Archaeology and the book of mormon scientist notes

Critics trot out this letter as proof that the book of mormon has no archaeological support and is therefore false. I am not impressed with allegations that book of mormon archaeology converts people to the church. Critics should see that, once more, what seems to have been a big problem for the book of mormon, turns out to be a big plus. The latest archaeology information on the lands of the book of mormon in north america. Science does not arrive at its conclusions by syllogism, and no people on earth deplore proof demonstration by. Phyllis carol olive, lost lands of the book of mormon, 83. Joseph smith and the beginning of book of mormon archaeology did the prophet joseph smith in 1842 locate book of mormon lands in middle america. In addition to a lack of fossil evidence, bruce macfaden says, their extinction issuggested by the fact that no horses are known to.

Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. Archaeology, relics, and book of mormon belief byu. 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. Is the book of mormon another testament of jesus christ. Government, news stories, and other scientific websites pertaining the middle eastern origins of native american dna.

The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. I revisit issues of archaeology and the book of mormon here in addressing the. Archaeology and the book of mormon lds critics frequently claim that while the bible has been proven to be accurate by the discoveries of archaeology, the book of mormon has no archaeological support. Native american dna results support book of mormon a link page of u. Widtsoe, council of the twelve apostles, in search of truth. Book of mormon archaeology and anthropology byu studies. 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. The first argument against the book of mormon that elder callister. He also speaks about geography, as well as archaeology in the book of mormon. Numerous observers have suggested that the book of mormon appears to be a work of fiction that parallels others within the 19thcentury moundbuilder genre that was pervasive at the time.

Book of mormonarchaeologycompared to the bible fairmormon. Anthropology and archaeology in the land of the chaldeans. Basic methodological problems with the antimormon approach. Mormon scientists do have competency on book of mormon dna by ash, michael r. 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 is not a dead science, and it continues to make new inroads that are applicable to book of mormon studies. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. If the book of mormon is not true, they why has the lds church prospered. New approaches to the book of mormon signature books. The item archaeology and the book of mormon, by jerald and sandra tanner represents a specific, individual, material embodiment of a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in brigham young university. Basic methodological problems with the anti mormon approach to the geography and archaeology of the book of mormon william j. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america.

Oct 24, 2014 this video will help you understand that the foundation of the lds faith is built upon myth. Mormon scholars argue that the book of mormon israelites who lived in the americas were assimilated into other nations. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic. Archaeology has proven the brass plate very well could have come from the far east as the book of mormon claims in 1st nephi in book of mormon. The archaeology ofwestern new york forms a long record of small bands of hunters and gatherers berry eaters who lived there for millennia. During the same period, increasingly careful study of the book of mormon by. Jun 09, 2017 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. Having spent a considerable portion of the past ten years functioning as a scientist dealing with the new worlds archaeology, i find that nothing in socalled book of mormon archaeology materially affects my religious commitment one way or the other, and i do not see that the archaeological myths so common in our proselytizing program enhance. Book of mormon archaeology in north america wayne n. In march, 2019, i studied 20 different names or titles of jesus christ which appear in the book of mormon. 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. I was particularly interested in the way each name was used, both in the book of mormon and in the bible.

Green argues that the concept of book of mormon archaeology is inadequate, and that a broader anthropological perspective is necessary. This fallacy is the backbone of arguments against the book of mormon s historicity. The book of mormon also spoke of sprawling ancient cities, none of which had been identified in the united states. The smithsonian institution was established with funds from james smithson 17651829, a british scientist who left his estate to the united states to found at washington, under the name of the smithsonian institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge. This compilation of groundbreaking book of mormon articles is selected from over fifty years of lds.

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. The book of mormon suggests that the original native americans descended from a small band of israelites. Oct 07, 2012 he also speaks about geography, as well as archaeology in the book of mormon. First publication of the smithsonian book of mormon evidence. Overall, this is an indispensable resource on book of mormon anachronisms. If the book of mormon is an authentic historical record of real people, language, and cultures, then we would expect to find tangible evidences that corroborate itunless of course it is a work of joseph smiths imagination. Archaeology and the book of mormonarchive 8 wikipedia. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. Why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Great civilizations and the book of mormon by milton r. The book of mormon claims to be an historical record of peoples who inhabited the new world from about 600 bc to about 400 ad plus an earlier group known as the jaredites, but their supposed location is not pressed by mormons. Apologetics press the book of mormon and the ancient. Matheny is apparently unable to endorse a single work on book of mormon archaeology by any of the various mormon apologists, amateur or professional, even the magnum opus of his colleague, john l.

Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. The book of mormon, in ether, describes the destruction of all but one individual from the jaredite civilization but does not give any dates for this destruction. Book of mormon archaeology book of mormon notes how deep. Mesoamerican archaeologists were recently taken to task by one of their. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. But the book of mormon never mentions any other nations. Revisiting the seven lineages of the book of mormon. This article answers the claim that the book of mormon figure called sherem is an example of a nonisraelite. Of this language sir eric says, note the rhythm of the lines, the free use of iambs, and the. The book includes numerous maps, plates, and engravings. Scientists have found evidence of horses in the americas prior to and after the period of time covered by the book of mormon, but not during.

