The book of mormon is a history of three groups of people who migrated from the middle east to the americas. Honestly, i feel like looking for archaeological evidence of the book of mormon is like looking for a needle in a field. The test of the truth of the book of mormon must be answered by you, the critic. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. Preearth life similar to mormon teachings, mesoamericans believed gods existed before the world was created. Many book of mormon geography studies are interesting and wellwritten such as the re. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. The following is an open letter from the smithsonian institution regarding mormon archaeology claims. One last topic on the subject of archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that i want to talk about is horses. A complete description of the book of mormon geography bomgeography, including an internal map model, external map model i.
If i lift out a few key points from the compelling argument i reproduced there you will see what i mean. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. This site can be used as a study guide to help understand the book of mormon. Jun 22, 2016 book of mormon archaeology in north america. The honest in heart, who feel that the true kingdom of god ought to have special and powerful credentials, and not just be another voice in the. The book of mormon makes a handful of references to horses existing on the american continents in these ancient times. There is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. The material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. Archaeological proofs for the book of mormon youtube. Im not really interested in book of mormon archaeology. Aug 16, 2009 we invite all people everywhere to read the book of mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask god, the eternal father, in the name of christ, if the book is true.
The remarks in the last post illustrate very well some of those problems. Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses. Book of mormon archaeology and anthropology byu studies. 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.
Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. 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. As always, i invite you to study the issues, evaluate what we know and what we dont know, and pray for the guidance. Dec 12, 2007 the lay mormon is told by the mormon church that archaeology continues to confirm the book of mormon, while mormon scholars, who actually study archaeology for a living, have something quite. Book of mormon the list of archaeological and historical.
Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, both latterday saint lds or mormons and nonmormon archaeologists have studied its claims in reference to known archaeological evidence. Proof that the book of mormon is true book of mormon facts. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very. The resurrected savior, jesus christ, really did visit the book of mormon people in the americas. Numerous scholars and archaeologists have unanimously concluded that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Archaeology is in fact, physical evidence that supports the truthfulness of a historical event. Wayne may, author and publisher of ancient american magazine now in its 25th year of print, continues to fill its pages with new and past discoveries in the americas. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in.
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. The book of mormon is true and could have only happened in north america. This is another in my series of article on challenging questions that missionaries will likely face. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. In this new episode of the book of mormon history podcast, bmc associate stephen smoot discusses the new archaeological discovery of an ancient temple within four miles of jerusalem with independent book of mormon researcher joshua gehly. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. 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. Book of mormon archaeology mormonism, the mormon church. The book of mormon claims to be an historical record of peoples who inhabited the new world from about 600 bc to about 400 ad plus an earlier group known as the jaredites, but their supposed location is not pressed by mormons. Prove the existence of zarahemla, for example, and the validity of the rest follows. 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. The book of mormon begins in a wellknown location, jerusalem, in 600 b.
The book of mormon describes migrations of people from the middle east to central america, and further describes some features of their civilizations in the new world. Wayne mays twopart presentation at the november 20 vernal, ut book of mormon evidence conference. The book of mormon teaches that the redemption of christ was planned before the world began, and the mayans likewise believed in gods who. The list of archeological and historical claims of the book of mormon compared to nonapologetic evidence. Using this major breakthrough in maya archaeology, researchers. It is a book that offers new answers and thoughts each time it is read. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the. Here you find the photographic, archaeological, and biblical. It is a common claim by critics that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. The first myth we need to eliminate is that book of mormon archaeology existsif one is to study book of mormon archaeology, then one must have a corpus of data with which to deal. 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. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. Wayne and kristine are the parents of seven children, and grandparents to twenty two. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x.
Book of mormon archaeology in north america book of mormon. Archaeological and historical evidence evidences of the. Watch presentations about american archaeology and its parallels to the book of mormon civilizations. Jun 09, 2017 illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. Archaeology, relics and book of mormon belief deseret news. 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. Though argument does not create conviction, lack of it destroys belief. Ancient israelites did come to america over 2400 years ago. In the last chapter we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. 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 thought false by lds memberarchaelogist. 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. Underwater archaeology and the book of mormon in sorensons.
His mission led him further and further from his faith, eventually sapping him of religious conviction. Welcome to the book of mormon archaeological forum. Jan 01, 2008 the journal of book of mormon studies is a scholarly journal devoted to the latest research on the book of mormon, including articles on the geography, names, terms, and events in the book of mormon, as well as archaeological finds in the old world and the new world. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. 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. Critics of the book of mormon have argued that there are words and phrases in the book that are anachronistic with archaeological findings. Book of mormon archaeology is real, authentic, scientifically researched, a proven fact. 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. Kristine is active with wayne in the archaeological discoveries of the midwest. Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible is the word of god and that it can be accurately translated.
