According to tradition, an angel led smith to a hilltop in new york where he discovered golden plates inscribed in an ancient language. An 1830 first edition of the book of mormon is on display in a new exhibition at the smithsonian s national museum of american history photo suppliedintellectual reserve, inc. The artifacts from the early history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints are part of the religion in early america exhibit, which. His counterfeit bills can be seen today in the smithsonian museum of american history fake school teacher, accused of seducing his students. The aftermath of mountain meadows history smithsonian. Joseph smith holds the book of mormon in his left hand. Pre1830 works that possibly influenced the book of mormon a list of books available in joseph smiths time written about topics present in the book of mormon. Book of mormonarchaeologysmithsonian statement fairmormon. The museums collection is unique, inspiring, faith promoting, historical and uplifting. Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the book. The mormons and the mounds by jonathan neville mha presentation june 2017 st. Jun 26, 2017 several artifacts from the restoration period of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints will be displayed at the smithsonian national museum of american history in the religion in early america exhibit, according to a video from mormon newsroom. Joseph the prophet addressing the lamanites national museum of.
Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon. Your recent inquiry concerning the book of mormon has been. This statement includes answers to questions most commonly asked about the book of mormon. Mormon artifacts on display at the smithsonian religion. Because the smithsonian institution receives many inquiries regarding the book of mormon, we have prepared a statement regarding the book of mormon.
The aftermath of mountain meadows the massacre almost brought the united states to war against the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, but. An 1830 first edition of the book of mormon, including a page from the treasured original manuscript, rare coins and currency from the thenfledgling lds church are on display at the smithsonian. National museum of american history examines religion in. This statement includes answers to questions most commonly asked about the.
Mormon churchs history museum closing for a year the. Smithsonian visitors view an original manuscript of the book of mormon, an 1830 first edition of the book of mormon, a couple of rare mormon gold. The smithsonian considers the book of mormon a religious document and not a scientific guide. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. Book of mormon,smithsonian institution,anthropology,lds,mormon. The smithsonian institution has never used it book of mormon in any archaeological research, and any information that you have received to the contrary is incorrect.
First publication of the smithsonian book of mormon evidence. Wilson at the institute for religious research in a correspondence dated september 28, 1997. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide. The smithsonian institution does not use it in archeological research. Mormon scholars speculated that this was because the earlier version of the letter contradicts some aspects of research published by smithsonian staff members. The smithsonian website says, the objects will represent the diverse range of christian, native american and african traditions as well as mormonism, islam and judaism that wove through american life in this era. Visitors to the museum will be able to see an original manuscript of the book of mormon, an 1830 first edition of the book of mormon, a couple. The smithsonian institution has never used the book of in any way as a scientific guide. The role of religion in the formation and development of the united states is at the heart of a new multiyear initiative launching at the smithsonians national museum of american history nov. Visitors to the museum will be able to see an original manuscript of the book of mormon, an 1830 first edition of the book of mormon, a couple of rare mormon gold coins and two kirtland safety. These rumors were brought to the attention of smithsonian directors who, by 1982, sent a form letter to inquiring parties stating that the smithsonian did not use the book of mormon to guide any research, and included a list of specific reasons smithsonian archaeologists considered the book of mormon historically unlikely. 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, a copy of which is enclosed for your information. National museum of american history 14th street and constitution avenue, nw washington, dc. Visitors can also see an 1830 edition of the book of mormon, as well as historical actors, films, and demonstrations. Wyoming iron sword 100 bc to 200 ad smithsonian museum dated. In 1998, the smithsonian revised the form letter and stated that book of mormon had not been used by the smithsonian in any form of archaeological research. There may be some experts on north american indians, but without a firm grounding in the specific lands covered by the book of mormon, namely. The objects represent the diverse range of christian, native american, and african traditions as well as mormonism, islam, and judaism. Anonymous, smithsonian statement on the book of mormon revisited, journal of book of mormon studies 71 1998. Visitors to the museum will be able to see an original manuscript of the book of mormon, an 1830 first edition of the book of mormon, a couple of rare mormon gold coins and two kirtland safety society notes from 1837. Smithsonian institution statement on the book of mormon mormons. Information from the national museum of natural history. Smithsonian disavows use of book of mormon for archaeological guide and sees no connection between new world and book of mormon. A speculative scientific journey among the exoplanets in search of intelligent aliens, ice creatures, and supergravity animals. Our second unexpected encounter with mormonism was at the smithsonian museum of american history.
Smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon posted on 03192009 1. Treasured mormon manuscript, other lds artifacts now can be. The mormons and the mounds by jonathan neville mormon history association presentation june 2017 st. Jun 23, 2017 visitors to the museum will be able to see an original manuscript of the book of mormon, an 1830 first edition of the book of mormon, a couple of rare mormon gold coins and two kirtland safety. Just steps to the left of a bronze cast of abraham lincolns actual face, taken from his plaster death mask, prominently stands a sunstone from the original nauvoo temple. Joseph smith 18051844 founded the church of jesus christ of latterday saints in 1830 after publishing a new scripture he called the book of mormon. One hallmark of the american experience captured in the museums collections is the nations broad diversity of religious faiths. Lds the renovated facility will tell the faiths story through immersive exhibits. 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. Late in 1998 the foundation for ancient research and mormon studies farms an lds research group operating under the umbrella of the lds church included a sidebar in their journal of book of mormon studies titled smithsonian statement on the book of mormon revised volume 7, number 1, 1998, p. Essentially, the claim is that the smithsonian institute andor the national geographical society use the book of mormon in its historical research of latin america.
