Steel and the book of mormon you

The practical use of metals seems to have been limited to small groups of people and perhaps to certain time periods. If the book of mormon were true, either the hill in new york or the hill in mexico should be one enormous pile of rusted iron from the swords and other steel objects. Well, the book of mormon is a migration story, similar to the idea of the book of exodus in the old testament, except there are three migrations involved in this. Roberts was struggling and searching for ways to justify the inconsistencies found in the book of mormon. Long after the book of mormon was published, they found that various combinations of iron and steel existed near jerusalem as early as 600 b. And i think we can certainly agree that nephis steel bow must be understood in the same light as the kjv bow of steel that appears in three passages of the old testament. Before archaeologists discovered the long steel sword in jericho, the description of the sword of laban in the book of mormon may have seemed too fantastic to be true. Sjodahl addressed this issue in his publication, an introduction to the study of the book of mormon p. A previous report characterized a metal blade discovered at the site of biblical ekron in israel as a steel short sword dating from the late seventh century bc, shortly before lehi left jerusalem, thus corroborating the muchcriticized account of labans steel sword in the book of mormon.

Aug 07, 2005 and steel in the book of mormon is, in fact, described as a rare and precious metal. The people of the book of mormon had herds of animals that could be described as sheep. Evidence supporting the steel sword of laban in the book of. Jan 23, 2016 long after the book of mormon was published, they found that various combinations of iron and steel existed near jerusalem as early as 600 b. Im a licensed southern baptist minister and i embrace the book of mormon. Now if youre a mormon and believe in the validity of the book of mormon then youve got a problem according to the website mentioned above.

The translation of them which you have seen is correct, and i command you to bear record of what you now see and hear. The official youtube channel of the book of mormon musical. Dec 31, 20 steel was likely an uncommon metal in nephis worldwhich is probably why nephi referred to labans sword as most precious steelbut archaeology shows that it was not the unknown. How could laban have possessed a sword of most precious. If the book of mormon were true, either the hill in new york or the hill in mexico should be one enormous pile of rusted iron from the swords and other steel objects and phosphate from the bones of all the people slain. I explain in my story that metallurgy in the book of mormon was one of the reasons i no longer believe the book of mormon to be a story of real people. The overall question of the use of metals by book of mormon cultures is an important topic that deserves detailed attention see john sorenson, an ancient american setting for the book of mormon 1985, 27788. Metals, weapons, and the book of mormon mormon answers. Jan 22, 2018 before archaeologists discovered the long steel sword in jericho, the description of the sword of laban in the book of mormon may have seemed too fantastic to be true. According to the book of nephi, which is the first book in the book of mormon, both nephi and laban had items that were made from steel. Lets say that joseph smith wrote the book of mormon. The story of how it came about is rather fantastic, after all, and the simplest explanation is that the book was a deliberate deception. Antimormon writers who condemn the book of mormon for its mention of steel rarely point out that the bible mentions steel in equally ancient times the same is true of brass. Steel was likely an uncommon metal in nephis worldwhich is probably why nephi referred to labans sword as most precious steelbut archaeology shows that it was not the unknown.

One of his purposes was to show the current strong evidence for the history of metallurgy and metal artifacts in ancient america, including late classic mayan gold plates with hieroglyphic writing. Archaeological and historical evidence steel utilized as. Iron use was documented in the statements of early spaniards, who told of the aztecs using ironstudded clubs. The ancient america foundation aaf is pleased to present aaf notes. Three incidences of steel in the new world are mentioned in the book of mormon, one early amongst the jaredites after their arrival around 2400 bc, one immediately after the lehi partys arrival in the new world discussing nephis knowledge of steel at approximately 580 bc, and one of occurrence amongst the nephites around 400 bc. Over the years, critics have stated that the use of the word steel in the book of mormon demonstrates that it is a fraud. Book of mormon another testament of jesus christ clay mini. This feature article is brought to you for free and open access by the all journals at byu scholarsarchive. Laban had a steel sword long before steel came into use.

Steel is only mentioned at the very beginning of the book. Just because steel didnt exist in that time and setting, doesnt disprove the existence of steel swords in the book of mormon. Peruvian setting for the book of mormon mormon matters. Lots of answers here with an incredible amount of evidence.

This paper also discusses writings on metal plates and the possible composition of the book of mormon plates. In october 2010, daniel johnson, principal author of an lds guide to mesoamerica, gave this presentation at the book of mormon archaeological forums annual conference. Archaeological evidence for 7 locations on lehis journey. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. For my part, yours is the weaker argument, but like radio free mormon, i think other content in the book of mormon, especially the quoted kjv, is the biggest problem to the historicity of the book of mormon. The nephites mined gold and also worked copper and silver. Steel is mentioned only five times in the book of mormon, once in the book of ether 7. Revell phillips follow this and additional works at. Metals, weapons, and the book of mormon lightplanet. Examples of steel being mentioned in the old testament include 2 sam. The nephites made swords of steel, a derivative of iron. How could laban have possessed a sword of most precious steel. Apr 10, 2018 book of mormon evidence vs book of mormon central search isaiah may 24, 2018 at 6. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon.

Of these, two refer to near eastern weapons of the early sixth century b. One commentator explained the use of steel in the book of mormon. They come to a place that they call bountiful, because of its much fruit and also wild honey. 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. But this is an article called criticism of the book of mormon. The book of mormon also mentions the nephites becoming exceedingly rich in steel production over 200 years after nephis arrival. We build enduring faith in jesus christ by making the book of mormon accessible, comprehensible, and defensible to the entire world. The widespread use of iron and steel for utilitarian and military purposes claimed by critics is not attested by the book of mormon. It seems after reading these posts that the only possible answer is that the book of mormon happened just like joseph and others claim. On nephis steel bow by common consent, a mormon blog. Nephi, a book of mormon prophet, and his people begin to grow crops and raise herds of animals. Ask any lds apologist that is worth their mettle pun intended. If you believe that horses were in the americas before the time of the.

