... that Buddhists "put one another's name in at the temple" when a family member is sick or in need of blessings.

I write on paper. Archaeologists in the year 4045 may be surprised to discover that Australians and also Antarctican scientists used paper as well.

Coincidences are indeed the stuff that testimonies are built upon.

Thank you, Mr. Griggs. And yes, drat that angel. Drat him.

I am a former Saint with a PhD in archeology from Harvard. This article makes the Church a laughingstock.

Nothing in the work of archeology in Egypt or anywhere else supports LDS claims. No university except BYU endorses these claims. No other religion is so insecure as to worry about being contradicted by the archeological record.

Grow up already!

this is big stuff. where is the rest of the story/information?

Surely thou jests. The rest of the world continues to move on in the archeological world and the discoveries are not pro-Mormon. But the prof. has to keep his job and put bread on the table. Go for it. It pays the rent.

Actually, it just makes me laugh.

Faith. What a leap of faith. Oh well.

You can repeat these "false" truths as many times as you want. Your false faith will continue to lose tithing paying members in huge amounts, and you will be left with poor members in poor countries, who take your wealth instead of increasing it. Carry On!

A complete crock... excuse me, ancient vessel.

Details, where are the details?

Teachings and writings about temples, creation dramas, sacred oaths to god and religion, etc. have existed for thousands of years. People recording their history in books and on metal plates is common. Now, the question is: does that make it true. Most LDS doctrine does not fall in line with ancient Eqyptian mythology. Just because a few things line up doesn't mean everything is the same. Besides, Joseph Smith didn't even use the golden plates to translate the Book of Mormon.

I was disappointed that the article doesn't mention the name of any scholar who is supposedly making these statements. The scholars I have read and met have respect for Mormons and their beliefs, but their research has led them to different conclusions.

Why not just let the Book of Mormon stand on its on as a religious text instead of trying to reconcile science and religion? It seems you do a disservice to both.

As the years go by, discoveries like this continue to emerge. Such discoveries, along with improved understandings, assist many in gaining a testimony of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, yet no discovery will ever be as beneficial in the long term as that discovery which is made on a personal level when a humble person accepts the Lords invitation to "ask God" and to "learn of Me". A great part of the mission of the prophet Joseph Smith was to "turn our hearts to God" in such a way that we will invite the Holy Ghost to testify to our prepared hearts. "Have ye inquired of the Lord?"

James taught: "If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God." James 1:5 Millions have experienced the promised outcome, while billions more still insist, like the wandering children of Israel, that there is no possible way to know anything without seeing it for themselves in the physical world. I guess that is why word of these physical discoveries is helpful. However, for me it is just a natural outgrowth of what I already know by the power of that oft forgotten member of the Godhead, the Holy Ghost.

"said scholars are now admitting that "Joseph Smith got into the antiquities" before experts in the field began their discoveries, but they won't accept his explanation."

What scholars? I guess the author of this thought that we are stupid enough to believe any propaganda they try to spoon feed us.
Talk to me when you have names and actual artifacts. Saying that "scholars say" but not supplying names, positions and quotes nullifies the entire statment.

Also they don't mention which ancient artifacts support Joe Smith.

This is typical propaganda.

Excellent article! Professor Griggs knows at least 31 languages fluently. he is an amazing Egyptologist!! one of the foremost, if not the ultimate earthly authority in his field, authorities in his field. i have heard him speak before. he is amazing with a strong testimony of the gospel. that's hard to come by from scholars these days. I hope we get more articles like these published by Mr. Hardy. he has an amazing writing ability with a great cadence to the flow of his words.

You have a PhD from Harvard eh -- Who cares?

I am a current and hopefully always a latter day saint. Let me ask you this: How insecure is a religion that asks members and investigators to do as Joseph Smith did, and that is to ask God. In recieving your answer, as millions have, you will know that God lives and that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God.
I think that the approaching God with faith and desire enough to recieve an answer is the opposite of insecurity and shows, rather, a great deal of boldness not found in secular society.

It's good to see the FARMS spin machine is alive and well.....funded.
The TRUTH is, archeology doesn't back up ANY claims.

