He wrote in the introduction to this 1993 book, the purpose of this book is to answer anti mormon criticisms of the nephite record. One of the best ways to test the book of mormons historical authenticity is to look at its names. 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 mormons authenticity. While mormon scholars admit valid challenges to mormonism from archaeology and the book of abraham, they say the evidences of mormonisms truthfulness is the book of mormon itself, gods confirmation in your spirit, and the number of changed lives. Our side will settle for a draw, but those who deny the historicity of. Some of the most interesting new world evidences known to date for the authenticity of the book of mormon can be found in this tome see also my book of mormon evidences pages for further information. A subtle but very powerful set of evidences of book of mormon authenticity can be found in the study of hebrew and how understanding the ancient hebrew language enhances ones understanding of the book of mormon text. 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. Answering challenging questions about the gospel,one lord, one faith. Rasmussen, professor emeritus of religious education at brigham young university. Feb 05, 2018 the methodological errors in thinking book of mormon locations ought to be identified today are thoroughly and insightfully addressed in a 1993 article by william hamblin, entitled basic methodological problems with the anti mormon approach to the geography and archaeology of the book of mormon journal of book of mormon studies 21 spring.
The internal consistency of these descriptions is one of the striking features of the book of mormon. Roberts, studies of the book of mormon, 2nd edition salt lake city. Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon. Writings of the early christian fathers as evidences of the restoration, and signs of the true church of christ. Interestingly enough, dozens of elements of the hebrew language called hebraisms show up in the book of mormon. 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 we can seek to know the truth of the book of mormon through prayer and the spirit, here are a few evidences of the book of mormon that can help us understand the complexity of this sacred scripture. In 1989 he completed an advanced summer program in hebrew at haifa university. Scroll down and view 50 of the pages of the annotated book of mormon now. This should not be the case if the text is a figment of josephs imagination, but can easily be.
What are the best evidences to support the authenticity of the book of mormon. Writings of the early christian fathers as evidences of the restoration. Dec 27, 2015 i agree that testimony and conversion come primarily from the witness of the holy ghost, which is the mostsure knowledge. Evidences of the book of mormons authenticity refuting the critics. There are far too many evidences of book of mormon authenticity to list here. Orson pratt, 18111881 divine authenticity of the book of mormon numbers liverpool, 1850.
An additional criticism of the historical authenticity of the book of mormon concerns linguistics. Nov 15, 2007 academic evidence is subject to constant revision, but a testimony of the book of mormon given from god is not subject to change. Evidences of the book of mormons authenticity in refuting the critics, michael t. Intellectual evidence of book of mormon authenticity is an issue worthy of careful consideration. Critics of the book of mormon have claimed that a variety of linguistic anachronisms exist in it which cast doubt upon its historical authenticity. In this lds living video, tad callister, former sunday school general president of the church, offers a beautiful testimony of and profound insights into the book of mormon. Each of its unique names has now been looked at by scholars with linguistic training. As explored in this video, the location nahom in the book of mormon has been archaeologically confirmed. Dec 28, 2018 one of the best ways to test the book of mormons historical authenticity is to look at its names.
The history accounts for three migrations of people from the middle east. However, intellectual evidences on their own do not change lives and bring souls to christthat requires a spiritual witness through the power of the holy ghost. On page 81, griffith writes, since there is no evidence that anyone in america understood chiasmus in 1830 the year the book of mormon was published, the remarkable presence of complex chiasms in the book is strong evidence of the records authenticity. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, members and leaders of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints have expressed numerous opinions about the specific locations of the events discussed in the book. There is a powerful evidence of book of mormon authenticity found in helaman 3. In fact, it is our position that secular evidence can neither prove nor disprove the authenticity of the book of mormon. 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 says it was written in a reformed egyptian script by ancient prophets who preserve the culture and language of their hebrew ancestors, one of the best ways to test this claim is look at the names in the book of mormon of its 330 seven proper names, 180, eight or unique, meaning they can also be found in the bible because most words in the book of mormon are english. Whether fan or foe of the book of mormon, whether you believe it to be a literal history or a made up fiction, one thing cant be denied, the book itself feels authentic. Nevertheless, intellectual evidences can be valuable in opening minds and. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very. May 10, 2011 43 evidences for the divine authenticity of the book of mormon has anyone ever asked you, is there any proof or evidence for the book of mormon.
