This above title is what Thomas Jefferson said to the Royal Crown.
How could the author of the Declaration of the Independence own slaves? How could twenty percent of the population of the new United States, founded on the principles of liberty and equality, live in bondage? What was life like for enslaved people in the early republic?
“You know that nobody wishes more ardently to see an abolition not only of the trade but of the condition of slavery: and certainly nobody will be more willing to encounter every sacrifice for that object.” -Thomas Jefferson to Brissot de Warville, February 11, 1788
1784 – Rhode Island and Connecticut begin gradual emancipation. – North Carolina prohibits the importation of African slaves. – Jefferson’s proposal to restrict the westward expansion of slavery fails.
Jefferson’s Failed Anti-Slavery Proviso of 1784 and the Nascence of Free Soil Constitutionalism
By William G. Merkel
Despite his severe racism and inextricable personal commitments to slavery, Thomas Jefferson made profoundly significant contributions to the rise of anti-slavery constitutionalism. This Article examines the narrowly defeated anti-slavery plank in the Territorial Governance Act drafted by Jefferson and ratified by Congress in 1784. The provision would have prohibited slavery in all new states carved out of the western territories ceded to the national government established under the Articles of Confederation.
Despite this, he included a paragraph condemning slavery; this was eventually deleted from the final draft.
The Act set out the principle that new states would be admitted to the Union on equal terms with existing members, and provided the blueprint for the Republican Guarantee Clause and prohibitions against titles of nobility in the United States Constitution of 1788. The defeated anti-slavery plank inspired the anti-slavery proviso successfully passed into law with the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. Unlike that Ordinance’s famous antislavery clause, Jefferson’s defeated provision would have applied south as well as north of the Ohio River. https://scholarship.shu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1115&context=shlr
Thomas Jefferson helped to create a new nation based on individual freedom and self-government. His words in the Declaration of Independence expressed the aspirations of the new nation. But the Declaration did not extend “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” to African Americans, indentured servants, or women. Twelve of the first eighteen American presidents owned slaves. Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration and called slavery an “abominable crime,” yet he was a lifelong slaveholder. Fearful of dividing the fragile new nation, Jefferson and other founders who opposed slavery did not insist on abolishing it.
Why Thomas Jefferson’s Anti-Slavery Passage Was Removed from the Declaration of Independence
YOHURU WILLIAMS
With its soaring rhetoric about all men being “created equal,” the Declaration of Independence gave powerful voice to the values behind the American Revolution. Critics, however, saw a glaring contradiction: Many of the colonists who sought freedom from British tyranny themselves bought and sold human beings. By underpinning America’s nascent economy with the brutal institution of chattel slavery, they deprived roughly one-fifth of the population of their own “inalienable” right to liberty.
What isn’t widely known, however, is that Founding Father Thomas Jefferson, in an early version of the Declaration, drafted a 168-word passage that condemned slavery as one of the many evils foisted upon the colonies by the British crown. The passage was cut from the final wording.
So while Jefferson is credited with infusing the Declaration with Enlightenment-derived ideals of freedom and equality, the nation’s founding document—its moral mission statement—would remain forever silent on the issue of slavery. That omission would create a legacy of exclusion for people of African descent that engendered centuries of struggle over basic human and civil rights.
What the deleted passage said
In his initial draft, Jefferson blamed Britain’s King George for his role in creating and perpetuating the transatlantic slave trade—which he describes, in so many words, as a crime against humanity.
He has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating its most sacred rights of life & liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating & carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere or to incur miserable death in their transportation thither.
Jefferson went on to call the institution of slavery “piratical warfare,”“execrable commerce” and an “assemblage of horrors.” He then criticized the crown for
“Exciting those very people to rise in arms among us, and to purchase that liberty of which he has deprived them, by murdering the people on whom he also obtruded them: thus paying off former crimes committed against the Liberties of one people, with crimes which he urges them to commit against the lives of another.”
This passage refers to a 1775 proclamation by Britain’s Lord Dunmore, which offered freedom to any enslaved person in the American colonies who volunteered to serve in the British army against the patriots’ revolt. The proclamation inspired thousands of enslaved people to seek liberty behind British lines during the Revolutionary War.
Why was the Declaration’s anti-slavery passage removed?
Thomas Jefferson reading the rough draft of the Declaration of Independence to Benjamin Franklin. Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
The exact circumstances of the passage’s removal may never be known; the historical record doesn’t include details of the debates undertaken by the Second Continental Congress. What is known is that the 33-year-old Jefferson, who composed the Declaration between June 11 and June 28, 1776, sent a rough draft to members of a pre-selected committee, including John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, for edits ahead of its presentation to Congress. Between July 1 and July 3, congressional delegates debated the document, during which time they excised Jefferson’s anti-slavery clause.
The removal was mostly fueled by political and economic expediencies. While the 13 colonies were already deeply divided on the issue of slavery, both the South and the North had financial stakes in perpetuating it. Southern plantations, a key engine of the colonial economy, needed free labor to produce tobacco, cotton and other cash crops for export back to Europe. Northern shipping merchants, who also played a role in that economy, remained dependent on the triangle trade between Europe, Africa and the Americas that included the traffic in enslaved Africans.
Decades later, in his autobiography, Jefferson primarily blamed two Southern states for the clause’s removal, while acknowledging the North’s role as well.
“The clause…reprobating the enslaving the inhabitants of Africa, was struck out in compliance to South Carolina and Georgia, who had never attempted to restrain the importation of slaves, and who on the contrary still wished to continue it. Our Northern brethren also I believe felt a little tender under these censures; for tho’ their people have very few slaves themselves, yet they had been pretty considerable carriers of them to others.”
Many in Congress had a vested interest
The committee which drafted the Declaration of Independence: Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston and John Adams. MPI/Getty Images
To call slavery a “cruel war against human nature itself” may have accurately reflected the values of many of the founders, but it also underscored the paradox between what they said and what they did. Jefferson, after all, had been tasked with writing a document to reflect the interests of an assemblage of slave-owning colonies with a profound commercial interest in preserving the trade in human beings. One third of the Declaration’s signers were personally enslavers and even in the North, where abolition was more widely favored, states passed “gradual emancipation” laws designed to slowly phase out the practice.
Liberty in the Form of a Goddess of Youth by Edward Savage, 1796. Thomas Jefferson Foundation
Jefferson himself had a complicated relationship to the “peculiar institution.” Despite his philosophical abhorrence of slavery and his ongoing legislative efforts to abolish the practice, Jefferson over his lifetime enslaved more than 600 people—including his own children with his enslaved concubine Sally Hemings. On his death in 1826, Jefferson, long plagued with debt, chose not to free any of the human beings he claimed as property.
Such conflicts didn’t go unnoticed. How was it possible, wrote British essayist Samuel Johnson at the start of the war, “that we hear the loudest yelps for liberty among the drivers of Negroes?” American loyalist and former governor of Massachusetts Thomas Hutchinson echoed these sentiments in his “Strictures Upon the Declaration of the Congress at Philadelphia”:
“I could wish to ask the Delegates of Maryland, Virginia, and the Carolinas, how their constituents justify the depriving more than an hundred thousand Africans of their rights to liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and in some degree to their lives, if these rights are so absolutely unalienable….”
The legacy of a foundational omission
Notes on the State of Virginia by Thomas Jefferson, Stockdale edition, 1787
The signers ultimately replaced the deleted clause with a passage highlighting King George’s incitement of “domestic insurrections among us,” for stirring up warfare between the colonists and Native tribes—leaving the original passage a footnote to what might have been.
Indeed, removing Jefferson’s condemnation of slavery would prove the most significant deletion from the Declaration of Independence. The founders’ failure to directly address the question of slavery exposed the hollowness of the words “all men created equal.” Nonetheless, the underlying ideals of freedom and equality expressed in the document have inspired generations of Americans to struggle to obtain their inalienable rights. BY YOHURU WILLIAMS
The flag of the United States of America reminds us daily of our freedom which came from God. The flag is to be honored, loved, respected, and protected as it represents how we feel about our Country and our Heavenly Father. We don’t worship the flag but we honor it’s symbolic nature.
Look around america today. Have we forgotten the flag? do we still honor it? Does it still represent our Liberty in this great Nation? When we see others disrespect the flag what do we do? How we treat the flag is an outward indication of how we feel about our God and Country. What do the flage of other nations represent? Hopefully honor and freedom, but remember, this flag has special meaning on God’s Choice Land and especially as it flutters in the wind on top of Hill Cumorah.
Amazing Flag Quotes
“After President McKay’s remarks the canvas shroud that was covering the monument was removed and the congregations joined in the song “What Was Witnessed in the Heavens.” In attendance at this session was a young Gordon B. Hinckley, on his way home from his mission to England. He later wrote an article for the Deseret News giving these details of that event: “On the summit of the hill was a canvas-draped monument. At an appointed signal four trumpeters raised their gleaming instruments. In sharp clear tones “An Angel From On High” echoed across the placid countryside. The flag—the Stars and Stripes—fluttered in the wind, and it never looked more beautiful than it did over that hill sacred and important to the history of America. Then the canvas shroud fell from the monument, and the figure of Moroni looked out across the quiet fields which in his day of life had been scenes of carnage and sorrow. It is interesting to note that Gordon B. Hinckley, present at the first dedication of the Hill Cumorah as a returning missionary, would also be present at the 50th anniversary of the dedication in 1985 as a member of the First Presidency. Following the unveiling of the monument, President Heber J. Grant shared a few remarks followed by the dedicatory prayer.” 2002 A Study of the Hill Cumorah: A Significant Latter- Day Saint Landmark in Western New York Cameron J. Packer[Doesn’t this quote above in red, validate that this very hill in upstate NY was indeed the same hill of the last battles of the Book of Mormon?] Read my complete blog about this event in 1923.
“Because the Church was still several years away from purchasing the entire Hill Cumorah, conference organizers secured special permission from non–Latter-day Saint Pliny T. Sexton, owner and proprietor of the hill and surrounding farmland, to hold ceremonies on his property.87 The missionaries and members made their way, flags in hand, to the top of the hill while the sun peeked over the eastern horizon. When everyone summited, the appointed “Flag Sergeants” erected America’s national banner. They also raised a unique “Cumorah—Ramah” flagspecially designed for the occasion—bisected into two colors, the blue “Cumorah” side bore the hill’s name “as it was known by the Nephites” in bright gold letters. The purple “Ramah” side similarly bore the ancient name of the hill in gold, as it “was known to the Jaredites—the people who first possessed the land.”88 Pilgrimage to Palmyra: President B. H. Roberts and the Eastern States Mission’s 1923 Commemoration of Cumorah Author Reid L. Neilson and Carson V. Teuscher[In this quote it mentions the Cumorah Flag and the Ramah Flag being raised together on the same Hill Cumorah, meaning the final battles occurred at the same hill by both the Nephites and the Jaredites, another validation there is only ONE Hill Cumorah!]
Meaning of Our Flag– Colors of our Flag
by Howard Schnauber Credit to Fort Collins Public Library Local History Archive
I Am the Flag Of America
I am the flag of the United States of America. My name is Old Glory. I fly atop the world’s tallest buildings. I stand watch in America’s halls of justice. I fly majestically over institutions of learning. I stand guard with power in the world. Look up and see me.
I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice. I stand for freedom. I am confident. I am arrogant, I am proud.
When I am flown with my fellow banners, My head is a little higher, My colors a little truer.
I bow to no one! I am recognized all over the world. I am honored – I am saluted. I am loved – I am revered. I am respected – and I am feared.
I have fought in every battle of every war for more then 200 years.
I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh and Appamatox. I was there at San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome and the beaches of Normandy.
Guam, Okinawa, Korea and KheSan, Saigon, Vietnam know me. I was there. I led my troops, I was dirty, battleworn and tired, But my soldiers cheered me and I was proud.
I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries I have helped set free. It does not hurt for I am a symbol of love and freedom. I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and trampled in the streets of my country. And when it’s done by those Whom I’ve served in battle – it hurts. But I shall overcome – for I am strong.
I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon. I have borne silent witness to all of America’s finest hours.
But my finest hours are yet to come.
When I am torn into strips and used as bandages for my wounded comrades on the battlefield, When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier, Or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent at the grave of their fallen son or daughter,
I am proud. Yet, I am humble. I know that my greatness comes from God. I know that God’s blessing is what makes my country great.
Howard Schnauber
THE MEANING OF THE COLORS OF THE FLAG
The Colors of the Flag reflect our Christian heritage.
My red stands for the blood that was shed for the freedom I represent. Yet, my red originated from the blood of Jesus who died and rose again for those who believe in Him and for whom the Pilgrims came to this country for religious freedom and for the freedom from tyrants who would not let them worship God except in a national denominational church. My people are now free to worship in the church of their choice whether it be Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Calvary Chapel, Evangelical Free, Brethren, Episcopalian, Catholic, Vineyard or other denominations who believe in the One True God of the Bible. People here are even free to disbelieve or to doubt. All we ask in America is that the ones who do not believe in Jesus will not try to use the freedoms we give them to try to take away the freedoms of those of us who do believe in Jesus. Our Founders held church services in the Rotunda of the Capitol, in the treasury office, and in the offices of the Supreme Court. By 1867, the church in the Capitol had become the largest church in Washington, and the largest Protestant church in America. (from James Hutson, Chief of the Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress, Religion and the Founding of the American Republic, Washington, D.C., Library of Congress 1998). This, among many other historical writings and facts, is proof that the recent claims of a separation of church and state did not exist among the original intent of our Founders. The meaning of the colors in the flag reflect our Christian foundation.
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“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” Psalm 33:12
My blue stands for heaven, the eternal dwelling place of those who go to be with the eternal, everlasting Father who created us. My blue reminds me that those who want to go to heaven must believe and put their trust and belief in God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Obedience to the written message that God gave to them in His Holy Book, the Bible is the proof of my people’s faith in God.
My white reminds me that my motives must always remain pure, unselfish, without greed, & with arms outstretched to welcome all who long for freedom, justice, opportunity and equality under the law. My white reminds me that because I am the symbol of a Christian nation founded upon Christian principles and the law of God represented by God’s Ten Commandments that I am only pure and righteous because I was washed white in the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, and Savior of all who trust in Him.
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” Proverbs 14:34
May all who love me work to elect Godly men and women who will live Godly lives in private and in public, who will honor me in their homes, their hearts, and in our nation, who will make righteous laws which reflect God’s righteous rules in His Holy Word, the Bible. [And the Book of Mormon]
Please forward my message or this link to all who still love and respect me that I may fly proudly for another three hundred years.
THE MEANING OF THE COLORS OF THE US FLAG SYMBOLIZE
The colors of the US Flag have important meaning and the colors symbolize our spiritual heritage.
The red of the stripes was not only emblematic of the blood that was shed in the war that led to the establishment of an independent republic. It also signified the passage into the embodied state of the higher principles of light. Red is the color of the life-blood that runs through humanity and through all warm-blooded creatures, and it was, is, and always shall be America’s destiny to be a funnel or vehicle for bringing light and energy from the higher realms to the earth for the purpose of benefiting the realms of life amidst the physical. In this sense, America functions as the heart of the planetary body, and her purpose serves the purposes of all.
In relation to the white stripes that accompany the red, just as the red signifies the life of the earth, the white signifies the higher realms of light joining and intermingling with the life of the earth, a constant companion to the spiritual evolution of mankind and of all beings.
The stars on the blue background are a composite image that has gone through many changes as the Republic of the United States of America has grown from thirteen colonies to a much vaster size. Indeed, the blue background, today, is almost filled with the stars representing the fifty states of America, and it is possible that more shall be added at some point in the future when those territories seeking statehood shall also come under the umbrella of the vast entity that shall be the new Republic of America.
The number of stars in the original pattern were shaped in the form of a hexagon, with invisible lines of light joining the thirteen stars. These lines crisscrossed from one star to another. Though they could not be seen outwardly, they represented the developing national identity that was being given energy and light by the forces that supported the birth of a nation and the principles upon which she stood. These lines of light remain today in the upper left-hand corner of the flag between each of the fifty stars and every other, although in some instances the threads of connection have become weakened, indicating that the coherence and integrity of the nation as a unity has also become weakened. The patterning of light related to the stars reflects the condition of things on a spiritual level as well as on a physical. At this time in her history, America is in need of a kind of joining on the level of the heart and mind that will eradicate the divisions that are presently undermining her national integrity.
Finally, the blue background against which the stars are placed is a symbol of the eternal being of God, the Creator of all, and represents the Infinite, out of which both America’s identity and the earth itself has been constructed. The eternal and the infinite is interwoven into America’s outer life as it is interwoven into her spiritual life, and despite the fact that there have been significant departures from the fulfillment of her true destiny since her founding, and clear departures from the moral vision that is also part of her foundation, the blue that represents America’s relationship to God remains as the assurance that this connection will never change, no matter what ideology becomes popular. It is why “In God We Trust” is written on the dollar bill, and why in so many other instances, the connection with the eternal has been enunciated as part of America’s most sacred documents.
Meaning of our flag brings you these weekly Bible verses
Deuteronomy 7:5-8 5 But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire. 6 For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. 7The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: 8 But because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
Gold-Fringed American Flags
US Election Fake And Foreign, Here’s Irrefutable Proof That Is Not Your Flag, America! Yellow-Fringed Flag Represents No Nation And No Constitution
BEWARE OF THE ILLEGAL U.S.A CORPORATEGOLD FRINGED FLAG
Do you know why flags displayed in State courts and courts of the United States have gold or yellow fringes? That is your WARNING that you are entering into a foreign enclave, the same as if you are stepping into a foreign embassy and you will be under the jurisdiction of that flag.
The flag with the gold or yellow fringe has no constitution, no laws, and no rules of court, and is not recognized by any nation on the earth, and is foreign to you and the United States of America.
MILITARY FLAG WITH THE GOLD FRINGE
Martial Law Flag “Pursuant to 4 U.S.C. chapter 1, §§1, 2, & 3; Executive Order 10834, August 21, 1959; 24 F.R.6865; a military flag is a flag that resembles the regular flag of the United States, except that it has a YELLOW FRINGE border on three sides. The President of the United States designates this deviation from the regular flag, by executive order, and in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the military.
The placing of a fringe on the national flag, the dimensions of the flag and the arrangement of the stars in the union are matters of detail not controlled by statute, but are within the discretion of the President as Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy.” 34 Ops. Atty. Gen. 83.
President, Dwight David Eisenhower, by Executive Order No.10834, signed on August 21, 1959 and printed in the Federal Register at 24 F.R. 6865, pursuant to law, stated that: “A military flag is a flag that resembles the regular flag of the United States, except that it has a yellow fringe border on three sides.
THE LAW OF THE FLAG
The Law of the Flag, an International Law, which is recognized by every nation of the planet, is defined as:”… a rule to the effect that a vessel is a part of the territory of the nation whose flag she flies. The term is used to designate the RIGHTS under which a ship owner, who sends his vessel into a foreign port, gives notice by his flag to all who enter into contracts with the ship master that he intends the Law of that Flag to regulate those contracts, and that they must either submit to its operation or not contract with him or his agent at all.” Ref.: Ruhstrat v. People, 57 N.E. 41
By the doctrine of “four cornering” the flag establishes the law of the country that it represents. For example, the embassies of foreign countries, in Washington D.C., are “four cornered” by walls or fencing, creating an “enclave.” Within the boundaries of the “enclave” of the foreign embassy, the flag of that foreign country establishes the jurisdiction and law of that foreign country, which will be enforced by the Law of the Flag and international treaty.
If you enter an embassy, you will be subject to the laws of that country, just as if you board a ship flying a foreign flag, you will be subject to the laws of that flag, enforceable by the “master of the ship,” (Captain), by the law of the flag.
When you enter a courtroom displaying a gold or yellow fringed flag, you have just entered into a foreign country, and you better have your passport with you, because you may not be coming back to the land of the free for a long time. The judge sitting under a gold or yellow fringe flag becomes the “captain” or “master” of that ship or enclave and he has absolute power to make the rules as he goes. The gold or yellow fringe flag is your warning that you are leaving your Constitutionally secured RIGHTS on the floor outside the door to that courtroom.
This is exactly why so many judges are appointed, and not elected by the people. The Federal judges are appointed by the President, the national military commander in chief. The State judges are appointed by the Governors, the state military commanders. The judges are appointed because the courts are military courts and civilians do not “elect” military officers.
Under martial law, you are presumed guilty until proven innocent.
The gold-fringed flag only stands inside military courts that sit in summary court martial proceedings against civilians and such courts are governed in part by local rules, but more especially by “The Manual of Courts Martial”, U.S., 1994 Ed., at Art. 99, (c)(1)(b), pg. IV-34, PIN 030567-0000, U.S. Government Printing Office, Wash. D.C. The details of the crimes that civilians can commit, that are classed as ‘Acts of War,’ cover 125 pages in the Manual of Courts Martial.
Under Article IV, section 3, of the Constitution for the united States of America, no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State. So — Why have the judges of the State and Federal courts been allowed to erect foreign enclaves within our public courthouses under a foreign flag with the yellow fringe upon the soil of your state?
We just thought you would like to know, so that the next time you see this yellow fringed flag you will know what you are looking at and what it really means. If you are in Spain and you see the National Flag of Spain, you would know that you are under the jurisdiction of Spain; and their laws govern you at this time. You are officially NOTICED when you see their flag.
This is an admiralty law that says that all who see this flag understand they are governed by the laws of the country that this flag represents. You SHOULD understand that the gold or yellow fringed flag signifies the same thing. It is a notice to you that you are under the rules and regulations of the military force that is flying that flag.
Are you familiar with martial law? Does your attorney understand what this flag means?
It is an elementary rule of pleading, that a plea to the jurisdiction is a tacit (silent) admission that the court has a right to judge the case and is a waiver to all exception to the jurisdiction.”(Girty v. Logan, 6 Bush KY, 8
Gold-Fringed American Flags
An interview to introduce the matter, followed by an explanation of the facts. By P. Johnson-Holm
Flag of the Unity-States of the America
Title: 4 U.S.A. Codes: Chapter: 1: Section: 1&2 and under Presidential Executive-Order #10834, dated August the 25 of 1959
Q: Is the yellow fringe on some of the flags seen in the United States purely a decorative touch?
A: No. The yellow fringe is only found on military flags, and the gold-fringed American flag is a military flag that represents Martial Law which is not subject to the Constitution. The one without is known as the peace flag of the United States and it symbolizes that the Constitution and the United States is alive and well.
Q: But they are both displayed across the U.S. and everyone knows we’re not under martial law. Why does it matter whether one or the other is flown?
A: There’s an international law known as The Law of the Flag. Whichever flag is displayed, that’s the rules you follow. If it’s on a ship, the ship’s captain is the enforcer of the rules of the country whose flag is being flown. If it’s in a fenced-in enclosure, such as an Embassy, that country’s Ambassador and the rules of his country are in charge in that little area.
Q: So if the Martial Law flag is on display in a courtroom, doesn’t the Constitution still apply?
A: The rules of the court are governed by the local authorities, but mostly by the Manual of Courts Martial, a military publication. One of the big differences is that under this court martial law, you are guilty until proven innocent. The court could even confiscate your possessions. It doesn’t matter whether or not you even get charged with a crime.
Q: But how did this get started? I never knew Martial Law had been declared.
A: Only the Commander-in-Chief can order the use of the military flag, and it was done in 1959 by President Eisenhower.
Q: It just seems that this should be illegal somehow…
A: The Constitution says no new state shall be formed within a State. By planting courts and other buildings into our midst that are governed by the laws of the gold-fringed flag, little “embassies” of these military enclaves are formed. They represent themselves to be government officials of the United States of America – the same country that is governed by the Constitution – but based on all these facts, perhaps you can see that there are two distinct and different groups. So a new ‘state of martial law’ is being formed within all States of the Union. That violates the Constitution. Our country has been taken over right beneath our noses!
This flag is a military flag and its use can only be ordered by the President of the United States. It is not recognized by any nation on earth and it has no constitution, no laws and no courts. The Commander-in-Chief must sign an executive order declaring martial law to activate its use.
This flag is a flag of peace and symbolizes the United States of America, the Constitution and our freedom. It has only three colors – red, white and blue. The specifics are detailed in the Constitution. It is recognized around the world as the flag of our nation.
In 1959 President Eisenhower signed an executive order to have the military flag displayed, and it has not yet been revoked.
The Facts Governing This Issue.
Why does it matter which flag is displayed?
There are certain laws that are fundamental. All countries acknowledge their use and they help all nations communicate and deal with each other. One of those basic laws is The Law of the Flag.
The Law of the Flag
This time-honored law outlines the way flags are used by all nations on Earth. Originally most foreign trade was conducted by sea and the ship captains would fly the colors, or flag, of the country under whose protection they would be traveling.
This practice continues to the present day. The ship, its cargo, crew and passengers are subject to the laws of that country. The ship’s master, or captain, is empowered to enforce the laws of the country of the flag being displayed. Aboard that ship, the captain was the final judge of the law. This is also why marriages performed by boat captains are legal and binding.
When the ship would go into port to do business, others could see the flag flying on top of the ship. That was the captain’s way of giving notice about which country and set of laws he represented. The others had to be willing to do their business according to the represented country’s laws. If they did not agree, they did not do business with that captain.
Four-cornering
This is the term for raising a flag on land. Walls or fences around an area create an enclave, or enclosure. The rules of the country whose flag flies within the four corners governs the property and people inside the enclave. This is how embassies are established with foreign countries.
For example, if you are traveling in another country and visit the American embassy, the area inside the embassy walls is considered American soil. Everyone within is under the jurisdiction of American laws. Any flag with yellow fringe around three edges is immediately recognized as a military flag. At sea, these are known as Admiralty flags.
Traditionally, they are flown during times of war. During time of war, when an admiralty flag is raised on land, it is an identifying point for troops. However, during peace time, the military or admiralty flags has not traditionally been displayed in general public areas.
Which flag is legal?
The international community only acknowledges the legitimacy of the red, white and blue American flag as symbolizing the United States of America. The yellow-fringed flag does not represent the U.S.A. For example, if you enter a courtroom that displays a yellow-fringed flag, that is your notice that the laws of the United States that are based on the Constitution, are not in effect at that location. Instead, the military laws are in effect for everyone within that room. This is why it matters which flag is being displayed.
Isn’t it unconstitutional to do this?
If our country were following the laws of the Constitution, this activity would be illegal.
How our nation is governed.
The Constitution outlines the way our nation is governed. Article III, section 1, describes the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and all other courts of the nation. These rules apply while operating under the American flag. Many citizens call this the Flag of Peace. In other words, when the red, white and blue is flying, it symbolizes that the Constitution is alive and well and all rights are preserved – including the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
Describing the official flag.
Quoting the Constitution, “The flag of the United States shall be thirteen horizontal stripes, alternate red and white; and the union of the flag shall be forty-eight stars, white in a blue field.” As legalized by Constitutional Amendments, new states have become represented by a new star as they were admitted to the Union.
One nation, one government.
Under Article IV, section 3 of the Constitution of the United States of America, no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State. Many examples exist which show that government officials and judges adamantly refuse requests to remove the gold fringed flag and replace it with the constitutional flag of the United States as defined in Article 4, sections 1,2, and 3 – which has no fringe.
Why are yellow-fringed flags being displayed in the USA?
A simple answer would be that whenever a flag is displayed, it symbolizes the ruler behind the flag. Perhaps a better question would be, “Why do Americans allow a flag to be displayed in the USA that replaces their Constitutional flag?”
How the military is ruling the USA. Where are the yellow-fringed flags being displayed?
Most citizens come across them in courtrooms. The courts are supposed to be the enforcer of our nation’s rules. Instead, many courtrooms are enforcing military rules that are ultimately coming from the Commander-in-Chief.
Our courts have been infiltrated.
In any courtroom displaying a yellow-fringed flag, the judge is the ship’s captain, so to speak. The judge is the enforcer of Martial Law as outlined in “The Manual of Courts Martial.” Federal judges are not elected; they are appointed by the President, who is also the Commander-in-Chief. States judges are appointed by the governor, who is also the state’s military commander.
How other countries view this.
Many rumors have circulated around the globe about who ordered the yellow or gold fringe onto American flags. Why is it still there? Some rumors include conspiracy theories against various groups. Other rumors explain that the whole Admiralty Law thing is just a convenience for local authorities that does not have any meaning behind it. Perhaps its just a marketing ploy to make our flag, and our nation, seem prettier and more colorful. Does that have the ring of truth? Read the facts and decide for yourself.
How does the display of fringed-flags allow our freedoms to be stolen from us?
Remember which ‘ruler’ is symbolized in our courtrooms.
Gold-fringed flags displayed in our courtrooms are actually standing inside military courts. The judges sit in summary court martial proceedings against civilians. These courts are governed in part by local rules, but mostly according to “The Manual of Courts Martial.” This manual is published by the government for the military. It details the crimes that civilians can commit. They are classed as ‘Acts of War,’ and this is all covered by 125 pages within the Manual of Courts Martial.
The importance of inside and outside display.
According to “The Manual of Courts Martial” fringed-flags flown outside are operating under Admiralty Law. When they are flown inside, they only represent military courts that are dealing with administrative matters. Cases brought to these judges are considered court martial proceedings against civilians.
Features that define a military flag.
In 1933 President Theodore Roosevelt described that the admiralty, maritime or administration display of the flag is established by the presence of “gold fringe, gold braid, gold eagle, gold spear, or gold ball atop the flag pole.” In 1979 these standards were set down in Army regulations as part of the War Powers Act.
By submitting a plea to this type of court, you are silently assenting, or admitting, that the court has jurisdiction over you. That is how the display of the fringed-flags allows our freedoms to be taken away.
What are the consequences of this Martial Law?
The President as Commander-in-Chief is the highest law, not the Constitution. Under these conditions, the President is given great power.
Under Martial Law, the President may seize property, organize and control the means of production, seize commodities, assign military forces abroad, institute stricter enforcement of martial law, seize and control all transportation and communications, regulate the operation of private enterprise, restrict travel, and, in a plethora of particular ways, control the lives of all American citizens.
Under Martial Law, you are presumed guilty until proven innocent.
Where else can people find evidence of this Martial Law?
In the legal notices of your newspapers, look for warrants that have been issued for the forfeiture of property. Look for these words:
“Any persons having or claiming an interest in or to said property must file their claim in accordance with Rule C(6) of the Supplemental Rules for Certain Admiralty and Maritime Claims within 10 days after the first publication of this notice or within such additional time as may be allowed upon application to the court, and must file their answer to the complaint within 20 days after their claim.”
Under these rules, confiscating property is allowed because you are guilty until proven innocent. Other property may also be seized, whether or not a conviction ever occurs. Here are two examples from Colorado.
What Happens From Here?
I have had debates with people who take great issue with the information shared here. Some have dogmatically stated that the Constitution is the Law and the government is outside the Law. I wish they were right, but they fail to see or understand that the American people have been conquered, unknowingly, yet conquered all the same.
This is why judges have told many – and a judge may someday tell you – to not bring the Constitution or a law dictionary into the courtroom.
This is because the judge is the Law, or represents the law, as established by the Commander-in-Chief, not the Constitution. You have only to read the previous Senate’s report on National Emergency to understand that our Constitution – and our Constitutional form of government – no longer exists.
Editors Note: The goes back to the Law of 1871 that made the USA a corporation under British law and we ceased being a Republic. We were bankrupt then and we are bankrupt today. See my Blog Here:
There are too many rumors about the gold fringed flag that flies in every courtroom1 that you are dragged into.
The U.S. flag is defined by law. The flag law is codified in Title Four of the United States Code. It does not have a yellow fringe.
When you are in a courtroom do you see a U.S. flag attached to a wall? A flag on the wall is attached to the real estate and appurtenant thereto. It is part of the land.
When you are in a courtroom do you see a U.S. flag with yellow fringe, not attached to a wall, but on a pole planted by dismounted troops? If so you have been given actual notice that you are under martial law. The citizen cannot complain because he has voluntarily submitted himself to such a form of government.
Here is the verifiable fact, from rock-solid sources.
The yellow fringe flag is a military2 flag. Understand the deceptions and do not be fooled3.
You have lived under martial law rule ever since the Civil War. There are four levels of Martial Law: Military law, Military government, martial law proper, and martial law rule. (see U.S. Supreme Court Luther v. Borden, 48 US 1 for the first three, then martial law rule was necessary for the 8 Amendments that require Congress to enforce. Congress must enforce them because they are contrary to States’ common law. These amendments are NOT self enforcing as the Supreme Law that judges in every state shall be bound under Article 6 second paragraph).In the U.S. Constitution, Judicial Courts are established, Legislative Tribunals are constituted. You will only see a gold fringed flag in a Legislative Tribunal, even if it calls itself a court. The courts with the gold fringed flag are responsible for giving 14th Amendment citizens the six rights allowed by law. (see 42 USC 1981 for the six rights. These are from the Klu Klux Klan Act of 1871 enacted by Congress three years after the 14th Amendment).That’s right. When you decided that you didn’t want the thousands of unalienable rights that government was instituted among men to secure, you were given six rights. Welcome to your Novus Ordo Seclorum secular new world order.
In my article on Martial Law, you will find out HOW TO RECOGNIZE MARTIAL LAW WHEN YOU SEE IT. With more proof than you can tolerate.
The laws of Congress in Title 4 United States Code section 1 describe a United States Flag. There is no mention of yellow fringe. The national flag when representing the national civil jurisdiction has no yellow fringe on its borders.
But under martial law, the yellow fringe is required.http://notfooledbygovernment.com/gold-fringed-flag-facts/
NO GOLD FRINGE ON PRESIDENT TRUMP’S FLAGS
I witness one of the most unique things I have witnessed in my life of following politics, this afternoon!
While watching the interview with President Donald J. Trump and U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May ‘Old Glory’ was hanging in the fashion that our founders intended! For the first time, since I can recently remember our U.S. Flag was presented in the proper way, with no attached gold fringe!
As a veteran and a patriot, I consider this a very important sign as it is a sign of our Republic! It is also the sign that our President respects our flag, as to not alter it. The altering of the American flag, by adding the fringe, mutilates the flag and is against the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The Gold Fringe Flag Stands for no Nation and no Constitution. It stands for Admiralty Law! Not Constitutional law, not Common Law, but the law that has taken over our nation and court system! It represents Martial Law!
Martial Law Flag “Pursuant to 4 U.S.C. chapter 1, §§1, 2, & 3; Executive Order 10834, August 21, 1959; 24 F.R.6865; a military flag is a flag that resembles the regular flag of the United States, except that it has a YELLOW FRINGE border on three sides. The President of the United States designates this deviation from the regular flag, by executive order, and in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the military. The placing of a fringe on the national flag, the dimensions of the flag and the arrangement of the stars in the union are matters of detail not controlled by statute, but are within the discretion of the President as Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy.” 34 Ops. Atty. Gen. 83.
President, Dwight David Eisenhower, by Executive Order No.10834, signed on August 21, 1959, and printed in the Federal Register at 24 F.R. 6865, pursuant to law, stated that: “A military flag is a flag that resembles the regular flag of the United States, except that it has a yellow fringe border on three sides.”
Why The (Original) Constitution of The United States Can Not Work Today.
Joey Thompson
Let it be known from the get go, I’m an avid constitutionalist. I see the original constitution of The United States (notice the capitalization) as not only a biblical document, but the very infancy of the coming Kingdom (government) of YHWH, The Almighty, here on this earth (Revelation 5:10). The very Kingdom, Yeshua The Christ spoke about, as he stated, “believe the gospel or good news, of the Kingdom of YHWH.”
That said, the point of this teaching will be, the government of THE UNITED STATES (notice the capitalization) is simply not the same government declared in 1776, constituted in 1791 and overthrown in 1869…..Key words in bold. I’ll explain all of that as we go, but first, lets get the terminology correct……
There are two headings you will need to know before anyone can fully come to understand the subject title. They are:
Law of the Land AND Law of the Sea
So, allow me to quickly give some bullet points of each of these two forms of governance from two basic view points. First from a Biblical perspective. Then I’ll do the same from a modern day governmental perspective.
Biblical perspective of The Law of the Land:
Biblical Covenant Law
Exodus 20-23, Deuteronomy 4-31, Joshua 23-24
31 Chapters Totally Void of Any Ceremonial / Sacrificial Law
How to Properly Worship YHWH and How to Live Justly with Your Fellow Man, in Liberty, Free from Bondage…..Or what Christians know as “Love Toward God, Love Toward Neighbor”.
An Eternal Codification of Law, Applicable for All Mankind, actually written on the very DNA of man.
Biblical perspective of The Law of the Sea:
Regulatory / Code Law
Levitical Priesthood Law via Sacrificial / Ceremonial Practices.
Exodus 25-31:11 Repeated in Exodus 35 through 40
13 chapters Totally Void of Any Freedom or Liberty. A law of bondage.
Punishment for Sin. (See Galatians 3:19)
Instruction on How to Worship YHWH, Free from Idolatry, by the Use of Idolatry.
A Temporary Codification of Law, Used as A Tutor, Strictly for The Nation of Israel, Until Christ.
Governmental perspective of The Law of the Land:
Common Law
Hails Directly From Biblical Covenant Law
Based Upon Freedom to Choose Right From Wrong
Allows Free Men to Learn From Their Mistakes
Only Renders Recompense When Damage is Actually Done
Trust Completely in a Just Higher Power of Whom All People Agree.
The Law that will be used in the coming Kingdom of YHWH
Governmental perspective of The Law of the Sea:
Regulatory / Code Law Known as AdmiraltyLaw
Hail Directly From Biblical Levitical Priesthood Law, which is a punishment for sin, with the foregone conclusion, man can not govern himself.
Based Upon Bondage of a People Who Have Proven Ungovernable
Removes True Freedom / Liberty, Stunting Character Growth
Renders Recompense Before Damage is Done via Fines and imprisonment.
Trust Completely in the Higher Power of Man, Void of God.
The Law of Babylon, creating confusion within the land….The mixing of law.
Now…….if you will study these two perspectives, of these two headings of how man is to be governed, both biblically and secularly, coming to know them, being able to rightly divide the truth properly, you are then ready to hear the facts of the subject title.
Question……Did you watch any of the recent Democratic and Republican Presidential Conventions? If so, you may have noticed a subtle difference in the American Flags represented at these respective conventions.
The RNC…….
The DNC……..
Do you see it?
The Gold Fringe around the American flag in the DNC picture? Do you see missing Gold Fringe in the RNC picture?
This was not by happenstance. It wasn’t overlooked by Trump and the Republican Party. It is with good reason, this occurred and I will explain shortly, but for now, just know, the gold fringe is a sign of Admiralty Law.
Biden was an American by birth, but he had entirely forgotten the Lord. He was forbidden by his Church to partake of the Sacrament. By lying, deceit, and secret combinations, he became the CEO of the USA Corporation. Biden wanted to defeat the Patriots in battle so he could become king over both the Patriots, the USA Corp and the New World Order.
Captain Trump was the chief commander of the Patriot armies. He was a strong and mighty man who loved the Lord and loved his people. He had sworn with an oath to protect his people from Biden and the New World Order.
As Biden and his World Order were preparing to destroy the Patriots, Captain Trump was preparing his Patriots to defend themselves and reveal all the evils of the New World Order. The Satan Worship and Child Sacrifices, the buying and selling of the Children, the illegal control over the big Pharma, big Oil and other large corporations, the illegal exchange of money and evil taxes on the Patriots along with every other impure and evil practice of this New World Order.
Captain Trump tore a piece from his coat and made it into a flag or banner that he called the title of liberty with no yellow border. Alma 46:12. It said, “In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.”
“And he fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land—
For thus were all the true believers of Christ, who belonged to the church of God, called by those who did not belong to the church.
Defeat of the Cabal
And those who did belong to the church were faithful; yea, all those who were true believers in Christ took upon them, gladly, the name of Christ, or Christians as they were called, because of their belief in Christ who should come.
And therefore, at this time, Moroni prayed that the cause of the Christians, and the freedom of the land might be favored.” Alma 46:13-16
And the Land was still favored and Trump and his Patriots regained control of the government of God for yet another season. (I propose, This will happen)
I hope same people will realize I am speaking tongue in cheek, but there is some truth to all humor, correct?
What happens next is up to each of us who see and understand the Truth.
Ask yourself what your convictions are and whether you are ready to back them up. (Pray, Pray, Pray) Patriots – those who support the Constitution of the United States – are on notice that it is time to take action.
Tell America – Gold-Fringed American FlagsCopyright 2002, 2003, 2004 by P. Johnson-Holm
I have been locating some amazing information on temples lately. It’s important to remember that these buildings have special significance in our lives and I’m sure there are many other exciting articles about these buildings.