I am a current saint with a PhD from Yale in archeology. There is abundant archeological, historical, and empirical evidence from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, other areas of the Middle East, and South and Central America to support LDS claims. For obvious reasons, very few universities except BYU, have programs to study and support LDS claims. Of course, the LDS religion clearly teaches that testimonies should not be based on archealogical evidence, but on a spiritual witness. While archeological evidence can be interesting, the religion is relatively unconcerned about being contradicted by the archeological record--a record that, as we all know is infallible (when it is not being revised every other week).

Wow. I can't believe this was deemed worthy of publication.

Nobody is more insecure than a former Saint.

After reading the article in Mormon Times I must say it is pretty weak.

I have studied some of Sorensons writings on so called proofs and archealogical similarities, but the story always remains the same. Always, Always circumstantial. You'll never find a significant find, otherwise all those soldiers at Cumorah would have been found already. Give up, and open your eyes for HEAVENS SAKE!

I am a Latter Day Saint converted from "Christianity" when I was 24 years old. There is nothing in my chosen religion's past or present which requires explanation or apology to the rest of the world. Just because you find similarities between your religion and mine is not coincidence it is just simply fact.

Realize that, probably, 99% of what you "know" to be true is in fact superstition. It does not bother me that you "know" that the Latter Day Saints are following the wrong religion. This is a simply a case of childish finger pointing. Immaturity does not end with a Harvard education.

The irony here is poignant. In one set of widely publicized stories, the LDS Church insists that it is “completely separate and different” from the FLDS Church, despite the fact that the FLDS teachings, scriptures, and history is so similar (in some cases exact) to the LDS.

Then, out of the other side of your mouths, Mormons claim that because “many of the Christian teachings found in Egyptian digs… are shared in common with Smith's teachings” that “Ancient Writings Support LDS Doctrine and Teachings”!

What?! Have you people lost your minds?! You pick and choose what counts as “evidence” to “support” Joseph Smith’s teachings, but then deny evidence that contradicts you! What about the thousands of teachings those same ancient writings that DIRECTLY CONTRADICT Mormonism?

This is not truthful. This is not honest scholarship. This is deception on a grand scale, and everybody can see it (if they open their eyes!). Griggs is an embarrassment.

Try clicking where it says, "please click here."

How much do you love that PhD from Harvard, on a scale from 1 to 10? Be honest. You're invited to our next FHE to tell my wife and I all about it. You're right, I care a TON about what archeologists say.

"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." -- 1 Corinthians 2:14

It is nice when scholars uncover evidence that supports Truth. But whether or not something is true is not dependent on the consensus of those "with a PhD in archeology"

Science is not a closed canon. Scientists are making new discoveries all the time. Just because there hasn't been evidence of something doesn't mean that there isn't evidence, simply waiting to be discovered.

For example, archeology has had no evidence of steel in the Americas prior to Columbus. So it was assumed that the Book of Mormon was wrong because it tells of steel weapons. However, this year, an archaeologist from Purdue has discovered an iron ore mine in Peru that predates Columbus. If they were mining iron, they could very well have been producing steel. But even that discovery is not important in knowing the truthfulness of the work.

The Book of Mormon is true, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true, and "no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing"

This article is a joke.

Do these scholars have names?

What are these antagonists even doing on Mormontimes.com?

Dr. Griggs points out some strong parallels between modern LDS temple worship and early Egyptian Christian religious practices. The rest of you are saying it makes you laugh and makes the Church a laughingstock. You've provided no specific justification for your criticisms. Can anyone tell me exactly what is wrong with Dr. Griggs' research? Or is it just that anything that supports LDS claims is automatically false?

That said, the article needs a good proofread--typographically, there's plenty to criticize.

Oh you poor little anti-saints. That mock anything that is better than you.

OK Harvard boy, what have you written lately that could rival that of Smith's "writings"? My guess is that even with your prestigious PhD, you wouldn't be able to come remotely close. By the way, when you make your attempt, make sure you use your fullest mental capacities and rely heavily on your elite education! Pbbbt, I laugh at any feeble attempt you make. From what I got from the article, was that there are "findings" that parallel what is written in the Book of Mormon or in other revalations Joseph Smith received. And knowing that he had extremely limited education and since these "findings" are just coming to light, it makes you wonder how Smith knew about these doctrines and/or teachings.

