Sorenson did so in a far more careful and scholarly way, but mesoamerican book of mormon scholars owe much to ferguson. Look for the other volumes of this 9volume set to be published soon. I participated in excavating a trench at the edge of the grijalva river in which we found a ceramic vessel in a stratum dating to about 200 bc. Ferguson in 1970, some mormon scholars were beginning to face the truth with regard to book of mormon archaeology. The following information, adapted from the north american mission boards. Green, who had worked with fergusons new world archaeological foundation, was one of the first to openly criticize book of mormon archaeology. When they say directly support, they typically mean that they are looking for a direct corroboration, such as the presence of the name nephi or zarahemla in association with. Just as each time it is opened we learn anew the concepts of its religion, it also contains within its core a knowledge of its people and its places. Magazine, ancient america foundation, book of mormon archaeological forum, and book of mormon central. In 1975 he wrote a 25 page paper stating he found no evidence and had wasted 25 years of his life.
The mormon church granted hundreds of thousands of dollars to this organization, but in the end, thomas stuart ferguson admitted that although the foundation made some important contributions to new world archaeology, all his work with regard to the book of mormon was in vain. He has been presenting information on the topic of north americas archaeological data from new york to california since 1994 which demonstrates how it applies to the book of mormon timeline and diffusion in the western hemisphere. Past quarreling has ranged over hundreds of topics. Peterson points out, however, such excursions have not been failures. The foundation for ancient research and mormon studies farms was an informal collaboration of academics devoted to latterday saint historical scholarship. From book of mormon population estimates, it is evident that the civilizations described are comparable in size to the civilizations of ancient egypt, ancient greece, ancient rome, and the maya. Garth norman, joseph smith and the beginning of book of mormon archaeology. It is a common claim by critics that there is absolutely no archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon. In 1997, the group became a formal part of brigham young university byu, which is owned and operated by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church. Book of mormon tours and research institute, 2008 allen, joseph l. Why hasnt archaeology uncovered evidence of book of. New light publications and book of mormon archaeological foundation, dvd. Articles on geography a treasury of information generally supporting mesoamerica and challenging other models. On this latter issue, see my article on the new world archaeological foundation, which is online at publications.
Allen at the grove theater in pleasant grove, utah. He is also the authorcoauthor of archaeology and the book of mormon volume i,christ in ancient america. Thomas stuart ferguson went to search for book of mormon lands. Thomas ferguson, archaeologist, noted defender of the book of mormon, and founder of the new world archaeological foundation at byu stated.
Ferguson, cofounder of the new world archaeological foundation, hoped to prove the book of mormon through archaeological research. This video will help you understand that the foundation of the lds faith is built upon myth. Such civilizations left numerous artifacts in the form of hewn stone ruins, tombs, temples, pyramids, roads, arches, walls, frescos, statues, vases, and coins. Did the prophet joseph smith in 1842 locate book of mormon lands in middle america. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. In 1989, michael ammons wrote to the national geographic society requesting information on the book of mormon and archaeology. Book of mormon archaeology foundation bmaf education, digest,videos, tours. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. Archaeology and the book of mormon, presentation at the 2005 fair apologetics conference august 2005. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. When founded it was the largest archeological project funded by a religious institution. New light from ancient yemen, journal of book of mormon studies 8, no.
There is no specific confirmation of the book of mormon from archaeology. The new world archaeological foundation is an archaeological organization run by brigham young university. In our book of mormon foundation series were taking a look at a number of issues within the text of the book of mormon. Allen, exploring the lands of the book of mormon, 2nd ed. He established the new world archaeological foundation, where his role as.
Why hasnt archaeology uncovered evidence of book of mormon. Archaeology and the book of mormon the book of mormon suggests that the original native americans descended from a small band of israelites who migrated in 600 bc and an earlier group from 2,200 bc from the middle east. Foundations of book of mormon archaeology mormon heretic. Ferguson and the new world archaeological foundation are often used by critics to demonstrate that there is no book of mormon archaeology. You may call 18882265205 for information on book of mormon tours and cruises. Archaeology is the study and interpretation of past human cultures based on known material remains. Joseph lovell allen true book of mormon geography lands. He considers a covenant record of christs people to be a culmination of a lifetime of learning and gained perspectives. We consider recent facts from archaeology in evaluating the book of mormon. From the mid1950s onwards, new world archaeological foundation nwaf, based out of brigham. Book of mormon foundation series life after ministry. As president of the new world archaeology foundation, in 1952, he was given funds by the lds church to study ancient america and produce evidence supporting the book of mormon. The mormon church granted hundreds of thousands of dollars to this organization, but in the end, thomas stuart ferguson admitted that although the foundation made some important contributions to new world. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fair.
