Study guide 1 1 the book of mormon a says that silk, steel, iron, and coins were all used for almost a thousand years in america from 600 bc to about 421 ad, but. If joseph smith was a prophet, then the church of jesus christ of latter day saints is the same church that christ established while he was on the earth. Vague, uplifting, nondoctrinal religiosity doesnt actually last. The book of mormon can be true without being historical. Many people accuse lds apologists of lying for the lord. The book of mormon false testament learn the bible. Jan 23, 2016 early critics of the book of mormon had a heyday with this one, pointing out that steel did not exist at the time nephi would have written this passage the prevailing knowledge in 1830, so the book of mormon couldnt possibly be true. By contrast, the evidence shows that the book of mormon is not translated from ancient scriptures but is a nineteenthcentury fiction. 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. So the question of all questions deals with the truthfulness of book of mormon. However, if that is true, then why does the book of mormon contradict mormon theology. King benjamin bore testimony to his sons that the plates of brass, that had been brought from jerusalem and preserved by the hand of god, were true. If it is true 1 but not true 2, however, that might cause some theological problems, starting with the claims that both the book itself and authoritative interpretations of it have made regarding its truth 2. A wealth of additional articles on the book of mormon can be found on our book of mormon page for a summary of the twelve reasons with links to articles on each, see the main article, why christianity is true but mormonism is.
Is the book of mormon true notes on the debate book of. For those who long to more fully understand the intricacies of scriptural doctrine and events, knowing why holds the key. So in order to find out if the book of mormon is a true book, is true scripture, you first need to get a copy. Abish, the servant of lamonis unnamed wife, isabel the harlot and sariah, nephis mom who is most famous for complaining in the wilderness. Top 40 inspirational book of mormon scriptures the lifey app. Although it serves primarily as a religious text, it is to be interpreted literally as being an actual, historical record. Using the book of mormon is the classic baitandswitch. Lds apologists have a pretty bad reputation among nonlds, and its not just a good vs evil thing. As seen by science, the book of mormon is stronger today than it was in 1830, 1844, 1950, or even 2000, so i expect it will continue to become stronger in the future. Book of mormon commentary volume two entitled these records are true is 532 pages in length and covers the books of jacob, enos, jarom, omni, words of mormon and mosiah. Lds leaders who admit mormonism isnt true life after. Ideally for believers, the book of mormon is true 1 and true 2. Many people assume that if the mormon church promotes the book of mormon, it must surely adhere to its teachings.
The book of mormon shall stand as a testimony against the world, ether 5. They encourage potential converts to follow suit so that they, too, may know the book of mormon is from god. Then, very solemnly, theyll testify to you that they know the book of mormon is true, that its gods inspired word, and that it contains the fullness of the everlasting gospel. In recent years, we have learned that several ancient documents were written in precisely that fashion. The book of mormon name, lehi, is also found in the bible. The book of mormon is a testament of jesus christ whose contents is supposed to be about convincing the world that jesus is the christ, the foretold messiah of the old testament. Bad book of mormon apologetics lds church is true blog. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. Archaeological evidence and the book of mormon fairmormon. The book of mormon was written for the intent that we may believe the bible, morm. Defying both civil authorities and the mormon establishment in salt lake city, the renegade leaders of these talibanlike theocracies are zealots who answer only to god. A comparison of book of mormon, bible, and traditional. Jun 17, 2017 is there any archaeological evidence for the book of mormon.
The overall trend in the date over the past 175 years fits the expectations for the book of mormon as history rather than hoax. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove these very. Some people loved itand some people hated itbut at the end of the day, the experiences i shared are so tangible to me that ill never be able to forget or deny their. Dear mormons, you dont know the book of mormon is true. Of course you must do this with sincerity, or it wont work.
Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. Both the bible and the book of mormon declare themselves to be ancient, historical, and reliable rules of faiththe very word of god. A few months ago i wrote an article entitled soyou think the book of mormon is a fraud. When i first encountered the book of mormon, i assumed it was a hoax. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. Lds leaders who admit mormonism isnt true life after ministry. Theyll assure you that if you read their text in a spirit of prayerful inquiry, you too will receive the testimony of the holy ghost.
Specifically, the book of mormon was prepared for our day so that we would learn and grow by readings the words of ancient prophets in the americas. The book of mormon mentions cities, trade, warfare, towers, and the use of armorall of which did exist in the ancient americasyet their existence has not convinced critics that the book of mormon is an authentic ancient text. Oct 19, 2017 in the case of the book of mormon, that something is called the holy ghost. In the articlei gave my personal experience with the book of mormon in my college years and also laid out some of the logical reasons why i believe the book to be true. I came to realize that the idea of one having a testimony of the truthfulness of the church was a totally deceitful concept. One of his main purposes is to testify of and confirm things that are true, unto us. The book of mormon testifies of jesuss ministry in the americas following his resurrection. If the book of mormon is true, then joseph smith was a prophet. The bible and the book of mormon why christianity is true. Is there scientific proof authenticating the book of mormon. It is the word of god and, like the bible, gives us guidance and inspiration in our daily lives. Smith, they will say, translated the book of mormon from golden plates he dug up in a hill in new york in the early 1800s. Peterson is associate professor of asian and near eastern languages at brigham young university. Since its publication in 1830, the book of mormon has been an object of intense controversy and has been subjected to virtually unparalleled critical attacks.
