Starlings response is undated, but content elsewhere in his letter indicates that it was written. In the last chapter we saw that the bible is reliable, being textually pure and verifiably accurate in many places. Presented in a simple, unadorned style without accompaniment, these songs lyrics are set to angloamerican ballad melodies, fiddle tunes, and even to the music of stephen foster. 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. The book of mormon was written by joseph smith in march 1830. While archaeology could be useful in determining where the events of the book of mormon took place, the book of mormon does not contain the sort of historical detail that would make it useful for non mormon archaeologists. The smithsonian institute issued a formal statement in may 1980 detailing their complete disavowal of the work as anything but fiction. An 1830 first edition of the book of mormon, including a page from the treasured original manuscript, rare coins and currency from the thenfledgling lds church are on display at the smithsonian. Mormon artifacts on display at the smithsonian meridian. This album portrays the cultural history of the mormon community in utah through folk song.
The book of mormon department of christian defense. They are descendants from the people in the book of mormon. The subject of this book pertains to something ive been interested in for a long time, science and the book of mormon. Of course, this method of translation is as occultic as it gets. Items do not represent the official views of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints or of book of mormon central. Because the smithsonian institution receives many inquiries regarding the book of mormon, we have prepared a statement regarding the book of mormon. The smithsonian institute uses the book of mormon in its research. The aftermath of mountain meadows history smithsonian.
The smithsonian on the bible and the book of mormon on the book of mormon. The aftermath of mountain meadows the massacre almost brought the united states to war against the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, but only one man was brought to trial. 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. Today, mormons use the book of mormon in much the same way that christians use and study the bible. Saints are on display in a new oneyear exhibition at the smithsonian in washington, d. Mormon heritage is only one aspect of the religion exhibit.
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. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archeological research and any. Sorenson of farms, and perhaps others, disputed the smithsonian institutions points as being out of date. Treasured mormon manuscript, other lds artifacts now can. The smithsonian institute has issued a statement regarding archaeological evidence and the book of mormon. Organizational statements regarding the book of mormon smithsonian institution. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. Smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon. Mormon artifacts on display at the smithsonian youtube. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon mormons in transition. Your inquiry of date concerning the smithsonian institutions alleged use of the book of mormon as a scientific guide has been received in this. The authors of the statement are not displaying high levels of scholarship. This angel then helped smith translate the work from reformed egyptian characters into english.
Smithsonian disavows use of book of mormon for archaeological guide and sees no connection between new world and book of mormon. The smithsonian institution does not use it in archeological research. The book of mormon is a r eligious 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. Refuting the existence of glass has no bearing on the book of mormon. The religion in early america exhibit, part of four new the nation we build together exhibitions and interactive experiences, opens to the public on june 28, 2017, in the national museum of american. Essentially, the claim is that the smithsonian institute andor the national geographical society use the book of mormon in its historical research of latin. Many native american tribes still have hebrewmiddleeastern linguisticscustoms still preserved in their cultures to this day. Mormon archaeological argument that proves the historical accuracy of b of m. This was originally written as a letter to a friend, a mormon, who wanted to know why i left mormonism.
Smith claims that the prophet who last contributed to the work returned to earth as an angel and told him where to find it. The smithsonian archaeologists see no direct connection between archeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. Mormons have long sought to verify scientifically the book of mormon story. The smithsonian on the bible and the book of mormon. The smithsonian institution was established with funds from james smithson 17651829, a british scientist who left his estate to the united states to found at washington, under the name of the smithsonian institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archaeological research and ha. The smithsonian institution has never used it book of mormon in any archaeological research, and any information that you have received to the contrary is incorrect. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archeological research and any information that you may have received to the contrary is incorrect. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archaeological research and has found no archaeological evidence to support its claims. Didnt the smithsonian intitute prove the book of mormon. Your recent inquiry concerning the book of mormon has been received in the smithsonian s department of anthropology. What you see on the screen is the cover of a book ive written that was just published. The smithsonian institution sends a form letter to those who inquire about their use of the book of mormon for archaeological purposes. 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.
Jan 18, 2018 how a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. Book of mormonarchaeologysmithsonian statement fairmormon. The smithsonian website says, the objects will represent the diverse range of christian, native american and african traditions as well as mormonism, islam and judaism that wove through american life in this era. Courtesy of the lds church rare artifacts from the early history of the lds church including a page from. An 1830 first edition of the book of mormon is on display in a new exhibition at the smithsonian s national museum of american history photo suppliedintellectual reserve, inc. Voice from the dust is witchcraft, and the book of mormon 08162018 by lifeafterministry encyclopedia of mormonism, p. A speculative scientific journey among the exoplanets in search of intelligent aliens, ice creatures, and supergravity animals.
The book of mormon s most spectacular recorded event was a postresurrection appearance of jesus christ himself among the nephite people 3 nephi 11. Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the. The smithsonian considers the book of mormon a religious document and not a scientific guide. Smithsonian institute statement on the book of mormon. The book of mormon is a religious document and not a. The smithsonian is a highly respected institution with many fine scholars, yet they are clearly not experts in many of the fields needed to scientifically evaluate book of mormon claims, and it is also evident that they have not made a serious effort to understand the book of mormon. At one point they claimed that the smithsonian institution used the book of mormon as a guide to almost all of the major archeological discoveries in the western hemisphere. Brief background of my life as a mormon leaving mormonism and some experiences as a mormon history of joseph smith book of mormon book of abraham the temple church members. The artifacts from the early history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints are part of the religion in early america exhibit, which. The national geographic society has a similar letter.
