The Grolier Codex, an ancient document that is among the rarest books in the world, has been regarded with skepticism since it was reportedly unearthed by looters from a cave in Chiapas, Mexico, in the 1960s.

But a meticulous new study of the codex has yielded a startling conclusion: The codex is both genuine and likely the most ancient of all surviving manuscripts from ancient America.

Stephen Houston, (formerly of BYU) worked with Michael Coe, professor emeritus of archeology and anthropology at Yale University and leader of the research team. They reviewed “all known research on the manuscript,” analyzing it “without regard to the politics, academic and otherwise, that have enveloped the Grolier.” 

In a 50-page analysis, the authors take up the questions and criticisms leveled by scholars over the last 45 years and describe how the Grolier Codex differs from the three other known ancient Maya manuscripts but nonetheless joins their ranks.

Those who judged the Grolier Codex a hoax made at least five mistakes, also commonly made by people critical of the Book of Mormon: 1. it's unconventional origins 2. dismissing without giving it a close examination 3. close-mindedness 4. pick on little details 5. name-calling.

Just as with the Grolier Codex, the truth will some day come out as to the authenticity of the Book of Mormon. Until then, derogatory remarks and sloppy research do no one any good.