Both the bible and the book of mormon declare themselves to be ancient, historical, and reliable rules of faith the very word of god. Feb 16, 2016 historicity, geography, and methods of authorship continue to be hotly debated among mormons and exmormons as a way to prove that the book is true or false. Most who have studied the subject conclude that this signifies writing the hebrew language in modified egyptian characters. Two of the most prevalent claims for the book of mormon are, there is much archaeological proof to the book of mormon, and the american indians are descendants of israelites who came to america as described in the book of mormon. Many a learned person has asked the same thing about the bible or even the existence of god. The bible and the book of mormon why christianity is true but. Jan 02, 2020 next will come the invitation to read the book of mormon, pray, and ask god to show you it is true. True or not, the book of mormon is a powerful epic written on a grand scale with a host of characters, a narrative of human struggle and conflict, of divine intervention, heroic good and atrocious evil, of prophecy, morality, and law. I know, because i received an answer through my prayers from the holy ghost. You can say what you want, but it wont change the fact that i know and i can not deny it sep 15, 2019 greg trimble convinced me to do this.
And of which is a journal to prepare nations one individual at a time to prepare for his return by abiding by his christs teachings. The only bible that joseph smith relied on was the king james version. Why you shouldnt ask god if the book of mormon is true. Whenever a mormon suggests we should pray to find out whether the book of mormon is true, we should begin by pointing out that this idea comes from the book of mormon itself. For example, critics of mormonism have shown convincing proof that the book of mormon is a synthesis of earlier works written by other men, of the vivid imaginings of joseph smith, and of plagiarisms from the king james bible. In the context of missionary work, no true conversion can take place until the book of mormon is accepted as the basic source of the doctrines of salvation. At the core of krakauers book are brothers ron and dan lafferty, who insist they received a commandment from god to kill a blameless woman and her baby girl.
Then, along came the archaeologists to save the day. You are to pray and ask god and the holy ghost will tell you. The gospel is true, the bishop is true, the book of mormon is true, and on and on. The book of mormon is a compilation of several books written by ancient prophets.
The dominant and widely accepted view among latter day saints is that the book of mormon is a true and accurate account of these ancient american civilizations whose religious history it documents. Russell ballard of the quorum of the twelve apostles of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints addresses the question of whether there is scientific proof of the book of mormon. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. Women aside from references to biblical figures like mary, the book of mormon refers to a total of three women by name. Many readers have posed this question, both out of genuine interest and also as a challenge to the book s authenticity. In fact, several mormon organizations have been founded in order to prove. As a preacher i spend a great deal of time reading, studying and memorizing the bible, therefore i am very familiar with scripture.
Knowing why 7 evidences that the book of mormon is true. The only problem with the book of mormon musical, brooks continued, is that its theme is not quite true. The book of mormon is another testament of jesus christ. The book of mormon is changing the lives of people all. You can say what you want, but it wont change the fact that i know and i can not deny it mormonism. To the lds faithful, the book of mormon is the true historical account of a group of ancient israelites who fled jerusalem prior to the babylonian captivity 600 b. While reading it, pray to god to know if it is true.
This in itself is problematic and amounts to a logical fallacy known as begging the question or circular reasoning. Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. There are numerous passages in the book of mormon that conflict with modern mormon thought. Non mormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. While reading the book of mormon, this socalled other testament of jesus christ, i noticed something very eyeopening, something that gives away the true nature and origin of this book. The book of mormon, with book, music and lyrics by trey parker, robert lopez and matt stone, will be at the ahmanson theatre through march 29.
Sep 20, 2017 ideally for believers, the book of mormon is true 1 and true 2. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. Harper and others in the history department of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints are transitioning the narrative about the book of mormon, so that it came through revelation and not through translation. Nonmormon archaeologists speak on book of mormon evidence. Proof that the book of mormon is true, excerpt from.
When mormon missionaries properly called latter day saints or simply lds come to your door, they will often offer a free copy of the book of mormon and tell you about its author, joseph smith. True understanding of scripture requires diligent studynot only reading at the surface level but delving deeper and asking the question why. The book of mormon claims to have been written in reformed egyptian morm. The church pushes people to say they know the church is true. It has been set up to be an all or nothing campaign, where if the book is true, then joseph smith was a prophet and if he was the prophet, then he restored the only true church. The story of how it came about is rather fantastic, after all, and the simplest explanation is that the book was a deliberate deception. Before you fall to your knees, there are some things you need to know that they are not telling you and wont unless you ask. I bought this book to become more familiar with the mormon religion and this boo did a good job of explaining how mormon life is and how difficult it is for a mormon to leave. Mormon missionaries regularly quote this verse and accompany it with heartfelt personal testimony about how the holy ghost bore witness to them of the truth of the book of mormon. The book of mormon the book of mormon claims to be a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible.
According to the church of jesus christ of latter day saints a. Evidence from history, archaeology, and other fields of study prove that the bible is a collection of ancient writings and confirm much of its historical claims. They win points with the uninformed, but they hurt us more in the long run. The religions that grow, succor and motivate people to perform heroic acts of service are usually theologically rigorous, arduous in practice and definite in their. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. I have never met anyone in those years that can actually say god told them. Proof that the book of mormon is true book of mormon facts. Russell ballard of the quorum of the twelve apostles of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints addresses the question of whether there is. These claims have historically been taken on faith. Although it serves primarily as a religious text, it is to be interpreted literally as being an actual, historical record of the inhabitants of the ancient americas.
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