You may have heard about a popular broadway musical currently showing called the book of mormon. Mormonism and historyaccuracy of church art fairmormon. The book of mormon makes a number of direct, scientificallyfalsifiable claims, literally all of which have been disproven without a shred of. One of the strangest attacks on the church of jesus christ of latterday saints is an assault on the churchs art. 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. The book of mormon claims to be a history of ancient peoples inhabiting central america until 421 a.
Periodically, he added editorial commentaries of his own that were skillfully woven into the texts of the primary authors in that record. Aug 28, 2012 is the book of mormon scientifically accurate. Serious study of the book of mormon by latterday saints is flourishing today as. It purports to be an infallible revelation from god given to joseph smith jr. These groups were led by prophets who recorded their religious and secular histories on metal plates. Book of mormon is not historically accurate, but bible is. How accurate are the songs in the musical, the book of. Top 10 embarrassments of the mormon religion listverse.
The founder of mormonism, joseph smith, declared that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth. Rudins anecdote echoes a common refrain that the shows producers have repeated since before it opened, that the book of mormon, while obviously satirical, offers an accurate depiction of latter. Archaeology research in precolumbian americas and the book of mormon. Most, but not all, mormons hold the books connection to. The book of mormon the most correct of any book on earth doesnt waste any time getting its history wrong on the first page of the entire thing. Volcanoes and the historicity of the book of mormon book of. Based on the earliest sources available, this corrected text represents the most accurate and readable edition of thebook of mormonever published first published in 1830, the book of mormon. According to the introduction to the book of mormon, what will those who gain a divine witness of the book of mormon also come to know is true. The book of mormon is supposed to be the account of people who came from the middleeast to the americas. The book of mormon, the tonyaward winning musical, is currently playing in my hometown in orange county. Facts the mormon church doesnt want you to know 4mormon. 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. For the latest detailed report, see royal skousen, towards a critical edition of the book of mormon. Earlier this year, scott rudin, a producer for the book of mormon musical, told npr about a conversation he had with a man who attended a.
Now and again, one hears criticism about the representational images which the church uses in lesson manuals and magazines to illustrate some of the foundational events of church history. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the 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. How could so many people have died at the battle of. If the book of mormon is true, then joseph smith was a prophet. Not only do many belittle the claims of the bible concerning the lord jesus christ, but many attack the authorship and historical accuracy of many of its books. I guess my real question is, could i affirm the historical accuracy of the book of mormon as a catholic. While the bible has a wealth of evidence supporting its historical, chronological, and geographical accuracy, the book of mormon has been heavily criticized for its inaccuracies.
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. Aug 08, 2012 the latterday saint canon consists of four books. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. These are five problems with the book of mormon, and to doubt its authenticity as an ancient. Mike caba, archaeologist and dean of faculty at kilns college, describes his attempts to obtain information from the mormon church about the historicity of t. The difference between the book of mormon and the christian. Apr 01, 2017 these are five problems with the book of mormon, and to doubt its authenticity as an ancient document. Furthermore, while archeology is a powerful testimony to the accuracy of the bible the same cannot be said for the book of mormon. Whoever composed the narrative, however, nodded more than once one is tempted to say he lapsed into a coma.
An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. Jan 03, 2012 how accurate is the book of mormon not very, there have been 39 changes in the book since the so called inspired translations by joseph smith. Problems with the historicity of the book of mormon. This view finds no acceptance outside of mormonism. The book of mormon is the keystone of our religion primarily because it is the most extended and definitive witness we have of the lord jesus christof our alpha and omega, the key stone, the chief cornerstone of the eternal gospel. These are five problems with the book of mormon, and to doubt its authenticity as. Rudins anecdote echoes a common refrain that the shows producers have repeated since before it opened, that the book of mormon, while obviously satirical, offers an accurate depiction of latterday saint doctrines and culture. Numerous observers have suggested that the book of mormon appears to be a work of fiction that parallels others within the. An examination of whether these changes are also reflected the joseph smith translation jst of the kjv reveal that they are not. Concerning this record, the prophet joseph smith, who translated it by the gift and power of god, said, 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 see the introduction at the. A response to dan vogel the place called bountiful in the book of mormon summary. It tells of the jaredites, people from the tower of babel who came to central america but perished because of their own immorality. As a result, the prophet joseph smith provided more accurate translations of key verses and chapters in the bible. How accurate is south parks description of the foundation of mormonism.
