Thomas Brookbanks Masterful Analysis of Hebrew Idioms in the Book of Mormon (PART 1 of 2) A Masterful and complete analysis of the incredible Hebrewishness of the Book of Mormon, demonstrating once again, the ancientness of the Book of Mormon rather than being a 19th century production.
Brookbank's Analysis of Hebrew Idioms in the Book of Mormon (PART 2 of 2)
Hebrew Idioms in the Book of Mormon Sidney B. Sperry's masterful analysis of Hebrew elements in the Book of Mormon thus supporting its ancient authenticity.
Amazing Book of Mormon Jan Sjodahl's analysis of the Gold Plates, their size, weight, etc., the Urim and Thummim and their use in translating the plates, and some ideas on "Reformed Egyptian." An interesting compilation of notes on the Book of Mormon, which answers many criticisms still raised today by critics against the Book of Mormon
Manuscript Found: The Solomon Spaulding manuscript discussion, the players, the issues, and comparisons between Spaulding Manuscript and the Book of Mormon. Joseph F. Smith's excellent analysis and experience in finding the Spaulding manuscript and what it means for the Book of Mormon. Critics who constantly bring this up as a source are simply uninformed.
Slaying of Laban in the Book of Mormon Discusses the legal aspects as well as historicity of this episode and provides answers to Br. Clif's website which has questions about the Book of Mormon
Shiz, the Headless George Reynolds, noted Early Mormon scholar, examines the Book of Mormon account of Shiz having his head smote off, and shows the account entirely plausible and realistic.
Authorship of Book of Mormon realistically Pointing to Joseph Smith? John A. Widtsoe examines the evidence that Joseph Smith did not write the Book of Mormon.
Neglected Evidence: A Letter to the Editor of the Magazine, The Ancient American, June 1, 1994 I wrote this in response to some comments made back in 1994. The editor never responded nor printed this, but I thought it brought up many good points concerning the serious desire for Mormon scholars to put documents needed for study into the public's hands, beginning with Joseph Smith himself. The second issue I raised and discussed was concerning many of the supposed problems that B.H. Roberts found concerning the Book of Mormon. Those problems have been addressed, but critics make it seem like they are still problems, so I rather extensively deal with some of them here. ***DOZENS & DOZENS of links to various geographical, archaeological, historical and Mesoamerican issues & the Book of Mormon linked here at end of article***
Why are Greek Names such as Lachoneus, Timothy, etc. in the Book of Mormon when they shouldn't be? This question, often asked, has recently received new light from archaeological and historical discoveries that critics are ignoring.
Are the Anti-Mormon Tanners *THIS* Desperate? Hold onto your hats, this'll bowl you over! John Tvedtnes updates us on the comical antics of anti's in their desperate attempts at showing that ***ANYTHING*** but Joseph Smith's description of the translation process of the Book of Mormon will do, in fact, their assumption seems to be the dumber the theory and test, the more likely they are onto something. Absolutely side splitting funny!!! Cartoon by Kerry A. Shirts
Ezekiel 37 "Sticks" as Books, Concerning the Book of Mormon Discusses the historical and archaeological background and more full ancient world view of what Ezekiel had in mind when he discussed sticks.
The Astonishing Internal Consistency of the Book of Mormon Analyzes the Book of Mormon in serious detail and depth on how it is internally consistent with itself. Many evidences which are overlooked by Mormons and critics alike. See also Russ Anderson's summation and analysis of various ancient Hebrew forms in the Book of Mormon, Click Here.
Sharon's Anti-Mormon "Reformed Egyptian" Article Discussed Sharon simply sidesteps the issue of "Reformed Egyptian" as well as the Book of Mormon in the Arabian Penninsula.
Why Can't We Just Prove the Book of Mormon True and Get it Over With Already? Discusses the serious relevance of plausibility with scholarly approaches to ancient texts and scripture. Russell Anderson also has some interesting thoughts on the notion of "proof" giving an excellent example from mathematics, and what really decides proof in religious matters. Click here. Hugh Nibley's analysis of the ancient Year Rites, and Great Assemblies of ancient Nations being in the Book of Mormon is simply astonishing demonstrating a high probability and serious plausible historical correlation with the Book of Mormon being an ancient text, click here. Kitsonk also has many other Book of Mormon evidences that are interesting to see, taken from a variety of Hugh Nibley's sources click here
Mesoamerican Archaeology, Metallurgy and the Book of Mormon discusses the real Book of Mormon information on metallurgy as opposed to the critics' view of what the Book of Mormon is supposedly saying. Also see J. Huston McCullouch's page on the Bat Creek Stone being authentic ancient Hebrew writing in ancient America, click here.
