| Since the
writing of the paper in 1982, there have been several great book
written on Mormonism and the subject of Archaeology. There have also
been many discoveries in North, Central, and South America. None of
these have changed the outcome that this paper arrived at nearly two
decades ago. Some of the references are dated but the end result is
still the same. It is always the same. There is no solid evidence to
support the claims of the Book of Mormon.
The Mormon Church has
launched an offensive on the world. They are sending missionaries door
to door to spread the Mormon message. They are now presenting
themselves as a Christian mainline denomination. The missionaries make fantastic
claims about proof of the events depicted in the Book of Mormon.
They contend that these events have been historically and
archaeologically verified, and that, since they are in the Book of
Mormon, the Mormon Church is the only true church.1
This is one of their stronger selling points. These claims come from
various sources. The most evident source is Mormon writers. For
example, Milton R. Hunter, a typical Mormon apologetic writer, has
written books and pamphlets on the subject of the archaeology of the Book
of Mormon. However, Mr. Hunter and his fellow writers are not
qualified to write on the subject of archaeology. Their writings and
claims show a marked ignorance of several facts.2
In spite
of this, Mormons still write, publish, and teach these opinions
because they are convinced that they are true.
A standard reference work for Mormons
is the Articles of Faith by James Talmage. Mr. Talmage treats
the subject of the archaeology of the Book of Mormon as if it
were a long-standing, established fact. Mr. Talmage assures his
readers there is ample proof. Mr. Talmage states, "The Egyptian
is not the only language to be represented in the relics of American
antiquities; the Hebrew occurs in this connection with at least equal
significance."3 Here Mr. Talmage tells his readers
that the civilization that was here used Egyptian and Hebrew writing.
This would be a key point in proving the Book of Mormon to be true.
From the very beginning, Mormon
leaders have told their people of adequate proof for the Book of Mormon.
Mormon Apostle Orson Pratt said, "This generation have (sic) more
than one thousand times the amount of evidence to demonstrate and
forever establish the divine authority of the Book of Mormon
than they have in favor of the Bible."4
Bold claims such as these have inspired Mormons
for generations. But this brings a curious point to light. The Articles of Faith
has gone through forty-two editions with the latest one printed in
1975. The most recent date in the documentation in the section
concerning archaeological proofs is 1923. The average date is around
1870.5
This would seem to reflect that there is little concern for modern
scholarship or discoveries. It was not until 1938 that the first
Mormon earned his doctorate in archaeology.6
This leaves a fifteen year gap between latest
documentation in the Articles of
Faith and the first Mormon who earned a doctorate in archaeology.
To better understand the points
of controversy on the subject, a description of the Americas will be
given according to the Book of Mormon. The civilization under
question was alleged to be made up of Jews and extant from 600 B.C. to
421 A.D.7 The
people spread from north to south and from sea to sea (Helaman 3:8,
Mormon 1:17). As the people covered the entire land, they built great
fortified cities with many temples and synagogues (Helaman 3:8-9). The
people were industrious and warlike (Ether 15:2). They had the use of
iron, copper, and brass. They had machinery and manufactured tools,
spears, swords, armor, and other things (Jarom 1:8, 2 Nephi 5:15, Alma
43:18-19). A monetary and an extensive trade and shipping system had
been developed (Helaman 3:7-12, Alma 11:5-20).
The natural surroundings are
depicted in detail in a few areas. Elephants were a common animal used
as a beast of burden (Ether 9:19). There were horses and cattle in
abundance (Ether 9:19) as well as cureloms and cumons that were even
more useful than elephants (Ether 9:19). There was every kind of fruit
growing in the land (Ether 9:17). Farmers grew wheat, barley, and
other types of grain as well as kept sheep, goats, and pigs for food
(Ether 9:17-18, Mosiah 9:9). This is the way the Book of Mormon
presents life in the Americas at this time.
Drawing from the Book of Mormon,
the following should depict accurately a day in the life of one of the
inhabitants, a Nephite Jew. In the morning you would wake up to a
breakfast of ham, fruits and bread made from wheat flour (Mosiah 9:9,
Ether 9:18). After finishing your morning meal, you get dressed
for work. You dress in silk and fine linen because they are plentiful
materials (Alma 4:6, Ether 10:24). You bid your wife and children
farewell, and you mount your trusty curelom and you ride off to work
(Ether 9:19).
As you ride through the great
fortified city you live in , you admire the many beautiful buildings
and temples with their fine workmanship (Jerom 1:8, Helaman 3:9).
