Native american writings are potentially strong evidence that the occurrences described in the book of mormon actually happened. The production of the book of mormon is by all accounts an impressive accomplishment by joseph smith, who was only 23 years old when he dictated it to his scribes. Book of mormon evidences mormonism, the mormon church. They present this as evidence that joseph smith wrote the book of mormon by plagiarizing the authorized king james version of the bible. Today we will talk about some common criticisms of the book of mormon around archaeological evidence that some say proves or disproves the truthfulness of the book of mormon. Critics of the book of mormon claim that major portions of it are copied, without attribution, from the bible. The content of the book of mormon may be the most convincing evidence for its claim as a historical record and divine scripture. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. To order this book directly from amazon, click here. Welch while he was on an lds mission in regensburg, germany, chiasmus or poetic parallelism is a nested ancient hebraic form of explaining an idea, where the ideas are set out in series. The book of mormon does fit into what we know of the ancient world. There are differing views on the origin of the book of mormon. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. 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.
Could the bom be processed and compared against a view of the hebrews, the late war and the kjv of the bible. Wayne may presents the supporting evidence for the heartland model, that the book of mormon nephites and jaredites lived in north america. How he did this has been a contentious issue ever since its first publication. Archaeological evidences discovered since the coming forth of the book of mormon and the facts of history point toward the accuracy of many details of its historic account. Book of mormon plagiarism a list of evidence confirming the book of mormon was compiled from preexisting sources. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it.
Josephs plagiarism in book of mormon and other revelations. Variations of this theory only include that the text is a divinely inspired narrative, regardless of. Spalding wrote a fictional history as a basis for the book of mormon remains a matter of scholarly debate. Much evidence exists to support the claims made by the book of mormon native american evidences of book of mormon contents. Digital book version available description besides the extensive list of parallels between the bible and the book of mormon, this book examines many other possible sources used to create the text, i. 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. Several commentators on mormon history and the book of mormon, including lds church general authority b. Watch book of mormon centrals new video on one of the best examples of archaeological evidence we have for the book of mormon. The book of mormon is the only explanation for this scripture. The book of mormon is actually a novel although the mormon church denies it, the book of mormon actually was plagiarized from an unpublished novel, i. The hawaiian connection some of the town names in new york state and surrounding regions resemble some names in the book of mormon. 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. Being grieved for the hardness of their hearts mark 3.
Roberts and fawn brodie, joseph smiths, biographer noted the considerable similarities in the content of view of the hebrews and the book of mormon, which was published seven years after ethan smiths book. A core belief of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints is that the book of mormon is a translation of an ancient record that was written on golden plates. As always, i invite you to study the issues, evaluate what we know and what we dont. The authorship of the book of mormon has been hotly debated since it was first published. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The solomon spalding theory chapter 9 of joseph smiths. Joseph smiths plagiarism of the bible in the book of mormon. Early mormon apostle orson pratt made a statement concerning the book of mormon.
Chapter 9 of joseph smiths plagiarism of the bible in the book of mormon. Archaeological evidence of the book of mormon latterday. If true, it is one of the most important messages ever sent from godif false, it is one of the most cunning, wicked, bold, deeplaid impositions ever palmed upon the world. The major discovery here was that joseph smith direct borrowed or plagiarized heavily from adam clarkes commentary in order to. Despite the signed statements in 1833 in support of this thesis, no manuscript closely. We believe that it is scripture that testifies of gods dealings with prophets and followers of jesus christ in the ancient americas. Arguments ranged from claiming someone other than joseph smith had written the book of mormon, to him plagiarizing the solomon spaulding. 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. Did joseph smith write the book of mormon by getting ideas from contemporary sources. 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 of the latter day saint. Joseph smith and the origins of the book of mormon 2nd edition and also in kindle. Think joseph smith could have gotten that right by sheer chance. Ive recently run across the idea that joseph smith just plagiarized and changes a few major parts of a fictional story by solomon spalding.
