Joseph smith said that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book history of the church, vol. It took smith less than 3 months to translate the writings and publish it into a 588 volume. Larson, a study of some textual variations in the book of mormon comparing the original and the printers manuscripts and the 1830, the 1837 and the 1840 editions. The bible the bible was originally written languages of the people composing it. While pornography was not the problem in book of mormon times, there were still problems with the same passions and resulting improprieties. Twelve beliefs the mormon church might not want you to. Lds church members are taught that the book of mormon bom is scripture, as well as a true record of the inhabitants of the americas from about 2200 bc to 420 ad. Why you shouldnt ask god if the book of mormon is true. In the early 1920s, roberts was asked by the first presidency of the lds church to develop an apologetic to explain difficulties in the book of mormon, such as the lack of hebrew or egyptian vestiges in the languages of the native american peoples and such historical anachronisms in the book of mormon as mentions of horses, oxen, wheat, and steel swords in ancient america. Mormon claims around the melchizedek priesthood are deeply problematic the mormon churchs claims of exclusive authority are prideful, insulting, and damaging to many mormon epistemology feelings truth is deeply problematic mormon prophets, seers, and revelators do not prophesy, see, or reveal. There are two possible explanations for the origin of the book of mormon. The musical ultimately endorses the positive power of love and service.
Mormon leaders have trust issues religion news service. Not a single mainstream scholar has provided proof that the new world hebrew culture chronicled in the book of mormon existed. However, after a fair and candid examination of the evidence, many thousands of honest mormons have discovered that this claim simply is not true. The book of mormon gets the literary treatment religion. Another major problem for the book of mormon is archeology, a major embarrassment for the mormon church. First staged in 2011, the play is a satirical examination of the beliefs and practices of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. 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 beliefs and practices of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. However, on the subject of the historicity of the book of mormon, there are many subsidiary issues that could each be the subject of a book.
Those discussed here are grouped into 3 categories. I know i have mentioned it before, probably in every part of this series, but the book of mormon is constantly having the holy ghost play a major. Not a single piece of archeological evidence from nonmormon sources has come to light. When attempting to reconcile things, one popular defender of the book of mormon s antiquity merely compounds the problem by suggesting. The history and teachings of the book of mormon are not so clearcut. The problem with this is that the book of mormon follows some errors which were. Oct 05, 2012 the claims made by the book of mormon mention specific tools, technologies, crops, and animals that simply didnt exist in those regions at the times stated. The historicity of the book of mormon religious studies. These two studies, aka book of mormon difficulties, were written in the 1920s when roberts decided to dive deep into the criticisms of the book of mormon and see if he could address some of the big issues plaguing the book.
The book of mormon has no claim to validity due to its lack of incorporation into the biblical cannon. Apr 19, 2017 book of mormon historicity ranks ninth, and the other specific historical issues barely register at all. Welch, the legal cases in the book of mormon provo, ut. In my first thoughts on preemptive war i discussed how if you read the account carefully in mormon 4 he is complaining about their false oaths, bloodlust, and not that strategy. Problems with the book of mormon catholic answers catholic. Much more than simply reporting these wars like a modern journalist, mormon infused moral and theological. It is the sacred text for the 15 millionstrong church of jesus christ of latterday saints. This is a spot for civilians, military historians, members of the lds church and anybody else who enjoys studying the military aspects of the book of mormon and its impact on the lds church, society and the field of military history. Three big historical challenges to the book of mormon. Ive done some statistical analysis of the use of the phrase it came to pass and the word exceedingly in the book of mormon, which is discussed in the book of mormon authorship page. Joseph smiths dictated text with hundreds of corrections from royal skousens study of the original and printers manuscripts. Why are there so many war chapters in the book of mormon.
The mormon religion was officially founded in 1830 when the book of mormon was published. For more information, visit, or thanks to zelph on the shelf for summari. The book of mormon problems with reliability and consistency carm. As is true today, warfare in the ancient world took on ideological importance for both sides of a conflict. Smithsonian archeologists see no direct connectionbetween the archeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. Jun 01, 2017 some book of mormon statements even seem to err on the side of collapsing the personal distinctions within the trinity, specifically several statements identifying jesus as both the father and the son mosiah 15. The text covers many doctrinal and historical issues plaguing the lds, including. Gregory dundas, kingship, democracy, and the message of the book of mormon, byu studies quarterly 56, no.