In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. Linguistic anachronisms in the book of mormon are words that represent concepts that are not believed to have existed in the americas between 2500 b. One of the best ways to test the book of mormons historical authenticity is to look at its names, the websites states. The historicity of the book of mormon religious studies center.
Many readers have posed this question, both out of genuine interest and also as a challenge to the books authenticity. Our side will settle for a draw, but those who deny the historicity of the book of mormon cannot settle for a draw. He lists off about 10 evidences for the book of mormon s authenticity. The best support for the authenticity of the book of mormon is the testimony of the holy spirit. Most, but not all, mormons hold the book s connection to ancient american history as an article of their faith.
Archaeological and historical evidence are the names in. There is promised a surer and a more effectual l reynolds lecture, the language of the book of mormon. Let not the reader of the book of mormon content himself with such evidences as have been cited concerning the divine authenticity of this reputed scripture. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. The methodological errors in thinking book of mormon locations ought to be identified today are thoroughly and insightfully addressed in a 1993 article by william hamblin, entitled basic methodological problems with the antimormon approach to the geography and archaeology of the book of mormon journal of book of mormon studies 21 spring. One of the best ways to test the book of mormon s historical authenticity is to look at its names. Some point to what they claim is evidence for the presence of these items and locations. Its authenticity depends, as it says, on a witness of the holy spirit. Offers seven key concepts for identifying various internal evidences that carry within them a spirit of authenticity. Most, but not all, mormons hold the books connection to ancient american history as an article of their faith. Critics continue to make the claim that there are no evidences for the authenticity of the book of mormon. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. Griffith answers criticisms of the book of mormon raised by antimormon writers and presents numerous evidences of the veracity of that sacred text. Griffith answers criticisms of the book of mormon raised by antimormon writers and presents numerous evidences of the.
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. Three evidences for the book of mormon are availableexternal, internal, and spiritual. The book of mormon says it was written in a reformed egyptian script by ancient prophets who preserve the culture and language of their hebrew ancestors, one of the best ways to test this claim is look at the names in the book of mormon of its 330 seven proper names, 180, eight or unique, meaning they can also be found in the bible because most words in the book of. Upon all the ships of the sea, and upon all the ships of tarshish see this great summary response by uimthemarmotking on this thread byu scholars pike and seely wrote people who do not accept the authenticity of the book of mormon will likely accept the primacy of the synonymous couplet found in the masoretic text and septuagint over the threeline form of 2. Jun 17, 2017 is there any archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Exciting new research developments are discussed in detail, including recent studies on. As explored in this video, the location nahom in the book. Thoughts on evidences for the historical authenticity of the book of. Sure, chiasmus and nahom and bountiful and cement buildings are all interesting evidences for book of mormon authenticity but what can beat omni 1.
He wrote in the introduction to this 1993 book, the purpose of this book is to answer antimormon criticisms. May 18, 2019 the book of mormon purports to be a translation of a record written by ancient jews. The book of mormon begins in a wellknown location, jerusalem, in 600 b. The value of the book of mormon, historical background of the plates, and the title page are all discussed. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. However, the brethren demonstrate their believe in providing as much physical supporting evidence as possible by the millions of dollars of tithing that they spend in developing and preserving the historical sites and artifacts of the restoration. According to the text, the nephites and the lamanites initially spoke hebrew 600 bc and might have spoken a modified semitic language until at least 400 ad, when the book of mormon ends. It is hoped that this short survey of external evidences for the book of mormons authenticity will lead the reader to a great exploration by following the references in the footnotes.
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. They are either lying or just unwilling to consider the mountain of evidence that continues to grow. As a result, if the book of mormon can be proved to be manmade, then the church is manmade. Tad callister gives evidences of the book of mormon. Is there any archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. On the other hand, if its origin is godgiven, then joseph smith was a prophet, and if he was a prophet, then the church of jesus christ of latterday saints is true. Number 1 divine authenticity of the book of mormon by orson pratt one of the twelve apostles of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. The book of mormon mentions cities, trade, warfare, towers, and the use of armorall of which did exist in the ancient americasyet their existence has not convinced critics that the book of mormon is an authentic ancient text.