Jewish Synagogues in History, Archaeology, and the Book of Mormon New analysis of information which critics are ignoring explaining in a rather rational way the Jewish Synagogues in the Book of Mormon
Is The Earthquake in 3rd Nephi Realistic?
Truman G. Madsen's "Are Christians Mormon?"
H. Curtis Wright's Astonishing demonstration of Archaeological patterns confirming the Book of Mormon Practice of Writing religious writings on Metal Plates Anciently.
John Sorenson's analysis of some bogus LDS claims via archaeology and the Book of Mormon.
Let There Be Light(s), "Perfect" "Lights" - Illuminating the Urim & Thummim - Discussing the Urim & Thummim from ancient times, their meanings and uses.
Does the Book of Mormon Merely Plagiarize the Bible? This response is by Hugh Nibley, to a letter to the editor was printed in the Church News section of the Deseret News (29 July 1961): 10, 15. It was reprinted in Saints' Herald 108 (9 October 1961): 968-69, 975. It is a masterful analysis worthy of all critics' attention.
Messianism in the Pseudepigrapha and Book of Mormon James H. Charlesworth of Duke University, analyzes the concepts associated with the Messiah from the ancient Jewish viewpoint, in two literatures. The Pseudepigrapha, and the Book of Mormon. Charelsworth's article was printed in Truman G. Madsen, ed., Reflections on Mormonism: Judeo-Christian Parallels. The BYU Religious Studies Center Symposium held in 1984.
External Evidences For the Scriptures - A Panel Discussion This panel discussion was with Paul R. Cheesman, Noel B. Reynolds, Arthur Wallace, and John Sorenson. The relationship with internal and external evidences for the scriptures was discussed, with emphasis on the Book of Mormon.
Wordprints and Book of Mormon Multi-Authorship - New Materials & Evidence This research and rebuttal by Russell C. McGregor is an answer to the Tanner's newest attempt at refuting the Book of Mormon using Larson and Rencher's "Wordprint" Studies from the 1980's. Russell's fine refutation is a reminder to us all that things are not set in concrete yet. I add a follow-up with the latest 1997 information on this fascinating subject.
The Smithsonian Statement Analyzed in Light of Updated Knowledge of Archaeology Time to update folks. Another outstanding and must see source discussing the 1996 Smithsonian Statement is the phenomenal research of Jeff Lindsay. Click here.
View of the Hebrews/Solomon Spaulding - Claimed Sources For the Book of Mormon This article analyzes the View of Hebrews and Solomon Spaulding theories of the origin of the Book of Mormon. See also "Book of Mormon Studies"
Have You Witnessed To Jim Spencer Lately? This analysis is a serious attempt at calling critics to their claims. Jim Spencer is not an "exhaustive researcher." This review deals with Spencer's claims to objectivity while Mormons are subjective, as well as his argument against Joseph Smith, the Mormon view of the Bible, the Christian view of Textual Criticism, False Prophecies, Moonmen, Monotheism and Polytheism, Cults, The Journal of Discourses, etc. This is a good overview of most anti-Mormon critics who claim Mormon's views of the scriptures are all wrong.
Ideas in the Dead Sea Scrolls & Book of Mormon concerning the idea of revelation to God's Prophets, A Pre-Christian Church, and other doctrines.
Parallels With the Dead Sea Scrolls & the Book of Mormon - Authentic Ancient Historic Scriptures Shows many dozens of similarities between the wandering communities of Qumran, and the Book of Mormon peoples. Suggests an ancient origin for the Book of Mormon rather than a 19th century origin.
Arguments Against Book of Mormon Archaeology Discussed - From Daniel C. Peterson's review of Peter Bartley My ideas combined with Daniel C. Peterson's review which discusses the Hebrew Language, why isn't it in America today or why was it never found in Mesoamerica? Cities in Mesoamerica and the Book of Mormon, and warfare in the Book of Mormon and the Used to be "Peaceful" Maya, now known to be the most warrior of any ancient Mesoamericans. Book of Mormon correlations.
