Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. 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. Employing the word cement was cited as anachronistic proof of the book of mormons fabrication. Oaks and maxwell, in their final assessment of evidentiary proof concerning the book of mormon, admitted to us that the arguments for and against the book were equal, with neither side being able to prove whether the book of mormon was true or untrue.
In the ultimate analysis, they told us, the book of mormon had to be accepted on faith. The church takes no position on the specific geographic location of book of mormon events in the ancient americas. The new essay begins with this declarative statement. Mahaffey is a prominent figure in the south carolina methodist church and has spent ten years in his investigation. The book of mormon has several evidences within its pages that give evidence to it being exactly what joseph smith purported it to be. How the book of abraham exposes the false nature of. The nature of the message in the book of mormon is such that, if true, no one can possibly be saved and reject it. Oct 06, 2018 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 lacks these crucial proofs and. Oct 16, 20 salt lake city a member of the first presidency of the mormon the church of jesus christ of latterday saints also known as the mormon church today publicly admitted that the entire religion was completely bogus, and that the church hierarchy has been making things up for the past 200 years. Some people might suggest that finding the existence of horses or chariots would constitute proof for the book of mormon. This view, whose most influential proponent is brigham young university archaeologist john l. Leading experts of the early americas disavow the historicity of the book of mormon narrative. Another blunder becomes evidence for the book of mormon. For a brief period in the late 1820s, the prophet joseph smith did.
Archaeology, relics and book of mormon belief deseret news. Roberts wrote a letter in 1932 citing a few sources for cement work that predated the book of mormons publication, but this information was highly obscure until the middle of the 20 th century. 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. Actually there is lots of evidence for joseph smiths book of mormon archaeology. But the book of mormon also shows that individuals can act as prophets or prophetesses lowercase p, as miriam, deborah, or huldah, in the bible did, receiving a divine commission to preach and testify, even though they werent presiding church. 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.
It might be the funniest thing in the world to me when someone tells me with absolute certainty that the book of mormon isnt true after having admitted never actually reading the book themselves. These claims have historically been taken on faith. Mormon prooftexts from the bible christian research. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in. This is a great resource to check whenever you find yourself faced with a challenging topic. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. For each belief, i quickly establish the mormon position, although some beliefs i. Jan 29, 2019 the church of jesus christ of latterday saints released a statement today concerning the geography of the book of mormon in the form of a new gospel topics essay titled book of mormon geography. Oct 05, 2012 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. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fair. No arrangement of evidence, however skillfully ordered.
More and more evidence is discovered, validated, and presented as undeniable proof the story told in the book of mormon is factual not fiction. The book of mormon geography lands and map with dna evidence. 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. 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. Blood atonement require more evidence since many mormons are even unaware of these beliefs. The book of mormon the book of mormon claims to be a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. Admittedly, evidence surrounding the book of mormon is not our greatest strength, while the bible itself contains hundreds of verifiable events, wars, cities. How to know the book of mormon is true in lds book. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Jan 18, 2018 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 the nephites and their enemies, the lamanites.
The 1st rule of book of mormon evidence there is no. Peterson, creating a convincing, cumulative case for the book of mormon, published on on feb. How to know the book of mormon is true in lds book of. Jan 01, 2012 the most compelling evidence for the truthfulness of the book of mormon is spiritual. The book of mormon is regarded as sacred text by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints otherwise known as the lds church or. 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. Book of mormon evidences, part one discusses some of the many factors supporting the plausibility of the book of mormon as an ancient document. Evaluating the book of mormon witnesses religious studies.
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. There are no writings, bones, city ruins, pottery, cave writing, or artifacts that can be found that verifies that the book of mormon. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. Jan 03, 2021 the book of mormon states plainly that the one god consists of the father, son, and holy spirit that is, the book of mormon teaches the doctrine of the trinity albeit with a strong modalistic skew. This book presents some of the intellectual proofs he has discovered that affirm the book of mormon is of divine origin. The institute for religious research posted on their website a 1998 letter from national geographic. Why nonmormons should read the book of mormon beggars bread. As a result of me publishing my testimony online regarding the book of mormon, ive had hundredsmaybe even thousands of people send me messages with their reasoning about why the book of mormon cant be true. Book of mormon proved a fraud globedemocrat september 29, 1902. I believe the heartland of the united states of america is the very center of where the events of the book of. Proof that joseph smiths book of mormon, the foundation of the mormon church, is a fraud is claimed by the rev. The theological proof pages address each of several major mormon beliefs individually. Oxford university press, 2003, 4142, emphasis added. 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.
These facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. If the book of mormon is true, then joseph smith was a prophet. More and more evidence is discovered, validated, and presented as undeniable proof the story. As time passes the earth provides more and more evidence the book of mormon was not a fabrication of a young man in upstate new york. Is there scientific proof authenticating the book of mormon. Proof that the book of mormon is true, excerpt from. Further, there is currently no archaeological evidence of american bison having been domesticated. He established the new world archaeological foundation, where his role as. Such evidence is not proof but should encourage readers and seekers of truth to give the book of mormon a chance.
Oct 05, 2019 we have laying before us, wrote ebenezer robinson, editor of the times and seasons for january 1, 1842, a neat little work of 256 pages, 32 mo. There are no writings, bones, city ruins, pottery, cave writing, or artifacts that can be found that verifies that the book of mormon is true. Book of mormon proved a fraud globedemocrat september. The book of mormon, which sets out to help viewers discover the facts that make the book of mormon such a. Evidence of the truthfulness of the book of mormon lds. Mormon prooftexts from the bible christian research institute. Church releases statement on book of mormon geography. 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. Finding such items would merely demonstrate that such things existed in the ancient new world, and while such discoveries may be consistent with the book of mormon, they hardly amount to proof. Collectively, though, they possess considerable force. Mahaffey, of grantesville, to be in his possession.
For one particular physical evidence, look no further than a plethora of archaeological sites. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Mar 02, 2020 as time passes the earth provides more and more evidence the book of mormon was not a fabrication of a young man in upstate new york. Delve deeper into the book of mormon and discover for yourself why its true. 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. Proof that the book of mormon is true book of mormon facts.
Mar 08, 2017 some book of mormon prophets capital p were responsible for leading gods church with priesthood keys, like moses had been in the bible. One such group is the foundation for ancient research and. Dec 16, 2008 mormonism teaches that god used to be a man on another world, mormon doctrine by bruce mcconkie, p. Mounting evidence for the book of mormon the plates, the translation, and the witnesses. Ten lies i told as a mormon missionary mormonism research. Evidences in proof of the book of mormon 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 whether there is s. This book locates everything from the narrow neck, to zarahemla, from cumorah, to the land of promise, bountiful. The book of mormon mentions several animals, plants, and technologies for which there is no evidence in precolumbian america. The book of mormon mentions cities, trade, warfare, towers, and the use of armor all of which did exist in the ancient americasyet their existence has not. Proof of the book of mormon through archaeology there is no proof supporting the book of mormon that the native americans called the lamanites and the nephites ever existed.
The only bible that joseph smith relied on was the king james version. The book of mormon states that god created via nothing but his word that is, exnihilo out of nothing. The difference between the book of mormon and the christian. In order to remove these inherent improbabilities and attempt to salvage the credibility of the book of mormon, a number of modern mormon scholars have proposed several variations of a new approach to book of mormon geography, usually called the limited geography theory. Top mormon official admits mormonism is a fake religion.
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. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very presuppositions. Mr roses thoughtful and spiritual expose is a much different approach to proving the authenticity of the book of mormon. The sealed book of mormon berger, mauricio artur on. Some mormon researchers claim that it is not valid to use genetics to attempt to prove or disprove the historicity of the book of mormon, citing a lack of source genes and the improbability of tracing israelite dna even if present. Harmon, made in about 1885, cited in vogel, emd, 2. Why nonmormons should read the book of mormon beggars. Both the bible and the book of mormon declare themselves to be ancient, historical, and reliable rules of faiththe very word of god. Proof that the book of mormon is true, excerpt from so you want proof that the book of mormon is true. Top 10 embarrassments of the mormon religion listverse. Debunking 5 myths about the book of mormon lds living. The book of mormon shall stand as a testimony against the world, ether 5.
As an example, the book of mormon mentions barley which, until recently, was thought not to exist in the ancient americas. Why is the book of mormon the most correct of any book on. In his tuesday, march 3, lds business college devotional held in the assembly hall on temple square, elder callister listed past and present. These include asses, cattle, horses, oxen, sheep, swine, goats, elephants, wheat, barley, silk, steel, brass, breast plates, chains, iron working, plows, swords, scimitars, and chariots. 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. Aug 24, 2017 individually, none of the arguments yet advanced for the book of mormon constitutes decisive proof. As the modern lds church tries to shore up belief in the prophet joseph smith and his special powers of translation, it continues to try to argue for something more than a fictional narrative for the book of mormon. In its smallest details, the book of mormon reveals its roots in the. The power of the holy ghost must ever be the chief source of evidence for the book of mormon. Mormonism teaches an infinite regression of causes.
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