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− | ==Criticism== | + | =={{Criticism label}}== |
Critics claim that plants mentioned in the Book of Mormon are not found in the New World, and are thus evidence that Joseph fabricated the text based upon his own cultural background. | Critics claim that plants mentioned in the Book of Mormon are not found in the New World, and are thus evidence that Joseph fabricated the text based upon his own cultural background. | ||
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<videoflash>wNqV9dRzslc</videoflash> | <videoflash>wNqV9dRzslc</videoflash> | ||
− | ==Response== | + | =={{Response label}}== |
===Barley=== | ===Barley=== | ||
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So, there ''were'' grapes locally, as well as several other plant species which produced alcoholic drinks which the Spanish were quite happy to consider 'wine.' | So, there ''were'' grapes locally, as well as several other plant species which produced alcoholic drinks which the Spanish were quite happy to consider 'wine.' | ||
− | ==Conclusion== | + | =={{Conclusion label}}== |
None of the Book of Mormon's plant species causes a problem — Spanish conquerors described pre-Columbian products in exactly the terms used by the Book of Mormon. Barley, silkworms, and grapes were known. One of the terms unknown to Joseph's day (the Akkadian ''sheum'') is impressive evidence for the Book of Mormon's antiquity. | None of the Book of Mormon's plant species causes a problem — Spanish conquerors described pre-Columbian products in exactly the terms used by the Book of Mormon. Barley, silkworms, and grapes were known. One of the terms unknown to Joseph's day (the Akkadian ''sheum'') is impressive evidence for the Book of Mormon's antiquity. | ||
− | ==Endnotes== | + | =={{Endnotes label}}== |
# {{note|sorensmith}} {{reexploring|author=John L. Sorenson and Robert F. Smith|article=Barley in Ancient America|start=130|end=132}} | # {{note|sorensmith}} {{reexploring|author=John L. Sorenson and Robert F. Smith|article=Barley in Ancient America|start=130|end=132}} | ||
# {{note|soren1}} John L. Sorenson, "Plants and Animals," in {{FR-6-1-10}} | # {{note|soren1}} John L. Sorenson, "Plants and Animals," in {{FR-6-1-10}} | ||
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#{{note|soren7}} Sorenson, "Zaputo," 335-336. | #{{note|soren7}} Sorenson, "Zaputo," 335-336. | ||
− | ==Further reading== | + | =={{Further reading label}}== |
− | ===FAIR wiki articles=== | + | ==={{FAIR wiki articles label}}=== |
{{Book of Mormon anachronisms}} | {{Book of Mormon anachronisms}} | ||
− | ===FAIR web site=== | + | ==={{FAIR web site label}}=== |
*{{tg|topic=Plants|url=http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai158.html}} | *{{tg|topic=Plants|url=http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai158.html}} | ||
* Matthew Roper, "Right on Target: Boomerang Hits and the Book of Mormon" {{fairlink|url=http://www.fairlds.org/pubs/conf/2001RopM.html}} | * Matthew Roper, "Right on Target: Boomerang Hits and the Book of Mormon" {{fairlink|url=http://www.fairlds.org/pubs/conf/2001RopM.html}} | ||
− | ===External links=== | + | ==={{External links label}}=== |
*{{Ensign1|author=John L. Sorenson|article=Silk and Linen in the Book of Mormon - Book of Mormon Update|date=April 1992|start=62}} {{link|url=http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/Ensign/1992.htm/ensign%20april%201992%20.htm/research%20and%20perspectives%20book%20of%20mormon%20update.htm?fn=document-frame.htm$f=templates$3.0}} | *{{Ensign1|author=John L. Sorenson|article=Silk and Linen in the Book of Mormon - Book of Mormon Update|date=April 1992|start=62}} {{link|url=http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/Ensign/1992.htm/ensign%20april%201992%20.htm/research%20and%20perspectives%20book%20of%20mormon%20update.htm?fn=document-frame.htm$f=templates$3.0}} | ||
− | ===Printed material=== | + | ==={{Printed material label}}=== |
* John L. Sorenson, "Plants and Animals," in {{FR-6-1-10}}{{GL1|url=http://gospelink.com/library/doc?doc_id=288327}}{{GL1|url=http://gospelink.com/library/doc?doc_id=288327}} | * John L. Sorenson, "Plants and Animals," in {{FR-6-1-10}}{{GL1|url=http://gospelink.com/library/doc?doc_id=288327}}{{GL1|url=http://gospelink.com/library/doc?doc_id=288327}} | ||
*{{reexploring|author=John L. Sorenson and Robert F. Smith|article=Barley in Ancient America|start=130|end=132}}{{GL1|url=http://gospelink.com/library/doc?doc_id=296829}} | *{{reexploring|author=John L. Sorenson and Robert F. Smith|article=Barley in Ancient America|start=130|end=132}}{{GL1|url=http://gospelink.com/library/doc?doc_id=296829}} |
== Critics claim that plants mentioned in the Book of Mormon are not found in the New World, and are thus evidence that Joseph fabricated the text based upon his own cultural background.
To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, [[../CriticalSources|click here]]
Part(s) of this issue are addressed in a FairMormon video segment. Click here to see video clips on other topics.
==
Barley in the New World was long a source of anti-Mormon amusement, with one author insisting, "barley never grew in the New World before the white man brought it here!" [Scott, 82.]
Unfortunately for Ms. Scott, this is simply false. New World barley has been known since 1983.[1]
(i.e. flax)
This crop is mentioned but once (See Mosiah 9:9). We do not know to what it applied, but this does not count against the Book of Mormon's claims.
One must credit Joseph Smith with a bullseye on this issue:
We do not know to which crop this name was applied, but it is certainly not out of place in an ancient context (See Mosiah 9:9). Critics must explain how Joseph Smith chose this word, since Akkadian was not translated until 27 years after the publication of the Book of Mormon.[6]
For a discussion on this name between believers and non-believers, see here.
(i.e. mulberry leaves and silkworms)
The production of Old World "silk" requires both silkworms and the mulberry trees upon whose leaves they feed, which critics have charged is impossible.
However, there are several examples of silk or silk-like fabric in pre-Columbian America:
So, there were grapes locally, as well as several other plant species which produced alcoholic drinks which the Spanish were quite happy to consider 'wine.'
====
None of the Book of Mormon's plant species causes a problem — Spanish conquerors described pre-Columbian products in exactly the terms used by the Book of Mormon. Barley, silkworms, and grapes were known. One of the terms unknown to Joseph's day (the Akkadian sheum) is impressive evidence for the Book of Mormon's antiquity.
== Notes ==
FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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