The critics like to claim that there is no archaeological evidence for the Book of Mormon 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. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith as The Book of Mormon: An Ac…Book of Mormon
Nephites
The Nephites are one of four groups to be described in the Book of Mormon as having settled in the ancient Americas. The Book of Mormon is a religious text of the Latter Day Saint movement. The term is used throughout the Book of Mormon to describe the religious, political, and cultural traditions of the group of settlers.
Is there archaeological evidence for the Book of Mormon?
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. Of course there are limits to what archaeology can investigate.
Did the Mesoamerican civilization have an industry during Book of Mormon Times?
However, according to Matheny, there is no evidence that any Mesoamerican civilization attained such an industry during Book of Mormon times (terminus ad quo: A.D. 421).
Are there ancient civilizations in the Book of Mormon?
Some early-20th century Mormons claimed various archaeological findings such as place names, and ruins of the Inca, Maya, Olmec, and other ancient American and Old World civilizations as giving credence to the Book of Mormon record.
Are there authentic Book of Mormon sites in New York?
Mormon apologists believe the archaeological evidence below supports claims that authentic Book of Mormon sites exist in the Finger Lakes region of New York: Mormon scholar Hugh Nibley drew attention to mound builder works of North America as "an excellent description of Book of Mormon strong places".
Is there any archeological evidence of the Book of Mormon?
One could say with certainty that nothing in the Book of Mormon has been proven to be false through the findings of archaeology—indeed there are many supportive evidences....Archaeological EvidencesBook of MormonTowers seen by Cortez in his explanationAlma 48:1; Alma 50:48 more rows
Is there any historical truth to the Book of Mormon?
The dominant and widely accepted view among Latter Day Saints is that the Book of Mormon is a true and accurate account of these ancient American civilizations whose religious history it documents.
Do the Nephites exist?
The existence of the Nephites is part of the Mormon belief system. The Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS), part of Brigham Young University, has performed extensive archaeological research in the area, and publications on the subject and other historical topics are issued regularly by FARMS.
Do Mormons believe Jesus Travelled to America?
Mormons also believe that Jesus visited the Americas after his resurrection and that there is no eternal hell.
Where are the gold plates of the Mormon religion?
Hill CumorahThe angel Moroni showed Joseph Smith where to find the golden plates. They were buried in the Hill Cumorah.
Does the Book of Mormon copy the Bible?
The Book of Mormon contains many linguistic similarities to the King James Bible (KJV). In some cases, entire passages are duplicated in the Book of Mormon. Sometimes the quotation is explicit, as in the Second Book of Nephi, which contains 18 quoted chapters of the Book of Isaiah.
Why isn't the Book of Mormon in the Bible?
The significant difference between the Bible and the Book of Mormon is the period and place of writing. The Bible is the works of the prophets and historians based in the Middle East, and it covers ancient years of history starting from God's creation of the world until about AD100.
Is Nephi mentioned in the Bible?
Nephi quoted extensively from the Book of Isaiah. Between the books of First and Second Nephi 18 chapters of Isaiah are recorded almost verbatim as they appear in the King James Version of the Bible.
Are elephants mentioned in the Book of Mormon?
Elephants are only mentioned once in the Book of Mormon in connection with the Jaredites. They were noted as being among the most useful animals. The Jaredites are estimated to have arrived in the New World between 2600 and 2100 BC.
What religion is most similar to Mormonism?
IslamSimilarities. Mormonism and Islam each believe in a life after death: belief in the Last Judgment and an Afterlife is one of the Six Articles of Belief of Islam; it also forms an essential element of the Mormon belief system.
Who do Mormons say Jesus is?
The Book of Mormon establishes clearly that “Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself to all nations” (Book of Mormon title page; 2 Nephi 26:12). At the heart of the doctrine restored through Joseph Smith is the doctrine of the Christ.
Is Mormonism the most American religion?
SHAPIRO: McKay Coppins - his piece in The Atlantic on the 200th anniversary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is called "The Most American Religion."
Where did the Book of Mormon really come from?
Mormons believe that 185 years ago, Smith found gold plates engraved with writing in ancient Egyptian in upstate New York. They say that God helped him translate the text using the stone and other tools, which became known as the Book of Mormon.
Why is the LDS Church true?
The Church is true because it is the restored Church. The Lord taught His gospel, delegated His priesthood authority, and organized His Church when He was on the earth.
Is Under the Banner of Heaven based on real events?