Heart problems, the book of mormon and the just war tradition ive talked about this issue before. Deuteroisaiah in the book of mormon lds discussions. What now seems bad grammar was once entirely acceptable english editing out the bad grammar in the book of mormon, dan peterson. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. Another way of explaining the strength of the positive position on the historicity of the book of mormon is to point out that we who are its proponents are content with a standoff on this question.
A comprehensive list of the problems with mormonism. The problem of violence cannot be resolved simply by affirming christs supreme status. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to latter day saint theology, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. My friend, these are the 7 major reasons why the lds church cannot be. The challenge of the book of mormon religious studies center. A case against a case for the book of mormon by lane wagner. For example, consider the word sins, which had been spelled synnes and became sinnes in the 1611 king james version.
Parker and stone were best known for creating the animated comedy south. As weve covered in the king james bible and the book. Political rhetoric in the book of mormon provo, ut. Holland, an analysis of selected changes in major editions of the book of mormon 18301920 masters thesis, brigham young university, 1966. Oct 05, 2012 joseph smith translated the book of mormon from gold plates. Heart problems, the book of mormon and the just war tradition. It is not my purpose to comment on any of these lesser issues, either those that are said to confirm the book of mormon or those that are said to disprove it. Dec 22, 2011 yet another serious problem for the limited geography theory is the 45 degree directional skewing that is necessary in order to fit the various geographic features of the book of mormon into the proposed central american site, and the resulting complete absence of a sea north and a sea south, basic features of the area in the book of mormon. Mormons consider the book of mormon a compilation of historical records kept by the primary ancestors of the native americans. The book of mormon is a musical comedy with music, lyrics, and book by trey parker, robert lopez, and matt stone.
An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. One of the major sins of jacobs day was the infidelity of brethren who rationalized their actions using the excesses of david and. The following graphic is a list of major changes in the book of mormon and was compiled by scott faulring and printed in the seventh east press, october 21, 1981, provo, utah. The grim reality for ancient peoples was that religious, political, and cultural ideologies were frequently enforced through war. Devaluingdenouncing science history of violence council of 50. The minister just smiled with a big ivegotyounow smile and handed me an old. Interestingly, the spelling problems in the book of mormon paralleled earlier kinds of spelling changes in the english bible. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon in any wayas a scientific guide. Lds apologists often suggest that book of mormon archaeology is ignored by the general scientific community citing that nonmormon archaeologists dont look for evidence of the book of mormon and therefore dont find any evidence. Mar 31, 2019 a comprehensive list of the problems with mormonism. The opponents of the historicity of the book of mormon must prove that the people whose religious life it records did not live anywhere in the americas.
Material in the book of mormon will be examined which appears to be plagiarized from the maccabees, shakespeares hamlet, josephus wars of the jews, solomon spauldings manuscript found, ethan smiths view of the hebrews and the king james version of the bible. This contains the complete text of the 1981 edition, but with more modern text formatting. Smithsonian archeologists see no direct connectionbetween the archeology of. Joseph smiths practice of folk magic and treasure digging was deeply problematic joseph smiths first. Top 10 embarrassments of the mormon religion listverse. Sep 01, 1985 it was really great to end this year on a strong note with b. Twelve beliefs the mormon church might not want you to know. The book of mormon both illuminates the teachings of the master and exposes the tactics of the adversary.
Its the calling card for thousands of missionaries, and part of the inspiration for a tony awardwinning broadway musical. This study sought answers to two major questions regarding the book of mormon prophets. First, it lacks utterly historical or archaeological support, and there is an overwhelming body of empirical evidence. The book of mormon also explicitly teaches that traditional understanding of the attributes of god. Joseph smiths character joseph smiths practice of folk magic and treasure digging was deeply problematic joseph. If true, it is one of the most important messages ever sent from god. As parents, teachers, and individuals, we will find the book of mormon useful in a variety of settings and on virtually every major issue we may face. The issue is not textual inerrancy which the book of mormon itself denies, but the limits of revisionism and the creeping menace of elitism. The historicity of the book of mormon religious studies center. If this is true, then the book of mormon should be full of errors.