The book of mormon records the visit of jesus christ to people in the americas following his resurrection. Historical accuracy of book of mormon faith in god. Historical accuracy of mormon scriptures the book of mormon relates the history of three hebrew migrations from israel to the americas, and the history of their settlement in the new world during the period of 2200 bc to about 421 ad. People are sometimes troubled when they see artists depictions of the prophet and oliver. If zedekiah was king like is claimed, babylon had already come.
The book of mormon is not written in strict chronological order of events because the records of different prophets were included at different times, but this synopsis will bring the record back into chronological order for simplicity. Mormon was the chief abridger and editor of the full book of mormon. The book of mormon the most correct of any book on earth doesnt waste any time getting its history wrong on the first page of. Mormon also wrote two books within the book of mormon that bear his name the words of mormon and the book of mormon. Most, but not all, mormons hold the book s connection to ancient american history as an article of their faith.
If that were true, then scholars who study ancient. 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. How to find accuracy why is redundancy in geographic reference association so important. I hope this helps in the understanding of the difference between mormon and christian beliefs.
Overview of mormonism exposes some of the unchristian doctrine of the mormon church, changes in lds scripture and false prophecies that have been uttered by various mormon authorities. 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 book of mormon vs the bible, part 6 of an indepth study of latter day saints archeology the book of mormon verses the bible, part 6 of an indepth study with the great vast amounts of evidence we find in the bible through archeology, why is there no evidence for anything writte in the book. Jun 11, 2009 furthermore, while archeology is a powerful testimony to the accuracy of the bible the same cannot be said for the book of mormon. The book of mormon s own population data is consistent with this figure. 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. 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. How accurate is the book of mormon not very, there have been 39 changes in the book since the so called inspired translations by joseph smith. It tells the story of two white, cleancut mormon missionaries who are called to serve in the most unlikely and foreign of places. The original book of mormon transcript the book of. These are five problems with the book of mormon, and to doubt its authenticity as an ancient document. For the latest detailed report, see royal skousen, towards a critical edition of the book of mormon, byu studies 30 winter 1990. The book of mormon is the only explanation for this scripture. Mormon church publishes its first official history in nearly a century, and the result is an easytoread volume that tackles some hard facts.
Church admits book of mormon not history and to go to lengths to translate the words he wants so that he can be redundant as if saying that it is a miraculous miracle somehow makes it even better than anyone might have thought otherwise. If the numbers are accurate, this shows attention to accuracy of details that is exceptional in an ancient text. In the old testament, male pronouns he and his are mentioned 6. Could an uneducated boy come up with 531 pages of ancient scripture on his own that was historically accurate and prophetic in nature. Mormons claim that the book of mormon is the most accurate, complete account of the people, culture, and events of ancient america.
Therefore, this shows that the book of mormon is accurate and must have. Mormon church publishes its first official history in nearly. The accuracy of smiths story has been widely invalidated. This question is asked by a marketing person, so hopefully hell understand that despite any of my points below, the show maintains a tone that all religions are silly, and benign only insomuch as they dont. Scholars reject smiths claims of ancient origin and consider the. Frankly, 3 nephi 8 of the book of mormon contains content that unequivocally supports the historicity of the book of mormon. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from. Debunking 5 myths about the book of mormon lds living. Not only is there no archeological evidence for a language such as reformed egyptian hieroglyphics, there is no archeological support for lands such as the land of moron ether 7.
Book of mormon facts archaeology furthermore, while archeology is a powerful testimony to the accuracy of the bible the same cannot be said for the book of mormon. Book of mormon learning assessment 1 of 4 quiz quizizz. However, a close examination of this book shows a long llist of problems, one of which is the presence of anachronisms. Prophecies, we see how accurate the book of mormons description of him is. None of the events in jerusalem in 1 nephi make historical sense. Excluding the bible and similar writing, can you prove to an atheist or to someone that is agnostic that god exists. Many members of the latter day saint movement claim that the book of mormon is historically accurate. An anachronism is defined as an event that appears out of time. Each reads very much like the bible in type and breadth of thematic concerns and literary forms history, law, psalm. Christ is our salvation, and the book of mormon declares that message unequivocally to the world. Mormon archaeological argument that proves the historical accuracy of b of m. Assuming the book of mormon is historically accurate, does. Apologetics press the book of mormon and the ancient. Likewise, mormon chapter 8 speaks of the same time period as a time of corrupted and apostate churches.
