Sep 20, 2017 of course there is room for viewing the book of mormon as true without being historical. The historicity of the book of mormon religious studies. The central question is, do we have any reason, besides the faulty reasoning of moroni 10. Debunking 5 myths about the book of mormon lds living. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. The book of mormon does indeed have authentic semitic constructions in it, but lds need to tread cautiously in establishing them. Ash, from a presentation given at bmaf, october 18, 2014 is the book of mormon historically true.
Before i get flamed i would like to point out three of the more glaring anachronistic errors. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. Miller author matthew roper when the book of mormon first appeared, skeptics said that references to horses, asses, elephants, and other animals such as swine and cows were out of place. In recent years, the church acknowledged that joseph smith wed as many as 40 wives, some as. Mormons, do you really believe that the book of mormon is. Book of mormon is not historically accurate, but bible is part 28 the book of mormon vs the bible, part 2 of an indepth study of latter day saints archeology the book of mormon verses the bible, part 2 of an indepth study. Is the book of mormon s account of olive horticulture in jacob 5 accurate. It also does not have the absurd teachings that we find in the book of mormon. Perhaps a better way to phrase the question is, was michael coe correct to say. Oct 16, 2014 historical evidence supporting the book of mormon is overwhelming duration.
Learn more about the incredible historicity of the book of mormon through our podcast, articles, and videos. The accounts of these witnesses are printed in each copy of the book of mormon but the song makes no mention of them. There are several theories as to the origin of the book of mormon. Smith, they will say, translated the book of mormon from golden plates he dug up in a hill in new york in the early 1800s. The dominant and widely accepted view among latter day saints is that the book of mormon is a true and accurate account of these ancient. This book locates everything from the narrow neck, to zarahemla, from cumorah, to the land of promise, bountiful. Contrary to the musicals portrayal, historical records indicate that at least 11 people signed testimonies indicating that smith had shown them the golden plates. The most common belief of adherents is that promoted by joseph smith, who said he translated ancient golden plates inscribed by prophets. Corn really existed in the new world during the book of mormon time frame, so that word should appear in the book of mormon if it is an accurate historical record. One of the core convictions of the catholic church is that it is the one true church and the gates of hell will never prevail against it, which completely rules out the idea of a great apostasy. In recent years, the church acknowledged that joseph smith wed. Mormons themselves long ago have explained that they do not think that the book of mormon is based on accurate historical records of any kind, either. Book of mormon history provides easy access to current research for personal study. Not only does an increase in the frequency of anachronisms increase the probability that a work is not historically accurate, but.
What would the book of mormon be like if it was as. The book of mormon claims that a small group of people came from israel to the americas probably central america, though. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as. The book of mormon provides a remarkably accurate portrait of olive horticulture. 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. Led by a prophet named lehi, jewish refugees sailed to america about 600 b. As we study the sacred records of past peoples and dispensations, our hearts will turn to them in gratitude. If so, then how do you explain the many inconsistencies in geographical places and cultures that never existed. First, it utterly lacks historical or archaeological support, and there is overwhelming empirical evidence that refutes it. The book of mormon claims to be a history of ancient peoples inhabiting central. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of. May 27, 2002 in contrast to the book of mormon, the bible proves to be historically accurate and internally consistent.
The book of mormon is set in north america in the first century. This is important because the latterday saints make such a point about it containing the fullness of. Sep 07, 2011 is the book of mormon bom an authentic ancient history of ancient american peoples, or is it a work of 19thcentury religious fiction. The evidence appears to point to the fact that the book of mormon is not an ancient historical text, but an 18th century work created by joseph smith. There are two points at which the allegoryparable deviates from the known principles of growing olives. Kunichs analysis agrees with lambs that the book of mormon presents an unrealistic growth rate for the population, but smith disagrees, and says that the growth rate is realistic.
