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“Metallurgy does not appear in the region under discussion until about the 9th century A.D. None of the foregoing technical demands are met by the archaeology of the region proposed as Book-of-Mormon lands and places. I regard this as a major weakness in the armor of our proponents and friends. (It is just as troublesome to the authors of the other correlations – those [who] have gone before – including Tom Ferguson.) I doubt that the proponents will be very convincing if they contend that evidence of metallurgy is difficult to find and a rarity in archaeology. Where mining was practiced – as in the Old Testament world, mountains of ore and tailings have been found. Artifacts of metal have been found. Art portrays the existence of metallurgical products. Again, the score is zero.

-    Thomas Ferguson, “Written Symposium,” pp. 20-21, reprinted in Stan Larson, Quest for the Gold Plates, p. 257


Bellows: “And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make a bellows wherewith to blow the fire, of the skins of beasts; and after I had made a bellows, that I might have wherewith to blow the fire, I did smite two stones together that I might make fire.”

-    1 Nephi 17:11, Book of Mormon

No evidence of bellows in Book of Mormon times


Brass: “And I did teach my people to build buildings, and to work in all manner of wood, and of iron, and of copper, and of brass, and of steel, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious ores, which were in great abundance.”

-    2 Nephi 5:15, Book of Mormon

No evidence of brass in Book of Mormon times