The three witnesses were not only separated from the. This is a work stephens and catherwoods book that ought to be in the hands of every latter day saint. The video on internal complexity posted today may be the best yet. Evidences of the book of mormons authenticity refuting the critics. The story of how it came about is rather fantastic, after all, and the simplest explanation is that the book was a deliberate deception. While this evidence is interesting, it would be a mistake to believe in the book of mormon based on academic evidence alone. Those who deny the historicity of the book of mormon have the difficult task of trying to prove a negative. Michael frank whiting is the director of the brigham young university byu dna sequencing center and an associate professor in byus department of integrative biology. Response to evidence in support of the book of mormon a.
There is no stronger circumstancial evidence of the authenticity of the latter book, can be given, than that contained in mr. In response to repeated encouragement to study the book of mormon, many have found compelling ways to examine the text more closely than in more casual readings, and in the process have found that even without access to academic resources and formal training, an open mind can be guided to eyeopening discoveries which reward the extra effort with faithstrengthening perspectives. Thomas stuart ferguson lay in his hammock, certain that he had found. Each of its unique names has now been looked at by scholars with linguistic training, and it. Stream how is the use of deuteronomy in the book of mormon evidence for its authenticity. What a timely article as we begin our study of the book of mormon in 2016. You will be inspired by presentations about book of mormon history, evidences, and research, including church history. A short critique of discovered metal tablets as evidence for. The historical authenticity of the book of abraham john gee 2018 fairmormon. Book of mormon evidence vs book of mormon central search isaiah. I would hope that people could reference your 1917 article on chiasmus in the book of mormon. Apr 09, 2019 it was a year ago this week, i spent three days at two book of mormon conferences on the same weekend. An additional criticism of the historical authenticity of the book of mormon concerns linguistics. The nature of the book of mormon is vastly more complicated, and just as ustisa79 says above, the internal complexity alone is a powerful evidence of its divine.
One of the best ways to test the book of mormons historical authenticity is to look at its names. Join us for the 22nd international book of mormon evidence conference. It tells how jesus christ ministered to people in ancient america. Because these details of ancient near eastern scribal training were unknown at the time the book of mormon was published, these small points serve as evidence for its authenticity. Roberts, studies of the book of mormon, 2nd edition salt lake city.
Meldrum is a researcher, bestselling lds author, and international lecturer on the validity of the book of mormon with an emphasis on its scriptural and physical evidences. However, in a few ways there is still room to question whether what has been found fits especially well with what was described in. Update on horses in the book of mormon mormanity a mormon. In the past few years, dna studies have been used to provide what may be the strongest and most convincing evidence so far against the authenticity of the book of mormon. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. For example, the book of mormon is another witness of jesus christ. My comments should not be construed as rebutting your main premise.
To answer that question ive spent some time compiling a list of evidence for the divinity of the book of mormon. Are you going to suggest as well that because peterson found a number of similarities with the guerilla warfare of the 20th century, the bom was produced by someone with an intimate knowledge of the. The use of harold blooms description of joseph smith as a religious genius in this video may mislead viewers into thinking bloom was referring directly to the book of mormon. Book of mormon similarities with 1st century roman empire. Book of mormon central, how is the use of deuteronomy in the book of mormon evidence for its authenticity. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Why joseph smiths dictation of the book of mormon is simply. But being the strongest evidence so far against the book of mormon is a relative thing, akin to selecting the best smelling skunk in your local forest. One cannot trust or have faith in stories of gods deliverance if those stories are not in fact true. For many mormons, the historical authenticity of the book of mormon is a matter of faith.
Dec 28, 2018 one of the best ways to test the book of mormons historical authenticity is to look at its names. The book of mormons narrative for these downfalls it far better than the narrative believed by archaeologists currently. Update on horses in the book of mormon a mormon blog. Critics continue to make the claim that there are no evidences for the authenticity of the book of mormon. The video first ran in october of 2018, but still does a good job of presenting the case that the book of mormon is not a work of fiction. So, while the book affirms the presupposition that the europeans introduced horses it frequently presents evidence favoring the existence of precolumbian horses, and it does so in ways which parallel the usage of horses in the book of mormon. As seen by science, the book of mormon is stronger today than it was in 1830, 1844, 1950, or even 2000, so i expect it will continue to become stronger in the future. How is the use of deuteronomy in the book of mormon evidence. One of the miracles of the restoration of the gospel includes the mechanical process that generated 269,528 words of the text of the book of mormon. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. This book of mormons would only be true if theres any historicalarchaeological evidence to give it firm authenticity. These similarities constitute what i believe is compelling evidence of the divine authenticity of the book of mormon. 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.
But keep in mind that horses in the book of mormon are one of the biggest weaknesses in a book abounding with strengths. From book of mormon central, deuteronomy in the book of mormon, unpublished paper in our possession. The spiritual text that forms the basis of mormonism, in the last edition edited by its founder, joseph smith, jr. Are there any evidences of book of mormon authenticity. There are far too many evidences of book of mormon authenticity to list here. The book of mormon is one of the most influential, as well as controversial, religious documents in american history, and is regarded as sacred scripture by followers around the world, including members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, the fourthlargest. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. Jun 26, 2018 because these details of ancient near eastern scribal training were unknown at the time the book of mormon was published, these small points serve as evidence for its authenticity.
