First, it is a coauthored paper with wade ardern and matthew roper. The purpose of this article is to shed some light on not only the subject of archaeology, but also on the reality of both biblical and book of mormon archaeology. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas. The owner and employees of this site are members of the lds church and in good standing. Correlations between izapa, mexico stela 5 tree of life and scriptures.
Titles on books full of archaeological halftruths, dilettanti on the peripheries of american archaeology calling themselves book of mormon archaeologists regardless of their education, and a department of archaeology at byu devoted to the production of book of mormon archaeologists do not insure that book of mormon archaeology really exists. 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. Illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. This view finds no acceptance outside of mormonism. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Archaeological find supports the book of mormon lds living. With all the fascination of a wellplotted detective story, archaeology and the book of mormon by dr. Wayne and kristine are the parents of seven children, and grandparents to twenty two. Such an epitaph, taken from the title page of the book of mormon, captures the enduring bond between the man and the book, and also the controversy which coalesced around both with the book s publication and the organization of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints in 1830. Underwater archaeology and the book of mormon in sorenson. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. The book of mormon was criticized during joseph smiths lifetime for the depiction of ancient israelites building a temple outside of the city of jerusalem.
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. The theory that the book of mormon is an ancient american history is not accepted. What a charred lump of a 2,000yearold scroll can tell us about mormonism. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines.
Beginning in 2008 we began sending out articles on the history, language, culture and geography of the book of mormon via the. Wayne may on book of mormon archeology joseph smith. Annually, october 1, is the anniversary of a little known event in early church history that i believe, in consequence of significant research progress into 2019, now deserves recognition for identifying a region of major book of mormon lands and for initiating book of mormon archaeological historic research. The continuing search for archaeological confirmation of the book of mormon. He once had promised that archaeological evidence for the book of mormon would be found within 10 years of nwaf starting excavations. In 1992, we published the first issue of the book of mormon archaeological digest. Ancient perspectives on enos, jarom, omni, and words of mormon. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. To go along with your reading this week, i thought it would be fun to highlight seven archaeological discoveries related to these chapters in the book of mormon. The mormons at your door will tell you that many findings within archaeology. If, after a reasonable period of diligent searching, material evidence is not found, then the book of mormon would be shown to be imaginary, and.
This year, our study is of the book of mormon and ive thoroughly enjoyed learning some additional things that relate to the book of mormon, such as archeological finds and history, religious festivals and events, quotes from apostles, prophets, etc that relate to the book. A remarkable book about exceptional people the book of mormon is a history of two amazing groups of people, the jaredites and the. Most, but not all, mormons hold the book s connection to ancient american history as an article of their faith. Kristine is active with wayne in the archaeological discoveries of the midwest. In addition to shedding new light on the evolution of ancient israelite religious and administrative practice, the discoveries at tel mo. This presumption removes from discussion the most compelling evidence of the books authenticityjosephs unfamiliarity with its contents. Some early20th century mormons claimed various archaeological findings such as place names. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu studies. Archaeology is not a dead science, and it continues to make new inroads that are applicable to book of mormon studies.
Book of mormon archaeology articles mesoamerican antiquities. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very. I had sincerely hoped that bookofmormon cities would be. Allen again began publishing the digest in a newspaper format which we continued on a quarterly basis for several years. Although many important archaeological discoveries were made, the evidence he had desired to find to support the book of mormon did not turn up. In response to a letter hal hougey wrote in 1972 which reminded him that he had predicted in 1961 that book of mormon cities would be found within 10 years, mr. Paul minnesota temple, and currently is serving as gospel doctrine teacher of the menomonie wisconsin branch, oakdale, minnesota stake. He established the new world archaeological foundation, where his role as.
