Anthropological Problems in the Book of Mormon

Introduction The Book of Mormon claims to be a record of the inhabitants of the Americas during the period from 2000 B.C. to 400 A.D. It makes many claims about the history and anthropology of pre-Columbian American cultures. Unfortunately, the author of the book, Joseph Smith, had little or no knowledge of pre-Columbian American civilizations. Borrowing and adapting many stories from the Old and New Testaments, Joseph Smith was unaware that the earlier Native American peoples were part of stone-age civilizations that were significantly less advanced than Hebrew and other Middle Eastern cultures of biblical times.

Metallurgy (the use of metals) did not appear in the Americas until about the 9th century A.D. However, the Book of Mormon describes the use of iron,1 steel,2 brass,3 copper,4 silver5 and gold6 before the birth of Christ. These metals were said to be used for coins, weapons, and in buildings. LDS apologists claim that these items would not survive in the tropical climates found in much of the Americas. However, both gold and silver coins are very resistant to decay, and would be expected to survive certainly for thousands of years, even in a tropical environment. Much more condemning is the fact that the art of the period (which is abundant) does not portray the existence of metallurgical products or metallurgical activity until at least 1000 A.D.

The Book of Mormon describes the presence of chariots in the New World.7 However, archeologists have found neither evidence of chariots or even evidence of wheeled vehicle usage during the period described in the Book of Mormon.

Scimitars (spelled “cimeters” by Joseph Smith), were Old-World weapons of war that were mentioned throughout the Book of Mormon.8 However, they have not been found to have existed in the New World. LDS apologists cite the Mesoamerican maccuahuitl as a possible “cimiter”.9 However, the maccuahuitl was a hardwood club with obsidian blades, which is quite different from the heavy, two-handed curved steel blade of the “cimeter.”

The Book of Mormon expressly states that the American peoples of the period used weapons of war made of metals,10 although none of these weapons have ever been found.

The Hill Cumorah in New York is described as the location of two major wars that involved the deaths of millions of people.11 However, no remains or even weapons of war have been found there.

The Book of Mormon describes the agriculture of the Americas as being similar to that found during biblical times in the Middle East. However, most Native American cultures were hunter-gatherers. The kind of crops grown in the Americas did not utilize plow agriculture that is required for crops such as wheat12 and barley13 that are described in the Book of Mormon. Foods known to have been used in ancient America, such as chocolate, lima beans, squash, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, etc. are not included in the Book of Mormon.

Use of linen and silkThe Book of Mormon also describes the use of linen and silk in the New World.14 However, evidence for the growing of flax (used to make linen) has not been found. Silk requires the growing of silkworms and specialized techniques to produce the thread from the cocoons. Although much clothing has been found from pre-Columbian sites, neither silk nor linen items have ever been found.

The Book of Mormon describes the following animals as living in the pre-Columbian Americas: donkey,15 cattle,16 oxen,17 horse,18 pig,19 and elephants.20 Although horses and mammoths and mastodons (related to elephants) had existed tens of thousands of years ago in the Americas, they had all disappeared by 10,000 years ago. Horses did not reappear on the American continents until the Spanish brought them after the voyage of Columbus. None of these animals existed in North, Central or South America during Book of Mormon times.

The Book of Mormon implies a seven day week similar to that practiced in the Middle East.21 Many ancient American calendars have been found, but none match the Old World or Book of Mormon calendars.22 One calendar consisted of a 260-day cycle divided into 13 “months” of twenty days (used by most of the ancient Mesoamericans). Each day was presided over by it’s own god. Another consisted of a 365-day cycle, also divided into 18 “months” of twenty days. The five leftover days were called the “resting,” or “sleep of the year.” Another consisted of a 3276-day cycle divided into four quadrants of 819 days (the product of 7 x 9 x 13, all sacred numbers to the Maya). The “long count” calendar counted days from the creation of the world (said to be on August 11, 3114 B.C.).

The Book of Mormon claims that the Native American populations are descended from the Lamanites, who originated from ancient Israel 2,600 years ago. This concept is stated several times throughout the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants (both of which are part of the “standard works”).23 Modern molecular genetics have proven that Native Americans are descended from Siberian and Asian ancestors. No evidence of Hebrew ancestry has been found in living Native Americans or in the remains of ancient Native Americans.24 However, other claims of Hebrew ancestry have been verified genetically in the African Lemba tribe, who left the Middle east during the same time frame found in the Book of Mormon account. In addition, no evidence for the “white, and exceedingly fair and delightsome” Nephites has ever been found in ancient American artwork.

The Old and New Testaments present a rich description of biblical peoples, places and cultures. Archeology of the Middle East has revealed the cities, weapons, crops, animals, coins, writings, and references to biblical characters found in the Bible. However, none of the cities mentioned in the Book of Mormon have ever been identified by qualified archeologists. In addition, many Book of Mormon references to metals, weapons, crops, animals, articles of clothing are known to have not been present in the Americas during the time period claimed in the Book of Mormon.

You and I don't have a clue what is waiting to be discovered out there. Sounds like more Christian snobbery to me.

