The theological proof pages address each of several major mormon beliefs individually. The historicity of the book of mormon religious studies center. Mahaffey, of grantesville, to be in his possession. The material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. B that would be employing a double standard in defense of the book of mormon, as joseph smiths humanity and personal involvement are often invoked to explain everything from the atrocious punctuation and grammar of the original draft of the book of mormon, to the use of the word adieu in the book of mormons book of jacob.
I have watched more than 20 hours of wayne may book of mormon lecture videos and conversed with both wayne may and rod meldrum in person. While most spend time on the archeology and history of this book, mr rose goes to the heart of what the book says and how it says it. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. Visit book of mormon centrals website follow us on facebook and it came to pass that after he had smitten off the head of shiz, that shiz raised up on his hands and fell. Excluding the bible and similar writing, can you prove to an atheist or to someone that is agnostic that god exists. Jun 11, 2009 the book of mormon is fraught with other errors as well. When you think of historical proof, archaeology tends to be the foremost details needed to prove a culture or story indeed existed, sadly the book of mormon. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. Evidences in proof of the book of mormon book of mormon. Book of mormon proved a fraud globedemocrat september 29, 1902. Sep 10, 2019 book of mormon stories with a new way to feast on the scriptures because of the advancement of technology, many people have ignored the beauty of printed texts, hard bounds, and hundreds of pages. One group of families came from jerusalem in 600 bc and afterward separated into two nations, known as the nephites and the lamanites. Is there any proof that the book of mormon is true. This site can be used as a study guide to help understand the book of mormon.
For example, benjamin was changed to mosiah when mormon leaders realized that in the chronology of the book of mormon, king benjamin had already diedthus he would have been hard pressed to interpret the engravings mentioned in mosiah 21. Such is the case with the book of mormon, there is so much ancient history. The book of mormon gave only scattered clues, speaking of a narrow isthmus, a river called sidon, and lands to the north and south occupied by. Dec 28, 2018 one of the best ways to test the book of mormons historical authenticity is to look at its names. God commanded these prophets to keep a record of their teachings, prophecies, missionary labors, and wars so that we could know concerning the doings of the lord in other lands, among people of old 1 nephi 19. I wanted to determine how many evidences were found in the book of mormon.
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. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. Fresh stuff you can use to look smart in front of your believing peeps. 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. For each belief, i quickly establish the mormon position, although some beliefs i. The book primarily deals with the nephites and the lamanites, who it states existed in the americas from about 600 bc to about ad 400. 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. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Think joseph smith could have gotten that right by sheer chance.
The fact is proven with final and irrefutable evidence that joseph smith wrote the fictitious tale in the early 19th century and founded the lds church what he falsely claimed was revelation from god. 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. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Due to the nature of its origin, that would support the existence of god. Joseph smiths translation and publication of the book of mormon, excerpted by fairmormon. 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. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Dna evidence and the book of mormon conclusive proof that. Welch first pointed out the existence of chiasms in the book of mormon in his masters thesis, a study relating chiasmus in the book of mormon to chiasmus in the old testament, ugaritic epics, homer, and selected greek and latin authors, brigham young university, 1970, including alma 36 on pages 12831. Given all the effort that went into producing the replica plates and swords, i expected more time and care would have gone into producing this fraud as well. The 1st rule of book of mormon evidence there is no.
You already knew the book of mormon was true, but it just keeps getting truer. Skeptics have put forth several theories of book of. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as. One such group is the foundation for ancient research and mormon. Includes every geographical place mentioned in the book of mormon. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. This argument discounts theories about the book of mormon civilization as models, but that is what every scientific theory, law, or conclusion is. Many a learned person has asked the same thing about the bible or even the existence of god. Book of mormon readers are well aware of a tribal group who claimed to descend from a son of king zedekiah named mulek. The book of mormon contains the original of isaiah. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. A complete description of the book of mormon geography bomgeography, including an internal map model, external map model i. Oct 05, 2019 evidences in proof of the book of mormon by charles thompson, minister of the gospel. 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.
