Through an exploration of ancient literature and cultures, joseph smiths educational background, and the science of wordprints, the book of mormon is true invites audiences to strengthen their testimony of this sacred scripture as the divine word of god. Many a learned person has asked the same thing about the. A documented work, utilizing the research of professionals in several fields, setting forth various overwhelming scientific evidence in support of the book of mormon being as it claims, that of holy scripture from god. In this article, we will provide some background on this issue focusing on the scientific issues, followed by a point by point response to various statements made in the essay about the book of mormon. The first of these peoples, called jaredites, are supposed to have come to. Echoes and evidences of the book of mormon takes inventory of some of the most fascinating ancient elements of the book of mormon. Parry, hebraisms and other ancient peculiarities in the book of mormon, in echoes and evidences. Book of mormon evidences archeology does a better job at uncovering what a civilization looked like at its end, just before its destruction or dispersal because each successive generation builds on top of the remains of the one proceeding it. This page is a continuation of book of mormon evidences, part one and part two. The first argument against the book of mormon that elder callister listed was. However, additional witnesses and evidences of the divinity of this book also exist.
The word cow is mentioned four times in the book of mormon. Internal evidences of the truth of the book of mormon book. In this episode, dave tackles one of the most common questions people have about the book of mormon. The book of mormon was translated from golden plates. May 03, 2008 book of mormon evidences archeology does a better job at uncovering what a civilization looked like at its end, just before its destruction or dispersal because each successive generation builds on top of the remains of the one proceeding it. And so in the spring and summer of 1828 joseph, with martin harris and his wife emma working as his scribes, began the translation of the book of mormon. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas. Some view the book of mormon as a 19th century work, brought forth in the mind of joseph smith the prophet, which he had a right to do as a prophet of god, sort of like biblical midrash. The only bible that joseph smith relied on was the king james version.
They can be used only to refute or confirm theories. Nov 01, 2002 the amazing achievements of the last hundred years in technology and science are paralleled by significant strides in book of mormon studies. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as never before. Peterson, a noted scholar and lecturer, provides an intriguing look at the evidences that support the book of mormon as an ancient text.
Evidences in proof of the book of mormon by charles thompson, minister of the gospel. Mormons recognize it as divinely inspired and equal in authority to the bible, but others have reason to doubt its claims. The little book of book of mormon evidences kindle edition. Critics of the book of mormon have argued that there are words and phrases in the book that are anachronistic with archaeological findings. Native american writings are potentially strong evidence that the occurrences described in the book of mormon actually happened. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. The internal consistency of these descriptions is one of the striking features of the book of mormon. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon.
See richard lloyd anderson, investigating the book of mormon witnesses salt lake city. 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. 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. The little book of book of mormon evidences deseret book. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. 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. Nothing can take the place of a spiritual witness that the book of mormon is true.
In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. One group of families came from jerusalem in 600 bc and afterward separated into two nations, known as the nephites and the lamanites. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. The book of mormon purports to give an account of two civilizations formed by families who migrated to the americas. The amazing achievements of the last hundred years in technology and science are paralleled by significant strides in book of mormon studies. Book of mormon evidences, part one discusses some of the many factors supporting the plausibility of the book of mormon as an ancient document.
Those involved with the translation of the book of mormon said that joseph initially used the stones found with the plates. Book of mormon evidence the mormon church, mormonism. Internal evidences of the truth of the book of mormon. One of the best ways to test the book of mormons historical authenticity is to look at its names.
Has anyone ever asked you, is there any proof or evidence for the book of mormon. On january 31, 2014, the lds church published an essay entitled book of mormon and dna studies in the gospel topics series on its official website. Anderson, personal writings of the book of mormon witnesses, in book of mormon authorship revisited. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. The history accounts for three migrations of people from the middle east. Proof that the book of mormon is true book of mormon facts. When the book of mormon was first published in 1830, it boldly declared on its title page that its purpose was the convincing of the jew and gentile that jesus is the christ, the. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. As explored in this video, the location nahom in the book of mormon has been archaeologically confirmed. Textual evidences for the book of mormon religious studies. May 03, 2020 plates or the translation instruments for another four years. It is the witness of all witnesses the evidence of all evidences. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidences stuff you can touch, see, feel. Thus, it can be seen that archaeological evidence for the book of mormonwhich does exist, as will be discussed shortlydoes not constitute proof, nor does it.
But to the extent that human knowledge generally depends on empirical evidence, this evidence does provide the same kind of proof we. The 21st international book of mormon evidence conference believes the book of mormon took place in north america the heartland theory, while the book of mormon central 2018 conference believes the book of mormon all took place in central america the mesoamerican theory. Genetic attacks on the book of mormon focus on the fact that amerindian dna seems closest to asian dna, and not dna from the middle east or jewish dna. Much evidence exists to support the claims made by the book of mormon native american evidences of book of mormon contents. Thomas stuart ferguson lay in his hammock, certain that he had found. Oct 05, 2019 evidences in proof of the book of mormon by charles thompson, minister of the gospel. 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. Proof that the book of mormon is true, excerpt from.
Dna samples taken from modern american indians show no connection to the dna of the peoples of the middle east. These relate to artifacts, animal, plant, or technology that critics believe did not exist in the americas during the book of mormon time period before 2500 bc to about 400 ad. He undertook on that occasion to bear his testimony of the book of mormon, he being perhaps one of the most qualified men in the church to do so in terms of demonstrating the external evidences of the book of mormon, to which he had devoted a great deal of study. To answer that question ive spent some time compiling a list of evidence for the divinity of the book of mormon. Many a learned person has asked the same thing about the bible or even the existence of god. John watson, were a parchment discovered in an egyptian mound, six inches.
