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. So since even the smithsonian issued a statement about the claims of the book of mormon, why still believe when there is no evidence from any source but joesph smith update. The smithsonian archaeologists see no direct connection between archeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. The national geographic society has a similar letter. 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 letter statement regarding the book. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archeological research and any. Citeseerx smithsonian statement on the book of mormon. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archaeological research and has found no archaeological evidence to support its claims. Smithsonian statement about the book of mormon summary.
The book of mormon is a r eligious document and not a scientific guide. The smithsonian, the book of mormon, and an urban legend lds. Outside of lds church, no relevant scholar accepts the book of mormon. The smithsonian archaeologists see no direct connection.
This letter from the smithsonian s department of anthropology is in response to your inquiry regarding the book of mormon. Smithsonian institution letter statement regarding the book of mormon 1996. You might wish to consult the following publications. These reproductions have been enlarged 120% from the original size for greater detail. Cahokia mounds state historic site according to unesco, cahokia is the largest precolumbian settlement north of mexico. 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.
Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon mormons. Below is the statement we presently distribute for these general inquiries. Book of mormon central archive an evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. An evaluation of the smithsonian institutions statement regarding the book of mormon study aid foundation for ancient research and mormon studies sorenson, john l on. Anonymous, smithsonian statement on the book of mormon revisited, journal of book of mormon studies 71 1998. The physical type of the american indian is basically. Answers about mormons and mormon beliefs lds faq latter. Smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon posted on 03192009 1. For further reading on the bible as history, the following books may be consulted. Late in 1998 the foundation for ancient research and mormon studies farms an lds research group operating under the umbrella of the lds church included a sidebar in their journal of book of mormon studies titled smithsonian statement on the book of mormon revised volume 7, number 1. Smithsonian archeologists see no direct connection between the archeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. Archaeologists confirm the historical content of the b of mormon 1.
Sep 29, 2017 the printers manuscript is the earliest surviving copy of about 72 percent of the book of mormon text, as only about 28 percent of the earlier dictation copy survived decades of storage in a. Because the smithsonian institution receives many inquiries regarding the book of mormon, we have prepared a statement regarding the book of mormon. This statement includes answers to questions most commonly asked about the book of mormon. An evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding.
Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the book of. National geographic society statement on the book of mormon national geographic society statement on the book of mormon language. An evaluation of the smithsonian institutions statement. Citeseerx document details isaac councill, lee giles, pradeep teregowda. In 1998, the smithsonian revised the form letter and stated that book of mormon had not been used by the smithsonian in any form of archaeological research. In the 1998, republication of ancient monuments by the smithsonian, david j. The smithsonian institution issues a standard reply to requests for their opinion regarding the book of mormon as an archaeological or scientific guide. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon mormons in transition. Decision deadline, church releases statement saying reassignments have begun. Smithsonian statement on the book of mormon revised. Twentyfive miles east southeast of the site of the 2017 mormon history associations 52 nd annual conference in st. Mar 05, 2011 the smithsonian agrees that both books have little to no historical value. Every one of the statements are damaging to the reliability of the book of mormon. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith.
In response to numerous inquiries that the smithsonian receives in regard to this subject, the smithsonian published the statement regarding the book of mormon providing accurate information about the smithsonian s position. The smithsonian, the book of mormon, and an urban legend. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon the smithsonian. Dec 25, 2019 this spiral bound over sized book contains a complete set of 48 of the plates from the book, ancient monuments of the mississippi valley by the smithsonian s e. Prepared by the department of anthropology smithsonian institution. Accurate information about the smithsonian s position is contained in the enclosed statement regarding the book of mormon, which was prepared to respond to the numerous inquiries that the smithsonian. Nonmormon scholars note that the smithsonian has not retracted any of its previous statements and feel that the. Statements by the smithsonian institution and the national geographic society. An evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement. It was a decision of the smithsonians central office of public affairs to simplify the statement to respond to general questions regarding the smithsonians use of the book of mormon. Items do not represent the official views of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints or of book of mormon central.
Lds apologist john sorensons response to the smithsonian. He established the new world archaeological foundation, where his role as. This statement can be requested at the same address. Smithsonian statement book of mormon archaeological forum. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archeological research and any information that you have received to the contrary is incorrect. Biblical scholars and near eastern archeologists and historians regard the biblical story of the flood and noahs ark as a story handed by oral tradition. Jesus christ of latterday saints or of book of mormon.