THE NEPHITE WARRIORS
Brother Samuel Roskelley, recorder of the temple, relates that in early days the United States Marshals were making lots of trouble for the Mormons, and were conducting “polygamy raids” to pick up the men who had more than one wife. Two deputy marshals arrived at the temple door one day to find it locked so they could not gain entrance. Brother Roskelley went out to talk with them. They were told that there were no records available to show them. Brother Roskelley told them good-bye and locked the door. The lawmen knew that polygamous marriages were being performed and did not like being denied access to the records. They immediately wired for help, and the next day the head of United States Marshal for Utah, and a whole posse of deputies arrived. This time they demanded, in the name of the United States Government, that the records be given to them. They were again told that no records were available. The marshal then said: “We know you are doing polygamous marriages and that these records are available. We know you have them, and we are going to have them. We will burn the temple door down or even destroy it entirely but what you comply with our request.” The Recorder told them good-bye and looked the door on them again.
Brother Roskelley was very worried and spent the next eight or ten hours in constant prayer, asking the Lord to help him preserve the records, that no harm should come to him or to the people concerned, and that the temple records should not fall into the hands of the United States Marshals. He went out under cover of darkness to visit one of his families in the Seventh Ward area. He was up well before daybreak the next morning, dressed in his oldest clothes, put a corn cob pipe in his mouth, an axe on his shoulder as if he were going to the canyon to work, and walked up the middle of the road whistling a happy tune. As he walked towards the temple and crossed a bridge, two men stepped out to stop him. He immediately struck a match to light his pipe, which had nothing in it, and said “Good Morning” and walked on past the men. Evidently they supposed he was not a Mormon polygamist, but just a woodcutter going to the canyon. When Brother Roskelley reached the front door of the temple, there stood two giant men dressed in complete armor, with head dress, breast plate, spears and full regalia. They gave him a friendly nod as he passed, unlocked the door and entered the temple. As he neared his office, there stood two more large men dressed in full armor. And as he went to the record vaults on the third floor, he came to two other huge men, both dressed in full armor. As soon as he was sure the records were safe, he asked who they were. They told him: “We are Nephite Warriors, and we are here to answer to your prayers.”They then told him not to worry, that they would not allow the temple to be injured or the records to be destroyed in any way. When Brother Roskelley related the incident to President Taylor, he was told that they were, indeed, Nephite soldiers, and that this was not the first time they had been assigned to protect the temple and its people (Nolan P. Olsen, Logan Temple: The First 100 Years, pp. 171-72).
In April 1888, the Hales moved to Cache Valley, bringing their voluminous genealogical records with them, and began an extensive temple activity. At this time they arranged with Samuel Roskelley to prepare the sheets for temple work. He kept names in the temple continuously from then unto about 1903. That fall his health began to fail, his eye sight was poor, and he decided to give up all his record work. He brought the records to sacrament meeting one night and game them to Alma H. Hale, and told him it would be necessary to get some one else to take over the work. Jonathan H. Hale wrote: “During the following week, father was very depressed and worried all the time, and was hardly able to work or eat. He could not decide what to do, for neither he nor any of the Hale family knew how to proceed with the work. A great deal of information had been gathered and the family felt a great responsibility to complete the work. The whole family made it a matter of prayer for the week. The next Sunday at meeting, Brother Roskelley came to father and said: ’Bring the records back to me. I have to finish them. Friday evening as I was returning home from the temple, near Hyde Park, a messenger on a white horse appeared by the side of my buggy and said he wanted me to finish the Hale record. He assured me that the work was done right and that it was all being accepted. He said thousands of the Hale family were anxious that the work go on. I explained that I was too busy to do any more record work, and that my eyesight and health would not permit it. Then the messenger made me this promise, that if I would continue, the Lord would bless me with health and strength, my eyesight would be good, and the way would be opened so I would have the necessary time to do the work. He stayed by my side until I finally promised to do it, and then he blessed me and disappeared.’ ”When Brother Roskelley described this messenger to father, he answered, “Why that was my own father, Jonathan Harriam Hale, the first of the Hale’s to join the church in 1834. He died in 1847 at Winter Quarters.'” When Brother Roskelley finally finished the record he said that the greatest load he ever carried was lifted off his shoulders. He had made a promise to a heavenly being and couldn’t rest until the work was completed. He went home that very night and took off his glasses and never wore them again in his life. He enjoyed much better health and found more time for the work than he had hoped for. The Hale family had a week-long reunion in the temple about 1905, when they completed the last baptism and endowment, and then on Friday afternoon the last sealing was done for the 4,000 family members. As President Merrill neared Smithfield that night on his way to Richmond, he turned to tell the temple good-bye, as was his custom, and his heart about jumped out of his body. He could see the temple was on fire, but as he looked at it for a few minutes he was satisfied that there were no red flames licking upwards. The whole temple was filled with light, and the outside of the building shone with a pale pink glow. All the people in the neighborhood gathered to watch the phenomena and said they heard a heavenly choir sing for nearly two hours. Everyone marveled at the sight, for there were no electric lights or others means for lighting the building until ten years later in 1915. The same thing happened the following night, too, with all the rooms and the building lighted, and the heavenly choir singing. President Merrill knew that we had had a very heavenly manifestation. When he reported the incident to President Wilford Woodruff, the president asked what special work had been done in the temple. He was told of the unusual activity of the Hale family and how they had accomplished so much in such a little time. President Woodruff said the Hale and Boynton families had been permitted to come from the Other Side, to sing and rejoice and celebrate their deliverance in the Logan Temple.(Nolan P. Olsen, Logan Temple: The First 100 Years, pp. 173-75).
Temple President Merrill encounters the Devil, who threatens to stop the temple work from being done.
(Excerpt from “Logan Temple: The First 100 Years)
Logan Temple President Marriner W. Merrill was sitting in his office one morning in the early 1890’s when he heard a commotion outside. Stepping to the window, he saw a great congregation of people coming up the temple hill, some on foot, and others on horseback and in carriages. President Merrill’s first thought was, “What will we do with so many people? If we fill every room in the temple, it will not begin to hold them all.”
The riders tied their horses up at the hitching posts or turned them loose on the temple corrals, and walked complacently about the front grounds, without seeming to have much purpose in mind. They were rather an odd looking group, and were dressed quite shabbily.
They made no effort to enter the temple, so President Merrill went out to greet them and see what he could do for the group. He said to their leader: “Who are you, and who are these people who have taken possession of the temple grounds unannounced?”
He answered: “I am Satan, and these are my people.” Brother Merrill asked: “What do you want, and why have you come here?” Satan replied: “I don’t like what is being done in the Logan Temple and have come to stop it.” That was a bit of a shock to President Merrill, and he answered: “No, we will not stop it. This is the work of the Lord and must go on. You know that you or any one else can not stop the work of the Lord.”
“If you refuse to stop it, I will tell you what I propose to do,” the adversary said. “I will scatter this congregation of people throughout these valleys, and we will keep people from coming to the temple. We will whisper in their ears and discourage them from attending the temple. This will stop your temple work.”
President Merrill then used the power of his priesthood and commanded Satan and his followers to depart from holy ground. He said that within four or five minutes there was not a person, horse or buggy in sight. They just disappeared into thin air and were gone.
Then for the next ten or twelve years we could have closed the Logan Temple, for very little work was accomplished. In one full year, the number of endowments done totaled only 5,121, while in our day we have done, 3,064 in one day. Where all ordinances for the year equaled but 20,110, today we have done 15,456 in one day, and a total of 1,808,265 for the full year.
Christian L. Olsen lived only a half mile from the temple, and he said any time he said out loud that he was going to the temple, something happened to keep him away. One evening he said to the boys: “Tomorrow we will finish grinding out molasses, and then I’d like to spend a week in the temple.” The mill was operating perfectly that evening, but the next morning the main wheel was broken. The more they repaired the machine, the more things broke and went wrong with it. He finally spent the full week making repairs so the only day’s grind of molasses could be completed. He did not get to spend the week in the temple.
Another time when he planned a day in the temple, he got up to milk his cows and the corral gate was open. He spent the day hunting the cows in the west fields. Still another time, the corral gate was open again and the horses were gone. It took two days to find them in Logan Canyon. He said: “Anytime I wanted to go to the temple, I soon learned that I could not say it out loud. I got up, milked my cows, set the bucket down and ran. And then I could get there without any trouble.”
Eight girls left Garland in a white top buggy one morning at 4am, to do baptisms in the temple. Just as they arrived on the west mountain where they could see the temple, a wheel came off the buggy. Before they reached Logan, they had had trouble with all four wheels, a hame strap had broken, the yoke came apart, and there was one delay after another every few minutes. They finally reached Logan at 5pm, after the baptisms were done and the font had been emptied. Some of the men were still there, the font was refilled, and the girls were baptized. They said that Satan followed them all the way to Logan that day.
The evil one’s power and influence are real. He knows the value of temple work and would do anything in his power to keep people away. But he failed to recognize the faithfulness and devotion of the Saints in this area, for they were not easily discouraged.
This article is my own opinion and not that of Rod Meldrum, the Firm Foundation, or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Some information may seem different to you and you may disagree. All I want is for you to read it with an open mind and consider what I say and then pray about it. I will offend some, but I also know the Savior offended some. My desire is to speak the truth as I have developed through study and prayer. I would also love hearing your feedback.
In my opinion, If you are afraid to die, you are afraid to live! That doesn’t mean we should necessarily look forward to death, but we need to understand it. Since all will die, we shouldn’t allow that fact to hurt, affect, or alter what we enjoy in this life. How do we overcome this fear of death? I’m sure our age and health has much to say about this question as well.
If we have a fear of flying on an airplane, it may be best to develop the attitude of one day flying and then just do it. I have a friend who is afraid of needles and yet she continues to give blood or get a shot if she thinks it’s important. I have a wife who absolutely fears worms, but any other bug or creeping thing doesn’t bother her.
When it comes to Covid 19, what is it you are afraid of? Where does that fear come from? The Dr? The Government? Yourself? I can’t and won’t judge some one who feels they must wear a mask, but I choose not to. The only thing I try to do is when I’m in the presence of a sick person or and older person I try and show them respect by wearing a mask or keeping a distance. Before the Covid scare I would visit the sick by a phone call or keeping a distance from them, but I never wore a mask in the past. If I go outside today I don’t normally wear one. If people are out and about they are usually showing me they aren’t that sick. If places of business refuse me I just go somewhere else. But that’s me. When I am out with my wife I wear a mask because she makes me, and I love her. I don’t expect you to do anything you are uncomfortable with.
I remember ever since I was young that my mother taught me that when you sneeze, cover your mouth and if you are sick stay home so you don’t spread the germs. We have always followed procedures with past flu’s and influenza’s. That’s all Covid is in the Dr’s opinions that I am listening to. What we really have is Sars 2 or a version of an influenza. Isn’t it funny that in 2020 we had about the same number of Covid deaths as we had deaths from the flu in 2019? I just feel most in our government lie to us for power and money. I know hospitals that were paid money to put the cause of death down as Covid. The ultimate goal of evil men in our government was not the Covid, but the desire to get us all to take a vaccine. After all Bill Gates, and Anthony Fuchi will make millions on the vaccines along with all the big Pharma companies.
Pacify and Lull
In the midst of this global pandemic we must remember that usually our government does not have our best interests at heart. They do what they say seems their best, but in my opinion they do as the Lord has said, “Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men... We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion” D&C 121: 35, 39
The larger the government and the more laws and regulations, the less freedom we have. For example I won’t get a vaccine just because the government recommends it and if they force me to get a vaccine I will go to jail I guess or pay the consequence. We need to stop giving up our liberties for a false sense of security. Let’s become secure in God not Man. Our Nation has sunk deeper into Socialism and Communism than ever before.
Satan’s Ploy
“Satan has control now. No matter where you look, he is in control, even in our own land. He is guiding the governments as far as the Lord will permit him. That is why there is so much strife, turmoil, confusion all over the earth. One master mind is governing the nations. It is not the President of the United States… it is not the king or government of England or any other land; it is Satan himself.” ( Source: Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 3, pp.314-315
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in their General Handbook in reference to Covid 19 and other issues says, “It is important that church members be wise as they seek truth. They also say, “Seek out and share only credible, reliable and factual sources of information“. That’s what I have tried to do below. I’m sure you can tell me many doctors that say wear a mask, just as I have found many that say wearing a mask in not necessary.
In today’s world, information is easy to access and share. This can be a great blessing for those seeking to be educated and informed. However, many sources of information are unreliable and do not edify. Some sources seek to promote anger, contention, fear or baseless conspiracy theories (see 3 Nephi 11:30; Mosiah 2:32). Therefore, it is important that church members be wise as they seek truth.
Seek out and share only credible, reliable and factual sources of information.Avoid sources that are speculative or founded on rumor. The guidance of the Holy Ghost, along with careful study, can help members discern between truth and error (see Doctrine and Covenants 11:12; 45:57). In matters of doctrine and church policy, the authoritative sources are the scriptures, the teachings of the living prophets and the General Handbook. Source
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has Supported Vaccinations
The First Presidency, which constitutes the top leadership of the LDS church, issued a statement supporting the vaccinations.
“In word and deed, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has supported vaccinations for generations,” the statement said. “As a prominent component of our humanitarian efforts, the Church has funded, distributed and administered life-saving vaccines throughout the world …. Vaccinations administered by competent medical professionals protect health and preserve life.”
It added: “The Church urges its members, employees and missionaries to be good global citizens and help quell the pandemic by safeguarding themselves and others through immunization. Individuals are responsible to make their own decisions about vaccination.”
Editor’s note: Personally I will not take a vaccination. I have no idea what is in it and I don’t feel I need it. I welcome others to receive a vaccination if that is their decision. We just need to be wise and prayerful.
Biography: Scott W. Atlas, M.D. is the Robert Wesson Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution.
Dr. Atlas investigates the impact of government and the private sector on access, quality, pricing, and innovation in health care and is a frequent policy advisor to government and industry leaders in these areas. During the 2008, 2012, and 2016 presidential campaigns, he was a Senior Advisor for Health Care to a number of candidates for President of the United States. He has also advised several members of the United States Senate and House of Representatives and testified to Congress on health care reform. He served the nation from August to December, 2020 as a Special Advisor to the President and a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force. His most recent book is entitled Restoring Quality Health Care: A Six‐Point Plan for Comprehensive Reform at Lower Cost (Hoover Press, 2016). Dr. Atlas has participated with leaders from government and academia on the World Bank’s Commission on Growth and Development. He has also advised leaders on health care and medical technology in several countries outside the US, including Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Europe.
Dr. Atlas is also the editor of the leading textbook in the field, the best‐selling Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain and Spine, now in its 5th edition and officially translated from English into Mandarin, Spanish, and Portuguese. He has been editor, associate editor, and a member of the boards of numerous scientific journals and national and international scientific societies over the past three decades. His medical research centered on advanced applications of new MRI technologies in neurologic diseases. While Professor of Radiology and Chief of Neuroradiology at Stanford University Medical Center from 1998 until 2012 and during his previous faculty positions, Dr. Atlas trained over 100 neuroradiology fellows, many of whom are now leaders in the field throughout the world.
He lectures on a variety of topics, most notably the role of government and the private sector in health care quality and access, global trends in health care innovation, and the key economic issues related to the future of technology‐based medical advances. In the private sector, Dr. Atlas is a frequent advisor to start‐up entrepreneurs and companies in the life sciences and medical technology.
Dr. Atlas has received numerous awards and honors in recognition of his leadership in the field. He is recognized internationally as a leader in both education and clinical research and had been on the Nominating Committee for the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology for several years. He has been named by his peers in The Best Doctors in America every year since its initial publication, as well as in regional listings, such as The Best Doctors in New York, Silicon Valley’s Best Doctors, and other similar publications. He was honored to receive the 2011 Alumni Achievement Award, the highest career achievement honor for a distinguished alumnus from the University of Illinois in Urbana‐Champaign, his alma mater.
Dr. Atlas received a BS degree in biology from the University of Illinois in Urbana‐Champaign and an MD degree from the University of Chicago School of Medicine. Source
Dr. Scott Atlas defends federal government, blasts mainstream media over coronavirus misinformation
‘The decline of objectivity in journalism has been evident for years,’ Atlas writes in Wall Street Journal
Dr. Atlas joins ‘Tucker Carlson Tonight’ for first interview since resigning from White House position
Dr. Scott W. Atlas, a former special adviser to President Trump, blasted the mainstream media for pushing misinformation that allows Americans to falsely believe the federal government is responsible for all coronavirus-related issues.
“America has been paralyzed by death and fear for nearly a year, and the politicization of the pandemic has made things worse by adding misinformation and vitriol to the mix. With vaccines finally being administered, we should be entering a joyous phase. Instead we endure still more inflammatory rhetoric and media distortion,” Atlas wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed published Tuesday.
DR. SCOTT ATLAS RESIGNS AS SPECIAL ADVISER TO TRUMP ON CORONAVIRUS
Atlas, who served as an adviser to Trump from August through November, said Americans need to understand “three realities” in order to understand the federal government’s role in combatting the coronavirus pandemic.
“First, all 50 states independently directed and implemented their own pandemic policies,” he wrote, specifying that the federal government is not responsible for school closings, shelter-in-place orders or mask requirements.
“Second, nearly all states used the same draconian policies that people now insist on hardening, even though the number of positive cases increased while people’s movements were constrained, business activities were strictly limited, and schools were closed,” Atlas continued. “Governors in all but a few states—Florida and South Dakota are notable exceptions—imposed curfews, quarantines, directives on group gatherings, and mask mandates.”
Atlas cited Gallup and YouGov data that indicates “80% to 90% of Americans have been wearing masks since early August,” but the virus spread anyway, so anyone who orders additional lockdowns isn’t looking at results.
ATLAS FIRES BACK AGAINST CRITICISMS, SAYS ADVICE BASED ON ‘CURRENT SCIENCE’
“Third, the federal government’s role in the pandemic has been grossly mischaracterized by the media and their Democratic allies,” Atlas wrote. “That distortion has obscured several significant successes, while undermining the confidence of ordinary Americans.”
Altas said “federal financial support and directives enabled the development of a massive, state-of-the-art testing capacity and produced billions of dollars of personal protective equipment,” while federal agencies met all requests for supplemental medical personnel and hospital-bed capacity. He listed a variety of federal government accomplishments, including increasing the protection of the elderly and “expedited development and delivery of lifesaving drugs.”
He then declared that any post-vaccine lockdowns will essentially be “doubling down” on policies that didn’t work the first time.
“States and cities that keep their economies locked down after highly vulnerable populations have been vaccinated will be doubling down on failed policies that are destroying families and sacrificing children, particularly among the working class and poor,” he wrote. “The media has done its best to misinform the public with political attacks about who is to blame for this pain and misery even as it diminishes the great achievement of the new vaccines.”
He wrote that “the decline of objectivity in journalism has been evident for years” and now even top scientific journals are “contaminated” by politics.
Eric Moutsos Outstanding Patriot
The Salt Lake City Police Department placed Officer Eric Moutsos on administrative leave for voicing his conscience. They broke their own policies, leaking info to the media in an attempt to tarnish his good name, and ultimately took his badge and gun. The public was misled.
Were there ulterior motives for their treatment of this award-winning cop? Was it a cover-up?
Rumors circulated, after he became vocal in support of constitutional rights, that he was merely being insubordinate, yet nothing negative was ever written in his personnel file prior to his taking a stand. He had the audacity to expose corrupt practices within the department during his time on the job, and since. He challenged those practices and paid dearly for it.
This book is based on the true story leading up to and following the destruction of a good officer’s seven-year career – a circumstance that played out in global media.
This book is about issues as big as the US Constitution. It is about what American society will and will not tolerate. It is about loving those with differing opinions while maintaining one’s convictions. It is about opening a dialogue that will lead to a better tomorrow.
This book is about fundamental problems plaguing police agencies across the Nation, problems that lead to tension between citizens and those who are sworn to protect and serve them. This work deals with police actions often misinterpreted as racism, but which actually stem from a system of quotas. It exposes the funds for numbers dilemma and the complications inherent in such a system.
This book is about how to overcome adversity in the deepest levels of despair. How to become better by the opposition, which is inevitable when going against the toughest grains. This book is about finding the strength and courage to use the convictions deep in your soul. To follow the dictates of your conscience in any circumstance.
GOD, GOVERNMENT, AND CANCEL CULTURE
“This has been on my mind the last several days and I’ve been trying to spiritually see the devils tactics (or intent) when it comes to all of the force and fear regarding the cancel culture that’s taking place right now. Literally anyone they disagree with, removed from society as they see fit. From the President of the United States of America, to a Disney celebrity with a different opinion, to a school teacher who believes in the Constitution. Gone. Cancelled. Over. This is where we are America. And if we don’t ALL stand up for speech, we will ALL fall together in every different idea we once had.
I hope my words can properly convey what I believe is happening spiritually. Yes, I can be wrong, but this is how I see it.
God has always used symbols of love and Eternal significance, while the devil will use them with hate, force, and fear, all in the name of love. Taking God’s symbols, turning them upside down (like the cross for example) in mockery. Symbols are important because we can see who’s behind it. For example, God uses a wedding ring to signify one Eternal round with your eternal companion. The devil sends signs and symbols of just the opposite.
The mask for example (I believe) is an evil sign of silence, fear, control, submission, and ultimately, the loss of individually. Do you think you will have an identity in hell? Do you think you’ll even be called by your name? I don’t think people realize, but in hell, satan literally runs and operates an entire kingdom; and whoever is with him will be a literal slave to the devil himself; and he will “seal you his”, says modern scripture. And no, you won’t be able to talk or have free speech. You will be divided and segregated. You will be controlled. There is no such thing as the Bill of Rights in the kingdom of hell, especially with the father of lies. The only rights you’ll have are the right to be silent, always, and all things will be held against you, guilty or innocent. You will become a number, without a name, called by your sins.
This is why I believe Ezra Taft Benson said, “Stand up for freedom no matter the cost, it can help to save your soul- and maybe your country.” God is not only a God of peace, hope, and love, but a God who wins wars, spiritual and physical wars. Yes, God is a warrior. And yes, the Bible tells us this, “The Lord is a man of war: The Lord is his name.” Exodus 15:3- And No, he doesn’t lose. So why are we? Do you really believe we are to become more like Christ by simply being “nice” because we don’t want to offend people? Why did Christ hang on the cross? Was it because He was being politically correct? No. Just the opposite.
After resurrection, I believe hell is a literal place, a literal world, in a literal dark and cold solar system, light-years away from any type of warmth, from any type of sun. Yes, hell is as real as heaven, physically and spiritually. Except it’s the exact opposite of heaven. Instead of forever Eternal choices living with a liberated God, there will be a forever forced damnation stuck in a cell where every single decision is made for you by the devil himself. And guess what? Some souls will actually want it. The God of Liberty or the god of forced Government programs that pretend to unite and save, when all they do is divide and kill. And sadly we are watching people choose mammon. That’s hell.
See now in hell, I can envision many of the strange cultish characteristics of what we are seeing today, multiplied by 1000. For example, 6x6x6 social distancing, arrows on the ground in stores, all in masks that can’t stop an airborne virus (and or having their faces hidden) race wars, fake victim mentality, you name it, it’s there. It’s the same pattern. Do you think the devil is going to give you more freedom the closer you get to his kingdom?
I don’t believe people will wear masks in hell because of a virus, no, I’ll bet because everyone will be so ashamed of themselves they won’t dare reveal their own faces, ironically still trying to save-face from their wicked and destructive lives they lived. Remember, hell is not just for just “sinning”, like we all do, I mean the hell prepared for wicked wicked people who absolutely know what they are doing is evil, and don’t care, because of self-interest/selfishness. Including many politicians and influential people who keep the fake flames going. From Abortion to every other deadly sins.
Why I believe the mask is on everyone’s mind (and clearly faces) and won’t stop being talked, is because it’s absolutely part of the spiritual battle on both sides of the veil. It’s just a continuation of the mark of the beast, not being able to buy or sell without this mark spoken of in Revelation 11:13: and 17. And we failed as a society bowing down to it the way we did. No thoughts. No questions. We just did it. All for what? A 99.991% survivability rate?
Think how many times the word “mask” has been used vs. the name Jesus Christ this last year. How many times Corona, or virus, or “stay safe”, vs. talking about God’s healing power? It’s an incredibly sad and awful situation we’ve put ourselves in. And unfortunately we’re even seeing many religious leaders (from all denominations) reciting back TV talking points, instead of preaching the Word of God. Ironically not putting much effort in pointing anyone to Christ, but listening to a wild and out-of-control government, because they clearly know what’s best with each and every evil rule they make up for the day. Again, who IS the answer to all of this? God or government? And it can’t be both.
And how do we know these things? Because God gave us the scriptures so we don’t make the same mistakes. From Adam, to Noah, to Abraham, to Moses, to Christ Himself. All in battle with the same spiritual war, with the same players, using the same type governments for more control. The only difference for us is more energy is being exerted in the last days because millions of souls are forced to pick a team on both sides of the veil. And energy inside of a single soul, whether dark or light, matters in this war. Joseph Fielding Smith once said, “Satan has control now. No matter where you look, he is in control, even in our own land. He is guiding the governments as far as the Lord will permit him. That is why there is o much strife, turmoil, and confusion all over the earth. One master mind is governing the nations. It is not the president of the United States; it is not Hitler; it is not Mussolini; it is not the king or government of England or any other land; it is Satan himself.”
When I was a police officer doing my investigations, intent meant a lot to me. From speeding to an assault. I would always try to get down to the bottom of the WHY people were doing what they were doing. We can learn a lot about people when we get down to the WHY; the motivation, the drive, and more importantly the intent.
And when we can see certain politicians and very influential community leaders (including faith based leaders) stay silent and just going with the sweeping cultural current, we are witnessing the very harvest of the wheat and the tares, with the very elect of God being deceived. Even with the best intentions in the world. Didn’t it all start our with a war in heaven? So would that war be stronger or weaker today? Is the devil relaxing in the last days? Or has he upped his game 100 fold?
If the government would have not forced what they forced on society, would churches have set their own rules with masks and social distancing? In other words, were these mandated fearful made-up daily rules inspired by God? If the government tomorrow said mask don’t work, and social distancing and isolation makes it worse, would churches continue to mask up and preach isolation instead of gathering with immune systems God gave us to live and function? No they wouldn’t. All would be open. So again, is it inspired to be controlled to what a health department says? Where are the spiritual marching orders coming from? God or the devil? Fear or faith? Because there is only two ways of influence. Nothing is by chance.
Going back to why I even started this post, cancel culture is absolutely leading (and will end in hell) by the devil himself, because he is the biggest bigot, the most intolerant, the least loving, in all of the universe. And he wants to cancel not only God, but you too, literally. To where you have no soul, like him. Not just in society, but throughout eternity. He wants to reduce you down to where he is, then leave you with nothing behind, including a soul filled with any amount of truth and light. He can’t stand if someone has a different opinion than him. Therefore he will keep silencing people until he is the only one left standing, and all the dark and wicked end up kneeling down to their prince of darkness. Which is interesting, because it’s just another jealous mimic/mock of what it will be like when those who choose heaven, voluntarily kneel in complete reverence and love, to the King of Kings, our God and Rock, Jesus Christ. A knee will be taken one way or another.
Cancel culture is a sign and symbol of fear and control and leads to hell. It’s evil. It’s fear based. It’s dark. It’s wrong. It’s Unconstitutional. It’s everything that America is not, or at least what it should be. And if every single free voice (left and right side of politics) doesn’t start defending the 1st Amendment, I promise as God as my witness, ALL will be canceled and crushed when we don’t bow to the next phase of the this satanic NWO takeover. Because that’s exactly what it is. And though Satan might be proud of himself for the force and fear driven kneeling of just about the entire world, the tables will turn, the chess move to checkmate will be played by The Chess Master, even God himself, and every knee and tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ. And as a constant sinner who continues to stumble and fall everyday, I choose to keep getting up and put on the armor of God every single day, as weak as I am. Because I know God will fight our battles if we just let Him, but we have to have faith (action) in order to receive the blessings of Liberty. There is no other way.
Remember to text the word “Liberty” to 888-210-6260 just in case I’m cancelled on social media. I won’t spam your phone and you can “cancel” at anytime.” Source
Eric will be one of over 70 new thought leaders speaking at our 3rd Virtual Conference April 9th.HERE!
“How long can rolling waters remain impure? What power shall stay the heavens? As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints.” D&C 121:33 Below are some of the Latter-day Saints who have had this information the Lord speaks of, “pouring down”. Rod Meldrum, Wayne May, Jonathan Neville, Dean Sessions, Russ Barlow, Eric Moutsos, Steven Smoot, Amberli Nelson, David Barton, and many more who are planning to be speaking at our Conference. Join us!
EXCLUSIVE: Dr. Simone Gold discusses benefits of Hydroxychloroquine 13 Minute Video
Dr. Simone Gold 56 Minute Video Below
This is a lecture by Dr. Simone Gold Board Certified Emergency Physician detailing the in her opinion the lie the “covid pandemic” is. She explains in terms anyone can understand how the pandemic is being used to target minorities while projecting that their foremost concern are the very people being targeted. She details why we don’t have a vaccine, but an Experimental Biologically Agent Research Project. She explains why Hydroxychloroquine does CURE coronavirus’, yet the biological agents being sold as vaccines have side effects they will present as “unforeseen consequences,” She explains why she believes that the current “vaccine” has a high probability of causing infertility in females aged from prepubesent to all women of child bearing age. This is a MUST SEE! The people promoting the vaccine are also those who believe we need to reduce the population of earth.
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Period I History of Joseph Smith, the Prophet by Himself Volume II An Introduction and Notes by B. H. Roberts CHAPTER XXVI. OPENING OF THE YEAR 1836–THE AMERICAN INDIANS–SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETINGS IN KIRTLAND.
January 6, 1836 “Much has been said and done of late by the general government in relation to the Indians ( Lamanites) within the territorial limits of the United States. One of most important points in the faith of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, through the fullness of the everlasting Gospel, is the gathering of Israel (of whom the Lamanites constitute a part)—that happy time when Jacob shall go up to the house of the Lord, to worship Him in spirit and in truth, to live in holiness; when the Lord will restore his judges as at the first, and His counselors as at the beginning; when every man may sit under his own vine and fig tree, and there will be none to molest or make afraid; when He will turn to them a pure language, and the earth will be filled with sacred knowledge, as the waters cover the great deep; when it shall no longer be said, the Lord lives that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, but the Lord lives that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither He has driven them. That day is one, all important to all men.
In view of its importance, together with all that the prophets have said about it before us, we feel like dropping a few ideas in connection with the official statements from the government concerning the Indians. In speaking of the gathering, we mean to be understood as speaking of it according to scripture, the gathering of the elect of the Lord out of every nation on earth, and bringing them to the place of the Lord of Hosts, when the city of righteousness shall be built, and where the people shall be of one heart and one mind, when the Savior comes; yea, where the people shall walk with God like Enoch, and be free from sin. The word of the Lord is precious; and when we read that the vail spread over all nations will be destroyed, and the pure in heart see God, and reign with Him a thousand years on earth, we want all honest men to have a chance together and build up a city of righteousness, where even upon the bells of the horses shall be written Holiness to the Lord. The Book of Mormon has made known who Israel is, upon this continent. And while we behold the government of the United States gathering the Indians, and locating them upon lands to be their own, how sweet it is to think that they may one day be gathered by the Gospel…” HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Period I History of Joseph Smith, the Prophet by Himself
Editors Note: Unfortunately the Prophet Joseph Smith was hoping our government was gathering the Lamanites to help them. Latter on he knew our government was driving them out of their homeland, which was a disgrace. Latter on in this same article, Joseph Smith said the following.
“The joy that we shall feel, in common with every honest American, and the joy that will eventually fill their bosoms on account of nationalizing the Indians,will be reward enough when it is shown that gathering them to themselves,and for themselves, to be associated with themselves, is a wise measure, and it reflects the highest honor upon our government.
May they all be gathered in peace, and form a happy union among themselves, to which thousands may shout, Esto perpetua. “Let it be eternal” HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Period I History of Joseph Smith, the Prophet by Himself Volume II An Introduction and Notes by B. H. Roberts
The Book of Mormon, which contained Lehi’s prophecies, was published in March, 1830. The infamous “Indian Removal Act” was passed by Congress on May 28, 1830.
In speaking to the Lamanites and others who are disobedient, the Book of Mormon said, “and he will take away from them the lands of their possessions, and he will cause them to be scattered and smitten.” 2 Nephi 1:10-11
At the beginning of the 1830s, nearly 125,000 Native Americans lived on millions of acres of land in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina and Florida–land their ancestors had occupied and cultivated for generations. By the end of the decade, very few natives remained anywhere in the southeastern United States. Working on behalf of white settlers who wanted to grow cotton on the Indians’ land, the federal government forced them to leave their homelands and walk thousands of miles to a specially designated “Indian territory” across the Mississippi River. This difficult and sometimes deadly journey is known as the “Trail of Tears.”
Indian removal took place in the Northern states as well. In Illinois and Wisconsin, for example, the bloody Black Hawk War in 1832 opened to white settlement millions of acres of land that had belonged to the Sauk, Fox and other native nations.
The Lord said, “Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever.” 2 Nephi 1:7
Unfortunately the Lamanites were scattered for disobedience and some Americans sinned against God in the horrible things we did to them. We hope and pray this reuniting will return quickly as we Gather Israel.
Sagwitch The Corinne Scare
Chapter 4 1999 Sagwitch by Scott R. Christensen
“The white man is roaming all over my country and killing my game. Still I make no objection to his doing so, and all I want is to be let alone, with the privilege of making a small farm for the benefit of my people, and to be allowed to live on it in peace. I have not gone into the white man’s country and intruded on him, and I do not think it is fair for him to come into mine and drive me from my own lands without any cause, and I ask the government to take the matter in hand and reinstate me and mine on our own lands, that we may live there in peace and friendship with all men. “Sagwitch” August 31, 1875Continued
As Brigham Young announced new missionary assignments at the Mormon Church’s general conference in April 1875, he signaled his resounding support of George Washington Hill’s work among the Indians by calling fifteen men for a season of work among the “Lamanites” of northern Utah—eight more men than he called to labor in all the rest of the United States and Canada.1[Read more about George Washington’s work among the Native American’s in the following section called Native American Policy]. Young was willing to dedicate so much manpower to the Indian cause he anticipated a large return in Indian converts. He had been greatly impressed by the positive reports forwarded to his office in 1873 and 1874 concerning Native American converts to Mormonism. Now he wanted to see them transformed from nomadic hunters to sedentary and self-supporting farmers. As Mormonism’s prophet, he was undoubtedly anxious to support a movement that seemed to fulfill scriptural injunctions concerning the “redemption” of the remnants of the “House of Israel,” interpreted by the Mormons to be America’s indigenous peoples. Another practical benefit of the Lamanite Mission, if implemented successfully throughout the Great Basin, was much hoped for relief of white settlers from the temporal demands associated with Young’s “feed rather than fight” policies.
George Washington Hill was one of those called to labor among the Indians, and Young assigned him to head the mission. Hill’s first task was to find a suitable location for a continuation of the farming experiment begun at Franklin the summer before. The search took him north and west of Brigham City to an area about halfway between present-day Plymouth and Tremonton. In a report to President Young, Hill commented, “I went to look for a location[.] selected for permanent location a section of country lying betwen bear river and malad about twenty miles from corinne with good land and plenty of grass[.] water plenty but a heavy job to get it out.”2 The site had merit, including thousands of acres of fertile land needing only a plow and the diverted waters of the Malad River to make it productive. Young approved the location and asked the missionaries to gather there.
Sagwitch and his band of approximately seventy lodges returned from the Promontory region sometime in late winter. On February 22, 1875, Sagwitch and his wife, listed as Mogogah, but probably Beawoachee, along with fellow Shoshone Ohetocump and his wife, Minnie, entered the Mormon Endowment House located in the northwest corner of the temple block in Salt Lake City. They participated in sacred temple rituals and received the Mormon endowment. Afterward, Apostle Wilford Woodruff performed another ceremony that, according to Mormon belief, “sealed” each couple’s marriage in an everlasting union.3 Only a few Native Americans had received the Mormon endowment, and none had ever been sealed. Woodruff recorded the significant event in his journal: “This is not only the birthday of George Washington. But it was the day when the first Couple of Lamanites were together as man and wife for time & Eternity at the Alter in the Endowment Houseaccording to the Holy Priesthood in the last dispensation & fulness of times. Wilford Woodruff Sealed at the Altar two Couple of Lamanites. The first Couple was Indian Named Ohetocump But Baptized and Sealed by the name of James Laman. His wife Named Mine. 2d Couple Isiqwich [Sagwitch] & Mogogah.4“
Native American Policy by Richard Harless George Mason University
“Near the beginning of his first term as President, George Washington declared that a just Indian policy was one of his highest priorities, explaining that “The Government of the United States are determined that their Administration of Indian Affairs shall be directed entirely by the great principles of Justice and humanity.”1 The Washington administration’s initial policy toward Native Americans was enunciated in June of 1789. Secretary of War Henry Knox explained that the Continental Congress had needlessly provoked Native Americans following the Revolution by insisting on American possession of all territory east of the Mississippi River. Congress had previously argued that by supporting the British during the war Native Americans had forfeited any claim to territory on the western frontier of American settlement. However, this perspective ignored the fact that only a portion of tribes had actually supported the British.
In 1787, the Confederation Congress enacted the Northwest Ordinance, opening the Ohio Valley to new American settlement. Members of the Western Lakes Confederacy reacted by utilizing armed resistance to protect their land. These events increased the urgency for Washington to develop a formal method for managing Indian affairs. In referring to the constitutional grant of treaty-making powers to the chief executive—with the “advice and consent” of the Senate—Washington declared that a similar practice should also apply to agreements with Native Americans. The Senate acceded to the President’s wishes and accepted treaties as the basis for conducting Indian relations.
In response, Congress proceeded to approve a treaty with seven northern tribes (the Shawnee, Miami, Ottawa, Chippewa, Iroquois, Sauk, and Fox). This agreement, however, lacked meaningful protection of tribal land. To the northern tribes this ineffectual treaty and the constant intrusion into their lands by droves of settlers meant that the American government had little control over its own citizens. Members of the northern tribes believed it was necessary to deploy force to prevent further incursions.
Washington’s desire to protect American citizens led to an American military response. In 1790 and 1791, Washington dispatched armies to confront native forces, and in both instances the Americans were soundly defeated. Responding to these two embarrassing setbacks, Congress authorized a five-thousand man regular army to quell resistance. Led by General “Mad Anthony” Wayne, the Legion inflicted a crushing defeat on the Indian confederation in the Summer of 1794. This decisive battle and the ensuing Treaty of Greenville brought a tentative peace to the northwest in 1795.
Simultaneously, as momentous events in the north unfolded, Washington also faced challenges from the four southern tribes. For the Cherokees and the more distant Choctaws and Chickasaws, Washington sought messages of assurance, friendship, and plans for trade. The formidable Creeks were the fourth southern tribe. Washington regarded the Creek with considerable apprehension because of their disagreement with the state of Georgia’s interpretation of three treaties that had been negotiated by that state during the 1780s. These treaties included significant cessions of land from the Creeks to Georgia that the tribe did not recognize.
The Creeks’ leader was Alexander McGillivray, a mixed-race chief who spoke fluent English and was a shrewd negotiator. Twenty-eight Creek chiefs led by McGillivray accepted Washington’s invitation to travel to New York in the summer of 1790 to negotiate a new treaty. The result was the Treaty of New York which restored to the Creeks some of the lands ceded in the treaties with Georgia, and provided generous annuities for the rest of the land. It also established a policy and process of assimilation called “civilization,” aiming to attach tribes to permanent land settlements. Under the policy tribal members would be given “useful domestic animals and implements of husbandry” to encourage them to become “herdsman and cultivators” instead of “remaining in a state as hunters.”2
In August 1790 the Creek chiefs formally approved the Treaty of New York. The Creek chiefs agreed to place themselves under the protection of the United States. In return the United States confirmed the sanctity of the Creek land lying within the boundaries defined by the treaty. However, the Treaty of New York failed to achieve its goals, as the federal government could not stem the relentless incursion of American settlers onto “protected” Indian lands. In a letter to Washington, Knox agonized over the possibility of Indian extermination. He observed that in the most populous areas of the United States, some tribes had already become extinct. “If the same causes continue,” he explained, “the same effects will happen and in a short period the idea of an Indian on this side of the Mississippi will only be found in the page of the historian.”3
Washington and Knox sought to provide safe havens for native tribes while also assimilating them into American society. Washington and Knox believed that if they failed to at least make an effort to secure Indian land, their chances of convincing Native Americans to transform their hunting culture to one of farming and herding would be undermined. As the two reluctantly came to recognize, however, it was the settlers pouring into the western frontier that controlled the national agenda regarding Native Americans and their land. By 1796 even Washington had concluded that holding back the avalanche of settlers had become nearly impossible, writing that “I believe scarcely anything short of a Chinese wall, or a line troops, will restrain Land jobbers, and the encroachment of settlers upon the Indian territory.”4Richard Harless George Mason University
“Joseph Smith’s 1843 sermon. On April 16, 1843, Joseph Smith’s journal relates that he gave a sermon at the temple at 10 a.m. He read a letter about the death of Lorenzo Barns and discussed the topic of burial.
