Royal skousen is a professor of linguistics at brigham young university and has spent years studying the text of the book of. One of the best ways to test the book of mormons historical authenticity is to look at its names. Surprisingly, evidence for nahom as a book of mormon name is based primarily on historical, geographic, and archaeologicaland only secondarily on etymological considerations. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. In addition, the very content of the book of mormon makes it impossible to accept it as divine revelation. Book of mormon evidences mormonism, the mormon church. Is there any archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Archaeological evidences discovered since the coming forth of the book of mormon and the facts of history point toward the accuracy of many details of its historic account. 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. The book of mormon claims to be a translation of ancient writing on gold plates. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting.
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. The book of mormon is supposed to be a history of real people living in a real place. This is another in my series of article on challenging questions that missionaries will likely face. 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. Evidence of the truthfulness of the book of mormon lds. Richardson was born and raised in salt lake city, utah. There is a power in the book of mormon which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of it. Book of mormon evidences, part 3 presents further evidence supporting the book of mormon as an ancient document. Millions have asked the question, is there evidence of the historicity of the book of mormon, because the book of mormon is foundational to the mormon faith more accurately known as the church of jesus christ of latterday saints many have wondered what evidence has been found in its support, as the book asserts to be a record of ancient peoples that came by ship from the old world. Hugh nibley and book of mormon geography book of mormon. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. Below is the modern map of the area of smiths youth. This generation have more than one thousand times the amount of evidence to demonstrate and forever establish the divine authenticity of the book of mormon than they have in favor of the bible. This view finds no acceptance outside of mormonism.
An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi, who claimed that it had been. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth. Genetic attacks on the book of mormon focus on the fact that amerindian dna seems closest to asian dna, and not dna from the middle east or jewish dna. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. Many members of the latter day saint movement claim historical authenticity of the book of mormon. This page is a continuation of book of mormon evidences, part one and part two. To answer that question ive spent some time compiling a list of evidence for the divinity of the book of mormon. An original first edition book of mormon has been photographed and is available for viewing at. However, this attack ignores several key points, among which is the fact that the book of mormon states. Due to the nature of its origin, that would support the existence of god.
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 fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. 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. Parry, hebraisms and other ancient peculiarities in the book of. Based on these physical evidences, the book of mormon could not have been the work of a young man with limited knowledge, such as. I was super excited when i saw that evidences which i ignorantly believed meant facts had been found, collected and were now available to me in a gigantic. However, additional evidences of the divinity of this book also exist. The book is used by nearly thirteen million individuals who read it along with the holy bible, believing that both were written by prophets and contain the words of god.
Echoes and evidences of the book of mormon by donald w. What evidences were given by alma to prove there is a god. Book of mormon thought false by lds memberarchaelogist. Much evidence exists to support the claims made by the book of mormon native american evidences of book of mormon contents. There are extensive and impressive evidences for the authenticity of the book of mormon as an ancient document dealing with real people and places, contrary to the endlessly and mindlessly repeated. The little book of book of mormon evidences deseret book. In fact, the lord has exhorted us to seek that kind of witness not. 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. An interesting analysis of some of the physical evidences which show that joseph smith translated the book of mormon by revelation through the power of god. The material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Echoes and evidences of the book of mormon parry, donald w. Physical evidence for the ancient origins of joseph smiths book of mormon. On wednesday, january 15, 2020, royal skousen will be presenting a lecture on the history of the text of the book of mormon at brigham young university.
Three altar inscriptions containing nhm as a tribal name, and dating from the eighth to the seventh centuries b. Some people believe the book of mormon is a new revelation from god given to joseph smith. The most compelling evidence for the truthfulness of the book of mormon is spiritual. Evidences include wordprints, witnesses, chiasmus, hebraisms, and other discoveries by modern scholars that can strengthen ones testimony of the book of mormon. Alan served his mission for the church of jesus christ of. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. Little known evidences of the book of mormon yorgason, brenton g on.
In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very. 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. The site at nahom even dates back to lehis time period. The theory that the book of mormon is an ancient american history is not accepted as scientifically verifiable by the mainstream. In this inspiring and informative presentation, dr. For many years, critics have challenged the veracity of a religious text called the book of mormon. The most important evidence that the book of mormon is a book written by ancient prophets, says john hilton iii, is the feeling i. Hugh nibley and book of mormon geography by kirk magleby. For the first 150 years of mormonisms existence, everyone thought it was a story about a people who left the middle east and came to south or central america, and who fought wars clear up into new york state where. Several investigations and studies which set out to prove that joseph wrote the book of mormon have actua. Each year at its annual book of mormon lands conference, the book of mormon archaeological forum gives the father lehi award and the mother sariah award to a couple who have contributed significantly to. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path.