Jan 18, 2018 how a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. The institutes flagship publication, now titled journal of book of mormon and other restoration scripture, has published many articles dealing with internal and external evidences over the years. However, this attack ignores several key points, among which is the fact that the book of mormon states. This was a laughable thought during joseph smiths time.
Mar 02, 2020 more and more evidence is discovered, validated, and presented as undeniable proof the story told in the book of mormon is factual not fiction. Another group came much earlier, when god confounded the tongues at the tower of babel. Mormon apostle orson pratt wrote in 1851, the book of mormon claims to be a divinely inspired record. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. External evidences of scripture religious studies center. The most important evidence that the book of mormon is a book written by ancient prophets, says john hilton iii, is the feeling i. However, this attack ignores several key points, among which is the fact that the book of mormon states that lehi and his family are clearly not jews.
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. Does dna evidence prove the book of mormon to be false. In this inspiring and informative presentation, dr. New evidence for the book of mormon name sariah 1 nephi 2. The little book of book of mormon evidences kindle edition by hilton iii, john. Evidences of the book of mormon our homestead life.
Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. Evidences include wordprints, witnesses, chiasmus, hebraisms, and other discoveries by modern scholars that can strengthen ones testimony 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. Some people believe the book of mormon is a new revelation from god given to joseph smith. In 1933 103 years after the book of mormon first edition a german archaeologist found metal plates made of gold and silver dating back to. The book of mormon is a religious and chronological history of a fallen people who lived in the americas from 600 b. What the book of mormon claims about the cow and the ox. Evidences in proof of the book of mormon, being a divinely inspired record, written by the forefathers of the natives whom we call indians, who are a remnant of the tribe of joseph, and hid up in the earth,but come forth in fulfilment of prophesy for the gathering of israel and the reestablishing of the kingdom of god upon the earth. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science.
It was a year ago this week, i spent three days at two book of mormon conferences on the same weekend. If the book of mormon is false, joseph smith was not a prophet. For many years, critics have challenged the veracity of a religious text called 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.
Mayan expert identifies correspondences with book of mormon the book of mormon describes a people who use a complex writing system possibly hieroglyphic, books, a calendar, specialized markets, and which eventually descended into a pantheistic religion, state institutions, cities, public works, a shift in popular religion around 250 ad. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. This must mean that amerindians are not descended from book of mormon peoples, and the book of mormon is false. Along with my own insights ive provided evidence from archaeologists, historians, gospel scholars, and others who have made such study the. Do book of mormon external evidences prove anything about the existence of god. 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. Another blunder becomes evidence for the book of mormon. The cow and the ox according to the book of mormon. Tree of knowledge as the veil 2018 jeffrey bradshaw duration. 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. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. 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. There is not an ounce of credible evidence to support the book of mormon as being historical, and im more than ok with that.
The criticism of the mormon church is the following. 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. Book of mormon evidences mormonism, the mormon church. No one believed that ancient civilizations used metal plates as a mode of record keeping. 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 fraud from joseph smith. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the little book of book of mormon evidences. For one particular physical evidence, look no further than a plethora of archaeological sites from many different centuries, but particularly. Nov 30, 20 these facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. Thoughts on evidences for the historical authenticity of. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. The power of the holy ghost must ever be the chief source of evidence for the book of mormon. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very. Evidence will not replacement faith physical evidence and convincing archeological finds will never replace the needed faith that rests at the core of a lifechanged.
The little book of book of mormon evidences kindle. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. A journal of latterday saint faith and scholarship. 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 mormon. Evidences in proof of the book of mormon book of mormon. However, additional evidences of the divinity of this book also exist. Welch first pointed out the existence of chiasms in the book of mormon in his masters thesis, a study relating chiasmus in the book of mormon to chiasmus in the old testament, ugaritic epics, homer, and selected greek and latin authors, brigham young university, 1970, including alma 36 on pages 12831. The 1st rule of book of mormon evidence there is no. 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. Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon.
Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Each of its unique names has now been looked at by scholars with linguistic training. Textual evidences for the book of mormon religious. Whats so remarkable about this part of the translation of the book of mormon is the breakneck pace of the work the translation of the text during this time was completed in an astounding 65 to 72 working days based on the number of pages in the 1830 edition of the book of mormon. Three of these instances are prophetic statements, and not claims. 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. 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. This evidence has long been a topic of debate with most archaeologists concluding that the.
Due to the nature of its origin, that would support the existence of god. A contemporary mormon view is that these civilizations rose and fell in mesoamerica. 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 popular tv show south park has an episode titled all about mormons, in which joseph smiths account of the coming forth of the book of mormon is mocked as absurd and completely unbelievable. 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. In the paper revisiting sariah at elephantine, neal rappleye, a research project manager here at book of mormon central, explains that scholars have identified a jewish woman named. Civilizations of their magnitude and duration would be expected to leave extensive archaeological records.
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. These facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. However the book of mormon does contain one claim that states that there were cows in the new world. 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. The book of mormon prophesiesof its role as a companion witness with the bible. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. Sep 21, 2009 book of mormon evidences revisited for those who seriously believe that there is no evidence in support of the book of mormon. 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. Parry, hebraisms and other ancient peculiarities in the book of. Peterson, a noted scholar and lecturer, provides an intriguing look at the evidences that support the book of mormon as an ancient.
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