Leaving the city, you pass by busy shops where spears, swords and
other weapons of warfare are made, and you hear the noises of hammers
on anvils and machinery (Jerom 1:8). You stop in and pick up and order
for a dozen iron axes for your company. Your hurry to leave so you can
meet your crew. Soon these sounds fade behind you as you pass the many
fields of barley and wheat in the countryside (Mosiah 9:9). Just
before you arrive at work you pass a military patrol of chariots (3
Nephi 3:22).
When you arrive at work, you find
that you have a busy day ahead of you. You supervise a crew of
lumberjacks, and there is a severe shortage of lumber in the northern
part of the country (Helaman 3:10-11). Your crew puts in a hard day's
work. They cut down a record number of trees with their new iron axes.
The trees you cut down are removed by elephants (Ether 9:19) and then
taken to a central shipping warehouse and are shipped north to areas
where trees are scarce. (Helaman 3:7-11). Before you leave for home,
your boss pays you and your crew in cold hard cash. You get a bonus
senine of gold and all your men get seven ezroms of silver (Alma
11:5-20). After this, you leave for home.
As you approach the city passing
the fields of grain and the factories, you decide to stop by the
temple to see if any of the prophets are speaking (Alma 16:13). You
may want to stop by the archives and read up on the history of your
people that has been written in your native language, Reformed
Egyptian (Helaman 3:15, Mormon 9:32). You then return home to your
wife and children. This concludes an average day in the life of a
Nephite as per the Book
of Mormon.
There are several problems with
the preceding description. Many of the items mentioned present severe
problems when put in the light of archaeological research and
findings. Most of the statements are far beyond reconciliation to the
facts.
The food and dress mentioned in
the Book
of Mormon pose a problem, The grains such as wheat and barley
were not known in the pre-Columbian America. They were brought over in
the early 1500's by the Spaniards and other explorers.8
The linens and silks mentioned were not in
existence on this side of the world. England tried to introduce silk
production into the Colonies in the 1600's and 1700's and failed. The Book of Mormon
fails to mention the types of cloth that have been found. Cotton was
woven into an exceptionally fine cloth. There were clothes made of
bark fibers, rabbit hair, and even woven bird feathers. There is no
mention of any of these in the Book of Mormon.9
The working animals and livestock
present similar difficulties. Elephants were not native nor are they
native to the Americas. They are here today because of circus business
and zoos. Cattle, horses, sheep, and pigs were not native to
pre-Columbian America. All of these animals were introduced to the New
World by the Spaniards in the early 1500's. No proof of these animals
being here has ever been found for the time period in question.10
The cureloms and cumons must remain a
mystery. This writer could find no information on them in books
concerning animals now living or extinct.
The fortified cities, temples,
and the materials used, present still another gigantic problem. There
are thirty-eight major cities mentioned in the Book of Mormon.
Not one of these cities has been found. There is no evidence to
support the claim that there was a great civilization here. No temples
or synagogues of Jewish nature have been found. There was no use of
concrete here during this time. No machinery has been found. Nothing
has been found to substantiate the claims of metal workings in iron.11
This Is perhaps the most difficult area for Mormon archaeologists to
try to explain.
The people here are represented
as being very warlike in nature. They were concerned with war, the
manufacture of war articles and the use of chariots. Again, the facts
will not support this. The technology to produce many of the weapons
like the steel sword was not available. Since there were no horses,
chariots would not be very useful. They were never used over here. The
life philosophy of the inhabitants of the Americas during this time
seems to have been a peaceful one. All indications from archaeological
evidence points to a peaceful people.12
Mormons are quick to point out that the American
Indians were warlike; however, this was only after they were cheated
out of their lands and treaties had been broken.
The Book of Mormon lists
several types of gold and silver coins. Mormons claim that the Mayans
had a lot of gold. This is true, but they used it for decorative and
ornamental purposes. There was never any type of coin system in
pre-Columbian America. From records found, the method of trade was the
barter system. Feathers, flint, cotton cloth, gold ornaments and cacao
beans were the items used in trade. The cacao bean seems to have been
the closest thing to a monetary standard in the Mayan world. Non of
these alleged coins has ever been found.13
Mayan tax records show the use of this type of
barter system to pay all taxes.14
Writing in the pre-Columbian
Americas as portrayed in the Book of Mormon presents a few
problems. The Technology to make the engraved metal plates as
described in the Book
of Mormon did not exist at that time. There was never a universal
language in the New World as portrayed. The earliest signs of literacy
appear with the Mayans in 328 A.D., and there is no resemblance
between Mayan writing and the alleged Reformed Egyptian.15
The Reformed Egyptian writing brings to light still other problems.
