Bad book of mormon apologetics lds church is true blog. The book of mormon purports to give an account of two civilizations formed by families who migrated to the americas. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. Think joseph smith could have gotten that right by sheer chance. The book is used by nearly thirteen million individuals who read it along with the holy bible, believing that both were written by. If we are discussing archaeology, the only way i can find out is a to do a thomas ferguson and attempt to find evidence for the bom myself or b i can read academic studies and balance them out. Since there is no evidence that anyone in america understood chiasmus in 1830 when the book of mormon was published, the remarkable presence of complex chiasms in the book of mormon testifies to the ancient origin of the text.
Chiasmus, the book of mormon, and the aquarian gospel. While praying about the truth of a book may seem innocent, there are many inherent. Those who were not so convinced insisted that it obviously read like anything but a hebrew text. Many of these are now printed in the other two volumes that mormons recognize along with the protestant bible as divinely inspired scripture. Its early account of jerusalem just before the babylonian captivity gains in plausibility as research continues to accumulate. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates. The smithsonian institute says that the book of mormon has nothing to do with ancient america. It is like a beautiful structure such as the salt lake temple. Maxwell is the first in what might be described as a treasure trove of answersa collection of twentyseven thoughprovoking essays exploring and explaining the great truths found in the book of mormon.
Scott bradley the constitution and the restoration of the gospel trailer. Actually, all that became obvious was the failure of both believers and unbelievers to cite much specific evidence. In order for material in the book of mormon to be sufficient evidence for an. Apr 01, 2003 the book of mormon was only the first in a constant stream of new revelations that joseph smith handed down during the next 15 years5 in all. This is a project designed to accurately reflect not only what mormons believe but also the logic behind mormon beliefs. 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. Rediscovering the bom remnant through dna book of mormon.
Evidence for nephis bountiful, journal of book of mormon studies, 71 1998. 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. Book of mormon poetry, on the other hand, is cumulative. Intro to the list of claims and evidences of the book of. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. Maxwell is the first in what might be described as a treasure trove of answersa collection of twentyseven thoughprovoking essays exploring and explaining the. Archaeological and historical evidence where did the. Echoes and evidences of the book of mormon byu scholarsarchive. Many people accuse lds apologists of lying for the lord. They win points with the uninformed, but they hurt us more in the long run. I have shown that fairs paper on book of mormon evidences contains false conclusions. Historicity of the book of mormon book of mormon evidence.
One need not take their word for the truth of their religion. In the first place, we have demonstrated the extensive existence of chiasmus in the book of mormon beyond any possible doubt. The lack of dna evidence linking any native american group to the ancient near east. There is an abundance of historical and archaeological evidence that supports the scriptural historical events as recorded in the book of mormon. Lds scholars to write articles and books claiming that dna studies refute the historicity of the book of mormon the lds scholarly community was quick to respond with articles and papers debunking the uninformed false claims that dna evidence proves the book of mormon false. The book of mormon makes a handful of references to horses existing on the american continents in these ancient times. To begin looking for archaeological evidence you have to know where to look.
The resurrected savior, jesus christ, really did visit the book of mormon people in the americas. The growth of mormonism worldwide is also challenging older questions of wider appeal and accessibility of the book of mormon. There are also some powerful evidences for the book of mormon, including important correlations from the book of mormon text to mesoamerica and hebrew language and customs. One of the main types of evidence to which mormons appeal in support of the authenticity of the book of mormon as ancient israelite literature is the rhetorical feature called chiasmus. Book of mormon evidence the mormon church, mormonism. The book of mormon is the only explanation for this scripture. Salt lake city the utah court of appeals has rejected a mans request to overturn his felony stalking conviction because evidence used against him included quotes from the book of mormon. This argument discounts this vast field of study by calling scholars and investigators mere apologists. Archaeological evidence when the book of mormon first came out, about % of items had been identified in ancient america relating to the book of mormon.
