The first group left the tower of babel about 2250 bc, crossing to europe and sailing to central america. The writer has an obsession with warfare and killing, with killings starting from chapter 4. As for factual errors, there are a number of anachronisms in the book of mormon. If the book of mormon is an accurate translation, some claim that it shouldnt contain these translational errors. Top 10 embarrassments of the mormon religion listverse. There are some serios problems with the book of mormon that the lds church cannot. The conclusion category include my conclusion page, which is my closing argument on the mormon religion, followed by the questions for mormons page, which contains several questions. Kingdom of nauvoo is a well researched, accurate, objective history of the mormon kingdom built on the mississippi in the 1840s. Any mistakes and changes are the mistakes of mortals. Mormon church says it was an error in their come follow. When mormon missionaries properly called latter day saints or simply lds come to your door, they will often offer a free copy of the book of mormon and tell you about its author, joseph smith. Review of books on the book of mormon 41 1992 neal a. Current mormon doctrine on the nature of god, the priesthood, use of temples, baptism for the dead, and men becoming gods, is nowhere contained in the book of mormon.
Like a crime scene, we do not need a video recording or an affidavit from the suspect or a witness to show whether or not the suspect murdered with a gun. May 17, 2019 the editors, rod meldrum and david hocking, have no background in archaeology, anthropology, near eastern studies, linguistics, or any field relevant to the study of ancient texts like the book of mormon. Sources and notes on presence of 1769 king james version edition errors in the book of mormon a supposed ancient text. The book of mormon teaches truth, but is not a real history. It tells of the jaredites, people from the tower of babel who came to central america but perished because of their own immorality. The book contains words that nobody, not even joseph smith, can define. Problems with the book of mormon catholic answers catholic.
Another thing that has bothered me is the claim that there are 1769 king james version edition errors in the book of mormon, errors that are unique to the 1769 edition. Fairmormons response to presence of 1769 kjv errors in book of mormon in terms of attempting to pinpoint the origin of the book of mormon, even more significant than book of mormon revisions are places where it follows the kjv into error, echoing mistranslations or including translations of late and derivative greek texts. The maxwell institutes study edition of the book of mormon is both an update and an expansion of grant hardys the book of mormon. When a mormon missionary shows people the book of mormon, he usually explains that the gold plates were taken back and no longer exist today. Errors of mormonism by keith piper but though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. The conclusion states, much as critics and defenders of the book of mormon would like to use dna studies to support their views, the evidence is simply inconclusive. I have reading comprehension problems and so this read along workbook for the book of mormon is perfect for me. Annually, october 1, is the anniversary of a little known event in early church history that i believe, in consequence of significant research progress into 2019, now deserves recognition for identifying a region of major book of mormon lands and for initiating book of mormon archaeological historic research. Think joseph smith could have gotten that right by sheer chance. Jun 14, 2008 the book of mormon contains factual errors in many areas of science, including archeology and biology. It is part of a collection that includes book of mormon evidences, part two, book of mormon evidences, part three, and book of mormon nuggets.
Lds church members are taught that the book of mormon bom is scripture, as well as a true record of the inhabitants of the americas from about 2200 bc to 420 ad. We look at what critics have said because most of them are sincere people who have relied on interpretations of facts and logic that we think are errors. The falsity of mormonism what about the book of mormon. However, we know they really existed, because at the front of the book of mormon is the testimony of three witnesses, as well as a second testimony of five witnesses. Other gross errors include the use of outdated or otherwise unreliable source materials and the tendency to make every piece of evidence fit neatly into the book of mormon picture. All my studies suddenly made sense, all aspects of the book of mormon finally became clear. However, a close examination of this book shows a long llist of problems, one of which is the presence of anachronisms. We read that jesus shall be born of mary at jerusalem, which is in the land of our forefathers alma 6. Weapons used from 544 bc to 52 bc p107359 are listed as. Park does a great job of detailing the fascinating story of the rise and fall of this city on the american frontier. Book of mormontranslation errors from the kjv fairmormon. The book of mormon incorporates text which seems to be taken from the king james version, including passages which are now considered to be mistranslations in the king james version. May 02, 20 despite these errors, manmade decisions, and complications, mormons revere the bible as the word of god. The book of mormon contains factual errors in many areas of science, including archeology and biology.
