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This seems to go completely against the golden rule (see Matthew 7:12).

I glanced around that website. It is interesting, but again it just demonstrates that some of the sites mentioned in the Bible actually exist. On the other hand archaeology and the Bible don't always agree. If you search around on the Internet you can find plenty of examples of it. For example here is an article from the New York Times titled, "The Bible, as History, Flunks New Archaeological Tests; Hotly Debated Studies Cast Doubt on Many Familiar Stories."

And whether Jesus actually existed there is no archaeological evidence for it. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that scientific evidence shouldn't be the primary basis of one's spiritual belief in the Bible and Christ. Jesus says to Thomas that it is better to believe and not see. I'm not saying that scientific evidence is meaningless. It helps as supporting evidence to demonstrate plausibility. But the primary evidence for the truth of the Bible and Jesus needs to be written into the heart of the individual by God through the power of Holy Ghost. Our physical senses and the wisdom of the world are fallible. Truth given to individuals directly from God is infallible.

Boatbums, thanks for the response. I agree that historical evidence exists for Jesus, but there is no archaeological evidence. I am familiar with the ossuary referenced in your article. The Discovery channel even ran a documentary on it a few years back. Since then it is has been found to be most likely a fake. The owner of the box is currently being charged with 44 counts of forgery, fraud and deception, including for the inscription on the ossuary.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Ossuary

MDJohnPaul said, " In Mormon history, North America was the site of an appearance of Jesus Christ"

There is actually no consensus among Mormons as to where the primary events of the Book of Mormon took place. The LDS Church has no official position either, other than it was on the American continent. Plenty of books and theories have been written, some arguing that it was in South America, some in Mesoamerica, some in North America, and some in the entire north and south American continents.

MDJohnPaul said, "It differs from historians’ and archeologists’ own research."

What archaeological evidence is there that Jesus even existed in the old world? None. There is some historical evidence in the form of the Christian authored New Testament.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historicity_of_Jesus

Colofornian said, "'Secular' literally means worldly. So...the people the apostle Paul writes about as being "in darkness" (book of Acts) and in bondage (Romans 6) and spiritually dead (Eph. 2:1-3)... ...Those people are "unbiased".

So my point is invalid because you believe that secular knowledge is in darkness, in bondage, spiritually dead and therefore is false and can't be trusted? You are entitled to that position and I respect it, but you must realize that not too many people share that view.

Colofornian said, "'Secular' literally means worldly. So...the people the apostle Paul writes about as being "in darkness" (book of Acts) and in bondage (Romans 6) and spiritually dead (Eph. 2:1-3)..."

So your position is that secular knowledge is in darkness, in bondage, and therefore false and can't be trusted?

It doesn’t matter how Mormons view others, or how others view Mormons. From an unbiased secular view point they are both Christian.

Saying that Mormons aren’t Christian would be like McDonald’s saying that Burger King isn’t a hamburger restaurant. And their reason? Because they cook their food differently.

Finding perceived doctrinal differences in the minutiae doesn’t change the fact that Mormons have a fundamental belief that Jesus is the Christ. And because Mormons hold that belief they easily qualify as Christians. I will agree that Mormons belong to the restorationist branch of Christianity which is different from reformationists, but they are both Christ centered faith systems.

Mormonism teaches that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, that salvation only comes through Him. What you’ve enumerated does not change that fact. Supposed differences in doctrinal details are not enough to hide the fundamental role Jesus Christ plays in the LDS faith, and not enough to exclude Mormonism from the Christian umbrella.

Merriam-Webster defines Christian: "one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ"
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/christian

That's a pretty liberal definition. Mormons certainly meet this standard.

Jesus defines it this way: "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:34-35)

Again, a pretty liberal definition. I think from at least a secular stand point that Mormons are Christian.

What Mormons are not are protestants, or reformationists. Instead Mormons are restorationists, which is a different branch of Christianity. Here you can see some of the different branches of Christianity and restorationism is on there: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ChristianityBranches.svg

Elsie said, "One would think that these CEMENT houses would be EASY to find; but, alas, they are not...""

They're very easy to find for those seeking the truth:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesoamerican_architecture#Building_materials

ejonesie22 said, "Which ancient civilization? The Incas? The Mayans? The Aztecs? The Cherokee? The Apache? The Eskimos?"

There have been a number of theories but the one that is the strongest I believe is that they were among the pre-classic Maya and Olmec civilizations.

ejonesie22 said, "I have read extensively on the histories and archaeological findings of all the peoples that have inhabited the Americas, none have mentioned the most famous and spoken about person to ever walk the Earth."

Then surely you have read the tales of a bearded Quetzalcoatl who appeared from the sky, taught the people to be good, and promised to return.

ejonesie22 said, "And when you accept as your “leader” a man who says he is “greater that Christ”....well there really is no reasoning to follow only lies.

Joseph did not say that he was greater than Christ. Go back and reread the whole of it. Joseph first read 2 Cornithians chapter 11 which is Paul boasting of his accomplishments. Joseph then proceeds to do the same claiming that he was able to keep the church together longer than any of the prior prophets.

