Smithsonian institute and 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. Smithsonian institute statement on the book of mormon. The smithsonian institute has issued a statement regarding archaeological evidence and the book of mormon. Smithsonian archeologists see no direct connection between the archeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. The book of mormon is a religious document and not a scientific guide. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon mormons in transition. Is it true that he smithsonian institute declared the book of. Creating the national museum of african american history and culture in the age of bush, obama, and trump. National geographic society statement on the book of mormon.

The smithsonian staff does not appear to have a single specialist in mesoamerica john l. These reproductions have been enlarged 120% from the original size for greater detail. The smithsonian on the bible and the book of mormon. What did the national geographic and the smithsonian inst. That the smithsonian does not use the book of mormon in its research says nothing about the book s divinity and truthfulness. Apologetics press the book of mormon and the ancient. Smithsonian archeologists see no direct connection between the archeology of. This spiral bound over sized book contains a complete set of 48 of the plates from the book, ancient monuments of the mississippi valley by the smithsonians e. The mormon church the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. This article was originally published on mormon coffee on march 22, 2012.

Smithsonian institution still disavows the book of mormans. Mormon artifacts from the early history of the church of jesus christ of. 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. The smithsonian institute considers the book of mormon a very important historical document of 19th century american religious history. The smithsonian institution was established with funds from james smithson 17651829, a british scientist who left his estate to the united states to found at washington, under the name of the smithsonian institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge. Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the book of. This is a quote from a standard smithsonian letter sent out to mormon enquirers.

The smithsonian institute has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide. The book of mormon, along with the claims of its translator and the missionaryminded church he establisheda restoration, he insisted, of christs ancient churchcreated no small stir in palmyra and indeed throughout the young nation. The smithsonian institue considers the book of mormon a. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archeological research and any information that you have received to the contrary is incorrect. Mormon artifacts on display at the smithsonian youtube. Is it true that he smithsonian institute declared the book. Smithsonian and the book of mormon mormonism research ministry. National geographic society statement on the book of mormon national geographic society statement on the book of mormon language. The smithsonian institution sends a form letter to those who inquire about their use of the book of mormon for archaeological purposes. 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 institute used to send out a long response listing several perceived inaccuracies in the.

It seems to me the smithsonian hid this magnificent book, probably after they. July 26 1983 there is no evidence of any migration from israel to america and no evidence that precolumbian indians had any knowledge of christianity or the bible. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon. Jun 14, 2008 the smithsonian institution has never used it in archeological research and any information that you have received to the contrary is incorrect. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of in any way as a scientific guide. These reproductions have been enlarged 120% from the.

The smithsonian has long gotten letters from folks asking about the book of mormon. Leading experts of the early americas disavow the historicity of the book of mormon narrative. Smithsonian institution letter statement regarding the. Statement regarding the book of mormon, a copy of which is enclosed for your. Mormon artifacts on display at the smithsonian church newsroom. The giants were a result of fallen angels or demons having sex with human women and those women baring children. The book of mormon claims that jesuss atonement provided for the immortality for all people. Jan 27, 2020 the giants were a result of fallen angels or demons having sex with human women and those women baring children. 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. Maxwell institute for religious scholarship implied that the change to the smithsonians statement was connected to john sorensons 1995. Jan 22, 2008 the staff archaeologist informs me that neither the society of any other institution has ever used the book of mormon in locating archaeological sites. The book of mormon claims to be a history of ancient peoples inhabiting central america until 421 a.

However the smithsonian institute wrote an official document stating that they never endorsed the book of mormon claims on people, places. Smithsonian archaeologists see no connection between the archaeology of the new, world and the subject matter of the book. Remarkable stories of strength, ingenuity, and vision from the national collection. Dec 25, 2019 this spiral bound over sized book contains a complete set of 48 of the plates from the book, ancient monuments of the mississippi valley by the smithsonians e. These rumors were brought to the attention of smithsonian directors who, by 1982, sent a form letter to inquiring parties stating that the smithsonian did not use the book of mormon to guide any research, and included a list of specific reasons smithsonian archaeologists considered the book of mormon historically unlikely. 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. 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. 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.

The national geographic society did the same in 1982. Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the. Letter national geographic society, washington, dc 20036. 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. Nonmormon scholars note that the smithsonian has not retracted any of its previous statements and feel that the response was toned.

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. Home book of mormon science, ancient history, and the book of mormon national geographic society statement on the book of mormon national geographic society statement on the book of mormon language. Sorenson, a new evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon, farms 1995. Visitors to the museum will be able to see an original manuscript of the book of mormon, an 1830 first edition of the book of mormon, a couple.