“I referred to it is to have the privilige [sic] of having our dead buried on the land where god has appointed to gather his saints together.— & where there will be nothing but saints, where they may have the privilege of laying their bodies where the Son will make his appearance. & where they may hear the sound of the trump that shall call them forth to behold him, that in the morn of the resurrection they may come forth in a body. & come right up out of their graves, & strike hands immediately in eternal glory & felicity rather than to be scattered thousands of miles apart. There is something good & sacred to me in this thing. the place where a man is buried has been sacred to me.–this subject is made mention of In Book of Mormon & Scriptures to the aborigines regard the burying places of their fathers is more sacred than any thing else.” (emphasis added)
The portion in bold is of interest for two reasons. First, there is no place in the current Book of Mormon that mentions that the place where a man is buried is sacred. Joseph seems to be recalling a passage from the lost 116 pages, which, in his mind, were part of the Book of Mormon he translated.
Second, the sacred nature of a burial place is the basic premise for Native American Indian reverence for the burial mounds. Joseph alludes to this in the next passage when he refers to the “aborigines,” whom he considered Lamanites. This sermon may be a direct link between the 116 pages and the Native American Indian mounds.
Click to Enlarge
The journal (left) is in the handwriting of Willard Richards. He apparently inserted the phrase “this subject is made mention of” after he wrote the main phrase, probably when he found a moment to catch up with what Joseph was saying.” Mormon History Association – Mounds and Mormons by Jonathan NevilleJournal, December 1842-June 1844; Book 2, 10 March 1843-14 July 1843, p. 141. Online at http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/journal-december-1842-june-1844-book-2-10-march-1843-14-july-1843/149.
The Mormons and the Mounds Abstract-
Nauvoo, Illinois
“Mormonism sprang from the mounds,” wrote Roger Kennedy, former director of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Even before the Book of Mormon was published, Mormonism was linked to the Moundbuilder civilizations of North America. One man who claimed to have heard a reading of the lost 116 pages said “It was a description of the mounds about the country and similar to the Book of Mormon. In 1843, Joseph Smith apparently alluded to the 116 pages when he said the Book of Mormon spoke about sacred burial places. Several authors have placed the Book of Mormon among other 19th century books about the origins of the Moundbuilders. At one time, *there were over a million ancient earth mounds in North America; approximately 100,000 remain today. Many of these mounds are located in the territory from western New York through western Missouri where early Mormon history took place.
*After visiting several thousand mounds and reviewing the literature, I am fairly certain that over 1,000,000 mounds once existed and that perhaps 100,000 still exist. Oddly, some new mound sites are discovered each year by archaeological surveys in remote areas. But in truth, a large majority of America’s mounds have been completely destroyed by farming, construction, looting, and deliberate total excavations” – Gregory L. Little, Ed.D., The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Native American Mounds & Earthworks, Eagle Wing Books, Inc., Memphis, TN [2009].
Zelph’s Mound Valley City, Illinois Picture from “Red Ant” 2018
Jonathan Neville continues, “Three specific mounds figure prominently in LDS history: Zelph’s mound in Illinois, the Kinderhook mound, also in Illinois, from which the six brass plates were taken, and Enon mound in Ohio. Until the early Saints leveled them to build homes and farms, Indian mounds dominated Nauvoo. Joseph Smith purchased one and resorted to it from time to time. Less well known are the mounds located just north of Nauvoo that have recently been discovered and preserved. The connections between Mormonism and the mounds of North America have yet to be fully explored. …The increasing awareness of the numerous Hopewell mounds in the Nauvoo area may give renewed attention to the connection between Mormons and the mounds. When workers dug a utility trench between the Red Brick Store and the Joseph Smith Homestead, the equipment churned up Hopewell bones and artifacts. This area is adjacent to the Smith Family Cemetery, leading to the possibility that Joseph Smith, his wife Emma, his brother Hyrum and his parents are buried in a Hopewell burial site.” The Mormons and the Mounds – Jonathan Neville Mormon History Association June 2017.
Indian Burial Mounds
Indian Burial Mounds in this area
“Nauvoo appears to have been a destination for the living and the dead for centuries. According to Community of Christ Historic Sites Coordinator Lachlan Mackay, workmen digging a power wiring trench between the Smith Cemetery and Red Brick Store during the 1970s uncovered bones and artifacts, including a cardinal platform pipe from the Hopewell era (ca. 200 BC to 500 AD). This means that the Smith Family Cemetery was most likely built over an ancient graveyard. Lachlan Mackay referred to Gustavus Hills 1840 map of Nauvoo which revealed ancient tumuli, or burial mounds, including some on Partridge Street below the temple hill. In 1844, Henry Brown quoted John C. Bennetts 1842 description of Nauvoo: “The surface of the ground upon which Nauvoo is built, is very uneven. . . A number of tumuli, or ancient mounds, are found within the limits of the city, proving it to have been a place of some importance with the extinct inhabitants of this Continent” (History of Illinois, 1844, p. 490). Settlers, however, leveled the land for houses and gardens….
Smith Family Cemetery
Burial Place of Joseph, Hyrum, and Emma East of the Red Brick Store, Nauvoo, Illinois
The Joseph Smith Homestead became a graveyard for the Smith family, including Joseph and Lucy Mack Smith and their sons Don Carlos, Hyrum, Joseph, and Samuel. Those who died before 1846 were buried elsewhere in Nauvoo and later moved to the Smith Family Cemetery. When Don Carlos Smith and Joseph and Emma’s baby Don Carlos died in 1841, their bodies were buried near the temple and later reinterred on the Smith property. Joseph, Emma, and Hyrum’s bodies were laid to rest on the Homestead property in 1928 (Lachlan Mackay, Mormon Historical Studies, Fall 2002, pp. 240-252)…
Cemetery Impressions
The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “The place where a man is buried is sacred to me.” Each grave has a story to tell of a persons life and the time and place in which he or she lived. Visits to cemeteries offer reflection on the meaning of life, the inevitability of death, and the promise of resurrection. LDS visitors to Nauvoo feel the Spirit in the historic homes and the holy temple. Sometimes they search for ancestors in the cemetery on Parley Street and contemplate their lives. But other burial sites in Nauvoo have voices, too. Perhaps their voices will tell us why they came to Nauvoo and what they learned about life and death, joy and sorrow, faith, family, and community. They might whisper, “When you’re here, were here because we are in you–for we are all Heavenly Fathers children.” Laid to Rest in Nauvoo By Rosemary G. Palmer · July 17, 2014 Meridian Magazine https://latterdaysaintmag.com/article-1-14629-2/
Alvin Smith’s Death
It is very likely that Alvin Smith was buried on an ancient burial mound as his brother Joseph Smith was. There is something sacred about this possibility. The connection between the Nephites and Joseph Smith’s family must have been incredible. What joy during the resurrection to see the many wonderful saints arise next to each other.
Alvin’s Burial Mound, Palmyra, NY
“We took hold of the child [Lucy], but she clenched hold of him [Alvin] with such a desperate grasp that it was very difficult to disengage her hands.
As I turned with the child, Alvin said, “Father, Mother, brothers, sisters, farewell! I can now breathe out my life as calmly as a clock,” and immediately closed his eyes in death.[7]
The child still cried to go back to Alvin. One present said to her, “Alvin is gone. An angel has taken his spirit to heaven.” When the babe heard this, she renewed her cries, and as I bent over his corpse with her in my arms, she again threw her arms around him and kissed him repeatedly, screaming as before. And until the body was taken from the house, she continued constantly crying and showing such manifestation of affection mingled with terror at the scene before her as is seldom witnessed in a child.[8]…
Alvin buried on top of the mound, Palmyra NY
When the time for interment arrived, the inhabitants of the surrounding country gathered together, and during the funeral obsequies they gave the most affectionate manifestations of their sympathy; but there was one that felt our grief more deeply than the rest-a lovely young woman who was engaged to be married to my son. The disconsolate girl was rendered most desolate by his unexpected death, and as long as we knew her, she never recovered her wonted animation and good spirits…
Alvin had ever manifested a greater zeal and anxiety, if it were possible, than any of the rest with regard to the record which had been shown to Joseph, and he always showed the most intense interest concerning the matter. With this before our minds, we could not endure to hear or say one word upon that subject, for the moment that Joseph spoke of the record it would immediately bring Alvin to our minds with all his kindness, his affection, his zeal, and piety. And when we looked to his place and realized that he was gone from it, to return no more in this life, we all wept with one accord over our irretrievable loss, and we could “not be comforted, because he was not.”[10]…
[10] See Matt. 2:18; Jeremiah 31:15. The Smiths had now lost three children; that is, Alvin, Ephraim, and their firstborn son. The vision given in the Kirtland Temple, January 21, 1836 (twelve years after Alvin’s death), was especially powerful to Joseph: “The heavens were opened upon us, and I beheld the celestial kingdom of God, and the glory thereof. . . . I saw the transcendent beauty of the gate through which the heirs of that kingdom will enter; . . . also the blazing throne of God, whereon was seated the Father and the Son. . . . I saw Father Adam and Abraham; and my father and my mother; my brother Alvin, that has long since slept; and marveled how it was that he had obtained an inheritance in that kingdom, seeing that he had departed this life before the Lord had set his hand to gather Israel the second time, and had not been baptized for the remission of sins. Thus came the voice of the Lord unto me, saying: All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God; also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom; for I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.” (D&C 137:1, 2, 3, 5-9.)
Alvin Smith’s grave is located in the Swift Cemetery just south of Four Corners in Palmyra, New York. (See red circle left). It is located just a half mile from the Grandin Press. See the Directions here:
See the Ancient Tumuli Bluffs in Nauvoo Illinois on the map below:
Define Tumuli: A tumulus (plural tumuli) is a mound of earth and stones raised over a grave or graves. Tumuli are also known as barrows, burial mounds, or kurgans. When composed largely or entirely of stones they are usually referred to as cairns. The phenomenon appears early in human history, during the Neolithic era, and although used almost universally tumuli differ in size, structure, and usage with each culture. In one aspect, the tumulus is a simple way to bury the dead and honor them with a memorial, for it requires little sophistication or technology. On the other hand, though, the size of many of these mounds is impressive by today’s standards, and far more so considering the lack of technology available in ancient times. Their appearance throughout the world in unrelated cultures indicates a universal appreciation for the dead members of their society, and a desire to mark their life permanently in the physical world. New World Encyclopedia
Don Bradley’s new book, The Lost 116 Pages, is exceptional. He has done an outstanding job accumulating and explaining what we know about the translated pages Martin Harris lost from the original Book of Mormon.
This week I’m going to discuss several aspects of the book and offer some additional thoughts on specific topics. In important ways that are not apparent at first, Don’s book addresses the geography and historicity issues that we discuss on this blog.
A few years ago Don gave me some material to use in my presentation at the Mormon History Association titled “Mormons and the Mounds.” He mentions this material on page 218:
While memorializing Elder Lorenzo Barnes on April 16, 1843, Joseph made reference to a detail from the Book of Mormon text:
“[T]he place where a man is buried has been sacred to me.–this subject is made mention of In Book of Mormon & Scriptures. to the aborigines regard the burying places of their fathers is more sacred than any thing else.”
Joseph appears to refer to a description from the Book of Mormon that its peoples regarded the burial places of their fathers as sacred… if Joseph Smith cited an unknown Book of Mormon text, he was not speaking from inferior knowledge to ours but from superior knowledge [i.e., the lost 116 pages]… by Jonathan Neville, continued blog here: http://www.moronisamerica.com/the-lost-116-pages-part-1/
When I am reading pondering, studying and fixating on the Book of Mormon, I am the happiest man alive. I feel exactly like Pres Nelson has said, “Whenever I hear anyone, including myself, say, “I know the Book of Mormon is true,” I want to exclaim, “That’s nice, but it is not enough!” We need to feel, deep in “the inmost part” of our hearts, that the Book of Mormon is unequivocally the word of God. We must feel it so deeply that we would never want to live even one day without it.” President Russell M. Nelson The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It? This quote represents a deep thirst for this Book and a desire to gorge my soul on it’s precious words.
I feel exactly as Alma exclaims here. “O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people! Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth. But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me”. Alma 29:1-3
“As a scientist, I worked with Dr. William Woods who was a prominent anthropologist working on Cahokia and he worked closely on the Terra Preta (Dark Earth Soils) soils in the Amazon with Charles Mann who wrote “1491 America Before Columbus.” I meet with Mann and William, and Charles and I had dinner and I listened to the conversations that seems similar to the battle between Heartland and Meso. At the time, we were battling the Smithsonian, however. The Smithsonian claimed there could not have been large human populations in the Amazonian Basin because there was no way to grow enough food on the poor soils of the Amazon.
What Dr. Woods and others found was that the people created their own soils now called Terra Preta. These are among the most fertile soils in the world and have up to a 3-foot-deep dark organic layer. They are buried under the rainforest canopy, so I had to develop a method for mapping these soils using satellite imagery.
The Terra Preta soils cover an area under the Amazonian rainforest that is as large as the country of France. What many do not know is that these soils were created from biochar, so most of the rainforest was cleared to make the biochar and the Terra Preta soils. Most of the rainforest is regrowth forest and not primary forest.
The point to my long story is that even with amazing evidence, still the Smithsonian resists our findings and was promoting its stand that there were few people living in Amazonia and the tales of El Dorado are very likely true. Sometimes you have to wait for the old dogs to die.
Kevin. You mean not even this picture could convince you about Mesoamerica?
As a scientist with close to 100 publications in refereed journals, I do not recall ever PROVING anything. All we can to is continue finding evidence but proving our theory will be difficult and will never be accepted by all.
To me, however, coupling a theory with revelation by a Prophet of God like Joseph Smith is proof enough. I, like Martin Harris will say, ““Tis enough tis enough mine eyes have beheld mine eyes have beheld.” But I hope I have more faith than poor Martin had at the time. Nothing could convince me that Meso is the place. (Picture Right) Heartland is the PLACE.” Best wishes, Kevin Price PhD [email protected]
Science Progresses one Death at a Time
“That’s very interesting about the Amazon. I’ve been there twice, once in Peru and once in Brazil, and it’s easy to see why people would have difficulty believing anyone could farm in those jungles. Your work makes sense, though. As the saying goes, science progresses one death at a time. Academics tend to keep teaching whatever they were taught by the mentors they admired.” Jonathan Neville JD
The Book of Mormon has been Sitting on the Fiction Shelf of People’s Minds too Long
“Thank you so much for your message. We have critics of our work tell us that the Book of Mormon geography is not important. As one with a PhD in geography, I would strongly disagree. Think of removing the geography of the Bible and contemplate the considerable losses associated with the Bible without its geography. Geography professors teach that a place without a known geographic location is only a fable or fairytale. The Book of Mormon has been sitting on the Fiction Shelf of people’s minds too long. I pray the Lord will help us remove it from the fiction shelf in the minds of millions as we keep doing our part to uncover it from the dust of the earth.
The geography took place in the Heartland without doubt. I drank the Meso Kool-Aid for too many years. It was like eating cotton candy. Like the cotton candy, the buildings all look amazing in Mesoamerica, but when you take a bite, there is nothing there.
May I share your story with others? It tells a wonderful story about how the correct model for geography of the Book of Mormon strengthened your testimony.” Best wishes, Kevin Price PhD
The Heartland Model took the Book of Mormon out of the Realm of a Book of Fiction and Placed it Squarely in the Realm of a Real World Documentary.
“Dear Kevin and Heartland friends,
Of course! I would be deeply humbled if you would use my story/testimony to share with others! My greatest desire now is to witness the world flooded with the Lord’s Restored Gospel, coupled with the Lord’s Restored North American Book of Mormon Geography—the means by which the Lord will cause this land to testify to the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon! I agree with our own Jonathan Martin Luther Neville. Many more people around the world will come to a knowledge of the Gospel and the Book of Mormon when they are taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ via the Book of Mormon with the correct geography to further ground its message in logic and in truth! As has happened with me and with thousands of others, the testimonies of many members, not just investigators, will be strengthened with this additional light and knowledge, as well!
I totally related to your profound comment about taking the Book of Mormon off the Fiction Shelf in the minds of the people! I would like to add that, for me, the Heartland Model took the Book of Mormon out of the realm of a book of fiction and placed it squarely in the realm of a real world documentary. I had a testimony the Book of Mormon was true because it was part of the Gospel! I knew the Gospel was true, and I loved the Gospel! But for years I did not love the Book of Mormon as others loved it! For years I felt guilty and ashamed! In retrospect, I now understand what was wrong! I have never liked fiction! However, I was granted a tender mercy some years ago. The Spirit brought peace to my troubled heart when I was assured that one day I, too, would love the Book of Mormon! That day has come…I love the Book of Mormon with all of my heart! And that love came the minute I learned where the people in the Book of Mormon lived on this earth. I never even prayed about whether the Heartland Model was true or not! I did not have to! I was overwhelmed with joy and peace and love and enthusiasm! I knew the answer! And the Spirit continues to testify to the truthfulness every time I learn more about the Heartland! Uncovering Zarahemla is already so exciting! A clambake in Zarahemla and the spotted bee balm to treat their fevers—how real is that? The only prayers I have uttered about the Heartland have been the many prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving. This is what the correct Book of Mormon geography has done for me! This is what I pray many others will experience, as well!
Dave sent me a copy of the article on the Spotted Bee Balm by none other than the HEARTLAND RESEARCH INSTITUTE!! This is over the top! So professional and so fitting! The Heartland is pushing all of my buttons! I have been active in natural healing and herbals for 30 years—I call it the “Lord’s Pharmacy!” Thank you for this, as well!
I continue to be profoundly touched and amazed by the diligent efforts and by all of the evidences my Heartland friends continue to uncover! I testify that this is the Work of the Lord! Each of you have been called by Him to play your part in His marvelous work and a wonder! Thank you for magnifying your callings so magnificently and for sharing with the world! My sincere love and thanks to all!” Barbara Garner
The Book of Mormon by the Spirit and the Evidence
“I think there is importance in the Brethren being neutral on Geography, Evolution and other difficult issues. They want us to gain our own witness to secondary information. They have given us sound doctrine and that is what we should focus on. I know through the Spirit that the Book of Mormon is true. However, I love to seek for other truth and as Moroni has said “I may know the truth of all things”.
I believe the Land of Promise spoken of in the Book of Mormon is the United States of America. The Constitution was created by the Lord, that Adam and Eve were placed on this same land and the New Jerusalem will be on this same land. No need for me to check out Mesoamerica anymore as I did for 40 years.
Just like Evolution. I don’t believe we came from an ape and I know that matter cannot come from nothing. I don’t have to look into science to figure this out, but by the witness of what the scriptures tell us.
I don’t expect Pres Nelson to come right out and tell me where the Book of Mormon events happened or if we came from an ape, I know through sound reasoning the answer that makes most sense to me. Now if the Brethren say otherwise I would always listen to them first, but in my opinion the Church is neutral on difficult issues that exist to help each of us individually come to a knowledge of the “truth of all things” as promised in the Book of Mormon. I don’t need to be commanded in all things!
All the teachings from current Brethren and those before them and from the Prophet Joseph Smith are to be taken as given. They are guides to the answers I seek. I leave one example on believing that the United Sates is the Choice and Promised land, I quote Pres Nelson when he was President of the Quorum of the Twelve who said, “The Book of Mormon reveals that Joseph, the son of Jacob who was once sold into Egypt, foresaw the Prophet Joseph Smith and his day (see 2 Ne. 3:6–21) and noted that there would be many similarities in their lives. Centuries later, the Prophet Joseph stated, “I feel like Joseph in Egypt.” (The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, ed. Dean C. Jesse, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1984, p. 409; spelling modernized.) The Book of Mormon reveals that the inheritance of Joseph, son of Israel, was not forgotten when, as promised in the Abrahamic covenant, land was distributed to the tribes of Israel. Joseph’s inheritance was to be a land choice above all others. (See Ether 13:2, 8.) It was choice not because of beauty or wealth of natural resources, but choice because it was chosen. It was to be the repository of sacred writing on plates of gold from which the Book of Mormon would one day come, choice because it would eventually host world headquarters of the restored church of Jesus Christ in the latter days.” A TREASURED TESTAMENT By Elder Russell M. Nelson Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
I end this blog with true words of a prophet, “Whenever I hear anyone, including myself, say, “I know the Book of Mormon is true,” I want to exclaim, “That’s nice, but it is not enough!” We need to feel, deep in “the inmost part” of our hearts, that the Book of Mormon is unequivocally the word of God. We must feel it so deeply that we would never want to live even one day without it. I might paraphrase President Brigham Young in saying, “I wish I had the voice of seven thunders to wake up the people” to the truth and power of the Book of Mormon.” (President Russell M. Nelson The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?)” Article By Rian Nelson
About the Windows
All the above pictures are beautiful windows at the Old Stone Church in Independence, Mo owned by the Community of Christ.
The Stone Church of the Community of Christ (“CofC”) in Independence, Missouri was the administrative headquarters and site of general conferences of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (which was renamed the CofC in 2001) from the early 20th century until the building of the Auditorium in 1958. For that reason, they refer to the Stone Church as the “pulpit of the presidency.”
RLDS or Community of Christ. The Stone Church in Independence, Missouri.
I believe our Constitution is inspired of God. I also believe it is a document that has been trampled on, changed, tortured, and illegally altered. “On the final day of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, when our Constitution was adopted, Americans gathered on the steps of Independence Hall to await the news of the government our founders had crafted. They asked Benjamin Franklin, ‘What do we have, a republic or a monarchy?’ Franklin replied, ‘A republic, if you can keep it.’ Our responsibility is to keep it.” Quote from Nancy Pelosi according to the Washington Post by Zara Anishanslin. Read here as you will enjoy the story about who asked Franklin this very popular question?(I don’t often quote Pelosi, but she was quoting Franklin the best she could remember).
By Jon McNaughton
Maintaining our Religious Liberty
Elder David A. Bednar on June 17, 2020 spoke out about the challenges of the Covid-19 Pandemic and maintaining our religious liberty at the same time. He said that “Gathering” is at the core of religious liberty and being in each others presence is a unique experience. Elder Bednar also said, “The Vision of Gathering has been a driving motivation for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” He said that the power of government must have restrictions, and he ended by saying, “Never again must the fundamental right to worship God be trivialized below the ability to buy gasoline.”
The importance of “awakening” us to the blessing of our rights is spoken of by Elder Bednar. It is true, religion IS an “essential” that was missed during the COVID 19 pandemic and we must never forget it again.
Pacify and Lull
In the midst of this global pandemic we must remember that usually our government does not have our best interests at heart. They do what they say seems their best, but in my opinion they do as the Lord has said, “Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness. That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.”D&C 121: 35-37
The larger the government and the more laws and regulations, the less freedom we have. For example I won’t get a vaccine just because the government recommends it and if they force me to get a vaccine I will go to jail I guess or pay the consequence. We need to stop giving up our liberties for a false sense of security. Let’s become secure in God not Man. Our Nation has sunk deeper into Socialism and Communism than ever before. Don’t believe me take a look at these articles:
Post by Col. Flagg » February 20th, 2016, 10:34 pm BYU students are “feeling the Bern.”
An internal campus email invited students to participate in an online poll conducted by The Daily Universe. Of 735 respondents self-identifying as BYU students, 30 percent said they would vote for democratic socialist Vermont senator Bernie Sanders if the general presidential election took place today. Florida Republican senator Marco Rubio came in second at 20 percent. The poll was open from Monday, Feb. 8 through Monday, Feb. 15, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent.
Here is another one: BYU Students Prefer Socialism? Cwic Media Feb 22, 2016
Huh? In a recent poll, BYU students choose self-proclaimed socialist, Bernie Sanders as their favorite presidential candidate. Surprised? Base[d] on another recent national poll, most millennials do not know what socialism is or what its effects are. If BYU students are on board with socialism, then we are at a very big turn from traditional American principles of government and self-reliance. Of course, Trump is equally a phenom. Populism rings true these days. Bernie does seem to be the most honest of all of the candidates.
Bernie seems to be most honest? Yes maybe he is, the most honest in saying he is a Socialist and acting like he is for the people. I voted for Trump and am thankful I did. (Twice) If this can happen at BYU it is definitely happening all over the world. I feel we are being deceived, for the Lord said,
“For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good. And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security”. 2 Nephi 28:20-21
We better wake up our children and let them know more about SOCIALISM. It is a tool of Satan to get us into COMMUNISM as you can ready from many Prophets and Apostles below:
David A. Bednar
First reflection: Government power can never be unlimited. In our political system, the government “derives its just powers from the consent of the governed,” to quote the Declaration of Independence. But the “just powers” of government cannot be unlimited, because they exist most fundamentally to secure the God-given rights of life and liberty, so that each of us can exercise our moral agency—the ability “to act for [ourselves] and not to be acted upon”[xiii]—and be accountable before God for our choices and actions…
Second reflection:Religious freedom is paramount among our fundamental rights. This time of restriction and confinement has confirmed for me that no freedom is more important than religious freedom. The freedom of religion properly has been called our first freedom. It is first not only because of its placement as the first right in the First Amendment, but also because of the paramount importance of respecting the moral agency of each person…
Third reflection:Religious freedom is fragile. As we have just experienced, religious freedom can quickly be swept aside in the name of protecting other societal interests. Despite COVID-19 risks, North American jurisdictions declared as essential numerous services related to alcohol, animals, marijuana, and other concerns. But often religious organizations and their services were simply deemed nonessential, even when their activities could be conducted safely…
Fourth reflection:In a time of crisis, sensitive tools are necessary to balance the demands of religious liberty with the just interests of society. I am not for a moment saying that religious freedom can be unlimited in the middle of a pandemic. Nor am I saying that all government officials have disregarded religious rights. Far from it.
What I am saying is that we can no more disregard the valid claims of religious freedom in a time of crisis than we can disregard the valid claims of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, or freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures. Nor should we prioritize secular interests above religious ones. A health crisis should not become an excuse for a religious freedom crisis.
I believe we must always remember a key principle: specifically, religion should not be treated less favorably than analogous secular activities. “
And When He Came to Himself (Luke 15:17) By Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles The preceding address was given June 17, 2020, for the digital-only 2020 BYU Law School Religious Freedom Annual Review.
Is the Constitution Divinely Inspired?
“Not long after I began to teach law, an older professor asked me a challenging question about Latter-day Saints’ belief in the United States Constitution. Earlier in his career he had taught at the University of Utah College of Law. There he met many Latter-day Saint law students. “They all seemed to believe that the Constitution was divinely inspired,” he said, “but none of them could ever tell me what this meant or how it affected their interpretation of the Constitution.” I took that challenge personally, and I have pondered it for many years.
I hope I will not be thought immodest if I claim a special interest in the Constitution. As a lawyer and law professor for more than twenty years, I have studied the United States Constitution. As legal counsel, I helped draft the bill of rights for the Illinois constitutional convention of 1970. And for three and one-half years as a justice of the Utah Supreme Court I had the sworn duty to uphold and interpret the constitutions of the state of Utah and the United States. My conclusions draw upon those experiences and upon a lifetime of studying the scriptures and the teachings of the living prophets. My opinions on this subject are personal and do not represent a statement in behalf of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Creation and Ratification
The United States Constitution was the first written constitution in the world. It has served Americans well, enhancing freedom and prosperity during the changed conditions of more than two hundred years. Frequently copied, it has become the United States’ most important export. After two centuries, every nation in the world except six have adopted written constitutions, 2 and the U.S. Constitution was a model for all of them. No wonder modern revelation says that God established the U.S. Constitution and that it “should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles.” (D&C 101:77.)
George Washington was perhaps the first to use the word miracle in describing the drafting of the U.S. Constitution. In a 1788 letter to Lafayette, he said:
“It appears to me, then, little short of a miracle, that the delegates from so many different states (which states you know are also different from each other in their manners, circumstances, and prejudices) should unite in forming a system of national Government, so little liable to well-founded objections.” …
I have always felt that the United States Constitution’s closest approach to scriptural stature is in the phrasing of our Bill of Rights. Without the free exercise of religion, America could not have served as the host nation for the restoration of the gospel, which began just three decades after the Bill of Rights was ratified. I also see scriptural stature in the concept and wording of the freedoms of speech and press, the right to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures, the requirements that there must be probable cause for an arrest and that accused persons must have a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury, and the guarantee that a person will not be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. President Ezra Taft Benson has said, “Reason, necessity, tradition, and religious conviction all lead me to accept the divine origin of these rights.”
The Declaration of Independence had posited these truths to be “self-evident,” that all men “are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights,” and that governments are instituted “to secure these Rights.” This inspired Constitution was established to provide a practical guarantee of these God-given rights (see D&C 101:77), and the language implementing that godly objective is scriptural to me…
Citizens should also be practitioners of civic virtue in their conduct toward government. They should be ever willing to fulfill the duties of citizenship. This includes compulsory duties like military service and the numerous voluntary actions they must take if they are to preserve the principle of limited government through citizen self-reliance. For example, since U.S. citizens value the right of trial by jury, they must be willing to serve on juries, even those involving unsavory subject matter. Citizens who favor morality cannot leave the enforcement of moral laws to jurors who oppose them.
The single word that best describes a fulfillment of the duties of civic virtue is patriotism. Citizens should be patriotic. My favorite prescription for patriotism is that of Adlai Stevenson:
“What do we mean by patriotism in the context of our times? … A patriotism that puts country ahead of self; a patriotism which is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.” by Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve. “The Divinely Inspired Constitution,” Ensign, Feb. 1992, 68.
What is the official position of the Church on communism?
“What is the official position of the Church on communism? In 1936 the First Presidency made an official declaration on communism which has never been abrogated. I quote the concluding paragraph:
“We call upon all Church members completely to eschew communism. The safety of our divinely inspired constitutional government and the welfare of our Church imperatively demand that communism shall have no place in America”
We must ever keep in mind that collectivized socialism is part of the communist strategy. Communism is fundamentally socialism. We will never win our fight against communism by making concessions to socialism. Communism and socialism, closely related, must be defeated on principle. The close relationship between socialism and communism is clearly pointed out by Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina in a letter to the editor of the Washington Post, of August 6, 1961, in these words:
“. . . Both socialism and communism derive from the teachings of Marx and Engels. In fact, the movements were one until the split over methods of approach, which resulted after the Russian revolution in 1905…. The aim and purpose of both was then and is now world socialism, which communism seeks to achieve through revolution and which socialists seek to achieve through evolution.
“The industrial achievements of the U. S. are the result of an economic system which is the antithesis of socialism. Our economic system is called ‘capitalism’ or ‘private enterprise’ and is based on private property rights, the profit motive and competition.
“Both communism and socialism seek to destroy our economic system and replace it with socialism; and their success, whether through evolution by socialism or through revolution by communism or a combination, will destroy not only our economic system, but our liberty, including the ‘civil’ aspects as well….
“. . . The ‘common ground’ of socialism and communism is a factor to which the American people should be alerted. Without a clear understanding that communism is socialism, the total threat and menace of the cold war can never be comprehended and fought to victory.”
When socialism is understood, we will realize that many of the programs advocated, and some of those already adopted in the United States, fall clearly within the category of socialism. What is socialism? It is simply governmental ownership and management of the essential means for the production and distribution of goods.
We must never forget that nations may sow the seeds of their own destruction while enjoying unprecedented prosperity.
The socialistic-communist conspiracy to weaken the United States involves attacks on many fronts. To weaken the American free-enterprise economy which outproduced both its enemies and allies during World War II is a high priority target of the communist leaders. Their press and other propaganda media are therefore constantly selling the principles of centralized or federal control of farms, railroads, electric power, schools, steel, maritime shipping, and many other aspects of the economy–but always in the name of public welfare.
This carries out the strategy laid down by the communist masters. John Strachey, a top official in the Labor Socialist party of Great Britain, in his book entitled The Theory and Practice of Socialism said:
“It is impossible to establish communism as the immediate successor to capitalism. It is accordingly proposed to establish socialism as something which we can put in the place of our present decaying capitalism. Hence, communists work for the establishment of socialism as a necessary transition stage on the road to communism.”
The paramount issue today is liberty against creeping socialism. It is in this spirit that President McKay stated:
“Communism is antagonistic to the American way of life. Its avowed purpose is to destroy belief in God and free enterprise…. The fostering of full economic freedom lies at the base of our liberties. Only in perpetuating economic freedom can our social, political, and religious liberties be preserved.” (Excerpt from Inaugural address for Dr. Henry A. Dixon, President of USU, delivered by President McKay at the USU fieldhouse, Logan, Utah, Monday, March 18, 1954.) Secret Combinations by Ezra Taft Benson
“Be Subject to the Powers that Be.”
In a revelation given to the Church, August 1, 1831, the Lord said: “Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land. Wherefore, be subject to the powers that be, until he reigns whose right it is to reign, and subdues all enemies under his feet.” It has been the doctrine and practice of the covenant people of God in all ages to be subject to the worldly “powers that be,” and to sustain and uphold them in all just and proper government. (Joseph Fielding Smith. Progress of Man. 1964)
[Communism] “We Consider it the Greatest Satanical Threat to Peace
In order that there may be no misunderstanding by bishops, stake presidents, and others regarding members of the Church participating in nonchurch meetings to study and become informed on the Constitution of the United States, Communism, etc., I wish to make the following statements that I have been sending out from my office for some time and that have come under question by some stake authorities, bishoprics, and others.
Church members are at perfect liberty to act according to their own consciences in the matter of safeguarding our way of life. They are, of course, encouraged to honor the highest standards of the gospel and to work to preserve their own freedoms. They are free to participate in nonchurch meetings that are held to warn people of the threat of Communism or any other theory or principle that will deprive us of our free agency or individual liberties vouchsafed by the Constitution of the United States.
The Church, out of respect for the rights of all its members to have their political views and loyalties, must maintain the strictest possible neutrality. We have no intention of trying to interfere with the fullest and freest exercise of the political franchise of our members under and within our Constitution, which the Lord declared he established “by the hands of wise men whom [he] raised up unto this very purpose” (D&C 101:80) and which, as to the principles thereof, the Prophet Joseph Smith, dedicating the Kirtland Temple, prayed should be “established forever.” (D&C 109:54.) The Church does not yield any of its devotion to or convictions about safeguarding the American principles and the establishments of government under federal and state constitutions and the civil rights of men safeguarded by these.
The position of this Church on the subject of Communism has never changed. We consider it the greatest satanical threat to peace, prosperity, and the spread of God’s work among men that exists on the face of the earth.
In this connection, we are continually being asked to give our opinion concerning various patriotic groups or individuals who are fighting Communism and speaking up for freedom. Our immediate concern, however, is not with parties, groups, or persons, but with principles. We therefore commend and encourage every person and every group who is sincerely seeking to study Constitutional principles and awaken a sleeping and apathetic people to the alarming conditions that are rapidly advancing about us. We wish all of our citizens throughout the land were participating in some type of organized self-education in order that they could better appreciate what is happening and know what they can do about it.” A statement by President David O. McKay concerning the position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Communism.
Faith of the Latter Day Saints in Governments and Laws in General
“For as much as many false rumors are abroad in the world concerning myself and the faith which I profess, and that my belief with regard to earthly governments and laws in general may not be misinterpreted nor misunderstood, I have thought proper to present for your consideration and for the consideration of the public (if you will do me the favor), through your valuable and interesting paper, my opinions concerning the same.
First, I believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, either in making laws or administering them for the good and safety of society.
Secondly, I believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life
Third, I believe that all governments necessarily require civil officers and magistrates to enforce the laws of the same; and that such as will administer the law in equity and justice should be sought for and upheld by the voice of the people (if a republic), or the will of the sovereign.
Fourth, I believe that religion is instituted of God; and that men are amenable to him, and to him only, for the exercise of it, unless their religious opinion prompts them to infringe upon the rights and liberty of others; but I do not believe that human law has a right to interfere in prescribing rules of worship to bind the consciences of men, nor dictate forms for public or private devotion; that the civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience; should punish guilt, but never suppress the freedom of the soul.
Fifth, I believe that all men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of such governments; and that sedition and rebellion are unbecoming every citizen thus protected, and should be punished accordingly; and that all governments have a right to enact such laws as in their own judgments are best calculated to secure the public interest at the same time, however, holding sacred the freedom of conscience.
Sixth, I believe that every man should be honored in his station, rulers and magistrates as such, being placed for the protection of the innocent and the punishment of the guilty; and that to the law all men owe respect and deference, as without them peace and harmony would be supplanted by anarchy and terror; human laws being instituted for the express purpose of regulating our interests as individuals and nations, between man and man; and divine laws given of heaven, prescribing rules on spiritual concerns, for faith and worship both to be answered by man to his maker.
Seventh, I believe that rulers, states and governments have a right, and are bound to enact laws for the protection of all citizens in the free exercise of their religious belief. But I do not believe that they have a right in justice to deprive citizens of this privilege, or proscribe them in their opinions, so long as a regard and reverence is shown to the laws and such religious opinions do not justify sedition nor conspiracy.
Eighth, I believe that the commission of crime should be punished according to the nature of the offense; that murder, treason, robbery, theft, and the breach of the general peace, in all respects, should be punished according to their criminality and their tendency to evil among men, by the laws of that government in which the offense is committed; and for the public peace and tranquility all men should step forward and use their ability in bringing offenders against good laws to punishment.
Ninth, I do not believe it just to mingle religious influence with civil government, whereby one religious society is fostered and another proscribed in its spiritual privileges, and the individual rights of its members, as citizens, denied.
Tenth, I believe that all religious societies have a right to deal with their members for disorderly conduct, according to the rules and regulations of such societies; provided that such dealings be for fellowship and good standing; but I do not believe that any religious society has authority to try men on the right of property or life, to take from them this world’s goods, or put them in jeopardy either life or limb, neither to inflict any physical punishment upon them. They can only excommunicate them from their society, and withdraw from their fellowship.
Eleventh, I believe that men should appeal to the civil law for redress of all wrongs and grievances, where personal abuse is inflicted or the right of property or character infringed, where such laws exist as will protect the same; but believe that all men are justified in defending themselves, their friends, and property, and the government, from the unlawful assaults and encroachments of all persons in times of exigencies, where immediate appeal cannot be made to the laws, and relief afforded.
Twelfth, I believe it just to preach the gospel to the nations of the earth, and warn the righteous to save themselves from the corruptions of the world; but I do not believe it right to interfere with bond-servants, neither preach the gospel to, nor baptize them contrary to the will and wish of their masters, nor to meddle with or influence them in the least to cause them to be dissatisfied with their situations in this life, thereby jeopardizing the lives of men; such interference I believe to be unlawful and unjust, and dangerous to the peace of every government allowing human beings to be held in servitude.
Thirteenth, It has been reported by some vicious or designing characters that the church of Latter Day Saints believe in having their property in common, and also the leaders of said church controls said property. This is a base fabrication without the least shadow or coloring of anything to make it out of, but on the contrary, no person’s feelings can be more repugnant to such a principle than mine. Every person in this church has a right to control his own property, and is not required to do anything except by his own free voluntary act, that he may impart to the poor according to the requirement of the gospel, “Give to him that asketh thee and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away” (Math. 5:42).
I believe in living a virtuous, upright, and holy life before God and feel it my duty to persuade all men in my power to do the same. That they may cease to do evil, and learn to do well, and break off their sins by righteousness. I close this by subscribing myself your most obedient servant.” Faith of the Latter Day Saints in Governments and Laws in General by Joseph Smith Jr.
Notes: The sentiments set forth in the following thirteen articles are Joseph Smith’s personal affirmation of a statement on law and Church government, written by Oliver Cowdery in 1835, and published that same year in the Messenger and Advocate and the Doctrine and Covenants. (Compare D&C 134.)By Joseph Smith, On September 1, 2020.”
Communists advocate for a total upheaval of political society to achieve their goals.
Socialists believe it is possible for their goals to be carried out within a pro-market society.
This graphic shows more Socialism and Communism than it does in Capitalism.
Socialism and Communism are both political ideologies defined by their dissatisfaction with a capitalist socio-political system, but they have distinct outlooks and goals.
Socialism and communism champion the rights of the worker, and the common person, and believe that corporate monopolies and government compliance with elite interests stand in the way of the integrity and emancipation of the common worker.
Because of its less wavering and more radical nature, communism has been considered a late-stage form of socialism. Along the spectrum capitalism is at one end, socialism is in the middle and communism is at the farthest reaches. https://thisonevsthatone.com/socialism-vs-communism/
Have you ever been walking in a nice park, or the forest or on a beautiful path in the mountains? As you are walking and enjoying the beauty the Lord has created, you notice a small brick or a broken piece of cement block laying near you? You pick it up and marvel at its beauty? I seriously doubt this has ever happened to you correct? Maybe you found a brick at the dump, or near a home construction site or you even have some of these old cement blocks around your current home?
