Jun 29, 2016 it was an interesting and challenging experience. Some latterday saints, in their zeal to give tangible authenticity to the book of mormon, have. Genetic attacks on the book of mormon focus on the fact that amerindian dna seems closest to asian dna, and not dna from the middle east or jewish dna. New approaches to the book of mormon signature books. Mission statement book of mormon archaeological forum. The smithsonian institutions national museum of natural history for a number. Have any nonmormon scholars seriously analyzed the book of. Have any nonmormon scholars seriously analyzed the book. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide.
Roberts that he wrote to answer a young members questions about the book of mormon in, i believe 1930. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon mormons. By the end of the study it is clear that he no longer. Heres your first look at the new book of mormon videos lds. Joseph smiths testimony on the lands of the nephites.
Smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of. I view the book of mormon as the culmination of the christian debates, which started with paul moved through augustine and pelagianism, honed through the catholic period, picking back up with the reformation with contributions from luther, calvin, arminius, wesley, and finally alexander campbells restorationism. A challenge to origins of the book of mormon and joseph smith. The legal organization behind book of mormon central is the book of mormon archaeological forum, inc. That statement is questioned by the 10 contributors to new approaches to the book of mormon. If we compare the historical, prophetical, and doctrinal parts of the book of mormon with the great truths of science and. For many years the smithsonian institution in washington has received inquiries concerning the book of mormon, its role in the institutions scientific activities, and a number of specific. It professes to be a religious and secular history of hebrews who fled jerusalem and certain persecution in 600 b. Smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon posted on 03192009 1. An evaluation of the smithsonian institutions statement. The smithsonian institute has issued a statement regarding archaeological evidence and the book of mormon.
This volume features articles that look at doctrines in the book of mormon, including resurrection, the allegory of the olive tree, and the appearance of jesus christ to the brother of jared. Sorenson, a new evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon, p. Mormon doctrine originally subtitled a compendium of the gospel is an encyclopedic work written in 1958 by bruce r. Maxwell institute for religious scholarship both gathers and nurtures disciplescholars. Widtsoe, council of the twelve apostles, in search of truth. Organizational statements regarding the book of mormon smithsonian institution. Mormon archaeologists over the years have almost unanimously accepted the book of mormon as an accurate. Book of mormon central is not an official part of the church of jesus christ of latterday. Mcconkie, a general authority of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church. As such, he has studied all of the main works attributed to joseph smith, since the book of mormon is one of the most influential works of american literature. Box 8500, charlotte, nc 28271 phone 704 8878200 and fax 704 8878299 1 statement dm192 book of mormon vs. Apr 17, 2015 smiths willingness to change a few doctrinal components of the book of mormon in 1837 to help it maintain some consistency with his ever changing theology raises questions about the book status as the most correct book on earth. The smithsonian institutions statement on the book of mormon. Nine of the 10 contributors are mormon church members with varying degrees of participation.
The official lds statement of faith is its articles of faith written by founder. Smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon. National geographic society statement on the book of mormon. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of in any way as a scientific guide. It is an eclectic mormon studies collection representing a broad look at the history, culture, and sociology of mormonism. His research did not focus on other factors, such as how latterday saints understood and related to the book of mormon. Anonymous, smithsonian statement on the book of mormon revisited, journal of book of mormon studies 71 1998. Book of mormon translator converted the mormon urban. The book is edited by metcalfe and was published this month by signature books. A contemporary mormon view is that these civilizations rose and fell in mesoamerica.
Roberts was struggling and searching for ways to justify the inconsistencies found in the book of mormon. Organizational statements regarding the book of mormonedit. The nephites are one of four groups to be described in the book of mormon as having settled in. Welch, a byu professor of law, admits that the best early manuscripts lack tois archaiois in matthew 5. When finished, this book of mormon visual library will include up to 180. Because the smithsonian institution receives many inquiries regarding the book of mormon, we have prepared a statement regarding the book of mormon. As a research community, the institute supports scholars whose work inspires and fortifies latterday saints in their testimonies of the restored gospel of jesus christ and engages the world of religious ideas. The smithsonian institution sends a form letter to those who inquire about their use of the book of.
