Book of mormon problem

Special witness president monson president thomas s. Solving lifes problems with the book of mormon youtube. For readers unfamiliar with the authors, the tanners are famous or infamous exlds members. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. Some problems of interest relating to the brass plates. They boldly tie the credibility of their prophet joseph smith to this.

Jun 17, 2014 mormon apologist john welch notes that pure gold would be too soft to make useful plates. However, when nephi and lehi examined the brass plates, they found them to contain the five books of moses. In the book of mormon, there are many chapters of isaiah directly incorporated from the king james version kjv of the bible, complete with translation errors that were obviously not possible to have been recorded on the gold plates since the kjv was not available until thousands of years. In his book, understanding the book of mormon, grant hardy faces this issue head on, critiquing the positions of latterday saints who dismiss the deuteroisaiah problem as simply the work of academics who do not believe in prophecy. The writers of the book of mormon musical focus their story on two groups of. Photo courtesy of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints book of mormon videos, 1 nephi 12, season 1, episode 8, depicts lehi, his wife, sariah, and their family as they sail to the. Is it time to pull the curtain on the book of mormon. Internal evidences of the unity of the book include imagery, repetition, expressions peculiar to isaiah, and song.

William hamblin illustrates this with the example of horses among the huns basic methodological problems with the anti mormon approach to the geography and archaeology of the book of mormon, journal of book of mormon studies, vol. The problem for mormons is that these exact same errors show up in the book of mormon. In these latter days, there are few people who havent been visited at least once by mormon. In the light of modern biblical criticism these quotations raise problems that have a serious bearing on the integrity of the nephite record as a whole. Even one prominent mormon apologist, john tvedtnes, has rejected such evidence for the book of mormon see dialogue. This, in a nutshell, is the deuteroisaiah problem in the book of mormon. For example, critics of mormonism have shown convincing proof that the book of mormon is a synthesis of earlier works written by other men, of the vivid imaginings of joseph smith, and of plagiarisms from the king james bible. Before i get flamed i would like to point out three of the more glaring anachronistic errors.

The book of mormon is supposed to be a history of real people living in a real place. Nearly all academics, even some in the church, doubt that book of isaiah comes from one prophet and maybe not even from god. Jesus established his church in the americas by appointing apostles and prophets just as he had in israel. Some critics say that no old world plants have been identified in the americas, but this is manifestly false. In major problems of mormonism jerald and sandra tanner examine historical and theological difficulties faced by the church of latter day saints lds. Book of mormon not a problem for the latterday saints. Problems with the gold plates of the book of mormon. The book of mormon is one of the most influential, as well as controversial, religious documents in american history, and is regarded as sacred scripture by followers around the world, including members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, the fourthlargest. The book of ether also offers confirmation of the tower of babel story. This attitude was too much for the historically minded robertsafter this bro.

Literary problems in the book of mormon involving 1 corinthians 12, and other new testament books. The book of mormon attributes two of these three sections to isaiah by quotation. Russell ballard of the quorum of the twelve apostles testified. Apr 15, 2019 the highly acclaimed musical the book of mormon opened on broadway in 2011 and is still playing to soldout crowds there. They represent an egregious disregard for the even the most basic standards of scholarship. The only bible that joseph smith relied on was the king james version. Apologists offer varying responses and views at anachronisms in the book of mormon. 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. The spiritual text that forms the basis of mormonism, in the last edition edited by its founder, joseph smith, jr. Its touring company has successful runs in numerous cities every. The isaiah problem in the book of mormon by sidney b. John sorenson felt that some of the animals mentioned in the book of mormon might not be what we think.

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. And to complicate matters further, it also calls into question joseph smiths prophetic abilities that he did not know the texts copied were not available to lehi. If true, it is one of the most important messages ever sent from godif false, it is one of the most cunning, wicked, bold, deeplaid impositions ever palmed upon the world. Nearly every page of the book of mormon solemnly testifies that jesus is the christ, the son of the living god, our redeemer and savior. 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 silent. 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.

Early mormon apostle orson pratt made a statement concerning the book of mormon. Though i tend to agree with welch that plates of pure gold would be too fragile to be useful, the fact remains that mosiah 8. Book of mormon geography in north america wayne may duration. Book of mormon not a problem for the latterday saints world.

