Present evidence indicates that the first people to reach this continent from the east were the norsemen who briefly visited the northeastern part of north america around a. The smithsonians department of anthropology has written a form letter to respond to the many claims that its researchers have used the book of mormon. The smithsonian institution sends a form letter to those who inquire about their use of the book of mormon for archaeological purposes. The book of mormon department of christian defense. Smithsonian archaeologists see no direct connection between the archaeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. Smithsonian letter regarding book of mormon i think it is important for everyone to read the smithsonian letter about the book of mormon. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archaeological research and ha. Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the book of.
Smithsonian archeologists see no direct connection between the archeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. The smithsonian institution and the book of mormon mormon coffee. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archeological research and has found no archaeological evidence to support its claims. Feb 22, 2018 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. Mormons, since even the smithsonian issued a statement about. An evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon by john l.
Furthering this false notion that the bom is free from error, smith claims that after he translated the plates god told him. This is the text of a form letter distributed by the smithsonian institution since. The smithsonian institute has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide. Mormon artifacts on display at the smithsonian church newsroom. Smithsonian institution letter statement regarding the. The book of mormon is a r eligious document and not a scientific guide. 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 information that you have received to the contrary is incorrect. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide. National geographic society statement on the book of mormon national geographic society statement on the book of mormon language. In 1998, the smithsonian began issuing a shorter letter without the detailed response found in the first letter, and limited its comment to briefly deny any use of the book of mormon as an archaeological guide by the institution. The smithsonian institute in a letter to the mormon church states, the smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide. In that letter they say, the book of mormon is a religious document and not a scientific guide.
Reading time 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. Jan 18, 2018 how a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. There is nothing to show that they reached mexico or central america. Demonic and ungodly names in the book of mormon 1 life. The most comprehensive analysis of the connections between mormonism and the mounds is probably dan vogels 1986 book, indian origins and the book of mormon. Sorenson of farms, and perhaps others, disputed the smithsonian institutions points as being out of date.
There may be some experts on north american indians, but without a firm grounding in the specific lands covered by the book of mormon, namely. In 1998, the smithsonian revised the form letter and stated that book of mormon had not been used by the. Jun 09, 2017 mormonism sprang from the mounds, wrote roger kennedy, former director of the smithsonian national museum of american history. The following is an open letter from the smithsonian institution regarding mormon archaeology claims.
This statement includes answers to questions most commonly asked about the book of mormon. The smithsonian institutions letter statement regarding the book of mormon footnotestatement regarding the book of mormon the smithsonian institutionfootnote pg. Smithsonian and the book of mormon mormonism research. Mormons, since even the smithsonian issued a statement. Dec 28, 2009 here is a letter written by the smithsonian institution in regards to the book of mormon and its relation to archeology and the new world. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon mormons in transition. A form letter i received from the smithsonian institution on april 7, 2009 stated. This letter from the smithsonians department of anthropology is in response to your inquiry regarding the book of mormon. Thomas stuart ferguson lay in his hammock, certain that he had found. Smithsonian archaeologists see no connection between the archaeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. Updated 122395 includes the smithsonian letter on the book of mormon.
The above donut chart shows percentages of the book of mormon section of letter to a ces director that fairmormon is in agreement, disagreement, and neutral on if one assumes that fairmormons undisputed silence is acceptance of the facts, fairmormon agrees with 62. Here is a letter written by the smithsonian institution in regards to the book of mormon and its relation to archeology and the new world. 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. Smithsonian archeologists see no direct connection between the archeology of. Letter national geographic society, washington, dc 20036.
The smithsonian staff does not appear to have a single specialist in mesoamerica john l. Even before the book of mormon was published, mormonism was linked to the moundbuilder civilizations of north america. Ces letter is one latterday saints honest quest to get official answers from the lds church on its troubling origins, history, and practices. Home book of mormon science, ancient history, and the book of mormon national geographic society statement on the book of mormon national geographic society statement on the book of mormon language. 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. 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. Because the smithsonian institution receives many inquiries regarding the book of mormon, we have prepared a statement regarding the book of mormon. This article was originally published on mormon coffee on march 22, 2012. Examining the book of mormon a christian view probe. Smithsonian disavows use of book of mormon for archaeological guide and sees no connection. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archeological research and any. Over the past month ive received numerous requests asking when, or if, wed ever talk about our series, demonic names in the book of mormon so here it is. Smithsonian institution letter statement regarding the book.
Brother phillips, the stake presidency is considering formal disciplinary action in your behalf, including the possibility of disfellowship or excommunication, because you are reported to have participated in conduct unbecoming a members of the church and evil speaking of the lords anointed. Although this does not lead to 100% proof, it should at least raise concerns on the historicity of the book of mormon. I found something which was refreshing to read from an lds member, dr. Smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon. The smithsonian on the bible and the book of mormon. My letter to elder holland re book of mormon heres your reply, assuming youre still a member. Mormon scholars speculated that this was because the earlier version of the letter contradicts some aspects of research published by smithsonian staff members.
