The following are actual pages from the final annotated book of mormon. Both the bible and the book of mormon have god inspired truths that help you and me through this thing we call life. The idea that there is archaeological evidence for the book of mormon is purely wishful thinking. People keep saying that mormonism isnt true because of this. Book of mormon archaeology in north america book of mormon. Why is the book of mormon another testament of jesus christ. Period 2, from the manuscript history of brigham young and other original documents. It was written by prophets anciently, preserved, and translated in our era by the power of god as a tool to bring souls to christ. Some archaeological evidences for the book of mormon. The bible and book of mormon by the church of jesus christ. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence rick branch 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. First of all i want to apologize to all the faithful readers of this blog. Much evidence exists to support the claims made by the book of mormon native american evidences of book of mormon contents. To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look.
While there is still much to learn about the people and stories in the book of mormon, some of the best archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon comes from lehis journey to the promised land. Every page from the book of mormon is included in the 600 page volume. Jun 17, 2017 watch book of mormon centrals new video on one of the best examples of archaeological evidence we have for the book of mormon. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu. Book of mormon evidences mormonism, the mormon church. He speaks to the people gathered at the temple and teaches them about baptism. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. Therefore, as things stand at the moment, current new world archaeological evidence tends to verify the claims made by the book of mormon. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints affirms that the book of mormon is a volume of sacred scripture comparable to the bible. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. This kind of focus on archaeological evidence sets the narrative that we need to have some kind of physical objects, like the catholic crusaders who scoured the holy land for objects from the bible.
Like the prophets in the bible, book of mormon prophets shared. In the book of 3 thrd nephi of the book of mormon, we find testimony jesus christ came to natives american indians whom were decendants of joseph of egypt. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Underwater archaeology and the book of mormon in sorensons. A core belief of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints is that the book of mormon is a translation of an ancient record that was written on golden plates. Members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church and other denominations of the latter day saint movement generally believe that the book of mormon describes ancient historical events in the americas, but historians and archaeologists do not.
In 1946 a mormon named thomas ferguson started archeological explorations looking specifically for evidence to support the book of mormon. 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. Problems with the book of mormon catholic answers catholic. After 2,000 years, it is hardly shocking that physical evidence of christs life is hard to locate, and yet, there is evidence of the life and ministry of jesus.
Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. This site provides you with an overview of what the book of mormon claims from an archeological or historic viewpoint, and compares it to nonapologetic apologetic meaning speak to defend scientific and historical resources. Wayne mays twopart presentation at the november 20 vernal, ut book of mormon evidence conference. See in mosiah chapter 3 verse in the book of mormon where king benjamin speaks of exceedingly great joy, concerning jesus christ who should come. And to know where to look for evidence of the book of mormon, its best to go back to the text itself. Archaeology and the book of mormon wikipedia republished. The list of archaeological and historical claims of the book. There is more evidence of the truthfulness of the book of mormon than any other topic in the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. In this chapter we will examine the book of mormon to see how it holds up to the. Archaeological evidence for the book of mormon book of. Sep 29, 2017 they believed the gods were saviors christ figures who died so humanity could live. The teachings of jesus christ in the book of mormon are plain and preciousby divine design.
Ancient israelites did come to america over 2400 years ago. Thomas jefferson and hopewell mounds book of mormon evidence. The book of mormon principally describes gods dealings with two c. For example, after the cataclysmic last battle fought between the nephites and lamanites, hundreds of. Intellectual evidence of book of mormon authenticity is an issue worthy of careful consideration. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the book. 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. Oct 05, 2017 jesus christ was born in bethlehem, spent his childhood in nazareth, and then became a traveling prophet and healer, according to the biblical accounts of jesus life. Is there any archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Archaeology, relics, and book of mormon belief book of. Those who make claims that there is no archaeological evidence supporting the book of mormon are right in one respectwe dont know where the cities mentioned in the book of mormon are located. There is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Direct archaeological evidence for the book of mormon by fair mormon. Such an epitaph, taken from the title page of the book of mormon, captures the enduring bond between the man and the book, and also the controversy which coalesced around both with the books publication and the organization of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints 1 in 1830.
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. Centuries later, according to the scripture, jesus appeared to the nephites in the same region after his resurrection. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas. While mormon scholars admit valid challenges to mormonism from archaeology and the book of abraham, they say the evidences of mormonisms truthfulness is the book of mormon itself, gods confirmation in your spirit, and the number of changed lives.
