Smithsonian statement book of mormon

If we are all related as children of god, why do we speak different languages. It was a decision of the smithsonian s central office of public affairs to simplify the statement to respond to general questions regarding the smithsonian s use of the book of mormon. Citeseerx document details isaac councill, lee giles, pradeep teregowda. We still stand by our former statement on the book of mormon. An evaluation of the smithsonian institutions statement regarding the book of mormon study aid foundation for ancient research and mormon studies sorenson, john l on.

The smithsonian institution has never used it in archeological research and any information that you have received to. Mormons, since even the smithsonian issued a statement about. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archeological research and any information that you have received to the contrary is incorrect. For many years, critics of the book of mormon have made much a statement issued by the smithsonian institutions anthropology department replying to those who ask about evidences for the book of mormon. The smithsonian institution does not use it in archeological research. Some mormon researchers claim that it is not valid to use genetics to attempt to prove or disprove the historicity of the book of mormon, citing a lack of source genes and the improbability of tracing israelite dna even if present.

Prepared by the department of anthropology statement regarding the book of mormon the smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide. A the book of mormon claims that the ancient inhabitants spoke and wrote in reformed egyptian and hebrew. Yes, it has been changed, but the 1996 smithsonian statement lives on in the hearts and minds and web pages of our. Mar 18, 2009 there is nothing to show that they reached mexico or central america. Smithsonian statement on the book of mormon revisited in journal of book of mormon studies vol. An evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon by john l. Smithsonian institution letter statement regarding the book of mormon 1996. Further verification of the change in the smithsonian statement is provided in the short note, new light. Another objecting statement by the smithsonian to the book of mormon was that americanindians had no wheat, barley, oats, millet, rice, cattle, pigs, chicken, horses, donkeys or camels before 1492. The book of mormon department of christian defense. Citeseerx smithsonian statement on the book of mormon revised. 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. Didnt the smithsonian intitute prove the book of mormon was. I even helped perpetuate the rumor that the smithsonian institute used the book of mormon as a scientific.

Because the smithsonian institution receives many inquiries regarding the book of mormon, we have prepared a statement regarding the book of mormon. An evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement. National geographic responded that it does not know of anything found so far that has substantiated the book of mormon. Home book of mormon science, ancient history, and the book of mormon national geographic society statement on the book of mormon. So since even the smithsonian issued a statement about the claims of the book of mormon, why still believe when there is no evidence from any source but joesph smith. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon mormons in transition. The smithsonian institute issued a formal statement in may 1980 detailing their complete disavowal of the work as anything but fiction.

How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Smithsonian and the book of mormon mormonism research ministry. Because the smithsonian regards the unauthorized use of its name to disseminate inaccurate information as unlawful, we would. Smithsonian disavows use of book of mormon for archaeological guide and sees no connection between new world and book of mormon. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. The smithsonian institution at one time distributed, upon request, a lengthy statement regarding the book of mormon in which the institution listed several specific points of contention between science and book of mormon claims among them the physical type of the american indian. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon. 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. Several versions of this have been issued, all much the same, with the most recent version i know of dating from 1996. Organizational statements regarding the book of mormon smithsonian institution.

Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the book. The 1996 smithsonian statement regarding the book of mormon 1. Lds apologist john sorensons response to the smithsonian. Smithsonian statement about the book of mormon summary. The national geographic society has a similar letter. Smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon. Talmage correctly identified various michigan relics as fraudulent. Of course, this method of translation is as occultic as it gets. The smithsonian archaeologists see no direct connection between archeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book.

Smithsonian archaeologists see no connection between the archaeology of the new, world and the subject matter of the book. Smithsonian archaeologists see no direct connection between the archaeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. The smithsonian considers the book of mormon 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. However, the smithsonians eighth statement regarding the book of mormon says. Smithsonian institution letter statement regarding the book. The smithsonian institution issues a standard reply to requests for their opinion regarding the book of mormon as an archaeological or scientific guide. This statement includes answers to questions most commonly asked about the book of mormon. It must be remembered that the bible is primarily a book of religion, a guide to faith. Information from the national museum of natural history. An evaluation of the smithsonian institutions statement. The physical type of american indian is basically mongoloid, being most closely related to. If this were the case, we would expect to find artifacts with writings in these languages.

Book of mormon central archive an evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon an evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon. The national geographic societys letter statement on the book of mormon. Kane, a non mormon who had advised mormon leaders in previous ordeals, fillmore named brigham young governor of the new. National geographic society statement on the book of mormon. Smithsonian statement on book of mormon noncatholic. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide. Mar 19, 2009 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. Book of mormonarchaeologysmithsonian statement fairmormon.

Thus the book of mormon was translated by the gift and power of god and not by man david whitmer, an address to all believers in christ concord, ca. Smithsonian and the book of mormon mormonism research. If humans were created by god who is perfect and good, how did evil among them come to be. During the early 1980s, rumors circulated in mormon culture that the book of mormon was being used by the smithsonian to guide primary archaeological research. 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. Smithsonian archeologists see no direct connection between the archeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. An evaluation of the smithsonian statement regarding the book. In 1850, acting partly in response to lobbying from a lawyer named thomas l. Accurate information about the smithsonians position is contained in the enclosed statement. I was convinced beyond a doubt that south american ruins validated the book of mormon. The book of mormon is a religious document and not a scientific guide.

The book of mormon is a r eligious document and not a scientific guide. Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the. Smithsonian statement book of mormon archaeological forum. Below is the statement we presently distribute for these general inquiries. Smithsonian and national geographic responds responses to the book of mormon for years we have heard from the missionaries that the smithsonian institute and national geographic have both corroborated the historicity of the book of mormon. Most of these items were things that were not thought to be in the new world before, at least during book of mormon times, until the people from. In response to numerous inquiries that the smithsonian receives in regard to this subject, the smithsonian published the statement regarding the book of mormon providing accurate information about the smithsonians position. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archaeological research and has found no archaeological evidence to support its claims.