Now imagine the same walk on a woodsy path or at a nice park or in the mountains at your favorite retreat. Have you ever found a beautiful round rock? Or an intricate smooth stone? Maybe you have found a half pound rolling rock in the river, or maybe you have even found an ugly rock but once you break it open it is a beautiful crystal? Maybe you have brought home dozens of unique rocks and then tumbled them to create beautiful round shiny stones?
The difference between brick and stone? Brick is made by man and rock was made by God mostly through the universal world wide flood of Noah. Nephi said about his Father Lehi, “And it came to pass that he built an altar of stones, and made an offering unto the Lord, and gave thanks unto the Lord our God.” 1 Nephi 2:7. He did not say “build a stone altar” or create “a stone altar”. Nephi simply said, “altar of stones”.
“In Nephi 2:7 we find that Lehi and Nephi offered sacrifices upon an “altar of stones” after keeping their covenants with the Lord and successfully completing an assignment to obtain the plates of brass (the word of the Lord). The fact that they offered sacrifice on an altar of stones is full of covenant symbolism.
In Exodus 20:24–26 God instructed Moses to tell the people to make an altar of earth (mizbah) or (unhewn) stones (mizbah), upon which to sacrifice their offerings. . . . The form of this passage, in which God tells Moses to pass on this instruction to the people, suggests that it, like the Ten Commandments at the beginning of the chapter, was addressed to each Israelite individually.” [Tyndale House, The Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Vol 1, p. 36]
Law Demanding Uncut Stones
“Hugh Nibley attests that to this day the Bedouin makes sacrifice on every important occasion, not for magical and superstitious reasons, but because he “lives under the constant impression of a higher force that surrounds him.” St. Nilus, in the oldest known eyewitness account of life among the Arabs of the Tih, says, “they sacrifice on altars of crude stones piled together.” That Lehi’s was such an altar would follow not only from the ancient law demanding uncut stones (Exodus 20;25), but also from the Book of Mormon expression “an altar of stones” (1 Nephi 2:7), which is not the same thing as “a stone altar.” Such little heaps of stones, surviving from all ages, are still to be seen throughout the south desert.” [Hugh Nibley, Lehi in the Desert, F.A.R.M.S., pp. 62-63]
At the very beginning of the Bible, in the eleventh chapter of Genesis, we have this description of the Tower of Babel:
While men were migrating eastward, they discovered a valley in the land of Sennaar and settled there. They said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them.” They used bricks for stone and bitumen for mortar. They then said, “Let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves lest we be scattered all over the earth.” [Genesis 11:2-4]
Many people, yours truly included, believe that the Tower of Babel is the perfect symbol of secular society. By “secular society” I mean a world that sets itself up in arrogant opposition to the will of God.
Note that the Tower of Babel was constructed of bricks. Bricks have four characteristics.
First, they are unnatural and artificial. You won’t find a brick occurring in nature. Second, they are identical and uniform. It’s not easy to distinguish one brick from another. Third, they are functionally undifferentiated and interchangeable. A brick can serve equally well anywhere in a wall. Fourth, they are all but worthless. So what if you lose a brick. There are hundreds more just like it.
What could be more unnatural and artificial than a society that rejects God? In such a state, citizens will be made to conform to uniform standards and will lose their individuality.[1] Their work will be reduced to interchangeable roles. And, because they have lost all uniqueness, they will become utterly worthless[2].
Now, listen to what Saint Paul has to say in his Second Letter to the Corinthians:
If then any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the former things have passed away; behold, they are made new! [2 Corinthians 5:17]
In opposition to the Tower of Babel, we have a new creation. This is how Saint Peter describes this new creation:
Draw near to him [viz. Christ], a living stone,rejected indeed by men but chosen and honored by God.Be you yourselves as living stones, built thereon into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. [1 Peter 2:4-5]
There you have it. Bravely standing against secular society, the Tower of Babel, built of bricks, we have a new creation, the Church, a temple built of living stones.
Altar in Hawaii
Living stones have four characteristics.
First, living stones are not just natural, but supernatural. Second, they are utterly unique. No two are exactly alike. Third, they are irreplaceable. A stone that occupies a particular place in a wall can fit nowhere else. Fourth, they are extremely precious.
What could be more supernatural than a society in which Christ dwells? In the eyes of Jesus, every human being is utterly unique and unrepeatable. What two human beings are exactly alike? In the Church, every person is irreplaceable, because each one of us has a mission no one else can fulfill. Finally, in the heart of Christ, every human being is precious, because every one of us is made in the image and likeness of God. Each one of us, therefore, has infinite value.
The question is this: Which would I rather be—a brick in secular society or a living stone in the temple of the Church? In the former edifice, we lose our identity. In the latter, we become who we are meant to be. C.S. Lewis puts it this way. In his book The Screwtape Letters, he writes of God’s plan for His human creatures:
[He] sets an absurd value on the distinctness of every one of them. When He talks of their losing their selves, He means only abandoning the clamour of self-will; once they have done that, He really gives them back all their personality, and boasts…that when they are wholly His they will be more themselves than ever. [Letter XIII]
Only in a secular society—where men and women, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, are interchangeable—only in such a society can “same-sex marriage” and Facebook’s fifty-eight genders be even remotely considered as possibilities. In the Church, however, where men and women, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, are irreplaceable, marriage as anything other than one man and one woman for life is, to use a word from the movie The Princess Bride, “inconceivable.”
Altar in Mesoamerica
Unnatural bricks versus supernatural stones.
Secular society versus the Kingdom of God. Interchangeable cogs versus irreplaceable persons. Now there’s something to ponder! Bricks vs. stones. I’m not talking about building a house. I’m talking about building a future.
[1] I cannot help but think of the evil city on the planet Camazotz, described in Madeleine L’Engle’s young adult classic A Wrinkle in Time. Here even children are required to bounce their balls simultaneously in precise rhythm.
[2] Recall the futuristic society depicted by Lois Lowry in her book The Giver. This brave new world at first appears to be quite utopian, but we soon learn that euthanasia and infanticide are essential features of a colorless world.
Conclusion
The bottom line is this: You can choose to become another brick in the wall of this fledgling global order they’re trying so desperately to usher in (and which, I believe, will ultimately fail, based on Daniel 11:14).
Or, you can choose to remain a living stone in the Temple of the Most High God (I Peter 2:5), and stand firm in your purpose as a vessel through which His Word is transmitted to others. That is your eternal destiny, IF you’re not talked out of it through deception.
Choose very wisely. Bricks vs. Stones January 21, 2017 Father Bernard J. Ezaki Homily
“Isaac did not become an Abraham or a Jacob. He did not reach the heights of Abraham, called the “father of the faithful.” Nor was he as impressive as his son Israel, father of the twelve tribes. Yet Isaac is loved and revered. He worshiped God, cared for his home, and pursued his work. He is remembered simply as a man of peace. The eloquent simplicity of his life and his unique ability to lend importance to the commonplace made him great.
Altar, tent, and well: his worship, his home, his work. These basic things of life signified his relationship to God, his family, and his fellowmen. Every person on earth is touched by these three.
Kneeling at his altar, mindful of his family in his tent, Isaac found most of his working hours consumed in watching over wells he had caused to be digged. His flocks were nourished by them. His simple dependence upon the water and the soil and the forage that grew is little different in our day, for man must work.
Let a man choose an occupation in balance with the other two elements of the triumvirate of which I have spoken. Learn to give an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay. In the farm or shop or office, let that man know that work is not an end in itself, but a means to a noble end.
How little things have changed since Isaac’s day—the things that really matter. There is the same God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the same family roles to fill, the same need to work.” D. Kelly Ogden, “Answering the Lord’s Call,” in Studies in Scripture: Book of Mormon, Part 1, pp. 32-33]
Stone Altar Linked to Site in Yemen
A group of Latter-day Saint researchers recently found evidence linking a site in Yemen, on the southwest corner of the Arabian peninsula, to a name associated with Lehi’s journey as recorded in the Book of Mormon.
ALTAR of NAHOM: Could Nihm/Nehem be Nephi’s Nahom? The location of Nahom can be correlated with the family’s eastward turn and arrival in Bountiful (1 Nephi 17:1–5). Source:
Warren Aston, Lynn Hilton, and Gregory Witt located a stone altar that professional archaeologists dated to at least 700 B.C. This altar contains an inscription confirming “Nahom” as an actual place that existed in the peninsula before the time of Lehi. The Book of Mormon mentions that “Ishmael died, and was buried in the place which was called Nahom” (1 Ne. 16:34).
This is the first archaeological find that supports a Book of Mormon place-name other than Jerusalem or the Red Sea, says Brother Witt.
Ancient Pidgeon Holes in Caves at Biet Lehi, Jerusalem
See my previous blog here about Biet Lehi an archaeological site near Jerusalem that is said to be the City of Lehi
Hill Cumorah is not a typical hill, but is defined as a drumlin.
“Drumlin, oval or elongated hill believed to have been formed by the streamlined movement of glacial ice sheets across rock debris, or till. The name is derived from the Gaelic word druim (“rounded hill,” or “mound”) and first appeared in 1833.” Britannica.com
Below, W.W. Phelps calls Cumorah an “artificial” hill. What would he mean by the name, artificial hill? One that is obviously different than a typical dirt hill, or rock hill as we usually think? In other words typical hills naturally formed would have natural caves within. The Hill Cumorah was not a typical hill such as we normally understand, ie. mountain, or mount etc. Hill Cumorah was a drumlin which many people don’t know the difference between that and a typical hill. Webster’s current dictionary says, “Definition of drumlin: an elongate or oval hill of glacial drift… First Known Use of drumlin 1812, in the meaning defined above.” So a drumlin was formed from glacial drift unlike many hills we usually think of.
Because of W.W. Phelps quote below, I assume the Mesoamerican theorists who are looking for the Hill Cumorah somewhere in Mesoamerica, are looking only at drumlins with a man made cave inside and not any typical hills or mountains or mounts?
ARTIFI’CIAL, adjective
1. Made or contrived by art, or by human skill and labor, in opposition to natural; as artificial heat or light; an artificial magnet. 2. Feigned, fictitious; not genuine or natural; as artificial tears. 3. Contrived with skill or art. 4. Cultivated; not indigenous; not being of spontaneous growth; as artificial grasses.
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Two Hill Cumorah’s?
The majority of Mesoamerican theorists believe that Moroni deposited the gold plates in a hill, in NY, but not necessarily the Hill Cumorah in New York as we call it. These same theorists also believe the final battles of the Nephites and Lamanites to be somewhere in Mesoamerica. In other words they believe there are two Hill Cumorah’s which is why we call it the M2C Theory. I don’t agree with this perspective. You can read about their views here:
In Ether 15:11 Moroni says that the same hill that the Jaredites were destroyed was called Ramah, and was the same hill that Mormon hid the plates. It makes sense that all the plates were buried in the man made cave or depository in the Hill Cumorah, and not in Moroni’s man made stone box that held the set of plates Joseph translated.
We believe there are two repositories in Cumorah for all the records. Both man made. First, the *Cave at Cumorah spoken of by Heber C. Kimball, Brigham Young and many others. Secondly, the stone box where Joseph Smith found the plates that were sealed with the Urim and Thummim and the Jaredite Breastplate.
*Quote about the Cave at Cumorah
“Brother Mills mentioned in his song, that crossing the Plains with hand-carts was one of the greatest events that ever transpired in this Church. I will admit that it is an important event, successfully testing another method for gathering Israel, but its importance is small in comparison with the visitation of the angel of God to the Prophet Joseph, and with the reception of the sacred records from the hand of Moroni at the hill Cumorah. How does it compare with the vision that Joseph and others had, when they went into a cave in the hill Cumorah, and saw more records than ten men could carry? There were books piled up on tables, book upon book. Those records this people will yet have, if they accept the Book of Mormon and observe it’s precepts, and keep the commandments.” Heber C. Kimball Journal of Discourses, 4:105, September 28, 1856
“The Hill Cumorah is situated in western New York. . . . It is distinguished as the great battlefield on which, and near which, two powerful nations were concentrated with all their forces, men, women and children, and fought till hundreds of thousands on both sides were hewn down, and left to molder upon the ground. . . . The Hill Cumorah is remarkable also as being the hill on which and around which, a still more ancient nation perished, called Jaredites. . . . Millions fought millions, until the Hill Ramah, and the land round about, was soaked with blood.” 1866 Orson Pratt Millennial Star 28 (16 June 1866)
“The hill Cumorah, with the surrounding vicinity, is distinguished as the great battlefield on which, and near which, two powerful nations were concentrated with all their forces. Men, women and children fought till hundreds of thousands on both sides were hewn down, and left to molder upon the ground. . . . “These new plates were given to Moroni to finish the history. And all the ancient plates, Mormon deposited in Cumorah, about three hundred and eighty-four years after Christ. When Moroni, about thirty-six years after, made the deposit of the book entrusted to him, he was, without doubt, inspired to select a department of the hill separate from the great depository of the numerous volumes hid up by his father. The particular place in the hill where Moroni secreted the book, was revealed, by the angel, to the prophet Joseph Smith, to whom the volume was delivered in September, A.D. 1827. But the grand repository of all the numerous records of the ancient nations of the western continent, was located in another department of the hill, and it’s contents under the charge of holy angels, until the day should come for them to be transferred to the sacred temple of Zion.” 1866 Orson Pratt Millennial Star (28 (27): 417)
“In relation to these records, Orson Pratt commented in 1873: “But will these things be brought to light? Yes. The records, now slumbering in the hill Cumorah, will be brought forth by the power of God, to fulfil the words of our text, that ‘the knowledge of God shall cover the earth, as the waters cover the deep.'” (Orson Pratt, May 18, 1873, in Journal of Discourses 16:57)
Mormon 6: Chapter 6 Notes
The Nephites gather to the land of Cumorah for the final battles—Mormon hides the sacred records in the hill Cumorah—The Lamanites are victorious, and the Nephite nation is destroyed—Hundreds of thousands are slain with the sword. About A.D. 385.
Ether Chapter 15 Notes
Millions of the Jaredites are slain in battle—Shiz and Coriantumr assemble all the people to mortal combat—The Spirit of the Lord ceases to strive with them—The Jaredite nation is utterly destroyed—Only Coriantumr remains.
Ether 15:11 “And it came to pass that the army of Coriantumr did pitch their tents by the hill Ramah; and it was that same hill where my father Mormon did hide up the records unto the Lord, which were sacred.”
LETTER NO. 12 W.W. Phelps to Oliver Cowdery
I want to drop an idea or two about Cumorah. Yes, Cumorah which must become as famous among the latter-day saints, as Sinai was among the former day saints. — The law of the Lord, by the hand of Moses, was received upon Sinai, for the benefit of Israel, before they entered the goodly land of Canaan, and before they were scattered and driven among ail nations; and the fulness of the everlasting gospel, the history of the first settlers of America; even the book of Mormon, preparatory to gathering Israel from their long dispersion, came from Cumorah: Glorious spot! — sacred depository! out of thee came the glad tidings which will rejoice thousands! Israel must be restored to mercy; a holy people raised up unto God to possess the promised land, to bring the present unto the Lord of hosts, even to Mount Zion, as Isaiah foretold more than three thousand years ago.
Cumorah, the artificial hill of north America, is well calculated to stand in this generation, as a monument of marvelous works and wonders. Around that mount died millions of the Jaredites; yea, there ended one of the greatest nations of this earth. In that day, her inhabitants spread from sea to sea, and enjoyed national greatness and glory, nearly fifteen hundred years. — That people forsook the Lord and died in wickedness. There, too, fell the Nephites, after they had forgotten the Lord that bought them. There slept the records of age after age, for hundreds of years, even until the time of the Lord: —
“An angel came down from the regions of glory
“And told that a record was hid in Cumorah,
“Containing the fulness of Jesus’s gospel,
“And also the cov’nant to gather his people.”
“There began the church of Christ in 1830; yea, there the stone cut out of the mountain without hands, as foretold by Daniel, commenced rolling to fill the earth, and may it continue, in a moral sense, in dreadful splendor, till it fills the whole, and wickedness is ended. So much for the Hill Cumorah…”
As ever,
W.W. PHELPS.
To Oliver Cowdery.
LATTER DAY SAINTS’ MESSENGER AND ADVOCATE Vol. II No. 2 KIRTLAND, OHIO, Nov 1835 Page 221
Below is a photograph from a good friend of mine who worked for the Church Video Department. It shows the appearance of a cave in the Hill Cumorah that was about 15 feet square. The cave was empty> On the sides of the walls were stacked stones and there were some stones attached seemingly as shelves coming out from the stacked stones, which would mean the cave would have been man made.
In the first picture below, is the approximate location at Hill Cumorah that the hole was located with the red arrow. The second picture of the hole or cave was immediately covered by a thick plate of steel and covered by dirt by Church personnel once the hole was discovered.
I want to mention that as you read this blog or any information I share, I am hopeful that it will help you develop the desire to study and research and pray on your own. The purpose of life is to learn and gain knowledge of truth. One mans truth is another mans speculation. I am thankful everyday to learn new things about the Lord and His world of creation.
Many Historian and Archaeologists date many bones and artifacts based on time frames that are different than what seem to be reasonable today. Especially after reading the hard work of Dean Sessions and his book found at UniversalModel.com. Instead of coming over the land bridge as is very popular with scientists who have no better theory, we believe it very likely that the Jaredites brought the appropriate mammoths, cureloms, elephants or cumoms along with bees and other animals on the eight barges. In that token, Lehi may have brought similar baby mastodons or elephants from the Old World. The old story that almost everything came over the Bering Strait just doesn’t seem to be an option any more.
The more we learn about the Gospel and research about the Jaredites and Nephites, the more we understand the Lord is in control of “all things” and bringing the proper animals to the New World seems a very likely answer. We know Lehi must have brought the sheep, oxen, doves, goats, wheat, barley, and grapes to the United States to practice the Law of Moses. It is also another sign of the United States being the Land described in the Book of Mormon, as the previously listed animals, plants and fruits that were essential to practice the Law of Moses are no where to be found in Mesoamerica during the time of the Nephites. Every one of these necessary plants and animals are found in the United States during Nephite times.
Do we hear of Dinosaurs in the Bible?
“Many have collected dinosaur remains all over and they have no lingering doubt concerning their reality. Thousands of specimens have been found and excavated. However, simply because we acknowledge the existence of dinosaurs does not mean we must accept that it took millions of years for their appearance/disappearance. Many people see the dinosaur bones, but feel there is no direct Biblical supporting evidence for their creation. I think the existence of dinosaurs is very plausible and even supported in the Bible. The word “Dinosaur” does not even appear in the KJV of the Bible and that makes perfect sense. Because In 1842, the English naturalist Sir Richard Owen coined the term Dinosauria, derived from the Greek deinos, meaning “fearfully great,” and sauros, meaning “lizard.”
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“Gen 1:24-25 “And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.”
Among the beasts of the Earth, there were animals of all sizes, great and small, including those we know today as dinosaurs. We know they were here because we see their remains, but where did they go? Intermittent extinction of animals is ongoing, but the greatest mass-extinction event to occur on the Earth, the global, Universal Flood, witnessed the sudden end of 75% of all land species, including plants and animals, and 95% of all marine species. When this transpired about 4,400 years ago, tens, even hundreds-of-millions of animals perished, most obliterated by the forces of the great Deluge, but some remains survived because of a very unique, perfectly balanced environment of heat, pressure, water, and ocean chemistry, known as a hypretherm. Those fossil remains show us that the continents were all once connected, that all dinosaurs died in a flood environment (worldwide, all dinosaur fossils are found in flood sediment), and that the extinction event happened in the springtime. In fact, fossilization of dead animals is not happening today; it only happened during the Great Flood.” Russ Barlow, Editor of the Universal Model, New Millennial Science.
Pennsylvania’s Elephant Petroglyph on the Allegheny River
Written by Tom Anderton. Originally published in Ancient American magazine issue #83.
A rock shelter near Van, Pennsylvania known as “Rainbow Rock” features the carvings of snakes, a human figure, apparent bird tracks and dots, as described by The PennsylvaniaArchaeologist (Vol. 42, No. 3, September 1972). While these images are common visual components of petroglyphs found across North America, the elephant depicted inside a rectangle on the face of a large stone standing near “Rainbow Rock” is not.
James L. Swauger, an expert in prehistoric rock art with more than seventy published reports dealing primarily with petroglyphs in the Ohio Valley, examined the elephant portrayal. “It is obvious at this time that the figure was carved recently by persons using metal tools, and that it has no relationship to the undoubted American Indian petroglyphs of the site,” he concluded in “The Bunola Head, A Forgery”, for The Pennsylvania Archeologist, Vol. 30, No. 2, Gettysburg. “Leo T. Sarnaki Carnegie Museum Photographer, concurred in this opinion, as did the half dozen others with whom I visited this site.”
While Swauger and company are correct in pointing out that pre-Columbian Indians used stone tools, their assumption that the Rainbow Rock pachyderm must be, ipso facto, a modern fake, because it was carved with a metal utensil, is only an assumption. Large numbers of ancient arrowheads, spear-points and related items of hardened copper have been found especially in Upper Michigan since the early 19th Century. They comprise a great body of physical evidence on behalf of metal tools used by the prehistoric residents of our continent. Of course, Swauger was far more disturbed by the representation of an elephant, a creature mainstream academics such as himself insist was totally unknown to the pre-modern inhabitants of North America.
But the Pennsylvania petroglyph is hardly the only such image found in the state. In 1872, a farm boy working his fields near Doylestown, Pennsylvania, accidentally plowed up a five-inch-long stone covered with strange symbols on one side. On the other was “a scene which could only be interpreted as a pictographic account of an Indian encounter with a mammoth” as described in a 1972 NEARA Newsletter article (7:16-18) by Richard L. Greene. The Lenape Stone, named “after a local branch of the Delaware Indians,” was investigated and deemed authentic by Buck County Historical Society spokesman, Henry C. Mercer.
At least half a dozen Wisconsin effigy mounds shaped into the unmistakable configuration of elephants were personally studied and documented during the late 1800s by the professional surveyor, T.S. Lewis, whose life’s work is preserved on microfilm at the Minnesota Historical Society Museum, in Saint Paul.
In their hasty dismissal of the Rainbow Rock elephant petroglyph as “a forgery”, conventional archaeologists may have yet again condemned a possibly valuable insight into North American prehistory. The price of such high-handed neglect is often destruction, a case in point being northwest Pennsylvania’s so-called “Indian God Rock”
Found in Venango County, some eight miles form the city of Franklin, a flat sandstone surface twenty-two feet high and fourteen feet wide is positioned at a fifty-degree angle to the east bank of the Allegheny River, not far from its confluence with French Creek. The site was covered with profuse rock art when first described by the French explorer, Blenville De Celoron, in 1749. Although he did not copy the inscriptions, they were still in tact more than one hundred years later, as confirmed by the famous antiquarian, Henry Schoolcraft, in his 1853 publication, Indian Antiquities.
John Witherspoon (February 5, 1723 – November 15, 1794) was a Scottish American Presbyterian minister and a Founding Father of the United States. Witherspoon embraced the concepts of Scottish common sense realism, and while president of the College of New Jersey (1768–1794; now Princeton University), became an influential figure in the development of the United States’ national character. Politically active, Witherspoon was a delegate from New Jersey to the Second Continental Congress and a signatory to the July 4, 1776, Declaration of Independence. He was the only active clergyman and the only college president to sign the Declaration. Later, he signed the Articles of Confederation and supported ratification of the Constitution. In 1789 he was convening moderator of the First General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. Wikipedia
This Day in Presbyterian History
Daily devotional readings in Scripture, the Westminster Standards, & Presbyterian history.
May 17 : John Witherspoon Brings Politics Into the Pulpit
By David T Myers. This Day in Presbyterian History: John Witherspoon Brings Politics into the Pulpit
“In our last historical devotional, we saw how the Confession of Faith cautioned synods and council from making pronouncements on political matters. In this devotional, we see a Presbyterian minister enter the pulpit of a Presbyterian congregation in Princeton, New Jersey on May 17, 1776 to bring politics into the pulpit. That Presbyterian minister was John Witherspoon, the president of the College of New Jersey.
The timing is interesting. Battles up north around Boston have already been fought. In about three weeks, John Witherspoon will affix his signature to the Declaration of Independence. As he enters the pulpit of the Presbyterian Church, he is going to speak on “The Dominion of Providence over the Passions of Men. A SERMON preached at Princeton, on the 17th of May, 1776 BEING the General Fast appointed by the CONGRESS through the UNITED COLONIES. To which is added, An Address to the Natives of Scotland residing in America.” And you thought your pastor had long sermon titles!
Witherspoon in taking politics in the pulpit in essence is going to preach on God’s providence, how that God guides and governs and directs and controls all things, from the greatest to the least. He further uses the appointment of a fast from Congress to proclaim this message at this time. Let me quote one paragraph from it.
“You are all witnesses, that this is the first time of my introducing any political subject into the pulpit. At this season, however, it is not only lawful, but necessary; and I willingly embrace the opportunity of declaring my opinion without any hesitation, that the cause in which America is now in arms, is the cause of justice, of liberty, and of human nature. So far as we have hitherto proceeded, I am satisfied that the confederacy of the colonies, has not been the effect of pride, resentment, or sedition, but of a deep and general conviction, that our civil and religious liberties, and consequently, in a great measure, the temporal and eternal happiness of us and our posterity, depended on the issue. There is not a single instance in history, in which civil liberty was lost, and religious liberty preserved entire. If, therefore, we yield up our temporal property, we at the same time deliver the conscience into bondage.”
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With words like this, no wonder that a speaker in England’s Parliament declared that “Cousin American has run away with a Presbyterian parson.” And that Presbyterian parson was none other than John Witherspoon. He closed his sermon with the following words, “God grant, that in America true religion and civil liberty may be inseparable, and that the unjust attempts to destroy the one, may, in the issue, tend to the support and establishment of both.”This Day in Presbyterian History
I Love Our Country
I repeat as John Witherspoon so properly said, “God grant, that in America true religion and civil liberty may be inseparable, and that the unjust attempts to destroy the one, may, in the issue, tend to the support and establishment of both.”
I love our Country and the blessed Constitution that the Lord Himself wrote. D&C 101:77-80. Ever since I saw President Trump begin to keep his promises from his primary campaign, I have always supported him and the good things he does for our country. I admire his tenacity in trying to right the wrongs done against him and our country. He has tried to put America first so we can be a strong nation and remain the leader of the world as was promised by the Lord. Trump is far from perfect but he does what he says for the benefit of the American People. Does he have an ego? Sure!
We as Americans are not better than other people, but the Children of Joseph were promised this land as long as we live righteously. Sadly the fate of the Jaredites and Nephites on this land are a precursor to our fate if we don’t repent.
I am afraid our religion and civil liberties are now far apart. Our Country is in turmoil especially with this new Presidency. I do pray for Biden and the government, but it seems almost hopeless at this point. Our freedoms are being eroded and the dictates of government have become an unrighteous stress on the people of the world.
“And so four great civic standards for the faithful Saints are, first, the Constitution ordained by God through wise men; second, the scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon; third, the inspired counsel of the prophets, especially the living president, and fourth, the guidance of the Holy Spirit.“ Ezra Taft Benson
Joseph and Hyrum’s trust did not run to the arm of flesh, but to God and correct eternal principles. “I am the greatest advocate of the Constitution of the United States there is on the earth,” said the Prophet Joseph Smith. (DHC, vol. 6, p. 56.)
The warning of President Joseph Fielding Smith is most timely: “Now I tell you it is time the people of the United States were waking up with the understanding that if they don’t save the Constitution from the dangers that threaten it, we will have a change of government.” (Conference Report, April 1950, p. 159.)
What are we doing to save our freedoms? What can we do? I saw a video this morning that broke my heart and really opened up my eyes to becoming a greater advocate of righteousness in our government. Please watch this video and do as this typical lady asks. Fight for what is right!
This Day in Presbyterian History continued. “Words to Live By: We as American citizens have no right to pray for any kind of temporal prosperity without the necessity as Christian Americans to pray for spiritual revival in our blessed land. The two ends must go together.
Through the Scriptures: Psalms 10 – 111
Through the Standards: Ingredients of repentance in the catechisms
WLC 76 — “What is repentance unto life? A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace, wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit and word of God, out of the sight and sense, not only of the danger, but also the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, and upon the apprehension of God’s mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, he so grieves for and hates his sins, as that he turns from them all to God, purposing and endeavouring constantly to walk with him in all the ways of new obedience.”
WSC 87 — “What is repentance unto life? A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, does, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience.”https://thisday.pcahistory.org/2012/05/may-17-john-witherspoon-brings-politics-into-the-pulpit/
Many archaeologists have long determined that the Poverty Point site in Louisiana was probably the oldest Native American Mound Site. Below is information about the Bilbo Mound that is lesser known near Savannah Georgia that may be even older than Poverty Point. Along with the additional article below about the ancient use of copper in Georgia, this makes me consider the possible voyage of the Jaredites with an additional possibility.
Some researchers believe that the Jaredites may have come from the Near East and traveled the Atlantic and arrived up the St Lawrence River near the Great Lakes. Some believe the Jaredites traveled on foot east from the Tower of Babel across Asia and traveled the Pacific arriving at the Columbia River. With the information dating Louisiana and Georgia as places of the oldest North American known civilizations, I am beginning to consider that the Jaredites may have taken the same route to North America as Lehi near Tallahassee Florida, and/or Mulek up the Mississippi River locating near Montrose, Iowa. I believe information is so ancient as to not be very accurate in determining the correct route of the Jaredites, but it is very interesting to speculate on the plausibility of each location. (See two maps at the end of this blog that show one Jaredite voyage by way of the Atlantic and another one by way of the Pacific).
I share some things about the Georgia/Tennessee area based on many years of research that may be significant as a location of the Nephites. The area of northern Georgia is an amazing area for possible Nephite locations. Near Helen, Georgia and the source of the Hiawasee and Chattahoochee Rivers is what I call Nephi’s Valley. From the mouth of the Apalachicola River where is found 600 BC artifacts, is a possible landing place for Lehi. Nephi would have left the Florida area by way of the Chattahoochee River up to the area called Unicoi Gap, Georgia. By taking the source of the Hiwassee River, Nephi could have traveled up that River which connects to the Tennessee River with an easy stopping place near Chattanooga, Tennessee where I feel is a good possible location for the first Nephite Temple. The eastern hills of eastern Tennessee is rich with gold, silver, and copper where Nephi could have made swords. This area of northern Georgia and eastern Tennessee is the location of the great Cherokee Indians. The area of Chattanooga is close to hundreds of beautiful springs in northern Georgia where a location for the Waters of Mormon is possible. If you have questions, please ask. I acknowledge much of this geography is plausible based on archaeology, geology and other factors. (See map of Unicoi Gap, Georgia for possible Nephite locations at the end of this blog).
A Light on Fort Mountain
That prehistoric Georgia may have been inhabited for 17,000 years, throughout the Paleoindian, Archaic, and Woodland periods is evidenced by sites along the Macon plateau at the fall-line. Archaic period pottery found in a mound at Stallings Island near Augusta is the oldest yet to be confirmed in North America, ALTHOUGH the base of another mound near Savannah’s Irene site, known as the Bilbo Mound may be even older – it’s been dated at 3,540 B.C. If this is correct, the culture represented by this Savannah site may well be the OLDEST in North America, preceding ALL others.
Achievements credited to the “Neolithic Revolution,” of the Early Farmers from this period include more substantial dwellings and permanent settlements, decorative symbolic pottery (Swift Creek & Weeden Island – Middle/Late Woodland), limited agricultural advancements, and the use of the bow and arrow. They also participated in the broader Adena, Hopewellian and FortAncient trading cultures.
Along the Etowah River southwest of Cartersville, Georgia in Bartow County, the Leake Mounds site contains the remains of a prehistoric occupation that lasted from approximately 300 B.C. until 650 A.D. A major center during the Middle Woodland period, it figured prominently in the interaction among peoples throughout the Southeastern and the Midwestern United States.Swift Creek pottery has been discovered throughout a major portion of Georgia as well as portions of surrounding states. The Leake site is at the northernmost edge of its distribution.
Tamachichi, Creek Delegation & British Trustees at Westminister Palace – painting by the artist William Verelst (1734)
Architect/historian/author Richard Thornton said, “The Uchee, Apalache and Itsate all told early British settlers that the first place <their ancestors> lived when they arrived in their current homeland was the general vicinity of Savannah. High King Chikili told the settlers that ‘our first emperor is buried in a mound near Savannah’.” (The Bilbo Mound)
McQueen Site 2500 BC Copper Early metal use and crematory practices in the American Southeast
Long-distance exchange of copper objects during the Archaic Period (ca. 8000-3000 cal B.P.) is a bellwether of emergent social complexity in the Eastern Woodlands. Originating from the Great Lakes, the Canadian Maritimes, and the Appalachian Mountains, Archaic-age copper is found in significant amounts as far south as Tennessee and in isolated pockets at major trade centers in Louisiana but is absent from most of the southeastern United States. Here we report the discovery of a copper band found with the cremated remains of at least seven individuals buried in the direct center of a Late Archaic shell ring located in coastal Georgia. Late Archaic shell rings are massive circular middens thought to be constructed, in part, during large-scale ritual gatherings and feasting events. The exotic copper and cremated remains are unique in coastal South Carolina and Georgia where Archaic-age cremations are conspicuously absent and no other Archaic copper objects have been reported. Elemental data produced through laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry shows the copper originated from the Great Lakes, effectively extending Archaic copper exchange almost 1,000 km beyond its traditional boundaries. Similarities in mortuary practices and the presence of copper originating from the Great Lakes reveal the presence of long-distance exchange relations spanning vast portions of the eastern United States and suggest an unexpected level of societal complexity at shell ring localities. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that elite actors solidified their positions through ritual gatherings and the long-distance exchange of exotic objects during the Archaic.
Significance Chemical sourcing of a Late Archaic (ca. 4100–3980 cal B.P.) copper artifact reveals extensive trade networks linking the coastal southeastern United States with the Great Lakes. Found alongside the cremated remains of at least seven individuals and in the direct center of a plaza defined by a circular shell midden, the copper artifact demonstrates the existence of long-distance networks that transmitted both objects and mortuary practices. In contrast with models that assume coastal hunter-gatherer-fishers typically lived in small, simple societies, we propose that trading for and utilizing copper is evidence of emergent hierarchical social organization during the Archaic and the likelihood that power was gained and displayed during large-scale gatherings and ceremonial events.
Fig. 1. Locations of raw copper sources, selected archaeological sites, and selected Late Archaic shell rings. (1) Isle Royale; (2) Michipicoten; (3) Keweenaw; (4) Snake River; (5) Trout River; (6) Cap d’Or; (7) Cornwall; (8), Adams County; (9) Ducktown; (10) Fanning County; (11) Oglethorpe County; (12) Indian Knoll; (13) Poverty Point.
In summary, the McQueen site contains the remains of at least seven people who died on or near St. Catherines Island during the Late Archaic Period. The first to be interred was probably a young female adult who suffered an injury that became infected. Her body was cremated, and the remains were buried at the center of the McQueen Shell Ring. At some point not long thereafter, six other individuals died and were cremated and interred. They may have been interred in one or more events. The interred people had suffered some minor ailments during their lives, including evidence that at least one individual suffered an injury. Their remains were interred at the center of a shell ring, along with faunal remains, especially from fish and deer, and lithic, ceramic, and copper artifacts. Analysis of zooarchaeological materials is ongoing, but along with the more common taxa mentioned above, preliminary results include the identification of animals rarely encountered in Late Archaic deposits, such as pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) and eagle ray (Myliobatidae), as well as high proportions of bird and alligator remains (65).
Discussion/Conclusion The discovery of a Late Archaic-age cremation with associated mortuary items, including copper objects made from materials originating from the Great Lakes, contradicts interpretations that characterize shell ring residents as simple, provincial groups, largely disconnected from their more interior neighbors. These interpretations often rely on outdated models that suggest maritime economies are inherently poor and not stable enough to provide for societal expansion, diversification, or complexity (40). Instead, our findings are consistent with hypotheses that characterize ring residents as both living in social groups that included emergent elites (51) and participating in long-distance trade. Prior research suggests that aspiring elites could have utilized marine and terrestrial resources, including tree nuts, to host large-scale gatherings during the winter months (37). These gatherings likely included the mass consumption of shellfish that were then piled, perhaps to display the relative status of individuals or groups. We suggest that long-distance exchange played a key role in helping aspiring elites attain, display, and share social capital. The copper object originating from the Great Lakes is likely part of larger pattern in which ring residents participated in long-distance exchange networks trading raw materials and objects. Considering that a copper object was emplaced alongside cremated human and nonhuman remains, we propose that long-distance exchange practices were intertwined with ritual events. It is likely that emergent elites used both exotic items and ceremonies to elevate their positions within the broader political landscape. To this point, it is important to note that the placement of the copper band among the cremated remains of at least seven individuals, some of whom may have died violently, suggests that this object was purposefully taken out of circulation, likely during a very visible event in which human bodies were burned, pulverized, and then emplaced in the ring center. We know little about who these individuals were, why they were buried together, and why they were interred in the ring center along with the copper object and other potent items, including a whale vertebra. Perhaps these individuals were exalted members of the community and were given a high-status burial to reflect their position(s) in life. It is equally possible that these individuals were murdered by ring residents for political, social, or religious reasons, and their burial in the ring center had motives other than honoring the lives of the interred. It is also possible this group died an abnormal death, perhaps caused by disease or accident, and their burial was an act designed to alleviate the suffering of the dead or to protect the living from similar calamity.
Fig. 2. (A) St. Catherines Island with the location of McQueen Shell Ring. (B) Excavation units at McQueen; the center block is outlined. (C) Plan view of burial pit. (D) Profile of burial pit.
Calibrations were done in OxCal version 4.2.3 (https://c14.arch.ox.ac.uk/) using the IntCal13 and Marine13 curves (67). ND, no data; VPDB, Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite (international reference standard for carbon isotopes). *University of California, Irvine does not report δ13C, as all results have been corrected for isotopic fractionation according to the conventions offered in ref. 68, with δ13C values measured on prepared graphite using the AMS. These can differ from δ13C of the original material if fractionation occurred during sample graphitization or the AMS measurement and therefore are not presented.
Below is a very interesting video about the McQueen Shell site in Georgia where ancient 2,500 BC Copper from the Great Lakes was found.
The Jaredites could have come from the Atlantic Ocean or the Pacific Ocean!
“The Jaredites left from “the great tower at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people.” This was presumably the tower of Babel, located in what is now Iraq, near Bagdad. The group consisted of Jared and his brother and their families, with “some others and their families” (Ether 1:33). The Lord led them “down into the valley which is northward,” a valley named Nimrod, from where they would be led “into a land which is choice above all the lands of the earth” (Ether 1:42).
They traveled in the wilderness, “yeah, into that quarter where there never had man been.” They built barges to cross many waters, and eventually came “even to that great sea which divideth the lands” (Ether 2:5, 6, 13), where they dwelt in tents for four years.
The description is so vague they could have gone just about anywhere. The phrase “great sea which divideth the lands” has been interpreted to mean the Atlantic Ocean (on the premise that the continents were separated in the days of Peleg and the Atlantic therefore divided the lands) as well as the Pacific Ocean (on the premise that before the continents were separated, only one large sea separated east from west).
If they crossed the Atlantic (map above), the Jaredites could have come up the St. Lawrence Seaway to reach what became the land of Desolation around the Great Lakes.
If they crossed the Pacific (map below), the Jaredites could have landed on the west coast and spread throughout the land until a portion of them reached the Great Lakes area. This is the scenario I find most persuasive, although I think the text and the data are equivocal on this point.” Moroni’s America Jonathan Neville.
I find it difficult to ignore the symbolism of the sheepskin, especially in North America. Starting in the days of Adam, [Missouri] men were required to offer a blood sacrifice to God—an unblemished, first-born male animal, which of course, was symbolic of the sacrifice of the coming Christ. Then Jesus fulfilled this law and ended the need for blood sacrifice: And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away. . . . And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost. (3 Nephi 9:19–20). For Christ is the Lamb of God, and the Good Shepherd.
Annotated Book of Mormon by David Hocking and Rod Meldrum Page 533 Purchase Today!
Adam and Eve- Garments of Sacrificed Lambs
“Shamed by their nakedness after the Fall, they tried unsuccessfully to cover their shame with garments of their own devising, aprons made of fig leaves (Gen. 3:7). God made them coats of skins,” which involved the sacrifice of life – something they could never forget— “and clothed them” with redemptive garments that covered their shame and allowed them to come into his presence with fear (Gen. 3:21).