The following summaries provide several different ways to understand the meaning and purpose of this added subtitle. Today is day 9 good luck in your efforts to share copies or verses from the book of mormon a book of scripture that can change lives and draw people closer to jesus christ. Thunder and lighting was also evidence of christ s arrival in the book of mormon. The different statutes, icons, symbols and hieroglyphs convey a knowledge of the saviors hands with the prints of the nails in jesus christ s hands. If the book were fiction, this convergence would not be happening. Jun 09, 2017 illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. Think about it a jewishchristian culture in the middle of a polytheist mesoamerican culture that has no mention in any codex, monument or literature. Although historians and archaeologists consider the book to be an anachronistic invention of joseph smith, many members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church and other denominations of the latter day saint movement believe that it. However, matching and similar finds create parallels that can be demonstrated when comparing the ohio and illinois hopewell culture with the nephite culture of the book of mormon timeline.
It has jesus coming to central america immediately after ascended to heaven in palestine, despite the fact that jesus himself made statements which make this claim unacceptable. He proposed that the most likely location for the doomed city mentioned in the text would have been along the southwestern edge of the lake, even though he didnt expect that archaeological evidence for this would have survived. As will be demonstrated, the intimate relationships between his account and the known geography in the middle east provide excellent evidence of the book of mormon s authenticity. The only archaeological evidence supporting the book of mormon is speculation, unlike the archeological evidence supporting the bible which is hard, observable, verifiable evidence not speculation. The different statutes, icons, symbols and hieroglyphs convey a knowledge of the saviors hands with the prints of the nails in jesus christs hands. The book of mormon truly is another testament of jesus christ. Is there archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. Ten testimonies of jesus christ from the book of mormon. Resurrection mesoamericans believed in rebirth and resurrection from the dead. Wayne may presents book of mormon evidence in north american geography, archaeology and historical records. Book of mormon archaeology the irrefutable evidence. What to say to mormons so what evidence is there that mormonism is true. Archaeological and historical evidence history of the. People of all and any faiths are welcome here on the grounds of goodwill and faith.
Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses. 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. The book of mormon makes a handful of references to horses existing on the american continents in these ancient times. Another testament of jesus christ is to convey to the modern world powerful testimonies of the divine mission and essential attributes of jesus christ, to the convincing of the jew and gentile that jesus is the christ, the eternal god title page.
The latterday saints revere the book of mormon as the divinely inspired record of those people and of christ s appearance to them shortly after his crucifixion in jerusalem. The first of these peoples, called jaredites, are supposed to have come to the hitherto. The overall trend in the date over the past 175 years fits the expectations for the book of mormon as history rather than hoax. In 1982, the phrase another testament of jesus christ was added as a subtitle to 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. The 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. Jun 22, 2016 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.
Some pages are in low resolution on purpose to save space. Callister, emeritus general authority seventy and former sunday school general president in his tuesday, march 3, lds business college devotional held in the assembly hall on temple square, elder callister listed past and. This book of mormon does not replace the bible at all. Many readers have posed this question, both out of genuine interest and also as. If you missed the bmaf messages announcing the change please go to and enter your email address. Here are some of our favorites, followed by a comprehensive alphabetical list below. Book of mormon claims remain unaltered since 1830, so all the accommodation has been on the archaeology side. It is a common claim by critics that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. History of joseph smith, the prophet published 1902 v. In ancient america and the ancient near east, people were sometimes sacrificed to idols on the death of. The book of mormon, combined with the spirit, is the greatest witness one has of the truthfulness of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, said elder tad r. This video is part of a new and exciting video initiative by book of mormon central. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting.
Some of your friends or family may have wondered if there is archaeological evidence of the book of mormon. New pieces of evidence from the this land series of books will give you new insight into the book of mormon. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the. Welcome to rlatterdaysaints a gathering place for those supporting or investigating the church of jesus christ of latterday saints and its members. Mounting evidence for the book of mormon church of jesus. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. Book of mormon lands these lands testify of jesus christ.
Apr 01, 20 it may surprise you to learn that the book of mormon is actually a book about jesus christ, the same jesus found in the bible. Accredited institutions such as the smithsonian, southern baptist convention, the catholic church and other religious archaeological organizations claim there is no evidence for a pre. We believe that it is scripture that testifies of gods dealings with prophets and followers of jesus christ in the ancient americas. The program was kjzzs nephite explorer, hosted by investigative journalist ryan fisher, who would go to historical sites said to have been. Is the book of mormon another testament of jesus christ. And, with more study, the books sturdiness and richness and the remarkable accomplishment of its translator, the prophet joseph smith, become more apparent. Today we will talk about some common criticisms of the book of mormon around archaeological evidence that some say proves or disproves the truthfulness of the book of mormon. We are not a church that deals with relics, like pieces of noahs ark or the cup of jesus christ. Aug 26, 2016 the archaeological proof that jesus christ did exist.