The smithsonian statement about the book of mormon has been revised to indicate that the book of mormon is a religious document and not a scientific guide. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of in any way as a scientific guide. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide. In the best analysis, the bible is a religious book, not an historical document. Citeseerx smithsonian statement on the book of mormon revised. Critics trot out this letter as proof that the book of mormon has no archaeological support and is. Thomas stuart ferguson lay in his hammock, certain that he had found. Smithsonian and the book of mormon mormonism research ministry. Because the smithsonian institution receives many inquiries regarding the use of the book of mormon as a guide to archeological researches, and in connection with mormon statements about the origin and relationships of the american indian, we have prepared a. Mormons, since even the smithsonian issued a statement. Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the book.
Information from the national museum of natural history. National geographic society statement on the book of mormon. We still stand by our former statement on the book of mormon. Demonic and ungodly names in the book of mormon 1 life. Several latterday saints over the years have attempted to examine them. Talmage correctly identified various michigan relics as fraudulent. Smithsonian archaeologists see no direct connection between the archaeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. Prior to 1998, the statement denied any evidence for precolumbian contact between old and new worlds.
Smithsonian and the book of mormon mormonism research. First publication of the smithsonian book of mormon evidence. The smithsonian institution at one time distributed, upon request, a lengthy statement regarding the book of mormon in which the institution listed several specific points of contention between science and book of mormon claims among them the physical type of the american indian. An evaluation of the smithsonian institutions statement regarding the book of mormon study aid foundation for ancient research and mormon studies. The printers manuscript is the earliest surviving copy of about 72 percent of the book of mormon text, as only about 28 percent of the earlier dictation copy survived decades of storage in a. Prepared by the department of anthropology statement regarding the book of mormon the smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide.
Organizational statements regarding the book of mormon smithsonian institution. Title, an evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archaeological research, and any. All this was riding on a book devoted to the questions of the origin, antiquity, and identity of the mound builders. Smithsonian institution still disavows the book of mormans. The smithsonian institution does not use it in archeological research. The smithsonian institution has issued an official statement that the book of mormon contradicts scientific analysis of the precolumbian western hemisphere. Over the past month ive received numerous requests asking when, or if, wed ever talk about our series, demonic names in the book of mormon so here it is. Mormons, since even the smithsonian issued a statement about. Smithsonian disavows use of book of mormon for archaeological guide and sees no connection between new world and book of mormon. A scientist looks at book of mormon anachronisms book of. The smithsonian considers the book of mormon a religious document and not a scientific guide.
Critics trot out this letter as proof that the book of mormon has no archaeological support and is therefore false. Church leaders know that letting go of this document will cause some members sadness and grief, the church said in its statement. The smithsonian institute statement on the bible on the other hand, much of the bible, in particular the historical books of the old testament, are as accurate historical documents as any that we have from antiquity and are in fact more accurate than. 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. Jan 18, 2018 how a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. If we compare the historical, prophetical, and doctrinal parts of the book of mormon with the great truths of science and nature, we find no contradictionsno absurditiesnothing unreasonable. Smithsonian never issued a statement about the geography of the bible, they can find every place paul and them went to and every place mentioned. Anachronisms, or out of place items, have long been a subject of controversy with the book of mormon. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon. Because the smithsonian institution receives many inquiries regarding the book of mormon, we have prepared a statement regarding the book of mormon, a copy of which is enclosed for your information. Smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon. 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. Charles, missouri, sits one of only 22 unesco world heritage sites in the united states. Book of mormonarchaeologysmithsonian statement fairmormon.
Mar 18, 2009 mormons, since even the smithsonian issued a statement about the book of mormon, why do you still believe. Smithsonian institute statement on the book of mormon. Smithsonian institution, mrc 112 washington, dc 20560. Look for the new updates on the day of posting and be sure to share these with the mormon you know. The smithsonian institution sends a form letter to those who inquire about their use of the book of mormon for archaeological purposes. The smithsonian also has a statement regarding the book of mormon. Response to the smithsonian institutions 1996 statement regarding the book of mormon deals with the many sloppy statements made by a department at the normally quite reputable smithsonian institution but made without the benefit of adequate scholarship about either mesoamerica or the book of mormon. Mormon scholars speculated that this was because the earlier version of the letter contradicts some aspects of research published by smithsonian staff members. Smithsonian institution letter statement regarding the. Miller, as a paleontologist and geologist, offers a some new insights on this old question, especially regarding animals mentioned in the book of mormon, including a report on some preliminary. Smithsonian statement on book of mormon noncatholic. Accurate information about the smithsonian s position is contained in the enclosed statement regarding the book of mormon, which was prepared to respond to the numerous inquiries that the smithsonian receives on this topic.
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