There have been no instances of Egyptian or Hebrew writing found in
the artifacts of pre-Columbian America. The Smithsonian Institution16
and National Geographic Society17
are just two of many who substantiate this. A copy of some of the
characters were shown to Dr. Charles Anthon of Columbia University in
1828 shortly after their discovery. Dr. Anthon stated, "The whole
story about pronouncing the Mormon inscription to be reformed Egyptian
hieroglyphics is perfectly false."18
From the very start, the language in question has presented enormous
problems. Besides, why would Jewish people write in Egyptian? The
New World, as described in the Book of Mormon, seems to be
vastly different than what archaeologists and historians describe.
There are many anti-Mormon works that attack this point of conflict.
There are nearly as many defending the claims of the Book of Mormon.
One of the best ways to settle a conflict of opinions, in many cases,
is to bring in an objective third party. The
Smithsonian Institution has received thousands of letters concerning
the historical value of the Book of Mormon. This led to the
development of an official statement concerning this book. Part of the
statement reads, "The Smithsonian Institution has never used the Book
of Mormon in any way... archaeologists see no connection between
the archaeology of the New World and the subject matter of the Book
of Mormon."19
The National Geographic Society has received similar questions. They
admit to having used the Book of
Mormon as a guide for a few excavations, but they have had no
recognizable results. In speaking of the overall claims of the Book of
Mormon, they said, "...your quotations do not agree with
the archaeological data of the New World."20
The Museum of Natural History also finds no
connection between archaeological findings and the Book of Mormon. This
writer, not satisfied with the available data, wrote the Mormon Church
concerning these apparent discrepancies. The letters were never
answered. The Grolier Research Service was contacted, Grolier is the
company that publishes the Encyclopedia Americana and other
reference works, and requested to find out if there was any
archaeological evidence and if so to furnish some documentation. In
their reply Grolier stated that they had contacted the Communications
Office of the Mormon Church, the official public relations agency for
the church. They admitted that there was no proof to date.21
Grolier also contacted a writer on the staff of Archaeology
Magazine that had been working in Mexico for several years. The
writer said that he was aware of Mormon excavations in the area for
the past several years and that they had never contacted him
concerning any discoveries.22 With
the weight of evidence against them, many honest Mormon scholars and
leaders have a difficult time explaining these contradictions. Dr.
Marvin Cowan wrote a very pointed and direct letter on this subject to
President Joseph Fielding Smith, then leader of the Mormon Church. Dr.
Cowan asked for answers. President Smith responded by evading the
issue. The content of the letter to Dr. Cowan contained statements
like, "I bear my testimony that I know that this record is true
history of these people-- (sic) the fathers of the "Indians"
(sic) on this hemisphere." The only statement relating to Dr.
Cowan's questions that President Smith made was that he did not know
of any cities that had been discovered using the Book of Mormon
as a guide.23 Since
1938 the Mormon Church has had an archaeologist with a doctorate. In
1946 Brigham Young University added a department of archaeology.24
The following is an example of what honest Mormon scholars have
brought to light. Dee Green stated, "The first myth we need to
eliminate is that the Book of Mormon archaeology exists."
He also stated that the present Mormon works were full of half-truths.25
He also made the statement, "I do not see that the archaeology
myths so common in our proselytizing program enhances the process of
true conversion."26
Dee Green here admits that the Mormon Church publishes books with
half-truths, and that the missionaries use myths as part of their
witnessing tactics. Ross T.
Christensen, Mormon scholar, urges, "...the spirit of caution...