The book of mormon brian nicholson, deseret news archives. The board of directors at the book of mormon foundation has felt an urge to promote the message of repentance within the book of mormon. Book of mormon archaeology and geography meridian magazine. The book of mormon archaeological forum bmaf is a 501c3 not for profit organization dedicated as an open forum for presentation, dissemination, and discussion of research and evidences regarding book of mormon archaeology, anthropology, geography and culture within a mesoamerican context. They have discovered no evidence that supports the book of mormon in any way. Watch as wayne may presents the parallels in geography, archaeology and. If you missed the bmaf messages announcing the change. John clark of the new world archaeological foundation has compiled a list of sixty items mentioned in the book of mormon.
Archaeology, relics and book of mormon belief deseret news. Foundation for apologetic information and research fair mormon and book of mormon archaeological forum bmaf began holding annual conferences in 1997 and 2004, and interpreter commenced publishing in 2012. Come on a book of mormon tour and see the archaeological discoveries of the nephites and jaredites. Moreover, ferguson founded the new world archaeological foundation, which is today headed by john clark, a mesoamerican anthropologist and believing mormon. Wayne may on book of mormon archeology joseph smith foundation. He was a devout believer in the lds faith, and thus in the validity of the book of mormon. Why havent archaeologists found anything in the new world that categorically proves that the book of mormon is true. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Garth norman, president of the ancient america foundation, an archaeological organization that focuses its work on book of mormon lands. It was founded by thomas stuart ferguson who sought to show how the history of mesoamerican cultures proved the historicity of the book of mormon.
The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. Thomas stuart ferguson and mormon archaeology summary. Donor frequently asked questions book of mormon central. The book of mormon suggests that the original native americans descended from a small band of israelites who migrated in 600 bc and an earlier group from 2,200 bc from the middle east. Aug 24, 2017 decades of desperate archaeological research in mexico and central america, often they say sponsored by the lds church, have they say yielded absolutely no evidence for the book of mormon.
Prophet of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints. Information, much of it unreliable and faithdestroying, became instantly available over the internet. Mesoamerica and the book of mormon, is this the place. See more ideas about archaeology, the book of mormon, book of mormon. He is the worlds leading authority on the izapa structure, including stela 5 monument at izapa, mexico, believed by some to be a representation of lehis dream in the book of mormon. Book of mormon archaeological forum true book of mormon. On the new world archaeological foundation book of mormon. The lds church granted hundreds of thousands of dollars to this organization, but in the end, thomas stuart ferguson admitted that although. It is not enough to sample its wisdom and taste again the compassion of its deity. Though bar, as it is commonly called, is not a latterday saint publication, the discussion was specifically book of mormon oriented.
Jan 31, 2010 the foundation was expressly commissioned, in the words of kidder, to test three theories about the origin of teh advanced civilizations of mesoamerica. 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. He considers a covenant record of christs people to be a culmination. Third annual book of mormon archaeological forum fall. The firm foundation sponsors two international book of mormon evidence expos and conferences annually with additional regional conferences and events throughout the country and around the world bringing together dozens of the top lds speakers for thousands of latterday saints. On the new world archaeological foundation book of. There is no historical or archeological evidence to support the. Like archaeology, i continue, the book of mormon is all about discovery. He is also the authorcoauthor of archaeology and the book of mormon volume i, christ in ancient america.