After Adam and Eve had partaken of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, after they had blood flowing in their veins, after all things in the world of which they were a part had become subject to death, the God of Heaven taught them the law of sacrifice. This law required the death –by the shedding of blood – of two lambs whose skins were then placed on Adam and Eve. Those special garments were worn by them when they went out into the lone and dreary world. The garments constituted a constant reminder of the protection they would enjoy (through the shed blood of the Lamb, even the Son of God) from all the effects of the Fall.”(Joseph Fielding McConkie and Craig J. Ostler, Revelations of the Restoration, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2000], 223)
“and they were naked, save it were a skin which was girded about their loins…” (Alma 43:20)
“And it came to pass that they did come up to battle; and it was in the sixth month; and behold, great and terrible was the day that they did come up to battle; and they were girded about after the manner of robbers; and they had a lamb-skin about their loins, and they were dyed in blood, and their heads were shorn, and they had head-plates upon them; and great and terrible was the appearance of the armies of Giddianhi, because of their armor, and because of their being dyed in blood (3 Nephi 4:7).
It’s interesting that the robbers had lamb-skin. The Nephites hadn’t left their animals, and the robbers were accustomed to living by plunder, so where did the lamb-skin come from? The logical inference is that they had saved lamb skin from previous raids, possibly for clothing in the winter. Of course, this means the Nephites kept lambs in their herds, which is to be expected since they observed the law of Moses.
Although they “had a lamb-skin about their loins,” the robbers also wore armor. The text says they came to battle in the sixth month, which the Jewish calendar would put in August or September.
The Nephites fought the robbers with a “great and terrible” slaughter, “insomuch that there never was known so great a slaughter among all the people of Lehi since he left Jerusalem” (3 Nephi 4:11). The Nephites chased the robbers to the borders of the wilderness.” Moroni’s America page 216
If I was a Gaddianton and wanted to destroy the Nephites I would cause a greater pain than physical. I would hit them at the very core of their belief system. For example if an Anti-Mormon desecrated my Sacred Garment, or repeatedly said the name of Deity in vain, that would be more difficult for my spirit to feel and thus hurt me even more than physical pain.
We understand how sacred the Lamb is in the Jewish tradition, and the shedding of blood on the cross, and a symbolic apron given to Adam? I believe the Gaddiantons are using those sacred symbols as disrespect to the Nephites trying to arouse the Nephites even more to hate them and fight them. The Gaddiantons are ridiculing and mocking and being sacrilegious with those things that are very sacred to the Nephites.
Annotated Book of Mormon by David Hocking and Rod Meldrum Page 533
On a side note, we know there were no sheep or goats in Central America, during the time of the Nephites, so with the sheep being such a sacred symbol during the Law of Moses, would the Lord offer substitution for another animal such as the caribou or llama? (Why do I mention a Caribou? Because Mesoamericanists do). I don’t think so. The Nephites lived in the North American Land of the Book of Mormon. The Lord wouldn’t guide Lehi to a land that doesn’t have sheep, goats, oxen, and doves, would He?
About sheep in Central America, I quote from The Interpreter a Mesoameriica blog by Daniel Sorensen. “A second challenge for Bible translators has to do with translating animal names in the Biblical languages into target languages. In some languages this poses fewer difficulties, but in others this can pose interesting challenges. As an example from the New Testament, Jesus is said to have been moved with compassion on the multitude because “they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). A Greenlandic translation made in 1744 renders sheep as “small animals which are nearly like caribous.” Inge Kleivan explains that, The comparison may at first sight appear astonishing, but in fact Poul Egede [the 1744 translator] has chosen the animal which is nearest to the sheep in size, appearance, and behavior if he wanted to compare the sheep with an animal which the Greenlanders knew. There were only the following land animals in West Greenland: hares, foxes, caribous, and polar bears. The comparison is, however, unsatisfactory at a very important point, because the caribous are not tame animals and the pastoral culture which pervades the Bible was quite unknown to the Greenlanders.33” Source
These caribou can substitute for a Lamb?
Editors note: Wow, no sheep; the most sacred emblem as a representative of Christ himself, and all Mesoamerica has is a caribou? Oh no, that’s in Greenland which is North America correct? Here is another opinion from Book of Mormon Central.
Mesoamerica Opinion: “Possible that the translated word “lamb” refers to a similar animal found in the New World”
“While the fierce appearance of the warriors would have been frightening, it may have been the lamb-skins and their being dyed in blood that was the most disturbing.2 Early in the Book of Mormon, the Lamanites were known to shave their heads and dress only in a skin about their loins,3 yet this scripture uniquely identifies the army as wearing a lamb-skin, possibly a new choice in garment that was particularly appalling to the Nephites. Perhaps the Gadianton robbers had girded themselves with a “lamb-skin” and had dyed themselves in blood as a visual mockery of the sacrificial Lamb of God.” (Good idea but Mesoamerica doesn’t have sheep right?
Editors note: Why not substitute llamas for sheep? “The camel, the hare, the llama, the rock badger, and the pig. These are the animals that possess only one of the two criteria required in order to be acceptable as food in the Law of Moses. “The llama is indeed a ruminant [chews the cud] whose hoofs are not cloven.” Food Regulation in Biblical Law A Paper Submitted in Satisfaction of the Written Work Requirement of Harvard Law School By Wendy Ann Wilkenfeld
BOMC continues, “The terms “lamb” and “sheep” appear in the Book of Mormon text over a hundred times, used most often in religious metaphors, such as with the phrase “Lamb of God.” 4While there is some evidence of sheep in the Americas, 5it is also possible that the translated word “lamb” refers to a similar animal found in the New World. 6 Whether the Nephites had sheep in the New World, or whether the word “lamb” refers to a different animal, the usage of “lamb” in the Book of Mormon is more often connected with Jesus Christ than it is to a specific species of livestock. 7
(Note 5 from Book of Mormon Central quote above) For evidence of “sheep” in the New World, see Wade E. Miller, Science and the Book of Mormon: Cureloms, Cumoms, Horse and More (Laguna Niguel, CA: KCT & Associates, 2010), 43–48. Wade E. Miller and Matthew Roper, “Animals in the Book of Mormon: Challenges and Perspectives,” Interpreter Blog, April 21, 2014; For evidence of the remains of a young domestic sheep in western New York, see William A. Ritchie, The Archeology of New York State (Garden City, NY: Natural History Press, 1969), 242–243
Editors note:As you can see from the Note 5 above, Book of Mormon Central uses a reference book about New York Archaeologist William A. Ritchie to verify that Mesoamerica had sheep. They are making things up and claiming sheep in New York proves there were sheep in Mesoamerica.
How does this above list of ancient animals in NY validate ancient sheep in Mesoamerica?
Kipp Island NY. Ceramic Dates 310 AD
Kipp Island, Hunters Home, and the Point Peninsula Tradition
The Kipp Island and Hunters Home sites are both located north of the Finger Lakes region of Central New York State. Most of the Kipp Island site has been destroyed by canal work, adjacent marsh drainage, damming, highway construction and many years of collectors digs (Ritchie 1944, 1965; Ritchie & Funk 1973). Accordingly, Ritchies excavations in 1963 were concentrated on the southern remnant of the island, where he discovered some habitation features and a cemetery respectively attributed to the Kipp Island and Hunter’s Home phases of the Point Peninsula cultural tradition. These cultural identifications were made on typological grounds and were supported by two radiocarbon dates of A.D. 610±100 and A.D. 895±100, both derived from charcoal found in hearth features (Ritchie & Funk 1973:155). Earlier occupations dating from the Middlesex and Squakie Hill phases were also identified on the site but were absent from the area excavated by Ritchie.
The Hunters Home site, discovered and partly dug by an amateur archaeologist, was later visited by Ritchie who opened a 268 square foot trench in a nearby refuse midden (Ritchie 1965: 258). The site also contains some pits and burials but there is no radiocarbon date for this site. Unfortunately, as was the case with Kipp Island, Ritchie does not say much about excavation procedures, stratigraphy, and exact provenience of the artifacts discovered at Hunters Home.
BOMC continues,”Since the Nephites practiced the Law of Moses, they would presumably have preferred to have an animal equivalent 8 to a lamb in order to perform sacrificial ordinances at the temple. 9 Thus, when 3 Nephi 4:7 describes the skin as a “lamb-skin,” it may be a reference to the New World equivalent of a sacrificial lamb. 10 In fighting the armies of the Nephites, Gadianton robbers’ slaughtering and wearing the skins of an animal of holy sacrifice would certainly have been a jarring image for the Nephites.
Fierce Gaddianton Warriors not in Lamb Skin in Mesoamerica.
The shock-factor of the lamb-skin is heightened when put in the context of Mesoamerican intimidation tactics. The donning of animal pelts was intended to create a fearful spectacle, 11 so it may have been unexpected for the Gadianton robbers to appear in the skins of a non-aggressive herbivore—like a lamb. Brant Gardner explained, “Mesoamericans were well known to wear animal skins, though the animal would typically be a ferocious jaguar, not a peaceful ‘lamb.’”12
While this unusual choice of a lamb (or a similar animal) may not have been terrifying for surrounding Mesoamerican cultures, the blood-stained pelt of an innocent lamb was clearly “great and terrible” (3 Nephi 4:7) to the temple-oriented Nephites. 13 If the objective of the Gadianton Robbers was to stun and terrify the armies of the Nephites, the sacrilege of a slaughtered sacred symbol would surely accomplish just that.” Book of Mormon Central Why Did the Gadianton Robbers Wear a Lamb Skin? Post contributed by BMC Team September 20, 2016 KnoWhy #191
3 Nephi 4:7 And it came to pass that they did come up to battle; and it was in the sixth month; and behold, great and terrible was the day that they did come up to battle! And they were girded about after the manner of robbers: and they had a lamb-skin about their loins, and they were dyed in blood, and their heads were shorn, and they had head-plates upon them; and great and terrible was the appearance of the armies of Giddianhi because of their armor, and because of their being dyed in blood!
“The Nephites observed the Law of Moses by sacrificing lambs during Passover. The Lamanites possibly mocked the Nephites and their religion by wearing a lamb-skin about their loins “dyed with blood…” (3 Nephi 4:7). The Lamanites might have killed Nephite lambs, then wore and displayed the lamb-skin as an act of defiance and sacrilege to the Law of Moses during battles with the Nephites” – Amberli Nelson.
THE LAMBSKIN APRON
SHORT TALK BULLETIN – Vol.V November, 1927 No.11 by: Unknown
In Masonic symbolism the Lambskin Apron holds precedence. It is the initial gift of Freemasonry to a candidate, and at the end of life’s pilgrimage it is reverently placed on his mortal remains and buried with his body in the grave.
Above all other symbols, the Lambskin Apron is the distinguishing badge of a Mason. It is celebrated in poetry and prose and has been the subject of much fanciful speculation. Some Masonic writers have contended that initiation is analogous to birth, or our advent from prenatal darkness into the light of human fellowship, moral truth and spiritual faith. Much ancient lore has been adduced in an effort to show that the Lambskin Apron typifies regeneration, or a new life, and this thought of resurrection may be the cause of its internment with the body of a deceased brother. At least it will serve until a better reason is advanced for this peculiar custom in the Masonic burial service. The association of the lamb with redemption and being born again is expressed by John, the Apocalyptic Seer, who had a vision on the Isle of Patmos, and beheld the purified and redeemed “Of All Nations, Kindreds, People and Tongues.” Of them it was said, “These are they which came out of great tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”…
As a badge of honor, the Lambskin Apron spells out integrity, honesty of purpose, probity of character, and soundness of moral principle. Source
Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. (Judges 6:37)
Did the Lord Reject the Fig Leaf Apron?
Q. Why do Mormons wear aprons in the Temple, which represent the fig leaves worn by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, when it is obvious that God rejected the apron of fig leaves?
A. (by Michael W. Fordham) Latter-day Saints view the temple as a sacred place, and as such, we don’t discuss many things about the temple ordinances outside of the temple. There are things that the Lord deems as sacred. The teachings of the Lord to the eleven Apostles after His resurrection and before His ascension could be considered one example (see Acts 1:3). I make this point only to demonstrate why I won’t be going into any lengthy discussion on the Temple ceremonies, per se.
Additionally, everything about the temple is symbolic, from the architecture to the ordinances performed within. Remembering this symbolic perspective is important, not unlike the parables Jesus taught, as you consider my answer to your question.
Your question is based upon an assumption that is never mentioned in the scriptures. The Bible never says that God rejected the fig leaf aprons Adam and Eve wore. Let’s examine what actually took place in the Garden of Eden.
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (Genesis 3:4-5)
Notice that Satan told Eve that their “eyes shall be opened,” giving reference to knowledge, not eyesight. This means that Adam and Eve now had knowledge. The Lord has used the symbolic use of our eyes and ears in reference to foolishness and rebelliousness. They had eaten of the “tree of knowledge of good and evil”, thus they became knowledgeable about the difference between good and evil.
And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil. (Genesis 3:22)
This symbolic teaching is not unique to the Adam and Eve account (see Ezekiel 12:2, Matthew 13:15-16). After both Adam and Eve had partaken of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, indeed, both of their eyes were opened.
And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. (Genesis 3:7)
They understood that it was not good to be naked all the time. There is a difference between the ideas that Adam and Eve “saw” their nakedness and that they “knew” their nakedness was not necessarily good, at all times and that modesty was to play a part in their lives.
Adam and Eve then hid when they heard the voice of the Lord and only came out, when asked by the Lord,
And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. (Genesis 3:8-10)
Journal of Book of Mormon Studies Volume 6 | Number 2 Article 7 7-31-1997 Matthew B. Brown Brigham Young University
This perspective may help explain the warning given by the Lord to his disciples to beware of “false prophets which come to you in sheep’s clothing” (Matthew 7:15). In Zechariah 13:4 we learn that false prophets were in the habit of dressing in the same distinctive vestments worn by the true prophets in order to deceive the people with their message. This is also reminiscent of 2 Corinthians 11:13-14, where we learn that false prophets somehow “transform” themselves to be like the Lord’s apostles just as “Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (emphasis added). Curiously enough, Joseph Smith taught that one of the ploys Satan uses to deceive others into thinking that he is an “angel of light” is ‘ that he wears “holy garb. “65 This leads us directly back to the circumstances surrounding 3 Nephi 4:7 and a possible explanation for why the lambskin apparel is mentioned there.
Notes: 65– He, 4:573. “These evil ‘angels’ use deception as their main tool of destruction. They simulate all that is good. . . . Sometimes they may come as angels of light, in borrowed or stolen raiment. Always they fail to reveal themselves as they are.” John A. Widtsoe, Evidences and Reconciliations (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1960), 108-9.
66– Daniel C. Peterson, “The Gadianton Robbers as Guerrilla Warriors,” 146, and “Notes on Gadianton Masonry,” 204, 212, both in Warfare in the Book of Mormon. 67– Victor Ludlow, “Secret Covenant Teachings of Men and the Devil in Helaman through 3 Nephi 8,” The Book of Mormon: Helaman through 3 Nephi 8, According to Thy Word, ed. Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate Jr.
Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing Thirteen years after the Book of Mormon’s final mention of the leather apparel (see 3 Nephi 4:7), the Lord personally warned his followers to beware of false prophets who would approach them in “sheep’s clothing” (3 Nephi 14:15). This could be seen both as metaphorical language and as an identifying characteristic of the Nephite’s enemy. Alma 43:20 mentions that some among the Nephite’s enemy were accustomed to wearing “a skin which was girded about their loins.” A few verses earlier we learn that the enemy consisted of dissenters, apostates, and “descendants of the priests of Noah” (Alma 43: 13). Daniel Peterson has noted several times that the Gadianton robbers should be viewed as “a n alternative religious option within Nephite society. “66 In the beginning of this paper, I proposed that the Nephite temple priests may have worn the priestly robes prescribed for use among the ancient Israelites. If so, it is conceivable that the “descendants of the priests of Noah” may have introduced this sacred clothing among members of the secret combinations because they wanted to make a claim for legitimate priestly power. Indeed, there is evidence within the Book of Mormon itself that members of the secret combinations were blasphemous imitators of the holy order of God.67 And since the objectives of priestcraft and the secret combinations were one and the same (to get gain) it is proposed that this is the context in which the lambskin apparel of 3 Nephi 4:7 can best be understood. The following ideas should serve to illustrate this point.
Priestcraft:” get gain and praise of the world” (2 Nephi 26:29); “riches and honor” (Alma 1: 16) Secret Combinations: “get gain” (Moses 5:31; Helaman 6: 17); “kingdoms and great glory” (Ether 8:9)One more correlation should be pointed out here. The apron was an emblem of power in several ancient cultures, but in Israel it could represent the power to speak rightfully in the name of God (prophet), to administer legally his saving ordinances (priest), and to reign lawfully in his stead (king). The express purpose of those who joined the secret combinations was for them to obtain power (see Helaman 2:8; Ether 8: 14-19, 22-23; 11: 15). What could have been a more meaningful symbol for them than an emblem which for long ages past had represented the very thing for which they sought?
“In Mormon 1: 18-19 a connection is made between the secret combinations and thepractice of magic. In Moses 5:30-31 and 49 a connection is also made between secret combinations and the strange title Master Mahan. Anti-Mormon critics have long claimed that Master Mahan is a thinly veiled variation of Master Mason, which is the designation for the third degree of initiation within Freemasonry. They believe that the presence of this title in LDS scripture clearly demonstrates that Joseph Smith plagiarized Masonic material for his creative ventures. Footnote d for Moses 5:31, however, offers several possible meanings for Mahan based on its etymological root.70 Of the choices offered I personally feel that “destroyer” is the most probable one. My reasoning for this is that the Hebrew word maha means “destroy, “71 and the addition of an n would make the word a noun.72 Hence, maha(n) = destroy(er). Destruction is one of the attributes applied to Satan in the scriptures (see John 8:44; 1 Corinthians 5:5; Hebrews 2:14; 1 Peter 5:8), and he has been identified as the destroyer in latter-day revelation.73 In Moses 5:29-31 we read that it was after Cain had bound himself to Satan with a secret oath, accompanied by the threat of destruction if he revealed this action, that he obtained the title Mahan. It would appear that he obtained this title because he had been taught how to become a destroyer himself. It is of interest to note that in certain ancient cultures Satan was known by the name Mahoun and those who swore their allegiance to him acquired that name for themselves.74
74 John Jamieson, An Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language, rev. ed. (Paisley, Scotland: Gardner, 1879), 3:205; see also the various references in D. Michael Quinn, Early Mormonism and the Magic World View (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1987), 167 n. 4.
The symbolism ascribed by Masons to their white lambskin apron is that it represents innocence. But even this idea is not original to Freemasonry. Some Masonic researchers have come to he conclusion that the white apron’s meaning was derived directly from the white garment given to the ancient Christians when they were initiated into a state of innocence at baptism (see Revelation 3:5}.77 This concept goes much farther back among the Israelites. When the high priest entered the holy of holies on the Day of Atonement, each element of his vesture consisted of unadorned white linen (see Leviticus 16:4). This clothing signified that on that sacred day the nation was reborn and became innocent before the Lord (see Revelation 19:8). The various symbols that decorate Masonic aprons are also not original to Freemasonry, but came about through a long process of assimilation and evolution.78 It should be noted that some of the symbols found on Masonic aprons are identical to those found on Greek Orthodox liturgical aprons.79
79 The Greek Orthodox aprons were inherited from the Coptic monks. Both were made of leather. For illustrations see Sherrard, Athos-The Holy Mountain, 57, 123, 127, 129, 131; Norwich and Sitwell, Mount Athos, 28, 66, 69.
And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. (Genesis 3:12-13)
Because of their transgression, Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden. “Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.” (Genesis 3:23) Adam and Eve did not have to work in the Garden of Eden in order to survive, for food was provided already. However, outside of the Garden of Eden, life would be very different. “Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field” (Genesis 3:18).
There was no condemnation of the aprons Adam and Eve wore while in the Garden of Eden, only a chastisement and grave consequences for eating of the forbidden fruit. In actuality, the Lord demonstrated his agreement with the covering of their nakedness. That agreement along with the result of now having to live in a different world, with harsh conditions as compared to life in the garden, the Lord gave them something BETTER to clothe themselves with. “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.” (Genesis 3:21)
The objective of the aprons of fig leaves was to cover their nakedness, in modesty. It was the best Adam and Eve could come up with, given the circumstances. Had the Lord rejected this modesty, He would have taken the aprons and left Adam and Eve in their nakedness. The coat of skins was provided after the instruction of the Lord of what they would now have to endure. A coat of skins was much more practical and protective from the elements, thorns and thistles outside of the garden than were fig leaves. God did not reject, but gave them something better with which to live in their new conditions.
As I mentioned before, there is symbolism in everything about the temple, this includes the clothing worn there as well. Since your question concerns the apron, let’s discuss that from a Biblical perspective. Let’s examine the word “aprons” which Adam and Eve wore and the symbology behind it. The Hebrew word from which “aprons” was translated was:
chagowr {khag-ore’} or chagor {khag-ore’} and (feminine) chagowrah {khag-o-raw’} or chagorah {khag-o-raw’} Hebrew: personal noun masculine Possible Definitions: 1) girdle, belt 2) girdle, loin-covering, belt, loin-cloth, armour (Strongs’ 2290, see also Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, 640a, 640c)
The “apron,” or “girdle” worn by Adam and Eve was most likely a loincloth type covering (much like you see Tarzan wearing) made from leaves. As a loincloth style garment, it served as a “shield” against immodesty.
In addition to being a symbol of modesty, the girdle is also a symbol of righteousness to the Lord. “And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.” (Isaiah 11:5) The Lord has even commanded some to wear an apron, or girdle.
THUS saith the LORD unto me, Go and get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water. So I got a girdle according to the word of the LORD, and put it on my loins. (Jeremiah 13:1-2)
Evidently, even the Lord wears a girdle apron (or will in the future) as part of His holy garments.
Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. (Revelation 1:11-13)
This doesn’t sound like a rejection to me.
Besides being a symbol for modesty and righteousness for the Lord, there is yet another symbol for the girdle (apron). It has to do with Priesthood authority. The book of Exodus is very detailed about the dress of “holy garments” for those in authority, and the girdle was part of that.
…and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office. And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen. And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work. It shall have the two shoulderpieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be joined together. And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen. (Exodus 28:4-8)
The apron, or girdle, is a symbol of righteousness to the Lord, and of Priesthood authority. The Lord never condemned the wearing of fig leaf aprons. Rather, it is a Biblical symbol of Priesthood Authority, righteousness to the Lord, and the creation of man by God, not to mention the clear representation of the symbolism referring to modesty. I hope this answers your question.
One key to understanding a symbol is that it often resembles the thing it stands for. For example, the bread and water of the sacrament represent the body and blood of the Savior—in that order. It would make no sense to have bread represent the Savior’s blood or to have water represent the Savior’s body. Bread, like flesh, is solid; water, like blood, is liquid.
Another example is the decoration embroidered on the clothing of the high priest in the Old Testament: “They made upon the hems of the [high priest’s] robe pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet” (Exodus 39:24). Have you ever eaten a pomegranate? If so, you know that it is full of seeds. So the pomegranate can be seen as a symbol of fertility, of posterity. In addition, the juice of the pomegranate is red, suggesting blood, or life: “The life of all flesh is the blood thereof” (Leviticus 17:14).
After Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit, “they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons” (Genesis 3:7). What color are fig leaves?Green, which symbolizes life and growth. Figs also contain hundreds of tiny seeds, so the fig, like the pomegranate, can represent fertility and posterity. In addition, it was only after the Fall that Adam and Eve were able to have children. As Eve said, “Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed” (Moses 5:9–11) 5 Tips to Better Understand Temple Symbols by Jack M. Lyon
Breechclout Fact Sheet
Breechclout Fact 1: The Native Indian breechclouts were basic one-piece articles of clothing that covered the loins of the wearer
Red Color Symbolizes war, blood, strength, energy, power and success in war paint. Red clays containing oxides of iron, roots, berries, barks and beets. The Lachnanthes plant commonly known as redroot native to eastern North America Redroot and also used as red war paint. When the root is crushed it “bleeds” a reddish dye. Bloodroot plants are also used to produce red war paint. Red was predominately used for painting because of its availability. https://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/native-american-culture/war-paint.htm
Mesoamericans Looking Hard for Sheep in Mesoamerica, try their Best to Substitute Sheep for Any Animal. See their Comments Below.
There are 26 occurrences of the word “sheep” in the Book of Mormon. Of those, only Ether 9:18 refer to an actual animal being physically present in a Book of Mormon scene. The other uses of the word “sheep” are used metaphorically when referring to ministry or to Jesus Christ. See for example 1 Nephi 22:25; Mosiah 14:6–7; Alma 5:37–38; Helaman 15:13; 3 Nephi 15:17. The word “lamb” occurs 76 times in the Book of Mormon, and is most often used metaphorically as a title for Jesus Christ. See for example Nephi’s vision in 1 Nephi 11–14, which uses the titles “the Lamb” and “Lamb of God” 39 times; also 2 Nephi 31:4–6; 2 Nephi 33:14; Alma 7:14; Mormon 9:2–6. The idea of garments being washed white through the “blood of the Lamb” is found in Alma 13:11; Alma 34:36; Ether 13:10–11. Other references to lambs would have appeared on the Brass Plates, as they are quotations of Old Testament passages (2 Nephi 15:17 [cf. Isaiah 5:17]; 2 Nephi 21:6 [cf. Isaiah 11:6]; 2 Nephi 30:12 [cf. Isaiah 11:6]; Mosiah 14:7 [cf. Isaiah 53:7]. 3 Nephi 28:22 and 4 Nephi 1:33 both refer to a “suckling lamb,” not as a title for Jesus Christ, but still in a metaphorical sense to describe the experience of the Three Nephites in a den of beasts. The phrase “suckling lamb” may be an allusion to 1 Samuel 7:9, where the phrase also occurs.
5.For evidence of “sheep” in the New World, see Wade E. Miller, Science and the Book of Mormon: Cureloms, Cumoms, Horse and More (Laguna Niguel, CA: KCT & Associates, 2010), 43–48. Wade E. Miller and Matthew Roper, “Animals in the Book of Mormon: Challenges and Perspectives,” Interpreter Blog, April 21, 2014; For evidence of the remains of a young domestic sheep in western New York, see William A. Ritchie, The Archeology of New York State (Garden City, NY: Natural History Press, 1969), 242–243.
6.The presence of the word “lamb” in the Book of Mormon may be an example of loan-shifting. For a further treatment of loan-shifting and possible explanations for the presence of post-Columbian animals in the Book of Mormon, see Book of Mormon Central, “Why are Horses Mentioned in the Book of Mormon? (Enos 1:21)” KnoWhy 75 (April 11, 2016). While the Book of Mormon frequently mentions “flocks” and “herds”, these flocks are not identified as flocks of sheep. For a discussion on the nature of “flocks and herds” in the Book of Mormon, see Brant A. Gardner, Second Witness: Analytical and Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, 6 vols. (Salt Lake City, UT: Greg Kofford Books, 2007), 2:92–96. The most common example of this misconception is the story of Ammon at the waters of Sebus, guarding King Lamoni’s flocks of “sheep.” While the text never specifies what kind of animals Ammon was to protect, the flock’s susceptibility to scattering may strongly suggest that they were not sheep. See Gardner, Second Witness, 4:174–276.
VISIT TO THE LAND AND HILL CUMORAH GEORGE Q. CANNON – EDITOR.JULY 5, 1873.
“We had proceeded a little over a mile on the road when the driver of the carriage pointed out a hill to us on our left, which he said was “Mormon Hill.” We supposed that by this he meant Cumorah. Though in its general appearance it resembled the descriptions we had had of Cumorah, yet we were somewhat disappointed in its size, as it was not so high a hill as many others which we saw in the neighborhood. In fact, as we rode along, we saw several hills which we thought more like what we imagined Cumorah to be than the one pointed out to us. We rode on for probably two miles farther, conversing but very little and each absorbed in his own reflections, when we saw, immediately in front of us. a hill that rose suddenly, almost precipitously, from the plain. Brother Brigham, Jun., remarked when we saw it: “There is a hill which agrees in appearance with my idea of Cumorah.“
In this opinion the Editor coincided. The driver, hearing our remarks, turned to us and said: “Yes, this is Gold Bible Hill.” We then learned that Cumorah was known through the country by the name of “Gold Bible Hill.” We asked him what he meant by calling the other, which he had pointed out to us, “‘Mormon Hill.” He replied that there was a cave in that hill which the “Mormons” had dug and some of them had lived in it, so the people said; and, therefore, it was known by that name. Close at the foot of Cumorah there is a comfortable firm house…
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This was the hill Ramah of the Jaredites, and it is probable, that, in this vicinity, Coriantumr and Shiz, with the people whom they led, fought their last battle. For this great battle they were four years preparing, gathering the people together from all parts of the land, and arming men and women, and even children. The battle lasted eight days, and the result was the complete extermination of the Jaredite nation, none being left but the prophet Ether — who warned the nation of the fate that awaited it unless the people repented, and who lived to record the fulfilment of his own warnings and predictions — and Coriantumr who succeeded in slaying his mortal enemy, Shiz. It is probable that the prophet Ether, when he emerged from his hiding-place to view the destruction of his race, which he had been inspired to foretell, had ascended this hilland from its summit had gazed with profound grief upon the thousands of slain which lay scattered unburiedupon the surface of the earth around. He and Coriantumr alone of all that mighty race which had flourished for upwards of fifteen hundred years, were left. Who can imagine the feelings which he must have had on such an occasion? From the summit of this hill, doubtless, Mormon and his great son Moroni had also witnessed the gathering of the hosts of the Nephites and the dusky and myriad legions of their deadly enemies, the Lamanites. Around this hill they had marshaled their forces — their twenty- three divisions of ten thousand men each, commanded by the most skillful of their generals; all to be swept away, except Mormon and Moroni and twenty-two others, in one day’s battle, by the fierce and relentless foe whom God permitted to execute his threatened judgment I stealthily perhaps, for fear of exciting the attention of the Lamanites, Mormon and Moroni and their companions may have ascended this hill and gazed on the dreadful scene around them. What a picture of desolation and woe must have met their sight! How deep must have been their anguish at thus witnessing the destruction of the fair ones of their nation! No wonder they cried out in anguish, and mourned with pathetic lamentations the rebellion against God which had brought this terrible destruction upon them. Mormon’s feelings must have been very peculiar. At fifteen years of age chosen to be the commander-in-chief of the armies of his nation, he had fought battle after battle until now, at seventy-four years of age, he witnessed the complete blotting out of what had been the most favored people on the earth. His reflections must have been peculiarly painful, because he knew that had they listened to him he could have saved them. It was herethat he hid the abridgmentwhich he made of the records, and which is now known by his name, and it was here, thirty-six years after this tremendous battle, that his son Moroni also hid his abridgment of the Book of Ether and the record which he had made from which we learn the fate of his father Mormon and his other companion?, that sixteen years after the battle of Cumorah Mormon and all the Nephites except Moroni had been killed by the Lamanites. It was to this spot that about fourteen hundred years after these events, Joseph Smith, the prophet, was led by Moroni in person and here the records, engraved on plates, were committed to him for translation. Who could tread this ground and reflect upon these mighty events, and not be filled with indescribable emotion ? We were literally surrounded by the graves of two of the mightiest nations which had ever flourished on the earth. We stood in the centre of their burial place. They had rebelled against God, they had slain His prophets, disregarded His warnings and arrayed themselves against Him. His promise and covenant concerning this land are: “that whatsoever nation shall possess it, shall serve God, or they shall be swept off when the fullness of His wrath shall come upon them. And the fullness of His wrath, cometh upon them when they are ripened in iniquity; for behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands ; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God, or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God.” VISIT TO THE LAND AND HILL CUORAH GEORCE O. CANNON – – EDITOR. SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1873. https://archive.org/stream/juvenileinstruct814geor/juvenileinstruct814geor_djvu.txt
Mormon Hill is not Hill Cumorah!
George Q. Cannon’s Confirmations about Cumorah, this hill, Ramah, Gold Bible Hill and more.
This sounds like the only and only Hill in upstate New York doesn’t it? It is!
Gold bible Hill
Cumorah
The hill Ramah
Coriantumr had ascended this hill
From its summit thousands were slain which lay scattered unburied
From the summit of this hill,
And around this hill
May have ascended this hill and gazed on the dreadful scene around them
He witnessed the complete blotting out of what had been the most favored people on the earth
It was here that he hid the abridgment
It was here…that his son Moroni also hid his abridgment of the Book of Ether
It was to this spot… Joseph Smith, the prophet, was led by Moroni in person and here the records, engraved on plates, were committed
We stood in the centre of their burial place
His promise and covenant concerning this land are: “that whatsoever nation shall possess it, shall serve God,
this is a land which is choice above all other lands
In the Book of Mormon based on our most plausible research, would place Virginia as the southern part of what is called the East Wilderness. (See Alma 50 and map below). It makes sense as the area when Moroni in 73 BC was pushing the Lamanites back towards the east and further down to the south to the Ohio River and beyond, which is the Land Nephi. The Book of Mormon says,
“And the land of Nephi did run in a straight course from the east sea (Atlantic) to the west. (Anywhere west from the East Wilderness to a river. See colored lines below) And it came to pass that when Moroni had driven all the Lamanites out of the east wilderness (New York and Pennsylvania), which was north of the lands of their own possessions, he caused that the inhabitants who were in the land of Zarahemla and in the land round about should go forth into the east wilderness, even to the borders by the seashore, and possess the land. And he also placed armies on the south, (VA, MD, PENN) in the borders of their possessions, and caused them to erect fortifications that they might secure their armies and their people from the hands of their enemies. And thus he cut off all the strongholds of the Lamanites in the east wilderness, yea, and also on the west, fortifying the line between the Nephites and the Lamanites, (Ohio River) between the land of Zarahemla and the land of Nephi, from the west sea, (Mississippi) running by the head of the river Sidon (Confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers) —the Nephites possessing all the land northward, yea, even all the land which was northward of the land Bountiful, according to their pleasure.” Alma 50:8-11
“Modern graveyards are seen as sacred spaces and eternal resting places, but the Native American dead in Virginia have not been allowed to rest in peace. With a few exceptions, their graves are unknown and unprotected from modern disturbance.
Looters seeking artifacts and amateur archeologists have scattered bones as they excavated burials. Professional archeologists have, in the past, removed skeletons and grave goods for study. The remains have been stockpiled in museums and storage vaults of government agencies. In may places across Virginia, there is little more than local lore that graves were found at a location. For example, the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (now NOVA Parks) once published a brochure about “Prehistoric Indians” at Potomac Overlook Regional Park that noted at the Donaldson archeologic site (44AR3):1Two Indian burials were also reportedly found nearby by farmers in the mid-1800’s.
Algonquian tribes on the Coastal Plain buried the bones of chiefs in temples Source: Learn NC, Peoples of the Coastal Plain
Finding Native American graves is not easy. No Native American graves were permanently marked using granite headstones inscribed with names and dates of birth and death. Grave markers, if any were placed, have rotted or blended into the natural landscape.
All Native American cultures were disrupted and displaced from their traditional lands through the Contact Period. Memories of sacred locations were lost, or suppressed to limit intentional disturbance by colonial settlers. A few burial temples and mounds were identified by early colonists and later settlers, and nearly all were destroyed. Calculating the number of Native American graves in Virginia requires some speculative math.
Population statistics for Native Americans since the initial occupation of Virginia are conjectural, but people have been living and dying in Virginia for perhaps 15,000-20,000 years. Adoption of agriculture 3,000 years ago increased the food supply and led to the last surge in population. The largest number of people in Virginia before arrival of the Europeans may have been after 1200CE (Common Era), after corn became the primary agricultural crop.
When the English arrived at Jamestown, there may have been 15,000 people in Tsenacomoco, the territory controlled by Powhatan. A total of 50,000 people may have been living in all of what is now Virginia, including Tsenacomoco.2
If average life expectancy (including child mortality) was 25 years, then approximately 1,000-3,000 people died each year for 300-500 years after the commitment to corn. That death rate, plus all the deaths during the Paleo-Indian, Archaic, and Early/Middle Woodland periods, could result in over 1,000,000 Native American gravesites in Virginia.
Where are they?
Customs for burying the dead must have changed over time, but human societies traditionally have placed the bones of most of the dead into the ground with some sort of ritual process. It is unlikely that the constantly-migrating hunting bands in the Paleo-Indian and Archaic periods carried a corpse far from wherever a person died. Burial sites must be scattered across the state, on whatever ridges and in whatever valleys where someone died.
It is theoretically possible that dead bodies were not buried, but left at the spot or cast into the woods/rivers. It is more likely that some of those killed during warfare and raids were left to decay on the surface of the ground. Even without a burial ceremony, the sites of battles where family members died, would have been significant in ancient times. The final resting places for those bodies would have significance in modern times too, if we knew those locations.”
The Lamanites are defeated in a tremendous battle in Alma 28, which parallels the paragraph above. “And the bodies of many thousands are laid low in the earth, while the bodies of many thousands are moldering in heaps upon the face of the earth; yea, and many thousands are mourning for the loss of their kindred, because they have reason to fear, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are consigned to a state of endless wo.” Alma 28:11
Native American Burial Sites in Virginia continues, “The number of known Native American burial sites is only a tiny percentage the total burials that occurred prior to the arrival of Europeans. All graves of the original Virginians, those who died in the Paleo-Indian periods, are lost to history. We have found stone artifacts and small pieces of charcoal from their fires, but no bones of Paleo-Indians in Virginia. In all of North America, only one grave associated with Clovis artifacts has been discovered.3
There are only a few grave sites that may date back to the Archaic Period. Since colonization started in 1607, cultural disruption of historic tribes has been equally effective in erasing knowledge of where more-recent Woodland Period gravesites are located.
With two major exceptions – burial mounds and mortuary caves – a Native American burial in Virginia will not be obvious to the casual observer, a surveyor marking parcel boundaries, or a bulldozer operator excavating flat spaces for construction.
Even less obvious will be sites with cremated remains. In Georgia, archeologists have discovered a site with seven cremated individuals who were buried more than 3,500 years ago. The practice of cremation may have been brought from the Great Lakes region, together with copper that was found with the cremains.4
Decay of human bodies in acidic soils over time has removed most physical evidence. Unique prestige goods made of long-lasting stone might have been be buried with spiritual, military, and political leaders, but hunting and gathering societies traveled light.
All crystals, spearpoints, and other items had to be carried between campsites. Hunters and gatherers in the Paleo-Indian and Archaic periods carried few prestige goods that might be placed in a grave. Within the ground, bones and organic artifacts, such as leather/fiber bags containing pearls, shells, feathers and wooden talismans, have decayed away in naturally-acidic soils.
The worldly goods of the living were limited. Even after the development of agriculture in the Woodland Period and the arrival of Europeans, Native Americans had no closets in their houses. The amount of “stuff” in Native American society was far less than is common today; there were no racks of shoes and handbags for different types of events, and no garages filled with clutter.
There were no fancy caskets either. The body or bones of a well-respected person might be wrapped in a deerskin, bear robe, or reed mat, but it appears that was not done for the common people. Graves for all who died must have been pretty simple.
In an “egalitarian” society, grave goods and mortuary practices would be would common for all. In a “ranked” society, with social stratification distinguishing elites from commoners, burials of the chiefs and priests may be distinctly different from everyone else. In the Paleo-Indian Period, the common struggle for survival may have minimized differences between leaders and followers within families, microbands, and even larger macroband gatherings. In the Archaic Period, ranked societies may have formed and burial practices may have reflected the status of the person when they died.
Archeologists and anthropologists look for distinctions in burials to determine if prehistoric societies were egalitarian or stratified with separate social classes Source: Texas Beyond History, Life and Death at Mitchell Ridge
Knowledge of the location of the graves of nearly all Paleo-Indian and Archaic leaders, and of the hunters and gatherers they led, has been lost over time. The simple gravesites of hunters and gatherers do not stand out as distinctive, obvious features in the landscape.
Since the start of the Woodland Period around 3,000 years ago, people clustered together in towns for at least part of the year. Corn-intensive agriculture since 1200CE led to larger settlements, with longer periods of occupation. As those towns developed 800 years ago, the places where people lived were more concentrated. Similarly, the places where people died were more concentrated.
Though we do not have a complete understanding of pre-historic practices associated with death, it is reasonable to assume that those who died during that time of the year would have been buried nearby. There should be more graves near prehistoric Native American towns. Today, construction of any new road, house, or other modern development near a pre-historic town could disturb the remains of skeletons as well as the ceramic sherds, stone points, and postmolds still in the ground.
It was rare for archeologists to search in advance for such graves until the 1966 National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), the 1970 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the 1979 Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) required Federally-funded projects to assess potential impacts on archeological resources. Some graves were spotted in occasional “salvage archeology” projects, but protection of Native American gravesites was not a fundamental consideration before ground was disturbed for modern construction.
Once government agencies developed Cultural Resources Management programs, impacts on the buried remains of pre-historic sites were finally assessed on publicly-funded projects before construction destroyed any remaining evidence. Archeological studies for privately-funded projects remain rare, but on occasion city/county officials may require an archeological assessment as a condition of rezoning a parcel of land.