Book of mormon central is not an official part of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, but rather an independent organization. Your recent inquiry concerning the smithsonian institutions alleged use of the book of mormon as a scientific guide has been received in the smithsonians department of anthropology. Smiths willingness to change a few doctrinal components of the book of mormon in 1837 to help it maintain some consistency with his ever changing theology raises questions about the book status as the most correct book on earth. Statement regarding the book of mormon, prepared by the.
This book presents a manuscript written by president of the first quorum of the seventies and church historian b. Discussion regarding the historicity of the book of mormon often focuses on archaeological issues, some of which relate to the large size and the long time span of the civilizations mentioned in the book. Information from the national museum of natural history smithsonian institution washington, d. Nephi had a vision of the apostasy and saw that many plain and precious parts would be removed from the gospel. There is a power in the book of mormon which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of it. Harold bloom is arguably the foremost living scholar of american literature. The discovery and colonizing of america, chris columbus, loss of parts of the bible, apostasy, restoration of the gospel, coming forth of the book of mormon, building of zion, revolutionary war 35. Be familiar with the prophet joseph smiths famous statement about the book of mormon quoted in the introduction, and note the truefalse question about this statement was highlighted in our first class. Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the book of. Heres your first look at the new book of mormon videos. Mormon apologists claim that this book was written so the brethren would know the weaknesses of the book of mormon. The book of mormon agrees with the textus receptus not the original text and includes the later phrase by them of old time.
However, this attack ignores several key points, among which is the fact that the book of mormon states that lehi and his family are clearly not jews. Oct 14, 2015 the book of mormon that follows 4 nephi is split into mormon 17, which is credited to the nephite prophet mormon, and mormon 89, which is an appendix to the book credited to his son moroni. However, the smithsonians eighth statement regarding the book of mormon says. The book of mormon is a great asset for the lds church. The smithsonian staff does not appear to have a single specialist in mesoamerica john l. It was intended primarily for a latterday saint audience and is often used as a reference book by church members because of its comprehensive nature.
An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. Some had waited all of their lifetimes to read the book of mormon in afrikaans. Title, an evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon. The possibility of the book of mormon as inspired fiction. Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the book. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. An evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding. The purpose of this article is not to propose a theory regarding these issues, but rather to analyze certain claims associated with one theory in. The physical type of the american indian is basically mongoloid, being most. Once i gained a testimony of its divine authenticity, i found myself fascinated with the. Smithsonian and national geographic responds responses to the book of mormon for years we have heard from the missionaries that the smithsonian institute and national geographic have both corroborated the historicity of the book of mormon.
There may be some experts on north american indians, but without a firm grounding in the specific lands covered by the book of mormon, namely. National geographic society statement on the book of mormon national geographic society statement on the book of mormon language. If this were the case, we would expect to find artifacts with writings in these languages. However, the smithsonian s eighth statement regarding the book of mormon says. The book of mormon comprises 15 books, each allegedly written by an ancient american prophet. Smithsonian archeologists see no direct connection between the archeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book.
An address given to the brigham young university studeny body. In 1996, the smithsonian institution issued a statement that addressed claims made in the book of mormon by. To latterday saints there can be no objection to the careful and critical study of the scriptures, ancient or modern, provided only that it be an honest studya search for truth. The new book of mormon videos will be similar to the life of jesus christ bible videos that were completed in 2016. Joseph smith reported that on the evening of september 21, 1823, while he prayed in the upper room of his parents small log home in palmyra, new york, an angel who called himself moroni appeared and told joseph that god had a work for you to d. An evaluation of the smithsonian institution s statement regarding the book of mormon study aid foundation for ancient research and mormon studies. It was intended primarily for a latterday saint audience and is often used as a reference book by church members because of its. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon mormons in transition. Page numbers from the printed copy have been inserted in the text in brackets. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon. An evaluation of the smithsonian institution s statement regarding the book of mormon study aid foundation for ancient research and mormon studies sorenson, john l on. The physical tyoe of the indian is basically being most closely related to that of the peoples of. Studies of the book of mormon is a collection of essays written at the beginning of the 20th century though not published until 1985 by b.
