These men signed statements declaring the book of mormon was true, and that they had seen andor handled. Ever since the book of mormon was first published in 1830, its origins have been disputed. As men focus their attention in other areas of research, bits of cultural and linguistic evidence come to the forefront as additional testimonies of the book of mormon. In this section of the website, readers will find concise answers to questions that have been raised about the credibility of the book of mormon. The book of mormon is the only explanation for this scripture. The book of mormon and the bible will grow together, 2 ne. Clearly, isaiah is a very prominent figure in book of mormon writings, and was revered for his powerful prophecies. Facts on the book of mormon witnesses part 1 mormons. The general lesson, and a counsel i still hear today is that, if you are a mormon, you must first establish yourself outside of mormon history before returning to the field. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 1982, 237. The book of mormon describes itself as an abridgment of the record of the people of nephi, and also of the lamanites as well as an abridgment taken from the book of ether also, which is a record of the people of jared, which was sealed by the hand of moroni, and hid up unto the lord, to come forth in due time by way of the gentilethe interpretation thereof. Isaiah in the book of mormon religious studies center.
The book of mormon describes itself as an abridgment of the record of. If one finds that this text is the word of god, what does that tell us about joseph. Once we have a foundational testimony of the book of mormon, then. This booklet explores the credibility of the account given by joseph smith, jr.
The imperative for book of mormon historicity, stephen smoot maintains the credibility of the book of mormon is intricately linked to its historicity. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi, who claimed that it had been. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which adherents. Amazing language artifacts from the book of mormon native americans knew hebrew duration. On the credibility of mormon scholars studio et quoque fide. The book of mormon claims to be the most perfect revelation of god to mankind. The credibility of the book of mormon translators book. New archaeological evidence for book of mormon prophet.
Why is the book of mormons historical authenticity so important. Book of mormon archaeology is real, authentic, scientifically researched, a proven fact. We cannot rule out the possibility that the prophet drew passages from a printed bible. This same name, rendered as malchiah, is found in jeremiah 38. Book of mormon the book of mormon has absolutely no credibility. 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.
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. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 1982. If malchiah is the same person as the book of mormons mulek, then the stamp seal belonging to malkiyahu would lend independent. Perhaps the greatest crack in the credibility of the book of mormon is that whole sections were derived directly from the king james version of the biblethis despite the fact that according to mormon chronology, the book of mormon predates the king james version by more than a thousand years. Ive addressed this silly notion here on this blog before. Having biblical texts in the book of mormon in different wording than they knew from the bible may have hurt the books credibility in the eyes of many potential converts. Pate introduces his second volume as he now turns to the fascinating subject of finding book of mormon names in maya stone. The need for historicity of the book of mormon with. It is something you hear all the timemormon scholars have no credibility among mainstream scholars. If there is data supporting the texts, we can calculate whether the book of mormon should be considered to be based on fact or simply a good fiction.
How much of the beliefs and doctrines of the mormon church. Following world war ii, a team of scientists led by professor willard f. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as never before. The credibility of joseph smith rests, in large part, on the book of mormon. There is not an ounce of credible evidence to support the book of mormon as being historical, and im more than ok with that. A journal of latterday saint faith and scholarship titled et incarnatus est. Think joseph smith could have gotten that right by sheer chance.
Smiths credibility as a translator is essential to the credibility of the mormon scriptures, and his inability to translate texts such as these indicate that the mormon scriptures are not credible. 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. This article first appeared in the ask hank column of the christian. If there is data supporting the texts, we can calculate whether the book of mormon should be considered to be based on fact or simply a good fiction story. The prevailing theory of the day was the spalding theory, which quickly lost credibility upon the discovery of an actual spalding manuscript in 1884 which bore no resemblance to the book of mormon. The bible the bible says that jesus is god incarnate. There are no records which indicate that joseph smith came into contact with the view of the hebrews during the period of time that he was. From the perspective of the credibility of the book of mormon, radiocarbon dating also called carbon14 dating is clearly one of the most significant scientific discoveries of the twentieth century. In a recent edition of ask a scholar, on the maxwell institute blog, john l. Some even base their testimony of the truthfulness of the book of mormon on these 11 witnesses and their claims. The bible and the book of mormon for over 100 years, mormon archaeologists have searched in vain for indisputable proof of book of mormon civilizations. Book of mormon mormon topics introduction click here.
An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of. The credibility of the book of mormon translators letter vii. The people and places are not proven to exist, it was written by a man and not godbreathed. There is some speculation for that claim based on a book written by former mormon john c. Bushman, the recovery of the book of mormon, in bmar, 28. Meldrum is a researcher, author and national lecturer on the truthfulness of the book of mormon, its historical efficacy and scriptural and physical evidences.
