Steel book of mormon

The next reference to steel in the book of mormon is in reference to nephis bow. Similar steel articles mentioned in the king james version of the bible kjv are actually hardened copper. Steel is only mentioned at the very beginning of the book. There is no evidence of these metals being used during the time period of the book of mormon. Studies of the book of mormon is a collection of essays written at the beginning of the 20th century though not published until 1985 by b.

A steel sword in jerusalem in nephis day may indeed have been rare, but known, and thus it is entirely plausible for the book of mormon to mention a sword of a significant and wealthy military leader that was made of the most precious steel 1 nephi 4. Byu religious scholar analyzes book of mormon swords at. Archaeological and historical evidence steel utilized as. Evidence supporting the steel sword of laban in the book of. However, i think this minor bit of trivia will prove to be one of the book of mormons more fascinating evidences. Sjodahl addressed this issue in his publication, an introduction to the study of the book of mormon p. Jan 31, 2020 this broader meaning of steel is also shared with other european languages. 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. Such ancient swords were unknown at the time the book of mormon was published. Nephi simply says that he broke his bow and they couldnt hunt food and were starving. Book of mormon steel in an introduction to the book of.

It is wholly absent from precolumbian north america, appeared in mesoamerica after the book of. It is ironic that those who level this criticism at the book of mormon fail to take the king james version of the bible to task for its use of the term steel 2 samuel 22. And with regard to my optimism, what feels a lot like mockery, ranking the likelihood of discovering a car in ancient america as having nearly the same likelihood as the. On nephis steel bow by common consent, a mormon blog. Metal weapons and tools book of mormon archaeological forum. 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.

However, no evidence for such advanced metallurgy has yet been discovered in the americas during book of mormon times. Downloads male voice mp3 female voice mp3 entire book pdf footnotes. Metals, weapons, and the book of mormon mormon answersldsfaq. Steel in the book of mormon is a common target for critics. 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. Among the critics list of supposed book of mormon anachronisms are various metals and metallurgy the process of altering ores into useful metals. This wellwritten book is relevant to every member of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Of course steel didnt exist at the time, wouldnt work well for a bow anyway, and would be hard to break. William whalen, the latterday saints in the modern world 1964, 48. A steel sword in jerusalem in nephis day may indeed have been rare, but known, and thus it is entirely plausible for the book. William hamblins comments in an article on steel in the book of mormon, reprinted in this 2005 meridian magazine article.

The book of mormon mentions iron and steel very early on and maintains that these were used for buildings, tools and weapons. The widespread use of iron and steel for utilitarian and military purposes claimed by critics is not attested by the book of mormon. Labans sword had a hilt of pure gold, a blade of the most precious steel, and exhibited exceedingly fine workmanship 1 nephi 4. 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. 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. 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. Steel is an alloy that was not known to the ancients.

An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of. The problem becomes more serious for the book of mormon, however, since it also uses the term in attributing the knowledge of steel making to the jaredites ether 7. Another group came much earlier, when god confounded the tongues at the tower of babel. Steel is mentioned only five times in the book of mormon, once in the book of ether 7. The book of mormon record records that there where steel swords in the eastern hemisphere in the year 600 b. The book of mormon has entire armies armed with steel nearly a thousand years before nephi. The ancient america foundation aaf is pleased to present aaf notes. Apologists counter that the word steel may be referring to another alloy of hardened metal such. 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. Since there has been a lot of criticism by some antimormons. It was such a huge undertaking in my mind that quite frankly, it scared me. The first mention is the sword of laban, with its blade of precious steel. Thus, the ancient book, the odyssey, apparently refers to steel manufacturing that was known in the mediterranean region well before the time of lehi.

It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. Both the bible and the book of mormon mention steel in relation to ancient jerusalem. Book of mormon artifacts and metallurgy life after ministry. What took days and weeks to research, can now be done in minutes. Supporters of the book of mormon claim it uses chiasmusa figure of speech utilizing inverted parallelismand claim it is evidence to support the books ancient origin. 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. To persuade and convert outsidersa priority for mormonshe sought objects mentioned in the book of mormon that archaeologists hadnt found in mesoamerica. It successfully rebuts the notion that steel is an anachronism in the book of mormon. This site provides you with an overview of what the book of mormon claims from an archeological or historic viewpoint, and compares it to nonapologetic apologetic meaning speak to defend scientific and historical resources. 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. Steel was likely an uncommon metal in nephis worldwhich is probably why nephi referred to labans sword as most precious steelbut. The book of mormon frequently mentions steel weapon, such as the blade of labans sword 1 nephi 4.

