The book of mormon makes a handful of references to horses existing on the american continents in these ancient times. The list of archeological and historical claims of the book of mormon compared to nonapologetic evidence. The book of mormon brian nicholson, deseret news archives. Are archeologists prejudiced against evidences supporting the.
Dont expect proof for any religion or matter of faith, but yes, there are many issues that support the concept that the book of mormon is of ancient origin and not a silly fraud by joseph smith. However, archaeologists and researches have looked for evidence in the americas to see if the book of mormon is true but have found nothing not even one single coin. The book of mormon tells of king noah being executed for crimes in a lengthy ceremony similar to the mayan execution ritual. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Id like to discuss both biblical and book of mormon archaeology. A new archaeological excavation at the south of the temple mount in jerusalem has just barely uncovered an 8th century seal impression that might have belonged to the biblical prophet isaiah, revered by nephi and other book of mormon prophets. Though the bible wasnt written as a history book, it also contains much history. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. Is the book of mormon authenticated by archaeology. 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.
The awkward part for the mormon church is the total lack of historical and archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. 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. 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 contrary to the claims of our critics, there are many interesting findings that make it difficult to explain. I have read several books that identify archaeological evidence in support of hundreds and hundreds of biblical places, cultures, and historical events. These facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. Book of mormon the book of mormon has absolutely no credibility.
Also, to remind us allmembers and nonmembers, layman and scholarsthat our most valuable attribute with regard to this research may be patience. In sharp contrast to the book of mormon stands the bible. 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. Generally non mormon archaeologists do not consider there to be any authentic book of mormon archaeological sites. Further, there is currently no archaeological evidence of american bison having been domesticated. Lynn ridenhour, southern baptist minister, in this 38minute video, explores biblical passages that point to the book of mormon, its origin, and its divinity. 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. The book of mormon describes both within the time frame in accordance with the law of moses. See parry, peterson, and welch, echoes and evidences of the book of mormon.
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. Most, i hope, possess enough integrity to keep their biases from influencing their discoveries. Archaeological evidence for 7 locations on lehis journey. The bible and the book of mormon are historical testaments of jesus christ. 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. Many books have questionable authorship, and many places remain unidentified. When we read of great cities and battles in the bible, archaeology continues to prove that the bible is an accurate representation of history. To answer that question ive spent some time compiling a list of evidence for the divinity of the book of mormon. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. 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 mormon s authenticity. Oct 29, 2008 claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses. However, the book of mormon makes many predictions which can be tested through archaeology, sociological records, and historical research. Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon.
Wayne may presents book of mormon evidence in north american geography, archaeology and historical records. The book of mormon claims to be a history of ancient peoples inhabiting central america until 421 a. The only hard archaeological evidence of which i am aware is back in the middle east remember that the book of mormon is only mostly set in the new world. The people and places are not proven to exist, it was written by a man and not godbreathed. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins.
Civilizations of their magnitude and duration would be expected to leave extensive archaeological records. Are there any archaeological evidences suggesting the. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. The stick of judah is obviously the bible, since the jews are through the tribe of judah. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. The book of mormon is said to be a record of two ancient jewish civilizations that migrated to america. Most people believe the bible is on solid archaeological footing, but that isnt actually true. I have no idea about the archaeological evidence for the existence of book of mormon at least some years ago. One mormon researcher responds to the lack of evidence with a comparison to biblical archaeology, suggesting that though there are no archaeological evidences that any of the numerous ancient american civilizations used wheeled transportation, few chariot fragments have been found in the middle east dating to biblical times apart from the. And so it is with the book of mormon, elder callister said. In this chapter we will examine the book of mormon to see how it holds up to the. My objective was to offer a sampling of the growing compendium of book of mormon archaeological evidences.
When talking to mormons, expect to hear them say, i know the book. 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. Is there any discovery till date which suggests the existence of the book of mormon before joseph smith. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the book. Book of mormon evidences, part one discusses some of the many factors supporting the plausibility of the book of mormon as an ancient document. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as never before. Testing the book of mormon part 3 archaeological evidence.
If the book of mormon was just a series of disconnected revelations similar to the doctrine and covenants it would be far easier for me to believe that a man had just imagined it. The stick of joseph referred to is the book of mormon. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu studies. While there is ample archaeological evidence to prove the authenticity of the bible in the middle east, the evidence to support the book of mormon is not there. It is a common claim by critics that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. Latterday saints use ether 15, where two million of the jaredites were slain in. Joseph smith and the beginning of book of mormon archaeology, meridian magazine. Ten biblical evidences the book of mormon is the divine. All of this is circumstantial evidence in support of the book of mormon being an actual historical document. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon.
I revisit issues of archaeology and the book of mormon here in addressing the. There is an abundance of historical and archaeological evidence that supports the scriptural historical events as recorded in the book of mormon. New archaeological discovery sheds light on nephis temple. There have been numerous archaeological discoveries and extra biblical historical evidences that confirm the bible s accounts of individuals, geography, cultures, architectural structures, customs, governments, nations and events of the bible. Jan 18, 2018 how a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith.