The learned think they are wise...

It is always comical when a Harvard grad feels the need to announce his/her Harvard pedigree before making an argument as if that will automatically provide the credibility needed to win the point. If your Harvard education has endowed you with such superior intellect and knowledge, you ought to be able to use that intellect to make arguments that stand on their own merit sans the brand name.

And you call the LDS church insecure? Pot, meet kettle.

Wow such criticism, such negatism. To falsehoodsrepeated..the only problem I can detect is the fact you are a "former saint" of what? You are misguided and seem to be filled with hate, anger and skepticism. I feel sorry for you. I hope someday soon you will realize that you need to forgive others for being less than perfect and I hope you come to this before it is too late. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teachings are perfect it's the members who are not and we strive everyday to be good examples and overcome our weaknesses and imperfections. I pray you will find peace in your heart.

Let me get this straight - Joseph needed to denounce he was visited by an angel, who showed him the golden plates - from which the Book of Mormon was translated. Some scholars beleive the book could be ancient scripture if he claimed he translated it by his own power instead of by the power of God. So, he needs to deny he saw an angel to prove that a book full of stories of angels visiting men is possibly true? hmmmmmmmmm...

The article's title includes the word support but lacks supporting detail. Please submit a follow-up and include the details that back up your claim.

Eventually these truths will be vindicated completely.
The great thing is that any person can ask God and find out for themselves that Joseph Smith was an actual prophet and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. See the promise to this effect in the last chapter of the Book of Mormon. Many people, including myself, have tested this promise and found the truth for themselves. It is great to know for sure and not have to depend on what anyone but God says on the subject!

Apparently in your research you have not had the opportunity to review the following article written by non-Mormons:
"Mormon Scholarship, Apologetics, and Evangelical Neglect: Losing the Battle and Not Knowing It?"

Being a member of the church I wouldn't doubt what the article says, but to publish something like that without details, as someone has already said, is just poor journalism. As a PhD student, if I wrote anything like that, the scholarly community wouldn't even take a look at it. Give sources, show scans of the documents mentioned, and have outside sources corroborate the translations. Sure, most of us don't read the language, but a willingness to show the documents allows those who do to give further credence to the article. Feel good stories are nice and everything, but a story like this should take a scholastic approach instead of sounding like a Sunday School class where everyone tells how they know the church is true based on some obscure rumor that they are helping to spread. Imagine a member trying to share this article with a friend! I can't think of anyone that would take it seriously.

People curious about Joseph Smith's involvement in Egyptology would do well to review his treatment and purported translation of the "Book of Abraham."

There the claim is made that some common Egyptian funeral writings dating to around the time of Christ were "written by his own hand [Abraham's] upon papyrus."

"Falsehoods repeated" above is absolutely correct about LDS Egyptologists being the laughingstock in mainstream scholarly circles. I took a grad level Egyptology class a few years ago, and the professor--a non-Mormon--complained that being identified with Utah hurt her professionally.

So, riddle me this Batman, if the garden of Eden was in Missouri why is it that all of the ancient writings and cultures you seem to think promote the LDS church are found in Egypt?

Details? This is a report of a FIRESIDE! You want details, go read his book. He wrote one, you know. Or better yet, read ALL the books that have come out in the last quarter-century from BYU scholars (and many others... getting a PH.D. in archeology from Harvard is not a prerequisite to losing your faith... in fact, getting a higher degree is more likely among people who retain their faith).

This is just a teaser. Now GO READ THE BOOKS!

I am always amused with the efforts people go to prove their position. I am equaly if not more amused with those that worry that those positions might be true.

If you don't believe it, don't worry. All will be well.

I have yet to see a valid argument to disprove Joseph Smith's claim as to have translated the ancient plates just as he said.

Is there anyone here who would like to take a shot?