Yes, Under the Banner of Heaven is based on a true story that is documented in the 2003 book of the same name. Under The Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith written by author Jon Krakuaer, documents the real-life murder of Brenda Lafferty in the 1980s.
What do Mormons think of the Book of Mormon?
There seems to be this very common misconception that Mormons don't believe in the Bible. We do but we believe in it alongside the Book of Mormon. We don't believe in one or the other, we believe in both.
How many items were confirmed by archaeological evidence in 1842?
In 1842, only eight (or 13.3%) of those sixty items were confirmed by archaeological evidence. Thus, in the mid-nineteenth century, archaeology did not support the claims made by the Book of Mormon.
What do archaeologists look for in ancient evidence?
Archaeologists, when examining ancient evidence, are working with a very fragmentary record. In general, they find physical evidence, but such evidence in and of itself doesn’t provide much information unless it is placed within a context–a framework by which it can be understood. For instance, if an archaeologist finds a pot (or, more likely, a fragment of a pot), that provides little evidence concerning the civilization that created or used the pot. Contextual clues–such as other artifacts uncovered near the pot–may provide some help concerning the timeframe in which the pot was last used, but it certainly doesn’t provide conclusive evidence as to what the civilization, or the individuals in that civilization, were like.
What do we find in Mesoamerican archaeology in regards to toponyms?
Secondly, we find that toponyms often disappeared from one era to the next. Many of the Mesoamerican cities today have Spanish names such as San Lorenzo, La Venta, and El Mirador. The “collapse of the indigenous civilizations before the conquistadors created a sharp historical discontinuity. We have the names of almost none of the Classic Mayan and Olmec cities of two millennia ago, which is why they are known today under Spanish titles.” 12 Archaeologists simply don’t know what many of the original names for these Mayan cities were. If archaeologists don’t know the names of some cities they have discovered, how could we ever hope to provide English names for those cities, such as names provided in the Book of Mormon? 13
How many items are mentioned in the Book of Mormon?
Dr. John Clark of the New World Archaeological Foundation has compiled a list of sixty items mentioned in the Book of Mormon. The list includes items such as “steel swords,” “barley,” “cement,” “thrones,” and literacy. In 1842, only eight (or 13.3%) of those sixty items were confirmed by archaeological evidence.
Is the Book of Mormon an ancient text?
The Book of Mormon mentions cities, trade, warfare, towers, and the use of armor–all of which did exist in the ancient Americas–yet their existence has not convinced critics that the Book of Mormon is an authentic ancient text. Thus, it can be seen that archaeological evidence for the Book of Mormon–which does exist, ...
Did the Nephites have a Christian presence?
Critics, for example, sometimes deride the idea that Nephites were, for most of their written history, “Christians.” In their view there should be archaeological remains indicating a Christian presence in the ancient New World. How, exactly, would an archaeologist distinguish a Christian-owned pot from that of a non-Christian? What would a Christian pot look like? Also keep in mind that according to the Book of Mormon the New World “Christians” were a persecuted minority who were wiped out over fifteen hundred years ago. How much archaeological evidence would we really expect to have survived the intervening centuries?
Is the Book of Mormon a dead science?
Archaeology is not a dead science, and it continues to make new inroads that are applicable to Book of Mormon studies.
Why can't you set the Book of Mormon down anywhere?
Ferguson wrote in 1976 that “The real implication of the paper is that you can’t set the Book of Mormon geography down anywhere, because it is fictional and will never meet the requirements of the dirt archeology. I should say, what is in the ground will never conform to what is in the book.”. LEARN MORE:
Where did the Book of Mormon originate?
The Book of Mormon suggests that the original Native Americans descended from a small band of Israelites who migrated in 600 BC (and an earlier group from 2,200 BC) from the Middle East. 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 ...
What is the problem with the Book of Mormon?
Problems begin with the idea that there were no other peoples in the Americas when the Book of Mormon ancestors arrived in 600 BC, a claim refuted by physical evidence and virtually every branch of science. If massive civilizations of highly advanced Nephites and Lamanites existed, why would all of the evidence mysteriously disappear? Though the LDS Church until recently claimed that Lamanites were the “principal ancestors of the American Indians,” Church leaders today have pivoted away from such claims while reminding members that faith-based testimonies cannot be verified by historical facts. Further, Church leaders discourage attempts to align the Book of Mormon narrative with actual locations. Further, the abundance of anachronisms which appear throughout the text suggest that Joseph Smith was likely relying upon his own limited knowledge of the past when creating the story.