The smithsonian on the bible and the book of mormon on the book of mormon. Vogel seeks to understand how the book of mormon fit into the ongoing discussion about the origin and nature of. Jun 14, 2008 the smithsonian institution has never used it in archeological research and any information that you have received to the contrary is incorrect. What did the national geographic and the smithsonian inst. While archaeology could be useful in determining where the events of the book of mormon took place, the book of mormon does not contain the sort of historical detail that would make it useful for non mormon archaeologists. It was a decision of the smithsonians central office of public affairs to simplify the statement to respond to general questions regarding the smithsonians use of the book of mormon. Smithsonian institutions stance on the book of mormon. This letter from the smithsonian s department of anthropology is in response to your inquiry regarding the book of mormon. While archaeology could be useful in determining where the events of the book of mormon took place, the book of mormon does not contain the sort of historical detail that would make it useful for nonmormon archaeologists. The smithsonian considers the book of mormon a religious document and not a scientific guide.
Smithsonian institution letter statement regarding the book of mormon 1996. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. My letter to elder holland re book of mormon very long. Criticism of mormonismonline documentsfor my wife and. Smithsonian archaeologists see no connection between the archaeology. Questioning the book of mormon watchman fellowship. 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 national geographic society has a similar letter. We still stand by our former statement on the book of mormon. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon mormons.
I told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Starlings response is undated, but content elsewhere in his letter indicates that it was written. Mormon history association mounds and mormons letter vii. An earlier version of the letter listed points on which the smithsonian institutions staff claimed the scientific record differed from the book of mormon narrative. Religious solutions from columbus to joseph smith signature books. Book of mormonarchaeologysmithsonian statement fairmormon. The smithsonian, the book of mormon, and an urban legend. Indeed, no respectable nonmormon institution including the national geographic and smithsonian institutions or scholar that has considered. Smith also borrowed the term alpha and omega, the first and last letter of the greek alphabet, from the book of revelation. Sorenson, a new evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon, p. Here is the text of the letter as referenced from this site.
The staff archaeologist informs me that neither the society of any other institution has ever used the book of mormon in locating archaeological sites. Smithsonian institute response to inquirycover letter. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. The content of the letter has changed over the years.
In 1998, the smithsonian revised the form letter and stated that book of mormon had not been used by the smithsonian in. Mormon scholars speculated that this was because the earlier version of the letter contradicts some. Jeremy runnells was offered an opportunity to discuss his own doubts with a director of the church educational system ces and was assured that his doubts could be resolved. The smithsonian, the book of mormon, and an urban legend lds. In 1998, the smithsonian revised the form letter and stated that book of mormon had not been used by the smithsonian in any form of archaeological research. Sep 12, 20 an earlier version of the letter listed points on which the smithsonian institutions staff claimed the scientific record differed from the book of mormon narrative. In 1998, the smithsonian began issuing a shorter letter without the detailed response found in the first letter, and limited its comment to briefly deny any use of. The book of mormon is a religious document and not a scientific guide. 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. Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the. Debunking fairmormon letter to a ces director book of.
Smithsonian institute statement on the book of mormon. Mar 18, 2009 the smithsonian instituted refuted the claims of any settlers coming to america before ad. We are not aware of any recent official statement about the book of mormon made by the smithsonian institution. An evaluation of the smithsonian statement regarding the. Someone mentioned to me in a recent letter to saints alive that what i see as wrong or demonic is not necessarily demonic to that person. The smithsonian institue considers the book of mormon a. Smithsonian to feature early mormon artifacts in new exhibit. The lds artifacts featured include an 1830 book of mormon, two banknotes. Look for the new updates on the day of posting and be sure to share these with the mormon you know. Smithsonian statement book of mormon archaeological forum. The smithsonian institution includes a statement about the scientific inaccuracies of the book of mormon in their statement regarding the book of mormon, which is included with the letter.
It was a decision of the smithsonians central office of. Jan 22, 2008 the staff archaeologist informs me that neither the society of any other institution has ever used the book of mormon in locating archaeological sites. The 1996 smithsonian statement regarding the book of mormon. Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the book. Ces letter my search for answers to my mormon doubts. Statements in this letter the content having changed several times over the years are used by some opponents of the mormon church to support the idea that the. There was no greek or latin upon the plates from which i. Lds apologist john sorensons response to the smithsonian. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of in any way as a scientific guide. Mormon artifacts from the early history of the church of jesus christ of latterday. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon. Smithsonian and the book of mormon mormonism research ministry.
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