In an age when many people studied the bible, this was a persuasive appeal. Book of mormon evidences, part 3 presents further evidence supporting the book of mormon as an ancient document. Echoes and evidences of the book of mormon edited by donald w. And, according to joseph smith, when one embraces truth, the shackles of superstition, bigotry, ignorance, and priestcraft, fall at once from his neck. Mormon is allegedly a prophethistorian who was the native american believed by mormons to have written the book of mormon the main religious text of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints mormonism. The book of mormon with clarity and with evidence says, yes. Hollands called the greatness of the evidence, are important words to hear from two well respected men. Doctrine and covenants and the pearl of great price. The inverse parallelism that is the defining characteristic of chiasmus is thought to be difficult if not impossible to explain if joseph smith was the author. 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 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.
Behold, i would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in god that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things. Apr 21, 2016 one of the main types of evidence to which mormons appeal in support of the authenticity of the book of mormon as ancient israelite literature is the rhetorical feature called chiasmus. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. Bruce mcconkie, a doctrinal authority and former apostle within the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, wrote, but the great and conclusive evidence of the divinity of the book of mormon is the testimony of the spirit to the honest truth seeker. This is another in my series of article on challenging questions that missionaries will likely face. One last topic on the subject of archaeological evidence for the book of mormon that i want to talk about is horses.
Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. Top 10 embarrassments of the mormon religion listverse. Rhonda pickering signs of our time why are the iconic symbols of the hopewell, a hand and a bird. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. It represents the existence in a mesoamerican inscription of a book of mormon king with broad parallels in name, date, title and function. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science.
The book of mormon teaches that the redemption of christ was planned before the world began, and the mayans likewise believed. Oct 01, 2019 this led a small number of lds and non. How could there be so many witnesses of the book of mormon and the plates and not one of them deny their testimony even when some of them became bitter toward joseph smith. Due to the nature of its origin, that would support the existence of god. This section is well referenced to lds sources to verify its accuracy. The book of mormon was only the first in a constant stream of new. If we had a mesoamerican inscription which mentioned a book of mormon king, with a date and historical context that matched the date and context for the book of mormon, would that be objective evidence in favor of the historicity of the book of mormon. Feb 05, 2018 further, the weakness of uncertain horses in the book of mormon is an area with a hint of a familiar trend.
In addition to the list of claims and evidences of the book of mormon, this site also has a section called why of what mormons believe. Welch while he was on an lds mission in regensburg, germany, chiasmus or poetic parallelism is a nested ancient hebraic form of explaining an idea, where the ideas are set out in series of statements and then repeated with the first being last. In the paper revisiting sariah at elephantine, neal rappleye, a research project manager here at book of mormon central, explains that scholars have identified a jewish woman named. Another group came much earlier, when god confounded the tongues at the tower of babel. It also amplifies the significance of central events and enhances interpretation of many scriptures.
Mormon traditions that would have us believe the book of mormon took place in the heartland and at new york truly conflict with the book of mormon, believed to be the word of god, so the heartland model is not valid. The popular tv show south park has an episode titled all about mormons, in which joseph smiths account of the coming forth of the book of mormon is mocked as absurd and completely unbelievable. Its anecdotal evidence which is of very limited value. For many years, critics have challenged the veracity of a religious text called the book of mormon. 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. Time now for a few final evaluations of what we have learned about chiasmus in the book of mormon.
An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the. The book of mormon does fit into what we know of the ancient world. Critics of the book of mormon have argued that dna evidence has demonstrated once and for all that the book was contrived by joseph smith and is hence a fraud. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. Its appeal is as timeless as truth, as universal as mankind. Lds apologists have a pretty bad reputation among nonlds, and its not just a good vs evil thing. The mayan gods gathered under the tree of life to hold a council all the gods had taken part in the creation of the earth. Much evidence exists to support the claims made by the book of mormon native american evidences of book of mormon contents. Warning themes in the book of mormon and the condemnation that resteth upon the children of zion trailer. The missionaries couldnt answer the questions i threw at them. Preearth life similar to mormon teachings, mesoamericans believed gods existed before the world was created. Jun, 2019 there are bad book of mormon apologetics. Jun 16, 2018 salt lake city the utah court of appeals has rejected a mans request to overturn his felony stalking conviction because evidence used against him included quotes from the book of mormon. As always, i invite you to study the issues, evaluate what we know and what we dont.
