Customer Reviews

Ancient Writing on Metal Plates: Archaeological Findings Support Mormon Claims

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This book is relatively short. Author presents information and backs what he says with references and photos which all check out. I read both of the other reviews. The one with only one star clearly did not study or thoroughly read the book. Despite the evidence presented he denies the evidence without any proof, which of course he has none. Some people argued the earth was flat, despite evidence it is round. Anyways, this book is very interesting. Additional photos of nearly every photo he presents and other information can be verified if you take the time. Mr. Cheesman presents the facts in a very matter of fact way. I would recommend reading this. It is very easy to read and only takes an hour or two.

Paul Robert Cheesman (1921-1991) was an archeologist and professor of religion at BYU; after his retirement, he became director of the church's New York Visitors Center. He is also the author of books such as World of the Book of Mormon, These early Americans;: External evidences of the Book of Mormon,, The Keystone of Mormonism: Little Known Truths About the Book of Mormon, Early America and the Book of Mormon;: A photographic essay of ancient America,, Ancient American Indians; Their Origins, Civilizations & Old World Connections, Pathways to the Past: A Guide to the Ruins of Mesoamerica, etc.

Here are some quotations from this 1985 book:

"At the time of Joseph Smith's remarkable discovery in 1830, there was probably no knowledge of writing amongst American Indians, or of any written in metal... Since 1830, however, numerous examples of ancient writing have been found in the Old World. If the ancestors of the American Indian, or at least some of them as suggested by the Book of Mormon, came from the Old World, we can assume that they would bring the customs and traditions of their homeland with them." (Pg. 11-12)
"In the Bible it is recorded that ancient writings were inscribed on gold (Exodus 28:36; 39:30)." (Pg. 48)
"No more can critics of the Book of Mormon deny that ancient records were kept on metal plates. Modern discoveries now support the idea that writing on metal was a very common ancient practice in both the Old World and the New World." (Pg. 52)
"The Plates of Darius I, ruler of Persia from 518-515 B.C., are the closest parallel to the Book of Mormon plates yet discovered. Two tablets, one of gold and one of silver, were placed in each box buried at the four corners of his palace." (Pg. 60)
"As the results of this study have indicated, scholars were apparently too hasty in clamiing that there was no writing among the ancient inhabitants of the New World. They were equally hasty in scoffing at the idea of possible Hebraic origins and the use of metal as an instrument for the preservation of written language. Consequently, Joseph Smith's account of finding a stone box containing ancient writing on gold plates bound with rings is highly plausible..." (Pg. 83)

This volume is typical of Cheesman and many other LDS apologists' books: 1)counting scattered minor 'hits' while ignoring overwhelming obvious 'misses.' 2)by preaching to the converted Cheesman can convienietly overlook standard scholarly procedure. there's no complete bibliography, and the bulk of the book's premise is based on tautological ('circular') logic.

lds members will doubtless get a faith-promoting 'burning in their bosom' after reading this, but others will find it sloppy, incomplete and unconvincing.