Critics who claim that references to "silk" in the Book of Mormon are anachronisms ignore important contradictory evidences.
- Linen and silk are textiles mentioned in the Book of Mormon (Alma 4:6). Traditional silk as harvested from the mulberry silkworm does not seem to have been present in ancient Americas. However, wild silk, which is produced by caterpillars of other species like the Gloveria paidii, a moth, and the Eucheira socialis, a butterfly, have been found in the Oaxaca area of Mexico.
- Historical documents from early conquerors include several references to "silk." One type was of thread spun from the fine hair on the bellies of rabbits.
- Franciscan missionary Padre Motolinia reported the presence of a wild silkworm. Other reports indicate that wild silk was spun and woven in certain areas of Mesoamerica. Another type came from the pod of the ceiba tree.
- An 1777 document, an excavation of a pre-Columbian burial site is described as containing wild silk.
- Bernal Diaz, who served with Cortez, described that the native Mexican garments were made of "henequen which is like linen." The fiber of the maguey plant, from which henequen was manufactured, closely resembles the flax fiber used to make European linen.
- Linens and silks in the Book of Mormon, whatever their actual composition, would not have endured well over the centuries. Hence, it is impossible to prove they did not exist. The process becomes more difficult if the translation of languages is involved because it may be impossible to accurately identify the thing reportedly absent.
Additional Resources:
pt 15, silk and archaeology in The Book of Mormon
Possible “Silk” and “Linen” in the Book of Mormon byJohn L. Sorenson
Book of Mormon Anachronisms Part 1: Fauna (Animals) (PDF) by Michael Ash
Book of Mormon Anachronisms Part 2: Flora (Plants) and Textiles (PDF) by Michael Ash
Book of Mormon Anachronisms Part 3: Warfare (PDF) by Michael Ash
Book of Mormon Anachronisms Part 4: Metals and Metallurgy (PDF) by Michael Ash
Book of Mormon Anachronisms Part 6: Compass, Coins, and Other Miscellaneous (PDF) by Michael Ash
Horses in the Book of Mormon by Michael Ash
Steel in the Book of Mormon by William Hamblin
Armor in the Book of Mormon by William J. Hamblin
Metals of the Book of Mormon – by Wm. Revell Phillips
Out of the Dust: Steel in Early Metallurgy – by John L. Sorenson
Possible “Silk” and “Linen” in the Book of Mormon byJohn L. Sorenson
Prophets, Kings, and Swords: The Sword of Laban and Its Possible Pre-Laban Origin – by Daniel N. Rolph
Swords and “Cimeters” in the Book of Mormon – byMatthew Roper
Swords in the Book of Mormon by William J. Hamblin, A. Brent Merrill
The Bow and Arrow in the Book of Mormon by William J. Hamblin
A Scientist Looks at Book of Mormon Anachronisms,Neal Rappleye
Right on Target: Boomerang Hits and the Book of Mormon (2001 FAIR Conference) by Matthew Roper
Science and the Book of Mormon (2009 FAIR Conference) by Wade E. Miller
A Social History of the Early Nephites (2001 FAIR Conference) by Brant Gardner
FAIR Issues 42: Dismissing Book of Mormon Geography Inaccuracies, Michael R. Ash, 0:07:22
FAIR Issues 55: Do Nephite Names find a “Home” in Middle East, Michael R. Ash, 0:07:54
Faith and Reason 11: Book of Mormon Politics Unlike Joseph Smith’s, Michael R. Ash, 0:08:52
Faith and Reason 19: Deseret and Bees, Michael R. Ash, 0:05:09
Faith and Reason 20: “Without a Cause”, Michael R. Ash, 0:04:35
Mormon FAIR-Cast 109: Response to criticisms of the Book of Mormon, Martin Tanner, 0:19:50
Ammon and the Mesoamerican Custom of Smiting off Arms
Barley and Wheat in the Ancient New World
Battles and The Book of Mormon
Book of Mormon 2 Why Anachronisms
Book of Mormon 3 Pre Columbian Horses
Book of Mormon 4 Elephants in America
Book of Mormon 7 Brass Iron and Steel
Book of Mormon 9 No Pre Columbian Wheels
Don’t Experts Say There is No Evidence of Silk or Linen in Ancient America
Horses, chariots, and elephants in the Book of Mormon
Iron Ore – Book of Mormon Evidence
Metal and Metallurgy – The Mines of Timna – Book of Mormon Evidence
Metals and Golden Plates in Mesoamerica, Daniel Johnsons 2010 BMAF lecture
New Evidence for Pre-Columbian Horses
pt 2 Coins, (full-length) rebuttal of an anti-Mormon
pt 3, Metals (full-length) rebuttal of an anti-Mormon
pt 4 Grains, (full-length) rebuttal of an anti-Mormon