We build enduring faith in jesus christ by making the book of mormon accessible, comprehensible, and defensible to the entire world. Nauvoo times jeff lindsay steel and the book of mormon. This suggests to me that steel swords were probably the exception not the norm and that among the people of the book of mormon metal blades. 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 is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to adherents, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. See all 3 formats and editions hide other formats and editions.

In my opinion, the internet is the mormon churchs worst nightmare. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. 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. There is no reference to steel as a major industrial raw material among the nephites. Sjodahl note that weapons of steel were even found in ancient tombs in egypt.

They come to a place that they call bountiful, because of. Apologists counter that the word steel in the book of mormon likely refers to a hardened metal other than iron. There are two major fallacies in discussions on this topic. The book of mormon also mentions the nephites becoming exceedingly rich in steel production over 200 years after nephis arrival. 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. Hardened steel was not common, though, and was used for only a few objects, including an occasional sword. The practical use of metals seems to have been limited to small groups of people and perhaps to certain time periods. Here is an article about a portion of the book of mormon metallurgy. Published by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. 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. Apr 10, 2018 book of mormon evidence vs book of mormon central search isaiah may 24, 2018 at 6. Metals, weapons, and the book of mormon lightplanet.

Critics of the book of mormon have long pointed to nephis bow of steel from verse 18 as a clear anachronism, as carbonized steel did not yet exist at that time. May 05, 2007 the book of mormon s mention of steel, for instance, is considered an example of one of its major flaws. The common thinking for quite a while is that this is an anachronism, several centuries out of date. 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. 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. Lehi and his family were traveling form the valley of lemuel wadi tayyib alism across the arabian peninsula to the land of bountiful wadi sayq, oman. 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. The book provides an honest comparison of the source material available to joseph smith, a book titled view of the hebrews, that preceded the book of mormon. Evidence supporting the steel sword of laban in the book. How could laban have possessed a sword of most precious steel. Also, note a jaredite rebel forged enough steel for an entire army in one sitting. 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.

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. Steel was likely an uncommon metal in nephis worldwhich is probably why nephi referred to labans sword as most precious steelbut archaeology shows that. Steel swords, elephants and horses in the book of mormon. No one believes that steel was available to laban or anyone else in 592 b. Critics have long taken this to be anachronistic, claiming that steel is. And then it came to pass that nephi broke his steel bow. They come to a place that they call bountiful, because of its much fruit and also wild honey. Steel older than previously thought book of mormon research. The list of archeological and historical claims of the book of mormon compared to nonapologetic evidence. Swords, spears, armor plates, and other tools do not need to be made of metal to be effective. The list of archaeological and historical claims of the book.

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. First is the problem of the hermeneutics of hyperskepticism. Roberts 18571933, a general authority of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church, which examine the validity of the book of mormon as a translation of an ancient american source. Aug 07, 2005 and steel in the book of mormon is, in fact, described as a rare and precious metal. The book of mormon describes labans steel sword, which would have existed in 600 bce. When a member goes to the internet, perhaps to do research for a sacrament meeting talk. Of these, two refer to near eastern weapons of the early sixth century b. The book of mormon purports to give an account of two civilizations formed by families who migrated to the americas. This broader meaning of steel is also shared with other european languages. Since there has been a lot of criticism by some anti mormons about the steelusing nephites, it might be useful to see what the.

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. The book of mormon mentions a steel sword owned by a military leader named laban in jerusalem near 600 b. 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. Diary of a mormon super hero paperback november, 20 by jeffrey gamett author, james b. The book of mormon claims that the nephites had swords of steel 2 nephi 5. 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. Antimormons have often mocked the book of mormon with taunts like, how do you hide a steel mill.

This paper also discusses writings on metal plates and the possible composition of the book of mormon plates. The problem becomes more serious for the book of mormon, however, since it also uses the term in attributing the knowledge of steelmaking to the jaredites ether 7. This argument follows from the fact that the book of mormon refers to certain old world articles made of steel. Over the years, critics have stated that the use of the word steel in the book of mormon demonstrates that it is a fraud. How could laban have possessed a sword of most precious.