Archaeology and the book of mormon wikipedia republished. Smithsonian institute statement on the book of mormon. An evaluation of the smithsonian institution lightplanet. Statements by the smithsonian institution and the national geographic society. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of in any way as a scientific guide. Nonmormon scholars note that the smithsonian has not retracted any of its previous statements and feel that the response was toned. 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.
Overwhelming evidence has accumulated indicating that the story is pure fiction. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archaeological research and has found no archaeological evidence to support its claims. Saints are on display in a new oneyear exhibition at the smithsonian in washington, d. 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. Book of mormonarchaeologysmithsonian statement fairmormon. This generated so many inquires that the smithsonian had to write a. An evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement. 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. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon.
Is it true that he smithsonian institute declared the book. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archaeological research, and any information that you have received to the contrary is incorrect. Institute student readings and elevate learning experience teacher training learning experience materials planning archived institute manuals. But no entity outside of the mormon church refers to reformed egyptian as a real, written language. Smithsonian institution letter cult education institute. Smithsonian statement about the book of mormon summary. The book of mormon text refers to the language it is written in as reformed egyptian. The physical type of the american indian is basically mongoloid, being most. At one point they claimed that the smithsonian institution used the book of mormon as a guide to almost all of the major archeological discoveries in the western hemisphere. Smithsonian statement on book of mormon noncatholic. The book of mormon is a r eligious document and not a scientific guide. Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the. Several versions of this have been issued, all much the same, with the most recent version i know of dating from 1996. What did the national geographic and the smithsonian inst.
Archeology has still only scratched the surface of mesoamerican history. Mormon artifacts on display at the smithsonian church newsroom. The smithsonian archaeologists see no direct connection between archeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. Mormon artifacts from the early history of the church of jesus christ of. First publication of the smithsonian book of mormon evidence. Didnt the smithsonian intitute prove the book of mormon. The smithsonian institution does not use it in archeological research. Teachings and doctrine of the book of mormon teacher manual.
Sincerely, signed ann kaupp, head anthropology outreach office. Your recent inquiry concerning the smithsonian institution s alleged use of the book of mormon as a scientific guide has been received in the smithsonian s department of anthropology. Smithsonian statement book of mormon archaeological forum. Smithsonian and the book of mormon mormonism research.
The smithsonian on the bibl e and the book of mormon on the book of mormon. Mormon scholars argue that the book of mormon israelites who lived in the americas were assimilated into other nations. Smithsonian institutions stance on the book of mormon. The smithsonian on the bible and the book of mormon. The book of mormon teaches that god has flesh and bones and that he has a wife with whom they produce spirit offspring in heaven that will inhabit human bodies on earth. Testing the book of mormon tract utah lighthouse ministry. An evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon by john l. Smithsonian archeologists see no direct connection between the archeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. Your recent inquiry concerning the book of mormon has been received in the smithsonian s department of anthropology. Smithsonian archaeologists see no direct connection between the archaeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book.
Lds apologist john sorensons response to the smithsonian. Mormon scholars speculated that this was because the earlier version of the letter contradicts some aspects of research published by smithsonian staff members. For many years, critics of the book of mormon have made much a statement issued by the smithsonian institution s anthropology department replying to those who ask about evidences for the book of mormon. Starlings response is undated, but content elsewhere in his letter indicates that it was written. The smithsonian institue considers the book of mormon a. Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the book of.
The national geographic society has a similar letter. Mormon artifacts on display at the smithsonian youtube. You might wish to consult the following publications. Mormons have long sought to verify scientifically the book of mormon story. Because the smithsonian institution receives many inquiries regarding the book of mormon, we have prepared a statement regarding the book of mormon. Smithsonian disavows use of book of mormon for archaeological guide and sees no connection between new world and book of mormon. Institute manuals the church of jesus christ of latter. Home book of mormon science, ancient history, and the book of mormon smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon. 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. Book of mormon central archive an evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon. The book of mormon is a religious document and not a scientific guide. 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 archaeologists see no connection between the archaeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. Your interest in the smithsonian institution is appreciated.
This article answers the claim that the book of mormon figure called sherem is an example of a nonisraelite. Items do not represent the official views of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints or of book of mormon central. Despite the translation of egyptian and numerous american indian languages, reformed egyptian remains unknown. Because the smithsonian institution receives many inquiries regarding the use of the book of mormon as a guide to archeological researches, and in connection with mormon statements about the origin and relationships of the american indian, we have prepared a. The 1996 smithsonian statement regarding the book of mormon 1. The bible the bible teaches that all men have sinned and fallen short of the glory of god. Smithsonian institution letter statement regarding the. Institute manuals for institute teachers and students as well as learning experience materials, student readings, and basic doctrines. Statement regarding the book of mormon, a copy of which is enclosed for your information. Letter national geographic society, washington, dc 20036. 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. The book includes numerous maps, plates, and engravings.
However, the smithsonian institute is very clear that they do not consider the book of mormon to be a translation of ancient american texts. Smithsonian archaeologists see no connection between the archaeology of the new, world and the subject matter of the book. The smithsonian institute uses the book of mormon in its research false this myth is old some claim over a hundred years old and is well documented all over the internet. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted. Although this does not lead to 100% proof, it should at least raise concerns on the historicity of the book of mormon. I would appreciate it very much if you would provide me a copy of this statement using the enclosed preaddressed, prestamped envelope. The smithsonian institute considers the book of mormon a very important historical document of 19th century american religious history. An earlier version of the letter listed points on which the smithsonian institution s staff claimed the scientific record differed from the book of mormon narrative. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon mormons. Book of mormon,smithsonian institution,anthropology,lds,mormon. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide. Smithsonian institution still disavows the book of mormans. The smithsonian, the book of mormon, and an urban legend. In fact, heinze points out that the mormons have claimed that the smithsonian institution officially recognized the book of mormon and that it had been used as a guide to almost all of the major discoveries.
Essentially, the claim is that the smithsonian institute andor the national geographical society use the book of mormon in its historical research of latin america. It has come to my attention that the smithsonian institution has issued a new statement regarding the book of mormon. Members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church and other denominations of the latter day saint movement generally believe that the book of mormon describes ancient historical events in the americas, but historians and archaeologists. An evaluation of the smithsonian institutions statement. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. An evaluation of the smithsonian institution s 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 may have received to the contrary is incorrect. Smithsonian archeologists see no direct connection between the archeology. Sorenson of farms, and perhaps others, disputed the smithsonian institution s points as being out of date. 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. Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon. The staff archaeologist informs me that neither the society of any other institution has ever used the book of mormon in locating archaeological sites. It seems to me the smithsonian hid this magnificent book, probably after they. This statement includes answers to questions most commonly asked about the 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. National museum of natural history smithsonian institution washington d. 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. Smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon. 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.
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