Historical problems with the book of mormon

May 23, 2017 in her groundbreaking biography of joseph smith, no man knows my history, fawn brodiea mormon apostateexpressed bafflement that scholars of american literary history have remained persistently uninterested in the book of mormon. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. Some quotes from the bible were quoted before they were even written in the bible before the biblical prophets were even born. Why the message behind the book of mormon musical is so. One group, the lamanites, forgot their beliefs, became heathens, and were the ancestors. The problem of isaiah in the book of mormon is specifically a study in historical criticism. Apologetic and critical assumptions about book of mormon. Although the plates were first revealed to him on september 22, 1823, smith said he was not allowed to retrieve them until september 1827. Oct 05, 2012 the book of abraham, one of the central texts of mormonism, is a poor translation of egyptian papyri. The book of mormon gets the literary treatment religion. Top 10 embarrassments of the mormon religion listverse. If there are problems with the book of mormon, it is not that the book s artifacts have not been found that presents the problems, but that the book s. It relates the history of a group of hebrews who migrated from jerusalem to america about 600 bce, led by a prophet, lehi.

Such attention, however, is a doublededged sword, forcing the lds church to respond to controversial issues from its past, such as its history of. Jun 10, 2019 this parallel with the book of mormon, however, overlooks the fact that capital punishment by means of scourging with faggots is a practice documented among the ancient maya. These experts discovered the fragments to be scraps of funeral spells used to help spirits move on to the afterlife. The stories surrounding the history of the lds church that the book of. When we add to this phenomenon other book of mormon problems, such as the lack of any historical, archaeological or linguistic confirmation, the large number of anachronistic terms and items referenced in the book, and its mirroring of the issues and problems of the nineteenth century protestant church, and we come to the inescapable conclusion. The book was allegedly translated from a set of metal plates, obtained by divine means, and returned to heaven shortly after the translation was completed. The book of mormon must be read as an ancient, not as a modern book. Smith claimed the angel moroni, a prophet in the book of mormon, directed him in the 1820s to a. However, after a fair and candid examination of the evidence, many thousands of honest mormons have discovered that this claim simply is not true. Brodie wrote that sentence in 1945, but it could as easily have been written in 2005, when the total. History and historicity in the book of mormon fair.

Montez, in her recent masters thesis, has written about the secret mormon meetings of 1922. Whether or not one believes the book of mormon to be historical in this. Most adherents to the latter day saint movement view the book as a work of inspired scripture. Why is the book of mormons historical authenticity so. These take the form of such things as double negatives, incorrect adverbs and adjectives, and incorrect tenses. When evaluating the historical accuracy of the book of mormon, one must take. Jan, 2021 the bible problem in the book of mormon joseph smith claimed that the book of mormon is an ancient text written by ancient jews who came to the americas long before columbus. The most commonly eliminated have been the words that 188 times, the 48 times, it came to pass 46 times, a and and 40 times, and had 29 times. At last, we move to perhaps the most obvious of the problems in arguing that the book of mormon can be seen as any kind of historical record. 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. Besides its obvious plagiarisms, other serious problems plague the book of mormon. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints has maintained that the book contains an abridged, written history of three groups of people who left the old world and came to.

This includes, of course, both branches of that science, namely, lower criticism and higher criticism. These are five problems with the book of mormon, and to doubt its authenticity as an ancient document. The issue of the historicity of the book of mormon highlights the difference between those who rely solely on scholarship and those who rely on revelation, faith, and scholarship. Questions about apparent problems in the book of mormon. Roberts authored a manuscript titled studies of the book of mormon, comparing the content of the book of mormon with view of the hebrews. See richard lloyd anderson, investigating the book of mormon witnesses salt lake city. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand.

But relegating the book of mormon to inspired parable or morally uplifting allegory presents serious problems of logic. Joseph smiths character joseph smiths practice of folk magic and treasure digging was deeply problematic joseph. A comprehensive list of the problems with mormonism. The publication of the book of mormon was a significant event in the life of the church. The book of mormon can be true without being historical. If this is true, then the book of mormon should be full of errors. Anderson, personal writings of the book of mormon witnesses, in book of mormon authorship revisited. Church admits book of mormon not history the mormon church just admitted that the book of mormon is not a textbook of history and it is not a definitive work on ancient american agriculture or politics. Problems with the book of mormon catholic answers catholic. In the first place, the statement that the book of mormon has already been proven by archaeology is misleading. Dec 06, 2018 professor grant hardy, a specialist in history, language, and literature, says that if the primary purpose of the book of mormon were to function as a signas tangible evidence that joseph smith was a true prophet of godthat mission could have been accomplished much more concisely 5. As we begin to explore mormon archaeology, it seems appropriate to introduce the fascinating history of thomas ferguson, an attorney by trade, whose true passion manifest as an amateur archaeologist who dedicated decades of his life to the search for evidence to validate the book of mormon as a historical record.