An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi, who claimed that it had been. Book of mormon steel in an introduction to the book of. Dec 10, 2017 just because steel didnt exist in that time and setting, doesnt disprove the existence of steel swords in the book of mormon. If you read the book you can clearly see that this is not the case. Trendy, lightweight, timeless its perfect for the bookish believer in your life. One passage says that the book of mormon shall establish the truth of the bible and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the lamb of god is the son of the eternal father, and the savior of the world.

But since this article is about the various lines of criticism, then the language is the subject of. Swords, spears, armor plates, and other tools do not need to be made of metal to be effective. By the end of the study it is clear that he no longer has a testimony of the book of mormon. There are five explicit references to metal weapons and. Sjodahl note that weapons of steel were even found in ancient tombs in egypt. Every commentator on the book of mormon has pointed out the many cultural and historical anachronisms, such as the steel sword of laban in 600 b. The book of mormon says that a jaredite rebel forged steel weapons from ore in a nearby hill and armed an entire army with it. Here is an article about a portion of the book of mormon metallurgy. Iron and steel in the book of mormon jump to subtopic. Since there has been a lot of criticism by some antimormons about the steel using nephites, it might be useful to see what the book of mormon actually says about iron and steel.

The book of mormon backstage tour with andrew rannells and glee sweepstakes winner duration. I think its a valuable article that helps us better understand the richness and complexity of the text, and the danger of making simple 21st century assumptions about an ancient text. There are two major fallacies in discussions on this topic. It successfully rebuts the notion that steel is an anachronism in the book of mormon. Joseph smith said that the book of mormon was originally an ancient nativeamerican record written on golden plates, and that god gave him the power to translate it into english.

Jan 18, 2018 to persuade and convert outsidersa priority for mormonshe sought objects mentioned in the book of mormon that archaeologists hadnt found in mesoamerica. The book of mormon mentions a steel sword owned by a military leader named laban in jerusalem near 600 b. The baptist version of the book of mormon by lynn ridenhour. To persuade and convert outsidersa priority for mormonshe sought objects mentioned in the book of mormon that archaeologists hadnt found in mesoamerica. Metals, weapons, and the book of mormon mormon answersldsfaq. Since there has been a lot of criticism by some antimormons about the steelusing nephites, it might. When i first encountered the book of mormon, i assumed it was a hoax. Jan 31, 2020 this broader meaning of steel is also shared with other european languages. Frank zindler has a distinguished academic career as a former biology and geology professor, science writer, linguist and bibleera historian. Both the bible and the book of mormon mention steel in relation to ancient jerusalem. But since this article is about the various lines of criticism, then the language is the subject of criticism relating to its origin, text, and historical. The book was not published for 60 years and finally released in 1985.

No, im not a convert to the mormon faith, nor am i a member of any particular spin. First is the problem of the hermeneutics of hyperskepticism. This easy on easy off surgical steel expandable wire bangle boasts securely fastened matching charms along with a removable book of mormon clay mini book. If this were the main or only article about the book of mormon itself, then a more neutral tone would be appropriate.

And then it came to pass that nephi broke his steel bow. Evidence of the ancient origin of the book of mormon duration. The book of mormon record records that there where steel swords in the eastern hemisphere in the year 600 b. With a single anachronism or a few on steel, i suppose the argument of a prophetic mistake is available. Anti mormon writers who condemn the book of mormon for its mention of steel rarely point out that the bible mentions steel in equally ancient times the same is true of brass. Dec 03, 2009 here is what my copy of the book of mormon states. The book of mormon the musical might entertain you for a night, but the book of mormon,the book as scripturewill change your life through jesus. This broader meaning of steel is also shared with other european languages. Book of mormon artifacts and metallurgy life after ministry. Labans sword had a hilt of pure gold, a blade of the most precious steel, and exhibited exceedingly fine workmanship 1.

Antimormons have often mocked the book of mormon with taunts like, how do you hide a steel mill. There is no reference to steel as a major industrial raw material among the nephites. Evidence supporting the steel sword of laban in the book. Jeff lindsay said the book of ether actually has early jaredites smelting steel from a hill to make swords this was probably meteoric iron, often alloyed with nickel and other metals in a way that it can properly be called steel, and such iron was used. The nephites live after the manner of happiness 2 nephi. Among the critics list of supposed book of mormon anachronisms are various metals and metallurgy the process of altering ores into useful metals. Since there has been a lot of criticism by some antimormons about the steelusing nephites, it might be useful to see what the book of mormon actually says about iron and steel. If you believe that horses were in the americas before the time of the conquistadors then you have to believe in evolution. Of course steel didnt exist at the time, wouldnt work well for a bow anyway, and would be hard to break. Scholars reject smiths explanation of the origin of the book of mormon.

Journal of book of mormon studies volume 9number 2 article 6 7312000 metals of the book of mormon w. Metal weapons and tools book of mormon archaeological forum. George lucas must have been aware of the socalled steel sword anachronisms in the book of mormon, and then created the socalled. While there is still much to learn about the people and stories in the book of mormon, some of the best archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon comes from lehis journey to the promised land. Recently, a commenter recommended that article, steel in the book of mormon by william hamblin as a good source of information about this favorite area for critics to poke at.