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. Atlantis was a mythical island nation mentioned in. This common query often expresses the questioners incorrect assumptions about archaeological methodologyassumptions usually based the questioners lack of knowledge about a very specialized academic area. There is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Most scholars reject the idea of viewing the book of mormon as a historical record.
Jesus resuming his ministry in central america painting from the book of mormon. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very. Archaeological and historical evidence statements about. There is no historical or archeological evidence to support the book of mormon. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the. When talking to mormons, expect to hear them say, i know the book. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. I am totally convinced that atlantis was in fact the city of enoch. It is a common claim by critics that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. Lost continent of atlantis rediscovered mesquite local news.
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. Archaeologists and egyptologists have found no evidence that this language ever existed. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas. If massive civilizations of highly advanced nephites and lamanites existed, why would all of the evidence mysteriously disappear. 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. This video will help you understand that the foundation of the lds faith is built upon myth. The book of mormon archaeological forum bmaf is a 501c3 not for profit organization dedicated as an open forum for presentation, dissemination, and discussion of research and evidences regarding book of mormon archaeology, anthropology, geography and culture within a mesoamerican context. Is there evidence for the authenticity of the book of mormon. One last topic on the subject of archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that i want to talk about is horses. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon.
Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. People keep saying that mormonism isnt true because of this. According to the church of jesus christ of latterday saints mormon church, the book of mormon is a divinely inspired revelation that is. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi, who claimed that it had been. Underwater archaeology and the book of mormon in sorenson. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. Book of mormon archaeology and anthropology byu studies. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the. If made perfect sense with how the city of atlantis was decribed. The most powerful archaeological evidence of atlantis. The sole and primary source for the legend of atlantis is the dialogs of plato. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. The archaeological evidence of the existence of atlantis. Indeed, my carefully documented books, lehi in the wilderness, nephi in the promised land, and the voyages of the.
This compilation of groundbreaking book of mormon articles is selected from over fifty years of lds scholarship published by byu studies. Join wayne on a book of mormon tour and see the archaeological discoveries of the nephites and jaredites. Book of mormon archaeological forum true book of mormon. If the book of mormon is really a true history, then i would think that there should be some archaeological evidence that supports the truthfulness of those historical events. Honestly, i feel like looking for archaeological evidence of the book of mormon is like looking for a needle in a field. The atlantis theory was abandoned in the 20th century, when a new wave of scholars declared that not enough evidence exists to support it. References to iron, domesticated crops and animals in the book of mormon have not be found in the new world archaeological record there is no linguistic correlation between native american languages and the languages of the near east no dna evidence connects native american populations with the near east all choices are correct. 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. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. Atlantis was a mythical island nation mentioned in platos dialogues timaeus and critias. Dont expect proof for any religion or matter of faith, but yes, there are many issues that support the concept that the book of mormon is of.
Many current believers, including the lds church, have no strong position on whether or how to. 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. There are several theories as to the origin of the book of mormon. Strangely, it has even become taboo in academic circles, a fringe theory, as some have called it. The key to earths lost civilization, author graham hancock looks for traces of a lost ice age civilization in the americas. Ancient american magazine explore the precolumbian americas with.
I have read several books that identify archaeological evidence in support of hundreds and hundreds of biblical places, cultures, and historical events. The annotated edition of the book of mormon aebom enters this discussion by offering archaeological artifacts which the editors david hocking and rod meldrum claim either support a heartland setting for the book of mormon or somehow illustrate descriptions of material culture, warfare, agriculture, and metallurgy in the book of mormon. Have mormonfunded archaeological digs refuted mormonism. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to adherents, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. 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.
In 1907, etienne felix berlioux presented a series of papers to the academy of sciences at lyons titled morocco and the atlanteans. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. I will post some more interesting evidence related to atlantis and the city of enoch and the emerald tablets as well. The list of archeological and historical claims of the book of mormon compared to nonapologetic evidence.
Im not really interested in book of mormon archaeology. The first myth we need to eliminate is that book of mormon archaeology existsif one is to study book of mormon archaeology, then one must have a corpus of data with which to deal. 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. 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.
However, archaeologists and researches have looked for evidence in the americas to see if the book of mormon is true but have found nothing not even one single coin. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. The potential connection with the book of mormon is not proven, but the discovery of an underwater city within miles of sorensons earlier proposed location, and the evidence for its rapid submergence two thousand years ago, is striking. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. But since the book of mormon is so hugely and internally selffalsifying, it predicts. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Most adherents to the latter day saint movement view the book as a work of inspired scripture. What is the archaeological evidence for the events in the book of mormon. 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.
The book of mormon makes a handful of references to horses existing on the american continents in these ancient times. The first of these peoples, called jaredites, are supposed to have come to the hitherto. Smithsonian archeologists see no connection between the archeology of the new world. For most people, that isnt a big deal, but when you studied archaeology1 at a churchowned university, it surprises some.
I also watched that episode about atlantis and felt the same thing about the city of enoch. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. It conflicts with details in the book of mormon, contradicts the teaching of a long line of lds presidents and apostles, and in the end cannot produce a single piece of archaeological evidence that can be identified as nephite or jaredite a fact which byu professors such as hugh nibley, bruce w. Wayne may presents book of mormon evidence in north american geography, archaeology and historical records. However, this undeniable new triptych discovery warrants a revival of the discussion for many reasons. Pdf the scientific discipline of archaeology was developed in the nineteenth century, a product of the same postenlightenment milieu that. Historians view the language patterns, phrases, and names in the book of mormon as evidence that it is not authentic. The list of archaeological and historical claims of the.
Physical evidence for the ancient origins of joseph smiths book of mormon. While there is ample archaeological evidence to prove the authenticity of the bible in the middle east, the evidence to support the book of mormon is not there. Numerous scholars and archaeologists have unanimously concluded that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence for the 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. Since the release of atlantis the antediluvian world written by ignatius donnelly in 1882, one of the main arguments against the theory of the physical existence of atlantis was that there was no proof or evidence, that highly advanced civilization could have existed as far back in time. There is no archaeological evidence for the existence of any place called atlantis. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to adherents, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in. Is there archaeological evidence to support the book of. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. During a series of conversations i once had with a mormon friend and some mormon missionaries, i turned to them in the first meeting and said that one objection i had to mormonism was that there is no archaeological evidence to support the stories in the book of mormon. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. Archaeological evidence for the book of mormon book of.
Archaeology atlantis archaeological evidences atlantis archaeological evidences. 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. Is the book of mormon authenticated by archaeology. 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. To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look. Ancient lightskinned native americans destroyed in war book of mormon evidence pt. There is no city remains, no walls, not even a potshard that has anything to do with the mythical atlantis.
If the resurrected savior, jesus christ, really did visited the book of mormon people in the americas. 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. However, there exists no credible archaeological evidence to support the notion that the book of mormon is a record of highly literate ancient american people of hebrew descent. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. 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.
Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. Part one, land of the nephites a growing body of compelling scientific evidence testifies that the book of mormon is a true history and that it probably took place in several specific areas. The lost city of atlantis or nephites and jaradites. A harvard biologist turned epigrapher, fell acquired a following in 1976 with the publication of america b.
955 1577 1285 1420 1487 220 89 1346 23 4 401 907 201 1157 1231 910 769 750 1399 1075 574 308 434 324 1357 1487 746 585 217 1086 1153 759 427 1524 6 472 186 388 1176 212 651 1393 423 184 103 1017 269 1250