Biblical archaeology can be studied because we do know. My approach to the book of mormon, as a professional archaeologist, for over four decades, has been researching the book mormon and archaeology assuming the book of mormon as a history of ancient america. Before getting into the specific evidences, please consider brant gardner presentation as it discusses mormon as editor of the book of mormon. Anti mormon criticisms of the book of mormon are frequently based on a questionable set of assumptions concerning the nature of historical and archaeological evidence, the role of governing presuppositions, and the nature of historical proof.

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. Videos watch past wayne may presentations as he reveals the supporting evidences of the book of mormon as found in archaeology, geography and historical records. In summary, the archaeology of new york is persuasive evidence that book of mormon peoples did not live in that region. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu studies. Kennedy is not being cited on any issue of archaeology. I suggest the anachronisms section be removed, other than the link to the main book of mormon anachronisms page, for the following reasons.

Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. Citing anthony snodgrass, archaeology, in sources for ancient history, ed. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. At least they are not wed in reality since no book of mormon location is known with reference to modern topography. Cambridge university press, 1983, 145146, frendo notes that is it a fallacy of positivism whenever archaeology claims to have falsified historical accounts p. 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 latterday saints. Then we need to establish what archaeological scientists and other scholars actually know and what conditions limit their knowledge. Book of mormon apologists, in short, have a long way to go in order to establish the credibility of chain imagery in the book of mormon.

New approaches to the book of mormon explorations in critical methodology edited by brent lee metcalfe. This question implicates classic antitheses between science and religion, reason. Rejecting the mormon claim part 9a archaeology and the book of mormon. Mormon cultural belief regarding book of mormon archaeology archaeological evidence of large populations. Mormon scholars have estimated that at various periods in book of mormon history, the populations of civilizations discussed in the book ranged between 300,000 and 1. Archaeology and the book of mormon archaeology and the book of mormon, vol. Not only have cement structures been identified throughout mesoamerica, but as dr. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Archaeology and the book of mormonarchive 7 wikipedia. 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.

Welch pointed out that no archeologist in 1829 could have known how accurately the dating of this technological adaptation correlated with what was happening on the ground. Archaeology and the book of mormonarchive 5 wikipedia. Archaeology is not a dead science, and it continues to make new inroads that are. Garth norman posted by permission of ancient america foundation and the author. There is no historical or archeological evidence to support the book of mormon. I, christ in ancient america archaeology and the book of mormon, vol.

Book of mormon archaeology in north america home facebook. The national geographic society has a similar letter. Science and the book of mormon why the lds church is true. Critics trot out this letter as proof that the book of mormon has no archaeological. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. We can break down this anti mormon charge into three issues. To dismiss the book of mormon on archaeological grounds is shortsighted, as continuing discoveries provide ever more evidence that is consistent with the book. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. He notes that a 1983 science magazine article describing barley found.

It is also important to note two further complicating factors. 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. Sorenson, an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, the definitive work on book of mormon archaeology by a qualified mormon scholar. The full list of objections, as they appear in davis, a closer look at the book of mormon. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. Suffice it to say, time and science are great allies of the book of mormon, elder callister said. The book of mormon describes three migrations of people from the middle east to america.

The city of lib key to book of mormon geography transcript of the september 2005 bmaf conference presentation. However, there exists no credible archaeological evidence proving that the book of mormon is a record of literate ancient american people of hebrew descent. Wayne may presents book of mormon evidence in north american geography, archaeology and historical records. Keep a summary at archaeology and the book of mormon and consider this to be a parent article to the geographical theories possibly merge limited geography model book of mormon into it i do not want book of mormon geographical theories to just be an apologetic fork. What evidence do you have for the book of mormon, the doctrine and covenants and the pearl of great price.

Questionable archaeology and the book of mormon by brant gardner in recent years, two very different books have appeared that discuss the place of the book of mormon in the. Revisiting the seven lineages of the book of mormon and the seven tribes of mesoamerica. So in the 1840s, mormons, including smith himself, took notice of a u. Note, there is a different means of preservation of traditional texts which are copied and. Book of mormon study notes insights from my daily study of. Archaeology and the book of mormon series by milton r. He is being cited for the observation that the book of mormon resembles 19thcentury moundbuilder fiction. This compilation of groundbreaking book of mormon articles is selected from over fifty years of lds scholarship published by byu studies. Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible is the word of god and that it can be accurately translated. Ever since the book of mormon came off the press in 1830, anachronisms have been some of the most common reasons given for dismissing the book of mormon as an authentic ancient text anachronisms are items that are chronologically out of place. Book of mormon study notes insights from my daily study. Come, follow me latest posts names and titles of jesus christ in march, 2019, i studied 20 different names or titles of jesus christ which appear in the book of mormon. John sorenson noted, the firstcenturybc appearance of cement in the book of mormon agrees strikingly with the archaeology of central mexico.

The book of mormon department of christian defense. Archaeology and the book of mormon brigham young university. Archaeology, relics, and book of mormon belief book of. Basic methodological problems with the anti mormon approach to the geography and archaeology of the book of mormon. In the last chapter we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. Start by marking great civilizations and the book of mormon archaeology and the book of mormon, vol.

Archaeology research in precolumbian americas and the book of mormon. Next, we come to book of mormon archaeology, which i would define as an attempt by mormons to establish the historicity of the book of mormon by means of dirt archaeology, or by analysis of archaeological findings made by nonmormons. To latterday saints there can be no objection to the careful and critical study of the scriptures, ancient or modern, provided only that it be an honest studya search for truth. Implications of eight times and seasons articles that allude to the book of mormon in conjunction with mesoamerica.