Intellectual evidence of book of mormon authenticity is an issue worthy of careful consideration. A secret pattern in the writing of the book of mormon. A mormon general authoritys doubts about the authenticity of. Feb 28, 2020 the video first ran in october of 2018, but still does a good job of presenting the case that the book of mormon is not a work of fiction. This article then showcases two distinct evidence of the miriacal of joseph smith in his translation of this precious book. W hether or not you believe the divine authenticity of the book of mormon, it is worth your time to at least consider the practical precepts that it teaches and how it might bring more enlightenment in your life, and bring you closer to god. No, dna evidence doesnt and cannot refute the authenticity of the book of mormon.
Sep 28, 2018 join us for the 22nd international book of mormon evidence conference. Apr 27, 2018 from book of mormon central, deuteronomy in the book of mormon, unpublished paper in our possession. Nov 15, 2007 while this evidence is interesting, it would be a mistake to believe in the book of mormon based on academic evidence alone. Nephis scribal training, which he inadvertently reveals to us through his use of. The two classmates then go to court to prove each of their respective cases. Each of its unique names has now been looked at by scholars with linguistic training. The video begins with one classmate challenging another to prove their belief that the book of mormon is true. Only time will tell if the carbon dates could actually be skewed in the way theyd have to be but i think the evidence sides better with the book of mormon especially with the anasazi rise and disappearance. All speakers and presenters represent and express their own individual opinions, and not necessarily the opinions of firm foundation or its employees.
They are either lying or just unwilling to consider the mountain of evidence that continues to grow. How would you defend the book of mormon in a court of. The discovery of metal plates in the ancient world lends some significant credibility to the authenticity of the book of mormon narrative, which describes a variety of metal plates used in the old world and the new. Griffith answers criticisms of the book of mormon raised by antimormon writers and presents numerous evidences of the.
The purpose of the book of mormon is to convince the world that jesus is the christ, our lord and redeemer. Nonmembers, on the other hand, reject any historical. The 22nd international book of mormon evidence conference. Nov 10, 2018 one of the miracles of the restoration of the gospel includes the mechanical process that generated 269,528 words of the text of the book of mormon. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very. Book of mormon principles book of mormon teachings evidence. 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 translation of ancient. Book of mormon evidence vs book of mormon central search. Unique literary styles in the book of mormon, further. In response to what they see as overwhelming evidence against the book of mormons historical authenticity, but in a wish to maintain that the book might still be inspired scripture in some sense, some have originated a theory that the book of mormon may not be historical yet somehow revelatory or inspired and therefore scriptural.
It was a year ago this week, i spent three days at two book of mormon conferences on the same weekend. I am convinced that secular evidence can neither prove nor disprove the authenticity of the book of mormon. The question of whether the book of mormon is an actual historical work or a work of fiction has long been a source of contention between members of the latter day saint movement and nonmembers. Using the seer stone in ways he never explained, joseph smith spoke the words to his scribes who recorded them with quill pens. Update on horses in the book of mormon mormanity a. 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. Evidence for the authenticity of the book of mormon. Evidences of the book of mormons authenticity in refuting the critics, michael t. 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. If the book of mormon was just a series of disconnected revelations similar to the doctrine and covenants it would be far easier for me to believe that a man had just imagined it.
Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Either god or the devil put fossils in the ground to make us believe that the world is older. 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. Signature books, 1992, 377 pages, paperback, isbn 1560850272 incredible as it may seem to many latterday saints, brigham h. 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. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. Otherwise, its a good book to read, its formative but not authoritative so i need further clarification on how it was arranged till it reached that level of becoming scripture with valid evidence in the side of authors. Divine authenticity of the book of mormon orson pratt on. 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. Although many people try to disprove the claims of mormon scripture. Evidences of the ancient origin of the book of abraham. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. For more on deuteronomy in the book of mormon, see book of mormon central, how do the covenants in the scriptures apply to me today.
It turns out that a good number of them have plausible links with words or names in ancient near eastern. Nephis scribal training, which he inadvertently reveals to us through his use of language, tells us something else as well. Feb 05, 2018 none of this will satisfy the critics. If the book of mormon is merely fictional, then its witness of jesus christ is a false witness. Thus, it can be seen that archaeological evidence for the book of mormon which does exist, as will be discussed shortlydoes. If the book is true, as i believe it is, it should hardly be surprising that serious unresolved questions marks persist in some areas. The book of mormon central youtube channel called bmc studios has some terrific videos highlighting powerful evidences of book of mormon authenticity. The overall trend in the date over the past 175 years fits the expectations for the book of mormon as history rather than hoax. How would you describe the authenticity of the bible compared. Visual aids for personal study and teaching, chart 125. Jun 28, 2017 no, dna evidence doesnt and cannot refute the authenticity of the book of mormon.
Lets look at some things that the bible literalists believe based on what they find in the bible. Mar 07, 2018 the book of mormons narrative for these downfalls it far better than the narrative believed by archaeologists currently. The video gives just a small sampling of this evidence. The 21st international book of mormon evidence conference believes the book of mormon took place in north america the heartland theory, while the book of mormon central 2018 conference believes the book of mormon all took place in central america the mesoamerican theory. The following precepts are those which i have uncovered and which have helped me. When i first encountered the book of mormon, i assumed it was a hoax. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages. It was written by prophets anciently, preserved, and translated in our era by the power of god as a tool to bring souls to christ. Home lds scripture guides book of mormon refuting the critics. How is the phrase make a record an evidence for the book of. 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. Academic evidence is subject to constant revision, but a testimony of the book of mormon given from god is not subject to change. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon why is there no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon.
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