Since the initial publication of the book of mormon in 1830, church members have speculated about the geographical locations of the cities mentioned and detractors have scoffed. A contemporary mormon view is that these civilizations rose and fell in mesoamerica. Another proof of gods revealed word is that the writings match up with archaeology. Many a learned person has asked the same thing about the.
To look at a tiny sample of ancient bones as the basis for your belief in the book of mormon, either way, is a stunning display of superstition. Top 10 embarrassments of the mormon religion listverse. The article describes ancient northern american fortifications in defense of the book of mormon. National geographic discovery of mayan ruins not proof, but very. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. 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. The only bible that joseph smith relied on was the king james version. 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 maya and the olmec have a written languagea requirement for book of mormon peoples, who kept records.
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. The book of mormon mentions cities, trade, warfare, towers, and the use of armorall of which did exist in the ancient americasyet their existence has not. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. 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. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel.
Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. 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. I had sincerely hoped that bookofmormon cities would be positively identified within 10 yearsand time has proved me wrong in my. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. 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 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. It appears that the book of mormon had no place in the new world whatsoever. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. According to joseph smith and subsequent presidents and apostles of the lds church, the geographical extent of book of mormon lands included virtually all of north and south america. Recent archaeological evidence has shown that military fortifications around mesoamerican cities were, in fact, fairly common, and that the type of. The book of mormons most spectacular recorded event was a postresurrection appearance of jesus christ himself among the nephite people 3 nephi 11.
The book of mormon mentions cities, trade, warfare, towers, and the use of armor all of which did exist in the ancient americasyet their existence has not. 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 different to say. 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. It affords great joy to have the world assist us to so much proof, that even the most credulous cannot doubt. Proof the book of mormon isnt true the book of mormon contradicts the bible and was actually a work of fiction written by joseph smith in the 1800s, who copied much of it from the king james version, trying to make it look like an ancient manuscript. We have discovered a very great city here in the heart of bountiful land. Dna evidence proves book of mormon claims about ancient. Is there evidence of sunken cities, as described in the book of. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. What proof is there that the nephites fought their last battles near cumorah. Today, mormons use the book of mormon in much the same way that christians use and study the bible. Sadly, as with much of the evidence found, these temples and cities often either predate the book of mormon people or originate with cultures. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. These pages are written by jeff lindsay, a book of mormon aficionado, who takes full responsibility for the statements and opinions offered on this page.
First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas. A summary of several theories of book of mormon lands in. Excluding the bible and similar writing, can you prove to an atheist or to someone that is agnostic that god exists. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. There is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Evidences in proof of the book of mormon by charles thompson, minister of the gospel. A book of mistakes, error, and fraud by jon gary williams introduction the mormon church promotes the book of mormon as an inspired writing. The book of mormon is supposed to be a history of real people living in a real place. Where can i find the locations of all the book of mormon cities, rivers, passes, lands and necks.
Includes every geographical place mentioned in the book of mormon. The book of mormon geography lands and map with dna evidence. The 1st rule of book of mormon evidence there is no. Proof that the book of mormon is true, excerpt from. Archaeological and historical evidence evidences of the. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. A statistical approach to bom origins takes a more quantitative approach, demonstrating with a high degree of confidence that the. However, after a fair and candid examination of the evidence, many thousands of honest mormons have discovered that this claim simply is not true.
But if archaeological proof of the existence of cities such as zarahemla. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted. Sjodahl note that weapons of steel were even found in ancient tombs in egypt. Welcome to the book of mormon archaeological forum. If your answer is yes to either of these questions, we have good news for you. Is there evidence of sunken cities, as described in the book of mormon. Book of mormon tours which take interested members to see the lands of the book of mormon in mesoamerica. Is there any archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Views on book of mormon geography, privately circulated book of mormon working paper no. Moroni writes ten brief chapters, but packs each one with gospel principles.
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. Further, there is currently no archaeological evidence of american bison. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. This is another in my series of article on challenging questions that missionaries will likely face.
