In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. If the primary purpose of the book of mormon were to function as a sign as tangible evidence that joseph smith was a true prophet of god that mission could have been page 180 accomplished much more concisely a longer tome might be more impressive to some, but it would put off other. The purpose of the site is to peel away the layers of traditions and assumptions about the translation of the book of mormon and get down to a firm foundation of facts. The olmec and zapotec civilizations developed a writing system that may. Much can be known about the coming forth of the english text of. It was written by prophets anciently, preserved, and translated in our era by the power of god as a tool to bring souls to christ. The evidence for ancient origins, edited by noel b. Is there any historical evidence for joseph smiths own version of how he produced the book. Apr 09, 2019 it was a year ago this week, i spent three days at two book of mormon conferences on the same weekend. 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.
Americas heartland, which is now a bestseller of the season. Periodically, he added editorial commentaries of his own that were skillfully woven into the texts of the primary authors in that record. Book of mormon evidence vs book of mormon central search isaiah. Arizona regional conference, book of mormon evidence series. 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. 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. 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. We are a nonprofit organization supported by people like you.
Book of mormon, 1908 published by herald house, hardback. Oct 07, 2017 what is the actual history of the coming forth and translation of the book of mormon. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Archaeological evidence for 7 locations on lehis journey. Jan 16, 2018 to date, the combined data from several valid stylometric studies on the book of mormon have demonstrated that it has multiple, distinct writing styles and that those styles are consistent with the authors designated within the text itself. 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. 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.
Textual evidences for the book of mormon religious. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. After a conversation regarding the promises and covenants of the lord with america, alex determined to incorporate those ideals into his latest music video which he began writing as he watched the world trade center towers collapse on 911. Evidences for the authenticity of the book of mormona divine ancient record from. Internal evidence indicates that he was already writing the book we know. John clark of the new world archaeological foundation has compiled a list of sixty items mentioned in the book of mormon. Further, there is no evidence at all that joseph smith did any scholarly research, or even that he read very much, before the book of mormon appeared. Mesoamerica for evidence of the veracity of the book of mormon claims. Emma smith gave the following testimony, as reported by her son joseph smith.
Historians view the language patterns, phrases, and names in the book of mormon as evidence that it is not authentic. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. We will share new maps, new articles, and the newest books or videos available. Evidence from the book of mormon manuscript mormonthink. Annotated edition of the book of mormon new 2nd edition. Archaeological evidence for egyptian writing by israelites in book of mormon times, bmc blog february 9, 2019.
People around the world who are staying home for public health reasons are spending a lot of time on the internet. Most latterday saints are aware of a minor industry in certain religious circles in the united states devoted to refuting mormonism and to criticizing the book of mormon. The firm foundation represents foundation for indigenous research and mormonism its an organization dedicated to showing forth evidence. The facts are that he mistranslated portions of the bible, as well as the book of abraham, the kinderhook plates, and a greek psalter. The evidence appears to point to the fact that the book of mormon is not an ancient historical text, but an 18th century work created by joseph smith. To date, the combined data from several valid stylometric studies on the book of mormon have demonstrated that it has multiple, distinct writing styles and that those styles are consistent with the authors designated within the text itself. Some are learning new things and building their talent stacks. In contrast to the book of mormon, the bible proves to be historically accurate and internally consistent. Spend some time learning more about the book of mormon and related topics.
It also does not have the absurd teachings that we find in the book of mormon. Is it possible that a single author wrote the book of mormon. Update on horses in the book of mormon mormanity a mormon. Meldrum, researcher and author and jake hilton, director of youth education for the firm foundation, presenting the latest book of mormon evidence research in the heartland of north america. This will be the two day 26th international book of mormon evidence conference which will have just one major stage with over 20 fantastic speakers. This view finds no acceptance outside of mormonism. The list includes items such as steel swords, barley, cement, thrones, and literacy. The book of mormon is a literate product of a literate culture.
It is a record of gods dealings with ancient inhabitants of the americas and contains the fulness of the. There are many evidences, but for the sake of time i refer to but one, because it is personal to me. The firm foundation foundation for indigenous research and mormonism is. Intellectual evidence of book of mormon authenticity is an issue worthy of careful consideration. Textual evidences for the book of mormon religious studies. Textual evidences for the book of mormon religious studies center. Receipt of the 3rd printing of exploring the book of mormon in. George regional conference, book of mormon evidence series.
Most latterday saints are aware of a minor industry in certain religious circles in the united states devoted to refuting mormonism and. Moronis america the north american setting for the. Can mormon scholars devise a new theory to accommodate the evidence from the book of mormon manuscript. This knowhy is the first in a series which discusses stylometry and its relevance to questions of book of mormon authorship. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted. Book of mormon evidence vs book of mormon central search. It will be held thur, fri, and sat, april 11th, 2019 at the davis county conference center 1651 n 700 w. The firm foundation foundation for indigenous research and mormonism is an organization dedicated to showing forth evidences for the book of mormon to provide lds church members with well researched information enabling them to powerfully and respectfully defend its historicity and thus its truthfulness with the ultimate goal of bringing people unto christ. Here we will share with you every other day or so, many important items. Jan 11, 2017 book of mormon evidence compiled from video interviews done in 2014, 2016 and 2017. The book of mormon is an account of the former inhabitants of this continent that contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel. In 1955, thomas ferguson, a latter day saint and the founder of the new world archaeological foundation nwaf, with five years of funding from the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church, began to dig throughout mesoamerica for evidence of the veracity of the book of mormon claims.