If you missed the bmaf messages announcing the change please go to and enter your email address. Some critics of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints have claimed that the church has funded several failed archaeological expeditions in an effort to prove the veracity of the book of mormon. The first archaeological claims related to the book of mormon concern the facts of september 22, 1827. Allens new book, sacred sites searching for book of mormon lands, published by covenant recordings to be released in november 2003. Oct 18, 2020 archaeology supporting the historicity of the book of mormon. Ferguson planned the new world archaeological foundation which he hoped would prove the book of mormon through archaeological research. Are there archaeological correlations to the book of mormon. Dec 22, 2011 sorensons theory is detailed in his book, an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, op. However, there exists no credible archaeological evidence to support the notion that the book of mormon is a record of highly literate ancient american people of. There is absolutely no archaeological evidence to directly support the book of mormon or the nephites and lamanites, who were supposed to have numbered in the millions. Help fund the search for the lost city of zarahemla. The interpreter foundation is a nonprofit educational organization focused on the scriptures of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints the book of mormon, the pearl of great price, the bible, and the doctrine and covenants, early latterday saint history, and related subjects.
The book of mormon describes three migrations of people from the middle east to america. Is there archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. We know of no archaeological evidence that corroborates the ancient history of the western hemisphere as presented in the book of mormon, nor are we aware of empirical verification of the places named in the book of mormon. Over the past 30 years the new world archaeological foundation, located at brigham young university in provo, utah, has conducted numerous scientific excavations in mesoamerica, originally with a view to confirming the claims in the book of mormon. This used to be considered a monstrous tale, but concealing metal records in stone boxes is now a documented old world practice. According to the book of mormon, the final war that destroyed the jaredites resulted in the deaths of at least two million people. The national geographic society has not examined the historical claims of the book of mormon. New light publications and book of mormon archaeological foundation, dvd allen, joseph l. A valuable part of larsons book is chapter 5 book of mormon archaeological tests and appendix a thomas stuart ferguson on book of mormon archaeology. Archaeology, relics, and book of mormon belief byu. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. Ferguson however found evidence to the contrary and from 1961 he kept a low profile as a secretary to the foundation which then became associated with the br. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Neither the society nor any other institution of equal prestige has ever used the book of mormon in locating archaeological sites.
Wirth parallels between precolumbian mesoamerican civilizations. About the author step by step through the book of mormon. Archaeological data from the ancient near east and the americas have been used both to support and to discredit the book of mormon. You will see articles concerning that subject in current issues of the witness. A mesoamerican setting for the book of mormon is virtually certain from the geographical requirements of the record alma 22, and abundant circumstantial evidences. Archaeology and the book of mormon and similar topics. From the prolific plagiarisms, and internal grammar issues, to false prophecies, and the archaeological problems. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. 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. In these chapters larson shows fergusons list of problems with the book of mormon, including the book of mormon s mentioning of plants, animal life including horses and. This past year bmaf was acquired by book of mormon central and the newsletters discontinued. Jan 18, 2018 stela 5 from izapa in mexicoan early site first extensively excavated by new world archaeological foundation archaeologistsshows a mythical tree.
Book of mormon foundation brant gardners page diane e. Archaeology and the book of mormon, foundation for ancient research and mormon studies, genetics and the book of mormon, golden plates, limited geography model book of mormon, linguistics and the book of mormon, reformed egyptian, studies of the book of mormon, the book of mormon and the king james bible list of latter day saint movement. Bmaf organization book of mormon archaeological forum. Watch presentations about american archaeology and its parallels to the book of mormon civilizations. The new world archaeological foundation nwaf is an archaeological organization run by brigham young university. The book of mormon has been kicked around for 175 years, but only during the last 50 has american archaeology been capable of addressing issues of history. Biblical and mesoamerican archaeological research is of special interest to latterday saints.
Wayne gives firesides to members and nonmembers alike, wherever. 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. Wayne gives firesides to members and nonmembers alike, wherever he is invited to present. However, there exists no credible archaeological evidence to support the notion that the book of mormon is a record of highly literate ancient american people of hebrew descent. Wayne may presents book of mormon evidence in north american geography, archaeology and historical records. The society replied in a letter dated april 26, 1989. The book of mormon mentions several animals, plants, and technologies that are not substantiated by the archaeological record of the period 3100 bc to 400 ad in the americas. In 1952oct, ferguson, a lawyer, organized the new world archaeological foundation nwaf.
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