Parker and stone were best known for creating the animated comedy south park. Pates findings in mapping the book of mormon and adds exciting new discoveries that lend credibility to the book of mormon and its geographic location. As a result, if the book of mormon can be proved to be manmade, then the church is manmade. Book of mormon questions and answers book of mormon central. How the plates of the book of mormon were translated. We are both fans of jon krakauer and he has a lot of credibility with both of us. Or, an expose of joe smith and mormonism wherein he c. This destroys smiths credibility as a translator, supernatural or otherwise. Claims book of mormon archaeology is based upon scant evidence is deception for the masses. If the prophet isaiah truly existed, and wrote in the late 8 th century b. Early argumentsmade at a time when the book of mormon remained virtually unreadwere greatly flawed by insisting on trumpedup slanders that dismissed joseph smith as a lazy liar with a host of even more serious flaws. And, with more study, the books sturdiness and richness and the. The credibility of the book of mormon translators posted june 28, 2017 jonathan neville richard lloyd anderson wrote an excellent article titled the credibility of the book of mormon translators that was a chapter in book of mormon authorship.
Terryl givens and laurel ulrich also provide examples of scholars who gain credibility in other fields before finally turning to mormonism later in their career. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in. As joseph smith, the founder of the rapidly growing church of. While the mormon church has denounced polygamy and the fdls, this sect continues to thrive in arizona, texas, mexico, canada and they are now moving into south dakota.
Book of mormon, 1830 edition, page 32 these last records shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the lamb of god is the son of the eternal father, and the savior book of mormon, 1837 edition, 1 nephi. Book of mormonauthorship theoriesview of the hebrews. Book of mormon geography raises a theological dilemma. His research supports the writings and teachings of ancient and latterday prophets and indicates north america as the location where its epic history played out. Richard lloyd anderson, the credibility of the book of mormon translators, in book of mormon authorship. Everything else that needs to be said was already stated by mason. His claim is that he received a set of metal plates which he translated by the gift and power of god with the aid of the instruments which the angel moroni called the urim and thummim. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. Byu religious studies center, 1982, 237, hereafter bma.
There are many types of questions, and answers have usually been published previously in several places. Is there any credibility to the claim that book of mormon. 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. This new discovery possibly adds further credibility to the book of mormon. Sorenson was specifically asked about how nonmormons view his work. The problem with this question is that it assumes that one can play a game whereby you disprove a religion or destroy the credibility of its founder and you have somehow vanquished a heretical enemy. As a missionary, i was instructed to teach investigators about the testimonies of the witnesses to the book of mormon as part of boosting the books credibility. No, there is no historical credibility to that claim. The book of mormon was written for the intent that we may believe the bible, morm. Jon does a fair and factual history of the mormon church and the rise of polygamy and the flds.
If a socalled holy book is not a myth, then we will find that the names of cities, people, and other unique details will be supported by archaeological evidence. Archaeologists excavating in jerusalem discovered a small stamp seal in the 1980s belonging to a certain malkiyahu ben hamelek, or malkiyahu son of the king. Illuminating the credibility of the book of mormon through archaeological photographs. The truth is that there is no historical or archealogical evidence from a nonmormon source that proves that anyone or anything mentioned in the book of mormon actually took place. Why is the book of mormons historical authenticity so.
The lords words will hiss forth unto the ends of the earth, 2 ne. Schoolteacher oliver cowdery boarded with joseph smiths parents the winter after. Are the mormon scriptures credible catholic answers. The 1st rule of book of mormon evidence there is no.
This book was written by an elder of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints to try and give some credibility to the book of mormon and joseph smith. Most, but not all, mormons hold the books connection to. Libby of the university of chicago developed the radiocarbon method. No two people knew more about the astounding beginnings of mormonism. Historical evidence has led many people to question the authenticity of the book of mormon and the credibility of joseph smiths story. The book of mormon original broadway cast recording licensed to youtube by. The lord covenanted with enos to bring forth the book of mormon to the lamanites, enos 1.
Many members of the latter day saint movement claim that the book of mormon is historically accurate. Concerning this record the prophet joseph smith said. I believe from the book of mormon musical on the 65th tony. The credibility of the book of mormon translators richard lloyd anderson wrote an excellent article titled the credibility of the book of mormon translators that was a chapter in book of mormon authorship. If the book of mormon is true, then joseph smith was a prophet. Ancient israelites did come to america over 2400 years ago. Has an artifact that relates to the book of mormon been.
Also, the book of mormon contains grave errors and contradictions. The credibility of the book of mormon translators religious. See richard lloyd anderson, the credibility of the book of mormon translators, in book of mormon authorship, ed. Those who would defend traditional beliefs about mormon origins often turn to the testimonies of 11 men. The book of mormon is a musical comedy with music, lyrics and book by trey parker, robert lopez, and matt stone first staged in 2011, the play is a satirical examination of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints beliefs and practices that ultimately endorses the positive power of love and service. This paper examines the culture, credibility and relevance of the testimony of the eleven men the lds church presents as witnesses to the book of mormon. The need for historicity of the book of mormon with stephen smoot.
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