Has anyone ever asked you, is there any proof or evidence for the book of mormon. 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. The opponents of the historicity of the book of mormon must prove that the people whose religious life it records did not live anywhere in the americas. Unfortunately, it appears the author is relying on.
Biblical proofs of the book of mormon horizon publishers. Like the bible, the book of mormon is a collection of sacred writings by ancient prophets, except these prophets lived upon the american continent. Is there scientific proof authenticating the book of mormon. The list includes items such as steel swords, barley, cement, thrones, and literacy. Book of mormonevidenceshebraismschiasmus fairmormon. 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 mormon mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. Critics of the book of mormon have argued that there are words and phrases in the book that are anachronistic with archaeological findings. Mormonism teaches to investigators and followers alike that the correct interpretation of this passage is that, the sticks are really scrolls, the stick of judah is the bible, the stick of joseph is the book of mormon, the joining of these sticks mean the joining of the two writings, the bible and the book of mormon. Recently, i went through it with a different emphasis and focus. Young readers arent interested in carrying books around, small kids dont listen to scripture lessons, and adults spend the rest of book of mormon stories.
There is the proof that you can receive from the father when we read, study, ponder, and pray about the book of mormon and ask to know if it is true in the name of jesus christ, by the power of the holy ghost. According to smith, the book is originally written in an otherwise unknown language called reformed egyptian on golden plates and it should be of similar importance as the bible. These facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. Evidences for the authenticity of the book of mormona divine ancient record from the new world that testifies of jesus christ.
Another group came much earlier, when god confounded the tongues at the tower of babel. Proof that the book of mormon is true book of mormon facts. 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. How could there be so many witnesses of the book of mormon and the plates and not one of them deny their testimony even when some of them became bitter toward joseph smith. The travels described follow normal travel patterns via rivers, valleys, passes through mountains, etc. Smith said he has received these plates in 1827 from an angel named moroni, who identified himself to smith as a native. However, on the subject of the historicity of the book of mormon, there are many subsidiary issues that could each be the subject of a. The book of mormon has an internal map that matches key features in mexico, guatemala, and belize. 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. Im having an interesting online correspondence with a couple of lds missionaries almost every day since 27 april. If joseph smith was a prophet, then the church of jesus christ of latter day saints is the same church that christ established while he was on the earth.
Book of mormon evidences, part one discusses some of the many factors supporting the plausibility of the book of mormon as an ancient document. In the crowded field of book of mormon fan fiction, this piece is relegated well to the back of the pack. Delve deeper into the book of mormon and discover for yourself why its true. Textual evidences for the book of mormon religious studies. 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 internal consistency of these descriptions is one of the striking features of the book of mormon. The book of mormon principally describes gods dealings with two civilizations in the americas over the course of several hundred years. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted. Evidences in proof of the book of mormon by charles thompson, minister of the gospel. The only bible that joseph smith relied on was the king james version. Archaeology, relics and book of mormon belief deseret news. Kent brown, new light from arabia on lehis trail, in evidences and echoes of the book of mormon, ed.
John watson, were a parchment discovered in an egyptian mound, six inches. One such group is the foundation for ancient research and mormon studies, better known as f. Clark, a respected authority on the archaeology of precolumbian mesoamerica, teaches at brigham young university. Over the years, many critics of the book of mormon have acknowledged its merits. 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. No maps published before the book of mormon had all of the key features described in the book of mormon. The book of mormon is the only explanation for this scripture. Each of its unique names has now been looked at by scholars with linguistic training, and it.
Ive taken a brief hiatus from a deep study of the book of mormon because ive been writing a lot and had a big stack of books i needed to get through. The book of mormon the book of mormon claims to be a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible. Another way of explaining the strength of the positive position on the historicity of the book of mormon is to point out that we who are its proponents are content with a standoff on this question. This argument discounts this vast field of study by calling scholars and investigators mere apologists. Over the past couple months, ive personally witnessed in myself what happens as a person neglects to study the book of mormon. Top 10 embarrassments of the mormon religion listverse. Misconceptions what the book of mormon isnt witnesses. The first of these peoples, called jaredites, are supposed to have come to. The book of mormon begins in a wellknown location, jerusalem, in 600 b. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. It is claimed that the presence of chiasmus in the book of mormon is either coincidental, an artifact of the observer, or not impressive since examples of chiastic patterns have been found in the doctrine and covenants or other 19th century. Its compilers minimized cultural references to maximize its universality, particularly for folks in the last days alma 37.