A proposal to widen I-81 triggered an assessment of archeological resources on the Norfolk Southern rail line far to the east. Source: Virginia Department of Transportation, “I-81 Corridor Improvement Study,” Historic Properties Technical Report (Figure 1-1)
On the Coastal Plain, the bones of elite Werowances and priests (and perhaps commoners) were collected after flesh decayed and then buried in ossuary mounds. John Smith visited one site with such secondary burials, the home of the Patawomeck, in 1608. Early archeological investigations there, prior to World War II, identified five ossuaries.5
John Smith saw traditional burial practices and estuaries at Indian Point in 1608 Source: ESRI, ArcGIS Online
Smith reported that after death of a “king,” the internal organs were removed and the body placed on elevated rails (hurdles). After the flesh rotted away or was removed by birds, the skeleton was collected, wrapped in a reed mat, and preserved in a temple with carvings to the sacred spirits (Okee):6Their bodies are first bowelled, then dried upon hurdles till they be very dry, and so about the most of their joints and neck they hang bracelets, or chains of copper, pearl, and such like, as they use to wear, their inwards they stuffed with copper beads, hatchets, and such trash. Then lapped they them very carefully in white skins, and so roll them in mats for their winding sheets. And in the Tombe which is an arch made of mats, they lay them orderly. What remaineth of this kind of wealth their Kings have, they set at their feet in baskets. These Temples and bodies are kept by their Priests.
One key burial site was Powhatan’s primary temple site, Uttamusack, in what today is King William County. The three, 60-foot long temples were destroyed in the Anglo-Powhatan wars, but the location still has meaning. Dominion Energy agreed to purchase the site in 2017 and donate Uttamusack to the Pamunkey tribe, as part of the mitigation required to get Federal approval to construct new high-voltage transmission lines across the James River at Skiffes Creek.7
The bodies of commoners may have been included in some ossuaries, but John Smith reports they were treated differently:8For their ordinary burials, they dig a deep hole in the earth with sharp stakes, and the corpse being lapped in skins and mats with their jewels, they lay them upon sticks in the ground, and so cover them with earth. The burial ended, the women being painted all their faces with black coal and oil, do sit twenty-four houres in the houses mourning and lamenting by turnes, with such yelling and howling, as may expresse their great passions.
Many Native American burial sites were looted in raids by the first English colonists at Jamestown. Modern archeologists have identified a few burial sites, but nearly all places where Native Americans were buried have been covered over with farms, roads, and houses. There may be undisturbed grave sites underwater, covered as sea level has risen further after the Paleo-Indians first arrived.
In Florida, an 8,000 year old site has been found where the water in the Gulf of Mexico is now 21 feet deep. The Manasota Key Offshore site, the first offshore burial discovered in North or South America, was a freshwater pond nine feet above sea level when first used for burials. That “mortuary pond” used for 1,000 years.9
A major road in Henrico County carries the name “Quioccasin,” thought to be the term used to designate a temple or meeting place. In 2016 the Henrico County school board renamed “Harry F. Byrd Middle School” to “Quioccasin Middle School.” Renaming the school after a Native American term had a special significance because Byrd had been a strong supporter of segregation between whites and other races, but no quioccasins have been preserved in Virginia.10
It is possible any house within any subdivision in Tidewater may have been constructed on top of a site where Native Americans were buried, but the residents will be unaware of that heritage. In at least two locations, however, housing projects led to discovery, excavation, and reburial of Native American graves.
Native American burials were identified through excavations at Great Neck Source: Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Native American Settlement at Great Neck (Figure 16)
Passage of the 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) added a new layer of protection for Native American burials. Federal agencies now must to consult with Native Americans before initiating projects that might disturb archeological sites.
Federal agencies and museums also had to inventory human remains obtained from federal or tribal land, determine if a cultural affiliation could be identified with an existing tribe recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and offer to repatriate items. By 2016, remains of over 57,000 individuals had been identified in museums and Federal collections.11
Around the time of the passage of the 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, a real estate developer near Williamsburg transformed the site of the main town of the Paspahegh into The Governor’s Land at Two Rivers. The developer hired the James River Institute for Archaeology to research the site from 1988 to 1991. At times, archeologists worked just ahead of the construction equipment as they documented postholes and excavated artifacts. Graves were discovered, and 18 Native American remains with associated artifacts were reburied next to the golf course in 1993.12
In the 1970’s-1980’s, graves from the Chesapeake tribe were excavated as houses were built on Great Neck on Pungo Ridge, west of Broad Bay in Virginia Beach. The burials may have marked the location of the town of Chesepiooc, center of the Chesapeake tribe.
John Smith documented the Chesapeake tribe’s presence in what today is Virginia Beach Source: Library of Congress, Virginia (by John Smith, 1624)
Powhatan exterminated the Chesapeake tribe about the time when the English arrived, based on a prophecy regarding threats of enemies in the east. The remains discovered during construction of the houses could have been from the “original” Chesapeakes destroyed by Powhatan. It is possible that some burials might be from the people Powatan sent to occupy the region.
No modern version of the Chesapeake Tribe exists. The Chesapeake tribe was disrupted by colonization and the first two Anglo-Powhatan wars, and they abandoned the area before 1635. In 1997, the Nansemond tribe arranged for the Virginia Department of Historic Resources to rebury the remains of 64 Native Americans at First Landing State Park.13
64 members of the Chesapeake tribe were reburied at First Landing State Park in 1997
When the National Park Service published a Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act report of the remains, it noted:14no relationship of shared group identity can be reasonably traced between these Native American human remains and associated funerary objects and a Federally recognized Indian tribe. However, officials of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources have determined that a relationship of shared group identity can be reasonably traced between these Native American human remains and associated funerary objects and the Nansemond Tribal Association, a non-Federally recognized Indian group.
The chief of the Chickahominy Indians Eastern Division estimated that there were bones of 2,000 Native Americans from Virginia in the collections of the Smithsonian Institution. He proposed creating a memorial park for re-interring them, and future burials that were discovered and excavated. There would have been no distinction between tribes in the proposed memorial. The idea for a pan-tribal memorial site never moved past the idea stage. Under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, remains will be delivered to the tribe with the closest cultural affiliation.15
Until 2016, no tribe in Virginia was officially recognized, but Federal agencies may choose to consult with non-recognized groups. Researchers at Werowocomoco have been careful to invite all Virginia tribes to engage in the planning for archeological studies and future opening as a unit of the National Park Service, to invite representatives from Native American communities to visit the site, and to provide updates regarding activities and discoveries.
The Pamunkey, Chickahominy, Mattaponi, Nansemond, Rappahannock, and Upper Mattaponi formed the Virginia Indian Advisory Board for guiding activities at Werowocomoco. The board adopted a fundamental policy regarding excavations:16The Virginia Indian community recommends that every effort should be made to avoid disturbing gravesites and human remains. If disturbed, the remains should be reburied in the same or approximate location or as close to the original location as possible without risking future disturbance.
Federal agencies also invite recognized tribes from outside the state boundaries to be consulting parties, using the Section 106 process of the National Historic Preservation Act to reach consensus on appropriate actions and mitigation. In 2017, when the US Army Corps of Engineers considered issuing a “dredge and fill” permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for The Meadows shopping center at Abingdon, it invited all three recognized Cherokee tribes – the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians based in North Carolina, plus the Cherokee Nation and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians based in Oklahoma.17
The Virginia Indian Advisory Board will shape what happens next, if Native American burials are uncovered at Werowocomoco Source: Werowocomoco Research Project, Werowocomoco: A Powhatan Place of Power
Conspiracy Fact A conspiracy that is proven by disclosed documents and visual evidence, thus becomes undeniable.
“And so four great civic standards for the faithful Saints are, first, the Constitution ordained by God through wise men; second, the scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon; third, the inspired counsel of the prophets, especially the living president, and fourth, the guidance of the Holy Spirit.“
Civic Standards for the Faithful Saints
By Ezra Taft Benson 1972
“My beloved brothers and sisters, seen and unseen—and we are all brothers and sisters, children of the same Father in the spirit—humbly and gratefully I stand before you on this anniversary date of the organization of the restored church of Jesus Christ, 142 years ago. I love a general conference of the Church, except this particular part, and yet I rejoice in the opportunity to bear testimony to this, the greatest work in all the world.
Last fall I was invited by Baron von Blomberg, president of the United Religions Organization, to represent the Church as a guest of the king of Persia at the twenty-five hundredth anniversary of the founding of the Persian Empire by Cyrus the Great. Advised by the First Presidency to accept the invitation, I left immediately following the October conference to join with representatives of twenty-seven world religions, some fifty monarchs, and other notables at this historic celebration in Iran.
King Cyrus lived more than five hundred years before Christ and figured in prophecies of the Old Testament mentioned in 2 Chronicles and the book of Ezra, and by the prophets Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Daniel. The Bible states how “the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, King of Persia.” (2 Chr. 36:22.) Cyrus restored certain political and social rights to the captive Hebrews, gave them permission to return to Jerusalem, and directed that Jehovah’s temple should be rebuilt.
Parley P. Pratt, in describing the Prophet Joseph Smith, said that he had “the boldness, courage, temperance, perseverance and generosity of a Cyrus.” (Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt [Deseret Book Company, 1938], p. 46.)
President Wilford Woodruff said:
“Now I have thought many times that some of those ancient kings that were raised up, had in some respects more regard for the carrying out of some of these principles and laws, than even the Latter-day Saints have in our day. I will take as an ensample Cyrus. … To trace the life of Cyrus from his birth to his death, whether he knew it or not, it looked as though he lived by inspiration in all his movements. He began with that temperance and virtue which would sustain any Christian country or any Christian king. … Many of these principles followed him, and I have thought many of them were worthy, in many respects, the attention of men who have the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” (Journal of Discourses, vol. 22, p. 207.)
God, the Father of us all, uses the men of the earth, especially good men, to accomplish his purposes. It has been true in the past, it is true today, it will be true in the future.
“Perhaps the Lord needs such men on the outside of His Church to help it along,” said the late Elder Orson F. Whitney of the Quorum of the Twelve. “They are among its auxiliaries, and can do more good for the cause where the Lord has placed them, than anywhere else. … Hence, some are drawn into the fold and receive a testimony of the truth; while others remain unconverted … the beauties and glories of the gospel being veiled temporarily from their view, for a wise purpose. The Lord will open their eyes in His own due time. God is using more than one people for the accomplishment of His great and marvelous work. The Latter-day Saints cannot do it all. It is too vast, too arduous for any one people. … We have no quarrel with the Gentiles. They are our partners in a certain sense.” (Conference Report, April 1928, p. 59.)
This would certainly have been true of Colonel Thomas L. Kane, a true friend of the Saints in their dire need. It was true of General Doniphan, who, when ordered by his superior to shoot Joseph Smith, said: “It is cold blooded murder. I will not obey your order. … and if you execute these men, I will hold you responsible before an earthly tribunal, so help me God.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Essentials in Church History, p. 241.)
We honor these partners because their devotion to correct principles overshadowed their devotion to popularity, party, or personalities.
We honor our founding fathers of this republic for the same reason. God raised up these patriotic partners to perform their mission, and he called them “wise men.” (See D&C 101:80.) The First Presidency acknowledged that wisdom when they gave us the guideline a few years ago of supporting political candidates “who are truly dedicated to the Constitution in the tradition of our Founding Fathers.” (Deseret News, November 2, 1964.) That tradition has been summarized in the book The American Tradition by Clarence Carson.
The Lord said that “the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” (Luke 16:8.) Our wise founders seemed to understand, better than most of us, our own scripture, which states that “it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority … they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.” (D&C 121:39.)
To help prevent this, the founders knew that our elected leaders should be bound by certain fixed principles. Said Thomas Jefferson: “In questions of power then, let no more be heard of confidence in man but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.”
These wise founders, our patriotic partners, seemed to appreciate more than most of us the blessings of the boundaries that the Lord set within the Constitution, for he said, “And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil.” (D&C 98:7.)
In God the founders trusted, and in his Constitution—not in the arm of flesh. “O Lord,” said Nephi, “I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; … cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.” (2 Ne. 4:34.)
President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., put it well when he said:
“God provided that in this land of liberty, our political allegiance shall run not to individuals, that is, to government officials, no matter how great or how small they may be. Under His plan our allegiance and the only allegiance we owe as citizens or denizens of the United States, runs to our inspired Constitution which God himself set up. So runs the oath of office of those who participate in government. A certain loyalty we do owe to the office which a man holds, but even here we owe just by reason of our citizenship, no loyalty to the man himself. In other countries it is to the individual that allegiance runs. This principle of allegiance to the Constitution is basic to our freedom. It is one of the great principles that distinguishes this ‘land of liberty’ from other countries.” (Improvement Era, July 1940, p. 444.)
“Patriotism,” said Theodore Roosevelt, “means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the President or any other public official save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country. …
“Every man,” said President Roosevelt, “who parrots the cry of ‘stand by the President’ without adding the proviso ‘so far as he serves the Republic’ takes an attitude as essentially unmanly as that of any Stuart royalist who championed the doctrine that the King could do no wrong. No self-respecting and intelligent free man could take such an attitude.” (Theodore Roosevelt, Works, vol. 21, pp. 316, 321.) And yet as Latter-day Saints we should pray for our civic leaders and encourage them in righteousness.
“… to vote for wicked men, it would be sin,” said Hyrum Smith. (Documentary History of the Church, vol. 6, p. 323.)
And the Prophet Joseph Smith said, “… let the people of the whole Union, like the inflexible Romans, whenever they find a promise made by a candidate that is not practiced as an officer, hurl the miserable sycophant from his exaltation. …” (DHC, vol. 6, p. 207.)
Joseph and Hyrum’s trust did not run to the arm of flesh, but to God and correct eternal principles. “I am the greatest advocate of the Constitution of the United States there is on the earth,” said the Prophet Joseph Smith. (DHC, vol. 6, p. 56.)
The warning of President Joseph Fielding Smith is most timely: “Now I tell you it is time the people of the United States were waking up with the understanding that if they don’t save the Constitution from the dangers that threaten it, we will have a change of government.” (Conference Report, April 1950, p. 159.)
Another guideline given by the First Presidency was “to support good and conscientious candidates, of either party, who are aware of the great dangers” facing the free world. (Deseret News, November 2, 1964.)
Fortunately we have materials to help us face these threatening dangers in the writings of President David O. McKay and other church leaders. Some other fine sources by LDS authors attempting to awaken and inform us of our duty are: Prophets, Principles, and National Survival (Jerreld L. Newquist), Many Are Called But Few Are Chosen (H. Verlan Andersen), and The Elders of Israel and the Constitution (Jerome Horowitz).
But the greatest handbook for freedom in this fight against evil is the Book of Mormon.
This leads me to the second great civic standard for the Saints. For in addition to our inspired Constitution, we have the scriptures.
Joseph Smith said that the Book of Mormon was the “keystone of our religion” and the “most correct” book on earth. (DHC, vol. 6, p. 56.) This most correct book on earth states that the downfall of two great American civilizations came as a result of secret conspiracies whose desire was to overthrow the freedom of the people. “And they have caused the destruction of this people of whom I am now speaking,” says Moroni, “and also the destruction of the people of Nephi.” (Ether 8:21.)
Now undoubtedly Moroni could have pointed out many factors that led to the destruction of the people, but notice how he singled out the secret combinations, just as the Church today could point out many threats to peace, prosperity, and the spread of God’s work, but it has singled out the greatest threat as the godless conspiracy. There is no conspiracy theory in the Book of Mormon —it is a conspiracy fact.
“And along this line I would highly recommend to you a new book entitled None Dare Call It Conspiracy by Gary Allen” This quote is in the video above but has been removed in this written article.
Then Moroni speaks to us in this day and says, “Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you” (Ether 8:14.)
The Book of Mormon further warns that “whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold they shall be destroyed. …” (Ether 8:22.)
This scripture should alert us to what is ahead unless we repent, because there is no question but that as people of the free world, we are increasingly upholding many of the evils of the adversary today. By court edict godless conspirators can run for government office, teach in our schools, hold office in labor unions, work in our defense plants, serve in our merchant marines, etc. As a nation, we are helping to underwrite many evil revolutionaries in our country.
Now we are assured that the Church will remain on the earth until the Lord comes again—but at what price? The Saints in the early days were assured that Zion would be established in Jackson County, but look at what their unfaithfulness cost them in bloodshed and delay.
President Clark warned us that “we stand in danger of losing our liberties, and that once lost, only blood will bring them back; and once lost, we of this church will, in order to keep the Church going forward, have more sacrifices to make and more persecutions to endure than we have yet known. …” (CR, April 1944, p. 116.) And he stated that if the conspiracy “comes here it will probably come in its full vigor and there will be a lot of vacant places among those who guide and direct, not only this government, but also this Church of ours.” (CR, April 1952.)
Now the third great civic standard for the Saints is the inspired word of the prophets—particularly the living president, God’s mouthpiece on the earth today. Keep your eye on the captain and judge the words of all lesser authority by his inspired counsel.
The story is told how Brigham Young, driving through a community, saw a man building a house and simply told him to double the thickness of his walls. Accepting President Young as a prophet, the man changed his plans and doubled the walls. Shortly afterward a flood came through that town, resulting in much destruction, but this man’s walls stood. While putting the roof on his house, he was heard singing, “We thank thee, O God, for a prophet!”
Joseph Smith taught “that a prophet was a prophet only when he was acting as such.” (DHC, vol. 5, p. 265.)
Suppose a leader of the Church were to tell you that you were supporting the wrong side of a particular issue. Some might immediately resist this leader and his counsel or ignore it, but I would suggest that you first apply the fourth great civic standard for the faithful Saints. That standard is to live for, to get, and then to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Said Brigham Young: “I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by Him. … Let every man and woman know, by the whisperings of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not.” (JD, vol. 9, p. 150.)
A number of years ago, because of a statement that appeared to represent the policy of the Church, a faithful member feared he was supporting the wrong candidate for public office. Humbly he took the matter up with the Lord. Through the Spirit of the Lord he gained the conviction of the course he should follow, and he dropped his support of this particular candidate.
This good brother, by fervent prayer, got the answer that in time proved to be the right course.
We urge all men to read the Book of Mormon and then ask God if it is true. And the promise is sure that they may know of its truthfulness through the Holy Ghost, “and by the power of the Holy Ghost [men] may know the truth of all things.” (Moro. 10:5.)
We need the constant guidance of that Spirit. We live in an age of deceit. “O my people,” said Isaiah in the Book of Mormon, “they who lead thee cause thee to err and destroy the way of thy paths.” (2 Ne. 13:12.) Even within the Church we have been warned that “the ravening wolves are amongst us, from our own membership, and they, more than any others, are clothed in sheep’s clothing, because they wear the habiliments of the priesthood.” (J. Reuben Clark, Jr., CR, April 1949, p. 163.)
The Lord holds us accountable if we are not wise and are deceived. “For they that are wise,” he said, “and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.” (D&C 45:57.)
And so four great civic standards for the faithful Saints are, first, the Constitution ordained by God through wise men; second, the scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon; third, the inspired counsel of the prophets, especially the living president, and fourth, the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
God bless us all that we may use these standards and by so doing bless ourselves, our families, our community, our nation, and the world, I humbly pray, as I bear my witness to the truth of this great latter-day work, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen” Civic Standards for the Faithful Saints 1972 Ezra Taft Benson
Moroni says, “The Oaths Which Were Given by Them of Old”
12 And Jared said unto him: I will give her unto you, if ye will bring unto me the head of my father, the king.
13 And it came to pass that Akish gathered in unto the house of Jared all his kinsfolk, and said unto them: Will ye swear unto me that ye will be faithful unto me in the thing which I shall desire of you?
14 And it came to pass that they all sware unto him, by the God of heaven, and also by the heavens, and also by the earth, and by their heads, that whoso should vary from the assistance which Akish desired should lose his head; and whoso should divulge whatsoever thing Akish made known unto them, the same should lose his life.
15 And it came to pass that thus they did agree with Akish. And Akish did administer unto them the oaths which were given by them of old who also sought power, which had been handed down even from Cain, who was a murderer from the beginning.
16 And they were kept up by the power of the devil to administer these oaths unto the people, to keep them in darkness, to help such as sought power to gain power, and to murder, and to plunder, and to lie, and to commit all manner of wickedness and whoredoms.
17 And it was the daughter of Jared who put it into his heart to search up these things of old; and Jared put it into the heart of Akish; wherefore, Akish administered it unto his kindred and friends, leading them away by fair promises to do whatsoever thing he desired.
18 And it came to pass that they formed a secret combination, even as they of old; which combination is most abominable and wicked above all, in the sight of God;
19 For the Lord worketh not in secret combinations, neither doth he will that man should shed blood, but in all things hath forbidden it, from the beginning of man.
20 And now I, Moroni, do not write the manner of their oaths and combinations, for it hath been made known unto me that they are had among all people, and they are had among the Lamanites.
21 And they have caused the adestruction of this people of whom I am now speaking, and also the destruction of the people of Nephi.
22 And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed; for the Lord will not suffer that the blood of his saints, which shall be shed by them, shall always cry unto him from the ground for vengeance upon them and yet he avenge them not.
23 Wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get power and gain—and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be.
24 Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up.
25 For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries; and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people, for it is built up by the devil, who is the father of all lies; even that same liar who beguiled our first parents, yea, even that same liar who hath caused man to commit murder from the beginning; who hath chardened the hearts of men that they have murdered the prophets, and stoned them, and cast them out from the beginning.
26 Wherefore, I, Moroni, am commanded to write these things that evil may be done away, and that the time may come that Satan may have no power upon the hearts of the children of men, but that they may be persuaded to do good continually, that they may come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved.” Ether 8: 12-26
None Dare Call It Conspiracy by Gary Allen
“And along this line I would highly recommend to you a new book entitled None Dare Call It Conspiracy by Gary Allen” Ezra Taft Benson
“I wish that every citizen of every country in the free world and every slave behind the Iron Curtain might read this book.” Ezra Taft Benson — Former Secretary of Agriculture
I have never been a conspiracy theorist but now as Elder Benson said, I am a Conspiracy Factual person. The Book of Mormon is Conspiracy Fact and so am I. Sometimes we need to go out on a lumb a share information that is not regularly known. That is how I learn. I have been a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints my entire life and I remain a member in good standing today Feb 1, 2021. This Gospel of Jesus Christ is my ROCK. I know for a FACT that this gospel is the only true church on the earth and that Christ died for my sins and was resurrected which my my free gift from Him to all.
I believe today there are too many in the world that are being lulled away into carnal security and many in the Church have no idea the control Satan has in the hearts of this nation. Will Christ win, of course, but it is bad how our world is behaving. I pray hard for good men and women to step forwad in this government of ours. If it isn’t Trump it will be someone like him.
Again as J. Reuben Clark warned us that “we stand in danger of losing our liberties, and that once lost, only blood will bring them back; and once lost, we of this church will, in order to keep the Church going forward, have more sacrifices to make and more persecutions to endure than we have yet known. …” (CR, April 1944, p. 116.) And he stated that if the conspiracy “comes here it will probably come in its full vigor and there will be a lot of vacant places among those who guide and direct, not only this government, but also this Church of ours.” (CR, April 1952.)
I believe Joseph Smith used the Urim and Thummim and by the power of the Lord translated the Book of Mormon. Even though I believe Joseph had a seer stone or two, I don’t believe he used them to translate the plates. In this article I show you many quotes from church leaders that say Joseph could have used various methods to translate including using a seer stone or the Urim and Thummim or both, and as it is said, if we pray with real intent we can know the truth of all things. I just feel the Urim and Thummim was prepared by the Lord during the time of the Brother of Jared and sealed up for Joseph to find with the plates. That’s why I feel strongly that Joseph used the Urim and Thummim to translate.
Joseph was not a money digger as they like to say and he was and is a Prophet of the Lord today. Much of the information about the translation process is written by people who didn’t have the best of intentions towards Joseph. (David Whitmer, Martin Harris etc). The story of being a money digger and only using a seer stone was started by Eber D. Howe in his book called Mormonism Unveiled in 1834, and I surely don’t take much stock in that anti-mormon book.New Come Follow Me Podcast Here
Aas you see in this blog I have quoted many of our current Prophets and Apostles who have said Joseph could have used the Urim and Thummim and/or a seer stone to translate. (See Elder Uchtdorf and Pres Nelson etc). I know that both methods are a possibility but you must each form your own witness based on prayer and personal revelation just as I must. I love and support the Prophets and Apostles as they will not lead us astray.”
Russell M Nelson
“I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder.” (Isa. 29:14.)
The Hebrew text of the Old Testament from which that phrase was translated uses the word pele, meaning “miracle.” Thus one could also accurately interpret “a marvellous work and a wonder” as a “miraculous miracle.”
Truly, this latter-day work is precisely that. Think of the short time Joseph took to translate the Book of Mormon. Working from April to June of 1828, Joseph translated the 116 pages that Martin Harris later lost. Joseph began translating again on Tuesday, April 7, 1829, with Oliver Cowdery as scribe. The manuscript was completed eighty-five days later, on June 30 of that year. Of course, not all of that time was spent working on the translation. The Prophet and his scribes also took time to eat, to sleep, to seek employment, to receive the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods, to make at least one (and possibly two) trips to Colesville thirty miles away, to receive and record thirteen revelations that are now sections of the Doctrine and Covenants, to move from Harmony to Fayette, to acquire the Book of Mormon copyright, and to begin making arrangements for the publication of the Book of Mormon. Conservatively estimated, this left sixty-five or fewer working days on which the prophet and his scribes translated this book, which contains 531 pages in its current edition. (See John W. Welch, Ensign, Jan. 1988, pp. 46–47.) That calculates to an average of eight pages per day. Consider this when you translate a book, or as you schedule your own reading of the Book of Mormon.
As Oliver Cowdery testified a few years later: “These were days never to be forgotten—to sit under the sound of a voice dictated by the inspiration of heaven, awakened the utmost gratitude of this bosom! Day after day I continued, uninterrupted, to write from his mouth, as he translated … the history or record called ‘The Book of Mormon.’” (JS—H 1:71)
Editor’s Note: The following is the complete quote found in our scriptures after JSH 1:75 with an asterisk. * Oliver Cowdery describes these events thus: “These were days never to be forgotten—to sit under the sound of a voice dictated by the inspiration of heaven, awakened the utmost gratitude of this bosom! Day after day I continued, uninterrupted, to write from his mouth, as he translated with the Urim and Thummim, or, as the Nephites would have said, ‘Interpreters,’ the history or record called ‘The Book of Mormon.’ (Urim and Thummim and Interpreters here mean to me, the spectacles and the breastplate not a single seer stone).
Elder Nelson Continues, “The details of this miraculous method of translation are still not fully known. Yet we do have a few precious insights. David Whitmer wrote:
“Joseph Smith would put the seer stone into a hat, and put his face in the hat, drawing it closely around his face to exclude the light; and in the darkness the spiritual light would shine. A piece of something resembling parchment would appear, and on that appeared the writing. One character at a time would appear, and under it was the interpretation in English. Brother Joseph would read off the English to Oliver Cowdery, who was his principal scribe, and when it was written down and repeated to Brother Joseph to see if it was correct, then it would disappear, and another character with the interpretation would appear. Thus the Book of Mormon was translated by the gift and power of God, and not by any power of man.” (David Whitmer, An Address to All Believers in Christ, Richmond, Mo.: n.p., 1887, p. 12.)
Emma Smith, who acted as an earlier scribe for Joseph, gave this account in 1856:
“When my husband was translating the Book of Mormon, I wrote a part of it, as he dictated each sentence, word for word, and when he came to proper names he could not pronounce, or long words, he spelled them out, and while I was writing them, if I made any mistake in spelling, he would stop me and correct my spelling although it was impossible for him to see how I was writing them down at the time. Even the word Sarah he could not pronounce at first, but had to spell it, and I would pronounce it for him.
“When he stopped for any purpose at any time he would, when he commenced again, begin where he left off without any hesitation, and one time while he was translating he stopped suddenly, pale as a sheet, and said, ‘Emma, did Jerusalem have walls around it?’ When I answered, ‘Yes,’ he replied, ‘Oh! [I didn’t know.] I was afraid I had been deceived.’ He had such a limited knowledge of history at that time that he did not even know that Jerusalem was surrounded by walls.” (Edmund C. Briggs, “A Visit to Nauvoo in 1856,” Journal of History, Jan. 1916, p. 454.)
On another occasion, Emma Smith recorded:
“The plates often lay on the table without any attempt at concealment, wrapped in a small linen tablecloth, which I had given him to fold them in. I once felt of the plates as they thus lay on the table, tracing their outline and shape. They seemed to be pliable like thick paper, and would rustle with a metallic sound when the edges were moved by the thumb, as one does sometimes thumb the edges of a book.” (“Last Testimony of Sister Emma,” Saints’ Herald, 1 Oct. 1879, p. 290; spelling modernized.)
Although the Prophet would polish his skills over the years, Emma acknowledged that Joseph possessed only rudimentary literacy at the time he translated the gold plates:
“Joseph Smith … could neither write nor dictate a coherent and well-worded letter; let alone dictating a book like the Book of Mormon. And, though I was an active participant in the scenes that transpired, it is marvelous to me, ‘a marvel and a wonder,’ as much so as to any one else.” (Ibid.) A Treasured Testament By Elder Russell M. Nelson Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Elder Nelson quotes David Whitmer, Emma Smith, and Edmund Briggs above which very well could be accurate but they are all second and third hand quotes. I however feel the Words of Joseph Smith and the words of Oliver Cowdery who were first hand accounts ring most true to my heart as I have followed the council of Elder Benson below.
Ezra Taft Benson
“Suppose a leader of the Church were to tell you that you were supporting the wrong side of a particular issue. Some might immediately resist this leader and his counsel or ignore it, but I would suggest that you first apply the fourth great civic standardfor the faithful Saints. That standard is to live for, to get, and then to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Said Brigham Young: “I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by Him. … Let every man and woman know, by the whisperings of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not.” (JD, vol. 9, p. 150.)”
Witnesses of Joseph Smith
“With the records was found a curious instrument, which the ancients called “Urim and Thummim,” which consisted of two transparent stones set in the rims of a bow fastened to a breastplate. Through the medium of the Urim and Thummim I translated the record by the gift and power of God.” Joseph Smith Wentworth Letter
He said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang. He also said that the fulness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants;
There Indeed by Clark Kelley Price
Also, that there were two stones in silver bows—and these stones, fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim—deposited with the plates; and the possession and use of these stones were what constituted “seers” in ancient or former times; and that God had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book. …
Again, he told me, that when I got those plates of which he had spoken—for the time that they should be obtained was not yet fulfilled—I should not show them to any person; neither the breastplate with the Urim and Thummim; only to those to whom I should be commanded to show them; if I did I should be destroyed. While he was conversing with me about the plates, the vision was opened to my mind that I could see the place where the plates were deposited, and that so clearly and distinctly that I knew the place again when I visited it. Joseph Smith—History in the Pearl of Great Price or History of the Church, 1:2–79.
Joseph Fielding Smith Address 1944 Oliver Cowdery’s Return
“This testimony written while Oliver Cowdery was out of the Church is now in my keeping. It is a letter in his own handwriting. In October, 1848, he made his way from Tiffin, Ohio, his residence, to Kanesville, Iowa, to take up again his association with the Latter-day Saints. At a conference held there, October 21st, 1848, presided over by elder Orson Hyde, Oliver Cowdery asked for the privilege of speaking, and he said:
Oliver Cowdery’s Return
Friends and Brethren: My name is Cowdery, Oliver Cowdery. In the early history of this Church, I stood identified with her, and one in her councils. True it is that the gifts and callings of God are without repentance; not because I was better than the rest of mankind was I called, to fulfill the purposes of God. He called me to a high and holy calling. I wrote with my own pen, the entire Book of Mormon (save a few pages) as it fell from the lips of the Prophet Joseph Smith, as he translated it by the gift and power of God, by means of the Urim and Thummim, or, as it is called by the book, “holy interpreters.” I beheld with my eyes, and handled with my hands, the gold plates from which it was translated. I also saw with my eyes and handled with my hands the “holy interpreters.” The book is true. Sidney Rigdon did not write it; Mr. Spaulding did not write it; I wrote it myself as it fell from the lips of the Prophet. It contains the everlasting gospel, and came forth to the children of men in fulfillment of the revelations of John, where he says he saw an angel come with the everlasting gospel to preach to every nation, kindred, tongue and people. It contains principles of salvation; and if you, my hearers, will walk by its light and obey its precepts, you will be saved with an everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God on high. Brother Hyde has just said that it is very important that we keep and walk in the true channel, in order to avoid the sand-bars. The Holy Priesthood is here. I was present with Joseph when an holy angel from God came down from heaven and conferred on us, or restored, the Lesser or Aaronic Priesthood, and said to us at the same time, that it should remain upon the earth while the earth stands. I was also present with Joseph when the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood was conferred by holy angels from on high. This Priesthood we then conferred on each other, by the will and commandment of God. This Priesthood, as was then declared, is also to remain upon the earth until the last remnant of time. This holy Priesthood or authority, we then conferred upon many, and it is just as good and valid as though God had done it in person. I laid my hands upon that man, yes, I laid my right hand upon his head (pointing to Elder Hyde) and he holds that Priesthood now. He was also called through me, by the prayer of faith, an apostle of Jesus Christ.
One month later in November, 1848, at another meeting Oliver Cowdery said:
Brethren, for a number of years I have been separated from you. I now desire to come back. I wish to come humbly and to be one in your midst. I seek no station. I only wish to be identified with you. I am out of the Church. I am not a member of the Church, but I wish to become a member of it. I wish to come in at the door. I know the door. I have not come here to seek precedence. I come humbly and throw myself upon the decisions of this body, knowing, as I do, that its decisions are right, and should be obeyed.
His request was granted and he was baptized and again was received in full fellowship in the Church, and in this fellowship, he continued to witness to the day of his death.” Joseph Fielding Smith, Restoration of all things, Chapter 12, A TESTIMONY AGAINST THE WORLD Address delivered Sunday, August 20, 1944
In the October 1834 Messenger and Advocate [the Church newspaper in Kirtland, Ohio], Oliver Cowdery wrote: “These were days never to be forgotten to sit under the sound of a voice dictated by the inspiration of heaven, awakened the utmost gratitude of this bosom! Day after day I continued, uninterrupted, to write from his mouth, as he translated, with the Urim and Thummim, or, as the Nephites would have said, ‘Interpreters,’ the history or record called ‘The Book of Mormon’” (Messenger and Advocate, 1:14; Also known as Letter I Oliver Cowdery to William W. Phelps, 7 September 1834).
Joseph Fielding McConkie/Craig J. Ostler
Craig J. Ostler Professor of Church History and Doctrine BYU
“Explanations as to how the Book of Mormon was translated have become the source of considerable speculation and misinformation. There appears to be little interest on the part of some writers to distinguish between what might be called historical prattle and competent testimony. For instance, scripture, statements by the Prophet himself, and the collaborative testimony of Oliver Cowdery the only firsthand sources we have on the matter are not, among some, accorded the same attention or credence as things said by secondhand witnesses who in thought and spirit were clearly out of harmony with the Prophet and the Church. See my complete blog here:
Joseph Fielding McConkie Professor of Ancient Scripture (BYU)
The matter of how the Book of Mormon was translated has been of considerable interest and discussion virtually from the time the book became public. This is illustrated in an exchange that took place between the Prophet and his brother Hyrum in a conference of the Church held 25 October On that occasion Hyrum said “that he thought best that the information of the coming forth of the book of Mormon be related by Joseph himself to the Elders present that all might know for themselves.” In response, Joseph Smith said that “it was not intended to tell the world all the particulars of the coming forth of the book of Mormon, & also said that it was not expedient for him to relate these things &c” (Cannon and Cook, Far West Record, 23).
Yet, it was not intended that we be entirely ignorant of the process of translation; otherwise, the revelation recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 9 would not have been included in a compilation of revelations intended for the eyes of the entire world. There are principles involved here of which every faithful Latter- day Saint ought to be a competent witness. There are also counterfeit notions about how the Book of Mormon was translated that enhance neither our understanding of how revelation is received nor our appreciation for the labor and faith involved so that we might have the Book of Mormon.” “The Process of Translating the Book of Mormon” 2000 by Joseph Fielding McConkie (Professor of Ancient Scripture, BYU) and Craig J. Ostler (Assistant Professor of Church History and Doctrine, BYU)
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“Not long ago, the Church published photos and background information on seer stones. People have asked me, “Do you really believe that Joseph Smith translated with seer stones? How would something like this be possible?” And I answer, “Yes! That is exactly what I believe.”This was done as Joseph said: by the gift and power of God.”
The Church’s recent “Book of Mormon Translation” essay makes these statements after having discussed the Urim and Thummim:
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“The other instrument, which Joseph Smith discovered in the ground years before he retrieved the gold plates, was a small oval stone, or “seer stone.” As a young man during the 1820s, Joseph Smith, like others in his day, used a seer stone to look for lost objects and buried treasure. As Joseph grew to understand his prophetic calling, he learned that he could use this stone for the higher purpose of translating scripture.
“Apparently for convenience, Joseph often translated with the single seer stone rather than the two stones bound together to form the interpreters. These two instruments—the interpreters and the seer stone—were apparently interchangeable and worked in much the same way such that, in the course of time, Joseph Smith and his associates often used the term “Urim and Thummim” to refer to the single stone as well as the interpreters. In ancient times, Israelite priests used the Urim and Thummim to assist in receiving divine communications. Although commentators differ on the nature of the instrument, several ancient sources state that the instrument involved stones that lit up or were divinely illumined. Latter-day Saints later understood the term “Urim and Thummim” to refer exclusively to the interpreters. Joseph Smith and others, however, seem to have understood the term more as a descriptive category of instruments for obtaining divine revelations and less as the name of a specific instrument.” Dieter Uchtdorf Facebook page on June 21, 2016
Works of Joseph.com My Website and Opinion
I believe Joseph Smith used the Urim and Thummim and by the power of the Lord translated the Book of Mormon. Even though I believe Joseph had a seer stone or two, I don’t believe he necessarily used them to translate the plates.
I love Elder Uchtdorf’s comparison with seer stones and cell phones. I know the Lord can use any object He desires to share revelation with Prophets. I believe what Elder Uchtdorf’s wrote above is not necessary doctrine, but his words are very important about the translation that will have a great deal to do with my learning as I pray to know more.
Like I have said many times, if the Prophets and Apostles tell me it is doctrine that the main Book of Mormon Events happened in Mesoamerica, or if they tell me that at one time Adam was an ape, or that only a seer stone was used to translate the Book of Mormon, or that Joseph Smith never looked at the plates but he just read the words off of a rock, or that Noah’s flood was not real, I would have a very hard time believing it, but with much prayer I would follow the Living Prophet Russell M. Nelson who speaks the truth to us.
Book called, JOSEPH SMITH’S SEER STONES
This book by Mackay and Hubbard lays out a very thorough history of the seer stone narrative. The problem I have with the book, is they put too much emphasis on the second and third hand witnesses and not enough emphasis on Joseph and Oliver who are first hand witnesses. After reading this book I felt even stronger that the Urim and Thummim was the way Joseph translated the Book of Mormon. It doesn’t matter to me what opinion people take on this matter.
JOSEPH SMITH’S SEER STONES INTRODUCTION, MORMON PARADIGM SHIFTS, MICHAEL HUBBARD MACKAY SEER STONES IN THE LITERATURE
Below is an abbreviated version of the book titled Joseph Smith’s Seer Stones.
“It’s amazing that information can be so close yet so far away. But one could argue that these books, popular as they were, were not readily accessible to the worldwide Church. Let me just drive this point home with several examples more available to Latter-day Saints. In September 1974, the Friend magazine stated, “Joseph also used an egg-shaped, brown rock for translating called a seer stone.” Just three years later, Professor Richard Lloyd Anderson described the translation process and mentioned seer stones nearly ten times in the September 1977 Ensign. By June 1993, Elder Russell M. Nelson addressed the translation process in his article “A Treasured Testament” in the July issue of the Ensign (Portions seen above). And in 1994, the Church’s Ensign mentioned the seer stones again in “Highlights in the Prophet’s Life.” In January 1997, Elder Neal A. Maxwell delivered a message similar to Professor Anderson’s, including the testimonies of both Martin Harris and David Whitmer. Within the last five years, the Joseph Smith Papers Project has published numerous full accounts of the translation process and the history of Joseph Smith’s seer stones, including the introduction to Documents, Volume One; the introduction to Revelations and Translations, Volume 3; and the Gospel Topics essay on the translation of the Book of Mormon. Many Latter-day Saint scholars have mentioned the translation of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith’s seer stones. From Religious Education at Brigham Young University, Susan Easton Black, Joseph Fielding McConkie, Craig Ostler, Larry Porter, Richard Anderson, Alex Baugh, Andrew Hedges, and Gerrit Dirkmaat have all mentioned seer stones, some of whom have researched and written about them prolifically. Other Latter-day Saint scholars have also written about seer stones in their own research about the Book of Mormon. These include Richard Lyman Bushman, Terryl L. Givens, Leonard Arrington, Reid L. Neilson, Richard E. Turley Jr., Brant Gardner, Steven C. Harper, and especially John W. Welch and Royal Skousen.
