The book of mormon is a religious document and not a scientific guide. Sincerely, signed ann kaupp, head anthropology outreach office. The bible the bible teaches that all men have sinned and fallen short of the glory of god. 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. Your recent inquiry concerning the book of mormon has been received in the smithsonians department of anthropology. The smithsonian institute writes, the smithsonian institute has never used the book of mormon in any way as a. The smithsonian adamantly denied this was the case in 1986. Creating the national museum of african american history and culture in the age of bush, obama, and trump. Smithsonian and the book of mormon mormonism research.
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. The smithsonian has long gotten letters from folks asking about the book of mormon. National geographic responded that it does not know of anything found so far that has substantiated the book of mormon. In the 1998, republication of ancient monuments by the smithsonian, david j. 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. The smithsonian institute has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide. The smithsonian considers the book of mormon a religious document and not a scientific guide. Accurate information about the smithsonians position is contained in the enclosed statement. The smithsonian statement has been around for years and lds writers have responded to this easily resolved point, yet the embarrassing refutation of glass still survives in this 1996 version. These relate to artifacts, animal, plant, or technology that critics believe did not exist in the americas during the book of mormon time period before 2500 bc to.
National geographic society statement on the book of mormon. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. Mormon artifacts on display at the smithsonian church newsroom. Smithsonian archeologists see no direct connection between the archeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archaeological research and has found no archaeological evidence to support its claims. The smithsonian institue considers the book of mormon a. Apologetics press the book of mormon and the ancient.
The smithsonian on the bible and the book of mormon. However the smithsonian institute wrote an official document stating that they never endorsed the book of mormon claims on people, places. This approach, often referred to as the limited geography model, argues for a more limited view of the book of mormon, suggesting that the book is a history of only a small group of native americans in central america. Smithsonian statement about the book of mormon summary. What you see on the screen is the cover of a book ive written that was just published. Critics of the book of mormon have argued that there are words and phrases in the book that are anachronistic with archaeological findings.
The national geographic society did the same in 1982. Included in that group of interested parties was the newly formed smithsonian institution, which had accepted the work of squier and davis. The national geographic society has a similar letter. Smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon mormons. Is it true that he smithsonian institute declared the book. Mormon scholars speculated that this was because the earlier version of the letter contradicts some aspects of research published by smithsonian staff members.
The mormon church the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Statement regarding the book of mormon, a copy of which is enclosed for your. National museum of natural history smithsonian institution washington d. For years we have heard from the missionaries that the smithsonian institute and national geographic have both. The book of mormon is a r eligious document and not a scientific guide. 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 archaeologists see no direct connection between the archaeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. The smithsonian institutions statement on the book of mormon. Smithsonian institute statement on the book of mormon. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide. I was convinced beyond a doubt that south american ruins validated the book of mormon. 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 smithsonian institution has never used it in archeological research and any information that you have received to the contrary is incorrect. Smithsonian statement book of mormon archaeological forum. Your interest in the smithsonian institution is appreciated. 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. Your recent inquiry concerning the book of mormon has been received in the smithsonian department of anthropology. Archeology has still only scratched the surface of mesoamerican history.
Smithsonian archeologists see no direct connection between. Presented in a simple, unadorned style without accompaniment, these songs lyrics are set to angloamerican ballad melodies, fiddle tunes, and even to the music of stephen foster. This statement includes answers to questions most commonly asked about the book of mormon. This letter from the smithsonians department of anthropology is in response to your inquiry regarding the book of mormon. The smithsonian institute has issued a statement regarding archaeological evidence and the book of mormon. Miller begins by mentioning the smithsonian institutes history with the book of mormon pp. The smithsonian institute considers the book of mormon a very important historical document of 19th century american religious history. What did the national geographic and the smithsonian inst. 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. The smithsonian institution does not use it in archeological research. Mormon archaeological argument that proves the historical accuracy of b of m. The bible is not a book but a collection of 66 books, written over a span of 1600 years across 3 continents, by over 40 writers inspired by god in 3 languages yet it has one primary theme the glory of god and salvat.
Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the book of. At one point, some members of the lds church claimed that the smithsonian institute had used the book of mormon as a scientific guide for locating archaeological sites. This theory has been gaining substantial support among lds. Lds apologist john sorensons response to the smithsonian. The smithsonian institute issued a formal statement in may 1980 detailing their complete disavowal of the work as anything but fiction.
Smithsonian institution still disavows the book of mormans. The authors of the statement are not displaying high levels of scholarship. Book of mormonarchaeologysmithsonian statement fairmormon. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archaeological research and has. The mormon apologist, researchers and historians have tried to explain book of mormon facts and archaeology by presenting information and claims that will fit into established archaeology accepted model. Periodically the smithsonian institute and the national geographical society sends notices to the church saying please, please tell your people to stop calling us. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon mormons in transition. The book of mormon claims to be a history of ancient peoples inhabiting central america until 421 a. The subject of this book pertains to something ive been interested in for a long time, science and the book of mormon. The book of mormon evidence and facts will not fit into the established archaeology model. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archeological research and any information that you may have received to the contrary is incorrect. The staff archaeologist informs me that neither the society of any other institution has ever used the book of mormon in locating archaeological sites. According to the smithsonian institution, the book of mormon is a religious document and not a scientific guide.
I even helped perpetuate the rumor that the smithsonian institute used the book of mormon as a scientific. Smithsonian archaeologists see no connection between the archaeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. The institute used to send out a long response listing several perceived inaccuracies in the. Book of mormon artifacts and metallurgy life after ministry.
The word chariot conjures up images of horsedrawn war vehicles. First publication of the smithsonian book of mormon evidence. National geographic society statement on the book of mormon national geographic society statement on the book of mormon language. Though wheeled vehicles are still unattested throughout precolumbian america, archaeology currently shows that some mesoamerican peoples did understand the concept. It was such a huge undertaking in my mind that quite frankly, it scared me. Because the smithsonian institution receives many inquiries regarding the book of mormon, we have prepared a statement regarding the book of mormon. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon the. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archaeological research, and any information that you have received to the contrary is incorrect. Refuting the existence of glass has no bearing on the book of mormon.
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 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. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon. What is the difference between the bible and the book of. Some members of the mormon church have made fantastic claims about archaeologists using the book of mormon. In the book of mormon, however, chariots are referenced little, and never in a battle context, making it hard to be certain about their nature. In joseph smiths day there was no archaeological evidence for many culture items mentioned in the book of mormon, but in the last 30. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of in any way as a scientific guide.
You might wish to consult the following publications. A speculative scientific journey among the exoplanets in search of intelligent aliens. Certainly there was no contact with the ancient egyptians, hebrews or other peoples of western asia or the near east. This album portrays the cultural history of the mormon community in utah through folk song.
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