How far did Joseph Smith travel from Jerusalem to the Red Sea?
The narrative details how Lehi’s family traveled from Jerusalem to “near the shores of the Red Sea” in just three days, with family and provisions in tow (1 Nephi 2:4-6.) What Joseph Smith could not have known, is that the nearest point from Jerusalem to the Red Sea is 175 miles. How could such an entourage travel so far so rapidly over rough terrain?
How many names are there in the Book of Mormon?
On the contrary, abundant evidence continues to emerge of completely different civilizations throughout the Americas. Furthermore, not one single of the 303 proper names found in the Book of Mormon have been discovered on the thousands of deciphered inscriptions in the New World.
What did Smith say about the history of ancient America?
In the 1842 Wentworth letter, Smith stated that “the history of ancient America is unfolded” in the Book of Mormon. He added that the “Jaredites were destroyed about the time that the Israelites came from Jerusalem, who succeeded them in the inheritance of the country.”.
What is the only metallic writing of Demotic script in existence?
In addition to the notion of plates themselves, Laban’s brass plates would be the only metallic writing of Demotic script in existence, the only collection of the five books of Moses, and the only book version of the five books of Moses at the time.
What are some of the archaeological finds that Mormons claim?
Some early-20th century Mormons claimed various archaeological findings such as place names, and ruins of the Inca, Maya, Olmec, and other ancient American and Old World civilizations as giving credence to the Book of Mormon record.
Why is the Book of Mormon not used in archaeological research?
Mormon scholars speculated that this was because the earlier version of the letter contradicts some aspects of research published by Smithsonian staff members.
How many people were killed in the Book of Mormon?
Mormon scholars have estimated that at various periods in Book of Mormon history, the populations of civilizations discussed in the book ranged between 300,000 and 1.5 million people. The size of the late Jaredite civilization was even larger. According to the Book of Mormon, the final war that destroyed the Jaredites resulted in the deaths of at least two million people.
What is the goat in the Book of Mormon?
Goats. Brocket deer: Some Mormon apologists believe that "goat" in the Book of Mormon refers to brocket deer in order to explain the apparent anachronism. "Goats" are mentioned three times in the Book of Mormon placing them among the Nephites and the Jaredites (i.e., between 2500 BC and 400 AD).
Why is the Book of Mormon not used?
These rumors were brought to the attention of Smithsonian directors who, by 1982, sent a form letter to inquiring parties stating that the Smithsonian did not use the Book of Mormon to guide any research , and included a list of specific reasons Smithsonian archaeologists considered the Book of Mormon historically unlikely. In 1998, the Smithsonian revised the form letter and stated that Book of Mormon had not been used by the Smithsonian in any form of archaeological research. Mormon scholars speculated that this was because the earlier version of the letter contradicts some aspects of research published by Smithsonian staff members. Non-Mormon scholars note that the Smithsonian has not retracted any of its previous statements and feel that the response was toned down to avoid negative public relations with Mormons. Terryl Givens speculates that the change in the statement was an effort to avoid controversy.
How many instances are there in the Book of Mormon?
There are ten instances in the Book of Mormon in which cities are described as having defensive fortifications. For example, Alma 52:2 describes how the Lamanites "sought protection in their fortifications" in the city of Mulek.
What animal is mentioned in the Book of Mormon?
Bennett suggests that the word "horse" in the Book of Mormon may have referred to a different animal, such as a tapir. Elephants are mentioned twice in the earliest Book of Mormon record, the Book of Ether.
What are the most prevalent claims for the Book of Mormon?
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 ."
Is the Book of Mormon a document?
Minnis, from the University of Oklahoma: Department of Anthropology writes, "It is safe to say that few, if any, professional archaeologists, except those who are practicing Mormons themselves, view the Book of Mormon as a document with any archaeological value.".
Is the belief that American Indians are descendants of Israelites false?
In answer to the second question, Professor Minnis states, "Therefore, the vast majority of archaeologists view the belief that American Indians are descendants of Israelites as completely false, " (letter dated 15 February 1989).
Question
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? People keep saying that Mormonism isn’t true because of this.
Answer
I have addressed similar questions in the past, but I notice yours is targeted specifically towards the metallurgical aspects of The Book of Mormon. I find this quite flattering, that critics and people “who keep saying Mormonism isn’t true” read my answers, recognize their errors, and modify their criticisms.
Why is barley wrongly claimed as support for the Book of Mormon?