Tel Arad, an Archaeological Discovery for the Bible and Book of Mormon Here scholars have found Hebrew language written in Egyptian characters, demonstrating historically as early as 600 B.C. that some groups of Jews were bilingual, with both Hebrew and Egyptian, which is reflected in the Book of Mormon prophet, Nephi saying he was taught in the learning of the Jews, in the language of the Egyptians.
B.H. Roberts & the Book of Mormon Updated information on the issue of Roberts losing faith in the Book of Mormon.
Archaeology and Geography in Arabia and Book of Mormon Lynn and Hope Hilton's epic journey through the Arabian Wilderness in the late 1980's is here summarized into 34 succinct points in favor of the BofM. And right on par, the critics have failed miserably to consider the 34 points taken as a whole demonstrating the BofM is remarkably accurate in even the minutest details. Also see Jeff Lindsay's excellent analysis here.
Gold Plates Used to Keep Religious Writings on in Ancient Times Analyzes C. Wilfred Griggs discussion on the Greek Orphic Gold Plates with Religious writings on them, including the Tree of Life Ideology. More excellent information on metals in the Book of Mormon is Jeff Lindsay's excellent research, click here.
To Bee or Not to Bee, the Deseret Question of the Book of Mormon This article discusses the ancient Historical aspects as well as theological ramifications of "Deseret", the honeybee, and how it is interwoven in both the Book of Mormon and Pearl of Great Price.
Shakespeare O Dear! Book of Mormon Still -a- Stormin Shows how various LDS scholars have demonstrated this claim is one of the very weakest critics can use.
Seeing Spots? Not Mongolian Spots in the Book of Mormon A fairly detailed discussion concerning the supposed problem of the Mongolian Spot and the Book of Mormon
Philology and the Name Nephi - Genuine 600 B.C. Middle Eastern Name Critics contend Joseph Smith stole the name Nephi from the apocrypha. They might have a stronger point if Joseph Smith had had a Bible while he translated the Book of Mormon. New evidence shows Joseph Smith did not have a Bible during the translation process. And now new evidence has been found that demonstrates rather powerfully that Nephi is a genuinely ancient Middle Eastern name in history!
The Lehi Cave & The Book of Mormon Discusses the non-Mormon scholars ideas of the Lehi Cave found outside of Jerusalem. The Book of Mormon patterns are clearly present as is the correct time frame for this interesting bit of archaeology.
Bar Kochba Discovery Sheds Light on Book of Mormon Authenticity Discussing various aspects of the BofM military strategies, the famous name of Alma as a male Jewish name as the BofM depicts, etc.
The Lachish Letters: Archaeological Bullseye For the Book of Mormon Archaeological evidence exists that shed light on the Book of Mormon history. The Lachish Letters are the finest example I am aware of. These have everything in faovr of the first 40 pages of the Book of Mormon right down to the serious historic possibility of discovering who the BofM people, the Mulekites were.
Scimeters in the Book of Mormon - a Nifty Touch! Summarizing Paul Y. Hoskisson's analysis of Scimeters in the Book of Mormon - not an anachronism as once thought.
Did Joseph Smith just Plagiarize the Bible to Come up With the Book of Mormon? Shows evidence that Joseph Smith *did not* have a Bible with him while translating the BofM.
Is Praying About the Book of Mormon of the Devil? Looking into the Early Christians attitudes of prayer is useful to see how Christians are *supposed* to believe and feel about prayer. We are told that to pray about the Book of Mormon is insidious and evil. This is a ridiculous stance.
Notes Concerning Mesoamerican Archaeology and the Difficulties Involved Critics have asked where is all the evidence for the Book of Mormon in Mesoamerica? Perhaps they need to understand the more complex situation that actually exists.
Ancient Jewish Festivals in the Book of Mormon - Some notes Critics such as the Tanners, argue that if the Book of Mormon were really an ancient book of Jewish religious history, it ought to have the Jewish festivals in it. They argue it doesn't. This argument I believe is based on a shallow understanding of the nature of the Book of Mormon, as these notes show. Jewish Festivals *are* in the Book of Mormon, the question is how?
Is FARMS Simply Self-Referential? That is, do they just quote themselves and pat themselves on the back and ignore non-Mormon scholarly works? Critics claim this rather than really researching into FARMS materials. So, we have to do their homework for them, with the result that each and every time we do, things end up stronger for Mormonism. The evidence is here, but it is doubted that critics will be honest enough to admit it and quit name-calling and falsely accusing Mormon researchers. Oh well.