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. If we are all related as children of god, why do we speak different languages. An evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement. The smithsonian archaeologists see no direct connection. Citeseerx smithsonian statement on the book of mormon revised. Smithsonian institution letter statement regarding the. Because the smithsonian regards the unauthorized use of its name to. Critics trot out this letter as proof that the book of mormon has no archaeological support and is therefore false.
The smithsonian institution issues a standard reply to requests for their opinion regarding the book of mormon as an archaeological or scientific guide. The smithsonian archaeologists see no direct connection between archeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. The smithsonian institute has issued a statement regarding archaeological evidence and the book of mormon. Every one of the statements are damaging to the reliability of the book of mormon. Talmage correctly identified various michigan relics as fraudulent. Smithsonian disavows use of book of mormon for archaeological guide and sees no connection between new world and book of mormon. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archeological research and any.
If this were the case, we would expect to find artifacts with writings in these languages. Another objecting statement by the smithsonian to the book of mormon was that americanindians had no wheat, barley, oats, millet, rice, cattle, pigs, chicken, horses, donkeys or camels before 1492. 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. Items do not represent the official views of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints or of book of mormon central. Outside of lds church, no relevant scholar accepts the book of mormon as anything beyond fiction. For many years the smithsonian institution in washington has received inquiries concerning the book of mormon, its role in the instituttons scientific activities, and a number of specific informational questions about ancient american archaeology. A the book of mormon claims that the ancient inhabitants spoke and wrote in reformed egyptian and hebrew. The smithsonian institute national museum of natural history department of anthropology washington d. In summation, careful reading of the smithsonian institutions 1979 statement regarding the book of mormon persuades me that it was a justified attempt to deal with a public information problem but that the substance it offers is often suspect and unduly narrow. Lds apologist john sorensons response to the smithsonian.
Further verification of the change in the smithsonian statement is provided in the short note, new light. Critics trot out this letter as proof that the book of mormon has no archaeological support and is. If we compare the historical, prophetical, and doctrinal parts of the book of mormon with the great truths of science and. 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. Because the smithsonian regards the unauthorized use of its name to disseminate inaccurate information as unlawful, we would.
I was convinced beyond a doubt that south american ruins validated the book of mormon. 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. The 1996 smithsonian statement regarding the book of mormon 1. National geographic society statement on the book of mormon. Kane, a non mormon who had advised mormon leaders in previous ordeals, fillmore named brigham young governor of the new. 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. Nonmormon scholars note that the smithsonian has not retracted any of its previous statements and feel that the response. Several times they referred to the smithsonian institute as having material on hand confirming the book of mormon. Statement regarding the book of mormon the smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide. National museum of natural history and ask for their latest statement on this topic. The authors of the statement are not displaying high levels of scholarship.
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. In 1850, acting partly in response to lobbying from a lawyer named thomas l. Citeseerx smithsonian statement on 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. Organizational statements regarding the book of mormon smithsonian institution. 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. Archaeologists confirm the historical content of the b of mormon 1. Abstract has been revised to indicate that the book of mormon is a religious document and not a scientific guide. The smithsonian also has a 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 verify sites in the new world. We still stand by our former statement on the book of mormon. So, the smithsonian is saying that both books are bogus, but the book of mormon is more. An evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon by john l.
An evaluation of the smithsonian institutions statement regarding the book of mormon study aid foundation for ancient research and 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. 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. National geographic responded that it does not know of anything found so far that has substantiated the book of mormon. Mormons, since even the smithsonian issued a statement about.
Because the smithsonian institution receives many inquiries regarding the book of mormon, we have prepared a statement regarding the book of mormon. Smithsonian institution letter statement regarding the book of mormon 1996 the smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide. This statement can be requested at the same address. The smithsonian on the bible and the book of mormon. Mar 19, 2009 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 verify sites in the new world. The statement was issued in response to reports that the name of the smithsonian institution was being improperly used to lend credibility to the claims of those looking.
The book of mormon evidence and facts will not fit into the established archaeology model. Smithsonian and the book of mormon mormonism research. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon. Mormons, since even the smithsonian issued a statement. Refuting the existence of glass has no bearing on the book of mormon. 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 smithsonian institution sends a form letter to those who inquire about their use of the book of mormon for archaeological purposes. Home book of mormon science, ancient history, and the book of mormon national geographic society statement on the book of mormon. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon mormons in transition. An evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon sorenson, john l. Mar 18, 2009 there is nothing to show that they reached mexico or central america. Citeseerx document details isaac councill, lee giles, pradeep teregowda. Prior to 1998, the statement denied any evidence for precolumbian contact between old and new worlds. The smithsonian institute issued a formal statement in may 1980 detailing their complete disavowal of the work as anything but fiction.