Oh really? The Americas have been closely examined and all existing pre-western archaeological sites - bar none - do not support the book of mormon story. It is no suprise that the Smithsonian Inst. has put it down in writing that there is no basis in fact to the mythology of the bom.

Mormons have sought long and hard to find evidence - which by all readings from the bom - should be abundant. But even mormons don't have a clue. Current arguement in mormondom is between the N. Am Theorists (championed by popular apologist Meldrum) and the Limited Geography Theory (championed by Sorenson). Do either have physical evidence - NO. Other mormons look to Baja California as the site of the bom saga. Other see the Malay Pennisula and even Africa as the place.

So I guess the hundreds of teams of archeologists, anthropologist, linguistic experts, dna researchers, et al, should turn their text books and papers in and work from the bom LOL.

Face it 999, even mormon apologist Michael Ash states "There is no official Book of Mormon geography" (Mormon Times, Monday, Feb. 15, 2010). Mormon archaeologist have dug themselves into a hole - they should realize that and stop digging.

Here’s a great piece about the “gathering to Zion of the Lamanites” from another site...

Joseph Smith misunderstood the Indian Removal Act

The earliest mention of relocating Indians away from whites was made during the Lousiana Purchase.

Thomas Jefferson on the Lousiana Purchase in 1803:
“The inhabited part of Louisiana, from Point Colupee to the sea, will of course be immediately a territorial government, and soon a State. But above that, the best use we can make of the country for some time, will be to give establishments in it to the Indians on the east side of the Mississippi, in exchange for their present country, and open land offices in the last, and thus make this acquisition the means of filling up the eastern side, instead of drawing off its population. When we shall be full on this side, we may lay off a range of States on the western bank from the head to the mouth, and so, range after range, advancing compactly as we multiply.”

“Louisiana, as ceded by France to the United States, is made a part of the United States, its white inhabitants shall be citizens, and stand, as to their rights and obligations, on the same footing with other citizens of the United States in analogous situations.”

Note that Jefferson saw the new lands as a place to move all of the Indians into while the eastern states filled up with whites. Then later the Indian lands would be advanced into and occupied by whites. Only the Whites in the lands of the Louisana purchase would be given citizenship.

From the Indian Removal Act of 1830:
“And be it further enacted, That in the making of any such exchange or exchanges, it shall and may be lawful for the President solemnly to assure the tribe or nation with which the exchange is made, that the United States will forever secure and guaranty to them, and their heirs or successors, the country so exchanged with them; and if they prefer it, that the United States will cause a patent or grant to be made and executed to them for the same: Provided always, That such lands shall revert to the United States, if the Indians become extinct, or abandon the same.”

Note that Congress approved that the Indians were promised that the lands west of the Mississippi would be theirs forever unless they became extinct or abandoned their lands. This disclaimer allowed for the multiplying and advancing white citizens to follow Jefferson’s policy.

Joseph Smith’s distortion of the removal policy:

1832
“It is not only gratifying, but almost marvelous, to witness the gathering of the Indians. The work has been going on for some time, and these remnants of Joseph gather by hundreds and settle west of the Missouri, and Arkansas. And is not this scripture fulfilling: Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock, through the instrumentality of the government of the United States? … The book of Mormon declares that the land which is now called America, is a choice land above all others, and we believe it, because the Lord has said it, and we have seen it.”

1833
“The United States continue to buy the land of Joseph, and become nursing fathers unto his children…What a beauty it is to see the prophecies fulfilling so exactly.”

Parley P. Pratt in 1837:
“and I would only add, that the government of the United States, has been engaged, for upwards of seven years, in gathering the remnant of Joseph, (the Indians) to the very place, where they will finally build a New Jerusalem, a city of Zion, with the assistance of the Gentiles, who will gather with them from all the nations of the earth; and this gathering is clearly predicted in the Book of Mormon, and other revelations, and the place before appointed, and the time set for its fulfillment;”

No new Jerusalem was built. The removal act had nothing to do with the gathering of Israel. Today many LDS no longer consider the American Indian to be Book of Mormon people.

This is just another example of the failed prophecies of an idiot who did not even understand the policies of the United States government.

(Anon)

Because there is no evidence to back up the book of mormon, the whole religion should collapse. What is supporting it now? Lies do not save you, the Truth (Jesus) does!

In my experience, when faced with these facts the common mormon reply is to recite the matra "I believe the book of mormon is the word of God and Joseph smith is a prophet because I've got a testimony" or some variation thereof. They are conditioned that 'facts' do not matter, only the 'testimony' they received - the 'burning in the bosom' or similar subjective experience - which invalidates truth. It is a psychological switch that kicks on after years of conditioning to deal with the obvious falsehood of the situation. If you follow the comments mormons make on these threads, you will see a similar mechanism kick in time and again.

With the expansion of the internet, the mormon church is hemmoraging membership big time since they can no longer control the information the sheeple receive on these matters. Many here in FR have exited because of the exposed lies like the false archaeology. Many, however, turn to atheism because of the conditioning that the mormon church is the only true church. When that is stripped away, they reject all.

Many here may not see the light, it is my (as well as many others) prayer that they will see the light and come to the real Jesus and not the figment of Joseph Smith's imagination.

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