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. The scriptures are called the words of life, and nowhere is that more true than it is of the book of. Theses on mormonism church of jesus christ of latterday saints includes more than 650 theses written at brigham young university. New approaches to the book of mormon explorations in critical methodology edited by brent lee metcalfe. Smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon some latterday saints, in their zeal to give tangible authenticity to the book of mormon, have told prospective converts that the smithsonian institution has used the book of mormon to. Michael otterson, the managing director of the mormons public affairs department, wrote a less official personal response to the. Since the advent of the book of mormon in 1830, interested observers and believers have proposed various theories regarding its development, origin, and possible historical significance and setting. Civilizations of their magnitude and duration would be expected to leave extensive archaeological records. Some latter day saints, in their zeal to give tangible authenticity to the book of mormon, have. Because the smithsonian institution receives many inquiries regarding the book of mormon.
Ones belief in the book of mormon should be solidly grounded on a spiritual witness obtained by personal study and prayer. However, this attack ignores several key points, among which is the fact that the book of mormon states. This statement includes answers to questions most commonly asked about 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. The book of mormon warns america ezra taft benson 16. Sorenson, a new evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon, farms 1995. Roberts 18571933, a general authority of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church, which examine the validity of the book of mormon as a translation of an ancient american source. The book of mormon that follows 4 nephi is split into mormon 17, which is credited to the nephite prophet mormon, and mormon 89, which is an appendix to the book credited to his son moroni. Mormonism is there any archaeological evidence for the claims. More recently members of congress have questioned the institution about the inappropriateness of a government agency taking a stand regarding a religious book. The fourth column names the author of each book, ignoring selfnaming statements attributed to the writers or speakers of the sources that the. This compilation of groundbreaking book of mormon articles is selected from over fifty years of lds scholarship published by byu studies.
Mormonism has become one of the largest and most significant religious movements to emerge from the american context. The king james quotations in the book of mormon, the history of the text of the book of mormon. Kirkhams focus was limited primarily to issues relating to the origin of the book of mormon and the theories of critics who attempted to prove it manmade. If you read the book you can clearly see that this is not the case.
Book of mormon national geographic society statement on the book of mormon. Nov, 2017 harold bloom is arguably the foremost living scholar of american literature. With almost two hundred years of history and millions of adherents worldwide, the religious traditions originating with the founding visions of joseph smith have become an important object of study for modern scholars of religion. Your recent inquiry concerning the smithsonian institutions alleged use of the book of mormon as a scientific guide has been received in the smithsonian s department of anthropology. The production may attempt to entertain audiences for an evening, but the book of mormon as a volume of scripture will change peoples lives forever by bringing them closer to christ church statement regarding the book of mormon musical, 07 february 2011. I have a personal witness of the truthfulness of this book and admonish others to seek the same witness. Some mormon researchers claim that it is not valid to use genetics to attempt to prove or disprove the historicity of the book of mormon, citing a lack of source genes and the improbability of tracing israelite dna even if present. Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the.
Another testament of jesus christ presents itself as a translated record of ancient american peoples detailing their dealings with each other and with god. During the early 1980s, rumors circulated in mormon culture that the book of mormon was being used by the smithsonian to guide primary archaeological research. Smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon some latterday saints, in their zeal to give tangible authenticity to the book of mormon, have told prospective converts that the smithsonian institution has used the book of mormon to verify sites in the new world. During the early 1980s, rumors circulated in mormon culture that. Book of mormonarchaeologysmithsonian statement fairmormon. For many years the smithsonian institution in washington has received inquiries concerning the book of mormon, its role in the institutions scientific activities, and a number of specific informational questions about ancient american archaeology. Smithsonian disavows use of book of mormon for archaeological guide and sees no connection between new world and book of mormon. Of course these inconsistencies could readily be explained by understanding the book of mormon as a work of fiction written by a nineteenth century american, but book of mormon scholars often approach the topic with the a priori acceptance of the theory that the book of mormon is an ancient text as joseph smith claimed. The smithsonian institution does not use it in archeological research. The book of mormon is a r eligious document and not a scientific guide.
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