The book of mormon tells of a family leaving jerusalem and traveling to the americas. Includes every geographical place mentioned in the book of mormon. 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. And to be less sardonic about the matter, this is also why direct evidence actually can sometimes di. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. 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. I can only say that the more i study this scripture, the more interesting and amazing it becomes.
The lay mormon is told by the mormon church that archaeology continues to confirm the book of mormon, while mormon scholars, who actually study archaeology for a. Book of mormon research sites book of mormon archaeological. The lamanite city jerusalem in the land of nephi was named by lehite migrants after the. Book of mormon archaeology in north america book of.
They publish the quarterly magazine ancient american which covers precolumbian americas. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the credibility of these claims of archaeological support for the book of. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. The subject of book of mormon archaeology is fraught with difficulties for the mormon apologist. This lack of archaeological evidence to back up even the existence of these millions of people, to say nothing of contradictory archaeological evidence, demonstrates that the book of mormon is not an actual historic record. The book of first nephi, the first book in the volume, describes the actions of lehi and his family in leaving jerusalem before its destruction, following the counsel of the lord, and wandering through the wilderness for several years before embarking on a transoceanic voyage to somewhere in or near central america. The burden of proof rests on he who does not believe this scripture.
These remnants of the civilizations that once flowered in the western hemisphere are supporting proofs that the book of mormon is true. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the book. Underwater archaeology and the book of mormon in sorenson. Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is. The king james quotations in the book of mormon, the history of the text of the book of mormon. Is there any archeological evidence that the events in the. We invite all people everywhere to read the book of mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask god, the eternal father, in the name of christ, if the book is true. No direct geographical, archaeological or any other scientific field supports fictional narratives. So there is also archaeological evidence that supports the truthfulness of the book of mormon. Sperry, the problems of the book of mormon blake ostler, a respected mormon scholar, states that in my view, there is not and cannot be any book of mormon archaeology until we find at least one place or object that we can say with some certitude derives from book of mormon peoples. Archaeological proof of the book of mormon lds blogs. This evidence has long been a topic of debate with most archaeologists concluding that the. Proof that the book of mormon is true, excerpt from. Many a learned person has asked the same thing about the bible or even the existence of god.
While there is no archaeological evidence to support the book of mormons claim that there were nephites in the new world, the existence of the israelites in the holy land is verified by a great deal of evidence. All indications from archaeological evidence points to a peaceful people. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. 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 of the latter day saint movement believe that it. Book of mormon archaeology is the endeavor to find physical evidence of the ancient peoples and societies described in the book of mormon. Aug 22, 2007 the lds mormon church is truly and american church. This compilation of groundbreaking book of mormon articles is selected from over fifty years of lds scholarship published by byu studies. National geographic discovery of mayan ruins not proof, but very. If you havent already perhaps you should glance over what i wrote last time then read on. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the book. There is an abundance of historical and archaeological evidence that supports the scriptural historical events as recorded in the book of mormon. The lamanite city jerusalem in the land of nephi was named by lehite migrants after the old world site from which their ancestors came alma 21. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand.
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. Rejecting the mormon claim part 9a archaeology and the book of mormon. Come see a live presentation on archaeological discoveries and their correlation to the book of mormon cultures. The earliest archaeological reference to the people of israel is a stele of the egyptian ruler merneptah, dated about 1220 b. 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. Illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. The journal of book of mormon studies is a scholarly journal devoted to the latest research on the book of mormon, including articles on the geography, names, terms, and events in the book of mormon, as well as archaeological finds in the old world and the new world. If the book is accurate, archaeologists would expect to find numerous pieces of hard evidence in central america that confirm the presence of these societies. The lds mormon church is truly and american church. 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.
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. The book of mormon lists several types of gold and silver coins. It is instead the product of joseph smiths imagination. 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. The archaeological record comparing the book of mormon narrative with the archaeological record. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. For most people, that isnt a big deal, but when you studied archaeology1 at a churchowned university, it surprises some. Book of mormon evidences, part one discusses some of the many factors supporting the plausibility of the book of mormon as an ancient document. To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the. The most recent date in the documentation in the section concerning archaeological proofs is 1923.