Contrary to the claims of our critics, there are impressive findings that make it difficult to explain away the book of mormon as a nineteenthcentury fraud from joseph smith. Native american writings are potentially strong evidence that the occurrences described in the book of mormon actually happened. Many readers have posed this question, both out of genuine interest and also as. During this live call in radio show, harry and host, present evidences for the book of mormon, despite continual claims by antimormon critics that there is none. The first group of evidences deal with the plates, the translation, and the witnesses of the book of mormon. What are the best evidences to support the authenticity of the book. The book of ether can be considered as a second witness to the truths taught in the rest of the book of mormon. Who wrote the book of mormon and where did it come from. Mormons recognize it as divinely inspired and equal in authority to the bible, but others have reason to doubt its claims.
For a little background, nahom is mentioned only once in the book of mormon, in 1 nephi 16. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. The list of archeological and historical claims of the book of mormon compared to nonapologetic evidence. Yorgason begins this narrative by sharing his initial personal encounter with reading the book of mormon.
Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. These facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. Joseph smith claimed he translated the book of mormon from a set of golden plates that were given to him by an angel named moroni. The book of mormon has several evidences within its pages that give evidence to it being exactly what joseph smith purported it to be. Book of mormon evidence october 8, 2019 there are only two promised lands in the world.
A very plausible lost and missing novel by solomon spalding manuscript found, separate and distinct from the oberlin manuscript has not been ruled out by mormon apologists. Book of mormon evidence the mormon church, mormonism. The amazing achievements of the last hundred years in technology and science are paralleled by significant strides in book of mormon studies. Darell thorpe, host of out of the best books, kzzi 1510 am radio, west jordan utah, usa. Youth and adults alike will appreciate this accessible discussion of scholarly evidences clearly demonstrating that the book of mormon could never have been. Many readers have posed this question, both out of genuine interest and also as a challenge to the book s authenticity.
The book of mormon in north america book of mormon evidence. Orson pratts works, evidences of the book of mormon and bible compared, p. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. In comparison most scholars agree that there are about 24,000 changes between 1611 version and the 1769 version of the kjv bible. The little book of book of mormon evidences by john hilton iii. 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. In this old american history book there are only two stories, concerning where the book of mormon came from. The book of mormon states that when mormon was twentyfour years old, he was visited by the lord. American progress or the great events of the greatest century including also life delineations of our most noted men. Stephen smoot at book of mormon central walks viewers through the discovery of nahom and what it means for book of mormon evidence. Sorenson claims that there is fossil evidence that some new world horses may have survived the. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the. The institutes flagship publication, now titled journal of book of mormon and other restoration scripture, has published many articles dealing with internal and external evidences over the years. Many readers have posed this question, both out of genuine interest and also as a challenge to the books authenticity.
He didnt have the time, education or wherewithal to do this. For example, evidence to support the claim by mormons that native americans are descendants of. The restorationist movements view of native american origins. There is no evidence at all that joseph smith did any scholarly research. When the book of mormon was first published in 1830, it boldly declared on its title page that its purpose was the convincing of the jew and gentile that jesus is the christ, the. As always, i invite you to study the issues, evaluate what we know and what we dont know, and pray for the guidance. 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 prophesiesof its role as a companion witness with the bible. Joseph smith was between the age 23 and 24 years old at the beginning of the translation process. 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. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon.
Peterson, a noted scholar and lecturer, provides an intriguing look at the evidences that support the book of mormon as an ancient. Voice from the dust, 500 evidences supporting the book of mormon allen h richardson, david e. Geographical, and other evidences in support of the book of mormon landscape, as found in north. We invite all men everywhere to read the book of mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask god, the eternal father, in the name of christ if the book is true. 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.
Old jerusalem israel and new jerusalem united states. Tell us exactly what would be necessary to show that the book of mormon stories do not accurately portray ancient new world history and events. 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. The best support for the authenticity of the book of mormon is the testimony of the holy spirit. These plates were supposedly written 1,400 years ago and detailed the history of the jewish nephites from 600 b. And, with more study, the books sturdiness and richness and the remarkable accomplishment of its translator, the prophet joseph smith, become more apparent. Most, but not all, mormons hold the books connection to ancient american history as an article of their faith. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. 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. I suspect there is no answer, i suspect that no amount of evidence would persuade the faithful, i suspect that no lack of probook of mormon evidence will get past faith presuppositions. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. So also, the bible without the book of mormon is missing a lot. Nothing can take the place of a spiritual witness that the book of mormon is true.