Discussion with a Mormon

[Paul MT]

Hello Paul. I appreciate your willingness to discuss your beliefs openly with us. I have always been curious as to how Mormons feel about the following, but have never been able to obtain a clear explanation. Perhaps you could shed some light on how the Mormon community feels about the following statements: 

The following are 27 various animals, animal products, crops, metals and metal products mentioned in the Book of Mormon:

Animals and animal products: 

Ass,Bull,Calf,Cattle,Cow,Butter,Elephants,Milk,Flocks,Goat (The Nephites claimed to have found the domestic goat.),Herds Horse (The horse plays a major role in the Nephite and Lamanite societies.) ,Ox ,Sheep (This was a major animal in the Book of Mormon.) ,Sow, and Swine.

Crops:

Barley (Moses 7:22, 9:9, Alma 11:7, 15) 

Figs (3 Nephi 14:16) 

Grapes (2 Nephi 15:2, 4, 3 Nephi 14:16) 

Wheat (Moses 9:9, 3 Nephi 18:18) 

 

Metals and metal products: 

The following metals, metal products, or metal manufacturing are mentioned in the Book of Mormon record: Bellows,Brass,Breast Plates,Chains,Copper,Iron,Ore (mining),Plows,Silver,Swords (metal), and Steel.

 

As far as the animals and crops are concerned: 

There is no independent (non-Mormon) archeological evidence that any of these existed in the area and time frame of The Book of Mormon.

As far as the metals and metal products are concerned: 

Independent (non-Mormon) archeological evidence shows that none of these were manufactured or used in the area and time frame of 2 Nephi 5. The Smithsonian Institution's Dept. Of Anthropology declares the Americas did not have steel or horses before 1492. The Book of Mormon (600 B.C. to 421 A.D.) claims both steel (1 Nephi 4:9) and horses (Alma 18:9).  Gordon H. Fraser, anthropologist and ethnologist, agrees with the Smithsonian Institution and adds that copper (Mosiah 8:10) was unknown at that early date as referred to in the Book of Mormon.

Also:

1. No Book of Mormon cities have been located.

2. No Book of Mormon names have been found in New World inscriptions.

3. No genuine inscriptions have been found in Hebrew in America.

4. No genuine inscriptions have been found in America in Egyptian or anything similar to Egyptian, which could correspond to Joseph Smith's 'reformed Egyptian.'

5. No ancient copies of Book of Mormon scriptures have been found.

6. No ancient inscriptions of any kind in America which indicate that the ancient inhabitants had Hebrew or Christian beliefs have been found.

7. No mention of Book of Mormon persons, nations, or places have been found.

(Archaeology and the Book of Mormon by Hal Hougey, p. 12)

Thankyou very much for taking the time to read this and I am looking forward to your reply.

-Trent

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Speechless and Frisbinator, Wow that's a list. I'm afraid that your not going to get a satifactory anwser from me tonight either. I have to go back to making a living towmorrow, and can't devote the time just now to give responses to your many questions. However, I will be able to devote some time on the weekend. I'll give what you asked for some thought. Perhap I can take one question at a time. This is turning out to be very volumeus (is that a word). So I will get back to you on the Weekend

[Khristeeanos]

Hi Speechless and Frisbinator, Wow that's a list. I'm afraid that your not going to get a satifactory anwser from me tonight either. I have to go back to making a living towmorrow, and can't devote the time just now to give  responses to  your many questions. However, I will be able to devote some time on the weekend. I'll give what you asked for some thought. Perhap I can take one question at a time. This is turning out to be very volumeus (is that a word). So I will get back to you on the Weekend

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I guess this is kind of my fault, Paul. I apologize for getting so many people to ask you questions.

Maybe we should try another direction.

How about YOU start a thread and ask US what (and more importantly WHY) we believe what we believe.

It is up to you.

Oh, and I sent you a PM, did you get it?

[Guest Bro David™]

Hi Speechless and Frisbinator, Wow that's a list. I'm afraid that your not going to get a satifactory anwser from me tonight either. I have to go back to making a living towmorrow, and can't devote the time just now to give

[Khristeeanos]

That is up to you and Paul.

But he did say that he is more here to learn our beliefs than to defend his own.

[Guest Bro David™]

That is up to you and Paul. 

But he did say that he is more here to learn our beliefs than to defend his own.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Got ya.

Yeah up to him.

[Frisbinator]

Hi Speechless and Frisbinator, Wow that's a list. I'm afraid that your not going to get a satifactory anwser from me tonight either. I have to go back to making a living towmorrow, and can't devote the time just now to give  responses to  your many questions. However, I will be able to devote some time on the weekend. I'll give what you asked for some thought. Perhap I can take one question at a time. This is turning out to be very volumeus (is that a word). So I will get back to you on the Weekend

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I apologize Paul, perhaps my question was a little bit lengthy. Really, what I intended to ask you was simply this:

How do Mormons explain the complete lack of non-mormon archaelogical evidence supporting the statement that the above mentioned 27 crops/animals/metals existed when/where The Book of Mormon claimed?

The same question for my 1-7 list regarding Mormon cities/ scripture / hebrew in America/ etc....... ? How do people of your faith explain this?

Thank you very much for taking the time to respond.

-Trent

[Paul MT]

That is up to you and Paul. 

But he did say that he is more here to learn our beliefs than to defend his own.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just in for a moment, Yes. thank you, that is my main intention. I just did not want it to look like I was using this as an excuse to duck some direct questions.

[Ovedya]

Closed at the request of the original poster.