I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. By contrast, the evidence shows that the book of mormon is not translated from ancient scriptures but is a nineteenthcentury fiction. Joseph smiths story also known as the book of mormon is ridiculous in the light of archeological, historical, biological, and linguistic evidence. The historical facts and the special witnesses of the book of mormon testify that its coming forth was indeed miraculous. The story of how it came about is rather fantastic, after all, and the simplest explanation is that the book was a deliberate deception. Finally, what happens if there are objective facts and evidences that contradict a.
The aml is a nonprofit that promotes fellowship among scholars and writers of latterday saint literature. Another group came much earlier, when god confounded the tongues at the tower of babel. 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. Nevertheless, the power of this book is not based only in its magnificent history but on its powerful, unparalleled message that has changed countless lives. The following address by president j reuben clark, jr. The most reliable way to determine whether the book of mormon is true, and whether the mormon church is the only true church is by sincerely asking god in prayer. Harper and others in the history department of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints are transitioning the narrative about the book of mormon, so that it came through revelation and not through translation. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which adherents. The book of mormon presents no doctrines that are uniquely mormon, and explicitly says that there should be no more doctrines than given in the book 3 nephi 11. It has been set up to be an all or nothing campaign, where if the book is true, then joseph smith was a prophet and if he was the prophet, then he restored the only true church. The evidence indicates that the book of mormon is in fact an amalgamation of ideas that were inspired by josephs own. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi, who claimed that it had been. If you want to know what god knows, live the commandments of jesus christ, and read the book of mormon, another witness of jesus christ, and pray to an all wise and righteous god, and find out the truth for yourself. While reading it, pray to god to know if it is true.
By accepting baptism into the lds church you take the first step necessary toward your salvation and your ultimate entrance into the kingdom of heaven the celestial kingdom. The book of mormon also tells the reader that after jesus resurrection, he visited america, and other lands to talk to gods children. The text gives an account of ancient prophets who lived in the americas. Jun 17, 2017 this is the first video in a new series on evidences of the book of mormon. Why you shouldnt ask god if the book of mormon is true.
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. Gods word is to be established by two or more witnesses 2 cor. Members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints do not drink tea, coffee, alcohol, or smoke tobacco, or take illegal drugs. The text gives an account of ancient prophets who lived. Due to the nature of its origin, that would support the existence of god. Dave and les jacobs getty images looks like youll need to do quite a bit of studying before youre considered a book of mormon scholar. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence.
The church of jesus christ of latterday saints fast facts. It is thus not surprising that in the final analysis, f. One group of families came from jerusalem in 600 bc and afterward separated into two nations, known as the nephites and the lamanites. Of course you must do this with sincerity, or it wont work. Nov 12, 20 the book of mormon is believed to be the result of joseph smiths communion with the divine. It is also the source of the common nickname for the church and its followers, mormons.
I know, because i received an answer through my prayers from the holy ghost. Study guide 1 1 the book of mormon a says that silk, steel, iron, and coins were all used for almost a thousand years in america from 600 bc to about 421 ad, but. Apr 05, 2020 those who earnestly seek to know if the book of mormon is true can be blessed with an experience as glorious and sacred as joseph smiths experience. In march, 2010, the 100 millionth copy of the book of mormon was printed. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. Documented evidences are given to show that the major doctrines and teachings of the mormon church are contrary to the teachings of the book of mormon. When i first encountered the book of mormon, i assumed it was a hoax. Smith, the sixth president of the mormon church, went so far as to say that the words were not only correct but every letter was given to smith. Before you fall to your knees, there are some things you need to know that they are not telling you and wont unless you ask. In the articlei gave my personal experience with the book of mormon in my college years and also laid out some of the logical reasons why i believe the book to be true. One of his main purposes is to testify of and confirm things that are true, unto us. The overall trend in the date over the past 175 years fits the expectations for the book of mormon as history rather than hoax. So the question of all questions deals with the truthfulness of book of mormon.
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 book of mormon presents problems that cannot be explained away regarding the following topics. The facts of the dna evidence totally destroys the book of mormon and proves the book of mormon to be 100% pure joseph smith fraud. Feb 16, 2016 historicity, geography, and methods of authorship continue to be hotly debated among mormons and exmormons as a way to prove that the book is true or false. 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. Scholars today have varying theories about the true authorship of the book of mormon, but most conclude that smith composed the book himself, possibly with the help of oliver cowdery and sidney rigdon, drawing from information and publications available in his time, including the king james bible, the wonders of nature, and view of the hebrews. The book of mormon contains the fullness of the gospel of jesus christ. Top 10 embarrassments of the mormon religion listverse. Dear mormons, you dont know the book of mormon is true. The book of mormon and the constitution true book of. So in order to find out if the book of mormon is a true book, is true scripture, you first need to get a copy. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel.
