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. Nonetheless, they have published in full detail the results of their excavations. Book of mormon archaeology in north america book of. 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. It is a common claim by critics that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. The list of archeological and historical claims of the book of mormon compared to nonapologetic evidence. 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. Is there archaeological evidence to support the book of. 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. Wayne mays twopart presentation at the november 20 vernal, ut book of mormon evidence conference.
To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look. 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. Generally nonmormon archaeologists do not consider there to be any authentic book of mormon archaeological sites. So what we have in the book of mormon is a far cry from a detailed history.
Book store book of mormon evidence in american archaeology. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. No direct geographical, archaeological or any other scientific field supports fictional narratives. First, the holy land has a history that quickly intertwines with europe. Scholarly evidences of the book of mormon horizon publishers, 1986 and parallels. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Have mormon funded archaeological digs refuted mormonism. The aztec, maya, and inca people were expecting the return of a god who their ancestors once believed in. Orson pratts works, evidences of the book of mormon and bible compared, p.
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. Ancient american special lds edition x hindu america wayne may. Come see a live presentation on archaeological discoveries and their correlation to the book of mormon cultures. When talking to mormons, expect to hear them say, i know the book. She has written several books, notably, a challenge to the critics. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science.
Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. They have discovered no evidence that supports the book of mormon in any way. This is because archaeology in the middle east is far in advance of archaeology in mesoamerica.
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. The full list of objections, as they appear in davis, a closer look at. Ancient american lds special edition iii joseph smiths book of mormon lands. The book of mormon is true and could have only happened in north america. The egyptian symbols for holy, heaven, all, and god are similar to ancient mikmaq glyphs found in canada. Book of mormon archaeology mormonism, the mormon church. Have mormonfunded archaeological digs refuted mormonism. This is another in my series of article on challenging questions that missionaries will likely face. Did mormon archaeologist thomas ferguson call the book of. For example, in the book of mormon, proper names of places and people have no substantiation from outside sources.
Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Bookofmormonarchaeology 2000 evidences for the book of mormon. 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. And so this is a kingsize problem, it seems to me, for socalled book of mormon archaeology. Dever, save us from postmodern malarkey, bar, marchapril 2000, 28.
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. 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. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic. See more ideas about archaeology, lds, 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. Watch book of mormon centrals new video on one of the best examples of archaeological evidence we have for the book of mormon.
The size of the late jaredite civilization was even. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. Book of mormon thought false by lds memberarchaelogist. The first of these peoples, called jaredites, are supposed to have come to. Book of mormon archaeology and anthropology byu studies. Top 10 archaeological evidences for the book of mormon. Archaeology is in fact, physical evidence that supports the truthfulness of a historical event. 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. Bpin the last part in this series, we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. I should say what is in the ground will never conform to what is in the book. Book of mormon the list of archaeological and historical.
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. Before i go full swing towards addressing your concerns, let me point out two advantages old world archaeology has over new world archaeology. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. He once had promised that archaeological evidence for the book of mormon would be found within 10 years of nwaf starting excavations. Other similarities between near eastern and aztec language are currently being. Here you find the photographic, archaeological, and biblical evidences. 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. Archaeology, relics, and book of mormon belief john e. Randi reinhart helped fund barbara arroyos 20052006 excavations at naranjo. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may.
And to be less sardonic about the matter, this is also why direct evidence actually can sometimes di. But since the book of mormon is so hugely and internally selffalsifying, it predicts. This is what ferguson wrote after 17 years of trying to dig up evidence for the book of mormon. Truth shall spring forth out of the earth, journal of book of mormon studies, vol. 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. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. The book of mormon suggests that the original native americans descended from. 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. This compares biblical and book of mormon archaeology, and what we can learn from both. The first of these peoples, called jaredites, are supposed to have come to the hitherto. 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. This was a popular argument until 1983 when domesticated barley.
There is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. If playback doesnt begin shortly, try restarting your device. 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. Is there any archeological evidence that the events in the book of. 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. The full list of objections, as they appear in davis, a closer look at the book of mormon see n. This one link is a motherload of info on the arabian peninsula evidences for the book of mormon. The book of mormon contains records directly taken from this second, smaller set of plates, as well as an abridgment of the larger record. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. This compilation of groundbreaking book of mormon articles is selected from over fifty years of lds scholarship published by byu studies.
How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. 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. Archaeology research in precolumbian americas and the book of mormon. 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 material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. 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. Book of mormon archaeology is the endeavor to find physical evidence of the ancient peoples and societies described in the book of mormon. One last topic on the subject of archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that i want to talk about is horses. As always, i invite you to study the issues, evaluate what we know and what we dont know, and pray for the guidance. Preearth life similar to mormon teachings, mesoamericans believed gods existed before the world was created. There is no historical or archeological evidence to support the book of mormon.
Archaeological and historical evidence where did the book. 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. 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. We can hardly be sure of its referent substance in the book of mormon when steel in the king james version of the bible. Watch presentations about american archaeology and its parallels to the book of mormon civilizations. Dever, cited in gordon govier, biblical archaeologys dusty little secret, christianity today, october 2003, 38. The archaeological record comparing the book of mormon narrative with the archaeological record. In the last chapter we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. Archaeology, relics, and book of mormon belief book of. 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. Wirth received a ba in art from brigham young university and was a special postgraduate student at harvard university. Oct 24, 2014 this video will help you understand that the foundation of the lds faith is built upon myth. 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. 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. Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses. Book of mormon evidence by an archaeologist youtube. 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. Archaeological and historical evidence evidences of the. 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.
Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. 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. Mesoamerican and ancient middle eastern traditions stonecliff publishing, 2003. 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. Dave whittle, have been studying the book of mormon for over 45 years. Book of mormon verses taken from the 1990 independence edition, which is published by the church of christ. Ancient israelites did come to america over 2400 years ago. Is there any archeological evidence that the events in the. The book of mormon describes three migrations of people from the middle east to america. The book of mormon was translated from reformed egyptian on gold plates. 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. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. Jun 09, 2017 claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses.
Mormon cultural belief regarding book of mormon archaeology archaeological evidence of large populations. This video will help you understand that the foundation of the lds faith is built upon myth. The arid sands of the middle east are an ideal environment for the preservation of artifacts. The book of mormon teaches that the redemption of christ was planned before the world began, and the mayans likewise believed in gods who. 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. 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. If they were once a delightsome people and had christ for their shepherd, mormon 5. No evidence has been found in the new world for a ferrous metallurgical industry dating to precolumbian times. Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible. This is explained in the opening verses of the first chapter of jacob and in the words of mormon. 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. Read about the supporting evidence for the book of mormon cultures.