Heartland Research Group headed by Dr. John Lefgren, and Mike and Betty LaFontaine have begun a new dig for artifacts near the proposed location of Zarahemla in the Book of Mormon. (D&C 125). This dig has begun as of June 25, 2025 and will continue until at least the middle of August 2025. The world is welcome.

Heartland Research already has commitments from at least 20 individuals from all over who will be coming to Iowa the assist in finding pottery, arrowheads, and other ancient artifacts. There will be a recognized archaeologist certifying this archaeological dig as well.

In a dig from April 2025 south of this location, Heartland Research found over 30 artifacts. That dig was not a professional dig with certified archaeologists, but that is the focus on the one happening today.

Come and join us as a volunteer as we look in the earth for evidence of the physical reality of the Book of Mormon. Call Mike at 904-635-4476 or Dr. John at 484-548-3350. To donate see their website at phoenicia.rocks.

1799 Land Grant in Montrose Iowa (Zarahemla)

Letter to:
DEPARTMENT CHAIR, Dr. Mike SearcyANTHROPOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Brigham Young University
800 KMBL
Provo, UT 84602-5522

Dr. Searcy,

A new development needs to be brought to your attention. Last week, we reached an agreement with Jim Slater, whose family has owned one of the most significant sites in American history for two generations. Early colonization of North America was heavily influenced by the French and English. An area that would later become Montrose was the first place where a European government recognized the ownership of land in Iowa with the grant of 6,000 acres by the French Governor in 1799, at the opening of the Keokuk Gorge and the Des Moines Rapids on the Upper Mississippi. The land grant was made before President Thomas Jefferson made the Louisiana Purchase from Napoleon in 1803.

Native American history and American history are intertwined with the twenty acres of the land grant. Des Moines rapids produced thousands of tons of fish. We are now beginning to dig at a site that has had more artifacts per acre than any other in North America.

We have an agreement where we can open many test pits by digging down to the bedrock of the Keokuk Limestone.

Our search for the lost history of America will begin this week when we set up a 10′ x 20′ canopy. Russian scientists are already involved in our search. We will have a dozen people helping us with the dig. Mormon history is associated with the site. For thousands of wagons leaving Illinois for the Mormon Trail, this site was a dumping ground before crossing the Great American Plain.

We are grateful that we can begin this dig. We invite you and your students to join us as we open up an area that is sure to be rich in history.

Please call me at 484-548-3350 to discuss what we are beginning to do. Here is a link that gives some additional information. phoenicia.rocks

Best Regards,

John Lefgren, PhD
Heartland Research Inc