The book of mormon is a religious document and not a scientific guide. Sep 12, 20 an earlier version of the letter listed points on which the smithsonian institutions staff claimed the scientific record differed from the book of mormon narrative. Book of mormon central archive an evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon. The smithsonian statement has been around for years and lds writers have responded to this easily resolved point, yet the embarrassing refutation of glass still survives in this 1996 version. False this myth is old some claim over a hundred years old and is well documented all over the internet.
Thomas stuart ferguson lay in his hammock, certain that he had found. National geographic responded that it does not know of anything found so far that has substantiated the book of mormon. Exhibit curator peter manseau said in the video that the religious communities. Okay, so now i started to get a little negative feel for what theyre saying. Millions of visitors are expected to view the smithsonian exhibition in the nations capital over the next year. Most, but not all, mormons hold the book s connection to ancient american history as an article of their faith. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide. The smithsonian institution issues a standard reply to requests for their opinion regarding the book of. That the smithsonian does not use the book of mormon in its research says nothing about the book s divinity and truthfulness. Lds apologist john sorensons response to the smithsonian. Visitors to the museum will be able to see an original manuscript of the book of mormon, an 1830 first edition of the book of mormon, a couple. In this chapter we will examine the book of mormon to see how it holds up to the. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand.
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 and the book of mormon mormonism research. The book of mormon teaches that god has flesh and bones and that he has a wife with whom they produce spirit offspring in heaven that will inhabit human bodies on earth. Jun 23, 2017 mormon artifacts on display at the smithsonian. Smithsonian statement book of mormon archaeological forum. Lds leaders who admit mormonism isnt true life after.
Mormon artifacts from the early history of the church of jesus christ of. I even helped perpetuate the rumor that the smithsonian institute used the book of mormon as a scientific. Mormon scholars speculated that this was because the earlier version of the letter contradicts some aspects of research published by smithsonian staff members. Published in 1848, it was the smithsonian institution s first publication and the first volume in its contributions to knowledge series. Grandin in palmyra, new york, in 1830, right before the church was organized that same year. This view finds no acceptance outside of mormonism. Many members of the latter day saint movement claim historical authenticity of the book of mormon. I was convinced beyond a doubt that south american ruins validated the book of mormon. Sincerely, signed ann kaupp, head anthropology outreach office.
An evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement. Smithsonian archaeologists see no direct connection between the archaeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. Voice from the dust is witchcraft, and the book of mormon. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon mormons. Smithsonian and the book of mormon mormonism research ministry.
The smithsonian, the book of mormon, and an urban legend lds. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of in any way as a scientific guide. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archeological research and any information that you have received to the contrary is incorrect. The book of mormon claims to be a history of ancient peoples inhabiting central america until 421 a. The smithsonian archaeologists see no direct connection. Smithsonian archeologists see no direct connection between the archeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. Mormon artifacts from the early history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints are on display in a new oneyear exhibition at the smithsonian in washington, d. Thus the lds contends that the book of mormon is another testament of jesus christ. Creating the national museum of african american history and culture in the age of bush, obama, and trump. Mormon artifacts on display at the smithsonian faith. The early edition of the book of mormon is one of 5,000 copies published by e. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith.
Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the book. The mormon church the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. National geographic society statement on the book of mormon. First publication of the smithsonian book of mormon evidence. Smithsonian archaeologists see no connection between the archaeology of the new, world and the subject matter of the book.
Artifacts from the early history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints are on display in a new oneyear exhibition at the smithsonian in washington, d. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archaeological research, and any information that you have received to the contrary is incorrect. Smithsonian archaeologists see no connection between the archaeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. Therefore, the mormon can have confidence that the bible is the word of god and that it can be accurately translated. 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 theory that the book of mormon is an ancient american history is not accepted. Courtesy of the lds church rare artifacts from the early history of the lds church including a page from the printers manuscript of the first edition of the book of mormon, and churchissued coins and paper currency are on display this week at the smithsonian in washington, d. The smithsonian s department of anthropology has written a form letter to respond to the many claims that its researchers have used the book of mormon. This letter from the smithsonians department of anthropology is in response to your inquiry regarding the book of mormon. Jeff lindsay responds here to controversy surrounding previous book of mormon historicity statements by the smithsonian more from jeff lindsay on criticisms related to wheat, barley, figs, grapes, bees, chicken, turkeys, swine, oxen, horses, elephants and more an lds critic interviewed famed mesoamericanist, dr.
Overwhelming evidence has accumulated indicating that the story is pure fiction. Questioning the book of mormon watchman fellowship. Reading time t he smithsonian institute wrote this diplomatic letter which says, in the most discrete and gentle terms, that the claims that mormons make about the historical and scientific validity of the book of mormon, are a bunch of hooey. If you pay close attention, youre sure to hear the distinct clues big changes are on the not too distant horizon for the church. Treasured mormon manuscript, other lds artifacts now can be. One leader after another is speaking on the internal problems of mormonism. This article was originally published on mormon coffee on march 22, 2012. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon. The bible the bible teaches that all men have sinned and fallen short of the glory of god. The smithsonian, the book of mormon, and an urban legend. Mormon artifacts on display at the smithsonian church newsroom.
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