Over the last three decades, word of the churchs acquisition of a book of mormon supposedly written in by elvis presley spread easily through fireside speakers, classroom teachers, and newspaper columnists. This feeling is for them the real proof that the book of mormon is inspired scripture. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. Uchtdorf lds quote art nauvoo mormon quote latter day.
Many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a white and delightsome people. However, when confronted with the presence of 1769 kjv errors and 17th century italics in the book of mormon, many of the same apologists will revert to the loose translation by claiming that. Smith said he has received these plates in 1827 from an angel named moroni, who. Its not more complicated than that for me but, as the op says, its understanding personally what those mistakes are and how to balance seeing mistakes and not overseeing mistakes that is harder.
The prophet joseph smith said, i told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book the introduction to the book of mormon. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Rejecting the mormon claim part 6a serious errors in the book of mormon there are two possible explanations for the origin of the book of mormon. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand.
According to smith, the book is originally written in an otherwise unknown language called reformed egyptian on golden plates and it should be of similar importance as the bible. Many a learned person has asked the same thing about the bible or even the existence of god. Proof that the book of mormon is true, excerpt from. Employing the word cement was cited as anachronistic proof of the book of mormon s fabrication. It is either of divine or human origin, and if it is of human origin that means that joseph smith concocted the book. It would be wrong of me to pray about whether adultery is right, when the.
Top 10 embarrassments of the mormon religion listverse. Wherefore condemn not the things of god, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment seat of christ. The book of mormon also spoke of sprawling ancient cities, none of which had been identified in the united states. How to prove that the book of mormon is true quora. Dont get me wrong, faith is vital to have, but having faith in the right things is even more important. It seems clear that the book of mormon is the most correct book on earth because by living and applying its teachings one can come closer to god than by any other book. Second, the book of mormon contains none of the key mormon doctrines. The hickory dickory dock theory would seem to be a strawman. 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 prefer were kept. The message of biblical proofs of the book of mormon is intended for all who wish to study and evaluate the biblical basis for the latterday saint claim that the book of mormon is a book inspired by god. Evidence the book of mormon is true the book of mormon is true, because i learned this at church from gods handpicked servants, and we all know the church is true and lead by a living prophet and all you have to do is click here to see the evidence. Erekson this story appeared in the marchapril 2020 issue of lds living. 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. However, after a fair and candid examination of the evidence, many thousands of honest mormons have discovered that this claim simply is not true.
The 1st rule of book of mormon evidence there is no. Admittedly, most of the corrections below are grammatical in nature, with the exception of the first, which shows that the mormons are willing to alter their perfect book to cover up the mistakes. The book of mormon s title page, translated by joseph smith, ends with a rather intriguing disclaimer for a book of scripture. There are mistakes of men in our scriptures, including the book of mormon. If this is true, then the book of mormon should be full of errors. 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. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints, mormons, have the book of mormon, the doctrine and covenants, and the pearl of great price as the foundations of their faith. A complete description of the book of mormon geography bomgeography, including an internal map model, external map model i. When you think of historical proof, archaeology tends to be the foremost details needed to prove a culture or story indeed existed, sadly the book of mormon lacks. I wanted some evidence and it wasnt enough for someone else to tell me it was true. Below is the modern map of the area of smiths youth.
Apr 30, 2016 the book of mormon predicts that the lamanites american indians would soon change to white skin colour. Mar 16, 2008 however, our heavenly father is willing to provide us with additional types of witnesses or proofs or signs that the claims of the book of mormon are true. A logical proof that mormonism is false by matt slick mormonism teaches that god used to be a man on another world, mormon doctrine by bruce mcconkie, p. Critics try to pretend that the simple, trivial parallelisms represent all such chiastic samples in the book of mormon. I am greatly impressed with the evidence of book of mormon authenticity, especially factors that seemed like laughable mistakes in 1830 that now have become. In making this study we obtained photocopies of an original 1830 edition of the book of mormon from the university of utah library. The first of these peoples, called jaredites, are supposed to have. Many members of the latter day saint movement claim historical authenticity of the book of mormon. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from.
Most, but not all, mormons hold the book s connection to ancient american history as an article of their faith. Such simple examples do exist in the book of mormon, examples but they are not the most impressive ones. The book of mormon is supposed to be the account of people who came from the middleeast to the americas. Unlike the bible, its words were translatedcopied only once, directly from the original document, which, in the case of the book of mormon, was a codex of golden plates. The theory that the book of mormon is an ancient american history is not accepted as scientifically verifiable by. This view finds no acceptance outside of mormonism. This site can be used as a study guide to help understand the book of mormon. First published in 1830, the book of mormon tells of the transoceanic migrations of two ancient near eastern peoples to the americas. The book of mormon came about a little differently.