This amount of documentation seems daunting and perhaps even befuddling. With so many Latter-day Saint scholars acknowledging and studying Joseph Smith’s use of seer stones, it is clear that the Church has not been hiding this information. And yet, as with many historically specific topics, without direct references provided in Church teaching materials and curriculum, the average Latter-day Saint would not necessarily encounter the seer stones in the course of his or her devotional study. This point is especially true in the context of a global Church—while many of these resources are available in English, the miraculous (and rapid!) growth of the Church across the world and the resulting urgent need for translation of even the most basic materials such as scriptures, manuals, and magazines makes it understandable how many members could have missed out on previous discussions of the seer stones. That is why the latest appearance of the topic in the October 2015 Ensign (and Liahona) was so important: it underscores how, even while keeping a sacred relic private, the Church continues to be open about the miraculous process of the translation of the Book of Mormon.
… With the variety of literature available on the topic of seer stones, one might wonder if we have chosen to forget or refused to understand. Ironically, the early Saints saw the seer stones differently than we do today. The witnesses of the translation process described Joseph Smith’s use of seer stones as a method of assuring that the Book of Mormon came from God..” MORMON PARADIGM SHIFTS, MICHAEL HUBBARD MACKAY SEER STONES (Added italics color and capitalization)
The Process of Translation
Joseph himself did not elaborate about the process of translation, but Oliver, David, and Emma provided some additional information. Oliver said: “These were days never to be forgotten—to sit under the sound of a voice dictated by the inspiration of heaven, awakened the utmost gratitude of this bosom! Day after day I continued, uninterrupted, to write from [Joseph’s] mouth, as he translated with the Urim and Thummim, or, as the Nephites would have said, ‘Interpreters,’ the history or record called ‘The Book of Mormon’” (Joseph Smith—History 1:71, note*)
“The “interpreters” used by Joseph during the translation process included the “two stones in silver bows” that were deposited by Moroni with the plates (see Joseph Smith—History 1:35.) In addition to these two seer stones, Joseph used at least one other seer stone that the Lord had provided.7″ The Translation of the Book of Mormon: A Marvel and a Wonder By Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr. General Authority Seventy and Church Historian and RecorderEnsign 2020
Editor’s note: I believe the quote of JSH above in red text. I’m not sure if I fully agree with the quote above in purple. As the quote under the title above says, “Joseph himself did not elaborate about the process of translation“.
The Urim and Thummim was Returned to Joseph
Many scholars I have mentioned above say that the Urim and Thummi was never returned to Joseph and that is why he used a single seer stone. The Urim and Thummim was returned to Joseph Smith. The quotes below are important.
“During this period Joseph made a short visit to his parents in Manchester, New York, and then returned again to Pennsylvania. “Immediately after my return home,” he recounted, “I was walking out a little distance, when, behold, the former heavenly messenger appeared and handed to me the Urim and Thummim again for it had been taken from me in consequence of my having wearied the Lord in asking for the privilege of letting Martin Harris take the writings, which he lost by transgression and I inquired of the Lord through it, and obtained the following [section 3]” (Smith, History of the Church, 1:21-22).
“Through the medium of the Urim and Thummim I translated the record by the gift and power of God” Joseph Smith- HC4:537
“On the 22 of September I had the joy and satisfaction of again receiving the record Urim and Thummim; and have commenced translating again, and Emma writes for me; but the angel said that the Lord would send me a scribe, and <I> trust his promise will be verified. The angel He also seemed pleased with me, when he gave me back the Urim and Thummim; and he told me that the Lord loved me, for my faithfulness and humility.” https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/lucy-mack-smith-history-1844-1845/145 and History of Joseph Smith, p. 135 and quoted in “Thou Art Still Chosen” By Keith W. Perkins
John H. Gilbert Typesetter
Portrait of John H. Gilbert, typositor for the Book of Mormon. Gilbert was twenty-six when he set the type for the translation; he paragraphed, capitalized, punctuated, and corrected spelling as well.
“On the question of how the Book of Mormon was produced, a useful item shows up in the June 1, 1881, issue of the Saints’ Herald. The newspaper reported the efforts of William H. Kelley to interview people who lived in Palmyra. Kelley interviewed John H. Gilbert, who set the type for the Book of Mormon.
“I would know that manuscript today if I should see it. The most of it was in Oliver Cowdery’s handwriting. Some in Joseph’s wife’s; a small part though. Hyrum Smith always brought the manuscript to the office; he would have it under his coat, and all buttoned up as carefully as though it was so much gold. He said at the time it was translated from plates by the power of God, and they were very particular about it. We had a great deal of trouble with it. It was not punctuated at all. They did not know anything about punctuation, and we had to do that ourselves.”
Well, did you change any part of it when you were setting the type? “No, sir; we never changed it at all.”
Why did you not change it and correct it? “Because they would not allow us to; they were very particular about that. We never changed it in the least. Oh, well; there might have been one or two words that I changed the spelling of; I believe I did change the spelling of one, and perhaps two, but no more.”*
Did you set all of the type, or did some one help you? “I did the whole of it myself, and helped to read the proof, too; there was no one who worked at that but myself.
Did you ever see one of the first copies? I have one here that was never bound. Mr. Grandin, the printer, gave it to me. If you ever saw a Book of Mormon you will see that they changed it afterwards.”
They did! Well, let us see your copy; that is a good point,. How is it changed now? “I will show you,” (bringing out his copy). “Here on the title page it says,” (reading) “‘Joseph Smith, Jr., author and proprietor.’ Afterwards, in getting out other editions they left that out, and only claimed that Joseph Smith translated it.”
Well, did they claim anything else than that he was the translator when they brought the manuscript to you? “Oh, no; they claimed that he was translating it by means of some instruments he got at the same time he did the plates, and the Lord helped him.”
Gilbert remembered that Joseph translated with the instrument that came with the plates. This was not the seer stone that Joseph found in a well years earlier.” Jonathan Neville, A Man that can Translate 2020
As quoted from Hugh B. Brown, (BYU Speech 4 Oct 1955), “Any man in claiming (to be a prophet) would be a dignified man with a dignified message. No table jumping, no whisperings from the dead, no clairvoyance but an intelligent statement of truth”. Joseph Smith fits all qualifications particularly his method of translation using the Urium & Thummim.
Urim & Thummim Handed from the Brother of Jared to Mosiah to Joseph Smith. Not two stones in a hat.
Mosiah Translating the Jaredite Stone
“The Prophet Joseph Smith used the same Urim and Thummim that was “given to the brother of Jared upon the mount, when he talked with the Lord face to face” (D&C 17:1). President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote a brief history regarding the Urim and Thummim: “King Mosiah possessed ‘two stones which were fastened into the two rims of a bow,’ called by the Nephites Interpreters, with which he translated the Jaredite record [Mosiah 28:11–14], and these were handed down from generation to generation for the purposes of interpreting languages. How Mosiah came into possession of these two stones or Urim and Thummim the record does not tell us, more than to say that it was a ‘gift from God’ [Mosiah 21:28]. Mosiah had this gift or Urim and Thummim before the people of Limhi discovered the record of Ether. They may have been received when the ‘large stone’ was brought to Mosiah with engravings upon it, which he interpreted by the ‘gift and power of God’ [Omni 1:20–21]. They may have been given to him, or to some other prophet before his day, just as the Brother of Jared received them—from the Lord. “That the Urim and Thummim, or two stones, given to the Brother of Jared were those in the possession of Mosiah appears evident from Book of Mormon teachings. The Brother of Jared was commanded to seal up his writings of the vision he had when Christ appeared to him, so that they could not be read by his people. … The Urim and Thummim were also sealed up so that they could not be used for the purpose of interpreting those sacred writings of this vision, until such time as the Lord should grant to man to interpret them. When they were to be revealed, they were to be interpreted by the aid of the same Urim and Thummim [Ether 3:21–28]. …“Joseph Smith received with the breastplate and the plates of the Book of Mormon, the Urim and Thummim, which were hid up by Moroni to come forth in the last days as a means by which the ancient record might be translated, which Urim and Thummim were given to the Brother of Jared [D&C 17:1]” (Doctrines of Salvation, 3:223–25). https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/book-of-mormon-student-manual/chapter-50-ether-1-5?lang=eng
“I attended sessions of meetings for the institute teachers, held in the assembly room on the fourth floor of the Church Office Building. I cannot say that I was very greatly edified. Too much philosophy of a worldly nature does not seem to mix well with the fundamentals of the gospel. In my opinion many of our teachers employed in the church school system have absorbed too much of the paganism of the world and have accepted too readily the views of uninspired educators without regard for the revealed word of the Lord. What to do about it I do not know. It is a problem for the Presidency to consider. It is a very apparent fact that we have traveled far and wide in the past 20 years [since his father’s death]. What the future will bring I do not know. But if we drift as far afield from fundamental things in the next 20 years, what will be left of the foundation laid by the Prophet Joseph Smith? It is easy for one who observes to see how the apostasy came about in the Primitive Church of Jesus Christ. Are we not traveling the same road? The more I see of educated men—I mean those who are trained in the doctrines and philosophies now taught in the world, the less regard I have for them. Modern theories which are so popular today just do not harmonize with the gospel as revealed to the prophets, and it would be amusing if it were not a tragedy to see how some of our educated brethren attempt to harmonize the theories of men with the revealed word of the Lord. Thank the Lord, there is still some faith left and some members who still cherish the word of the Lord and accept the prophets. Surely the world is ripening rapidly for the destruction, and Satan has power and dominion over his own. If any are saved surely the Lord must soon come and have power over his Saints and reign in their midst, and execute ‘judgment upon Idumea, or the world.”
Joseph Fielding Smith The Life of Joseph Fielding Smith 212. Deseret Book Co., 1972
“It makes no difference what is written or what anyone has said, if what has been said is in conflict with what the Lord has revealed, we can set it aside. My words, and the teaching of any other member of the Church, high or low, if they do not square with the revelations, we need not accept them. Let us have this matter clear. We have accepted the four standard works as the measuring yardsticks, or balances, by which we measure every man’s doctrine. You cannot accept the books written by the authorities of the Church as standards in doctrine, only in so far as they accord with the revealed word in the standard works. If Joseph Fielding Smith writes something which is out of harmony with the revelations, then every member of the Church is duty bound to reject it. If he writes that which is in perfect harmony with the revealed word of the Lord, then it should be accepted.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3 vols., edited by Bruce R. McConkie [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954-1956], 3: 203.)
William Smith’s Amazing Description
William Smith’s description: “A silver bow ran over one stone, under the other, around [sic] over that one and under the first in the shape of a horizontal figure 8…[T]hey were much too large for Joseph and he could only see through one at a time using sometimes one and sometimes the other.” These stones, he continued, “were attached to the breastplate by a rod which was fastened at the outer shoulde[r] edge of the breastplate and to the edge of the silver bow.” (Tyrell Givens, By the Hand of Mormon, p.22)
Another account from William Smith: “Among other things we inquired minutely about the Urim and Thummim and the breastplate. We asked him what was meant by the expression “two rims of a bow,” which held the former. He said a double silver bow was twisted into the shape of the figure eight, and the two stones were placed literally between the two rims of a bow. At one end was attached a rod which was connected with the outer edge of the right shoulder of the breast-plate. By pressing the head a little forward, the rod held the Urim and Thummim before the eyes much like a pair of spectacles. A pocket was prepared in the breastplate on the left side, immediately over the heart. When not in use the Urim and Thummim was placed in this pocket, the rod being of just the right length to allow it to be so deposited. This instrument could, however, be detached from the breastplate and his brother said Joseph often wore it detached when away from home, but always used it in connection with the breastplate when receiving official communications,and usually so when translating as it permitted him to have both hands free to hold the plates.” (J. W. Peterson in The Rod of Iron I:3 (February 1924), 6—7.)
Lucy Mack Smith Description:
“On the morning of September 22, after Joseph had returned from the hill, he placed the article [the Nephite interpreters] of which he spoke into my hands, and, upon examination, I found that it consisted of two smooth three-cornered diamonds set in glass, and the glasses were set in silver bows, which were connected with each other in much the same way as old fashioned spectacles. . . . He [Joseph Smith] handed me the breastplate spoken of in his history. It was wrapped in a thin muslin handkerchief, so thin that I could feel its proportions without any difficulty. It was concave on one side and convex on the other, and extended from the neck downwards, as far as the center of the stomach of a man of extraordinary size. It had four straps of the same material, for the purpose of fastening it to the breast.” (History of Joseph Smith by His Mother Lucy Mack Smith)
I wonder how big some of those Jaredites actually were? It validates the many historical records about huge skeletons such as Zelph and similar to the example displayed in the Annotated Book of Mormon below.
Annotated Book of Mormon by David Hocking and Rod Meldrum page 460 Purchase Now!
In the 1800s, many discoveries of very large skeletal remains were found in burial mounds of North America. The skeletons were described as reaching upwards of seven to eight feet in length, with a lower frequency of discoveries spanning up to nine feet in length, all having very large skulls and gigantic lower jawbones.Historians often detailed these remains in early local records, such as the following from Cass County, Michigan:“It was a mound about thirteen feet high….the diameter of its base was about fifty feet…Portions of the skeletons were in a good state of preservation. The femur, or thigh bone,of one of the males, which Dr. Bonine has now in his possession, is of great size and indicates that its owner must have been at least seven feet in height” – Alfred Matthews, History of Cass County, Michigan [1882].” Annotated Book of Mormon page 460
This is a long but very interesting and thorough deliberation about the Jaredites, their customs, beliefs, successes and failings. Jennice Curlee has done a very inspired version of events that I know you will learn much from as I did. She and I may have a few different ideas of potential places and events, but we have the same belief that the Promised Land of The Book of Mormon is indeed found in the United States of America.
“Almost 4 years ago now I was in my yearly re-read of the Book of Mormon and had reached the Book of Ether. I groaned within myself and said “I don’t like the Book of Ether, with all those people/family killing each other.” But something magical happened, after dozens of years of reading that book, I began to have insights that surprised me. As I read I wrote notes and doubled back to re-check this or that verse. After a few days, I got excited and began typing up my feelings. Within three weeks I had written what I just sent to you. I just was amazed, and I said to myself, “what is this all about? It’s not like they are in our back yard or something!” Then came a personal revelation: THEY are in our backyard in Nauvoo . . . . the 15 large, never discovered, undisturbed mounds in the creek bottoms behind the house ARE Jaredites! Since then Wayne May has confirmed that. I gave this Jaredite essay to Wayne in person 4 years ago. It is long, but I KNOW I did not write this by myself. The insights are directly from the Lord, so I know them to be true.”
…”As I was getting ready for bed, I had many thoughts about the years I had spent reading about Mesoamerica supposedly being where the Book of Mormon happened, although I never doubted that there was just one Hill Cumorah. I was sort of muttering to myself and to God at the same time, saying that I didn’t like this feeling of my “head being messed with”. Then very quickly and emphatically a voice came into my mind saying “You were always into archaeology and history, and wanted to go to Central America, but I put you in the MIDDLE of it here!!”. From the bathroom I called out to Wilson, “It’s True”! Once the Spirit answers, the discussion is over. It was the same voice that spoke when I knew the Restored Gospel was true. Was this the main reason we felt pulled to move to Nauvoo after all?”
The above quote is from a great friend Jeni Curlee. She and her husband Wilson purchased land in Nauvoo, Illinois with 15 ancient Mounds located on the property and have been restoring , preserving, and loving this land to benefit the world and especially lovers of the Book of Mormon. Their story on my blog is called by Jeni, LIVING AMONG THE MOUNDS- Ten Years of Care-taking sacred Nephite/Hopewell Mounds and how it dramatically changed our lives.Jennice Curlee
Deliberations and Perceptions on the Jaredites in North America
By Jennice Curlee, Feb 2017 Edited July, 2017 Maps and Minor Edits by Rian Nelson
This is a summary that may appear redundant, but many fascinating nuggets will emerge as you read.
In the approximate 1500 years of the Jaredite history, they could have spread throughout what is now United States, parts of Eastern Canada and Mexico. What we call the culture of “Olmecs” in Eastern Mexico also fits the timeline of the Jaredites, as do the “Adena” in Eastern United States and Canada. Their mounds and artifacts are found as far west as the Mississippi. Their nation began when the Lord dispersed the people from the tower of Babel.
Jared and his brother, along with their families and many friends were blessed when they were told they would be led to a promised land, which was after the waters from the flood had receded, and the one large continent had been divided into various continents. It appears the book of Ether only deals with the rulers & people who remained in the area where they they first settled around the Great Lakes. Evidence of that begins soon after they arrived in the promised land (Ether: 6-7). Almost immediately it says their kings ruled from the Land of Moron.
Jaredites land in North America by Brook Malia Mann
Orihah Rules
Before Jared and his brother died, they advised their people not to be ruled by kings because they would be brought into captivity if they were ruled by a wicked king. But they insisted they wanted a king. The last son of Jared; Orihah consented to rule. Though he was a good king, it was not long before a wicked king ruled. During those times, prophets would come among them to warn them to repent or pestilence or war would come and they would be wiped off the land. Towards the end of the Book of Ether, prophets had warned them that another people would come to replace them in the Promised Land if they did not turn to the Lord. It was repeated when the prophet Ether gave King Coriantumr, a personal prophesy & in part he said that if he repented he would keep his kingdom, but if not, they would be wiped off & another people would replace them and he would live to see them.
King Orihah had 23 sons, but in his old age he had son named Kib and it was Kib who became the next king. Kib had a son named Corihor who rebelled against his father when he was 32 years old and Corihor went and dwelt in the land of Nehor where he raised many fair sons and daughters and also drew away many people (Ether 7:4-6). After he had drawn away many people from his father Kib, he gathered together an army and went over to the Land of Moron where his father the King dwelt and he took his father captive. It says that the Land of Moron was near the land which was called by the Nephites “Desolation”. From then on the land of Moron is often mentioned in the Book of Ether as the place where the King dwells. The land of desolation is also mentioned in the abridgement by Moroni as a place that the Jaredites frequented. Moron is always associated with the Land of Desolation and the Land of Bountiful of Nephite times.
Land Moron
Very early in the Jaredite history we learn of several place names that are all located near the “Narrow neck” of land, which is near the land northward, near the Land of Nehor, & near the Land of Moron (where the kings dwelt, including Coriantumr, the final king). All of which leads us to believe that the Jaredites entered the Promised land northward, because they were not in the land very long before these place names show up. In Ether 7:9 it says a son of Kib (Shule) born in captivity to his father in his old age, took his followers back to the Land of Nehor and gave battle to his brother Corihor, and restored his father Kib to this throne in the Land of Moron. After that Kib gave the kingdom (in Moron) back to Shule. Corihor repented and gave his part of the kingdom back to his brother Shule. Years later (Chapter 7:16-20) a son of Corihor (Noah) rebelled against Shule AND his father Corihor and drew away part of the people to fight against Shule. He gained back the part of the kingdom (Nehor) of his first inheritance. Not being content with that victory, Noah came to battle with Shule again and took him captive back to Moron. But sons of Shule crept into Noah’s house and killed him; putting their father Shule back on his own throne in his own Kingdom (Moron). Then there continued to be two kingdoms; the Kingdom of Shule (Moron) and the Kingdom of Cohor, a son of Noah (the land Nehor). It is possible the Land Nehor still existed when the Mulekites/Nephites came, as there were those who believed as the Nehors did. Jaredites pg 2
Editor’s Note: Etymology MORON could come from the West Semitic root mrʾ, “lord, master,” with attenuation of the aleph, as in mrn, “our lord,” in Hatrean texts (DNWSI 684). It is possible that this is the gentilic of the Jaredite GNMORON (see immediately above) (JAT). Nibley also pointed out the connection, giving the meaning “belonging to Moron” or “of Moron” to the name MORONI (LID, 244). Also possible is EGYPTIANmrny, “my beloved” or mr.n.i, “I was beloved” (RFS). Book of Mormon Onomasticon
We have established that from the point in time that the Jaredites landed in the Promised Land, it was not far or long before they were living near the Land of Moron, as that is where the first king ruled, he being a son of Jared. There is sufficient evidence to show that the Land of Moron is between our present day Lake Huron, or between Lake Michigan and Lake Erie.
Also, just shortly before the first king is chosen, Jared and his brother did a census or count of their people and in Ether 6:19-22, it describes the process and gives the number of sons both Jared and his brother had and how the people desired a king. It also says just before that census, that the people began to spread out and till the land. How far they spread out can only be guessed at, but from the head count given of the sons alone, there could have been several hundred people, given we do not not know how long-lived the people of that time were or how many children their friends had. We know they were a large and mighty people as to the strength of men, and we find in the Old Testament (a number of generations after the flood) that people in Abraham’s time would live past the age of 100, so we can start there.
As for the line of kings, we know Shule was the 3rd king, and his son Omer ruled after him, and Omer beget Jared who rebelled against his father and wanted to overthrow him. He made a real mess of things and pulled Akish into the mix to kill his father. Akish introduced the ancient secret oaths to his followers and at this point in the narrative/abridgement, Moroni gives his warning to us readers that if we allow those secret combinations to come upon us in these last days, wo be unto us!
But back to the history of the kings and the places they ruled from. King Omer found favor from the Lord and was warned in a dream to escape before Akish could kill him. Ether 9: 1-3 explains that Omer and his family traveled many days and “came over and passed by the hill of Shim and came over by the place where the Nephites were destroyed and thence eastward till they came to a place called ‘Ablom’, by the seashore, and there pitched his tent”, and also his sons and daughters save it were Jared and his family. Back in the Land of Moron, Jared gave Akish his daughter to wife, where he then ruled as king.
Akish soon wanted to be king and so he administered the “secret oaths” to his followers and they murdered Jared as he sat upon his throne (wish we could find that “throne” in Moron that so many sat upon). Akish continued his evil ways and locked up a son he was jealous of until he died, after which another son, Nimrah was angry at his father for what he had done to his brother. Nimrah got up some followers and went to find the real king, Omer, and dwelt there with the people of Omer. Meanwhile back in Moron, different factions had developed. Akish fought against his own sons who were following the “secret oaths”, and continued on in war until nearly all the people of “the kingdom” were destroyed except 30 souls, and those who had fled to Omer. Thus it was that Omer was restored again to the land of his inheritance (Moron). He ruled in righteousness and in his old age he begat Emer and Emer became king and ruled in righteousness as well. Emer ruled for 62 years and the Lord healed the land and they became exceedly rich. When Emer became old he anointed his son Coriantum to reign in his stead. Emer lived 4 more years in peace and he even saw the “Son of Righteousness” before he died. Emer ruled in righteousness and built many “mighty cities” in the land. So now we see there have been 6 rightful heirs who became kings, who all served in righteousness, all descendants of Jared who came from the tower. There were sons and other usurper’s who battled against the kings from time to time, but with the help of the Lord the rightful kings were restored. We also have seen that they all lived near the Great Lakesnear their land of inheritance (Land of Moron), including Omer who traveled many days to pass by the hill Shim (See Map Below) where the Nephites were destroyed (Cumorah land).
Hill Shim seems logical across the one-mile valley west of Cumorah that Oliver Cowdery spoke about in Letter VII
According to Ether 9:24-25, Coriantum lived 142 years, and his son Com reigned 49 years and he begat Heth. We don’t know how old Com was when he became king, but we see how long-lived some of the kings could have been. Heth became a wicked king and introduced the “secret plans of old” again and he killed his father Com. Now we come to a section of time that gives us interesting geography/places.
Under the wicked king Heth (8th king), prophets came into the land to cry repentance and to warn that there would come a famine in the land if they did not turn to the Lord. The people threw them out and left some to die of starvation in “pits”, and they did “all these things according to the commandment of the king Heth”. Then a great “dearth came upon the land and the inhabitants began to be destroyed exceedingly fast because of the dearth, for there was no rain upon the face of the earth”. Ether 9:31-35. “And there came forth poisonous serpents also upon the face of the land and did poison many people.
And it came to pass that their flocks began to flee before the poisonous serpents, towards the land southward, which was called by the Nephites Zarahemla.” There were many who did perish by the way ( flocks), nevertheless there were some which fled unto the land southward.” The scriptures go on to say that the Lord did cause the serpents to cease pursuing them and the did “hedge” up the way so that people could not follow the flocks or they would get bitten and die. It says that the people did follow the beasts and did eat up their carcasses as they fell. And then when the people knew they would all die they began to repent and cried unto the Lord. I think this all refers to the people north of the serpents, & that is where they were eating the dying beasts, or their carcasses. It was only some of the flocks who had escaped to the south and not the people. When they had humbled themselves enough the Lord sent the rain and there began to be “fruit in the north countries and in all the countries round about”.
Notice in the top right of the map above, the three possible necks of land identified. I have a slightly different idea than what Jeni Curlee says. Please evaluate on your own. As Wayne May says, “We report, you decide”
Good and Evil Kings
From this, one would think that this all happened in a short period of time, but in following along with the scriptures in Ether 10, we read that the wicked king Heth died during the famine and his son Shez began to build up “again a broken people”, He was the 9th king and he did serve in righteousness and lived to an old age. However Shez’s son Riplakish ruled in wickedness for many years and put many burdens and taxes on the people and threw them in prison if they did not pay. After ruling for 42 years there was a rebellion against him (finally!) headed by a descendant of Riplakish named Morianton. After many years and many battles Morianton succeeded in gaining power over the land and he established himself as king. He ruled justly with the people and brought peace to the land, but he himself was not a righteous man for he had many wives and concubines. He was the 10th king still in the family line of Jared. During his reign he built up many cities and the people became rich. The 11th king was Morianton’s son Kim, who also did not reign in righteousness. After that there was a series of kings and their sons: Levi, Corom, Kish and Lib. Lib was the 15th king, and he ruled in righteousness. Lib stands out in this narrative because the scriptures say “and in the days of Lib the poisonous serpents were destroyed”. We don’t know how long each of the kings ruled, but the time line from Heth (the 8th) to Lib (the 15th) the poisonous serpents had stopped the migration from the north country to the south.
Ether 10:19-20 tells some interesting facts that I would like to give my opinion about, based on the facts that are given to us in the scriptures. (19). . . “and in the days of Lib the poisonous serpents were destroyed. Wherefore they did go into the land southward, to hunt food for the people of the land, for the land was covered with the animals of the forest. And Lib also himself became a great hunter”. (20) “And they built a great city by thenarrow neck of landby the place that the sea divides the land”.
There are three places that qualify for what the Book of Mormon speaks of as “narrow neck of land” or narrow passage in another reference. One is where Detroit is located today, two is by Niagara Falls and the third is near the bottom of Lake Michigan and then east to Ft. Wayne, Indiana.
The Algonquin Indian language interprets the word Niagara as meaning “neck”. However, we are of the opinion that the narrow neck and the narrow pass can be different places. I originally wrote this article feeling that it is where the city of Detroit, Michigan is located. If my thinking was correct, looking at all the clues, we could be able to determine where the Land of Moron was located; “where the kings dwelt”, where the king’s land of inheritance was, and where they were living when Jared and his brother counted their people and advised them not to be ruled by kings, and where the Brother of Jared and Jared died and were buried. However, just after I printed up my first article (a matter of just days afterwards), I learned from Wayne May and Ryan Fisher that in earlier centuries from present, there was a large body of water that was an extension of our present day Lake Erie. It was called the “Great Black Swamp” at the time that it was finally drained in the 1880’s. It extended to our present day Fort Wayne, Indiana. Looking at the map, and understanding that Lake Michigan was also larger and longer, it creates a narrow passage of land that is basically passable in a day or so by walking or less if riding an animal. I have added a map of Wayne’s drawing as well as information on the Great Black Swamp. This information adds to our storehouse of facts and scripture references about the “narrow neck/pass”. I have also included page of seven scriptures from the Book of Mormon that speak of this pass. It appears Mormon included those many references to give us a good clue to the geography of Bof M.
Then recently we listened to Cal Christensen, our friend and fellow thinker about Bof M geography, how he had researched pre-historic Illinois River boundaries, and came up with a theory that the “West Sea South” spoken of in the B of M, is a broader version of our present day Illinois River. Since Lake Michigan drains into the Illinois River, it was much wider at the mouth, looking like an extension of the Lake and then flowed down to meet the Mississippi, where it was called the West Sea South, just above where St. Louis is, and not far from Cahokia.
In Ether 10:20, Moroni tells us that the Jaredite rulers built a great city by the narrow neck of land by the place where the sea divides the land. A larger Lake Michigan with a larger Illinois River running into the Mississippi River definitely describes the sea that divides the land (Eastern U.S. From Western U.S).
That opened my mind to another possibility of where Alma 63:5 speaks of Hagoth building an exceedingly large ship on the borders of the land Bountiful by the land Desolation & launched it forth into the West Sea, by the narrow neck which led into the land Northward. He described in detail where it was, so as not to confuse it with any other part of the West Sea, such as north by Lake Huron or Lake Superior (which were all larger and connected at the top and may have been considered one sea), or south by the Illinois River. He is telling us that he launched his ship between a larger Lake Michigan, (perhaps by South Bend) and launched it by the narrow neck which led into the land Northward. He tells us further it was on the borders of the Land Bountiful by the land Desolation, which further pin-points Desolation as the land Northward and runs Southward, or as the Nephites called it “Zarahemla”. So as of July 2017, I am on record as saying I feel the land of Moron and the great city the Jaredites built was closer to the south of Lake Michigan and that is where the borders of Desolation, Zarahemla and Bountiful all met. Land of Moron would be in today’s Michigan between Lakes Huron and Michigan, but where is the City of Moron & the King’s throne?
There are some broad clues when King Omer took his people to escape from Kish and they passed by the Hill Shim which was the same place where the Nephites were destroyed (Ether 9:3). We are also told by Mormon that the Hill Shim is where Ammaron hid up the records that Mormon was expected to protect. And further we know that the Hill Ramah where the final destruction of the Jaredites is the same as the hill Cumorah where the Nephites were destroyed. From that we know common geography between the Nephites and the Jaredites. But now we have identified more common geography because of the scriptures talking about the Land of Moron and the land southward because of the poisonous serpents that hedged up the way between the land northward and the land southward. The flocks began to flee to the land southward, which was called by the Nephites “Zarahemla”.
We see by looking at a map of North America and more particularly the Great Lakes Area, that the narrow passage of land between Lake Erie and Lake Michigan is positioned going northeast or southwest at an angle, so that the flocks and/or people headed south would be headed exactly towards today’s Indiana and Illinois or in other words: the Land of Zarahemla. If by chance they were going through the narrow neck or passage at Niagara, they would have been headed in the direction of southeast or northwest, which would go southeast into upper New York or Pennsylvania . . . no way Zarahemla. So the Land of Moron is somewhere straddling the passage of land between the two lakes, but we do not know how wide or how long that passage would have been in the days of the Jaredites. But there are some clues.
Alma 22:32 says there was a small neck of land that took 1 ½ days for a Nephite to cross. Why did he mention how long it took for a Nephite to cross as if it were different than when the Jaredites crossed it. My take is that this area between two lakes was once much smaller during the Jaredite times, because the lakes themselves were larger in earlier times because of the rate of the water receding after the flood. By Nephite time the lakes were smaller and the land mass between two lakes would be larger, thus meaning it took the Nephites longer than it had the Jaredites. Perhaps the land was not only a shorter distance across, but at it’s narrowest place it could have “hedged up the way” by the poisonous serpents. But why would the serpents be there anyway? Again, our thoughts: The serpents only appeared after the “dearth” began. What if the area between the two lakes was still marshy in places and a wonderful habitat for snakes. When the rain stopped and the lakes continued to recede, perhaps the serpents swarmed into the marsh land that had become enlarged due to the receding shore line. Maybe the serpents were not really pursuing the flocks and the people, but their numbers increased on land so that there was no way to avoid them and their hatches; and perhaps because of the drought their natural prey was reduced and they became more aggressive.
Whatever the distance across the pass, it became so dangerous that the people were no longer willing to take the chance. The flocks that had previously grazed that lush land moved ahead of the serpents as fast as possible, and their owners rushed after them, some dying along with their flocks. The drought lasted quite awhile, at least long enough for the king Heth to die during the famine and his son Shez left to the work of “to build up a broken people”. Just that phrase alone gives us the clue that there were not many people left as they had died by the poisonous serpents or by the famine. Why did the serpents stay there for so many years after the drought was over? Maybe they adapted to the new environment and multiplied for awhile. In any case, Ether 10:19-21, says it was in the reign of King Lib, 7 kings after Heth, that the Poisonous serpents were destroyed and the people began to go into the land southward again to hunt food for the people, “for the land was covered with animals of the forest”. It appears that the years of drought and living in a limited area, they had hunted out most of the game. Did they devise a way to destroy the serpents out of desperation? How? By burning dry marsh? Was the north land getting barren of trees & animals & people needed room? “ The whole face of the land was covered with inhabitants.”
Then the scriptures say that they “built a great city by the narrow neck of land, by the place where the sea divides the land”. So if we are right, then at some point in the future, perhaps after Christ’s second coming, we should be able to find evidence of “a mighty city” by the narrow neck of land. There is not room to build a mighty city where Niagara Falls is, so a good choice is either where Detroit is, or near South Bend, Indiana or somewhere north of the pass. Because of the new information about the “Great Black Swamp” and evidence of Lake Erie extending much longer; a narrow pass could have existed between Lake Michigan and Lake Erie. They built this great city after the serpents were destroyed and the area between the two lakes was widened as the water further receded. Throughout the Book of Mormon there are many references to the land northward and the land southward, so the Jaredites building the mighty city may have been making a statement of their progress. Besides building the mighty city, Ether 10: 22-29 talks about how industrious they became once they could move into the land southward. After explaining all they were able to accomplish. Verse 28 says “And never could be a people more blessed than were they, and more prospered by the hand of the Lord. And they were in a land that was choice above all lands, for the Lord had spoken it”.
Prosperity/Wickedness Cycle
But then began the cycle of prosperity and wickedness that also plagued the Nephites when they came. After Lib’s righteous reign, his son Hearthom became king for 24 years before some “unnamed” person took it from him. He lived out the remainder of his days in captivity, as did his descendants for 5 more generations, or sons and grandsons. When the fifth one, Com, was born in captivity, he somehow was able to draw away one half of the kingdom and went to battle against the then “usurper king Amgid”, and was finally able to get all of the kingdom again for his family (Jared’s line). Here I am assuming that the seat of “the kingdom” still remained in “Moron”, and there is no evidence that it was moved to another area, as will be shown shortly when Coriantumr becomes the last king.
Com is Blessed
However, during Com’s reign, robbers began to adopt the “old plans” after the “manner of the ancients” who sought to destroy the kingdom. Although Com fought against them, “he did not prevail”. But Com was still the ruler even though wickedness was prevailing. During this time Ether 11: 1-4 tells us that prophets came among the people but they were rejected and they fled to Com for protection from the people who had tried to destroy them. Obviously Com was a very righteous man/ruler because “they prophesied unto Com many things, and he was blessed in all the remainder of his days. And he lived to a good old age and begat Shiblom who reigned in his stead”. But then a brother of Shiblom rose up in rebellion and he caused that the prophets should be put to death. Thus became many upheavals in the days of Shiblom; wars, famine and pestilences; “insomuch that there was great destruction in the land”, until finally the people began to see that the prophets were right and they began to repent, and in-as-much as they did the Lord did show mercy. During this time Shiblom was killed and his brother Seth was taken into captivity. Seth’s son Ahah began to reign and he did so in wickedness.
23 Rulers
Now we have had 23 rulers, if I have counted right. Ahah is still in the direct line of “Jared”, even though he is the son of Seth, Shiblom’s brother. The 24th ruler is Ethen, “being a descendant of Seth” and he also ruled in wickedness. In Ethen’s day the prophets came again to cry repentance and to tell the people that “the Lord would utterly destroy them from off the face of the earth” (Ether 11:12-13). But the people hardened their hearts . . “and the prophets mourned and withdrew themselves from the people”.
WickedKing Moron
Ethen’s son Moron (like the Land of Moron where the kings dwelt) became the 25th king and he also ruled in wickedness. From now on things will be getting very interesting indeed because the last king Coriantumr will soon be on the scene. Ether 11:15 says that during the days of Moron “there arose a rebellion among the people BECAUSE of that secret combination which was built up to get power and gain:AND there arose a MIGHTY MAN among them (secret society) in iniquity, and gave battle unto Moron in which he did overthrow the half of the kingdom and he did maintain the half of the kingdom for many years”. We assume that the description given of mighty man refers to huge physical statue.
But it then tells us that it came to pass that Moron did overthrow this mighty man, and gains all his Kingdom back again. BUT in Ether 11:17, we see that it came to pass that ANOTHER MIGHTY MAN arose, AND HE was a descendant of the BROTHER of JARED! Until now, there had not been a descendant of the brother of Jared as a king, not that is mentioned in the scriptures, and for Ether (and Moroni) to put this fact into the scriptures now and at no other time, must mean something important. Also, why does Ether (and Moroni) put into the record that there was a mighty man just before THIS mighty man? Ether 11:18, “And it came to pass that he (MightyMan: descendant of the brother of Jared) did overthrow Moron and obtain the kingdom, wherefore Moron dwelt in captivity all the remainder of his days, and he begat Coriantor”. Coriantor could have been the 26th king . . but now we have someone else as king who is from the brother of Jared’s line instead of Jared’s.
I think that the second mighty man is actually chosen of the Lord to de-throne Moron because both the first mighty man (secret combination) and Moron are wicked. The Lord knew that the winding up scenes of the Jaredites was approaching and he was trying to rid their nation of the secret combinations to give them another chance. “There arose a rebellion among the people because of the secret combination” Moron was no match for this secret society since he was ruling in wickedness himself. Again,we are never told who he is, but the next king mentioned is Coriantumr and he fights against the secret combination. Either the second mighty man was Coriantumr or it was his father who may have ruled for a short time before his very capable, trained son was given the Kingdom. He is their best, last hope to save the nation of Jaredites from extinction. He is a man who “studied” in the art of war and all the cunning of the world. Because the abridgement of the record uses the least possible words to document the events, that sentence about Coriantumr speaks volumes in showing us that he knew the ways of his enemies and the cunning ways of the world, therefore he knew how they thought and could not be manipulated or fooled. He also knew how to strategize for battle. He was toughened and determined. He may have been the exact person for the position he was called to do. The more I think about it, the more sure I feel that he arose at that time for a reason.
More important information here to relate: Ether 11:20-21: “In the days of Coriantor (Ether’s father in captivity) there also came many prophets and prophesied of great and marvelous things, and cried repentance unto the people, and except they should repent, the Lord God would execute judgment against them to their utter destruction; and that the Lord God would SEND or BRING FORTH ANOTHER PEOPLE TO POSSESS the land, by His power, AFTER THE MANNER by which he brought their fathers”. I had not previously noticed that this exact prophecy had been given to the Jaredite people (at least the ones who were living in the Great Lakes Area (if there were other colonies of Jaredites elsewhere we do not know). The last king of the Jaredites, Coriantumr is about to come on the scene, and then he will be given this prophecy in a VERY PERSONAL way from Ether himself and it will give even more detail about himself. Continuing: Ether 11:22-23: “And they did reject all the words of the prophets, because of their ‘Secret Society’ and wicked abominations (22). And it came to pass that Coriantor begat ETHER, and he died, having dwelt in captivity all his days” (23).
I am amazed and stunned that in all my years of reading the Book of Mormon and especially the Book of Ether (at least once year for 50 years) I NEVER saw the obvious, that Ether would have been the 27th king in the line of kings since Jared. When he was born, his father was in captivity under the usurper king who does not have a name BUT he was a MIGHTY MAN, and who was a descendant of the brother of Jared. So now we know that the rightful heir to the throne was Ether himself, who then becomes one of the mightiest prophets, and the last prophet in the entire Jaredite nation.
We do not know how long Jared and his brother lived before they died, but we know there were 27 kings (including Coriantumr). Some lived long lives and others were killed while on the throne after only a few years. It is interesting to imagine just how many years the Jaredites lived on this continent. Archeologists say the Adena (Jaredite) race were here at least 3000 years ago.I think they came over within 200 years of Noah’s flood, or about 2200 BC. Just saying! Another fascinating item is that when the prophets were telling the people during the time of Coriantor (Ether’s father) that God would bring forth ANOTHER PEOPLE to this land, He (God) was in the process of bringing them at the time the prophecy was given, because we see that Ether AND Coriantumr were about to be born if they had not been born already.
