Some early20th century mormons claimed various archaeological findings such as place names. Archaeological find supports the book of mormon lds living. The owner and employees of this site are members of the lds church and in good standing. Archaeology and the book of mormon, volume iii,the gospel through the ages,utah, the story of her people, 15401947 a. 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. Scott bradley the constitution and the restoration of the gospel trailer. We can break down this anti mormon charge into three issues. The theory that the book of mormon is an ancient american history is not accepted. Most, but not all, mormons hold the book s connection to ancient american history as an article of their faith.
Ancient perspectives on enos, jarom, omni, and words of mormon. Beginning in 2008 we began sending out articles on the history, language, culture and geography of the book of mormon via the. This view finds no acceptance outside of mormonism. He is a 36 year convert to the lds church and has served in four branch presidencies, three elder quorum presidencies, seminary instructor, gospel doctrine instructor, veil worker at the st. Archaeology research in precolumbian americas and the book of mormon. For example, one letter written by a prominent mormon, dated may 3, 1936, maintained that the book of mormon was used by the government to unravel the problem of the aborigines. Although many important archaeological discoveries were made, the evidence he had desired to find to support the book of mormon did not turn up. 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. I had sincerely hoped that bookofmormon cities would be. Book of mormon archaeology and anthropology byu studies.
Paul minnesota temple, and currently is serving as gospel doctrine teacher of the menomonie wisconsin branch, oakdale, minnesota stake. Titles on books full of archaeological halftruths, dilettanti on the peripheries of american archaeology calling themselves book of mormon archaeologists regardless of their education, and a department of archaeology at byu devoted to the production of book of mormon archaeologists do not insure that book of mormon archaeology really exists. If, after a reasonable period of diligent searching, material evidence is not found, then the book of mormon would be shown to be imaginary, and. If you missed the bmaf messages announcing the change please go to and enter your email address. 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. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. In addition to shedding new light on the evolution of ancient israelite religious and administrative practice, the discoveries at tel mo. 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.
Im not really interested in book of mormon archaeology. First, it is a coauthored paper with wade ardern and matthew roper. 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. He is also the authorcoauthor of christ in ancient america. With all the fascination of a wellplotted detective story, archaeology and the book of mormon by dr. New archaeological discovery sheds light on nephis temple. Correlations between izapa, mexico stela 5 tree of life and scriptures. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. 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 response to a letter hal hougey wrote in 1972 which reminded him that he had predicted in 1961 that book of mormon cities would be found within 10 years, mr. Clark, a respected authority on the archaeology of precolumbian mesoamerica, teaches at brigham young university. The book contrasts the evidence for christianity and the bible compared to that.
Book of mormon archaeology is real, authentic, scientifically researched, a proven fact. Book of mormon archaeology articles mesoamerican antiquities. This book includes highlights from my previous books and also includes exciting new findings. Archaeology is not a dead science, and it continues to make new inroads that are applicable to book of mormon studies. Is there any archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. 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. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Wayne may on book of mormon archeology joseph smith. Archaeological trends and book of mormon origins book of. This presumption removes from discussion the most compelling evidence of the books authenticityjosephs unfamiliarity with its contents. Book of mormon evidence, or its employees, and no information or opinions represent the church of jesus christ of latterday saints.
How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. Many latterday saints have not had access to sources which communicate how recent research has changed our understanding of the book of mormon as an ancient document. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. To go along with your reading this week, i thought it would be fun to highlight seven archaeological discoveries related to these chapters in the book of mormon. 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 contrary to the claims of our critics, there are many interesting findings that make it difficult to explain. 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. He once had promised that archaeological evidence for the book of mormon would be found within 10 years of nwaf starting excavations. A remarkable book about exceptional people the book of mormon is a history of two amazing groups of people, the jaredites and the. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations.
Some members of the mormon church have made fantastic claims about archaeologists using the book of mormon. Figure 3 juxtaposes book of mormon claims with current facts about mesoamerica, and the trend is quite remarkable. The continuing search for archaeological confirmation of the book of mormon. Wayne and kristine are the parents of seven children, and grandparents to twenty two. Warning themes in the book of mormon and the condemnation that resteth upon the children of zion trailer. Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very. Watch presentations about american archaeology and its parallels to the book of mormon civilizations.
Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. This compilation of groundbreaking book of mormon articles is selected from over fifty years of lds scholarship published by byu studies. Many readers have posed this question, both out of genuine interest and also as a challenge to the book. Archaeology and the book of mormon milton r hunter home. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. Search for library items search for lists search for contacts search for a library. To dismiss the book of mormon on archaeological grounds is shortsighted, as continuing discoveries provide ever more evidence that is consistent with the book. This past year bmaf was acquired by book of mormon central and the newsletters discontinued. 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 book s publication and the organization of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints in 1830. What a charred lump of a 2,000yearold scroll can tell us about mormonism.
Book of mormon thought false by lds memberarchaelogist. The trend of finding archaeological confirmation for the book of mormon. For most people, that isnt a big deal, but when you studied archaeology 1 at a churchowned university, it surprises some. He established the new world archaeological foundation, where his role as.
Archaeological evidence for the book of mormon book of mormon. 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. Kristine is active with wayne in the archaeological discoveries of the midwest. 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. Various apologists have claimed that events in the book of mormon took place in a variety of locations including north america, south america. Hunter weaves into this book the latterday discoveries among the peoples of the americas, the american indians, and includes their presentday activities, their physical characteristics, their religious concepts. However, archaeological discoveries made long after the lifetime of joseph smith have confirmed that multiple israelite temples were anciently constructed outside of jerusalem. Come see a live presentation on archaeological discoveries and their correlation to the book of mormon cultures.
Archaeological evidence makes it clear that all the grains, metals, silk and animals mentioned in the book of mormon did indeed exist in the lands of the book of mormon. It is a free book, which i hope you will share will your family and friends. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. Archaeology, relics and book of mormon belief deseret news. Rhonda pickering signs of our time why are the iconic symbols of the hopewell, a hand and a bird. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand.
Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas. The book of mormon was criticized during joseph smiths lifetime for the depiction of ancient israelites building a temple outside of the city of jerusalem. You will immediately begin receiving materials which include know whys all bmaf. Honestly, i feel like looking for archaeological evidence of the book of mormon is like looking for a needle in a field. Ancient israelites did come to america over 2400 years ago. Archaeology and the book of mormon wikipedia republished. Some early20th century mormons claimed various archaeological findings such as place names, and.
Before we begin, i want to mention a few things to help you understand our presentation. Illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. In 1996, upon returning from serving a mission in spain, dr. Many members of the latter day saint movement claim historical authenticity of the book of mormon. They publish the quarterly magazine ancient american which covers precolumbian americas. In 1992, we published the first issue of the book of mormon archaeological digest. For one particular physical evidence, look no further than a plethora of archaeological sites. 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. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu studies. This year, our study is of the book of mormon and ive thoroughly enjoyed learning some additional things that relate to the book of mormon, such as archeological finds and history, religious festivals and events, quotes from apostles, prophets, etc that relate to the book. The mormons at your door will tell you that many findings within archaeology. Archaeological geographical issues mormonism research.
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