Mormon heritage is only one aspect of the religion exhibit. The book of mormon is a r eligious document and not a scientific guide. The museum also contains the printing press that produced the first edition of the book of mormon in 1830 and a chair that carpenter brigham young built before joining the lds church in 1832. I should have remembered that this was in the smithsonian, but i didnt. Starlings response is undated, but content elsewhere in his letter indicates that it was written. The smithsonian staff does not appear to have a single specialist in mesoamerica john l. Response to the smithsonian institute statement on the. Hugh talman, smithsonians national museum of american history. Smithsonian and the book of mormon mormonism research ministry. Mormon artifacts on display at the smithsonian church newsroom.
Smithsonian disavows use of book of mormon for archaeological guide and sees no connection between new world and. The museum is open tuesday to friday from 2 to 6 p. The sword was sent to the smithsonian museum and they put a date upon it between 100bc and 200 ad, hopewell. Original book of mormon manuscript, kirtland safety society notes. Smithsonian statement book of mormon archaeological forum.
Smithsonian archeologists see no direct connection between the archeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. The lds artifacts featured include an 1830 book of mormon, two. 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 museums continue to be closed to support the effort to contain the spread of. The book of mormon is a religious document and not a scientific guide.
Artifacts from the early history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints are on display in a new oneyear exhibition at the smithsonian in washington, d. Smithsonian statement on book of mormon noncatholic. In addition to mormon history, the museum offers an extensive art collection, plus special exhibits dealing with a variety of religious topics. One hallmark of the american experience captured in the museum s collections is the nations broad diversity of religious faiths. Ganteaume is cocurator of the exhibition americans, on view at the museum on the national mall, and.
Your recent inquiry concerning the book of mormon has been received in the smithsonians department of anthropology. Smithsonian institute statement on the book of mormon. Prepared by the department of anthropology statement regarding the book of mormon the smithsonian institution has never used the book of mormon in any way as a scientific guide. Your recent inquiry concerning the smithsonian institutions alleged use of the book of mormon as a scientific guide has been received in the smithsonian s department of anthropology. Original book of mormon manuscript, kirtland safety society notes on display at smithsonian.
Exhibit curator peter manseau said in the video that the religious communities. 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. Abstract mormonism sprang from the mounds, wrote roger kennedy, former director of the smithsonian national museum of american history. Your recent inquiry concerning the book of mormon has been received in the smithsonian s department of anthropology. These reproductions have been enlarged 120% from the original size for greater detail. An 1830 first edition of the book of mormon is on display in a new exhibition at the smithsonians national museum of american history photo suppliedintellectual reserve, inc. The smithsonian archaeologists see no direct connection between archeology of the new world and the subject matter of the book. Smithsonian to feature early mormon artifacts in new. Mormon artifacts from the early history of the church of jesus christ of.
Lds apologist john sorensons response to the smithsonian. Creating the national museum of african american history and culture in the age of bush, obama, and trump. This spiral bound over sized book contains a complete set of 48 of the plates from the book, ancient monuments of the mississippi valley by the smithsonian s e. National museum of natural history smithsonian institution washington, d. Artifacts range from thomas jeffersons bible to a huge sunstone sculpture carved for a mormon temple in illinois in 1844 to a household shrine from the home of a pueblo indian in the 1990s. Jan 18, 2018 how a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. Thank you for your interest in mormon history south of the border. Smithsonian and the book of mormon mormonism research. The plates flank a 32 foot high art glass panel from germany representing the bodmer papyri with psalms 19 etched in greek. Information from the national museum of natural history smithsonian institution, washington, d.
The religion in early america exhibit, part of four new the nation we build together exhibitions and interactive experiences, opens to the public on june 28, 2017, in the national museum of american. The smithsonian and the book of mormon national museum of natural history smithsonian institution washington d. Smithsonian to feature early mormon artifacts in new exhibit. Exploring the book of mormon in americas heartland, a visual journey of discovery by rod l. Sorenson, a new evaluation of the smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon, p. The printers manuscript is the earliest surviving copy of about 72 percent of the book of mormon text. Even before the book of mormon was published, mormonism was linked to the moundbuilder civilizations of north. This letter from the smithsonian s department of anthropology is in response to your inquiry regarding the book of mormon. The smithsonian institution sends a form letter to those who inquire about their use of the book of mormon for archaeological purposes. Information from the smithsonian institution washington, d. Mormon artifacts on display at the smithsonian meridian. Mormon artifacts on display at the smithsonian faith. This letter from the smithsonians department of anthropology is in response to your inquiry regarding the book of mormon.
Smithsonian institution statement regarding the book of mormon. It preserves the most extensive collection of latino mormon artifacts. In 2020, the church history museum and many of the other buildings on temple square were closed in response to the coronavirus pandemic. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Starlings response is undated, but content elsewhere in his letter. Mormon artifacts on display at the smithsonian youtube. At the national museum of american history, a number of precious mormon. One of the motb treasures is a bodmer papyri fragment containing the 19th psalm. Thomas stuart ferguson lay in his hammock, certain that he had found. National museum of natural history smithsonian institution washington d. Smithsonian visitors view an original manuscript of the book of mormon, an 1830 first edition of the book of mormon, a couple of rare mormon gold coins and two kirtland safety society notes from 1837. The smithsonian institute uses the book of mormon in its research false this myth is old some claim over a hundred years old and is well documented all over the internet.
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