The smithsonian institute writes, the smithsonian institute has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide. He established the new world archaeological foundation, where his role as. This statement includes answers to questions most commonly asked about the book of mormon. So much has been uncovered that even the smithsonian was forced to back down on the issue. May 12, 2008 is it true that he smithsonian institute declared the book of mormon as having zero scientific archaeological, geographical or historical value. Statement regarding the book of mormon, a copy of which is enclosed for your information. 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. Book of mormonarchaeologysmithsonian statement fairmormon. Anonymous, smithsonian statement on the book of mormon revisited, journal of book of mormon studies 71 1998.

Apologetics press the book of mormon and the ancient evidence. First publication of the smithsonian book of mormon evidence. The smithsonian institution includes a statement about the scientific inaccuracies of the book of mormon in their statement regarding the book of mormon, which is included with the letter. I was convinced beyond a doubt that south american ruins validated the book of mormon. Book of mormon,smithsonian institution,anthropology,lds,mormon. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. Smithsonian and national geographic responds responses to the book of mormon. Lds apologist john sorensons response to the smithsonian.

As the modern lds church tries to shore up belief in the prophet joseph smith and his special powers of translation, it continues to try to argue for something more than a fictional narrative for the book of mormon. The smithsonian institution does not use it in archeological research. Smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon posted on 03192009 1. Smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon. Smithsonian institution letter statement regarding the book of mormon 1996. Smithsonian archaeologists 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 book of mormon in any archaeological research, and any information that you have received to the contrary is incorrect. Your recent inquiry concerning the smithsonian institutions alleged use of the book of mormon as a scientific guide has been received in the smithsonians department of anthropology. Smithsonian statement on book of mormon noncatholic. You might wish to consult the following publications. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archaeological research and has found no archaeological evidence to support its claims.

The smithsonian institute uses the book of mormon in its research. Smithsonian archeologists see no direct connection between the archeology of the new world and the subject matter of. I even helped perpetuate the rumor that the smithsonian institute used the book of mormon as a scientific. John wesley powell, palmyra and the book of mormon book. There is no evidence whatever of any migration from israel to america, and likewise no evidence that precolumbian indians had. False this myth is old some claim over a hundred years old and is well documented all over the internet. Smithsonian statement book of mormon archaeological forum.

As it turns out, two of the preachers vying for converts in the immediate area of palmyra had sons who. Response to the smithsonian institute statement on 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. Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the book. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archeological research and any information that you have received to. Smithsonian archaeologists see no connection between the archaeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. Mormon archaeological argument that proves the historical accuracy of b of m.

Smithsonian letter regarding book of mormon i think it is important for everyone to read the smithsonian letter about the book of mormon. Organizational statements regarding the book of mormon smithsonian institution. Starlings response is undated, but content elsewhere in his letter indicates that it was written. These include endowments, celestial marriage, and specific tithing. There may be some experts on north american indians, but without a firm grounding in the specific lands covered by the book of mormon, namely. Essentially, the claim is that the smithsonian institute andor the national geographical society use the book of mormon in its historical research of latin. For years we have heard from the missionaries that the smithsonian institute and national geographic have both. 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 book of mormon is a r eligious document and not a scientific guide.

Miller begins by mentioning the smithsonian institutes history with the book of mormon pp. Because the smithsonian institution receives many inquiries regarding the book of mormon, we have prepared a statement regarding the book of mormon. The smithsonian institution and the book of mormon mormon coffee. These children are referred to as nephillim, and these are the giants that are referred in the biblical accounts. Smithsonian and the book of mormon mormonism research. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide. Here is the text of the letter as referenced from this site. Periodically the smithsonian institute and the national geographical society sends notices to the church saying please, please tell your people to stop calling us. 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. National museum of natural history smithsonian institution washington d.

Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon mormons. The smithsonian adamantly denied this was the case in 1986. 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. Smithsonian disavows use of book of mormon for archaeological guide and sees no connection between new world and book of mormon. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted. Even the cataclysms that took place in the book of mormon lands is plausible, as the descriptions are consistent with radical geologic upheaval and central america is a mess of. The institute used to send out a long response listing several perceived inaccuracies in the book of mormon but has page 125 since. Jun 10, 2008 the smithsonian institute considers the book of mormon a historical document well, sort of. Sorenson, a new evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon, p. The staff archaeologist informs me that neither the society of any other institution has ever used the book of mormon in locating archaeological sites. But to achieve exaltation or godhood it is available only to mormons who obey the teachings specific to the book of mormon. The smithsonian institution issues a standard reply to requests for their opinion regarding the book of mormon as an archaeological or scientific guide. Is it true that he smithsonian institute declared the book of mormon as having zero scientific archaeological, geographical or historical value.