Do the places exist?

The maps provided in the Bible are actual maps used today and indicate real places in their correct locations, some of which are in ruins, and some which are inhabited to this day (like Jerusalem). The fact that some have their recorded Biblical names persisting into our modern age indicates continuous permanent settlement of those areas. The geographical accuracy is further demonstrated by museums using the books as guides to locate sites.

Interestingly, the physical location of the events of the BoM (said to be Mesoamerica) is not defined - depicted by differing versions of maps that do not correspond to real-life landmasses on Earth. The LDS church takes no official position on the geographic location of the BoM.

Did the people exist?

One of the most prominent people groups mentioned in the Bible is the Jews - and they are still in existence today. Other civilizations mentioned in the Bible (like the Romans and Greeks) show traces of themselves in the architecture, etc., they have left behind. Even groups that no longer exist (such as the Canaanites and Philistines) are indicated in extra-Biblical sources.

The BoM shows three main empires - the Jaredites (promised to become the 'greatest nation on earth'), the Nephites (who replaced them), and the Lamanites (who overthrew the Nephites). There is no trace or record of any such named groups in the Americas - a practical impossibility considering these are three entire empires.

Did the flora, fauna & materials exist?

Figs, almonds, olives, wheat, barley, sheep, goats - these and other food and animal groups mentioned in the Bible coincide with what is seen in the lands today. Even animals recorded in the Bible that no longer exist in the region (such as lions) have been documented as having once existed by explorers. There are stacks of coins found in biblical sites, as well as arrowheads utilized by biblical civilizations (Israelites, Babylonians & Assyrians).

The BoM claims that wheat, barley, horses, cattle, goats & elephants existed in ancient America - this is simply not seen in the remnants of that period. Turkeys, llamas, corn, beans & squash are the only evidence of what the Mayans used. Additionally, the BoM says Nephi's family found ores of gold, copper and steel and that the Jaredites & Nephites used metal coins, armor and plates to write on - this again conflicts with the excavated evidence that shows a lack of metal usage.

Furthermore, there are no burial sites, human remains, chariot parts, or steel swords in the places of war indicated by the BoM. The major landmark, the Hill Cumorah, has not been officially excavated by the LDS church - despite this potentially yielding long sought-after evidence. However, footage captured of LDS members in the video indicates that the church has attempted excavation and found nothing.

What about the writing?

There is a multitude of historically verified manuscripts available backing up the OT and NT - nearly every book of the OT is found in the Dead Sea Scrolls, and there are thousands of manuscripts in Greek confirming the Greek gospels and letters in the NT. Engraved silver plaques (dated around 7th century B.C.) have even been found documenting verses in Numbers.

The BoM claims that the Nephites kept records on metal plates - no such plates are found. In fact, there is no documentary trail for the BoM until the 1830s. Additionally, the language the Nephites allegedly spoke ('reformed Egyptian') is said to not exist at all, and no Hebrew/Egyptian variant is ever seen in the record of the ancient Americas.

What about key figures?

Apart from the Bible, there are a multitude of extra-biblical sources mentioning figures like David, Isaiah and Malachi (among others). People mentioned in the NT (like Caiaphas) have also been proven to have existed. But the central figure of the Bible, Jesus Christ? There's no question of Him having existed, his life, death and resurrection being referred to in both Christian and (unfavorable) non-Christian accounts. It is a historical reality that He existed in the ancient Middle East.

The BoM is said to contain books written by various prophets - no proof exists of these prophets having even existed, let alone having written these books. Additionally, it claims that Christ visited the Native Americans in the New World - no account exists like the accounts of His existence in the Middle East.

What about Biblical traditions?

The BoM claims to uphold OT laws, yet shows priests being appointed in the Americas from the line of Joseph (instead of the line of Aaron required in the OT). Additionally, it claims that temples have been constructed in the Americas - another violation of OT law.

What does it say about Christ? What is crucial to note is that the Book of Mormon (BoM) puts itself on par with (or even greater than) the Bible. The LDS church proclaims it to be the most correct book, and that one would get closer to God by abiding by it. Yet, as noted by their prophet Gordon B. Hinckley, the Christ described in the Book of Mormon is NOT the Christ of Christianity! Their version of Christ is based entirely on the 'witness' of a later prophet.

Takeaway - the proof is in the (lack of) pudding

As one of their apostles noted, if false, the BoM is "one of the most cunning, wicked, bold, deep-laid impositions ever palmed upon the world, calculated to deceive and ruin millions who will sincerely receive it as the word of God" - with the complete lack of any evidence, plants, materials, people or otherwise, and errors on key biblical facts (like the place of Christ's birth), it begs the question: what does it have left to demonstrate its truth?