The book of mormon seemed to be compelling evidence that. 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. This is an excellent article that i have read over and over. Chiasmus in the book of mormon religious studies center. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. Wayne may presents the supporting evidence for the heartland model, that the book of mormon nephites and jaredites lived in north america. Native american writings are potentially strong evidence that the occurrences described in the book of mormon actually happened. Book of mormon central archaeological evidence for the book. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. The opposite, that the absence of evidence is evidence of absence. America, baja, or the heartland, these brethren have given us wonderful advice.
Therefore, the book of mormon is not an ancient work. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. Further, the weakness of uncertain horses in the book of mormon is an area with a hint of a familiar trend. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. For many people, joseph smiths claims are just too ridiculous, and the south park episode effectively captures this incredulous attitude. A journal of latterday saint faith and scholarship. I duly agreed that if you found such a thing, according to those specifications, then. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel.
Our first 2020 event will be april 9, 10, and 11th at the mountain america exposition center at 9575 s state st in sandy, ut 84070 this will be the firm foundation expo featuring the 25th international book of mormon evidence conference. So there is also archaeological evidence that supports the truthfulness of the book of mormon. Mormons love to say that they are not trying to convert others to their religion. Textual evidences for the book of mormon religious studies center. 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. But ultimately god requires faith, and is most likely making it intentionally difficult to prove the book of mormon is true, secularly. I love something just as this last year, theres a new, in fact its on national geographic, this new technology called lidar thats a laser imaging that. The book of mormon is a vast and epic story that spans hundreds of years on two continents while detailing the rise and fall of unique, previously unheard of civilizations.
The content of the book of mormon may be the most convincing evidence for its claim as a historical record and divine scripture. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. A bad argument for a position does not mean that good arguments do not exist. New evidence for the book of mormon name sariah 1 nephi 2. More important, the book of mormon bears evidence of being an orally composed document rather than a traditionally edited one, and joseph is known to. Mormonism is a religion less than two centuries old, but in this short time it has managed to accrue a long list of embarrassments which the church leaders would. Intro to the list of claims and evidences of the book of mormon. While our eye may move from the foundation level to the spires of the temple, we also see it as a whole. This page is a continuation of book of mormon evidences, part one and part two. A book of mormon treasury religious studies center. From the day the book of mormon rolled off the press in 1830, those who gave it credence asserted that it obviously read like a hebrew text. These facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. This argument discounts theories about the book of mormon civilization as models, but that is what every scientific theory, law, or conclusion is.
Nov 30, 20 these facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. 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. Why you shouldnt ask god if the book of mormon is true. Truth shall spring forth out of the earth, journal of book of mormon studies, vol. Whether you believe book of mormon events happened in mesoamerica, s. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to. They appeal to the precision of dna evidence and tout their conclusions as being objective, verifiable, assumption free, and. Book of mormon evidences mormonism, the mormon church.
The book of mormon was only the first in a constant stream of new revelations that joseph smith handed down during the next 15 years5 in all. The evidence for the book of mormons truth and validity lies within the covers of the book itself. Welch while he was on an lds mission in regensburg, germany, chiasmus or poetic parallelism is a nested ancient hebraic form of explaining an idea, where the ideas are set out in series. Appeal to authority is not necessarily flawed, especially in the social sciences and humanities. Apr 22, 2016 more important, the book of mormon bears evidence of being an orally composed document rather than a traditionally edited one, and joseph is known to have been a skilled storyteller. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded. Chiasmus is both a necessary and natural way of understanding book of mormon literature. Given the sparse nature of the mesoamerican data, and the uncertainties of the pronunciation of maya glyphs 1500 years ago, the akishukix connection is as good as we can expect to find. One group of families came from jerusalem in 600 bc and afterward separated into two nations, known as the nephites and the lamanites. For example, evidence to support the claim by mormons that native americans are. Conflicts with science mormonism, according to joseph smith 1 and brigham young, 2 embraces all truth. 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. 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.
Utah court rejects mans appeal over evidence that quoted the. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. His major argument was always that the book of mormon provides evidence that god has continued to. Nephite prophets throughout the book appeal to scriptures had among the people, as if.
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