Critics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can often be heard saying that “There is no evidence for the Book of Mormon, none whatsoever”. Au contraire mon fraire… Here is just a small sample of real evidence for the Book of Mormon. This list is in no way a substitute for the ultimate testimony one can gain through the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true, but it will give your mind a few things to consider as you pray to know that it’s true… (this list is by no means exhaustive)
1. Stone boxes and metal plates.
At the time of Joseph Smith and many years afterwords the idea of Gold or other metallic plates was scoffed at because nothing of the kind had been found in the old world or the new. However, that isn’t the case anymore. Metallic plates have been found in both the old world and new world some even inside stone boxes. Here is more information: http://www.bmaf.org/node/421
2. Ancient American Writing Systems
At the time of Joseph Smith, the idea that Native Americans were advanced enough to have written languages was also laughed at. But written languages have now been found in both Meso-America and North America. So regardless of what Book of Mormon geography you subscribe to, you can find strong linguistic and writing evidence for the Book of Mormon.
3. Earthwork walls & palisades
The Book of Mormon talks about earthworks and palisades surrounding cities used to protect them from attack. This can be found around cities in both North and Meso America in the correct time frame.
4. Wooden Swords, Spears, shields, armor.
The Book of Mormon talks about armor that was made for battle. It talks about swords that were “Stained With Blood”. How can metal swords be stained? When we look at the swords used in ancient america we find wooden swords that had obsidian blades. Very sharp and deadly. Wood can very easily be stained with blood. Shields, helmets, and body armor have also been found.
5. Cutting off arms.
In ancient America, a common practice was to cut off the arms of your opponents in battle as a sort of trophy or for proof that you had won the fight. The Book of Mormon describes Ammon cutting off the arms of his would be assailants. These arms were taken to the King to show what he had done.
6.Human sacrice
There is ample evidence for human sacrifice in both North and Meso-America. This practice is also described in the Book of Mormon.
7. Cities, Temples, Towers, show up for the right time
At the time of Joseph Smith the view of Native Americans was that they were too unorganized and savage like to even have built cities. However we find cities in both Meso-America and North America complete with temples that match the time-frames of the Book of Mormon. Both the Hopewell culture in North America and the Mayans in Meso America had large established cities that fit.
8. Cement
The Book of Mormon talks about cities being built with cement in “the land northward” And indeed cement has been found in Teotihuacan north of traditional Mayan lands.
9. Kings
We know that in Meso America many of the cities were ruled by kings. That is, we know that today. But in Joseph Smith’s day not many years after the revolutionary war, there was an anti-king culture in america. Why would Joseph choose to show that the Jaredites and Nephites for a time were ruled by kings? Also, that the Lamanites were ruled by kings through almost their whole history?
10. Nahom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nw7fW19Sk1A
Bonus – Bountiful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WslRp5CnC1Q
DNA: http://en.fairmormon.org/Book_of_Mormon/DNA_evidence