Mar 08, 2012 video discussing some of the most troubling problems of the lds church that most mormons dont know exist such as the book of mormon anachronisms, book of abraham translation, kinderhook plates. The book of mormon contains a version of the sermon on the mount, which some authors have claimed to be the achilles heel of the book of mormon. These are five problems with the book of mormon, and to doubt its authenticity as an ancient document. The book of mormon and the problem of the pentateuch by. The author of this paper was born into a family which belonged to the reorganized church of jesus christ of latter day saints with headquarters in independence, missouri. Joseph smith claimed that the book of mormon was the most correct book in the world, and that a man could get closer to god by reading it than any other book. Christ and the apostles themselves attribute the book to isaiah. However, i feel that the book of mormon can not only withstand the challenge, but the issue can actually be used to illuminate the nature of isaiah and shed light on why this is such a profound book. Book of mormon not a problem for the latterday saints this article is more than 7 years old british branch of church launches ad campaign as south park creators musical opens, but says it. This organization, as did the much larger utah mormon church and many smaller divisions, developed as a. Top 10 embarrassments of the mormon religion listverse. This paper is based on a talk and powerpoint presentation given to the book of mormon lands conference, 20 october 2007. Smith points out that the 360day year of mesoamerica seems to solve the problem nicely, and argues that what critics saw as a gaffe actually adds to the plausibility of the book of mormon as an. This site can be used as a study guide to help understand the book of mormon.

There are some serios problems with the book of mormon that the lds church cannot adequately explain. As we search the book of mormon, the spirit will help us find answers to our problems and questions. The problem becomes more serious for the book of mormon, however, since it also uses the term in attributing the knowledge of steelmaking to the jaredites ether 7. Problems of the book of mormon hardcover january 1, 1964 by sidney branton sperry author 5. These many problems are not simply innocuous mistakes. One author makes the point that certain portions of the greek manuscripts of matthew 57 do not agree with the kjv of the text, and concludes that the book of mormon version of the sermon should not contain text similar to the kjv. The isaiah problem in the book of mormon chap 11 shields. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi, who claimed that it had been. Mormons consider the book of mormon a compilation of historical records kept by the primary ancestors of the native americans.

The book of mormon on broadway official site the show. Why the message behind the book of mormon musical is so. What about the isaiah problem in the book of mormon. So, i decided to read the book first, paired with the soundtrack. According to the book, two of these groups originated from ancient israel. The problems of the book of mormon unknown binding january 1, 1964 by sidney b sperry author 5. Josephs plagiarism in book of mormon and other revelations. Looking only artistically at the musical, theres no question its a pretty. Book of mormon problems hope, faith, and reading glasses. Apr 07, 20 book of mormon not a problem for the latterday saints this article is more than 7 years old british branch of church launches ad campaign as south park creators musical opens, but says it doesn. Lds church members are taught that the book of mormon bom is scripture, as well as a true record of the inhabitants of the. Deuteroisaiah verses in the book of mormon overview of the deuteroisaiah problem in the book of mormon. The book of mormon, the founding document of the latter day saint movement and one of the four books of scripture of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church, is an account of three groups of people.

Includes every geographical place mentioned in the book of mormon. The problem with that approach is that religious faith doesnt always take well to cunninghamian. Wasnt joseph smith fooled by the fraudulent kinderhook plates. Below is the modern map of the area of smiths youth. The book of mormon quotes twentyone complete chapters of isaiah and parts of others. Mormon apologist john welch notes that pure gold would be too soft to make useful plates. Many errors are the result of the state of the art at the time of the book of mormon s publishing and all the hands that were involved. A contemporary mormon view is that these civilizations rose and fell in mesoamerica. Critics of the book of mormon claim there are places where the language is anachronistic and suggestive of a 19thcentury origin consistent with smiths upbringing and life experience, as well as the books and other literature published just preceding the time that the book of mormon was published. This organization, as did the much larger utah mormon church and many smaller divisions, developed as a direct result. Certainly, problems exist in correctly identifying the animals listed in both the jaredite and nephite records. The problem for mormons is that these same errors show up in the book of mormon.

According to lds scholar donald parry, the fact that the book of mormon uses the expression temple of solomon instead of solomons temple reflects a hebraic grammatical feature called the construct state. It seems reasonable to assume that since smith was a prophet of god and was translating the book of mormon under divine inspiration, he would have known about the errors found in the king james version and would have corrected them when passages from the king james. The book of mormon, the first broadway musical by matt stone and trey parker the creators of south park. To avoid grappling with this problem, many latterday saints resist even exploring the viewnow generally accepted by scholars in at least some formthat the book of isaiah has multiple authors and consists of texts written in both the 8th century, when the assyrians. It is either of divine or human origin, and if it is of human origin that means that joseph smith concocted the book.

