Posted on 04/09/2010 7:57:20 PM PDT by truthfinder9
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.
Use of metals by pre-Columbian cultures
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.
Weapons of war
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.
Crops and agriculture
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.
Animals
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.
Calendar
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.).
Peoples
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.
Conclusion
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.
Oh please, leave the Mormons alone.
I am not a Mormon, but I have no problem with a religion thjat produces decent good people.
Enough already.
This is why Mormonism has no basis for being. It doesn’t have the archaeology to back it up, like Judaism and Christianity do.
Now there’s a reason to support a religion.
Can't get more ignorant than that. So you are saying that the science is settled huh? I guess all the applicable universities better recall their hundreds of teams of archs then since buddygirl says everything has been found. You and I don't have a clue what is waiting to be discovered out there. Sounds like more Christian snobbery to me.
At least they don’t chop peoples heads off or blow themselves up because other people aren’t Mormon.
I find that archaelogical finds are supporting Christianity and Judaism more than finds for Mormonism. Christianity is unique in the world. It is the only religion that has a risen Savior and you can have a relationship with Him now.
Thank you for Post #2.
“Unfortunately, the author of the book, Joseph Smith,”
Joseph Smith did not write the Book of Mormon; he translated it.
Anti Mormon threads are really boring.
“Joseph Smith did not write the Book of Mormon; he translated it.”
No, he borrowed, copied and forged it. There wasn’t anything to “translate”.
Maybe to Mormons or people who don't care about truth, but I find it quite interesting.
Right, by sticking a smooth stone into a hat and then stuffing his face into the hat.
That is not translating - that is fabricating.
Since it was fabricated, it is little wonder that no archaeology has been found to support it - since the story / book is a fabrication to begin with.
I defend the freedom of religion daily in my conversations. But I still wonder: how many ex-Mormons does it take for a person to conclude that Mormonism is fiction? Answer: zero. All it takes is a little common sense, an hour of archeology and a beer.
And exactly what waits out there You really think a civilization that rivals the biggest civilizations of the middle east and Southern Europe is just simply hidden right now?
You do sound LDS with that one...
Between that and your incessant posting in these threads...
I like that.
There are political AND spiritual reasons why this post is necessary.
Not the least is that only the biblical Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
A counterfeit idea of Jesus is not adequate, which is what Mormonism proposes.
b4l8r
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