Greyfoxx said, "Joseph Smith was wearing an occult object called a Jupiter Talisman on him on the day he was killed."

This story is completely untrue. The only mention of such a talisman came many years later when Charles Bidaman, step son of Emma Smith, attempted to cash in on Joseph's death by selling a talisman, claiming that it was with Joseph at the time of his death. However, there is no record by anybody prior to this of such a talisman. And the official inventory of what was found with Joseph after his death by the Smith family lawyer lists many objects, but no mention of a talisman.

Godzilla said, "I afterwards understood that two or three were wounded by these discharges, two of whom, I am informed died.""

Perhaps you can provide the names of these two individuals and their causes of death. Until then it's just hearsay.

Godzilla said, "Persecution due to mormon-originated actions like the Kirkwood banking scam?"

It was not a scam. It was an attempt to provide financial stability to the many poor Latter-day Saints who had immigrated to the Kirtland area. Their quasi-bank failed like many other financial institutions at the time. Naturally there was plenty of finger pointing and of course Joseph took much of the heat, even though he lost just as much money in the venture as anybody.

Godzilla said, Another time he was trying to have his way with a young woman (while he was married to emma) and her brother and towns people got involved and ran him out of town? No, most of the time smith caused these problems."

Even Oliver Cowderey accused Joseph of having an affair with this young woman based on claims he had heard. Those claims were investigated and Joseph underwent a church trial. Based upon the findings of the investigation and the testimonies of those in the trial it was determined that the claims were unsubstantiated and Oliver Cowderey was excommunicated shortly thereafter for spreading a false claim against Joseph. Interestingly, Oliver Cowderey eventually rejoined the Church. Why would he do that if he believed in his heart of hearts that Joseph was a false or fallen prophet?

Godzilla said, "Ever hear of the 'Salt Sermon'?""

The Salt Sermon was delivered in 1838. But it was 1833 that the Saints in Jackson County were driven from their lands and their homes were burned. After repeated petitions to the state of Missouri and the Federal government for assistance, the Mormons were denied any help. So Church leaders took it upon themselves to protect church members from those who wished to commit acts of violence on them and deny them their God given rights.

Godzilla said, "Bottom line is the fact that smith tried to defend himself and that disqualifies him from being described in the same manner as our Lord during His arrest, trial, and death (Acts 8:32)"

Joseph was trying to protect and defend his friends from being killed. Bullets were flying through the windows and door as the mob of 200 men surrounded the jail. Joseph's leap from the window was clearly not an attempt to escape but to draw fire from the mob and sacrifice himself for his friends who were still alive inside the jail. It worked as John Taylor and Willard Richards were spared.

Godzilla said, "The facts of history show otherwise. Smith killed two of the people"

You may need to recheck your facts. There is no proof that anybody from the mob died as a result of Joseph attempting to protect his brother and friends from the mob.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Joseph_Smith,_Jr.

Godzilla said, "- justifiable (except he was in a jail), but is not consistent with a lamb being lead to slaughter (as they would equate to Jesus). This was at the tail end of the 'mormon war' where the mormons (via the danites), went after dissidents and exmormons as well as those in proximity to oppose their plans. Smith ordered a newspaper destroyed (and their owners fleeing for their lives) because they exposed the fact of Smiths (and his inner circle's) ongoing and illegal polygamy (among other things). He was charged with treason for declaring martial law in mormon controlled areas and threatening non mormons. Does this sound like he was killed for his 'testimony' that the bom was true?"

Except you are ignoring the pink elephant in the room. The persecutions against the Mormons and the frequent attempts on Joseph's life began long before the controversey of plural marriage was public. The land and homes of the Saints in Missouri had been taken by mobs who did not like their religion nor their abolitionist politics. This is what led to the Missouri war and the extermination order being put upon all Mormons in the state. Even prior to this Joseph Smith bore the brunt of persecutions because of his talk of a new Bible and visions of angels. Clearly people did not like his brand of religion and were willing to get violent about it.

Elisie said, "5. The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time."

Education is very important, but faithfulness matters more for those who serve within the LDS Church. The scriptures support this as many of the early Apostles were simple fishermen. Jesus was a carpenter. And the prophet Samuel was a mere boy when he was called of God.

Elsie said, "Then WHY doesn't it contain "The RESTORED Gospel"? Then WHY doesn't it contain ANY of the SACRED Temple Rituals® that are SO important to MORMONISM? The Book of MORMON is NOT needed for ANY things that MORMONs do these days."

The Book of Mormon is a second witness from an ancient western civilization that Jesus is the Christ. Jesus taught that by the mouth of two or three witnesses should every word be established (Matt. 18:16). It solidifies and confirms the teachings of the Bible by teaching the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Consequently it dispells many of the disagreements which exist among the various Christian denominations. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the central component to God's plan for us on earth. The gospel of Jesus Christ consists of the principles of faith, repentance, Jesus' atonement, and the ordinances of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Book of Mormon covers all of these subjects in depth. While usage of Temples is mentioned in the Book of Mormon, an explanation of how they were used is not.