They see it as a metaphor, as a makebelieve story intended to teach moral principles, not history. The book of mormon can be true without being historical. Dec 12, 2012 he describes the yearning for afrikaansspeakers for a translation of the book of mormon. Jan 28, 2014 the book of mormon obviously fails the test of being historically accurate. Art depicting the book of mormon translation process. However, i dont find this summary of the evidence to be particularly accurate, comprehensive and coherent, fruitful, aesthetically pleasing, or promising compared to what i know of the arguments in favor of historicity that i know about. The dominant and widely accepted view among latter day saints is that the book of mormon is a true and accurate account of these ancient american civilizations whose religious history it documents. In the old testament, male pronouns he and his are mentioned 6. Much can be known about the coming forth of the english text of the book of mormon through a careful. Also lets keep the general idea of joseph receiving the book of mormon. Mormons, do you really believe that the book of mormon is historically accurate. When mormon missionaries properly called latter day saints or simply lds come to your door, they will often offer a free copy of the book of mormon and tell you about its author, joseph smith. Jul 28, 2017 without the details, both sacred and ordinary, from a variety of records, mormon would have had little to draw upon to present the history of his people to modern audiences. Examining the book of mormon a christian view probe.
History of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, 4. Of course there is room for viewing the book of mormon as true without being historical. Assuming the book of mormon is historically accurate, does. The book of mormon, the hit musical by matt stone and trey parker, creators of south park and bobby lopez avenue q, frozen.
There are differing views on the origin of the book of mormon. The book of mormon records the visit of jesus christ to people in the americas following his resurrection. The book of mormon is by no means historically accurate. The book of mormon bom was first published in palmyra, new york, in 1830, its title page giving the name joseph smith, jun. Is the book of mormon bom an authentic ancient history of ancient american peoples, or is it a work of 19thcentury religious fiction. They see it as a metaphor, as a makebelieve story intended to. 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. Variations of this theory only include that the text is a divinely inspired narrative, regardless of its. And as we preserve our own sacred records for future generations and posterity, we will look forward with charity. Do mormons believe that the book of mormon describes real historical events. Youd think this would elicit a simple yes or no response depending on ones beliefs regarding the prophetic calling of joseph smith but its not really that simple.
He describes the yearning for afrikaansspeakers for a translation of the book of mormon. Jul 04, 2011 mormons claim that the book of mormon is the most accurate, complete account of the people, culture, and events of ancient america. Smith who said that the book of mormon was the most correct book of any book on earth. Gods favourite musical the book of mormon official website. The chapter on missionary work is notable for its overview of the history of the various translations of the book of mormon, as well as its careful and accurate description of the process the church uses to find and train translators and then support them in the work they do. Think joseph smith could have gotten that right by sheer chance. The translation of the book of mormon into afrikaans. The book of mormon is the only explanation for this scripture. Yes, it is but its not a history, but rather a sacred text, and is therefore considered guilty until proven innocent by skeptics, historians, and archaeologists. Smith, then 24 years old, claimed that he had not composed the text of the book but had translated it from a set of golden plates. In contrast to the book of mormon, the bible proves to be historically accurate and internally consistent. 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.
A cursory examination of the tales told in the bom is enough to answer this question. Most adherents to the latter day saint movement view the book as a work of inspired scripture. The book of mormon was translated and published in 1830. However, a close examination of this book shows a long llist of problems, one of which is the presence of anachronisms. Jun 17, 2011 book of mormon is not historically accurate, but bible is part 29 the book of mormon vs the bible, part 3 of an indepth study of latter day saints archeology the book of mormon verses the bible, part 1 of an indepth study. Mormon archaeological argument that proves the historical accuracy of b of m. The bom was first published in palmyra, new york, in 1830, its title page giving the name joseph smith, jun. Is the book of mormon an authentic ancient history of ancient american peoples, or a work of 19th century religious fiction. The book of mormon obviously fails the test of being historically accurate. Many members of the latter day saint movement claim historical authenticity of the book of. Second, the book of mormon contains none of the key mormon doctrines. Historical accuracy of book of mormon faith in god.
