In 1998, the smithsonian revised the form letter and stated that book of mormon had not been used by the smithsonian in. The book of mormon name helaman is translated ish geyhinom which essentially is a smarta way of saying. Missing indices indicate people in the index who are not in the book of mormon. He identifies himself as an elder in that movement though elder, in latterday saint jargon, has an elasticity beyond recognition. But let me tell you about a letter i received recently from sofia, bulgaria. A previous edition of the letter contained a detailed list of alleged problems with the book of mormon. 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. In a reply letter dated april 5, 1989, julie hansen of the department responded. Smithsonian archaeologists see no direct connection between the archaeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon.
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. Smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon. Statements in this letter the content having changed several times over the years are used by some opponents of the mormon church to support the idea that the. Apr 07, 20 book of mormon not a problem for the latterday saints this article is more than 7 years old british branch of church launches ad campaign as south park creators musical opens, but says it doesn. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide. Chapter 3 book of mormon translation concerns 15 joseph smith used a rock in a hat to translate the book of mormon. Sincerely, signed ann kaupp, head anthropology outreach office. Mormons believe that the bible and the book of mormon are complementary books of scripture, both. When finished, this book of mormon visual library will include up to 180. Written in 1830, the book of mormon is the sacred text of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archeological research and any information that you may have received to the contrary is incorrect. Book of mormon not a problem for the latterday saints.
Since then the book of mormon has been translated into 110 languages, and more than 170 million copies have been printed. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archeological research and any. Smithsonian disavows use of book of mormon for archaeological guide and sees no connection between new world and book of mormon. Have any nonmormon scholars seriously analyzed the book of. Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the. We still stand by our former statement on the book of mormon. His research did not focus on other factors, such as how latterday saints understood and related to 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. I loved this when it came out, naming it one of 7 mormon books that changed.
Smithsonian archeologists see no direct connection between the archeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. Debunking fairmormon letter to a ces director book of mormon. Dawning of a brighter day twentyfirst century mormon. Information from the national museum of natural history smithsonian institution washington, d. I became a christian in 1995 at the age of 15, after a very rocky childhood. The book of mormon is another witness of jesus christ and confirms truths from the holy bible. I became convinced that i was a sinner that needed a savior and that jesus christ was the answer for me. 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.
Join us this year for book of mormon day 2017 book of mormon day commemorates the day that the first edition of the book of mormon was published in english on march 26, 1830. Approaches to the book of mormon four major obstacles to viewing the book of mormon as an authentic historical record 1 at a foundational level the book follows distinct early 19th century ideas about the native americans that were ultimately disproven and abandoned 2 dna issues, and major problems facing modern apologetics 3 source. As their stories unfoldtheir failures, their struggles, their miraculous triumphsyoull find comfort, solace, insight, and truth. On the ces letter by common consent, a mormon blog. When you read it youll discover many others as wellreal people, alltoohuman, struggling with problems not too different from your own. It was a decision of the smithsonians central office of. Mormon scholars speculated that this was because the earlier version of the letter contradicts some aspects of research published by smithsonian staff members. Critics of the church use this older letter as proof that the book of mormon has no archaeological support and is therefore false. Book of mormon characters mormonism, the mormon church. This is part of an actual letter i sent to someone identifying as a mormon.
Letters from mormons to this site the mormon church. Updated 122395 includes the smithsonian letter on the book of mormon. The book of mormon is a religious document and not a scientific guide. 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.
Nov 15, 2017 latent antimormon bias may seem harmless enoughafter all, mormons are reluctant to call others out on it. These are also a good representative sample of the types of letters we receive. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon in any way as. The smithsonian institution and the book of mormon mormon coffee. Before i get flamed i would like to point out three of the more glaring anachronistic errors. Price new from used from bonded leather, january 1, 2001 please retry. The book of mormon claims that it corrects errors found in the bible.
Here is an example of how insincere this translation attempt is. The money makers need to be more up front with this. A closer look, zenos publications, ogden, utah, 1983. The book of mormon is set in north america in the first century.