In like manner it is shown that the claims made for the book of mormon are in disagreement with true archaeological data, as well as not being in accord with the word of god, the holy bible. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. If joseph smith was a prophet, then the church of jesus christ of latter day saints is the same church that christ established while he was on the earth. 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. Mormons believe that the book of mormon confirms information found in the holy bible. Those who earnestly seek to know if the book of mormon is true can be blessed with an experience as glorious and sacred as joseph smiths experience. Smith is a false prophet, therefore his book of mormon, based on what the bible says, must be false. Nov 30, 20 these facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. Top 10 facts the mormon church doesnt want its members to. The 1st rule of book of mormon evidence there is no. 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. Book of mormon facts corrections finally, joseph smith asserted that the golden plates were translated by the power of god and produced the most correct of any book on earth.
Only about 500 of the original 5,000 copies have survived. God knows the book of mormon, another witness of jesus christ, is true. These facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really. Thus americas ultimate godgiven destiny, planned by the creator and testified by ancient and modern prop. 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. 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. You can say what you want, but it wont change the fact that i know and i can not deny it book of mormon shall stand as a testimony against the world, ether 5. The only bible that joseph smith relied on was the king james version. Some people loved itand some people hated itbut at the end of the day, the experiences i shared are so tangible to me that ill never be able to forget or deny their.
An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. The book of mormon geography lands and map with dna evidence. The key to knowing whether the book of mormon is a true record of the saviors dealings. The book of mormon purports to give an account of two civilizations formed by families who migrated to the americas. In the case of the book of mormon, that something is called the holy ghost. To the lds faithful, the book of mormon is the true historical account of a group of ancient israelites who fled jerusalem prior to the babylonian captivity 600 b.
Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as never before. Scholars today have varying theories about the true authorship of the book of mormon, but most conclude that. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. In fact, he may not even have owned a bible at the time of translation. Following the first vision, the publication of the book of mormon is the second fundamental milestone of the unfolding restoration of the gospel of jesus christ in the. For more information about nahom, read the knowhy article here. If the book of mormon is true, then joseph smith was a prophet. Deseret book stories that won hearts and awards this year from the association for mormon letters lds living the association for mormon letters aml awards were presented online on saturday, may 2. 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. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon.
You can say what you want, but it wont change the fact that i know and i can not deny it book of mormon. Jan 02, 2020 next will come the invitation to read the book of mormon, pray, and ask god to show you it is true. The book of mormon and the constitution true book of mormon. Evidence from history, archaeology, and other fields of study prove that the bible is a collection of ancient writings and confirm much of its historical claims. You can say what you want, but it wont change the fact that i know and i can not deny it youtube. Jan 23, 2016 early critics of the book of mormon had a heyday with this one, pointing out that steel did not exist at the time nephi would have written this passage the prevailing knowledge in 1830, so the book of mormon couldnt possibly be true. Also, the bible forbids another gospel of christ, yet the mormons claim the book of mormon is an additional gospel of jesus christ galations 1. But dont worry our lds scripture study techniques can help you get there faster. The book of mormon geography and map with dna evidence and the location of lands and cities such as zarahemla, cumorah, the narrow neck, mexico, caribbean sea, american indians, and true evidence are all here.
Prayerfully studying the truths in the book of mormon can help you acquire the spiritual knowledge you need to. These facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. The key to knowing whether the book of mormon is a true record of the saviors dealings with an ancient people is to read the book with an open mind and follow the steps outlined by the book of mormon prophet moroni near the end of the book which reads. It is a known fact that hebrews spoke hebrew, and their records were kept in hebrew. Ten littleknown facts about the book of mormon meridian. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. True or not, the book of mormon is a powerful epic written on a grand scale with a host of characters, a narrative of human struggle and conflict, of divine intervention, heroic good and atrocious evil, of prophecy, morality, and law. The book of mormon, true or false budvarson, arthur. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. In fact, it would just be flat out impossible because of the many things he got right that had. 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. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as never. The book of mormon is believed to be the result of joseph smiths communion with the divine. As the above logo depicts, we do respect this mandate, and our model.