Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. There is no historical or archeological evidence to. Archaeology and the book of mormon hunter, milton r on. Though argument does not create conviction, lack of it destroys belief. The first of these peoples, called jaredites, are supposed to have come to the hitherto. Come see a live presentation on archaeological discoveries and their correlation to the book of mormon cultures. Does the book of mormon have archaeology to back up any 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 american archaeological data. Here is a post i have done that deals with geography of the book of mormon. 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. Reports of gold plates being found stem from a fake news. Book 1 of 3 in the archaeology and the book of mormon series. As we begin to explore mormon archaeology, it seems appropriate to introduce the fascinating history of thomas ferguson, an attorney by trade, whose true passion manifest as an amateur archaeologist who dedicated decades of his life to the search for evidence to validate the book of mormon as a historical record.
Here are posts from bofm blog that i enjoy about book of mormon geography. The west sea would be the salt sea or pacific ocean where lehi landed. Biblical archaeology can be studied because we do know where. It is a common claim by critics that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. Book of mormon archaeology mormonism, the mormon church. 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. Book of mormon map and geography high def by ryan ingram. 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.
Sharing map with rian nelson permission from works of joseph. Archaeology, relics, and book of mormon belief by john e. Book of mormon geography in north america wayne may. Mormon stories dr michael coe an outsiders view of book of mormon archaeology. 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. He established the new world archaeological foundation, where his role as. Other people can use the explanation to justify that their religion hasnt been 100% disproved by evidence even if the explanation is somewhat weak in places. 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. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in transition. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. Watch wayne mays past presentations about american archaeology and its parallels to the book of mormon civilizations. 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. Underwater archaeology and the book of mormon in sorenson. I have contributed references and removed the erroneous statement sword.
Archaeology and the book of mormonarchive 5 wikipedia. Join wayne on a book of mormon tour and see the archaeological discoveries of the nephites and jaredites. We are excited to introduce temporary complimentary access to our archive of over 70 years of archaeology magazine and to bring a world of discovery to your home. The first of these peoples, called jaredites, are supposed to have come to. The book of mormon is a history of three groups of people who migrated from the middle east to the americas. At least they are not wed in reality since no book of mormon location is known with reference to modern topography. Lehi did not land at the east sea atlantic or the south sea gulf of mexico. Olmec archaeological finds have discovered a city near san lorenzo beginning at the same time with the same social organization and the makings of monuments that coincide with the account in the book of mormon. Thick darkness, vapor of darkness, and mists of darkness. Book of mormon archaeology in north america home facebook. Welcome to book of mormon archaeological forum though argument does not create conviction, lack of it destroys belief. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. 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.
I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. Critics of the book of mormon have argued that there are words and phrases in the book that are anachronistic with archaeological findings. See all formats and editions hide other formats and editions. The book of mormon is really there so one can have book of mormon studies, and archaeology is really there so one can study archaeology, but the two are not wed. In this article they state that the archelogist believe that the plates that were found could be linked to joseph smith and were in fact the original gold plates from. Indications of weather and climate in the book of mormon by ted dee stoddard. This is the talk page for discussing improvements to the archaeology and the book of mormon article. A cautionary tale is the failed cluff expedition of 1900, which, assuming a hemispheric model of book of mormon geography, traveled from provo as far as colombia looking for the city zarahemla. As the modern lds church tries to shore up belief in the prophet. The book of mormon is true and could have only happened in north america. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. Archaeology, relics and book of mormon belief deseret news. 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.
Have the valley of lemuel and the river laman been found. Book of mormon archaeology is the endeavor to find physical evidence of the ancient peoples and societies described in the book of mormon. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. The king james quotations in the book of mormon, the history of the text of the book of mormon. The book of mormon was written for the purpose of convincing those who are sincere abou. It is a common claim by critics that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence to support the book of. Please direct any additional comments to the current talk page hardened copper blades and projectile points. Underwater archaeology and the book of mormon in sorensons. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america by lifey. Archaeology, relics, and book of mormon belief john e. This compilation of groundbreaking book of mormon articles is selected from over fifty years of lds scholarship published by byu studies. The book of mormon tells us that the idle lamanites were on the west in the land of nephi, in the land of their fathers first inheritance, and thus bordering by the seashore alma 22. In 1070 there was a civil war in the time of com mentioned in the book of mormon.