A recent attempt to revive the spaulding theory is the 45page work of vernal holley, book of mormon authorship. The smithsonian institution sends a form letter to those who inquire about their use of the book of mormon for archaeological purposes. It was written by a man who has been a member of the mormon church for the past decade. Mormon letters is a crossword puzzle clue that we have spotted 5 times.
The book of mormonred letter bonded leather january 1, 2001 by joseph smith author see all formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Smithsonian statement about the book of mormon summary. Although many mormon sources claim that the book of mormon has been substantiated by archaeological findings, this claim has not been verified scientifically. More letters to a young mormon, this time from deseret book. The physical type of the american indian is basically mongoloid, being most closely related to that of the peoples of eastern. Some researchers believe that the book of mormon was partly based on an earlier book view of the hebrews or the tribes of israel in america by ethan smith no. The 1996 smithsonian statement regarding the book of mormon. Oct 07, 2015 ive already point by point addressed a few items. One critic even claims that generations of youth in the church have been taught that the smithsonian uses. Smithsonian and the book of mormon mormonism research. This is the title page from the original edition of the book of mormon by joseph smith.
This is a small number of the total letters the site recovery from mormonism receives. Mormons believe the following about the book of mormon. Now deseret book has gotten into the act, republishing one of my favorite of adams books, letters to a young mormon. The smithsonian is a unbiased entity who has no reason to defraud anyone academically when it comes to discussing the book of mormon and the claims made within. Nov, 2017 harold bloom is arguably the foremost living scholar of american literature. The national geographic society has a similar letter. Smithsonian disavows use of book of mormon for archaeological guide and sees no connection. However, after a fair and candid examination of the evidence, many thousands of honest mormons have discovered that this claim simply is not true. Jun 03, 2016 the book of mormon spooky mormon hell dream lyrics by azmad202. Does the smithsonian institution send out a letter regarding the use of the book of mormon as a guide for archaeological research. A book of mistakes, error, and fraud by jon gary williams introduction the mormon church promotes the book of mormon as an inspired writing.
I found something which was refreshing to read from an lds member, dr. Does the smithsonian institution send out a letter. And woven throughout youll see the principles and doctrines. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. This would seem to indicate that someone, perhaps joseph smith, copied parts of adairs book verbatim into the book of mormon. The smithsonian considers the book of mormon a religious document and not a scientific guide. Oct 20, 2016 mormon was the primary author, editor, and compiler of the book of mormon. The book of mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible. Indeed, no respectable nonmormon institution including the national geographic and smithsonian institutions or scholar that has considered.
The 1996 smithsonian statement regarding the book of mormon 1. The book of alma is one part of the book of mormon. Smithsonian statement book of mormon archaeological forum. The book of mormon is a musical comedy with music, lyrics and book by trey parker, robert lopez, and matt stone first staged in 2011, the play is a satirical examination of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints beliefs and practices that ultimately endorses the positive power of love and service. Although its history is compelling by itself, it is a book of scriptural significance that should be received and read under the influence of the holy. Accurate information about the smithsonians position is contained in the enclosed statement regarding the book of mormon, which was prepared to respond to the numerous inquiries.
The work is not a serious, thoughtful certainly not scholarly translation of the book of mormon into hebrew. When adding biographies, be sure to add a category link seen at bottom of this edit page so that it will be added. Joseph smith, title page from the book of mormon, 1830 edition. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon. Thomas ward and john cairns, 36 chapel street, 1844. Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the book of. Smithsonian institute response to inquirycover letter. Why is the book of mormon named after mormon, who is he.
The new book of mormon videos will be similar to the life of jesus christ bible videos that were completed in 2016. Instead of picketing the book of mormon musical, for example, the mormon church. Phelps on the origin of the book of mormon and the rise of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, 58. Book of mormonarchaeologysmithsonian statement fairmormon. These give an outsider to mormonism an insight into the thinking of mormons. Bamboozled by the ces letter shaken faith syndrome. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archaeological research and has found no archaeological evidence to support its claims. Mar 27, 2009 the book of mormon is a book with a promise. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon mormons. It describes the jaredites, descendants of jared and his companions, who were led by god to the americas shortly after the confusion of tongues and the destruction of the tower of babel.
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