Ether 12:1-2 tell a HUGE STORY! “And it came to pass that the days of Ether were in the days of Coriantumr, and Coriantumr was the king over all the land. And Ether was a prophet of the Lord, wherefore Ether came forth in the days of Coriantumr, and began to prophesy unto the people. .” At this point in the scripture, Moroni uses the entire 12th chapter speaking of the doctrine of Christ, through verse 41. Moroni continues speaking in Chapter 13, until verse 13 about what Ether taught the people.
I hope to show there was an unusual relationship between Ether and King Coriantumr. I feel Coriantumr was older than Ether by a few years as the above scripture says “the days of Ether were in the days of Coriantumr”, suggesting he came on the scene while Coriantumr was already the king.
Ether 13:13-14: . . . . “but great and marvelous were the prophecies of Ether, but they esteemed him as naught, and cast him out; and he hid himself in the cavity of a rock by day, and by night he went forth viewing the things which should come upon the people (13). And as he dwelt in the cavity of a rock he made the remainder of this record, viewing the destruction which came upon the people, by night” (14).
[Editors Note: This shows it possible for 37 years after the last battle at Cumorah, Moroni could have kept alive near Cumorah in the cavity of a rock the entire 37 years while hunting occasionally for food].
Looking at what else we know about Ether, we remember that he was born in captivity to his father the rightful King, Coriantor. What it means to be in captivity is a mystery, because all through the Book of Ether many kings are taken into captivity, but still raise their families in those conditions and often the sons of those kings rise up to take the kingdom back for their fathers. So there is a degree of freedom associated with captivity, or at least for their families. In Ether’s case, his father died while in captivity. We also come to the conclusion that almost always the captivity seems to be where the king lives, or in the “Land of Moron”, because usually when they take the kingdom back, they are right there.
From what I am gathering, Ether lived in the Land of Moron. We do not know how old he might have been when his father died, but obviously he was free to come and go. In other situations, some of the sons of king’s rose up to take the kingdom back and reigned when their father’s died, but in Ether’s case, he did not do that and became a prophet and served the Lord in that capacity instead. It does not tell us if his father was righteous or not, but his grandfather Moron was wicked. I tend to think Coriantor was good and gave that example to his son Ether. Also, during Coriantor’s day, Prophets came among the people and prophesied “of great and marvelous things” and that “the Lord God would bring forth another people to possess the land by his power after the manner by which he brought their fathers” (does this mean by the same ocean current to the same landing place, or the same kind of boats?). Ether must have heard the prophets and identified with them and gained his testimony of the workings of the Lord in his life.
Coriantumr
Lets look closely at who Coriantumr was, and why of all the kings, there is so much written about him by Ether, but perhaps it was because Ether knew him personally instead of writing of someone in history. I feel he was not a wicked king, although he did have something to repent of.
It is obvious that he was a man of war. Ether 13:16: “And now Coriantumr, having studied himself in all the arts of war and all cunning of the world, wherefore he gave battle unto them who sought to destroy him”.
[Editor’s note: Coriantumr must have been strong physically and mentally as Moroni, but not as spiritual?]
Through the centuries, through all the scriptures, many good men have been men of war. King Benjamin himself fought for his people. King David in the Old Testament was a man of war. Captain Moroni, Helaman, etc. To be clearer, we need to go back to Ether: 13:14-17: “And it came to pass in that same year in which he was cast out from among the people, there began to be a great war among the people for there were many who rose up who were mighty men and sought to destroy Coriantumr by the SECRET PLANS of wickedness, of which hath been spoken”. Se we know that Coriantumr was NOT a part of the secret combinations, but he fought against them. I wonder if there is any spiritual connection between the fact that the same year that Ether “was cast out from among the people” that there became a great war because of the secret combinations. Seems that if we turn from God we reap the whirlwind. But it goes on to say: “But he (Coriantumr) repented not, neither his fair sons nor daughters, . . . . .and in fine, there were none of the fair sons and daughters upon the face of the whole earth (their land) who repented of their sins”. He arose in the days of Moron and overthrew him and gained the Kingdom. Ether does not give the name of the mighty man but then the very next king who is mentioned is Coriantumr. There is another earlier example of the name not being given when Shiblom is the king & his brother rebelled against him and becomes king. There is no name given for his brother until later when it says Shiblom was slain and “Seth” was brought into captivity for the rest of his days. It assumes that we know “Seth” is the brother. I feel this is a like situation.
Review
To review what we know: The prophet Ether was a descendant of Jared and would have been in line to have been the 27th king of the Jaredites. He was born in captivity, but since the record always documented the lineage of the kings even if they were born in captivity, as they often were; they must have been respected for that lineage or the record would not have been kept of who they were. Ether had the right to try to take back the throne for his family line (by force of course), but it is apparent that he chose to follow the Lord and somehow had spiritual teachings to know the will and mind of the Lord. It is most likely he listened to the prophets who came forth in his father, Coriantor’s day, and more than likely he was young enough to have a softened and submissive heart that was easily molded to God’s word. As was stated in the previous page, the scriptures say “the days of Ether were in the days of Coriantumr”, giving rise to the thought that Coriantumr was already king when Ether stepped forward to speak in the name of the Lord. Imagine how it must have been for Ether as he first came among the people after having been raised in a royal lineage, being next in line to be a king, but boldly declaring that the people needed to repent. Moroni says that “great and marvelous were the prophecies of Ether but the people esteemed him not.” Did they not esteem him because they knew who he was, as the son of the last rightful king who died in captivity and therefore mocked him, or was it because they were so wicked they would not have listened to ANY prophet? Ether fled and hid in the cavity of a rock and watched by night what the people were up to. Many of the people who cast him out were followers of the secret combinations in the land. We also know the scriptures say that while Ether lived in the cavity of a rock that he finished the record of the Jaredite history. It is apparent that he was already writing or abridging the history before he fled and he would have had all the information about the Jaredite history because he came from the royal family of kings through Jared and as such he had access to those records. He would have been the natural pick to make an abrigement of 1500 or more years, much like Mormon of the Nephite records.
Many hundreds of years later Moroni took Ether’s abridgement and translated it into his own language through inspiration. We will see however, that the last words Ether wrote were not while he hid in the cavity of a rock, because by the time he wrote those last words it was 12 years later and he had left that area near Moron and followed the people in battles.
To review what we know about Coriantumr: a descendant of the brother of Jared, was the son of the second mighty man who took away the kingdom from the rightful king, Moron. Even if he were the mighty man himself and not his son, it would not change the fact that Coriantumr knew Ether and his family and knew their status as the family of kings through Jared. Even if Ether was younger than Coriantumr by a few years, the two of them would know their relationship to each other. As we go along it will be shown that Coriantumr also ruled from Moron as had the 26 kings before him, thus Ether was living there too. The first Mighty Man who rose up was from inside the secret society. About the second Mighty Man, it only says there arose ANOTHER mighty man and he was a descendant of the Brother of Jared. We know almost immediately that Coriantumr fought against the Secret Society that was already entrenched in the land, and would make a formidable leader to go against the Secret Society. It does say that he had something to repent of but the Lord gave him several chances to do so, and at the end Coriantumr did try to repent and stop the fighting with Shiz, when he remembered the prophecies of Ether and he sorrowed.
As we look at those final years (12 years from the first year Ether hid in a cavity to the last battle), there must have been a reason the Lord chose Coriantumr to be the LAST of his people (besides Ether), because Ether prophesied that if he repented the Lord would give him his kingdom, (so the Lord acknowledged the kingdom as Coriantumr’s). He was their last best hope to defeat the secret combinations and if he didn’t repent there was too much evil in the land to justify saving them. They would all be destroyed, even all his household, and he only would live to see another people who would come to possess the land for their inheritance, and he would receive burial by them. (Mulekites or People of Zarahemla). My feeling is that the Lord chose Coriantumr to be the one to bridge the two civilizations and we would have that record of how they overlapped. It was God’s plan and that is why the word of the Lord came to Ether that Coriantumr would not die by the sword.
Coriantumr’s Chance to Repent
Ether 13: 18-24 : “Wherefore it came to pass that in the first year that Ether dwelt in the cavity of a rock, there were many people who were slain by the sword of those ‘secret combinations’ fighting against Coriantumr that they might obtain the kingdom (18). And it came to pass that the sons of Coriantumr fought much and bled much (19). And in the second year the word of the Lord came to Ether, that he should go and ‘prophesy unto Coriantumr’ that if he would repent, and all his household, the Lord would give unto him ‘his kingdom’ and spare the people (20). Otherwise they should be destroyed, and all his household save it were himself. And he should only live to see the fulfilling of the prophecies which had been spoken concerning another people receiving the land for their inheritance; and Coriantumr should receive a burial by them; and every soul should be destroyed save it were Coriantumr (21). And it came to pass that Coriantumr repented not, neither his household, neither the people; and they sought to kill Ether, but he fled from before them and hid again in the cavity of the rock (22). And it came to pass that there arose up Shared, and he also gave battle unto Coriantumr, and he did beat him, insomuch that in the third year he did bring him into captivity (23). And the sons of Coriantumr in the fourth year, did beat Shared, and did obtain the kingdom again unto their father” (24)
The verses above begin counting the years from the time Ether first prophesied to the people, fled and hid in a cavity and shows that Coriantumr was old enough to have sons fighting in battle, and that this begins a series of him being captured, and/or wounded. It also appears to this point the battles were all happening locally, near the land of Moron where the seat of the kingdom was. The continuing verses show how they began moving away (eastward) during their battles. At this point, Ether would have left the cavity of the rock after four years, to follow and record the outcome of the battles. Coriantumr was captured for one year, and then wounded and out of the battles for two more years as happened next.
Coriantumr’s Repeated Battles for many years
Ether 13:27-31: And it came to pass that Coriantumr was exceeding angry with Shared (for capturing him) and he went against him with his armies to battle; and they did meet in great anger; and they did meet in the valley of Gilgal; and the battle became exceedingly sore (27). And it came to pass that Shared fought against him for the space of three days. And it came to pass the Coriantumr beat him, and did pursue him until he came to the plains of Heslon (28). And it came to pass that Shared gave him battle again upon the plains; and behold, he did beat Coriantumr, and drove him back again to the valley of Gilgal (29). And Coriantumr gave Shared battle again in the valley of Gilgal, in which he beat Shared and slew him (30). And Shared wounded Coriantumr in his thigh, that he did not go to battle again for the space of two years, in the which time all the people upon the face of the land were shedding blood, and there was none to restrain them” (31).
We now add two years (total of six) to our time line, in which Coriantumr was healing from his wounds. We also see during his absence, no one could restrain the fighting. Notice they fought back and forth between the valley of Gilgal and the plains of Heslon, which seem to be away from the area of Moron.
Editor’s Note: We know when Joseph Smith said “Plains of the Nephites” he was in Illinois. Could Coriantumr have gone that far away from Moron to maybe the Ohio area? The plains Joseph speaks of were probably over the same territory that Zion’s Camp traveled from Ohio to Iowa?
Ether 14:3-8: “And now after the space of two years, and after the death of Shared, behold there arose the brother of Shared, and he gave battle unto Coriantumr, in which Coriantumr did beat him and did pursue him to the wilderness of Akish (3). And it came to pass that the brother of Shared did give battle unto him in the wilderness of Akish; and the battle became exceedingly sore, and thousands fell by the sword (4). And it came to pass that Coriantumr did lay siege to the wilderness; and the brother of Shared did march forth out of the wilderness by night; and slew a part of the army of Coriantumr , as they were drunken (5). And he came forth to the land of MORON and did place himself upon the throne of Coriantumr (6). And it came to pass that Coriantumr dwelt with his army in the wilderness for the space of two years, in which he did receive great strength to his army (7). Now the brother of Shared, whose name was Gilead, also received great strength to his armies because of the secret combinations” (8).
Important facts mentioned are: 1) Eight years total since Ether first prophesied and hid himself, and four years since the battles have been outside of Moron, as Coriantumr and what was left of his army dwelt in the wilderness of Akish for two years while they added strength to their numbers. 2) after 6 verses it finally gives the name of the brother of Shared as Gilead (like the earlier person named Seth, and like not giving the name of the ‘Mighty Man’ and the next king is Coriantumr, one must carefully watch for who is who). 3) The wilderness of Akish may have been named for an earlier usurper of the throne who introduced the secret oaths of old to the people. 4) The brother of Shared (Gilead) did go forth to the land of Moron and did place himself upon the throne of Coriantumr; 5) they were definitely fighting beyond the land of Moron for Gilead to go BACK there, 6) There was a definite “throne” in Moron that had been there since the very first kings, so the seat of government had never changed in all the 1500 or more years of Jaredite history. 7) Shared and Gilead were definitely part of the secret combinations that Coriantumr was fighting against.
[Editor’s Note: could this seat of government be the Ohio area where the Nephites called the area, the Land of Bountiful in the Nephite times?]
Ether 14:9-12: “And it came to pass that his high priest murdered him (Gilead) as he sat upon his throne (9). And it came to pass that one of the secret combinations murdered him (the high priest?) in a secret pass (password?), and obtained for himself the kingdom; and his name was Lib; and Lib was a man of great stature, more than any other man among all the people (10). And it came to pass in the first year of Lib, Coriantumr came up unto the land of Moron and gave battle unto Lib (11). And it came to pass that he fought with Lib, in which Lib did smite upon his arm that he was wounded; nevertheless the army of Coriantumr did press forward upon Lib, that he fled to the borders upon the seashore” (12).
Shiz
Looks like Coriantumr got enough reinforcements to go back up to Moron and reclaim his throne and then to begin to put Lib and his men on the run. We know that they are continuing to go eastward in their battles and they are somewhere along the borders of the seashore. I now think that the last verse is talking about the northern shores of what Lake Erie was at that time. The Great Black Swamp was what remained of a much larger Lake Erie that extended SW into northern Ohio and Indiana. A map of this is above. The lakes were all larger in those days. Evidence of that has been documented by geologists & archeologists so those places would be more inland today. The two armies fought between seashore and plains & Coriantumr kills Lib (who had the greatest stature in the land, which says something about the endurance of Coriantumr, since he has been wounded a few times already and will endure more severe wounds). After the next few verses in Chapter 14, we meet the last foe of Coriantumr in the person of Lib’s brother, Shiz. Verse 17-18 say: “Now the name of the brother of Lib was called Shiz. And it came to pass that Shiz pursued after Coriantumr, and he did overthrow many cities, and he did slay both women and children, and did burn the cities (17). And there went up a fear a Shiz throughout all the land; yea, a cry went forth throughout the land – Who can stand before the army of Shiz? Behold, he sweepeth the earth before him” (18).
The scriptures tell us that “so swift and speedy was the war that there was none left to bury the dead, but they did march forth from the shedding of blood to the shedding of blood, leaving the bodies of both men, women and children strewed upon the face of the land . . . . and the scent thereof went forth upon all the face of the land, wherefore the people became troubled by day and by night, because of the scent thereof. Nevertheless Shiz did not cease to pursue Coriantumr, for he had sworn to avenge himself upon Coriantumr of the blood of his brother, who had been slain, and the word of the Lord which came to Ether that Coriantumr should not fall by the sword.”(Ether 14:22-24). “And it came to pass that Shiz did pursue Coriantumr eastward, even to the borders of the seashore, and there he gave battle unto Shiz for the space of three days”(verse 26).
The armies of Shiz and Coriantumr camped in various valleys, would do battle and then pursued again, while all the people would flock to either Shiz’s side or to the side of Coriantumr, but no one was left alive unless they joined one or the other. No matter how bad it seemed for Coriantumr, the word of the Lord had come to Ether that Coriantumr would not die by the sword, even though he was severely wounded a number of times already. But to add yet another wound, we read in Ether 14:30: “And it came to pass that Shiz smote upon Coriantumr that he gave him many deep wounds; and Coriantumr, having lost his blood, fainted, and was carried away as though he was dead”.
Final Chapter of Ether
In the final chapter of Ether, almost all the verses are full of potent information. To summarize: When Coriantumr recovered from his wounds, he began to remember the words which Ether had spoken unto him. He saw that there had already been slain nearly 2 million of his people: men, women and children; and he began to sorrow in his heart. He began to repent of the evil he had done, all in the name of fighting against the secret combinations, which he thought was justified. But he saw that all the prophecies had been fulfilled and he mourned & refused to be comforted. He wrote an epistle to Shiz to say he would give him the kingdom if the fighting would stop, for the sake of the lives of the people. But the offer was rejected by Shiz because the condition was that Coriantumr would have to let Shiz kill him. Nevertheless, the people on both sides still were angry and kept fighting anyway and Coriantumr’s side was losing, so they fled again until the got to the waters of Ripliancum, which meant “large to exceed all”. This is in reference to present day Lake Ontario, and given the earlier times the Lake was even larger than now and there were and are many other bodies of water close by known today was the “Finger Lake” region. The day after they camped there, they went to battle again and it was “exceedingly sore”. Coriantumr was wounded yet again and he fainted for loss of blood. But the armies of Coriantumr pressed on against Shiz so that Shiz’ armies fled and they pitched their tents southward from the waters in a place called by them “Ogath”. Coriantumr’s army pitched their tents by the hill “Ramah”, which is where the Nephites also fought their last battles and where Mormon hid up the records in the hill Cumorah, it being the same hill.
Ether 15:12-14: “And it came to pass that they did gather together all the people upon all the face of the land, who had not been slain, save it was Ether. And it came to pass that Ether did behold all the doings of the people, and he beheld that the people who were for Coriantumr were gathered together to the army of Coriantumr, and the people who were for Shiz were gathered together to the army of Shiz. Wherefore they were for the space of four years gathering together the people that they might get all who were upon the face of the land, and they might receive all the strength which it was possible that they could receive” (included men, women and children, old and young, all armed for war). Four more years added to our previous eight totals 12 years since Ether first hid in the cavity, and 8 years that he followed the battles and the doings of the people, recording all of it. Strange to think of the parallels between the Jaredites and the Nephite battles to extinction. Not only did they camp and fight their final battles in the same place, but Mormon had an agreement with the Lamanites that he also had four years to gather forces together and to built defenses,
When they went to battle again after those 4 years of gathering people and making preparations, they would fight all day and at night“ they would rend the air with their cries and their howlings, and their mournings, for the loss of their people”. This happened after two days of terrible battle.
Ether 15:19: “And it came to pass that Coriantumr wrote again an epistle unto Shiz, desiring that he would not come again to battle, but that he would take the kingdom, and spare the lives of the people. But the spirit of the Lord had ceased striving with the people; for they were given up unto the hardness of their hearts.” Thus followed 6 more days of similar battles, with the people crying all night and sleeping on their swords, then fighting again the next day. Then came to the final two days when there were 32 people of Shiz and 27 people of Coriantumr left. All together this final slaughter lasted eight days.
Ether 15:26-27: “And it came to pass that they ate and slept and prepared for death on the morrow. And they were large and mighty men as to the strength of men. And it came to pass that they fought for the space of three hours and they fainted for the loss of blood.
After they rested until they could walk, Coriantumr and his men were going to flee for their lives, but Shiz would not let that be as he has sworn he would kill Coriantumr. So they all fought again till everyone was killed excepted Shiz and Coriantumr, and Shiz had fainted with the loss of blood. So Coriantumr rested on his sword for a little and then “smote off the head of Shiz” Then Coriantumr fell to the earth and fainted as if he were dead. Those were the last words we hear about Coriantumr in the Book of Ether, but we know it was NOT THE END for him yet. Ether himself, who must have carried his belongings and the record he was keeping with him all those 8 years while he followed the people in battle, wrote a few more words in his record after he surveyed the final battle scene.
Ether 15: 33-34: (Moroni tells us) “And the Lord spake unto Ether, and said unto him: Go forth. And he went forth, and beheld that the words of the Lord had all been fulfilled; and he finished his record; (and the hundreth part I have not written), and he hid them in the manner that the people of Limhi did find them. Now the last words which are written by Ether are these: Whether the Lord will that I be translated, or that I suffer the will of the Lord in the flesh, it mattereth not, if it so be that I am saved in the Kingdom of God.
The rest of the story is found in two places in the scriptures. The Book of Omni, written between the years 279-130 BC, by 5 different authors (short histories) gives the account of Mosiah who took the people of Nephi out of the Land of Nephi and were lead away from their enemies the Lamanites, to a land called Zarahemla. The people of Zarahemla were the people called Mulekites, and their leader at that time was named Zarahemla. They were the people who the Prophet Ether told Coriantumr would be given the land of promise in their stead and that he would be given burial by them.
The account given in Omni and in Mosiah describe the Nephite’s relationship with the Mulekites, and how Mosiah was chosen to be the king over both peoples (Nephites and Mulekites). After the Mulekites learned the Nephite language, they brought a large stone to Mosiah to translate. That stone told the story of Coriantumr, and it must have been engraved by Coriantumr himself. But the history of the Jaredite nation itself written by Ether and was left for the people of Limhi to find, was translated a while later when 24 plates of gold were discovered and then translated into what we know as the Book of Ether, which we have just been quoting from these last 14 pages. The stone which Mosiah translated by the gift and power of God, told of Coriantumr and the slain of his people. “And Coriantumr was discovered by the people of Zarahemla; and he dwelt with them for the space of nine moons. And it also spoke a few words about his father’s. And his first parents came out from the tower, at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people; and the severity of the Lord fell upon them according to his judgments, which are just; and their bones lay scattered in the land northward.”
Some of the following is speculation but balanced with what the scriptures say and what is plausible.
Archeologists call the civilization that matches the time line of the Jaredites in North America by the name of “Adena’. Various timelines are given for the conical mounds and earthworks that date back to 2000 BC if not older. When we search the record for where these places are, as I stated on page one of this narrative, they range from the East Coast to the Mississippi River and to the Gulf Coast where a few earthworks have been found dating that far back. The Book of Ether gives the history of the Jaredites only where Ether lived, the Land of Moron, and the genealogy of the ruling families. We have established that the people he wrote about were all living around the Great Lakes of North America, and those particular people, who were in the millions, all died within a couple of hundred miles from where they had lived for possibly 2000 years before their final battle.
But what about the evidence of other Jaredite or “Adena” people living in much of North America and parts of Mexico, known as the “Olmecs”? I think they kept their own records, in their own system of keeping records and at this point we depend on further findings to know more. But we do know they were mound builders, and being they were a people of large stature (giants to us), their mounds were much larger than the later Mulekites and Nephites, & they were conical. Where is the evidence of these other colonies of Jaredites? In those final years of battle, did couriers search out these other cities and plead with them to join the fight? Did some of them stay behind & marry in with later Mulekites, Lamanites or Nephites?
When Coriantumr lay as if he were dead on the last battle field, did Ether find him and help him to heal up (obviously Ether knew he was alive or he would not put it in his record)? Coriantumr was very strong or he could not have survived as many as 5 almost fatal battle wounds and still go back into battle. It is just speculation, but it took him up to 2 years to heal up on two different occasions, so it may have taken him that long to heal again after Ether found him. Moroni says he didn’t even write a hundredth part of Ether’s record, so there is no way of knowing what it might have said about what Ether and Coriantumr dealt with after that battle, but I think they were bound together from the start to the finish.
I like to think it was during those years of healing physically that Coriantumr began healing spiritually, under Ether’s tutelage. I also like to think that during that time Coriantumr found the stone that he began engraving his history on. Because of the millions of bodies laying upon the open earth for many miles in every direction, I think the stench would have driven both Ether and Coriantumr back towards the Land of Moron. Some of the horrible battles started close to Moron, so they would have to travel several hundred miles west to get away from the stench as it lessened over time.
[Editor’s Note: Ether and Coriantumr could also have floated down the Ohio river to Illinois which is classified as the Land Zarahemla and that is where Coriantumr was found. Remember if he had a large stone, he probably would not be carrying it, but rather bringing it by boat all the way from Cumorah area to Illinois. Ether could have died on the trip so Coriantumr was alone when the Mulekites found him.]
Coriantumr was given the Personal message from God through Ether that basically it was all or nothing. It was the final count down for when a new civilization was about to come to their shores. Either he could repent and set his own house in order, thereby being able to rid the land of the secret combinations with the Lord’s help, or the land would be totally cleansed, himself and his household included. Coriantumr could live among them as a righteous people if they repented, or the land would have a reset and start anew. This land is a covenant land, and their first fathers knew that when they were brought here. Now, two descendants of Jared and the brother of Jared were set to play their parts to redeem the land or to cleanse it; to finish what had been started. This so reminds me of where we are now in our own time, in the world and in our own country; this “promised land”. We have been given another chance to rid ourselves of the corruption the secret combinations have infiltrated us with, by turning to God in prayer and morality, to regain what has been lost of our freedom, which have been severely undermined.
We have been warned by Moroni as he translated the Book of Ether. He saw our time and the parallels of our own destruction with those of the Jaredites and the Nephites and hoped we would be wiser. He had seen what those secret combinations had done within his own culture, and now he was reading how it destroyed the Jaredite civilization and he knew what it would require to fight it. Do we have a Coriantumr among us? We need someone who knows the ways of the enemy to pre-empt them.
“Wherefore, oh ye gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not these murderous combinations should get above you, which are built up to get power and gain. And the work, yea even the work of destruction come upon you, yea even the sword of justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be”. “Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you, or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up”. (Ether 8:23-24).
No record is available to us at this time that gives us a hint about how long Coriantumr lived before the people of Mulek “discovered” him. The scriptures say that “he only would live to see the fulfilling of the prophecies which had been spoken concerning another people receiving the land for their inheritance and he should receive a burial by them.” Actually it does not say that he would be the “only one”, it says that “he only would live to see the fulfilling . .” etc.
Mulek down the St Lawrence?
One thing we would know for certain, when the people of Mulek came *down the St. Lawrence Seawaythey would not have stayed in that area any longer than they had to because of all the death and stench that would have lingered for years, and we know that for them to have “discovered” him it would have been only a short time after the final battles, no matter where they would have found him. They would not have lingered anymore than Coriantumr would have, neither would Ether have stayed there. No one could have tolerated the smell or the scene of death that was pervasive everywhere. Coriantumr would never have stayed with them for nine moons in that environment. They connected somewhere further inland, and it may have been close to the land of Moron as they traveled a route that we do not know of, to their final land of Zarahemla. When they “discovered” Coriantumr, did he know of the area the Mulekites would call “Zarahemla” from previous travels and actually direct them there? How did they determine the land of Zarahemla would be their permanent home unless someone told them it would be a desirable place? The Lord certainly would have guided them, but so often he does the guiding by others or uses other circumstances to bring about his purposes.
I feel he traveled with them to what was later known as “Zarahemla” and that is why they had the stone with them there on the Mississippi River, or River Sidon as it was known then. How big would the stone have to be to have Coriantumr’s own history on it? If the 24 tablets had ALL of the Jaredite history, would this stone have been of a manageable size to have been carried with the travelers until they got to the Land of Zarahemla, or did Coriantumr engrave on it during the 9 moons he was with them? Was the ancient, pure language that the Jaredites spoke from the tower, the same language that Ether made his record with? Was that language still close enough to the Mulekite language when they first came from Jerusalem, that they could understand Coriantumr? That was approximately 400 years before Mosiah found the Mulekites and before their language had been corrupted by having no records of their own to learn from. What we do know, is that the stone was with the people of Zarahemla on the banks of the Sidon River when Mosiah discovered them. What became of it? Was it buried in the earthquakes that happened during the time of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion?
The stone had to have been engraved by Coriantumr himself, because only he was left to record his own history and the slain of his people. He may well have started writing his history before the Mulekites found him, but he finished it in Zarahemla. He himself could have also put the words “and their bones lay scattered in the land northward”. It is obvious he wrote “northward” because he was not living in that land when he wrote it on the stone. He was southward in the land Zarahemla. He was given burial by the Mulekites in the land of Zarahemla. We feel he was buried along the Mississippi (Sidon) River. (Editor’s Note: This is why I think the Mulekites came up the Mississippi river to Zarahemla not by way of the St Lawrence River See * below). But the mystery: since the Mulekites did not keep a written language, and Coriantumr could not have recorded his own death or say that he lived with them 9 moons and received burial by them, who wrote that? The answer to me is that the Mulekites, like all Native Americans through thousands of years, kept an oral history, and one person was appointed to learn that history verbatim, and teach his successor. I think when the stone was brought to Mosiah to be translated, the Mulekites themselves shared that bit of information, and maybe also the fact that “their bones lay scattered in the land northward”. Or were there other colonies of Jaredites who lived along the Mississippi River (Sidon) who did not join the last fight in the Eastern lands? Perhaps only the nation of Jaredites in the East joined the battles, and it was their nation that was destroyed. Did the Mulekites intermarry with some of those Jaredites, and did one of them write the final words about Coriantumr’s death?
By the time Coriantumr died he was more than likely mellowed by age, his body worn out by repeated near fatal wounds and hard exertion, and more than likely bad nutrition. He would have been through the repentance process and had a clearer picture of what and why it all happened. One thing for sure, like Noah’s flood cleansed the earth to be re-populated in righteousness, Coriantumr was the instrument of God to cleanse the Promised Land of the secret combinations for the newly arriving Mulekites and Nephites. It could have ended differently, if Coriantumr had come to himself and repented sooner, but God knew the end from the beginning.
Think what you may, I feel that God uses who and how He will. On that final battlefield, Ether found the still living Coriantumr, as he knew he would, because the word of the Lord had come to Ether before that, saying that Coriantumr would not die by the sword.
Descendants of Jared and the Brother of Jared
These two men stood together upon that scene of death, called of God for two different purposes. One was a descendant of the Brother of Jared; the other a descendant of Jared, bringing to pass what God had told their ancestors to begin with those thousands of years ago; that this was a covenant land, and all who the Lord brought here would serve the Lord or be wiped off. These two men were linked together from the beginning to the end. I feel that noble, long-suffering Ether helped Coriantumr to his feet and on his way to sanity and healing, and to God. I think Coriantumr’s basic nature was good; that he felt keenly about protecting his people from the secret combinations that had corrupted his land. I think he was powerfully strong and fit to have endured the kind of physical beating he put himself through. I think he let pride, anger and violence get the best of him. I think he paid the price and repented. I like to think Coriantumr is happy now.
*Mulekites- From St Lawrence Seaway or the Mississippi River? You decide.
Could the Mulekites come from Jerusalem through the St Lawrence Seaway and then settled in Montrose Iowa which we call Zarahemla? Yes! Some of us believe however that they may have come from Jerusalem the same way Lehi got here. Lehi landed near Apalachicola, FL and Mulek arrived at the mouth of the Mississippi River and then continued up river and was stopped at the Des Moines River rapids near Keokuk, Iowa.
The main scripture I like is Omni 1:15-16 to verify the Mississippi route which says, “Behold, it came to pass that Mosiah discovered that the people of Zarahemla came out from Jerusalem at the time that Zedekiah, king of Judah, was carried away captive into Babylon. And they journeyed in the wilderness, and were brought by the hand of the Lord across the great waters, into the land where Mosiah discovered them; and they had dwelt there from that time forth.”
In other words the Mulekites stayed at the same place that they landed when Mosiah discovered them. (Straight route from the Mississippi River to Iowa). Through the St Lawrence seaway and then through the Great Lakes and Lake Erie they would have to land near Detroit, MI and then walk by foot or take a new route of rivers from Detroit to Iowa approximately 500 miles away.
If the Mulekites came by way of the St Lawrence then the Great Lakes through Lake Michigan and landed in Chicago, they still would have to walk about 270 miles to Iowa.
“And they gave an account of one Coriantumr, and the slain of his people. And Coriantumr was discovered by the people of Zarahemla; and he dwelt with them for the space of nine moons.” Omni 1:21
The people of Zarahemla (Mulekites) could have picked up Coriantumr near Hill Cumorah or the Lake Ontario as some believe, or the people of Zarahemla could have picked up Coriantumr where he traveled to. In other words, Coriantumr didn’t die and may have taken a few months to heal up. When he was healed he could have taken the Allegheny River to the connecting Ohio river which runs all the way to the Head of Sidon, (Where the Ohio and Mississippi meet), where anyone from the Land of Zarahemla (Illinois, Missouri, Iowa) could have found him.
You decide. I like the Mississippi route. Rian Nelson See Blog Here
“The medicinal values of this plant are unquestionable. The Mass Spec/Gas Chromatography results place it as the topmost potent essential oil in the world. Cursory Areal Correspondence Analysis show the plant geographic distribution in the US is strongly correlated with the Hopewell geographic distribution.
Something most of you do not know is that I also found other plants growing on the berm of great medicinal value, and one was known for the medicinal value of its roots just as Alma describes. This plant was growing among the Spotted Bee Balm. We also found a species of close relationship growing in the Jerusalem area that was used by the people of the area probably back to the time of Lehi, so Lehi and his family would have quickly recognized its value when they found it first in Florida where the plant follows the Hopewell trail.
Tall upright stems are topped by unusual and dramatic tufted lavender-pink flower bracts surrounding creamy yellow leopard-spotted blooms from June to August. These highly adaptable plants grow to two feet in height and their long-lasting blooms are greatly attractive to bees, hummingbirds and many butterflies. Highest level of the chemical “Thymol” in all the mints. It can be used for a variety of medicinal purposes, usually being external. Plants prefer moderately moist but well-drained soil in full sun but will tolerate poor soils, some shade and a reasonable amount of drought once established.
The plant has been studied for is ability to protect people during times of bacterial and viral biological warfare. We found it to have 56 compounds and it is MUCH more effective in controlling antibiotic resistant bacterial strains when used as a whole essential oil as opposed to isolated compounds such as just the thymol or the carvacrol, which are its two most abundant compounds. So, synthesized thymol or carvacrol are much less effective for disease control. The synergistic effects of the 56 combined compounds are what makes it much more effective.
I have attached the white paper that Dana Young, Wayne May and I wrote on the plant. In this white paper we discussion many facts about the plant and tell you about the most common compounds in the plant, but we do not know that some of the less abundant compounds are not very important to the effectiveness of the plant – the Hopewell and Native Americans certainly knew of this plants importance.” Kevin Price PhD.
Bee Balm belongs to the mint family. Also known as Horsemint, it is a flowering scented herb that is native to the United States. If you brush, crush or cut the plant, a refreshing lemony citrus fragrance is released. It attracts all types of pollinators; honeybees, bumblebees, miner bees, plasterer bees, butterflies and hummingbirds! The leaves and flowers of Bee Balm are used in a tea commonly known as Oswego tea, drunk by several Native American tribes. From the Lakota to the Ojibwa to the Navajo, many tribes used this plant for fevers, colds, coughs, nausea, digestion, and acne. Today it is commonly used to help treat digestive & upper respiratory tract issues.
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To those interested in other medicinally valuable plants found growing among the Spotted Bee Balm, I took pictures of all the major plants growing on the Zarahemla temple site and attached pictures of two other plants growing on the same mound and among the Spotted Bee Balm.
Alma 46:40 “And there were some who died with fevers, which at some seasons of the year were very frequent in the land—but not so much so with fevers, because of the excellent qualities of the many plants and roots which God had prepared to remove the cause of diseases, to which men were subject by the nature of the climate” (I added the bold type to emphasis points)
Notice that the disease that caused fever was seasonal. Malaria was very common in the US and it is estimated that over 1 million of the soldiers in the US Civil War had malaria. It was no eradicated from the US until the 1950s. DDT was used for its eradication. As a kid I remember planes flying over my home town of Green River, Utah spraying DDT to kill mosquitoes.
In addition to the fever, other plants were used for their medicinal values. It is possible that two other plants were Flower Spurge and Common Evening Primrose shown in the pictures from the Zarahemla temple site. Notice it is mostly the Flowering Spurge roots that are used.
FLOWERING SPURGE (Euphorbia corollata) related to Baby’s breath (white flowered plant)
Part used – rootstock
Medicinal use of Wild Spurge [Flowering spurge]:
The dried root is an excellent purgative [laxative], though it sometimes causes vomiting, it opens the body when other more violent purgatives fail to move it. The plant has irritating and uncertain qualities and so is seldom used in herbal medicine. A tea made from the leaves is used in the treatment of diabetes. An infusion of the bruised roots has been taken in the treatment of urinary diseases. The juice of the plant has been rubbed on the skin as a treatment for sores, eruptions etc., especially on children’s heads. A decoction of the plant, mixed with other herbs (these are not specified) has been used in the treatment of cancer.
COMMON EVENING PRIMROSE (Oenothera biennis) Yellow flowers
Medicinal use of Evening Primrose:
The bark and the leaves are astringent and sedative. They have proved of use in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders of a functional origin, whooping cough and asthma. A syrup made from the flowers is also an effective treatment for whooping cough. The bark is stripped from the flowering stem and dried for later use, the leaves are also harvested and dried at this time. Evening primrose oil has become a well-known food supplement since the 1980″s. Research suggests that the oil is potentially very valuable in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, premenstrual tension, hyperactivity etc. It is also taken internally in the treatment of eczema, acne, brittle nails, rheumatoid arthritis and alcohol-related liver damage. Regular consumption of the oil helps to reduce blood cholesterol levels and lower the blood pressure. The seed is a good source of gamma-linolenic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid which assists the production of hormone-like substances. This process is commonly blocked in the body, causing disorders that affect the uterine muscles, nervous system and metabolism. The poulticed root is applied to piles and bruises. A tea made from the roots is used in the treatment of obesity and bowel pains.
Kevin Price, PhD Biogeography (Plant Ecology) Presentation: Rapidly Emerging Technologies for Archaeological Site Surveys and Virtual Reality 3D Modeling: Looking for the Great City of Zarahemla Watch Hereor Subscribe Here
Dr. Kevin Price grew up in the small town of Green River, Utah (watermelon country). He served as a missionary for two years in the California, Anaheim mission under the leadership of Elder Rex C. Reeves. He attended Rick’s College (now BYU-Idaho), then transferred to BYU in Provo where he met his wife, Melinda and was married in the Salt Lake Temple. He has two daughters; Kaylie is director of marketing for a company in Wisconsin and Julia is in her last semester at BYU in the School of Business. Kevin severed in his Kansas ward as the High Priest’s Group Leader, Gospel Doctrine Instructor and Secretary to the Young Men’s program. He now serves as the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator.
He did his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at BYU in Rangeland Ecology and Ph.D. at the University of Utah in Geography specializing in biogeography (plant ecology), remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) (or computerized mapping and analysis). He was a professor for 3 years at Utah State University, 19 years at the University of Kansas and 6 years at Kansas State University. He has conducted research throughout the world and has been the Keynote or Invited speaker on drone applications in agriculture and natural resource management throughout the world at over 100 conferences. He served as a scientific advisor to NASA, NOAA and a former US Secretary of State.
Kevin is currently the Chief Emerging Technologies Officer for Air Data Solutions with offices throughout the US. He analyzes drone and airplane acquired imagery including natural color, color infrared, thermal and LiDAR.
Captain Trump was the chief commander of the Patriot armies. He was a strong and mighty man who loved the Lord and loved his people. He had sworn with an oath to protect his people from Biden and the New World Order.
Captain Trump was preparing his Patriots to defend themselves and reveal all the evils of the New World Order. The Satan Worship and Child Sacrifices, the buying and selling of the Children, the illegal control over the big Pharma, big Oil and other large corporations, the illegal exchange of money and evil taxes on the Patriots along with every other impure and evil practice of this New World Order.
“And he fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land—
Alvin Smith’s grave is located in the Swift Cemetery just south of Four Corners in Palmyra, New York. (See red circle left). It is located just a half mile from the Grandin Press. See the 
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The majority of Mesoamerican theorists believe that Moroni deposited the gold plates in a hill, in NY, but not necessarily the Hill Cumorah in New York as we call it. These same theorists also believe the final battles of the Nephites and Lamanites to be somewhere in Mesoamerica. In other words they believe there are two Hill Cumorah’s which is why we call it the M2C Theory. I don’t agree with this perspective. You can read about 
“We had proceeded a little over a mile on the road when the driver of the carriage pointed out a hill to us on our left, which he said was “Mormon Hill.” We supposed that by this he meant Cumorah. Though in its general appearance it resembled the descriptions we had had of Cumorah, yet we were somewhat disappointed in its size, as it was not so high a hill as many others which we saw in the neighborhood. In fact, as we rode along, we saw several hills which we thought more like what we imagined Cumorah to be than the one pointed out to us. We rode on for probably two miles farther, conversing but very little and each absorbed in his own reflections, when we saw, immediately in front of us. a hill that rose suddenly, almost precipitously, from the plain. Brother Brigham, Jun., remarked when we saw it: “There is a hill which agrees in appearance with my idea of Cumorah.“
In the October 1834 Messenger and Advocate [the Church newspaper in Kirtland, Ohio], Oliver Cowdery wrote: “These were days never to be forgotten to sit under the sound of a voice dictated by the inspiration of heaven, awakened the utmost gratitude of this bosom! Day after day I continued, uninterrupted, to write from his mouth, as he translated, with the Urim and Thummim, or, as the Nephites would have said, ‘Interpreters,’ the history or record called ‘The Book of Mormon’” (Messenger and Advocate, 1:14; Also known as 