Reorganized lds history the book of mormon youtube. Errors in grammar there are literally thousands of grammatical errors in the original edition of the book of mormon errors that gradually have been changed in later editions. Yet some writers claim that while the book of mormon is true, it is not historical, meaning that the events it describes never took place and the people described in it never existed. But they can neither prove nor disprove the authenticity of the book of mormon through their secular evidence and methods. 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. I struggled with this issue waaaaaay back in high school in the 1970s when i. Roberts concluded, assuming a hemispheric geography theory for the book of mormon, sufficient parallels existed that future critics could claim that view of the hebrews had provided a. In addition to speculation about how the book of mormon may possibly fit the historical contexts it purports to derive from, alternative historical. The historicity of the book of mormon religious studies center. Sep 07, 2011 since its publication, the questions surrounding the historical authenticity or historicity of the book of mormon bom have been much discussed, analyzed, and debated. Bom contains no real doctrine unique to mormonism except not baptizing infants no temple ceremony, no exaltation doctrine, polygamy, etc. It is a known fact that hebrews spoke hebrew, and their records were kept in hebrew. The book of mormon similarly has a complete lack of a textual history. First, it utterly lacks historical or archaeological support, and there is overwhelming empirical evidence that refutes.

There is no evidence that horses existed on the american continent during the 25003000 year history of the book of mormon 2500 b. The book of mormon was translated and published in 1830. One of the problems with the book of mormon is that the church teaches a literal interpretation of it as the book is intended to be a true history of the people in it. Those who rely solely on scholarship reject revelation and focus on a limited number of issues. Dec 16, 2008 joseph smith said 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 history of the church, vol. 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. What the book of mormon does show is its own participation in and influence from the greater trends in the lands where it occurred. The book of mormon presents problems that cannot be explained away regarding the following topics. As weve covered in the king james bible and the book of mormon overview, this by itself is a massive problem for the book of mormon s claim to authenticity, as it contradicts the narrative that joseph smith translated the book of mormon by putting his seer stone in a hat, sticking his head fully inside to block out light, and then dictating the words that appeared from the stone.

Problems with the historicity of the book of mormon. Howe, 17 february 1834, in howe, mormonism unvailed, 270272. Huntington, page 168 of typed copy at utah state historical society non mormon writers have criticized the grammar of the book of mormon stating that god could not make the many grammatical mistakes that are found in the book of mormon. Nothing is known about the dna of book of mormon peoples, and even if.

As weve covered in the king james bible and the book of mormon overview, this by itself is a massive problem for the book of mormons claim to authenticity, as it contradicts the narrative that joseph smith translated the book of mormon by putting his seer stone in a hat, sticking his head fully inside to block out light, and then dictating the words that appeared from the stone. Along the way, gardner also looks at the problem of anachronisms, dna, and some popular proofs of the book of mormon that need to be abandoned. The book appears suddenly in 1830, with no prior references. The book of mormon resembles the bible in its length and complexity and in its division into books named for individual prophets. Book of mormon historicity ranks ninth, and the other specific historical issues barely register at all. Unresolved issues of the books historicity and the lack of supporting archaeological evidence have led some adherents to adopt the. It declares that it is the translation of a text from history page 29, and what we have is the text in translation. The most common belief of adherents is that promoted by joseph smith, who said he translated ancient golden plates inscribed by prophets.

As for the notion that the book of mormon has already been proved by archaeology, i must say with shakespeare, lay not that flattering unction to your soul. The author of this paper was born into a family which belonged to the reorganized church of jesus christ of latter day saints with headquarters in independence, missouri. Horses did not reappear in the americas until the spaniards brought them from europe. Pretty much everything you expect to see in a religious text. Problems with the gold plates of the book of mormon. It is either of divine or human origin, and if it is of human origin that means that joseph smith concocted the book. The bible blunder in the book of mormon is jesus alive. Latterday saints accept the fact that the book of mormon is the word of god, brought to light through the prophet joseph smith. In the book of mormon, you see heroes and villains, prophets and idolaters, good and evil. There are several theories as to the origin of the book of mormon. The website wanted to include a debate on some topic related to mormonism, and asked me to submit a first statement. Apr 20, 2003 even one prominent mormon apologist, john tvedtnes, has rejected such evidence for the book of mormon see dialogue. A documentary history of the book of mormon presents and examines the primary sources surrounding the origin of the foundational text of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, the most successful new religion of modern times.

