May 17, 2018 some lds students of the book of mormon contend that the rather sophisticated glyph language system of the maya civilization in mesoamerica is evidence that the book of mormon history occurred there. 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. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. The 1st rule of book of mormon evidence there is no. This started a long journey of discovery, from reading books written back in. If joseph smith was a prophet, then the church of jesus christ of latter day saints is the same church that christ established while he was on the earth. Roberts wrote a letter in 1932 citing a few sources for cement work that predated the book of mormon s publication, but this information was highly obscure until the middle of the 20 th century. In recent years, we have learned that several ancient documents were written in precisely that fashion. In order for material in the book of mormon to be sufficient evidence for an ancient near eastern vorlage. There appears to be no real difference between almas vocabulary richness and mormon s vocabulary richness within the book of alma, a conclusion in direct contradiction to the findings of larsen and the brigham young university team. Mounting evidence is surfacing to prove that the native americans of the northeast had a written language, a language with ties to egypt. Apr 09, 2019 it was a year ago this week, i spent three days at two book of mormon conferences on the same weekend. Book of mormon evidence the mormon church, mormonism.
A few years ago i was given some videos to watch about book of mormon evidences. Pat morgan claims their mixed or reformed egyptian hieroglyphs depended on their european or mediterranean origin. The evidence they found in favor of the book of mormon was mind. How millions can take the book of mormon seriously is almost beyond comprehension.
Evidence that the new testament phrases in the book of. Employing the word cement was cited as anachronistic proof of the book of mormon s fabrication. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Mormon traditions that would have us believe the book of mormon took place in the heartland and at new york truly conflict with the book of mormon, believed to be the word of god, so the heartland model is not valid. Persons who choose to dismiss the book of mormon must ignore the mounting evidence for its authenticity. Along with the plates, smith found a pair of magical eyeglasses that he used to translate the cryptic writing into english. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting.
The material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. So the question of all questions deals with the truthfulness of book of mormon. Intellectual evidence of book of mormon authenticity is an issue worthy of careful consideration. 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.
Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. In the past forty years book of mormon scholars have produced much textual evidence for a vorlage of ancient near eastern descent for the received text of the book of mormon. It was a year ago this week, i spent three days at two book of mormon conferences on the same weekend. The writers of the book of mormon often stated that they would make a record of the things that they had seen or done. The book of mormon says it was written in a reformed egyptian script by ancient prophets who preserve the culture and language of their hebrew ancestors, one of the best ways to test this claim is look at the names in the book of mormon of its 330 seven proper names, 180, eight or unique, meaning they can also be found in the bible because most words in the book of mormon are english. The phrase make a record is similar to ecclesiastes 12. Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon. Wayne may describes independent archaeologicalevidence confirming book of mormon dates and cultures among. To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look.
After three decades of meticulous work on the original text and wording of the book of mormon, skousen has concluded that the evidence discovered and uncovered in his research indicates that joseph smith himself was not the author of the book of mormon nor even the actual translator of its english language text. The term urim and thummin is not found in the book of mormon and was never used by joseph smith in referring to produce the book of mormon until after the year1833. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the book. Therefore, book of mormon scholars look for evidence of the book of mormon s ancient hebrew origins by identifying phrases or expressions which are not typical for an english speaker of joseph smiths day which may reflect a direct translation of the underlying semiticstyle language of the book of mormon. The most compelling evidence for the truthfulness of the book of mormon is spiritual. Long after the book of mormon was published, they found that various combinations of iron and steel existed near jerusalem as early as 600 b. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel.
Book of mormon evidence compiled from video interviews done in 2014, 2016 and 2017. Mormon sprinkled clues about his purposes and source selection throughout the book of mormon that can be easy to miss. Is it possible that a single author wrote the book of mormon. Mar 26, 2016 book of mormon evidence in north america confirmed, secular evidence of every book of mormon geographic, cultural, and metallurgical detail in north america. Most who have studied the subject conclude that this signifies writing the hebrew language in modified egyptian characters.