Matheny noted that a 1983 Science magazine article describing barley found in a pre-Columbian setting is wrongly claimed as support for the Book of Mormon because the grain described was not a domesticated old world barley. 18. Old World Domestic Animals.
Where is the Book of Mormon set?
Sorenson restricts the Book of Mormon setting to an approximately 400-mile-long section of Central America, with the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in southern Mexico corresponding to the "narrow neck" of the hourglass-shaped land mass described above. 8.
Where is Cumorah in the Book of Mormon?
Sorenson locates Cumorah in Central America, at a site only 90 miles from the "narrow neck".
How can archaeology help us?
However, by searching for evidence of the civilizations described in the Book of Mormon, archaeology can help us evaluate the underlying historical credibility of this scriptural record. Evidence regarding the historical claims of Book of Mormon may well have a bearing on our confidence in its spiritual message.
Who taught the Nephites and Lamanites?
2. That Joseph Smith and successive generations of Mormon presidents and apostles taught that the Nephites and Lamanites ranged over all or most of South and North America and fought a battle to extinction at the Hill Cumorah in New York State, is documented by Joseph Fielding Smith, 10th President of the LDS Church, in his well known work, Doctrines of Salvation, 3 vols. (Bookcraft, 1955), 3:232-243.
What year was the Institute for Religious Research copyrighted?
Copyright © 1992 Institute for Religious Research. All rights reserved.
Which line is the Book of Mormon's land northward?
Map 2 illustrates the problem. It shows that the Book of Mormon's "land northward" and "land southward" are actually oriented along a northwest-southeast line. This places the "east sea" and "west sea" almost directly north and south of these proposed Book of Mormon lands.
An Arabian Altar at A Crossroad called Nahom
- Okay, we admit, this item is on most lists of Book of Mormon evidences—undoubtedly because it’s so spot-on. Not one, but three ancient altars inscribed with the same three Semitic consonants of the place-name, Nahom, as mentioned in 1 Nephi 16:34. Never mind the lack of vowels in the He…
Cement
- For one particular physical evidence, look no further than a plethora of archaeological sites from many different centuries, but particularly centuries on either side of the meridian of time. That evidence? Cement. During the 1st century B.C., the Nephites faced a tricky challenge. The worst fears of the Lorax had come true: The land had been scavenged of timber. This forced them to r…
The Seal of Mulek
- First, realize that evidences of a sacred text are extraordinary things. Artifacts that support the Old Testament, for example, are rare and highly treasured by people of faith in Israel and throughout the world. Now consider a small clay emblem for stamping documents excavated in Jerusalem in the 1980s with the name Malkiyahu ben hamelek, or Malkiyahu son of the king. This seal dates c…
Barley in The Americas
- Our final physical evidence is also small—as tiny as a single grain. In fact, it is a grain. In Mosiah 7:22 we read that the Nephites cultivated barley, even utilizing it for monetary purposes: “And behold, we at this time do pay tribute to the king of the Lamanites, to the amount of one half of our corn, and our barley, and even all our grain of every kind,” Barley comes up in the Book of Mo…
Conclusion
- This is in no way a complete list. It barely scratches the surface. My objective was to offer a sampling of the growing compendium of Book of Mormon archaeological evidences. Also, to remind us all—members and non-members, layman and scholars—that our most valuable attribute with regard to this research may be patience. As LDS scholars have attested, time has not dimini…
Evidence, Proof, and Belief
Archaeological Records
Records from Book of Mormon Times
Archaeology and The Bible
New World Archaeology
Archaeology and The Book of Mormon
Summary
- Those who make claims that there is no archaeological evidence supporting the Book of Mormon are right in one respect–we don’t know where the cities mentioned in the Book of Mormon are located. Such information may yet be discovered, but not discovering it is just as likely given the lack of cultural continuity and toponyms, as well as the epigraph...
Further Reading
Notes
Overview
Mormon cultural belief regarding Book of Mormon archaeology
Mormon scholars have estimated that at various periods in Book of Mormon history, the populations of civilizations discussed in the book ranged between 300,000 and 1.5 million people. The size of the late Jaredite civilization was even larger. According to the Book of Mormon, the final war that destroyed the Jaredites resulted in the deaths of at least two million people.
From Book of Mormon population estimates, it is evident that the civilizations described are co…
Archaeology research in pre-Columbian Americas and the Book of Mormon
Organizational statements regarding the Book of Mormon
Anachronisms and archaeological findings
Latter-day Saints and Book of Mormon archaeology
See also
Notes