The phrase “elephants book of mormon” represents a specific point of contention within discussions surrounding the Book of Mormon. It centers on the absence of elephant remains in the archaeological record of pre-Columbian America, despite a reference to “cureloms” and “cumoms” in the Book of Mormon which some have interpreted as potentially referring to elephant-like creatures. The lack of archaeological evidence for elephants during the relevant timeframe is often presented as a challenge to the Book of Mormon’s historicity.
The significance of this topic arises from its implications for the Book of Mormon’s claim to be a historical record of ancient American civilizations. Proponents of the Book of Mormon offer various counter-arguments, including that the terms “cureloms” and “cumoms” may refer to extinct species unknown to modern science, or that the elephant population was geographically limited and/or did not leave sufficient remains to be discovered. The historical context is rooted in attempts to reconcile the Book of Mormon narrative with scientific and archaeological findings.