We are much pleased with the spirit manifested by the writer, and feel to commend him in. The book of mormon title page, which was translated by joseph smith, 1 ends with a rather intruiging disclaimer for a book of scripture. Critics of the book of mormon have assailed the books authenticity on. T he book of mormon is advertized by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints as another testament of jesus christ and specifically of the account of his supposed visit to the american continent the book of mormon, 3 nephi 11.
Problems with the book of mormon catholic answers catholic. It might be the funniest thing in the world to me when someone tells me with absolute certainty that the book of mormon isnt true after having admitted never actually reading the book themselves. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. Salt lake city a member of the first presidency of the mormon the church of jesus christ of latterday saints also known as the mormon church today publicly admitted that the entire religion was completely bogus, and that the church hierarchy has been making things up for the past 200 years. There are two possible explanations for the origin of the book of mormon. This is important because the latterday saints make such a point about it containing the fullness of. After briefly summarizing the history recorded in the book of mormon, it treats in detail each of the passages found in the bible which refer to the book of mormon, or to the.
First, it utterly lacks historical or archaeological support, and there is overwhelming empirical evidence that refutes it. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. The book of mormon gave only scattered clues, speaking of a narrow isthmus, a river called sidon, and lands to the north and south occupied by. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of. If the book of mormon is true, then joseph smith was a prophet. They teach that as it was first written, it was perfect. Scientifically and biologically proven wrong, historically inaccurate. Includes every geographical place mentioned in the book of mormon. There are some serios problems with the book of mormon that the lds church. 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. I would much rather learn about truthful evidences in behalf of the book of mormon than something that sounds good, but is fraudulent. The book of mormon speaks of horses used by book of mormon peoples, and yet there is no proof of such a thing.
This has been brought up to the author, but ignored. Many earthquakes with great destruction and loss of life supposedly accompanied christs death, to. Lds church members are taught that the book of mormon bom is scripture, as well as a true record of the inhabitants of the americas from about 2200 bc to 420 ad. Skeptics have put forth several theories of book of. So why are these forgeries used as evidence for the book of mormon. Finally, the mormon church leaders became so embarrassed about the grammar that they decided to abandon the idea that god gave joseph smith the english that is found in the book. 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. Examining the book of mormon a christian view probe. They claim that in 1827 joseph smith unearthed near palmya, new york, the book of mormon on golden plates written by the peoples. We have actual evidence that joseph smith was lying to mormons when he invented his new scripture the book of abraham.
Bible life ministries absolute proof mormon doctrine is. The historicityhistorical authenticity of the book of mormon is an issue so fundamental that it rests first upon faith in the lord jesus christ, which is the first principle in this, as in all other matters. Such simple examples do exist in the book of mormon. May 27, 2002 mormons claim the book of mormon is the most perfect book ever written. Concerns of the historicity and origin of the book of mormon. For example, mormon apologists will embrace the tight translation of the book of mormon translation when discussing how joseph used his rock in a hat. Dark skinned mormon indians have never become lightened due to their holdin. Is there any proof that the book of mormon is true. The opponents of the historicity of the book of mormon must prove that the people whose religious life it records did not live anywhere in the americas. There is a great misconception among some that the lord is adverse to giving signs or proofs. There are some serios problems with the book of mormon that the lds. One of the toughest challenges for the book of mormon is the issue of horses. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon.
We have laying before us, wrote ebenezer robinson, editor of the times and seasons for january 1, 1842, a neat little work of 256 pages, 32 mo. Book of mormon archaeology is real, authentic, scientifically researched, a proven fact. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. Roberts wrote a letter in 1932 citing a few sources for cement work that predated the book of mormon s publication, but this information was highly obscure until the middle of the 20 th century. The book of mormon is supposed to be a history of real people living in a real place. 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. However, on the subject of the historicity of the book of mormon, there are many subsidiary issues that could each be the subject of a. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. In this study we will show that there have been at least 3,9 changes made in the book of mormon from the time it was first published in 1830. And there are many more, but these will suffice to show the true origin of the book of mormon. A book of mistakes, error, and fraud by jon gary williams introduction the mormon church promotes the book of mormon as an inspired writing.
Joseph smith stated, i told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts than any other book. My problem is the bible and the book of mormon is both wrong about a great many things. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded. If the book of mormon is an accurate translation, some claim that it shouldnt contain these translational errors. Ancient israelites did come to america over 2400 years ago. Current proof joseph smith was a prophet according to the rlds doctrine and covenants, section 22, verses 2123. The historicityhistorical authenticityof the book of mormon is an issue so fundamental that it rests first upon faith in the lord jesus christ, which is the first principle in this, as in all other matters. And now if there be fault, it be the mistake of men. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. Biblical proofs of the book of mormon horizon publishers. Recently, they were reevaluated, and again, shown to be forgeries. The historicity of the book of mormon religious studies center. Illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs.
