Search for the Truth DVD: Archaeological Evidence

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[edit] What is the role of archeology in knowing the Bible as God's word?

FAIR claims that "Archaeology can not 'prove' that a document is the 'word of God.'"^[1]

FAIR claims, "It doesn't seem necessary for God to reveal all geographical information in order for a text to qualify as the Word of God."

Christians agree, but this isn't the point. No one claimed that comprehensive availability of geographical information was a prerequisite for knowing a text to be the word of God.

[edit] Is comparing Old World archeology to New World archeology unfair?

FAIR calims that "Old World archaeology has the advantage of continuity of toponyms".

• "...the location of numerous biblical sites are unknown."
• Dee Green's statement was made in 1969. "Forty additional years of Book of Mormon studies and New World archaeological research has added significantly to our understanding of both disciplines."

[edit] What about "NHM"?

FAIR claims that "'NHM' ...corresponds precisely with the Nahom of the Book of Mormon"

"NIHM is believed to be a tribal name, not a place name, and that the three consonants can have a variety of spellings when vowels are inserted."^[2]

[edit] Does the material culture of the Book of Mormon correspond to New World archeology?

FAIR claims that "most things mentioned in the Book of Mormon have been confirmed to have existed in—what most LDS scholars believe—are Book of Mormon lands. This would include fortifications, armor, thrones, cement, towers, trade, and more."

[edit] Swords

Regarding swords, FAIR claims, "When the Spanish encountered these clubs, they dubbed them 'swords,' and one Spaniard claimed that these swords were so sharp that he saw a Native American cut the head off a horse with one blow.'

[edit] Coins

FAIR claims that "the Book of Mormon text never mentions coins (let alone mentions them as 'being common'). Interestingly enough, however, the Book of Mormon does mention a monetary system that has remarkable Old World parallels."

[edit] Was Hill Cumorah supposed to be in New York?

FAIR claims, "The Book of Mormon doesn't tell us that Cumorah was in New York. And, contrary to what many people have believed, the Book of Mormon doesn't tell us where Moroni buried the plates."

While the Book of Mormon itself doesn't specifically locate Hill Cumorah, Mormon leaders have clearly, authoritatively, and consistently taught that Hill Cumorah events happened in New York. This has been affirmed by people like Joseph Smith, Orson Pratt, Marion G. Romney, Anthony Ivins, B.H. Roberts, James Talmage, Joseph Fielding Smith, George Reynolds, and Bruce McConkie^[3]. It has been affirmed repeatedly from the General Conference pulpit, is currently affirmed in a current CES institute manual^[4], and was as recently as 1990 affirmed in a letter from Secretary to the First Presidency^[5].

[edit] Notes

1. ↑ Unless otherwise noted, all references to FAIR on this page refer to this article.
2. ↑ Bill McKeever in " NHM – A Place Name from the Book of Mormon?", Available online here.
3. ↑ For quotes and references see the wiki article on Hill Cumorah.
4. ↑ CES Student Manual for the Book of Mormon, Religion 121 & 122, p. 136
5. ↑ Available for viewing online here.