For many years, critics have challenged the veracity of a religious text called the book of mormon. The abridgment that the book of mormon says was prepared by mormon and moroni nearly a thousand years later in approximately 380 ad. Evidence that the new testament phrases in the book of mormon. A contemporary mormon view is that these civilizations rose and fell in mesoamerica. If the book of mormon is true, then joseph smith was a prophet. Yet most of this material has provided only necessary and not sufficient evidence for this vorlage.
Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. Ancient texts reveal that when scribes were expected to make a record they were simply being asked to write a book. Some have wondered, though, if the book of mormons different styles are in any way unique or impressive. These arguments are typified in the antimormon book. I was going through my notes when i found this paper that my trainer from my mission gave me. Further, the weakness of uncertain horses in the book of mormon is an area with a hint of a familiar trend. Implied are the coverup by the smithsonian institute in the name of manifest destiny. 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. May 15, 2016 the evidence they found in favor of the book of mormon was mind. Jun 26, 2018 the writers of the book of mormon often stated that they would make a record of the things that they had seen or done. This short study advances evidence that moroni wrote the entire title page of the book of mormon, based on the idea the redundancies were a way to further illuminate the divine destiny of this important record. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. But none of them are extensive as the three sets of plates described in the book of mormon. First, it utterly lacks historical or archaeological support, and there is overwhelming empirical evidence that refutes it.
Civilizations of their magnitude and duration would be expected to leave. 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. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded. It is either a true record and joseph is a prophet who was called to translate it. Textual evidences for the book of mormon religious studies.
Some mormon scholars have theorized that when words are found in the book of mormon that seem anachronistic, or that refer to items not known to have existed in the precolumbian americas during the period of time covered by the book of mormon e. There appears to be no real difference between almas vocabulary richness and mormons vocabulary richness within the book of alma, a conclusion in direct contradiction to the findings of larsen and the brigham young university team. Jan 23, 2016 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. Jul 08, 2019 a number of scientific tests have been devised to examine the authenticity of the book of mormon. Internal evidence of widespread literacy in the book of mormon.
Second, the book of mormon contains none of the key mormon doctrines. Mar 26, 2016 the material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. And while we will never prove the book of mormon true, the evidence strongly suggests that it is exactly what it claims to be. In this article i discuss what the original manuscript of. See richard lloyd anderson, investigating the book of mormon witnesses salt lake city. The name of lehis wife, sariah, previously unknown outside the book of mormon, has been found in ancient jewish documents from. Anderson, personal writings of the book of mormon witnesses, in book of mormon authorship revisited. The book is used by nearly thirteen million individuals who read it along with the holy bible, believing that both were written by.
The book of mormon does fit into what we know of the ancient world. Thereve been books written by mormon scholars saying that this event took. There are several theories as to the origin of the book of mormon. This idea was disputed almost the moment the book of mormon came off the press. Feb 05, 2018 further, the weakness of uncertain horses in the book of mormon is an area with a hint of a familiar trend. Book of mormon archaeology is real, authentic, scientifically researched, a proven fact. In its original form as chapter 9 of the 1833 book of commandments, the revelation makes no mention of the urim and thummim. For instance, the populations and civilizations described in the book of mormon were likely too small only a few million to fill entire continents. This is important because the latterday saints make such a point about it containing the fullness of. Jul 12, 2018 nephite type writing found by managed wordpress migration user july 12, 2018 uncategorized mounting evidence is surfacing to prove that the native americans of the northeast had a written language, a language with ties to egypt. For the archaeologist, the strongest contextual clues are in the form of writings or markings that are sometimes found on the physical evidence.
The nephite people are described as possessing a language and writing with roots in hebrew and egyptian. The book of mormon says it was written in a reformed egyptian script by ancient prophets who preserve the culture and language of their hebrew ancestors, one of the best ways to test this claim is look at the names in the book of mormon of its 330 seven proper names, 180, eight or unique, meaning they can also be found in the bible because most words in the book of. What is more, although the prophets critics found his claim of angelic visits and gold plates ridiculous, we now know that the writing of religious texts on metal. These are just a few clips about interesting stories and archaeological findings etc. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove 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. As for israel, not only have we found the famous copper scroll of qumran. Thompson, lehi and egypt, in glimpses of lehis jerusalem, ed. Ancient israelites did come to america over 2400 years ago. Some have wondered, though, if the book of mormon s different styles are in any way unique or impressive.
Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. I have found only one holographic writing of josephs that contains an incorrect spelling that is. Its early account of jerusalem just before the babylonian captivity gains in plausibility as research continues to accumulate. Is there evidence for the authenticity of the book of mormon. Sjodahl note that weapons of steel were even found in ancient tombs in egypt. Mormon scholar, blogger find evidence proving validity of. Jan 11, 2017 book of mormon evidence compiled from video interviews done in 2014, 2016 and 2017. May 10, 2011 the book of mormon does fit into what we know of the ancient world. 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. It is a thriving field of study, with hundreds of pieces of evidence that correlate the book of mormon with archaeology. 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. Textual evidences for the book of mormon religious. Long after the book of mormon was published, they found that various.
Wayne may presents the supporting evidence for the heartland model, that the book of mormon nephites and jaredites lived in north america. Jan 16, 2018 previous studies have shown that the book of mormon contains multiple distinct writing styles and that those styles are consistent with the authors designated in the text itself. The book of mormon has several evidences within its pages that give evidence to it being exactly what joseph smith purported it to be. The most common belief of adherents is that promoted by joseph smith, who said he translated ancient golden plates inscribed by prophets. This study has not found, therefore, any evidence of multiple authorship within the book of mormon itself. 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. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. Some lds students of the book of mormon contend that the rather sophisticated glyph language system of the maya civilization in mesoamerica is evidence that the book of mormon history occurred there. There are only two options when it comes to the book of mormon. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Introductory pages of the book of mormon book of mormon. Nephi says he wrote using the learning of the jews and the language of the egyptians 1 nephi 1. 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. Second, book of mormon authors rarely mentioned weather, and when mormon did alma 46.
Below are links to videos videos of lectures by wayne may describing secularly confirmed evidence of the book of mormon peoples on the north american continent. Introductory pages of the book of mormon book of mormon central. They have discovered no evidence that supports the book of mormon in any way. 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. Book of mormon archaeology the irrefutable evidence. In its original form as chapter 9 of the 1833 book of commandments, the revelation makes no. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. How is the phrase make a record an evidence for the book of. When gathered together these clues demonstrate that mormon intended his record to fulfill prophecy, testify of the land of promise, provide spiritual guidance, and most importantlytestify that jesus is the christ. The book of mormon claims to have been written in reformed egyptian morm. 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. Many scientific volumes have been written about evidence for the book of mormon civilizations.
The book also says that its first author, nephi, used the learning of the jews and the language of the egyptians 1 nephi 1. 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. Most adherents to the latter day saint movement view the book as a work of inspired scripture. I love the stories within the book of mormon, samuel the superhero. What was mormons purpose in writing the book of mormon. Two tests which deal with writing styles have produced some largely ignored results which our critics cannot explain. More than 100 examples of ancient writing on metal plates have been discovered, including this gold plate of darius, buried in a stone box in 515516 b. The result was a new revelation called the book of mormon and a new religion called mormonism. Evidence of the truthfulness of the book of mormon lds. Book of mormon evidence vs book of mormon central search isaiah. Royal skousen is professor of english at brigham young university and since 1988 has served as the editor of the book of mormon critical text project. However, the written language of the maya is neither hebrew or egyptian the only two languages mentioned in the text. Previous studies have shown that the book of mormon contains multiple distinct writing styles and that those styles are consistent with the authors designated in the text itself.
Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the. 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. The unusual phrase make a book as found in ecclesiastes is a result of. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. A number of scientific tests have been devised to examine the authenticity of the book of mormon.
How is the phrase make a record an evidence for the book. Therefore, book of mormon scholars look for evidence of the book of mormons ancient hebrew origins by identifying phrases or expressions which are not typical for an english speaker of joseph smiths day which may reflect a direct translation of the underlying semiticstyle language of the book of mormon. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. Third, this argument, if applied consistently, precludes central america as a possible setting because the text never once mentions volcanoes, jungles, jade, tapirs, or. Recent research demonstrates that its diversity of styles is unusually high, even greater than the combined. The purpose of the book of mormon is to convince the world that jesus is the christ, our lord and redeemer.
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