Criticism of the Book of Mormon

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Subjects of criticism of the Book of Mormon include its origins, authenticity, and historicity, which have been subject to considerable criticism from scholars and skeptics since it was first published in 1830. 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.[1][2] It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith as The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi, who said that it had been written in otherwise unknown characters referred to as "reformed Egyptian" engraved on golden plates.[3][4] Contemporary followers of the Latter Day Saint movement typically regard the text primarily as scripture, but also as a historical record of God's dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas.[5]

Mainstream scholarship concludes the Book of Mormon is not of ancient origin. The book is considered a creation by Smith and possibly one or more others, drawing on material and ideas from the contemporary 19th-century environment rather than translating an ancient record. Many scholars point to the fact that no evidence of a reformed Egyptian language has ever been discovered.[6][7][8] The content found within the book has also been questioned. Scholars have pointed out a number of anachronisms within the text, and general archaeological or genetic evidence has not supported the book's statements about the indigenous peoples of the Americas.[9][10] The text has also undergone many revisions with some significant changes, which critics argue have notably altered its meaning, and see as a rebuttal of its divine origins.[7][11][12]

Despite the many scholarly challenges to its authenticity, adherents and many Latter Day Saint scholars have repeatedly defended the book. The oldest, and most significant[citation needed], defense of Smith's account of its origins comes from the accounts eleven men in two groups, who claimed to have seen and handled the golden plates which the Book of Mormon was written on; they are known as the Three Witnesses and the Eight Witnesses.[13][14]. Eleven witnesses altogether confirm its authenticity. More contemporary adherents have also sought to rebut critical viewpoints and provide general defenses of the book. A few Latter Day Saint scholars have also proposed archaeological findings which they say give credence to the book, although mainstream scholars disagree.[15][10]

  1. ^ Gordon B. Hinckley, "Praise to the Man" Archived 2012-06-08 at the Wayback Machine, 1979-11-04.
  2. ^ Church Educational System (1996, rev. ed.). Book of Mormon Student Manual (Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), ch. 6.
  3. ^ Smith (1830, title page).
  4. ^ Mormon 9:32
  5. ^ "Introduction".
  6. ^ Tanner 1987, p. 91.
  7. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Brody was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference standard was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Duffy 2004 37 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Abanes7477 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference Krakauer was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Skousen, R. (2010). "The Book of Mormon: The earliest text" Appendix:Significant Textual Changes. New Haven: Yale University Press. page 739
  13. ^ Testimony of the Three Witnesses
  14. ^ Testimony of the Eight Witnesses
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference archaeology was invoked but never defined (see the help page).