Understanding what archaeologists look for in historical. Archaeology, relics and book of mormon belief deseret news. To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look. Of course there are limits to what archaeology can investigate. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as never before. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu. It follows that no amount of scrutiny of the book will ever betray josephs mind or heart because it is not mirrored in the text.
The material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. Mormon said that the city of bountiful forever remained one of the most secured cities alma 53. As it turns out, archaeologists have been able to find and positively identify nahom in southern arabia. To begin looking for archaeological evidence, you have to know where to look and to know where to look for evidence of the book of mormon. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon.
Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the. The book of mormon principally describes gods dealings with two c. It is a common claim by critics that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. Archaeological evidence true book of mormon geography. 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. 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 and other denominations of the latter day saint movement believe that it describes ancient historical events in the americas. Archaeological evidence seems to indicate that the main core or center of the jaredite civilization was located on the mexican gulf coast, in what are now the southern. 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. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. The different statutes, icons, symbols and hieroglyphs convey a knowledge of the saviors hands with the prints of the nails in jesus christs hands. Mike licona has produced a practical book to help in our apologetics witness to mormons. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. 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.
Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon. Archaeology and the book of mormon wikipedia republished. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu studies. 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. On this latter issue, see my article on the new world archaeological foundation, which is online at publications. The book contrasts the evidence for christianity and the bible. 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.
This presumption removes from discussion the most compelling evidence of the books authenticityjosephs unfamiliarity with its contents. The list of archeological and historical claims of the book of mormon compared to nonapologetic evidence. 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. Book of mormon evidence streaming faithfully exploring. If you missed the bmaf messages announcing the change please go to and enter your email address. 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. Wayne may presents book of mormon evidence in north american geography, archaeology and historical records. Chris heimerdinger shares additional insights in an excellent blog post entitled five compelling archaeological evidences for the book of mormon. The scientific trend of archaeological evidence of its historic facticity indicates that the book of mormon is what joseph smith claimed it wasan ancient book. 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.
Archaeological evidence for the book of mormon book of mormon. Some archaeological evidences for the book of mormon. Sorenson, an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, the definitive work on book of mormon archaeology by a qualified mormon scholar. 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. One last topic on the subject of archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that i want to talk about is horses. Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses. Come see a live presentation on archaeological discoveries and their correlation to the book of mormon cultures. 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 ancient american archaeological data. Is there archaeological evidence to support the book of. These historical claims have sent scholars in search of archaeological evidence for the existence of the peoples and events described in the book of mormon, and they make the subject of book of mormon archaeology relevant.
Many lds believers and apologists respond to the critics assertions of no archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon with a claim that a location mentioned in the book of mormon has been found, but not in america, but rather one of the locations. Allan part 1 the book of mormon tells usofa who and where we are, and what is coming. Ancient israelites did come to america over 2400 years ago. Recent archaeological evidence has shown that military fortifications around mesoamerican cities were, in fact, fairly common, and that the type of construction described in the book of mormon is completely consistent with what evidence shows. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. Book of mormon archaeology the irrefutable evidence.
The book of mormon describes both within the time frame in accordance with the law of moses. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. That is no wonder if you consider how it was bounded by rivers on two sides, and that they built palisades around the land as well. Book of mormon archaeology is real, authentic, scientifically researched, a proven fact.
Various amateur archaeologists and mormon authors have cited controversial evidence that north. Ritual sacrifice both human sacrifice and animal sacrifices occurred in ancient america. 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. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in. South american archaeologists do not find evidence for fully developed smelting practices until four hundred years after nephis supposed arrival in the americas. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand.
Archaeological and historical evidence jareditesolmecs. Videos watch past wayne may presentations as he reveals the supporting evidences of the book of mormon as found in archaeology, geography and historical records. There is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Thus, it can be seen that archaeological evidence for the book of mormonwhich does exist, as will be discussed shortlydoes not constitute proof, nor does it. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. 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. 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. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. Read what actual scientists, historians, archaeologists, and anthropologists have to say. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable.
The book of mormon tells of king noah being executed for crimes in a lengthy ceremony similar to the mayan execution ritual. Matheny is apparently unable to endorse a single work on book of mormon archaeology by any of the various mormon apologists, amateur or professional, even the magnum opus of his colleague, john l. Book of mormon evidence september 12, 2019 i believe many lds and nonlds academics love the idea that joseph was an ignorant farm boy. These testimonies, born under difficult circumstances or under threat of life and reputation, are compelling, even irrefutable evidence of the divine origin of the book of mormon, he said. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. People keep saying that mormonism isnt true because of this. Archaeological evidence for 7 locations on lehis journey.
Decades of desperate archaeological research in mexico and central america, often they say sponsored by the lds church, have they say yielded absolutely no evidence for the book of mormon. Illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. Although the book of mormon twice mentions that nephi created steel out of molten rocks, archaeologists of ancient america affirm that craftsmen smelted gold, copper, and some silver. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. His library research spurred his first hunt for archaeological evidence. The archaeological and historical evidence indicates that the ancient people that we call olmecs in our day are the same people, called the jaredites in the book of mormon. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. 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. If you eat the book of first nephi, youll notice that his knee fights family journeyed south out of jerusalem. Is there any archaeological evidence around the city of buffalo that there. Callister, emeritus general authority seventy, speaks during an lds business college devotional in the assembly hall on march 3, 2020. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon evidence, proof, and belief. Non archaeological corroboration of the text is discussed in the article top ten literary and linguistic evidences for the book of mormon. Top 10 archaeological evidences for the book of mormon.
The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in. The book of mormon makes a handful of references to horses existing on the american continents in these ancient times. Actually there is lots of evidence for joseph smiths book of mormon archaeology. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. The site at nahom even dates back to lehis time period. 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. Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible. Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon. Stephen smoot at book of mormon central walks viewers through the discovery of nahom and. If your testimony requires that the events of the book of mormon actually took place, as described, then fine, do your homework and look at the physical evidence, but look at all of it. 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. Bpin the last part in this series, 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.
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