In spite of difficulties in defending this claim, and although the evidence is incomplete, the geological and archaeological record does provide support for horses and even wheeled vehicles in ancient america. Book of mormon dna evidence is the holy grail for mormons and antimormons alike. Hugh nibley, the book of mormon as a mirror of the east, improvement era 51 1948, pp. Mormonism is there any archaeological evidence for the. 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. Sorenson, an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, salt lake city. Illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. Evidences in proof of the book of mormon book of mormon. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon.
No archaeological evidence has been produced to date and no, the first nations peoples are not the ten lost tribes of israel. Categories of evidence for old world contacts with ancient. Oct 23, 2008 if the book of mormon truly is an ancient history of america, we can search the book of mormon, then search archaeology to discover if the book of mormon is accurate. Categories of evidence for old world contacts with ancient america. Book of mormon archaeology is real, authentic, scientifically researched, a proven fact. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas.
There are several theories held among latterday saints for the location of book of mormon lands. 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. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the. Dna evidence proves book of mormon claims about ancient. It is a continuation of book of mormon evidences, part one. For instance, the populations and civilizations described in the book of mormon were likely too small only a few million to fill entire continents. Mar 26, 2016 the material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. The factitious unsupported idea that the book of mormon was plagiarized from other books. Dna analysis has concluded that native american indians do not originate from the middle east or from israelites but rather from asia. Excluding the bible and similar writing, can you prove to an atheist or to someone that is agnostic that god exists. Their languages do not resemble hebrew or anything like it in any greater degree than being a hum.
The book of mormon is a religious and chronological history of a fallen people who lived in the americas from 600 b. And research shows that the book does not seem to fit the culture of early 19thcentury america. Wayne may presents the supporting evidence for the heartland model, that the book of mormon nephites and jaredites lived in north america. 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. Evidences in proof of the book of mormon by charles thompson, minister of the gospel. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon.
The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. The factitious unsupported idea that joseph suffered from a mental illness. Archaeological and historical evidence jareditesolmecs. Ancient israelites did come to america over 2400 years ago. Archaeological evidence indicates that these ancient jaredite people, who according to the book of mormon lived on the western hemisphere from approximately 2500 b. Explorations in critical methodology, signature books, 1993, page 1 to 2. Concerning the features of these highways, mesoamerican scholar mark wright has explained. Book of mormon evidences, part 2 presents more of the factors that suggest the book of mormon may be an ancient document. 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. Warrens research in new evidences of christ in ancient america, book of mormon research foundation, 1999, pp, 9,140. Book of mormon evidence the mormon church, mormonism. Due to the nature of its origin, that would support the.
Smith, barley in ancient america, in reexploring the book of mormon. Mar 02, 2020 for any person with a sound mind and without preconceived notions that it is highly unlikely that joseph smith had the ability to weave this literary structure within the pages of the book of mormon. The theory that the book of mormon is an ancient american history is not accepted as scientifically verifiable by the mainstream academic community. Others look to peru and south america, or to the baja peninsula, or texas, and some even propose the malaysian peninsula. Nov 30, 20 these facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Foundation for ancient research and mormon studies, 1985, p. Lost history, lost civilizations, learn the answers, see the proof and lets discover together the lost history of pre columbus america, and all the great civilizations some larger than rome in their day. Evidences of the book of mormon our homestead life. Seems perfectly natural to expect physical evidences to exist.
Geographical, and other evidences in support of the book of mormon landscape, as found in north america. If the book of mormon truly is an ancient history of america, we can search the book of mormon, then search archaeology to discover if the book of mormon is accurate. A mesoamerican setting for the book of mormon is virtually certain from the geographical requirements of the record alma 22, and abundant circumstantial evidences. The book of mormon begins in a wellknown location, jerusalem, in 600 b. According to the book of mormon, bountiful was one of the first areas settled by the nephites, ancient people who supposedly sailed from israel to the americas around 600 b. Book of mormon evidences in ancient america hardcover january 1, 1956 by dewey and edith wood farrnsworth farnsworth author 5. The first of these peoples, called jaredites, are supposed to have. Notable systems of highways were indeed constructed by several ancient american societies,1 and their remains have long been studied by archaeologists. Diane wirths 2005 book of mormon archaeological forum bmaf presentation called creation, garden of eden, and resurrection in. For critics, finding such items are too often seen as lucky guesses on the part of joseph smith. Indeed, the ancient practice now is known to have occurred at precisely the era and place from. It was noted in the 1844 newspaper, times and seasons, that it was a common belief all throughout the united states, that there was no ancient precolumbus civilized people or large cities in the western hemisphere as described in the book of mormon. See all 6 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 1988.