The book of mormon is a religious document and not a scientific guide. The smithsonian institution issues a standard reply to requests for their opinion regarding the book of. In the best analysis, the bible is a religious book, not an historical document. 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. For further reading on the bible as history, the following books may be consulted.
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 smithsonians position. The smithsonian considers the book of mormon a religious document and not a scientific guide. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide. The department of anthropology has researchers who study world cultures, including religions. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of in any way as a scientific guide. 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. 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. Feb 22, 2018 the department of anthropology has researchers who study world cultures, including religions. Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the book of. Smithsonian archaeologists see no direct connection between the archaeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. Smithsonian archaeologists see no connection between the archaeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book.
Theft and robbery in the book of mormon and in near eastern law. An evaluation of the smithsonian statement regarding the. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archaeological research, and any. Church leaders know that letting go of this document will cause some members sadness and grief, the church said in its statement. Most of these items were things that were not thought to be in the new world before, at least during book of mormon times, until the people from. How come the smithsonians statement regarding the bible. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. You can see a statement prepared in 1996 by the anthropology outreach office addressing the book of mormon from a scientific, archaeological standpoint on the following webpage.
Smithsonian statement about the book of mormon summary. Smithsonian institution still disavows the book of mormans. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon mormons. Several versions of this have been issued, all much the same, with the most recent version i know of dating from 1996. An evaluation of the smithsonian institutions statement. Of course, this method of translation is as occultic as it gets. The physical type of american indian is basically mongoloid, being most closely related to. Thus the book of mormon was translated by the gift and power of god and not by man david whitmer, an address to all believers in christ concord, ca. Didnt the smithsonian intitute prove the book of mormon was. Book of mormon central archive an evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon. The statement said that there was no credible evidence of contact between ancient egyptian or hebrew peoples and the new world, as indicated by the text of the book of mormon.
Smithsonian statement on book of mormon noncatholic. There is no archaeological evidence for the book of mormon. The smithsonian institution has issued an official statement that the book of mormon contradicts scientific analysis of the precolumbian western hemisphere. Smithsonian and the book of mormon mormonism research ministry. Information from the smithsonian institution washington, d. It was a decision of the smithsonian s central office of public affairs to simplify the statement to respond to general questions regarding the smithsonian s use of the book of mormon. It must be remembered that the bible is primarily a book of religion, a guide to faith. For many years, critics of the book of mormon have made much a statement issued by the smithsonian institutions anthropology department replying to those who ask about evidences for the book of mormon. Smithsonian archaeologists see no connection between the archaeology of the new, world and the subject matter of the book. An evaluation of the smithsonian statement regarding the book. Smithsonian statement book of mormon archaeological forum. I even helped perpetuate the rumor that the smithsonian institute used the book of mormon as a scientific. If humans were created by god who is perfect and good, how did evil among them come to be.
You might wish to consult the following publications. Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the. Accurate information about the smithsonians position is contained in the enclosed statement regarding the book of mormon, which was prepared to respond to. Box 8500, charlotte, nc 28271 phone 704 8878200 and fax 704 8878299 1 statement dm192 book of mormon vs. Statements by the smithsonian institution and the national geographic society.
However, the smithsonians eighth statement regarding the book of mormon says. The national geographic society has a similar letter. The mormon apologist, researchers and historians have tried to explain book of mormon facts and archaeology by presenting information and claims that will fit into established archaeology accepted model. 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. For many years the smithsonian institution in washington has received inquiries concerning the book of mormon, its role in the instituttons scientific activities, and a number of specific informational questions about ancient american. The smithsonian institutions letter statement regarding the book of mormon footnote statement regarding the book of mormon the smithsonian institutionfootnote pg. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the book.
Information from the national museum of natural history. Below is the statement we presently distribute for these general inquiries. Smithsonian institute statement on the book of mormon. A challenge to the critics is a carefully documented book that covers a wide spectrum of anti mormon claims concerning the book of mormon. Book of mormon central archive an evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon an evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon.
This statement includes answers to questions most commonly asked about the book of mormon. Smithsonian archeologists see no direct connection between the archeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. 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 archaeological research and has found no archaeological evidence to support its claims. The national geographic societys letter statement on the book of mormon. It systematically exposes fraudulent assertions by presenting irrefutable evidences drawn from the findings of. 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. Report it came to pass in the bible and the book of mormon. Book of mormonarchaeologysmithsonian statement fairmormon.
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