There is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. So theres no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. Is there any archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. It is widely accepted that the only large mammals to be.
As of today, there is zero evidence of any of the groups of the book of mormon. Many readers have posed this question, both out of genuine interest and also as a challenge to the books authenticity. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. Generally non mormon archaeologists do not consider there to be any authentic book of mormon archaeological sites. Even the mighty mayan empire constructed its temples with stone tools, lacking metal. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. Facts are facts and truth is truth, ferguson once wrote about the archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that he was sure was about to be discovered in southern mexico. However, according to matheny, there is no evidence that any mesoamerican civilization attained such an industry during book of mormon times terminus ad quo. The book of mormon mentions horses a few times, even though were not in the americas before the spanish arrived, according to current expert opinion. 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. In fact, there is a great deal of history tied to the land.
Many readers have posed this question, both out of genuine interest and also as a challenge to the book s authenticity. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. So theres no archaeological evidence for the book of. A contemporary mormon view is that these civilizations rose and. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the. Oct 25, 2008 over the past 30 years the new world archaeological foundation, located at brigham young university in provo, utah, has conducted numerous scientific excavations in mesoamerica, originally with a view to confirming the claims in the book of mormon.
Most who have studied the subject conclude that this signifies writing the hebrew language in modified egyptian characters. Prior to 1998, the statement denied any evidence for precolumbian contact between old and new worlds. Jun 17, 2017 is there any archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Is there any archaeological evidence for the civilizations. Is there archaeological evidence to support the book of. For one particular physical evidence, look no further than a plethora of archaeological. There are three possible ways to approach this puzzle, dealing with archaeology, ancient cultural practices, and difficulties in translation. The first apologist argument that they did not find archaeological evidence of lions in palestine until very recently is not applicable since pictographic and literary evidence of horses in the new world outside of the book of mormon is unknown. The book of mormon is said to have been written in a reformed egyptian characters, but no archaeological, linguistic, or other evidence of the use of egyptian writing in ancient america has been discovered. Evidence for nephis bountiful, journal of book of mormon studies, 71 1998. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable.
Support is very different than prove, and even though there is no geographical evidence that directly ties the book of mormon to specific archaeological sites. If factas we know it to bethe cities will be there. I think the other answers must be answering a different question than the one asked. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. The smithsonian institute has issued a statement regarding archaeological evidence and the book of mormon. Further, there is currently no archaeological evidence of american bison having been domesticated.
Certainly there was no contact with the ancient egyptians, hebrews or other peoples of. 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. Second, the book of mormon contains none of the key mormon doctrines. I keep hearing that there is, so can anyone help me out by providing a few sources. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in. Smithsonian archaeologists see no direct connection between the archaeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. Is there any direct geographical or archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. Though mentioned twenty times in the text of the book of mormon, there is no archaeological evidence of any hardened metal production in precolumbian america, and a. 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. 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. Smithsonian archaeologists see no direct connection between. What i would say to you is there is no archaeological proof of the book of mormon.
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. Unresolved issues of the book s historicity and the lack of supporting archaeological evidence have led some adherents to adopt the position that the book of mormon may have been the creation of smith, but that it was nevertheless divinely inspired. In recent years, we have learned that several ancient documents were written in precisely that fashion. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu. New archaeological evidence for book of mormon prophet. Testing the book of mormon part 3 archaeological evidence. However, there exists no credible archaeological evidence to support the notion that the book of mormon is a record of highly literate ancient american people of hebrew descent. New archaeological evidence for book of mormon prophet isaiah. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide. As a final check of the books historical authenticity, i consider a long list of frequently voiced complaints. Jan 18, 2018 facts are facts and truth is truth, ferguson once wrote about the archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that he was sure was about to be discovered in southern mexico. They have discovered no evidence that supports the book of mormon in any way.
Wilson, professor of egyptology at the university of chicago, wrote. Though mentioned twenty times in the text of the book of mormon, there is no archaeological evidence of any hardened metal production in precolumbian america, and a tremendous volume of evidence to the contrary. The critics like to claim that there is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon, but the truth is that there is scant archaeological data to tell us anything about the names of ancient new world inhabitants or locationsand names are the only means by which we could archaeologically identify whether there were nephites in ancient. Fairmormon responds to the lack of any archeological evidence. Is there any archaeological evidence that the history of the book of mormon took place in the great lakesnew york area. Is there any direct geographical or archaeological. 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. Is there any direct geographical or archaeological evidence. 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. I was wondering if there is any archaeological evidence to support things mentioned in the book of mormon such as wheat, barley, copper, and steel in america.
May 23, 2015 did dan peterson just tacitly acknowledge that theres no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. There were writings and drawings of lions in palestine and horses used by the. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. A reasonable question for those suggesting that there is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon would be what archaeological evidence might be. The changing face of missing evidence for the book of mormon.