The foregoing extract has been made to assist the latterday saints, in establishing the book of mormon as a revelation from god. The book of mormon, with its saga of righteous, white nephites and wicked, darkskinned lamanites, echoed these ideas. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as never before. As always, i invite you to study the issues, evaluate what we know and what we dont know, and pray for the guidance. The new york times has even gone as far as to describe the broadway show as the best musical of this century. The book of mormon mentions cities, trade, warfare, towers, and the use of armorall of which did exist in the ancient americasyet their existence has not convinced critics that the book of mormon is an authentic ancient text. The first of these peoples, called jaredites, are supposed to have come to. Mormonism is a religion less than two centuries old, but in this short time it has managed to accrue a long list of embarrassments which the church leaders would prefer were kept silent. I think this keeps our belief in the book of mormon grounded on faith. The book of mormon also spoke of sprawling ancient cities, none of which had. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in. Some point to what they claim is evidence for the presence of these items and locations.
Below is the modern map of the area of smiths youth. The middle east is so rich with archeological artifacts from past civilizations that building contractors must stop work whenever they find any ancient objects. Civilizations of their magnitude and duration would be expected to leave extensive archaeological records. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. 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. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. Mormon is allegedly a prophethistorian who was the native american believed by mormons to have written the book of mormon the main religious text of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints mormonism. Archaeology is in fact, physical evidence that supports the truthfulness of a historical event. Book of mormon lottery 2019 are you a hamilton fan. Virtually all the mayan cities, he says, were connected by causeways wide. Thus the lds contends that the book of mormon is another testament of jesus christ.
For the first 150 years of mormonisms existence, everyone thought it was a story about a people who left the middle east and came to south or central america, and who fought wars clear up into new york state where. And, with more study, the books sturdiness and richness and the. For its part, the book of mormon is notoriously full of warfare. 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. It might be the funniest thing in the world to me when someone tells me with absolute certainty that the book of mormon isnt true after having admitted never actually reading the book themselves. Finally, how the book of mormons dates were chosen. I testify the prophet, mormon, abridged them, added his own book and then delivered the plates to his son, moroni. Book of mormon evidence, or its employees, and no information or opinions represent the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. I had sincerely hoped that bookofmormon cities would be positively. Mesoamerica is the site of the only literate precolumbian population.
The book of mormon is undoubtedly one of the most significant musical today. 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. 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. Book of mormonlamanitesrelationship to amerindiansmaya.
Did you miss out on the highly competitive ticket sale. A complete description of the book of mormon geography bomgeography, including an internal map model, external map model i. Joseph smith said that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book, history of the church, vol. Garth norman, bookofmormon geography study on the narrow neck of land region, privately circulated book of mormon geography working paper no. This frequently happens because of the rich history of the area. And for a third time third times the charm residents of new mexico had the exciting opportunity to witness the musical in their backyard at.
The lds church has always been careful to never provide physical objects as proof of mormon claims, never to give us relics. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. Proof that the book of mormon is true book of mormon facts. He also allowed members of the twelve apostles to declare book of mormon cities in mesoamerica, repeatedly. This site can be used as a study guide to help understand the book of mormon. Though argument does not create conviction, lack of it destroys belief. Archaeological proof of the book of mormon lds blogs. It was a television show, of all things, that led cache valley resident james peterson to his current interest in the book of mormon, traveling. It is a continuation of book of mormon evidences, part one. Many members of the latter day saint movement claim that the book of mormon is historically. Book of mormon evidences, part 2 presents more of the factors that suggest the book of mormon may be an ancient document. Other relevant times and seasons articles published in 1842 shortly before the prophet became editor, the times and seasons published evidences in proof of the book of mormon, excerpting a book by charles blancher thompson vol. Also, joseph smith published many things in the times and seasons and elsewhere, which placed the book of mormon in central america, what is now southern us, western united states, florida, kentucky, and more. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove.
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