Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. In fact, there is so much evidence that one can only wonder why so many critics continue to harp on such a useless argument. What evidence is there that jesus ever visited america. The prophet joseph smith himself accepted what he felt was evidence of book of mormon civilizations in. If the book is accurate, archaeologists would expect to find numerous pieces of hard evidence in central america that confirm the presence of these societies. Although church members continue to discuss such theories today, the churchs only position is that the events the book of mormon describes took place in the ancient americas. He has been presenting information on the topic of north americas archaeological data since 1994 which demonstrates how it applies to the book of mormon timeline. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. The book of mormon claims that jewish ancestry formed the majority of precolumbian inhabitants of america. Jan 18, 2018 how a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith.
His library research spurred his first hunt for archaeological evidence, in campeche in 1948. Book of mormon geography in north america wayne may by lds archaeology. Secondary evidences of the book of mormon in north america. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. According to book of mormon central, the most important material in volume 10 are the anonymous times and seasons articles. Dna evidence proves book of mormon claims about ancient america. The book of first nephi, the first book in the volume, describes the actions of lehi and his family in leaving jerusalem before its destruction, following the counsel of the lord, and wandering through the wilderness for several years before embarking on a transoceanic voyage to somewhere in or near central america. In dealing with archaeological and other evidences for the book of mormon, we must first realize that nearly all critical comments of scholars have been based on a common mormon misconception. For decades latterday saint archeologists, researchers and historians have searched for evidence of book of mormon lands. Although historians and archaeologists consider the book to be an anachronistic invention of joseph smith, many members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church and other denominations. Wayne may presents several powerful evidences at the october 20 book of mormon evidence conference in support of the theory that the jaredite civilization of the book of ether are the descendants of ham, the son of noah.
In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. The mormons and the mounds the book of mormon in north. Any and all ancient or precolumbian ruins and artifacts found throughout north, central, and south america known as a hemispheric geography approach were quickly accepted as evidence of book of mormon peoples. There has been much criticism by critics of the book of mormon that no artifacts or proof from excavations in the new world, that shows evidence of the book of mormon. This is because the continual debate between north, central and south america wages on, with no end in sight. 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. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in. Long after the book of mormon was published, they found that various combinations of iron and steel existed near jerusalem as early as 600 b. Over 300 photos, works of art, artifacts, maps, charts, scripture and commentary introduce the reader to the growing body of evidence that suggests the very real possibility of a north american setting for the events of the book of mormon. The evidence in north america is convincing proof for those who accept it, but it will remain ambiguous for those who want to reject it. This theory has been gaining substantial support among lds scholars since the mid1980s because it more accurately represents. Although church members continue to discuss such theories today, the church takes no position on the geography of the book of mormon except that the events it describes took place. It goes into amazingly specific detail describing the civilizations erected by the nephites and lamanites, who were jews that fled palestine in three installments, built massive cities in the new world, farmed.
Mar 26, 2016 the material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. Thus, there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest a jewish or middleeastern migration to. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, members and leaders. Jan 23, 2016 long after the book of mormon was published, they found that various combinations of iron and steel existed near jerusalem as early as 600 b. The book of mormon describes migrations of people from the middle east to central america, and further describes some features of their civilizations in the new world. Thomas stuart ferguson lay in his hammock, certain that he had found. Excluding the bible and similar writing, can you prove to an atheist or to someone that is agnostic that god exists. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted. Wayne may presents the supporting evidence for the heartland model, that the book of mormon nephites and jaredites lived in north america. Roberts wrote a letter in 1932 citing a few sources for cement work that predated the book of mormons publication, but this information was highly obscure until the middle of the 20 th century. And because of that much confusion exists among members because of a lack of knowledge to evaluated theorists views, creating and clouds the issues and tends to place a wedge between theory and actual writings of the book of mormon.
In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. People who believe the book of mormon took place in north america generally relate the adena to the jaredites and the hopewell to the nephites. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in transition. The facts following from the star of the westis not only proof of their skill but it is good proof to those that want evidence that the book of mormon is true. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Is there real evidence christ visited north america. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints released a statement today concerning the geography of the book of mormon in the form of a new gospel topics essay titled book of mormon geography. Two hundred and twenty gorgeous full color pages filled with more than 500 stunning photos, artwork, maps, charts, artifacts, quotes, scripture and commentary introduce the reader to the rapidly mounting body of evidence that suggests the very real possibility of a north american setting for the events described in the book of mormon. This approach, often referred to as the limited geography model, argues for a more limited view of the book of mormon, suggesting that the book is a history of only a small group of native americans in central america.
During the service, they had a part where anybody could go up to the stand and exclaim their faith cant remember what its called, and there was one man. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. The book of mormon geography lands and map with dna evidence. Wayne gives firesides to members and nonmembers alike, wherever he is invited to present. May 07, 2020 as expected, our friends at book of mormon central, the front for book of mormon archaeological forum, inc. Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses.
