The 1996 smithsonian statement regarding the book of mormon. Smithsonian institution letter statement regarding the. Critics trot out this letter as proof that the book of mormon has no archaeological support and is. 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. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon. Smithsonian statement book of mormon archaeological forum. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon mormons in transition. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon mormons. The smithsonian considers the book of mormon a religious document and not a scientific guide. Excluding the bible and similar writing, can you prove to an atheist or to someone that is agnostic that god exists. Smithsonian institution letter cult education institute.
Archaeology and the book of mormon wikipedia republished. An evaluation of the smithsonian institutions statement. Smithsonian statement about the book of mormon summary. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide. Smithsonian archaeologists see no direct connection between the archeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. Accurate information about the smithsonians position is contained in the enclosed statement regarding the book of mormon, which was prepared to respond. The smithsonian institution does not use it in archeological research. A scientist looks at book of mormon anachronisms book of. The smithsonian institutions letter statement regarding the book of mormon footnotestatement regarding the book of mormon the smithsonian institutionfootnote pg. It was a decision of the smithsonians central office of public affairs to simplify the statement to respond to general questions regarding the smithsonians use of the book of mormon.
Smithsonian disavows use of book of mormon for archaeological guide and sees no connection between new world and book of mormon. Mormon scholars have estimated that at various periods in book of mormon history, the populations of civilizations discussed in the book ranged between 300,000 and 1. Prior to 1998, the statement denied any evidence for precolumbian contact between old and new worlds. Smithsonian archeologists see no direct connection between the archeology of. Smithsonian institution still disavows the book of mormans. Response to the smithsonian institutions 1996 statement regarding the book of mormon. The department of anthropology has researchers who study world cultures, including religions. The smithsonian institution has never used it in archeological research and any information that you have received to the contrary is incorrect. Because the smithsonian institution receives many inquiries regarding the book of mormon, we have prepared a statement regarding the book of mormon. This statement can be requested at the same address. Answers about mormons and mormon beliefs lds faq latter. An evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon by john l. Because the smithsonian institution receives many inquiries regarding the book of mormon. An evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon sorenson, john l.
The book of mormon is a r eligious document and not a scientific guide. Theft and robbery in the book of mormon and in near eastern law. Accurate information about the smithsonians position is contained in the enclosed statement regarding the book of mormon, which was prepared to respond to the numerous inquiries that the smithsonian. We still stand by our former statement on the book of mormon. Smithsonian institutions stance on the book of mormon.
Accurate information about the smithsonian s position is contained in the enclosed statement regarding the book of mormon, which was prepared to respond to the numerous inquiries that the smithsonian. The book of mormon is a religious document and not a scientific guide, the smithsonian institution has never used it in archeological sic research and any information that you have received to the contrary is incorrect. In the smithsonian institution and they made our next statement and im going to share with you the statement of the of them regarding the book of mormon the smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide them just from the beginning is telling you what is the position of them the smithsonian or. Chapter 15 archaeology and the book of mormon reachout. Book of mormonarchaeologysmithsonian statement fairmormon. Mormon artifacts from the early history of the church of jesus christ of.
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. A scientist looks at book of mormon anachronisms by neal rappleye. Book of mormon central archive an evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon. The book of mormon is a religious text of the latter day saint movement. Smithsonian statement on book of mormon noncatholic. Mormon artifacts on display at the smithsonian church newsroom. Because the smithsonian regards the unauthorized use of its name to disseminate inaccurate information as unlawful, we would.
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. Smithsonian archaeologists see no direct connection between the archaeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. Smithsonian statement on the book of mormon revisited in journal of book of mormon studies vol. Is it true that he smithsonian institute declared the book. Title, an evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding 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.
An evaluation of the smithsonian institutions statement regarding the book of mormon study aid foundation for ancient research and mormon studies. 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. Didnt the smithsonian intitute prove the book of mormon. Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the. Mormon cultural belief regarding book of mormon archaeology archaeological evidence of large populations. The smithsonian agrees that both books have little to no historical value. The smithsonian institution sends a form letter to those who inquire about their use of the book of. The smithsonian institue considers the book of mormon a. 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. An evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon. You might want to write the smithsonians national museum of natural history and ask for their latest statement on this topic. Smithsonian institution statement regarding 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 smithsonians department of anthropology.
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 the book of in any way as a scientific guide. The sorenson critique, a new evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon. During the early 1980s, rumors circulated in mormon culture that. You can see a statement prepared in 1996 by the anthropology outreach office addressing the book of mormon from a scientific, archaeological standpoint on the following webpage. Deals with the many sloppy statements made by a department at the normally quite reputable smithsonian institution but made without the benefit of adequate scholarship about either mesoamerica or the book of mormon. Smithsonian institute statement on the book of mormon. This statement includes answers to questions most commonly asked about the book of mormon. The smithsonian also has a statement regarding the book of mormon. Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the book of. An evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement. Statement regarding the book of mormon, a copy of which is enclosed for your information. 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. The national geographic society has a similar letter.
The smithsonian institution sends a form letter to those who inquire about their use of the book of mormon for archaeological purposes. Church leaders know that letting go of this document will cause some members sadness and grief, the church said in its statement. Below is the statement we presently distribute for these general inquiries. The term is used throughout the book of mormon to describe the religious, political, and cultural traditions of the group of settlers. Archaeological science versus claims of the book of mormon. An evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding. Statement regarding the book of mormon, a copy of which is enclosed for your. Smithsonian institution letter statement regarding the book of mormon 1996. Information from the national museum of natural history.
Lds apologist john sorensons response to the smithsonian. This letter from the smithsonians department of anthropology is in response to your inquiry regarding the book of mormon. Report it came to pass in the bible and the book of mormon. Saints are on display in a new oneyear exhibition at the smithsonian in. The smithsonian institute has issued a statement regarding archaeological evidence and the book of mormon. How come the smithsonians statement regarding the bible. An evaluation of the smithsonian statement regarding the. Smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of. Every one of the statements are damaging to the reliability of the book of. Smithsonian and the book of mormon mormonism research. Organizational statements regarding the book of mormonedit. 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.
1023 477 1334 937 1505 173 1190 1040 31 1237 348 983 1158 1424 764 447 673 252 1186 708 315 43 1056 197 1538 817 412 1355 1087 350 1402 13 906 491 719