At first glance, its a simple case for rejecting the book. May 02, 20 despite these errors, manmade decisions, and complications, mormons revere the bible as the word of god. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence rick branch 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. For more information about nahom, read the knowhy article here. Any mistakes in the book of mormon are the mistakes of men, and the changes are made simply to restore the book of mormon to its original meaning and intent.
Think joseph smith could have gotten that right by sheer chance. The theory that the book of mormon is an ancient american history is not accepted. It tells of the jaredites, people from the tower of babel who came to central america but perished because of their own immorality. I am not lds but was brought up rlds and firmly believe god has been involved in the restoration movement from the beginning. Mar 14, 2020 you can convince god to send the golden plates back down to earth again, then you can take them to a panel of mesoamerican archaeologists and allow them to examine them at length, performing every scientific test on them that they can think of. Darkness covered the whole earth at christs crucifixion for 3 hours matthew 27. This is the first video in a new series on evidences of the book of mormon. For example, critics of mormonism have shown convincing proof that the book of mormon is a synthesis of earlier works written by other men, of the vivid imaginings of joseph smith, and of plagiarisms from the king james bible. This argument discounts theories about the book of mormon civilization as models, but that is what every scientific theory, law, or conclusion is.
It is part of a collection that includes book of mormon evidences, part two, book of mormon evidences, part three, and book of mormon nuggets. According to lds church history, the book of mormon has unique origins as a volume of scripture. The only bible that joseph smith relied on was the king james version. Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses. Non mormon writers have criticized the grammar of the book of mormon stating that god could not make the many grammatical mistakes that are found in the book of mormon. Both the bible and the book of mormon declare themselves to be ancient, historical, and reliable rules of faiththe very word of god.
So perhaps its no wonder that the authors of the bom might make the same mistake. Another way of explaining the strength of the positive position on the historicity of the book of mormon is to point out that we who are its proponents are content with a standoff on this question. However, after a fair and candid examination of the evidence, many thousands of honest. The question of horses in the book of mormon meridian. The book of mormon is a sacred text that was published in march 1830 by joseph smith, jr. The existence of the book of mormon had to be logical to me.
The original 1830 edition, book of mormon had s of errors. 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. These claims have historically been taken on faith. There are other similar mistakes where the book of mormon includes the spurious kjv readings in 3 nephi. False, because of mistakes in book of mormon, doctrines and covenants, and the pearl of great price. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as never before. He didnt have the time, education or wherewithal to do this.
It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. 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. The mormon church promotes the book of mormon as an inspired writing. 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, doctrines and covenants, the pearl of great price. I think i have proof that mormonism is not true youtube. The book of mormon, with its saga of righteous, white nephites and wicked, darkskinned lamanites, echoed these ideas. Any mistakes and changes are the mistakes of mortals. Joseph smiths translation and publication of the book of mormon, excerpted by fairmormon. The book of mormon the book of mormon claims to be a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible. The book of mormon is the only explanation for this scripture. These facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world.
Excluding the bible and similar writing, can you prove to an atheist or to someone that is agnostic that god exists. Critics note that there is no physical proof of the existence of golden plates. Here are some important points that are often overlooked when exploring this challenge. Several investigations and studies which set out to prove that joseph wrote the book of mormon have actua.
Smith said that the angel moroni reclaimed the plates once he had completed the. Book of mormontranslation errors from the kjv fairmormon. Some mormon scholars, like grant hardy, who wrote understanding the book of mormon. It is part of a collection that includes book of mormon evidences, part two, book of mormon evidences, part three, and book of mormon nuggets contrary to the claims of our critics, there are many interesting findings that make it difficult to explain. Corrections problems and changes in the text of the book of mormon. The book of mormon incorporates text which seems to be taken from the king james version, including passages which are now considered to be mistranslations in the king james version. By its own admission, the book of mormon is not a perfect text. Proof that the book of mormon is true book of mormon facts. Book of mormon evidences, part one discusses some of the many factors supporting the plausibility of the book of mormon as an ancient document.
What are 1769 kjv edition errors doing in book of mormon. A readers guide, have attempted to move the discussion away from polemics to an appreciation for the book s. Introduction to 3,9 changes utah lighthouse ministry. This argument discounts this vast field of study by calling scholars and investigators mere apologists. Book of mormonevidenceshebraismschiasmus fairmormon. No archaeological, linguistic, genetic or any other evidence of hebrew culture in the. For the first 150 years of mormonisms existence, everyone thought it was a story about a people who left the middle east and came to south or central america, and who fought wars clear up into new. The text of the first edition of the book of mormon, divided into modern chapter and verse divisions for easy comparison with subsequent editions 1998, pp. Debunking the myth of elviss book of mormon keith a.
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