for the reason that there are a number of points where correspondences
should have been found but to this date have not been."27
Mr. Christensen's concern is expressed as a compliant by fellow Mormon
dissident, Dr. J.L. Sorrenson. Concerning existing Mormon works on the
subject of archaeology he states, "Some are clearly on the
oddball fringe; others have credible qualifications." He goes on
to say that the most prolific writers in this area are not qualified
to write on the subject.28
Dr. Hugh Nibley, one of the more qualified Mormons in this area, would
like to see the whole matter of both side dropped.29
For all the time, work, and money, this is all
the Mormon Church can produce from its most honest and qualified
people. Professor Dee Jay
Nelson was the most qualified Egyptologist in the Mormon Church. After
examining a papyrus fragment and doing some translation work on it, he
found some of the long standing claims of the Mormon Church to be
false. The Mormon Church would not even hear of any contradictory
evidence, and they dismissed it. Professor Nelson then resigned from
the Mormon Church.30 In
an effort to hold their ground, many Mormons claim that they have not
been given enough time to find all of these things.31
They have had a Department of Archaeology at
Brigham Young University for the past thirty-five years. There have
been many opportunities during this time to find something. In the
past thirty-five years there have been enough artifacts discovered to
establish the credibility of the Bible. Coins, war artifacts,
cities, and writings have been found.32
Archaeologists have failed to produce one coin, one chariot, or one
sword in proof of the Book of Mormon. To
say that Mormons have come up with no archaeological findings would
not be true. They have been finding artifacts for many years. One such
find has come to be known as the Kinderhook Plates. These were six
bell-shaped plates that were supposedly excavated from a mound outside
of Kinderhook, Illinois in 1843. The founder of Mormonism, Joseph
Smith, examined these plates and pronounced them to be authentic and
written in Reformed Egyptian. He began to translate these plates.
Before Joseph Smith finished his translation, an important fact came
to the public's attention. The fact was that this was a well-planned
prank devised to be played on Joseph Smith. A couple of the local
residents of Kinderhook admitted to the whole thing. The letters on
the plates were poor reproductions front the lid of a Chinese tea can.33
In
1885 a relic, known as the Batcreek Stone, was brought to the
attention of the Mormon Church. It was claimed to be part of an
inscription found on Jewish coins minted in and around Israel from
about 70 A.D. until 135 A.D. Many years later a non-Mormon
archaeologist, Dr. Gordon, confirmed this. This was seen as a
revelation from God for the Mormons. Mormons upheld the Batcreek Stone
and Dr. Gordon as positive proof. This left them open for a great
amount of criticism. First, how would a people that arrived here in
600 B.C. know a slogan on a coin minted on the other side of the world
in 70 A.D.? Second, the Batcreek Stone was supposed to be Hebrew. The Book
of Mormon claims the official written language to be Reformed
Egyptian. Third, some of the artifacts of jewelry found with this
stone were found to be of eighteenth or nineteenth century origin.
Fourth, Dr. Gordon was found to be a man of less than honest academic
reputation. His fellow archaeologists had a low opinion of his work.
Some of his work had been proved to be wrong. Fifth, the Batcreek
Stone was finally dismissed as a recent forgery.34
In
the early 1950's the Smithsonian Institution unearthed a stone in
Mexico which came to be known as Stelah 5. The stone was supposed to
represent a vision that a man named Lehi had (1 Nephi 8:2-30). The
names of three of the characters in this vision are supposed to appear
on this stone. However, this claim was made by Dr. Jakeman, a Mormon
that used a questionable means to arrive at such a statement. Dr.
Jakeman stated that the names were symbolically interpreted from
characters on the carving. The most professionally qualified person in
the Mormon Church opposed this interpretation, as did other top Mormon
scientists. Dee Jay Nelson stated, "I found nothing which
translated into the three names." He continued in further
writings to state that Dr. Nibley and Dr. Sorrenson also agreed with
Dee Green on this point.35 The
Book of Mormon has been evaluated by archaeology in this paper.
To be fair in material presentation, the Bible will briefly be
evaluated in a similar manner for the purpose of comparison. The
Bible mentions several cities. Every major city of the Bible
has been found. For example, Shechem was excavated in 1903,36
and Ur was excavated in 1854.37 There have been thousands
of exampled of identifiable and translatable writings found.38
These have been verified by reputable scholars of many nations and
many faiths. Every coin and monetary amount mentioned in the Bible
has been found.39 The weapons of war and even the war
records of some biblical events have been found. Sennacherib's
chronicles have been found and translated. Concerning the incident of
his conquest of Jerusalem when Hezekiah was king his records read,
"As for Hezekiah, the Judean, I shut him up as a bird in a
cage."40 This coincides with the biblical narrative.
The Bible has been confirmed by archaeology. From
the evidence presented, this writer can draw no other conclusion than
the Book of Mormon is a lie. The evidence given by archaeology
supports the Bible, but it speaks of a definite rejection of
the claims made by the Book of Mormon. The Mormon Church
encourages and published lies according to it's own people. They admit
their missionaries use these lies in their evangelism. This writer has
nothing but sympathy for the many people the Mormon Church has
deceived with its lies. I close this paper with a question to all
Mormons: Why would God leave so much evidence for the Old Testament
and the New Testament and not leave so much as one coin as evidence
for what you consider the most important book, the Book of Mormon? |