Until you can explain how he knew how to write in Chiasmus, tend an olive tree, write in Hebrew, re-write Isaiah from the Greek Bible, explain Mesoamerican-balkanized, Last-ditch warfare, develop a Near-Eastern monetary weight system based on a divisor of 7, his knowledge of Wady Sayq, NHM and the eastward-turn along the incence trail in Arabia, deny Haploid-X middle-eastern DNA, over a dozen first-hand witnesses, all completed from an uneducated, back-water, 24 year-old farmer from Palmyra NY in 1829.

To Mr. Harvard Archaeologist and you others who think you are so wise. I recently visited the great museum in Mexico City with its numerous artifacts etc. I was disappointed when our guide who was a leading archaeologist told us that most of the things we are told there are only speculation. There is much disagreement as to what the truth really is. The real truth comes more from revelation than education. If you are Christian and believe in Christ and have read the New Testament you surely must know that the teachers (professors), lawyers, and religious leaders continually accused Christ of being a false teacher too. They were so sure they crucified him. What you think is proof may not be truth!

I love to watch the unbelievers squirm!

Oh how dismissive they are! They haven't seen the details yet but they dismiss the evidence out of hand SIMPLY because it comes from a believer! Where's their dedication to the scientific method?

For the "former Saint with the PHD", let me explain it to you:

Joseph Smith received a revelation from God that Baptism for the Dead (proxy baptism) was an ancient practice to bridge the gap between the underworld and heaven for those who didn't have a chance to hear the gospel in this life. This isn't some "vague" or "ambiguous" revelation - its very specific and detailed. Joseph Smith said that 1) IT WAS AN ANCIENT PRACTICE AMONG CHRISTIANS and that 2) God wanted it restored.

In the 1840s and just until recently, Orthodox Christians called such doctrine "blasphemy" or
"false doctrine". Their scholars declared that there was "no such doctrine".

Now jump ahead to the present. Archeology and ancient texts now PROVE that Joseph Smith was correct.

In other words, Joseph Smith 1) revealed an ancient practice, and 2) details about ancient life, 100s of years before Christan scholars and archaeologists did. How did he do that?

Have your "mainstream scholars" identified the names of the people depicted in the Fascimiles of the LDS "Book of Abraham"?

If so, this is news to me, what are their names?

Every time I see an article like this or buy the newest dvd set put out by FARMS I am sincerely hoping for something, anything that genuinely strengthens my testimony outside of just faith or crossing my fingers and hoping. And yet again there is only stretches and coincidences. I am no PHD or historian but it is painfully simple for even me to recognize that egyptians were very focused on the afterlife in all they did. And yet their afterlife beliefs and traditions were very pagon and largely nothing like LDS beliefs. I watched the latest two-volume evidences of the Book of Mormon put out by FARMS and was very dissapointed when the best they could do was point to the word "NHM" as possible evidence. Everything else was just a Sunday School lesson about the BofM. I smiled and said I enjoyed it so as not to dissapoint my parents. Church historians, scientists, and archeologists truly must be laughed at among their peers as they insist on jumping upon the smallest thing and claiming it is proof when even an uneducated mind can see what a stretch is being made. Maybe faith is all there ever will be.

That is the problem--most of these professors would not recognize truth if it came up and bit them right in the posterior.

I am so tickled to read post such as the one from SL Cabbie.

So many people are unaware that in the last 20 years there has been new research that 1) refutes critics claims about the Book of Abraham and 2) supports Joseph Smith as a "revealer" of details about ancient life before archaeologists or translators knew them.

Foe example, Egyptologists said for years that there was no possible way that Abraham could have been included in an ancient "Lion Couch" scene, until one was recently found with Abraham's name on it.

Forget everything that the "critics" have told you - new evidence refutes their conclusions and their translations and support Joseph Smith.

Now remember, Egyptologists are going to like this professionally because it undermines their work - but oh well... onward with science.

This article is a joke. A complete waste of time. No one quoted other than Griggs. No evidence, no names of any of the so called experts that agree with him. An article written more like an advertisement than a serious news article. Total and complete nonsense.

Sounds like there are a lot of people afraid the LDS church is more legitamate than they had hoped for.

I think the claims in the article are worth studying before they are accepted or thrown out.

I personally have toured Egypt and it's temples. You would be very ignorant not to pay attention to what is coming out of Egypt.