Many latterday saints have not had access to sources which communicate how recent research has changed our understanding of the book of mormon as an ancient document. Archaeological geographical issues mormonism research. Book of mormon evidences, part one discusses some of the many factors supporting the plausibility of the book of mormon as an ancient document. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. We can break down this anti mormon charge into three issues. Ancient israelites did come to america over 2400 years ago. Archaeology research in precolumbian americas and the book of mormon. In 2005, he published an article on archaeology and the book of mormon titled archaeology, relics and book of mormon belief see archaeology, relics, and book of mormon belief, journal of book of mormon studies 142 2005 publications. Archaeology, relics and book of mormon belief deseret news. Book of mormon evidence, or its employees, and no information or opinions represent the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. For most people, that isnt a big deal, but when you studied archaeology 1 at a churchowned university, it surprises some. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. Archaeology and the book of mormon milton r hunter home. Clark, a respected authority on the archaeology of precolumbian mesoamerica, teaches at brigham young university.
Book of mormon archaeology and anthropology byu studies. In 1996, upon returning from serving a mission in spain, dr. It is a free book, which i hope you will share will your family and friends. Before we begin, i want to mention a few things to help you understand our presentation. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Numerous observers have suggested that the book of mormon appears to be a work of fiction that parallels others within the 19thcentury moundbuilder genre that was pervasive at the time. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. If you missed the bmaf messages announcing the change please go to and enter your email address. To dismiss the book of mormon on archaeological grounds is shortsighted, as continuing discoveries provide ever more evidence that is consistent with the book. They publish the quarterly magazine ancient american which covers precolumbian americas. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon.
Hunter weaves into this book the latterday discoveries among the peoples of the americas, the american indians, and includes their presentday activities, their physical characteristics, their religious concepts. Come see a live presentation on archaeological discoveries and their correlation to the book of mormon cultures. The trend of finding archaeological confirmation for the book of mormon. Archaeological evidence makes it clear that all the grains, metals, silk and animals mentioned in the book of mormon did indeed exist in the lands of the book of mormon. Some early20th century mormons claimed various archaeological findings such as place names, and. Many readers have posed this question, both out of genuine interest and also as a challenge to the book. 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. You will immediately begin receiving materials which include know whys all bmaf. He is also the authorcoauthor of christ in ancient america.
Search for library items search for lists search for contacts search for a library. This book includes highlights from my previous books and also includes exciting new findings. Archaeological trends and book of mormon origins book of. Archaeological evidence for the book of mormon book of mormon.
Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses. 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. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. Book of mormon thought false by lds memberarchaelogist. However, archaeological discoveries made long after the lifetime of joseph smith have confirmed that multiple israelite temples were anciently constructed outside of jerusalem. He proposed that the most likely location for the doomed city mentioned in the text would have been along the southwestern edge of the lake, even though he didnt expect that archaeological evidence for this would have survived. Is there any archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Generally non mormon archaeologists do not consider there to be any authentic book of mormon archaeological sites. Many members of the latter day saint movement claim historical authenticity of the book of mormon. The book contrasts the evidence for christianity and the bible compared to that. Various apologists have claimed that events in the book of mormon took place in a variety of locations including north america, south america. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. Archaeology and the book of mormon wikipedia republished. This past year bmaf was acquired by book of mormon central and the newsletters discontinued.
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. Honestly, i feel like looking for archaeological evidence of the book of mormon is like looking for a needle in a field. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. Some members of the mormon church have made fantastic claims about archaeologists using the book of mormon.
New archaeological discovery sheds light on nephis temple. Many also are unaware of some rather surprising new discoveries supporting the book of mormon which have been brought about by the advanced methods of science. Archaeology and the book of mormon, volume iii,the gospel through the ages,utah, the story of her people, 15401947 a. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith.
Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. This compilation of groundbreaking book of mormon articles is selected from over fifty years of lds scholarship published by byu studies. Watch presentations about american archaeology and its parallels to the book of mormon civilizations. Book of mormon archaeology is real, authentic, scientifically researched, a proven fact.
Figure 3 juxtaposes book of mormon claims with current facts about mesoamerica, and the trend is quite remarkable. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. He is a 36 year convert to the lds church and has served in four branch presidencies, three elder quorum presidencies, seminary instructor, gospel doctrine instructor, veil worker at the st. Im not really interested in book of mormon archaeology. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu. For example, one letter written by a prominent mormon, dated may 3, 1936, maintained that the book of mormon was used by the government to unravel the problem of the aborigines. Rhonda pickering signs of our time why are the iconic symbols of the hopewell, a hand and a bird. For one particular physical evidence, look no further than a plethora of archaeological sites.
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