Mormonism is there any archaeological evidence for the. A combination of factors, including the evidence appearing at the right time, at the right place, and in the right relative distance to another site mentioned in the record, converge to make nahom strong archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. In 1955, thomas ferguson, a latter day saint and the founder of the new world archaeological foundation nwaf, with five years of funding from the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church, began to dig throughout mesoamerica for evidence of the veracity of the book of mormon claims. These carvings give incredible archaeological evidence and testify to the world that the resurrected jesus christ did come to the western hemisphere in 34 a. Book of mormon archaeology is real, authentic, scientifically researched, a proven fact. The list of archeological and historical claims of the book of mormon compared to nonapologetic evidence. Of more than 6,000 verses in the book of mormon, far more than half refer directly to him. This sub is for fellowship and faithful belief in the restored gospel of jesus christ ephesians 2. Sorensons book is parallelomania of totally nonspecific points of correspondence between. Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible is the word of god and that it can be accurately translated. The visit of jesus to the nephites is the pinnacle event in the book of mormon. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in.
If you are looking for the same old archaeology, anthropology, and artifacts that give no answers to the question of where are these lands that testify of jesus christ you may be in the wrong place. In the ensuing and continuing war of words joseph smithhistory 1. 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 america. The book of mormon likewise claims divine sacrifice is required to keep the cosmos in order, and that this was performed by the crucifixion of jesus christ. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. The purpose of the book of mormon is to convince the world that jesus is the christ, our lord and redeemer. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. The bible and the book of mormon are testaments of jesus. Bpin the last part in this series, we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places.
Remember we have interspersed paintings, maps, pictures, archaeology, etc throughout the actual text of the book of mormon. The mormons a nickname for members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints added a subheading to the book to explain that it is a second witness of the lord. Most important, the book of mormon and the church of jesus christ of latterday saints affirm that jesus is the christ, the divine savior of the world, and that he will come someday in the future in the manner that the scriptures herald. Mounting evidence for the book of mormon the church of jesus. The book of mormon is a poor quality religious fantasy. The central purpose of the book of mormon is its testament of jesus christ. The book of mormon is another witness of jesus christ. Dec 10, 2012 the idea that there is archaeological evidence for the book of mormon is purely wishful thinking. 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. 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. The book of mormon is a book of scripture similar to the bible. The book of mormon is true and could have only happened in north america.
Archaeology and the book of mormon volume 2 hunter, milton r. The bible and book of mormon app, from the church of jesus christ, treats the two volumes of scripture as one, and makes it easier than ever to read, study and share the word of god. According to the church of jesus christ of latterday saints mormon church, the book of mormon is a divinely inspired revelation that is. The archaeological proof that jesus christ did exist. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu studies. In mormon 4, the lamanites took women and children prisoner and sacrificed them to idols. Period 1, history of joseph smith, the prophet by himself.
Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. The book of mormon contains the writings of several groups who came to the americas, including a family who left. Archaeological evidence for 7 locations on lehis journey. Had circumstances permitted a marked grave for the slain prophet, a fitting headstone could have read, by joseph smith, junior, author and proprietor. 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. In the last chapter we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. History of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. It contains a record of gods dealings with three groups of people who migrated from the near east or west asia to the americas hundreds of years before the arrival of europeans. However if you if you are the least bit curious as to what the book of mormon says about its.
Jan, 2016 undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. Plain and precious truths of christ in the book of mormon. 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. One last topic on the subject of archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that i want to talk about is horses. Before it is a mass destruction and death, leaving only the believers. Jun 22, 2016 book of mormon archaeology in north america. The supposed history recorded in this book is absurd. As seen by science, the book of mormon is stronger today than it was in 1830, 1844, 1950, or even 2000, so i expect it will continue to become stronger in the future. Evidence of his existence has been few and far between, but there are certain items from roughly 2000 years ago and discovered in the right.
The trend over the last 50 years is one of convergence between the book of mormon and mesoamerican archaeology. The book of mormon is another witness of jesus christ and confirms truths from the holy bible. Members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church and other denominations of the latter day saint movement generally believe that the book of mormon describes ancient historical events in the americas, but historians and archaeologists. John sorenson from byu published his mormon s codex through deseret book, the popular mormon press. Following it, is four generations of peace and unity. No historical evidence to support the book of mormon. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Native american writings are potentially strong evidence that the occurrences described in the book of mormon actually happened. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence.
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