The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. That is really the only viable position to take at this point because there are thousands of sites that could relate to book of mormon history and geography. We read that jesus shall be born of mary at jerusalem, which is in. The other pages discuss the clear contradictions between mormon beliefs and christian beliefs and errors in the book of mormon and elsewhere in mormon doctrine. If we are going to allow the 1st impression of someones holy book be the criticisms of its nonbelievers, then lets spread that policy around evenly. What are 1769 kjv edition errors doing in book of mormon. When you go through the items, you can see why the unbelievers at fairmormon will never include such a chart on their web page. The original 1830 edition, book of mormon had s of. Admittedly, evidence surrounding the book of mormon is not our greatest strength, while the bible itself contains hundreds of verifiable events, wars, cities, historical figures, and factual. There are two possible explanations for the origin of the book of mormon. So what were they doing in the book of mormon if it is supposedly an ancient text. The book of mormon is clear that it was a literal curse on their skin. Third, the book of mormon abounds in textual errors, factual errors, and outright plagiarisms from other works. Like a crime scene, we do not need a video recording or an affidavit from the suspect or a witness to show whether or not the suspect murdered with a.
Smith once called the book of mormon the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion smith, 1902, 4. Textual errors in the book of mormon also found in the. Below is the modern map of the area of smiths youth. While other books were attempted to be added, they were considered noncanonical due to the lack of eyewitnesses, the heavy gnostic heresy content, historical errors, etc. I still think there is a serious problem of imprinting a particular geographyeven an abstract onebut if the people involved accept the scripture on faith alone, they may never care about the realworld geography, so a mental abstract map is no problem. The book of mormon department of christian defense. Debunking fairmormon letter to a ces director book of mormon. Oct 06, 2018 admittedly, evidence surrounding the book of mormon is not our greatest strength, while the bible itself contains hundreds of verifiable events, wars, cities, historical figures, and factual.
This is important to note because the latterday saints make such a ballyhoo about it containing the fullness of the everlasting gospel. The bare facts of the matter are that nothing, absolutely nothing, has even shown up in any new. Feb 06, 2008 third, the book of mormon abounds in textual errors, factual errors, and outright plagiarisms from other works. Joseph smith, in an effort to prove the book of mormon, claimed in the. The book of mormon is a true record of the inhabitants of the americas from about 2200 bc to 420 ad. Because the play is fictional, it is seen as simply an error on shakespeares part. Jul 26, 2018 the list of inconvenient truths is at least a mile long. The book of mormon was based on ethan smiths view of the hebrews 111. Unfortunately, walters falls into the same trap as a number of other book of mormon critics. The doctrines and teachings of the book of mormon have brought and continue to bring millions of people closer to god. It wrongly describes the presence in america of horses, goats, donkeys, elephants, cows, sheep, wheat or barley elements that had been totally absent from the flora and fauna of the continent book of mormon, 1 nephi 18. Apologetics press the book of mormon and the ancient evidence.
Known errors in footnotes were corrected, such as incorrect references or crossreferences to other scripture passages or study helps. Basic factual errors found in his work suggest that he was so pressed to get into the negative aspects of the book of mormon that he neglected to examine his material seriously. The text itself appears in roman typeface, while study helps are in italics, and boldface type occasionally identifies intertextuality with the bible or within the book of mormon itself the maxwell institute study edition of the book of mormon is a valuable addition to the growing number of resources available to students of this volume of. The book of mormon is supposed to be a history of real people living in a real place.
Third, the book of mormon abounds in textual errors, factual errors, and. In this section we add more items of a historical nature. Mormon church says it was an error in their come follow me manual that there was a curse of dark skin. The same goes with the mention of crucifixion in 2 nephi 10. The plain doctrine of jesus christ is taught in the book of mormon, and by following this doctrine, one receives the fruit of peace, joy, light, knowledge, and truth. The 1st rule of book of mormon evidence there is no evidence. Sep 20, 2019 second, the book of mormon contains none of the key mormon doctrines. In this study we will show that there have been at least 3,9 changes made in the book of mormon from the time it was first published in 1830. The 1st rule of book of mormon evidence there is no. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. Excluding the bible and similar writing, can you prove to an atheist or to someone that is agnostic that god exists. It is either of divine or human origin, and if it is of human origin that means that joseph smith concocted the book. Furthering this false notion that the bom is free from error, smith claims that after he translated the plates god told him.
Such maps can be a useful introduction for those who are new to the book of mormon. This is a friendly discussion among brothers and sisters who are interested in the book of mormon. Its largest denomination is headquartered in utah and goes by the name the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. It is more of a work book and it is exactly what i needed to clarify and pull together the stories of the book of mormon.
Concerns of the historicity and origin of the book of mormon. Historical and factual errors sometimes the statements in the book are only slight exaggerations. The book of mormon claims to be the history of 2 ancient civilizations on the american continent. A lot of people make a big deal about their being nearly 5,000 textual changes to the book of mormon since its first publication. For the first 150 years of mormonisms existence, everyone thought it was a story about a people who left the middle east and came to south or central america, and who fought wars clear up into new york state where. They teach that as it was first written, it was perfect. Sep 18, 2017 if anyone knows of any such errors or misstatements, let me know and ill correct the chart. An anachronism is defined as an event that appears out of time. The 1830 edition of the book of mormon shows this error, though subsequent editions, in an attempt to remove the problem, changed the name to king mosiah in the later references.
The book of mormon has no claim to validity due to its lack of incorporation into the biblical cannon. It is mostly a book of wars, oppression, slavery, treachery, bloodshed. Feb 16, 2006 the problem is that mormon leaders cannot acknowledge any factual errors in the book of mormon because the prophet joseph smith proclaimed it the most correct of any book on earth. Seven reasons why letter vii is not a heartlander silver. If anyone knows of any such errors or misstatements, let me know and ill correct the chart. The same prophets who have taught the new york cumorah ny1c have also said that beyond cumorah mormon 6. It was not an accurate claim of fact, because it was a paraphrase from memory not a quote.
The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which adherents. Second, the book of mormon contains none of the key mormon doctrines. Mormonism claims to be a christian religion, the only true christian religion. How could there be so many witnesses of the book of mormon and the plates and not one of them deny their testimony even when some of them became bitter toward joseph smith.
Introduction to 3,9 changes utah lighthouse ministry. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi, who claimed that it had been. The book of mormon is another witness for the truths taught in the bible. We read that jesus shall be born of mary at jerusalem, which. Lds scriptures, a listing of erroneous statements about the book of mormon were previously clarified. Nov 14, 2019 annually, october 1, is the anniversary of a little known event in early church history that i believe, in consequence of significant research progress into 2019, now deserves recognition for identifying a region of major book of mormon lands and for initiating book of mormon archaeological historic research. The tables of contents, introductions, and abbreviations pages have been standardized.
In making this study we obtained photocopies of an original 1830 edition of the book of mormon. Debunking fairmormon letter to a ces director book of. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi, who claimed that it had been written in. These errors totally undermine the claim that joseph translated the book of mormon and the claim that the book of mormon is the most correct book on earth.
Depicts the factual accounts of vincenzo di francesca came to appreciate the contents of the book of mormon. These take the form of such things as double negatives, incorrect adverbs and adjectives, and incorrect tenses. For example, there is the mention of the most precious steel in 1 nephi 4. Mormon is allegedly a prophethistorian who was the native american believed by mormons to have written the book of mormon the main religious text of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints mormonism. Mormonism is a religion less than two centuries old, but in this short time it has managed to accrue a long list of embarrassments which the church leaders would prefer were kept. Book of mormon evidences, part one discusses some of the many factors supporting the plausibility of the book of mormon as an ancient document. The book of mormon came about a little differently. A readers edition, published in 2003 by the university of illinois pressas with a readers edition, the maxwell institutes study edition attempts to make the text more accessible by presenting it in paragraphs, with poetry set in verse form. I now know that the book of mormon happened in the usa in the historic heartland that is such a significant part of american and book of mormon history. It also restores plain and precious truths that have been lost from the bible through errors in translation or taken away in attempts to pervert the right ways of the lord see 1 nephi. Many of these errors will be discussed on the following pages. The book of mormon title page, which was translated by joseph smith, 1 ends with a rather intruiging disclaimer for a book of scripture.
Accordingly, the book is littered with factual errors and misrepresentations in each of these areas. This book is great, but like i said, is the tip of the iceberg. I told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth. Joseph smith said that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book history of the church, vol. Jonathan neville moronis america the north american. That errors of grammar and faults in dictation do exist in the book of mormon and more especially and abundantly in the first edition must be conceded. Difficult questions for mormons catholic apologetics. Adjustments to the scriptures church of jesus christ. The book of mormon may not be an accurate translation because joseph didnt know anything about mayan culture. Scholars are aware that these civilizations postdate book of mormon times. Changes in the book of mormon mormon truth youtube.
Critics challenge the viability of the population size and growth of the book of mormon people. The first edition of the book of the mormon contained numerous grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors, most but not all of which were corrected in subsequent editions. Serious errors in the book of mormon as for factual errors, there are a number of anachronisms in the book of mormon. If youre asked by mormon missionaries to point out examples of such errors, here are two you can use. If this is true, then the book of mormon should be full of errors. This is some heavy duty gaslighting and throwing the bom under the bus.
Many of these errors, however, are found in the kjv bible. In order to claim that the prophets and apostles know the book of mormon took place in the heartland, you have to conveniently ignore the fact that millions of copies of the blue sky moroni book of mormon were published in the 1960s and 1970s with photographs of mesoamerican. The book of mormon, published in 1830 by american religious leader joseph smith who claimed it to be a translation of an ancient native american record, is the subject of criticism relating to its origin, text, and historical accuracy. Even if the majority of the witnesses to the book of mormon did not deny their testimony of the book itself, this does little to support mormonism today. Other gross errors include the use of outdated or otherwise unreliable source materials and the tendency to make every piece of evidence fit neatly into the book of mormon picture, whether it belongs there or not. Balloon juice white house corrects factual errors in. Joseph smith claimed that the book of mormon, published in 1830, had been translated from golden plates that contained the accounts of the ancient inhabitants of the american continent. The closest was a paraphrase of something bush said made in an interview on 60 minutes. There are literally thousands of grammatical errors in the original edition of the book of mormon errors that gradually have been changed in later editions. It would be more accurate to say it contains almost none of their everlasting gospel at all. Returning directly to the book of mormon, there are also factual errors which betray its human. This is important because the latterday saints make such a point about it containing the fullness of the everlasting gospel. If the book of mormon is fullness of the everlasting gospel why abounds in textual errors, factual errors, and outright plagiarisms from other works. Sometimes the statements in the book are only slight exaggerations.
Although it serves primarily as a religious text, it is to be interpreted literally as being an actual, historical record of the inhabitants of the ancient americas. In the introduction of the book of mormon, smith states that it is the record of gods dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the americas, which also contains the fullness of the everlasting. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. Smith, they will say, translated the book of mormon from golden plates he dug up in a hill in new york in the early 1800s. The book of mormon is the only explanation for this scripture. Accordingly, the book is littered with factual errors and misrepresentations in. Maps moronis america the north american setting for. Errors in grammar there are literally thousands of grammatical errors in the original edition of the book of mormon errors that gradually have been changed in later editions. Same with the unbelievers at book of mormon central, the interpreter, meridian magazine, etc.
Our normal response to this is that king benjamin lived three years after his son mosiah 2 was made king. The editors, rod meldrum and david hocking, have no background in archaeology, anthropology, near eastern studies, linguistics, or any field relevant to the study of ancient texts like the book of mormon. The book of mormon borrows copiously from the bible. In reality, the original text and current text of the book of mormon is a mixture of nineteenthcentury nonsense, plagiarism, and selected existing kjv scripture verses including its 1769 kjv edition errors as well as 17th century italics made by 17th century translators. The best way to teach the book of mormon is with a fantasy map based on an interpretation that repudiates the teachings of the prophets about the new york cumorah.
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