Is there really Book of Mormon Archaeology?

[_JoetheClerk]

Just got in two Death Penalty appeals that will keep me busy and in beans&franks for the next year so won't be on much if at all.
Mormonism is a lost topic in so many ways. From molesting young girls at the behest of angels to bank swindles to a civilization of millions that disappears without a trace, it is just too hard to swallow these days. Then folk like Dallin Oaks and GordieB lying to the police in the Hoffman murders...

If you can't trust leadership, why is it called leadership?

Book of Mormon archaeology is dumber than military intelligence.

[_solomarineris]

Does anything like that have to be known to exist now in order for the Book of Mormon to be true?

Daaa...
It would help.
Who'd believe Einstein telling people speed of light was 300k per sec. if scientist didn't test it.
But of course God works in mysterious ways.
Stupid, stupid and stupid......
The sad thing is planet is full of gullible people who'd eat this stuff......

[_Gazelam]

This is an example I like to point to. It is a great example of the remnant of a true temple:

Cusco

The stone box probably was similar to this one found in Templo Mayor Etapa II in Mexico

[_bcspace]

How would the supposed lack of such evidence prove it untrue?

And why would any historical truth be required to appreciate the symbolic truths of the Book of Mormon?

For appreciation? No reason at all. However, some historicity is required for it to be true because of the type of claims it makes.

[_bcspace]

Mormonism is a lost topic in so many ways. From molesting young girls at the behest of angels to bank swindles to a civilization of millions that disappears without a trace, it is just too hard to swallow these days. Then folk like Dallin Oaks and GordieB lying to the police in the Hoffman murders...

bcspace in a shreal voice: CFR!!!

[Deep sexy baritone] CFR!! (baby)

[_Danna]

I think the first step in "Book of Mormon Archaeology" would be to find the Book of Mormon artifacts that were claimed to exist (and be in Joseph's possession) in 1829 (other than the Gold Plates and U&T)

- Laban's sword
- Ancient breastplate
- Liahona
- stone box of ancient construction

You are really on to something here. The stone box in the ground must have gotten bigger and biggger over time. I find the other contents to be very interesting, especially when Mother Smith gave such a detailed description of the breastplate of judgement (which does not actually resemble the real BoJ in any way)

At first it just held the Plates and U&T. Although Chase quotes Martin Harris:

Then, said [Martin Harris], you will see Joseph Smith, Jr. walking through the streets of Palmyra, with a Gold Bible under his arm, and having a gold breast-plate on, and a gold sword hanging by his side.

Other than that the breastplate does not appear until after the U&T get identified as such by Phelps and Cowdery in 1833/4.

I have not found mention of the sword of Laban before the Utah period, where it looks like the core story attributed to Oliver Cowdery is that OC and JSjr entered a cave in Cumorah and saw the sword of Laban and Breastplate of Aaron, and other records. BY seems to have repeated the story frequently and other versions add witnesses and treasures into the story. Interestingly, I have not seen mention of this tale dated prior to Oliver's death. (if anybody has an earlier reference, I would appreciate a link)

And till now, I have never heard of the Liahona being stashed with the plates. Where did that one come from Cinepro?

Do you think Martin Harris was referring to the sword of Laban and breastplate of Aaron? Or was he just riffing - a gold sword would be about as useful as a tinfoil hat.

[_moksha]

The stone box probably was similar to this one found in Templo Mayor Etapa II in Mexico

Great example. by the way, was this one used for burial?

[_moksha]

And why would any historical truth be required to appreciate the symbolic truths of the Book of Mormon?

For appreciation? No reason at all. However, some historicity is required for it to be true because of the type of claims it makes.

If at the end of the day, for whatever speculative reason, these claims proved untrue - the symbolic truths would still remain.

[_cinepro]

The stone box probably was similar to this one found in Templo Mayor Etapa II in Mexico

That's pretty cool. At what point does the box disappear without a trace?

[_cinepro]

And till now, I have never heard of the Liahona being stashed with the plates. Where did that one come from Cinepro?

I can't remember the original source where I read this, but Mormonwiki makes the same claim:

The Liahona passed from Lehi to his son Nephi (2 Nephi 5:12), and then from generation to generation down to Mosiah, who gave it to his son Benjamin. The Liahona continued to be passed down through the prophets until it reached Moroni, the last Nephite prophet. In the early fifth century A.D., Moroni hid the Liahona in a hill along with the Book of Mormon record. In 1823, the prophet Joseph Smith was told by revelation where to find these items.

http://www.mormonwiki.com/Liahona_Compass