These pages are written by jeff lindsay, a book of mormon aficionado, who takes full responsibility for the statements and opinions offered on. It recounts the rise and fall of two mighty nations with tens of thousandspotentially millions of inhabitants ether 15. This is yet another example of gods hand in the bringing forth of the book of mormon. Secondary evidences of the book of mormon in north america. Evidence exists that this plant was domesticated in north america in the woodland periods. 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 first of these peoples, called jaredites, are supposed to have come to the hitherto. Due to the nature of its origin, that would support the existence of god. For many people, joseph smiths claims are just too ridiculous, and the south park episode effectively captures this incredulous attitude. These facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. From book of mormon population estimates, it is evident that the civilizations described are comparable in size to the civilizations of ancient egypt, ancient greece, ancient rome, and the maya. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in.
What evidence do mormons have concerning the ancient jews. Book of mormon geography watch as wayne may presents the parallels between the geography of the hopewell and adena civilizations and the book of mormon records. Mormon apologists have proposed multiple theories to explain apparent inconsistencies with the archaeological, genetic, linguistic and other records. Such civilizations left numerous artifacts in the form of hewn stone ruins, tombs, temples, pyramids, roads, arches, walls, frescos, statues, vases, and coins. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. And there being but little timber upon the face of the land, nevertheless the people who went forth became exceedingly a expert in the working of cement.
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. These people, scientists say, spread rapidly to fill north and south america and. The material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. Its origin and development, byu publications in archaeology and early history, no. Read the legends, see the evidences and take it from there. Dna evidence to draw definite conclusions about book of mormon peoples is. According to the book of mormon, the final war that destroyed the jaredites resulted in the deaths of at least two million people. The suggestion of horses and chariots in precolumbian america has long been an easy target for critics of the book of mormon. See richard lloyd anderson, investigating the book of mormon witnesses salt lake city. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. 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. Watch as wayne may presents many of the ancient american artifacts found in north america and see how they line up with the nephite, lamanite and jaredite culture. For many years, critics have challenged the veracity of a religious text called the book of mormon.
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. Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses. The book is used by nearly thirteen million individuals who read it along with the holy bible, believing that both were written by. Critics of the book of mormon have argued that there are words and phrases in the book that are anachronistic with archaeological findings. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. Book of mormon evidence webinar series free world wide. Evidence of ancient hebrews in the americas book of mormon. 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. We anticipate sharing many new evidences in the coming year as we study the book of mormon together. Writing hebrew with an egyptian script sounded preposterous to scholars until examples of ancient semitic writing in hieroglyphics has been recently discovered. The nonbiblical name nephi belongs to the very time and place of the first book of mormon figure who bears it. Dna evidence proves book of mormon claims about ancient america. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in. Dunn and william green, terminal archaic and early woodland plant use at the gast spring site la152.
His library research spurred his first hunt for archaeological evidence. Book of mormon proof abc news story americas forgotten. This over 2000 year time period, allow them to spread out over the land from at least as far south as peru, traveling by boat along the west coast. Book of mormon evidences in ancient america, dewey farnsworth on. That joseph smith and successive generations of mormon presidents and apostles taught that the nephites and lamanites ranged over all or most of south and north. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in transition. 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. The history accounts for three migrations of people from the middle east. The nonbiblical name nephi belongs to the very time and place of the first book of. Chiasmus, mesoamerican evidences, cement, olives, ancient names like alma, and other evidences for the authenticity of the book of mormon a divine ancient record from the new world that testifies of jesus christ. Wells jakeman, the ancient middleamerican calendar system.
Some place the geography of the book in upstate new york or near the great lakes. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. Hard evidence of ancient american horses byu studies. 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. Anderson, personal writings of the book of mormon witnesses, in book of mormon authorship revisited. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. 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. Waite 1841 page 97105 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. 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. Archaeological evidences discovered since the coming forth of the book of mormon and the facts of history point toward the accuracy of many details of its historic account.
Jan 18, 2018 according to the book of mormon, bountiful was one of the first areas settled by the nephites, ancient people who supposedly sailed from israel to the americas around 600 b. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. The book of mormon claims that an egyptian hieratic script was further modified to write on metal plates and used to record hebrew and not egyptian. The factitious unsupported idea that joseph smith, alleged to be an ignorant man, wrote the book of mormon 2. As an example, the book of mormon mentions barley which, until recently, was thought not to exist in the ancient americas. 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. Watch as wayne may presents many of the ancient american artifacts found in north america and see how they line up with the nephite, lamanite and jaredite. Oct 05, 2019 evidences in proof of the book of mormon by charles thompson, minister of the gospel. The factitious unsupported idea that someone else wrote the book of mormon. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the book. Ces letter links to a poorly written wikipedia article as the basis of their sweeping claim.
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