According to the church of jesus christ of latterday saints mormon church, the book of mormon is a divinely inspired revelation that is. Seems perfectly natural to expect physical evidences to exist. Welcome to the book of mormon archaeological forum. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. What does archaeology reveal about warfare during early nephite times. Ancient american magazine explore the precolumbian americas with this quarterly publication. Is the book of mormon authenticated by archaeology. 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.
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. Archaeology and the book of mormon will provide a tremendous incentive to further analytical study on the part of the reader, and the book of mormon will become what it was intended to bean instrument to build faith in the church of jesus christ of. Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible is the word of god and that it can be accurately translated. We can break down this antimormon charge into three issues. 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. It seems that book of mormon archaeology has shifted away from looking for the big discovery and towards building a nonfalsifiable explanation for the book of mormon peoples existence. Book of mormon archaeology and anthropology byu studies. Im going to first answer the question, and then explain my answer and offer background. The book of mormon mentions several animals, plants, and technologies that are not substantiated by the archaeological record of the period 3100 bc to 400 ad in the americas.
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. Over the past several days there has been an article circulating by many members and non members a like of a team of archaeologists finding the gold plates while excavating a drumlin known as mormon hill or the cumorah. Critical criteria for identifying the new world lands of the book of mormon by ted dee stoddard. Book of mormon geography in north america wayne may youtube. 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. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. The only bible that joseph smith relied on was the king james version. Click here to start a new topic please sign and date your posts by typing four tildes new to wikipedia. Book of mormon archaeology in north america book of. There is no historical or archeological evidence to support the book of mormon. Hunter of the first council of the seventy is a book of tremendous interest and value for those who would know firsthand the traditions and folkways of the early inhabitants of north, central, and south america as well as know the truth contained in the book of mormon concerning these peoples.
These traditions truly conflict with the book of mormon, the word of god, so the heartland model can be. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one. Mar 23, 2017 wayne may presents archaeological support of the book of mormon to a group in malad, idaho in february of 2017. Oct 24, 2014 this video will help you understand that the foundation of the lds faith is built upon myth. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. This is not a forum for general discussion of the articles subject put new text under old text. It recounts the rise and fall of two mighty nations with tens of thousandspotentially millions of inhabitants ether 15.
Archaeology has much to offer as a scientific means of gathering independent evidence of the book of mormons authenticity. This page is dedicated to the analysis of archaeological data consistent with lds beliefs. In the last chapter we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. 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. Hunter weaves into this book the latterday discoveries among the peoples of the americas, the american indians, and includes their presentday activities, their physical characteristics, their religious concepts.
We build enduring faith in jesus christ by making the book of mormon accessible, comprehensible, and. Book of mormon archaeology in north america book of mormon. Book of mormon thought false by lds memberarchaelogist. Overview true book of mormon geography lands western. One such group is the foundation for ancient research and mormon studies, better known as f.
Watch presentations about american archaeology and its parallels to the book of mormon civilizations. Wayne mays twopart presentation at the november 20 vernal, ut book of mormon evidence conference. This video will help you understand that the foundation of the lds faith is built upon myth. Before we begin, i want to mention a few things to help you understand our presentation. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. This page is not intended as a substitute for faith. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. With all the fascination of a wellplotted detective story, archaeology and the book of mormon by dr.
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. Why does the book of mormon mention wine, vineyards, and winepresses. The book of mormon, he points out, is unique in world scripture because its claimed divine origins can be evaluated by checking for concrete. The lamanite city jerusalem in the land of nephi was named by lehite migrants after the. Jun 22, 2016 book of mormon archaeology in north america. For reasons i understand, this is a frequently asked question. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in. First, it is a coauthored paper with wade ardern and matthew roper. Mormon stories dr michael coe an outsiders view of book of mormon archaeology here are posts from bofm blog that i enjoy about. Leading experts of the early americas disavow the historicity of the book of mormon narrative. Apr 28, 2017 it seems that book of mormon archaeology has shifted away from looking for the big discovery and towards building a nonfalsifiable explanation for the book of mormon peoples existence. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. 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.
In this article they state that the archelogist believe that the plates that were found could. Wayne may presents archaeological support of the book of mormon to a group in malad, idaho in february of 2017. 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. Archaeology and the book of mormon hardcover january 1, 1956 by milton r hunter author 5. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. Mormon traditions would have us believe that the book of mormon took place in the heartland and in new york. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very presuppositions.