The story of lehis family journeying in the wilderness for 8 years is copied from moses and the children of israel wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. The book of mormon contains passages from the king james bible summary. Has the book of mormon ever been processed through a plagiarism checking software. Being born and raised in an lds family in ogden, utah came with the understanding youd be learning all you could about joseph smith, mormonism, and your book of. 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. 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. Great and marvelous are thy works, o lord god almighty. There are several theories as to the origin of the book of mormon. No direct evidence exists that would prove or disprove joseph smith had read view of the hebrews.
The list of archeological and historical claims of the book of mormon compared to nonapologetic evidence. In several cases, the plagiarism is proof that joseph smith was the author of the book of mormon, since the source of the copied text was not. Really, there is all kinds of evidence that is common knowledge to us today but which joseph smith had never heard about in the 1800s. The king james biblecritics of the book of mormon claim that major portions of it are copied, without attribution, from the bible.
The story of lehis family journeying in the wilderness for 8 years is copied from moses and the children of israel wandering in. Book of mormon evidence compiled from video interviews done in 2014, 2016 and 2017. This site provides you with an overview of what the book of mormon claims from an archeological or historic viewpoint, and compares it to nonapologetic apologetic meaning speak to defend scientific and historical resources. Evidence that the book of mormon, while good to have, is not the essential thing that will convert mankind to its truthfulness, or to the person the book of mormon is bearing witness of. Variations of this theory only include that the text is a divinely inspired narrative, regardless of its. Haley lemmon mormon discussions podcasts full lineup. Now, a decade and a half later, persuitte has added many more facts in this, the 325page second edition. All opinions, speakers and presenters represent and express their own individual opinions, and not necessarily the opinions of firm foundation, book of mormon evidence, or its employees, and no information or opinions represent the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. He did so in such imaginative ways that the resulting work transcends any easy charge of plagiarism and calls upon us to reimagine the rich oral. I know the software exists and is used by high schools and universities to determine if a student is plagiarizing. More on joseph smiths plagiarism in the book of mormon. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading knowing why. Skeptics discount the long list of correlations between native americans and book of mormon peoples, because archaeologists. Book of mormon plagiarism if ive said it once ive said it a thousand times.
Is there evidence that the book of mormon was plagiarized. All the wordprint studies, understanding of olive culture, or reading of chiasmus will not convert anyone to a life of. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. 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 context comes from a whitman poem called passage to india, which immediately suggests the book of mormon theme of migration by boat between the old and new worlds. Another book, the wonders of nature and providence. David persuitte, a technical writer from virginia, wrote the first edition of this book in 1985. This is another in my series of article on challenging questions that missionaries will likely face.
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. Book of mormon the list of archaeological and historical. In several cases, the plagiarism is proof that joseph smith was the author of the book of mormon, since the source of the copied text was not accessible to the alleged book of mormon authors. Its early account of jerusalem just before the babylonian captivity gains in plausibility as research continues to accumulate. In many other cases, joseph smith made minor word changes or additions. Additionally, journal of discourses and and history of the mormon church contain official records and teachings of various mormon leaders and founders.
But the evidence for plagiarism is much deeper than simply the incredible coincidence of five exact word being repeated in the exact order and with essentially the exact meaning found in the book of mormon. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. If playback doesnt begin shortly, try restarting your device. The book of mormon contains accounts by several different people over a thousand years, harmonized and abridged into a whole narrative by a father and son, mormon and moroni, who lived around 400 ad. Mormon traditions that would have us believe the book of mormon took place in the heartland and at new york truly conflict with the book of mormon, believed to be the word of god, so the heartland model is not valid. Link the golden pot former lds church education system ces teacher grant palmer argues that joseph smith developed his story of visits by moroni and the translation of a sacred book from the. Haley wilson lemmon sits down with us today to discuss the joseph smith translation of the bible haley worked with byu professor thomas a wayment in looking into what possible sources joseph smith used in his bible translation. The evidence of plagiarism become overwhelming when one considers the context of whitmans passage, which is rife with book of mormon themes. For example, evidence to support the claim by mormons that native americans are. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded. To stir you up by putting you in remembrance 2 peter 1. Mormonism is there any archaeological evidence for the.
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