The historicity of the book of mormon religious studies center. Without the details, both sacred and ordinary, from a variety of records, mormon would have had little to draw upon to present the history of his people to modern audiences. Mormons claim that the book of mormon is the most accurate, complete account of the people, culture, and events of ancient america. Modern studies on population size and growth have been done by john kunich and farms writer james smith. Inaccurate presentations of mormon history persist. Book of mormon is not historically accurate, but bible is part 29 the book of mormon vs the bible, part 3 of an indepth study of latter day saints archeology the book of mormon verses the bible, part 1 of an indepth study. If that were true, then scholars who study ancient american archeology, anthropology, culture, linguistics, etc. Book of mormon is not historically accurate, but bible is.
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. Yet, the book of mormon musical also contains less benign inaccuracies, like misrepresenting joseph smiths history, distorting mormon. Could an uneducated boy come up with 531 pages of ancient scripture on his own that was historically accurate and prophetic in nature. I guess my real question is, could i affirm the historical accuracy of the book of mormon as a catholic. What would the book of mormon be like if it was as historically accurate as possible. Therefore, this shows that the book of mormon is accurate and must have been translated by the power of god as joseph smith claimed. Miraculous origins theories generally accept joseph smiths own account, that he translated an ancient record compiled and abridged by mormon, a precolumbian resident of the western hemisphere.
Anthony sweat says, images often shape our perceptions of history as much as, or perhaps more than, many of the scholarly works about history, the mormon church purposefully achieves a sort of historical rewrite of the book of mormon translation process by continually representing the. These are five problems with the book of mormon, and to doubt its authenticity as an ancient document. Lets say that we have to keep the general idea of a people being gods chosen people, and jesus visiting. Mormon archaeologists over the years have almost unanimously accepted the book of mormon as an accurate, historical account of the new world peoples.
Archaeologists and other researchers after 1830 confirmed that such ancient civilizations and cities, similar to those described in the book of mormon, did exist. Apr 01, 2017 these are five problems with the book of mormon, and to doubt its authenticity as an ancient document. But wine made from grapes should not be in the book of mormon. Hebraisms that could have been known to joseph smith may still be authentic, and may still enhance our appreciation of the text, but they are weak evidence for book of mormon antiquity. In recent years, lds artwork found in church curriculum and magazines has been criticized because it does not portray the book of mormon translation process historically accurate. Moroni, the last of the nephite prophethistorians, sealed up the abridged records of these people and hid them in about a. Joseph smith claimed that the book of mormon, published in 1830, had been translated from golden plates that contained the accounts of the ancient inhabitants of the american continent. What do ifand conditionals tell us about the book of mormon translation. The book of mormon geography lands and map with dna evidence.
As a result, the prophet joseph smith provided more accurate. Sweat shares that the first place his students often learn that joseph smith put stones into a hat when translating is through the television show south park. The bare facts of the matter are that nothing, absolutely nothing, has ever shown up in any new world excavation. This test alone conclusively shows it is a product of an 1820s misconception of new world history by joseph smith, and from his imagination not from god. That is among the most securely established facts in latterday saint history. The book of mormon purportedly is the history of ancient american people who were descendants of pre babylonian exilic jews. Jun 15, 2011 book of mormon is not historically accurate, but bible is part 28 the book of mormon vs the bible, part 2 of an indepth study of latter day saints archeology the book of mormon verses the bible, part 2 of an indepth study. A twohundredyear era of peace followed that visit of christ.
Mike caba, archaeologist and dean of faculty at kilns college, describes his attempts to obtain information from the mormon church about the. Critics dont claim its supposed to be a textbook of history, but the history it contains should be accurate. This dna evidence also establishes a link between the ancient jews and the native americans, proving the churchs now dated claims that the people of the book of mormon are the principle ancestors of the native americans. How accurate are the songs in the musical, the book of mormon. The book of mormon has been criticized for its lack of significant female characters in the narrative.
340 1112 947 966 853 1425 1092 1208 1338 1173 482 926 1101 1249 193 1084 1001 482 645 1451 100 1355 960 902 259 869 1383 50 1477 1558 1091 248 898 936 655 1487 156 562 121 1321 1316