“Your recent inquiry concerning the Smithsonian Institution’s alleged use of the Book of Mormon as a scientific guide has been received in the Smithsonian’s Department of Anthropology.
“The Book of Mormon is a religious document and not a scientific guide. The Smithsonian Institution has never used it in archaeological research and any information that you have received to the contrary is incorrect. Accurate information about the Smithsonian’s position is contained in the enclosed ‘Statement Regarding the Book of Mormon,’ which was prepared to respond to the numerous inquiries that the Smithsonian receives on this topic. “Because the Smithsonian regards the unauthorized use of its name to disseminate inaccurate information as unlawful, we would appreciate your assistance in providing us with the names of any individuals who are misusing the Smithsonian’s name.”
Statement by the National Museum of Natural History (Washington, D.C.: The Department of Anthropology, Smithsonian Institution, 1996), 1.
