INTRODUCTION

An anachronism is something that is historically out of place. Like if someone claimed to have a document where Abraham Lincoln was talking on a cell phone. The CES Letter claims there are anachronisms in the Book of Mormon. Let's take a look.

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GOATS

Goats are mentioned among the Book of Mormon peoples three times, once by the Jaredites (Ether 9:18). Later, after their arrival in the America’s Lehi’s family encountered “the goat and the wild goat” as they traveled in the wilderness in the land southward (1 Nephi 18:25). Sometime later, Enos wrote that the Nephites raised “flocks of herds, and flocks of all manner of cattle of every kind, and goats, and wild goats” (Enos 1:21).

There is no indication that Lehi brought goats, but the Jaredites may have done so.

References to fauna in the Book of Mormon could actually be different animals that had a similar appearance. The Red Brocket deer, Mazama Americana has but a single goat-like horn and are indigenous to MesoAmerica.

Goats brocket dear pic

Evidence of goats that were associated with pre-Columbian man has been excavated in caves in the Yucatan, Mexico.

Book of Mormon references to “goat and the wild goat” is a curious distinction that parallels the Bible that lists them separately as clean animals that could be eaten under the Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 14:4–5). It is unlikely that Joseph Smith would have understood this distinction.

As with all accusations of anachronisms, it is impossible to prove something 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. Current excavations have uncovered only a small fraction of the information required to definitively declare an animal did not exit.

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WHEAT

Wheat species commonly grown today are not known to have been present in the new world during Book of Mormon times. However, a similar plant call “amaranth” was present and was cultivated as leaf vegetables, cereals, and ornamental plants.

Amaranth has a similar nutritional profile to some grains. The Aztec Indians obtained up to 80% of their daily caloric needs from amanranth.

amaranth like wheat

Amaranth is often called a "pseudograin" because it can be ground into flour like wheat or other seed grains, which biologically are grasses. Today, amaranth can be used to replace wheat flour in gluten-intolerant patients.

Amaranth was grown and used in Mexico at the time the Spaniards arrived.

Other possible pseudograins can be identified, but amanranth is the most likely candidate for “wheat” in the Book of Mormon.

As seen with multiple other anachronism accusations, it is impossible to prove something 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.