The origins, authenticity, and historicity of the book of mormon have been subject to. Using the book of mormon to meet todays challenges religious. The objection to the word adieu is one of the most common attacks on the book of mormon, but it really isnt a problem. The relevance and effectiveness of four book of mormon. This is where i publish my preliminary research notes and ideas concerning warfare in the book of mormon. Besides its obvious plagiarisms, other serious problems plague the book of mormon. First, it utterly lacks historical or archaeological support, and there is overwhelming empirical evidence that refutes it. Second, the book of mormon contains none of the key mormon doctrines. Not a single piece of archeological evidence from non mormon sources has come to light. The book of mormon presents problems that cannot be explained away. The native americans are not, and never were, jews.
Today, the lds church is most prevalent in the united states, latin america, canada, europe, the. The book of mormon problems with reliability and consistency. There are two major methods that have been proposed for the translation of the book of mormon. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. Most of these species were introduced in 1493 by christopher columbus.
This is the concluding episode of the series on errors in the book of mormon and covers the major issues from the book of 4th nephi to the end. The bible blunder in the book of mormon is jesus alive. Joseph smith claimed that the book of mormon was the most correct book. Nevertheless, there was a major problem with this theory. The following graphic is a list of major changes in the book of mormon and was compiled by scott faulring and printed in the. Aug 03, 2016 the book of mormon is a book saturated with warfare.
They do not seem to realize that such an admission implies that any faults mean that at least at that point the man was not inspired by god. The additional problems links provide further evidence of the book of mormon and joseph smiths illegitimacy. In order to understand the major claims of the book of mormon, we need to. First, it utterly lacks historical or archaeological support, and there is overwhelming empirical evidence that refutes. Apr 20, 2003 mormons will probably cite as an excuse for such errors the passage in the book of mormon bom, which says mormon 8. Interestingly, the spelling problems in the book of mormon paralleled earlier. Watch my other 3 videos on the biggest mormon issues.
The olive leaf foundation 2017 a new approach to studying the book of mormon. Dec 06, 2018 3 major historical criticisms of the book of mormon the poached egg christian worldview and apologetics network says. He was asked by a reporter, what problems are being faced by the church today. Understanding textual changes in the book of mormon. It is either of divine or human origin, and if it is of human origin that means that joseph smith concocted the book. Thefourpage statement begins with a denial of the claims put forth by mormon enthusiasts. What are the major challenges to book of mormon historicity.
May 23, 2017 t he book of mormon is a wholly american scripture. Critics cite numerous problems with the text that indicate it is of more modern origin such as anachronisms, dna evidence, lack of archaeological evidence. The theology of the book of mormon an introduction to the. This is important because the latterday saints make such a point about it containing the fullness of the everlasting gospel. The answer to this question will involve a brief consideration of the translation process of the book of mormon. First, it lacks utterly historical or archaeological support, and there is an overwhelming body of empirical evidence that refutes it. Using the book of mormon to meet todays challenges.
For example, horses, cattle, sheep, and swine werent roaming between 2500 bc and 400 ad, as claimed. For nearly 200 years, the church of jesus christ of latterday saints audaciously has. Distinctly nineteenthcentury new england grammar patterns have no place in a tight translation of an ancient manuscript. Origin of the book of mormon and book of mormon witnesses. A book of mistakes, error, and fraud by jon gary williams introduction the mormon church promotes the book of mormon as an inspired writing. Deuteroisaiah verses in the book of mormon in the book of mormon, there are many chapters of isaiah directly incorporated from the king james version kjv of the bible, complete with translation errors that were obviously not possible to have been recorded on the gold plates since the kjv was not available until thousands of years later. The first is a tightcontrol method in which the text of the english version strictly matches the text of the gold plates, often right.
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