#32 in Christian denominations & sects books
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Reddit mentions of Mormon's Codex: An Ancient American Book
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Reddit mentions: 4
We found 4 Reddit mentions of Mormon's Codex: An Ancient American Book. Here are the top ones.
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| Release date | October 2013 |
BYU Anthropologist John L. Sorenson is probably the most prominent current advocate of this view. He is a respected scholar and was called a "fantastically good linguist" by Michael Coe on the Mormon Stories Podcast in which Coe was specifically there to debunk Book of Mormon based Archeological research.
His recently published book, Mormon's Codex is supposed to contain his best and most complete argument for the Mesoamerican setting of the Book of Mormon. He claims to have identified 420 correspondences between the archaeological record for Mesoamerica and the text of the Book of Mormon.
Some of his arguments can be found here.
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edit: Hey, to everyone who wants to debate me about the specifics of Sorenson's arguments and motivations. I don't know enough about it, sorry. I never intended to claim that I did. I thought this was an honest question ("what evidence is there..."). I knew Sorenson's theories existed (mostly because I heard about him on Mormon Stories), so I pointed out the source, thinking OP was interested in learning what arguments were out there. I didn't realize OP, and others later, were looking for someone to argue with. I'm simply not qualified to satisfy you guys. Sorry.
It depends on which brand of Mormon belief you are dealing with. The FairMormon crowd believes in the Mesoamerican model of the Book of Mormon. Books like "Mormon's Codex" by John L. Sorenson would find these Mayan ruins encouraging.
But there are plenty of people that believe the "Heartland" model and they will smugly think that this Mayan discovery is irrelevant at best. The Book of Mormon took place in 'Murica because it's the Promised Land.
Officially, the LDS church does not proclaim where the Book of Mormon took place. Despite their claims of being prophets, seers, and revelators, they make very few material claims about their premier book of scripture.
The CES letter is really a copy/paste job. Look, I've attended the Fair Conference in Provo. This is actually kind of my "hobby". There isn't much original content in that "letter", and the topics have been discussed ad-nausea, with reasonable answers. I don't take him seriously because he does leave out facts that would counter his claims. Several times. This includes archaeological evidence that he says doesn't exist, but I have a book that has photographs of these objects.
In fact he ignores pretty much all the things Joseph got astonishingly right: The Egyptian Language and the Book of Mormon, Chiasmus, Colophones, Hebraisms and the 1500 + and growing list of Uto-Aztecan/Semitic language cognates, and the temple and Naghamaddi/Early Christian Library.
Do I have every answer to every question posed in the CES letter? No, but I don't think that I have to. The list of anachronisms in the Book of Mormon has gotten steadily smaller and smaller over the decades. Time destroys some evidence, so the list will probably never disappear, but that's ok.
I've researched many of the claims of the CES letter prior to its release. With my own money I've purchased the books containing the primary documents. I'm still a member in good standing.
So you challenged me, now I'll challenge you. Please explain this. Read 1 Nephi 1:1.
I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days.
This is a Colophon, used by ancient scribes to give a mini autobiography before their writings. Now you should know from your elementary school Egyptian word for "good" or "beautiful is "nfr", and was pronounced "Nay-fee". Clearly all 1820 frontier schools included in their curriculum Ancient Egyptian, and how to begin your history. Also, make sure to make a pun with your name. "I, Nephi" "goodly (nfr) parents" "goodness (nfr) and the mysteries of God". One in a million coincidence? Well, maybe if we exclude the other examples of Jacob, or Enos.
So, since I read your book, please read those links. Also, never put in quotes text because you are merely putting words into other people's mouths. When I bare my testimony, I always refer to Christ. Always. In fact I only mention Joseph Smith in reference to Christ, as something like "I believe that God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith." Don't put up straw men, it weakens your other statements.