Nov 30, 20 these facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. Americans can trace their dna back to asians who traveled across the bering strait through alaska and down across the north and south america, not earlier than 15,000 bc. Book of mormongeographynew worldhill cumorah fairmormon. Book of mormon geography, the near cumorah setting book. Wayne may describes independent archaeologicalevidence confirming book of mormon dates and cultures among the cherokee, iroquois. Watch as wayne may presents many of the ancient american artifacts found in north america and see how they line up with the nephite, lamanite and jaredite. The church takes no position on the specific geographic location of book of mormon events in the ancient americas. Mormonism is there any archaeological evidence for the. So i went to a mormon church with some friends yesterday, which was tonnes of fun srsly, such a great day. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. Geographical, and other evidences in support of the book of mormon landscape, as found in north america.
Jan 01, 2011 220 pages 11 x 9 full color case bound heirloom edition. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. However, there is evidence that joseph smith and other church leaders believed that the events of the book of mormon spanned the north and south american continents, that the isthmus of panama was the narrow neck of land, and that the hill in new york was the cumorah referred to in the book of mormon. Iow, to match up with the book of mormon, we would need to find evidence of an ancient civilization that included advanced features, yet left no evidence of writing behind. For one particular physical evidence, look no further than a plethora of archaeological sites from many different.
Many have wondered what evidence has been found in its support, as the book asserts to be a record of ancient peoples that came by ship from. Evidence exists that this plant was domesticated in north america in the woodland periods contemporary with. Ancient israelites did come to america over 2400 years ago. The evidence actually finds evidence for a large number of ancient immigration into america. The book of mormon describes a vast precolumbian culture that supposedly existed for centuries in north and south america. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in. Employing the word cement was cited as anachronistic proof of the book of mormons fabrication. These facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. 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. These people, scientists say, spread rapidly to fill north and south america and. Due to the nature of its origin, that would support the existence of god. The mormons and the mounds the book of mormon in north america.
The book of mormon begins in a wellknown location, jerusalem, in 600 b. Implied are the coverup by the smithsonian institute in the name of manifest destiny. Second, the book of mormon text itself not only doesnt require evidence of ancient writing, but it says any such evidence would be destroyed. Book of mormon archaeology is real, authentic, scientifically researched, a proven fact. As expected, our friends at book of mormon central, the front for book of mormon archaeological forum, inc. Evidence of ancient writing in america moronis america. Wayne may book of mormon evidence in north america, the mulekites wayne may on book of mormon archeology search for the nephite lands part 1 study by ryan fisher, wayne may explains newark, ohio earthworks and fort hill, ohio. The book of mormon in north america book of mormon evidence. The prophet joseph smith himself accepted what he felt was evidence of book of mormon civilizations in both north america and central america.
Exploring book of mormon in americas heartland photobook. Book of mormon geography, the near cumorah setting 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. I have watched more than 20 hours of wayne may book of mormon lecture videos and conversed with both wayne may and rod meldrum in person. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. Lds church is true blog perspectives of one mormon through faith crisis and reconstruction.
The material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. Millions have asked the question, is there evidence of the historicity of the book of mormon, because the book of mormon is foundational to the mormon faith more accurately known as the church of jesus christ of latterday saints many have wondered what evidence has been found in its support, as the book asserts to be a record of ancient peoples that came by ship from the old world. The dominant geographical feature in the book of mormon is the river sidon. Mar 26, 2016 book of mormon evidence in north america confirmed, secular evidence of every book of mormon geographic, cultural, and metallurgical detail in north america. Book of mormon in north america maps book of mormon evidence. May 08, 2018 clearly, for early latterday saints, events in the book of mormon were believed to have spanned the entire western hemisphere. What constitutes a mound when archaeologists identify a mound site, it is usually more significant than merely a pile of dirt created by humans.
The new essay begins with this declarative statement. Dna evidence to draw definite conclusions about book of mormon peoples is. Sjodahl note that weapons of steel were even found in ancient tombs in egypt. Church releases statement on book of mormon geography. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. Jul 20, 2016 wayne gives firesides to members and nonmembers alike, wherever he is invited to present. According to joseph smith and subsequent presidents and apostles of the lds church, the geographical extent of book of mormon lands included virtually all of north and south america. Elephants in ancient north america book of mormon evidence convention 472016 by carston shields. The primary focus of the symposium is the presentation of evidence for the book of mormon story taking place in north america through. The bottom line here is that, as ash correctly notes, there never will be convincing proof of the book of mormon in mesoamerica.
How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. Critics of the book of mormon have argued that there are words and phrases in the book that are anachronistic with archaeological findings. Jan 29, 2019 some believe that the history depicted in the book of mormon occurred in north america, while others believe that it occurred in central america or south america. Exploring the book of mormon in americas heartland. Dna evidence proves book of mormon claims about ancient. Book of mormon geography in north america the products services offered by wayne may are neither made, provided, approved nor endorsed by intellectual reserve, inc. Illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. Clearly, for early latterday saints, events in the book of mormon were believed to have spanned the entire western hemisphere. Long before formally organized and wellfunded groups began their search, joseph smith taught that the events found in the book of mormon took place in north america. Church releases statement on book of mormon geography book. If you look at these complexities, you actually find stunning book of mormon dna evidence to support the book of mormon model. This book locates everything from the narrow neck, to zarahemla, from cumorah, to the land of promise, bountiful. The view of book of mormon geography taught by joseph smith and subsequent presidents and apostles of the mormon church includes three major, closely related points.
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