Mormon missionaries continue to claim that the science of archeology substantiates the book of mormon, but whether we consider the alleged cities, persons, animals, fabrics, metals, wars and war implements, kings, palaces, or crops, all the. So when he said the book of mormon was the most correct book, he was referring to something far more important. The book of mormon and latterday scriptures help to establish the truth of the bible and restore plain and precious truths that have. All opinions, speakers and presenters represent and express their own individual opinions, and not necessarily the opinions of firm foundation, book of mormon evidence, or its employees, and no information or opinions represent the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Out of all of the challenges to the truth claims of the lds church people often get caught up in scripture and theology, not recognizing that archeology, flora and fauna are by far the most challenging issues. As a teen, determined to learn of its truthfulness.

Problems with the book of mormon catholic answers catholic. Senate confirmation hearings, the church made the connection between being considered a menace to free institutions, as it was then widely viewed, and the things the church verifiably. Mar 29, 2020 thus, there is absolutely no problem with the use of east wind in an authentically ancient book of mormon. The book of mormon and the king james bible wikipedia. The book of mormon, above all other books that i know of, is the greatest source we have for answers to reallife problems. How fitting that its title page now carries the subtitle another testament of jesus christ. The book of mormon is coming to town in a few months, and i wasnt sure if it was worth shelling out a bunch of money to see, especially since my wife doesnt like crude humor. Some critics have published small lists of plants recovered from single excavations, as if their fractional lists should pose a problem for the book of mormon. The ancient near east journal of book of mormon studies, vol. In the wilderness, brian has time to ponder the book of mormon and use it to help solve the problems in his life.

In its landmark 1907 address to the world, adopted by a unanimous vote of the membership and published at the height of the controversial reed smoot u. According to verse 40, how do the book of mormon and the other books resolve the problems caused by the removal of the plain and precious parts of the bible. Horses are mentioned in eight different book of mormon episodes that involve an ancient new world setting. The leaders of the mormon faith teach that joseph smith translated ancient golden plates to get the foundation scriptures of the faith, namely the book of mormon. The book of mormon is set in north america in the first century.

Discussion regarding the historicity of the book of mormon often focuses on archaeological issues, some of which relate to the large size and the long time span of the civilizations mentioned in the book. Solving lifes problems with the book of mormon in the wilderness, brian has time to ponder the book of mormon and use it to help solve the problems in his life. How can the book of mormon use the word book in 600 b. 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.

I offer the following comments for potential readers. It seems reasonable to assume that if smith was a prophet of god and was translating the book of mormon under divine inspiration, he would have known about the errors found in the king james version, and would have corrected them for when passages from the. They date the last third of the book of isaiah to the 6th century bc nearly 200 years after isaiahs death and after lehis family left jerusalem with the brass platesthat is the isaiah problem, as it is called, in the book of mormon. Apr 23, 2020 the problem with all theories of the book of mormons authorship that include a prolonged composition period is that there were many witnesses to at least parts of the translation process, all of whom point to a short production period. He asserts that this is clearly an inadequate and inaccurate response to a significant body of. 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. Many critics deny that the first five books of the old testament were written by moses and consider them to be childish myths. The only problem with the book of mormon is that its theme is not. 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. More complete lists do include species of grape sometimes called vitis. This occurred after his resurrection from the dead in jerusalem. There is generally no direct support amongst mainstream historians and archaeologists for the. I grew up mormon and never believed that the religion was true it all felt like brainwashing, every. Discussion of specific animals in the book of mormon.

The book of mormon and the problem of the sermon on the mount. Apr 10, 2020 the crowning event in the book of mormon is the ministry of jesus christ among the nephite people. Another major problem for the book of mormon is archeology, a major embarrassment for the mormon church. It may be simply an inherited metaphor, an allusion to old testament usage. The book of mormon claims to be an additional revelation to jesus christ. The problem with deuteroisaiah, however, is that we now have an example where joseph smith not only copied source material, but copied material that has no place in the book of mormon. A complete description of the book of mormon geography bomgeography, including an internal map model, external map model i.