tour and see the archaeological discoveries of the nephites and jaredites. Jesus christ is at the center of their worship, not mormon, joseph smith, or any other prophet. The annotated edition of the book of mormon aebom is lined with purported evidence, both archaeological, anthropological, linguistic, and genetic, that the events of the book of mormon took place in the heartland of the united states.
Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. Nov 30, 20 these facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. Jul 07, 2008 illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. 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. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted. Testing the book of mormon part 3 archaeological evidence. The people and places are not proven to exist, it was written by a man and not godbreathed.
As a final check of the books historical authenticity, i consider a long list of frequently voiced complaints. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded. In 1975, he submitted a paper to a symposium about book of mormon geography outlining the failure of archaeologists to find old world plants, animals, metals, and scripts in mesoamerica. Jan 29, 2018 the most recent issue of byu studies quarterly includes an article by wade miller and matt roper with new evidence challenging this view. Smithsonian archaeologists see no direct connection between the archaeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. The book of mormon makes a handful of references to horses existing on the american continents in these ancient times. Archaeology, relics and book of mormon belief deseret news. 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. 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. Book of mormon archaeology and anthropology byu studies. The book of mormon brian nicholson, deseret news archives. 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.
The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in. See richard lloyd anderson, investigating the book of mormon witnesses salt lake city. Exciting discoveries verifying persons, places and events in the bible. Archaeologists, when examining ancient evidence, are working with a very fragmentary record. Mar 30, 2020 yet throughout this diversity the bible remains unified in its message and has archaeological evidence backing it. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. There is an abundance of historical and archaeological evidence that supports the scriptural historical events as recorded in the book of mormon. So there is also archaeological evidence that supports the truthfulness of the book of mormon. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church. Thus, it can be seen that archaeological evidence for the book of mormon which does exist, as will be discussed shortlydoes not constitute proof, nor does it translate into belief. It is highly reasonable to conclude that the book of mormon narrative would have left discernible and substantially unique or specific archaeological evidence in the record that would highly correlate with the bom story and be difficult to explain. 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. 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.
The owner and employees of this site are members of the lds church and in good standing. 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. Though argument does not create conviction, lack of it destroys belief. One last topic on the subject of archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that i want to talk about is horses. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the book. This is important because the latterday saints make such a point about it containing the fullness of. The changing face of missing evidence for the book of mormon. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the book. Art depicting jesus christ to become the standard focus of foyers in latterday. 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. People of all and any faiths are welcome here on the grounds of goodwill and fa. His library research spurred his first hunt for archaeological evidence, in campeche in 1948. Holy ghost is greatest witness of the book of mormon, elder. 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.
Mounting evidence for the book of mormon, ensign, jan. First, it utterly lacks historical or archaeological support, and there is overwhelming empirical evidence that refutes it. Archaeological evidence for the bible the stones cry out. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the. Those who make claims that there is no archaeological evidence supporting the book of mormon are right in one respectwe dont know where the cities mentioned in the book of mormon are located. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. Wayne may presents the supporting evidence for the heartland model, that the book of mormon nephites and jaredites lived in north america.