Historical accuracy of mormon scriptures the book of mormon relates the history of three hebrew migrations from israel to the americas, and the history of their settlement in. By richard packham the original version of this essay was written pursuant to an invitation from the website public square, which features online. From an archaeological perspective not at all there has not been one single find in all of the usa or the americas that confirm any of the bom. Church admits book of mormon not history and to go to lengths to translate the words he wants so that he can be redundant as if saying that it is a miraculous miracle somehow makes it even better. Apologetics press the book of mormon and the ancient evidence. They include the specifics of how missionaries receive their proselytizing assignments, lds mission rules and nuances regarding lamanites and nephites in the actual book of mormon. The original book of mormon transcript the book of mormon. The book of mormon affirms the basic accuracy of the bible concerning christ. Also, even if such prophecies were not contained in the book of mormon, it seems that acceptance of the book. A a merciless mocking of religion by the creators of south park b a show with real characters that people of faith even mormons can. A cursory examination of the tales told in the bom is enough to answer this question. The book of mormon is a religious record of three groups of people who migrated from the old world to the american continents. See the introduction to the book of mormon, paragraphs 89. Is the book of mormon bom an authentic ancient history of ancient american peoples, or is it a work of 19thcentury religious fiction.
The book of mormon claims to be another testament of jesus christ, a companion to the holy bible. By richard packham the original version of this essay was written pursuant to an invitation from the website public square, which features online debates on a wide range of topics politics, society, philosophy, religion. If nehem is the book of mormon site nahom, then is there a bountiful to the east of it on the coast. Many have seen the broadway musical, the book of mormon, but how much of the musical is actually correct teachings of the church of jesus christ of. The book of mormon geography lands and map with dna evidence. An example would be a reference to an event that had not yet occurred, or.
This is important because the latterday saints make such a point about it containing the fullness of the everlasting gospel. Second, the book of mormon contains none of the key mormon doctrines. A cursory examination of the tales told in the bom is. Below is the modern map of the area of smiths youth. This is important because the latterday saints make such a point about it containing the fullness of. Lds church members are taught that the book of mormon bom is scripture, as well as a true record of the inhabitants of the americas from about 2200 bc to 420 ad.
Thomas murphy, head of the anthropology department at edmonds community college in lynnwood, washington has been threatened with excommunication from the mormon church for questioning the historical accuracy of the book of mormon. The book of mormon is supposed to be a history of real people living in a real place. Is the book of mormon divine revelation, or is it simply the invention of a gifted storyteller. Artistic depictions of the book of mormon translation summary. A journal of latterday saint faith and scholarship, book of mormon minimalists and the nhm inscriptions. In this musical there is a catchy tune called i believe sung in which elder price. Thus the lds contends that the book of mormon is another testament of jesus christ. The mormon church the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. 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 with the great vast. 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. The story the book of mormon musical wont tell you normons. The fact that many of the names or words in the book of mormon are unlike those of biblical accounts actually enhances the book of mormon s historical accuracy because many of the accounts from the book of mormon.
The book of mormon s most spectacular recorded event was a postresurrection appearance of jesus christ himself among the nephite people 3 nephi 11. Excluding the bible and similar writing, can you prove to an atheist or to someone that is. Yet, the book of mormon musical also contains less benign inaccuracies, like misrepresenting joseph smiths history, distorting mormon epistemology and. How to find accuracy book of mormon archaeological forum. Analysis of the accuracy of the joseph smith translation. Facts the mormon church doesnt want you to know examining the claims of mormonismis the church of jesus christ of latterday saints the true church. The theory that the book of mormon is an ancient american history is not accepted.
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. The book of mormon does indeed have authentic semitic constructions in it, but lds need to tread cautiously in establishing them. Many members of the latter day saint movement claim historical authenticity of the book of mormon. If that were true, then scholars who study ancient american archeology, anthropology, culture, linguistics, etc. The book of mormon is revered by millions of latterday saints.