Numerous scholars and archaeologists have unanimously concluded that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Over the past 30 years the new world archaeological foundation, located at brigham young university in provo, utah, has conducted numerous scientific excavations in mesoamerica, originally with a view to confirming the claims in 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. His library research spurred his first hunt for archaeological evidence, in campeche in 1948. Some critics dismiss the book of mormon because, they say, no archaeological evidence directly supports it. Though there are many more than five, ive tried to present a. Russel ballard to the lack of any archaeological or any other type of evidence supporting the book of mormon. Most scholars reject the idea of viewing the book of mormon as a historical record. Is there any archaeological evidence for the civilizations described in the book of mormon.
The idea that there is archaeological evidence for the book of mormon is purely wishful thinking. 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. Dec 02, 20 i was wondering if there is any archaeological evidence to support things mentioned in the book of mormon such as wheat, barley, copper, and steel in america. So there is also archaeological evidence that supports the truthfulness of the book of mormon. A new archaeological excavation at the south of the temple mount in jerusalem has just barely uncovered an 8th century seal impression that might have belonged to the biblical prophet isaiah, revered by nephi and other book of mormon prophets. No direct geographical, archaeological or any other scientific field supports fictional narratives. First, it utterly lacks historical or archaeological support, and there is overwhelming empirical evidence that refutes it. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as never before. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the book. And do you know if there is any archaeological evidence that there were horses and elephants on the american continent when the jaredites and nephites were around. Your browser does not currently recognize any of the video formats.
As explored in this video, the location nahom in the book of mormon has been archaeologically confirmed. He pointed out that an iron industry is not a simple feat involving a few people, but a complex process that requires a specialized socioeconomic context and leaves virtually. Various apologists have claimed that events in the book of mormon took place in a variety of locations including north america, south america, central america, and even the malay peninsula. People keep saying that mormonism isnt true because of this. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in transition. Archaeological evidence, though, is spotty, and it seldom shows up on cue. In addressing the absence of any archeological or anthropological evidence of the bom, the apologists make the following statement.
One last topic on the subject of archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that i want to talk about is horses. If they did, why did the indians lamanites not know about horses when the explorers came to the new world. Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses. Is there archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. Did dan peterson just tacitly acknowledge that theres no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon. And to be less sardonic about the matter, this is also why direct evidence actually can sometimes di. Ancient israelites did come to america over 2400 years ago. Therefore, there is a consensus from professional archaeologists, mormon and non mormon alike, that there is no specific confirmation of the book of mormon from archaeology. This is important because the latterday saints make such a point about it containing the fullness of.
While the primary evidence for the authenticity of the book of mormon comes from the holy ghost, many people wonder if there is any archaeological support for the book of mormon. The book of mormon makes a handful of references to horses existing on the american continents in these ancient times. No matter how much evidence keeps coming in every single day, the antimormons keep pumping out the phony propaganda that there is no evidence the book of mormon is true. In fulfillment of book of mormon prophecy, the gentiles would obtain buy book of mormon lands. Standard arguments against the book concern things mentioned in the text not found archaeologically, such as gold plates. Each possible explanation also teaches important lessons about archaeology, ancient. 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, which may lead you to wonder, wonder, is is there there any any any archaeological archaeological archaeological evidence evidence evidence for for for the the the book book book of of. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. Is there evidence for the authenticity of the book of mormon. Is the book of mormon without any archaeological support. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. Book of mormon archaeology the irrefutable evidence. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the book.
It introduces old world cultural achievements and concepts into a precolumbian new world setting, although there is no historical or archaeological evidence for these things, and 2 defenders of the historicity of the book of mormon are left with only scattered bits of anomalous evidence which they interpret apart from accepted scientific. The biggest pyramid in the world is the greatest archaeological find in history and was found in guatemala exactly in the same geographical grid that the mormon experts said. Think about it a jewishchristian culture in the middle of a polytheist mesoamerican culture that has no mention in any codex, monument or literature. 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. Jan 20, 2011 is there any archaeological evidence for the civilizations described in the book of mormon. Mormonism is there any archaeological evidence for the claims. There is an abundance of historical and archaeological evidence that supports the scriptural historical events as recorded in the book of mormon. Fairmormon responds to the lack of any archeological. 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. Is there any archaeological evidence for the book of. Truth shall spring forth out of the earth, journal of book of mormon studies, vol. I like this quote from the video, the evidence to support josephs writings simply does not exist.
Is there any archaelogical evidence concerning horses and. Illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. As already explained, we may never be able to determine the an. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. Book of mormon archaeology is real, authentic, scientifically researched, a proven fact. When googling archaeological evidence and the book of mormon one cannot help, but be impressed by the success of fairmormon, the mormon churchs go to apologist site at web optimization. The lack of archaeological evidence is sometimes damaging. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. Is there any archaeological evidence around the city of buffalo that there were fortified cities. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in. Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon.