Critics trot out this letter as proof that the book of mormon has no archaeological support and is therefore false. 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. National geographic society statement on the book of mormon. Didnt the smithsonian intitute prove the book of mormon was. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Smithsonian institution statement regarding 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. 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. 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. 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. Organizational statements regarding the book of mormon smithsonian institution.
The physical type of american indian is basically mongoloid, being most closely related to. Of course, this method of translation is as occultic as it gets. 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. The book of mormon department of christian defense. Smithsonian statement on book of mormon noncatholic.
The smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide. 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. The smithsonian considers the book of mormon a religious document and not a scientific guide. Smithsonian archaeologists see no connection between the archaeology of the new, world and the subject matter of the book. Citeseerx smithsonian statement on the book of mormon revised. Smithsonian disavows use of book of mormon for archaeological guide and sees no connection between new world and book of mormon. The smithsonian institution does not use it in archeological research. Mar 18, 2009 there is nothing to show that they reached mexico or central america. 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.
Accurate information about the smithsonians position is contained in the enclosed statement. 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. Citeseerx document details isaac councill, lee giles, pradeep teregowda. 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. It must be remembered that the bible is primarily a book of religion, a guide to faith. The national geographic society has a similar letter. Further verification of the change in the smithsonian statement is provided in the short note, new light. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith.
An evaluation of the smithsonian institutions statement. However, the smithsonians eighth statement regarding the book of mormon says. Smithsonian institution letter statement regarding the book of mormon 1996. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archeological research and any information that you have received to the contrary is incorrect. 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. An evaluation of the smithsonian statement regarding the book. Because the smithsonian institution receives many inquiries regarding the book of mormon, we have prepared a statement regarding the book of mormon.
Smithsonian archeologists see no direct connection between the archeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. Smithsonian statement about the book of mormon summary. Smithsonian and the book of mormon mormonism research ministry. National geographic responded that it does not know of anything found so far that has substantiated the book of mormon. Below is the statement we presently distribute for these general inquiries. Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the. In 1850, acting partly in response to lobbying from a lawyer named thomas l.
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. 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. The smithsonian institute issued a formal statement in may 1980 detailing their complete disavowal of the work as anything but fiction. Because the smithsonian regards the unauthorized use of its name to disseminate inaccurate information as unlawful, we would. A the book of mormon claims that the ancient inhabitants spoke and wrote in reformed egyptian and hebrew. 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. Book of mormonarchaeologysmithsonian statement fairmormon. If humans were created by god who is perfect and good, how did evil among them come to be. We still stand by our former statement on the book of mormon. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archaeological research and has found no archaeological evidence to support its claims.
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. Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the book. 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. 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. 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. I even helped perpetuate the rumor that the smithsonian institute used the book of mormon as a scientific. If this were the case, we would expect to find artifacts with writings in these languages. Smithsonian statement on the book of mormon revisited in journal of book of mormon studies vol. An evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement. Kane, a non mormon who had advised mormon leaders in previous ordeals, fillmore named brigham young governor of the new. Smithsonian institution letter statement regarding the book. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of in any way as a scientific guide.
Smithsonian and the book of mormon mormonism research. The book of mormon is a r eligious document and not a scientific guide. 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. Information from the national museum of natural history. Talmage correctly identified various michigan relics as fraudulent. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon mormons in transition. 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. This statement includes answers to questions most commonly asked about the book of mormon. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon.
The book of mormon is a religious document and not a scientific guide. The 1996 smithsonian statement regarding the book of mormon 1. The smithsonian institution sends a form letter to those who inquire about their use of the book of mormon for archaeological purposes. I was convinced beyond a doubt that south american ruins validated the book of mormon. Several versions of this have been issued, all much the same, with the most recent version i know of dating from 1996. The smithsonian archaeologists see no direct connection between archeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. The national geographic societys letter statement on the book of mormon. Yes, it has been changed, but the 1996 smithsonian statement lives on in the hearts and minds and web pages of our. The smithsonian institution issues a standard reply to requests for their opinion regarding the book of mormon as an archaeological or scientific guide. 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. Smithsonian statement book of mormon archaeological forum. Smithsonian institute statement on the book of mormon. An evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon by john l. 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.