Mar 31, 2019 new testament is not historically credible, culturally problematic the book of abraham was not a translation, as joseph smith claimed taught the book of mormon is not a record of ancient americans as joseph smith claimed, but instead is a 19th century work of fictionplagiarism. Those discussed here are grouped into 3 categories. An additional criticism of the historical authenticity of the book of mormon concerns linguistics. With its publication in march 1830, two sets of witnesses testified.

Much of the book of mormon is plagiarized from the bible. For the book of mormon, history has not left any clear events where the book of mormon altered the discernible flow of history in either the old or the new world. The problem is that the math just does not add up to make it remotely possible. Fragments of the original text were found and studied by renowned historians with credentials and experience. The only bible that joseph smith relied on was the king james version. According to the text, the nephites and the lamanites initially spoke hebrew 600 bc and might have spoken a modified semitic language until at least 400 ad, when the book of mormon ends.

Book of mormon, work accepted as holy scripture, in addition to the bible, in the church of jesus christ of latterday saints and other mormon churches. Critics dont claim its supposed to be a textbook of history, but the history it contains should be accurate. Joseph smiths practice of folk magic and treasure di gging was deeply problematic joseph smiths first. In 2 nephi 5, we have the story that a temple was built in the first 20 years in the new world.

Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. Horses evolved in north america,2 but became extinct at the end of the pleistocene 34. It is not a record of all former inhabitants of the western. Members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church and other denominations of the latter day saint movement generally believe that the book of mormon describes ancient historical events in the americas, but historians and archaeologists do not regard it as a work of ancient american history.

The origins, authenticity, and historicity of the book of mormon have been subject to. In nature it is a textual problem especially adapted to the methods of textual science. He established the new world archaeological foundation, where his role as. As for the notion that the book of mormon has already been proved by archaeology, i must say with shakespeare, lay not that flattering unction to. An anachronisms is an item or idea belonging to a period other than that in which it is referenced. Three big historical challenges to the book of mormon.

There are two possible explanations for the origin of the book of mormon. They multiplied and eventually split into two groups. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. The historicity of the book of mormon religious studies. Understanding textual changes in the book of mormon. The mormon religion was officially founded in 1830 when the book of mormon was published. Oct 30, 2018 the book of mormon describes itself as an abridgment of the record of the people of nephi, and also of the lamanites as well as an abridgment taken from the book of ether also, which is a record of the people of jared, which was sealed by the hand of moroni, and hid up unto the lord, to come forth in due time by way of the gentilethe interpretation thereof by the gift of god book of mormon title page.

Its followers hold that it is a divinely inspired work revealed to and translated by the founder of their religion, joseph smith. 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. Over the years, a few hundred deletions have also been made, primarily to improve the book grammatically. Today, the lds church is most prevalent in the united states, latin america, canada, europe, the. Mormons consider the book of mormon a compilation of historical records kept by the primary ancestors of the native americans. A book of mistakes, error, and fraud by jon gary williams introduction the mormon church promotes the book of mormon as an inspired writing. Critics cite numerous problems with the text that indicate it is of more modern origin such as anachronisms, dna evidence, lack of archaeological evidence.

The imperative for a historical book of mormon the interpreter. Apr 02, 2021 the term menace is the churchs own term, not ours. The theory that the book of mormon is an ancient american history is thus considered to fall outside academic. Some problems with book of mormon historicity ryan thomas. First, it lacks utterly historical or archaeological support, and there is an overwhelming body of empirical evidence. Mormon archaeological argument that proves the historical accuracy of b of m the book of mormon claims to be a history of ancient peoples in habiting central america until 421 a. Finally, the mormon church leaders became so embarrassed about the grammar that they. In its landmark 1907 address to the world, adopted by a unanimous vote of the membership and published at the height of the controversial reed smoot u. The answers are developed by looking at the book of mormon as history in the context of what has become known of mesoamerican history. Joseph smith and the historicity of the book of mormon.

The historicity historical authenticityof the book of mormon is an issue so. It begins with lehi in jerusalem, follows his familys journey to the promised land, and the remainder of the book primarily chronicles the history of their descendants. Although typically thought of as a nephite record, the book of mormon actually describes the rise and fall of two peoples. Why does the book of mormon include the rise and fall of two. Deuteroisaiah in the book of mormon lds discussions. In this study we will show that there have been at least 3,9 changes made in the book of mormon from the time it was first published in 1830. Charles anthon to thomas winthrop coit, 3 april 1841, in church record 1 17 april 1841. The problems of the book of mormon, salt lake city. Many members of the latter day saint movement believe that the book of mormon is historically accurate. Senate confirmation hearings, the church made the connection between being considered a menace to free institutions, as it was then widely viewed, and the things the church verifiably. The story of the creation of the book of mormon has been told many times, and often ridiculed. This organization, as did the much larger utah mormon church and many smaller divisions, developed as a direct result. Ten littleknown facts about the book of mormon meridian.