The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. May 03, 2008 book of mormon evidences archeology does a better job at uncovering what a civilization looked like at its end, just before its destruction or dispersal because each successive generation builds on top of the remains of the one proceeding it. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. Recently, i went through the book of mormon with a different focusi wanted to determine how many evidences were found in the book of mormon itself supporting the fact that it was translated from an ancient document and not written by joseph smith in the early 19th century. The theory that the book of mormon is an ancient american history is not accepted as scientifically verifiable by the mainstream. Is there evidence for the authenticity of the book of mormon. A mormon general authoritys doubts about the authenticity.
To answer that question ive spent some time compiling a list of evidence for the divinity of the book of mormon. He undertook on that occasion to bear his testimony of the book of mormon, he being perhaps one of the most qualified men in the church to do so in terms of demonstrating the external evidences of the book of mormon, to which he had devoted a great deal of study. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. The challenge is to be familiar enough with ancient hebrew to be able to spot these linguistic golden nuggets. The video gives just a small sampling of this evidence. Thoughts on evidences for the historical authenticity of the. Academic evidence is subject to constant revision, but a testimony of the book of mormon given from god is not subject to change. Mormon apologists believe the archaeological evidence below supports claims that authentic book of mormon sites exist in the finger lakes region of new york. It turns out that a good number of them have plausible links with words or names in ancient near eastern languages, especially with hebrew and egyptian.
Evidence for the authenticity of the book of mormon book. Rasmussen, what are the best evidences to support the authenticity of the book of mormon. What are the best evidences to support the authenticity of. 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. In fact, the lord has exhorted us to seek that kind of witness not. How the book of mormon is another testament of jesus christ, how its biblical allusions and its affirmations of gods dealings with man establish the truth of the bible. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. Each of its unique names has now been looked at by scholars with linguistic training, and it. Many members of the latter day saint movement claim historical authenticity of the book of mormon. The theory that the book of mormon is an ancient american history is not accepted as scientifically verifiable by. Signature books, 1992, 377 pages, paperback, isbn 1560850272 incredible as it may seem to many latterday saints, brigham h. Roberts 18571933, an lds general authority widely considered mormonisms greatest apologist and historian, 1 expressed the grave doubt that the book of mormon is a. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence.
For the evidence which supports the claims made in this video, as well as a fairly comprehensive sampling of the available research on this topic, click on the link. Ok, thats a slightly tongueincheek statement, but perhaps only slightly. The three witnesses were not only separated from the. Michael griffith a convert to the lds church has also written a ready reply. Evidence for the authenticity of the book of mormon. This book documents a wide array of evidences of the nephite record. This view finds no acceptance outside of mormonism.
The book of mormon is a religious and chronological history of a fallen people who lived in the americas from 600 b. Once we have a foundational testimony of the book of mormon, then. Home lds scripture guides book of mormon refuting the critics. Book of mormon evidences archeology does a better job at uncovering what a civilization looked like at its end, just before its destruction or dispersal because each successive generation builds on top of the remains of the one proceeding it. Parry, hebraisms and other ancient peculiarities in the book of mormon, in echoes and evidences. Dont expect proof for any religion or matter of faith, but yes, there are many issues that support the concept that the book of mormon is of ancient origin and not a silly fraud by joseph smith. Book of mormon central recently created a fascinating video detailing five evidences for names found in the book of mormon. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. What are the best evidences to support the authenticity of the book. Thoughts on evidences for the historical authenticity of. The 1st rule of book of mormon evidence there is no.
The historicity of the book of mormon religious studies. Are there any evidences of book of mormon authenticity. Faithpromoting evidence of the authenticity of the book of. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Maxwell institute for religious scholarship has published several books that throw light on the ancient origins of the book of mormon. Many members of the latter day saint movement claim that the book of mormon is historically. One quickly learns from sorenson how much physical geography affects a society. Evidence for the authenticity of the book of mormon book of.
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