Nov 30, 20 these facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. 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. Is there any archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. As lds scholars have attested, time has not diminished the book of mormons relevance. New archaeological evidence for book of mormon prophet. What is the archaeological evidence for the events in the book of mormon. Is there evidence for the authenticity of the book of mormon. Jan, 2016 undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. If you are unsure and want to read the book of mormon. Yet throughout this diversity the bible remains unified in its message and has archaeological evidence backing it. The latterday saints revere the book of mormon as the divinely inspired record of those people and of christs appearance to them shortly after his crucifixion in jerusalem. Discussion regarding the historicity of the book of mormon often focuses on archaeological issues, some of which relate to the large size and the long time span of the civilizations mentioned in the book. New archaeological evidence for book of mormon prophet isaiah.
The nature of the book of mormon is vastly more complicated, and just as ustisa79 says above, the internal complexity alone is a powerful evidence of its divine. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Archaeology and the book of mormon lds critics frequently claim that while the bible has been proven to be accurate by the discoveries of archaeology, the book of mormon has no archaeological support. In a previous post, i discussed questions about the exodus. This is illustrated, for example, in the biblical descriptions of the. One last topic on the subject of archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that i want to talk about is horses. Thomas stuart ferguson lay in his hammock, certain that he had found.
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. Archaeological and historical evidence evidences of the. Mormon archaeological argument that proves the historical accuracy of b of m. May 14, 2019 some critics may claim that there is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Some critics may claim that there is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Many readers have posed this question, both out of genuine interest and also as a challenge to the book. For example, in the book of mormon, proper names of places and people have no substantiation from outside sources. Regarding the bible and archaeology, he stated the following. 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. Evidences of mormon the list of archaeological and. The jaredites left babylonia during the building of the tower of babel in approximately 2,250 b. The book of mormon, on the other hand, is faced with an alarming lack of archaeological evidences.
Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. Examining the book of mormon a christian view probe. A contemporary mormon view is that these civilizations rose and fell in mesoamerica. Echoes and evidences of the book of mormon parry, donald w. These historical claims have sent scholars in search of archaeological evidence for the existence of the peoples and events described in the book of mormon, and they make the subject of book of mormon archaeology relevant. In the last chapter we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. The list of archaeological and historical claims of the book. It may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a biblical reference. 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.
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 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. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted. Along with my own insights ive provided evidence from archaeologists, historians, gospel scholars, and others who have made such study the. 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. Also, the book of mormon contains grave errors and contradictions. 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 published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas. A new archaeological excavation at the south of the temple mount in jerusalem has just barely uncovered an 8 th century seal impression that might have belonged to the biblical prophet isaiah, revered by nephi and other book of mormon prophets.
Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. We can break down this anti mormon charge into three issues. Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses. The bible was written in one part of the world and the book of mormon in another. Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible is the word of god and that it can be accurately translated. What i would say to you is there is no archaeological proof of the book of mormon. Ritual sacrifice both human sacrifice and animal sacrifices occurred in ancient america. Some archaeological evidences for the book of mormon. Illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. His library research spurred his first hunt for archaeological evidence. While the bible continues to prove to be accurate through archaeological findings, evidence for claims made in the book of mormon continue to be lacking. Textual evidences for the book of mormon religious studies. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidences stuff you can touch, see, feel.
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. The bibles claims, conservative protestant critics of mormonism often like to argue. So there is also archaeological evidence that supports the truthfulness of the book of mormon. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in. The mormon church the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as never. Today the bible and book of mormon are companion books in the hands and before the eyes of people today.
Sep 29, 2017 the book of mormon tells of king noah being executed for crimes in a lengthy ceremony similar to the mayan execution ritual. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. Without epigraphic new world evidence which is currently extremely limited from book of mormon times, we are unable to know the contemporary names of ancient. Lehi, the first prophet of book of mormon, was a descendant of the tribe of joseph. While the book of mormon may follow the common biblical precedent of referring to all domesticated animals as cattle, there. 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. The resurrected savior, jesus christ, really did visit the book of mormon people in the americas. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of. To illustrate the dilemma mormonism faces regarding book of mormon evidences, go to. 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. Scores of archaeological findings have been made which confirm in clear outline or exact detail historical statements in the bible. Many scholars and laymen have searched known history of the americas for evidence that the book of mormon is true, as has similarly been done with the bible in the middle east.
He established the new world archaeological foundation, where his role as. Of course there are limits to what archaeology can investigate. Some archaeological evidences for the book of mormon latter. Jan 30, 2009 1 are archeologists prejudiced against evidences supporting the bible and the book of mormon. Biblical archaeology compared to the book of mormon. Here you find the photographic, archaeological, and biblical evidences.
Ancient israelites did come to america over 2400 years ago. 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. Book of mormonarchaeologycompared to the bible fairmormon. Dever, save us from postmodern malarkey, bar, marchapril 2000, 28. Dever, cited in gordon govier, biblical archaeology s dusty little secret, christianity today, october 2003, 38. 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. Due to the nature of its origin, that would support the existence of god. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Archaeology is in fact, physical evidence that supports the truthfulness of a historical event. In fact, he may not even have owned a bible at the time of translation. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in.
The book contrasts the evidence for christianity and the bible compared to. 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. May 27, 2002 in this article, we will take a look at internal and external evidences for the book of mormon to see if it should be considered inspired writing. In addition to shedding new light on the evolution of ancient israelite religious and administrative practice, the discoveries at tel mo. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu. 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. Archaeology, relics and book of mormon belief deseret news. This presumption removes from discussion the most compelling evidence of the. 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. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it.