One should not say, at least in formal writing and speech, i dont know. Orders will be shipped within 5 business days unless otherwise noted in the item description. Archaeologists and egyptologists have found no evidence that this language ever existed. Upcoming events firm foundation expo featuring the 17th international book of mormon evidence conference dates. Many members of the latter day saint movement claim historical authenticity of the book of. What is the actual history of the coming forth and translation of the book of mormon. These book of mormon experts and performers will present the latest research and findings showing profound new evidences that powerfully support the book of mormon. What other evidence do we have that the book of mormon was a godgiven translation and not a manmade creation. According to hugh nibley, the father of contemporary mormon scriptural and theological scholarship, the book of mormon can and should be tested. Investigating the evidence for mormonism in six steps. Book of mormon evidence compiled from video interviews done in 2014, 2016 and 2017. We report on a project designed to meet higher standards of evidence.
Hopkin, to the convincing of the jew and gentile that jesus is the christ, in the coming forth of the book of mormon. Tvedtnes, has rejected the use of wordprint evidence as the foundation for a testimony of the book of mormon s validity, though he did not dismiss its possible usefulness as a scientific tool to investigate the book s origins. Update on horses in the book of mormon a mormon blog. Book of mormon central, why does nephi always go down to the wilderness and up to jerusalem. Introducing the firm foundation expo featuring the 23rd international book of mormon evidence conference. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. According to most adherents of the latter day saint movement, the book of mormon is a 19thcentury translation of a record of ancient inhabitants of the american continent, which was written in a script which the book refers to as reformed egyptian. In the past forty years book of mormon scholars have produced much textual evidence for a vorlage 1 of. Feb 05, 2018 none of this will satisfy the critics. We are constantly looking for and discovering new archaeological evidence and other artifacts about the book of mormon in north america. It attempts to draw comparisons between north american indigenous peoples including their dress, writing, and cultural practices and jews to prove the heartland theory. Foundation for ancient research and mormon studies, 1997, chapter 9. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as never before.
Joseph smith, the book of mormon, and the american. These are just a few clips about interesting stories and archaeological findings etc. Mormon also wrote two books within the book of mormon that bear his name the words of mormon and the book of mormon. Sixth, we believe the book of mormon is an authentic ancient text written by new. To the convincing of the jew and gentile that jesus is the.
Literacy and orality in the book of mormon interpreter. Book of mormon readers are well aware of a tribal group who claimed to descend from a son of king zedekiah named mulek. Other evidences that the book of mormon is not manmade. Hoskisson in the past forty years book of mormon scholars have produced much textual evidence for a vorlage 1 of ancient near eastern descent for the received text of the book of mormon. If you love the book of mormon, consider donating to book of mormon central and becoming part of this exciting movement. Our additional 2020 event will be sept 1112th the same mountain america exposition center at 9575 s state st in sandy, ut 84070. The theory that the book of mormon is an ancient american history is not accepted as scientifically verifiable by the mainstream. Evidence related to the timing of the writing mormons believe god the young joseph smith to accomplish a restoration of christianity at a specific time in history. With over a hundred other theories, these two are by far the predominant. What can stylometry tell us about book of mormon authorship. Scientific evidence the book of mormon books were written by unique authors. Mormon was the chief abridger and editor of the full book of mormon.
Foundation for ancient research and mormon studies, 1996. A biblical scholar looks at the book of mormon mormons. That story of the book of mormon translation will be consistent with all of the various forms of evidence. There is no evidence that joseph smith ever translated anything, including the golden plates into the book of mormon. Joseph smith did not obtain possession of the plates until september 1827, and he then moved to harmony, pennsylvania. He established the new world archaeological foundation, where his role as.
To demonstrate what i mean in this regard, lets critically examine the evidence related to the book of mormon. Saint and the founder of the new world archaeological foundation nwaf. Archaeological evidence for 7 locations on lehis journey to. To date, no actual evidence to confirm the book of mormon has been found, although many lds believers have faith that it will be uncovered in the future. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints takes no official stance on the geography of the book of mormon. April 7th9th 2016 one week after lds general conference at utah valley university in the uccu event center orem, utah 3 educationpacked days. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. In doing so, they will have to give attention to certain facts. All opinions, speakers and presenters represent and express their own individual opinions, and not necessarily the opinions of firm foundation, book of mormon. 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. Most, but not all, mormons hold the books connection to ancient american history as an article of their faith. Covenant on the land by joseph smith foundation dvd.
Jun 03, 2019 the church of jesus christ of latterday saints takes no official stance on the geography of the book of mormon. Examining the book of mormon a christian view probe. Evidence continues to mount that its history occurred in the heartland of north america. The 21st international book of mormon evidence conference believes the book of mormon took place in north america the heartland theory, while the book of mormon central 2018 conference believes the book of mormon all took place in central america the mesoamerican theory. 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. There are hundreds of positive evidences of the truthfulness of the church of. Book of mormon authorship, in book of mormon authorship revisited. But keep in mind that horses in the book of mormon are one of the biggest weaknesses in a book abounding with strengths. Many book of mormon research projects have implications for the continuing issues surrounding the authorship of the book of mormon. Being held at south towne exposition center, sandy, utah, oct 810, 2015.
667 58 1009 272 122 713 67 701 1167 1193 337 905 324 1117 1578 968 967 168 688 1196 590 1457 825 1589 1249 838 676 940 1008 1462 339 1023 247 417 602 102 514 503