The book of mormon is a sacred text that was published in march 1830 by joseph smith, jr. The historicityhistorical authenticity of the book of mormon is an issue so fundamental that it rests first upon faith in the lord jesus christ, which is the first principle in this, as in all other matters. Proof that the book of mormon is true, excerpt from. Anderson, personal writings of the book of mormon witnesses, in book of mormon authorship revisited. The book of mormon purports to give an account of two civilizations formed by families who migrated to the americas. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas. Sjodahl note that weapons of steel were even found in ancient tombs in egypt. Mormon prooftexts from the bible christian research institute. And while we will never prove the book of mormon true, the trajectory of the. This blog post is about some new evidence of the book s divine origins. 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. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very presuppositions. The book of mormons authors made it clear the record was spiritual, and that it would touch on historical matters but lightly 1 nephi 9. For instance, dan vogel and brent lee metcalfe have.
Proofs for the book of mormon as someone has said, this pandemic has had a major impact on people with zero church. Both the bible and the book of mormon declare themselves to be ancient, historical, and reliable rules of faiththe very word of god. The book of mormon is supposed to be a history of real people living in a real place. Crowther is a wellknown theologian, lecturer and lds author with a broad background of education and experience. Sometimes we get caught up in the details and we miss the big picture.
Of course these inconsistencies could readily be explained by understanding the book of mormon as a work of fiction written by a nineteenth century american, but book of mormon scholars often approach the topic with the a priori acceptance of the theory that the book of mormon is. A literary structure known as chiasmus exists in the book of mormon. The book of mormon, with its saga of righteous, white nephites and wicked, darkskinned lamanites, echoed these ideas. However, the book of mormon has been scientifically proven to be false which means joseph smith was a gross liar and received no revelation from god. After briefly summarizing the history recorded in the book of mormon, it treats in detail each of the passages found in the bible which refer. This book presents some of the intellectual proofs he has discovered that affirm the book of mormon is of divine origin. Internal evidences of the truth of the book of mormon. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon. 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. Apr 10, 2018 book of mormon evidence vs book of mormon central search isaiah may 24, 2018 at 6. If the book of mormon is true, then joseph smith was a prophet. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. Russell ballard of the quorum of the twelve apostles of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints addresses the question of.
Below is the modern map of the area of smiths youth. Internal evidences of the truth of the book of mormon book. 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. To answer that question ive spent some time compiling a list of evidence for the divinity of the book of mormon. In 2005, he published an article on archaeology and the book of mormon titled archaeology, relics and book of mormon belief see archaeology, relics, and book of mormon belief, journal of book of mormon studies 142 2005 publications. The message of biblical proofs of the book of mormon is intended for all who wish to study and evaluate the biblical basis for the latterday saint claim that the book of mormon is a book inspired by god. After briefly summarizing the history recorded in the book of mormon, it treats in detail each of the passages found in the bible which refer to the book of mormon, or to the people whose. Lecture 01 book of mormon like nothing else hugh nibley mormon duration.
Mormon prooftexts from the bible christian research. Blood atonement require more evidence since many mormons are even unaware of these beliefs. The book of mormon also spoke of sprawling ancient cities, none of which had been identified in the united states. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, members and leaders of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints have expressed numerous opinions about the specific locations of the events discussed in the book. It is part of a collection that includes book of mormon evidences, part two, book of mormon evidences, part three, and book of mormon nuggets. John clark of the new world archaeological foundation has compiled a list of sixty items mentioned in the book of mormon. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. He graduated from brigham young university with a ba in music education, holds a master of arts degree from byu in old and new testament, an mba from the university of phoenix, and has completed course work for a phd in music education at the university of utah. See richard lloyd anderson, investigating the book of mormon witnesses salt lake city.