Gathering Israel – Two Sticks, Two Lands

The Heartland Research Group with John Lefgren, Mike and Betty LaFontaine and their entire team, are continually studying research from the Old World and the New World as a testimony that Jesus is the Christ.

In essence they are helping the world join the two Sticks of Ezekiel where it says in the introduction of Ezekiel in the LDS King James Version Bible, “Ezekiel is shown the valley of dry bones—Israel will inherit the land in the Resurrection—The stick of Judah (the Bible) and the stick of Joseph (the Book of Mormon) will become one in the Lord’s hand—The children of Israel will be gathered and cleansed—David (the Messiah) will reign over them—They will receive the everlasting gospel covenant.” This research is becoming a very significant archaeological and ground breaking reunion of the House of Israel. A “miracle book” from the earth [Stone Box at Cumorah] is a sure witness that the “Last Days” are at hand. The rejoining of the Lord’s people and histories from Promised Lands of Israel and America, is a witness to the world of Christ’s ultimate love for all of His people on every continent.

The connection of the Old World Phoenicians, likely bringing some of tribe of Judah like Mulek to America is of significance, as we join the two worlds. The ‘Phoenicia’ Voyages of 2009 and 2020 are an ideal test of the veracity of the Book of Mormon account. Former English Navy Captain Philip Beale, shows not only that the materials and technology of 600 BC allowed him to construct an ocean-going vessel representative of both Lehi’s group and the Mulekites voyages, as they may have crossed the Atlantic and landed near Florida in North America Blog Here You can now assist Heartland Research by donating or helping them re-construct that ship in Montrose, Iowa. Donate Here

Every land the Lord has created and every person, are alike unto God. However, God chose a specific place for His people to have the ability to carry out His promises to share the world with His Gospel. The Lord chose two lands, the Holy Land, and land of Adam and his posterity here in America.

As Pres. Hinckley said, “I should like to say a few words about America…No land is without its beauty, no people without their virtues, and I hope that you who come from elsewhere will pardon my saying a few words concerning my own native land, America…surely this is a good land, a choice land, a chosen land. To me it is a miracle, a creation of the Almighty.” Gordon B. Hinckley Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled”, BYU Speeches of the Year, October 29, 1974, pp. 267-68 )

Why did the Lord chose North America? “…in culmination of the grand scheme of schemes, this great nation, the Republic of the United States, might be established upon this land as an asylum for the oppressed; a resting place, it might be said, for the Ark of the covenant, where the temple of our God might be built; where the plan of salvation might be introduced and practiced in freedom, and not a dog would wag his tongue in opposition to the purposes of the Almighty. We believe that this was His object in creating the Republic of the United States; the only land where his work could be commenced or the feet of his people find rest. No other land had such liberal institutions, had adopted so broad a platform upon which all men might stand. We give glory to those patriots for the noble work they did; but we give the first glory to God, our Father and their Father, who inspired them. We take them by the hand as brothers. We believe they did nobly their work, even as we would fain do ours, faithfully and well, that we might not be recreant in the eyes of God, for failing to perform the mission to which He has appointed us.” Bishop Orson F. Whitney, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, April 19, 1885. Reported by John Irvine. Journal Discourses Volume 26 Page 201

Broken Covenants- Children of Ancient Biblical Israel

From the ground comes compelling evidence of broken covenants with the Lord in Palestine from the Northern Tribes of Israel in 722 BC and the Southern Tribes in 586 BC along with the once mighty nations of the Jaredites [Apx 500 BC] and the Nephites [Apx 400 AD] on North American soil. The Lord is gathering Israel in these last days, with the House of Israel being once again joined together as the Tribe of Joseph, and the Tribe of Judah.

Judges CHAPTER 2

The Lord was righteously angry at the original Children of Israel  Scripture says, “And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant.” Judges 2:20

“An angel rebukes Israel for not serving the Lord—As a pattern of future events, a new generation arises that forsakes the Lord and serves Baal and Ashtaroth—The Lord is angry with the children of Israel and ceases to preserve them—He raises up judges to guide and lead them—The Canaanites are left in the land to test Israel.” Heading, Judges Chapter2

Broken Covenants- Children of Book of Mormon Israel

Jaredites:
“And he had sworn in his wrath unto the brother of Jared, that whoso should possess this land of promise, from that time henceforth and forever, should serve him, the true and only God, or they should be swept off when the fulness of his wrath should come upon them.” Ether 2:8

Nephites:
“Behold, it is expedient that much should be done among this people, because of the hardness of their hearts, and the deafness of their ears, and the blindness of their minds, and the stiffness of their necks; nevertheless, God is exceedingly merciful unto them, and has not as yet swept them off from the face of the land.” Jarom 1:3

“Therefore, repent ye, and humble yourselves before him, lest he shall come out in justice against you—lest a remnant of the seed of Jacob shall go forth among you as a lion, and tear you in pieces, and there is none to deliver.” Mormon 5:24

Every American is under Covenant with the Lord, which covenant was made by General George Washington on September 22, 1789 at his inauguration. Earlier Washington said, “Come then, my Brethren, unite with us in an indissoluble Union, let us run together to
the same Goal.—We have taken up Arms in Defence of our Liberty, our Property, our
Wives, and our Children, we are determined to preserve them, or die.[Compare Moroni’s Title of Liberty statement.] Washington continues, “We look forward with Pleasure to that Day not far remote (we hope) when the Inhabitants of America shall have one Sentiment, and the full Enjoyment of the Blessings of a free Government.” The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 1, 16 June 1775?–?15

Stay Centered in the Covenant Path

Our dear Prophet has said, “Today, I spoke from my heart to the Saints in what is often referred to as the heartland of the United States. I shared with my brothers and sisters in Oklahoma and Kansas that their geographic location is a metaphor for how, and where, the Lord wants us to live—in the center of His covenant path and in the center of our temple covenants. He also wants us to understand the central core of His doctrine and message, which is why He has given us the gift of the Book of Mormon.

The Book of Mormon centers on Jesus Christ. It contains the very heart of His message. It was written for us, in our day, for our lives. As we study, ponder, and apply the principles taught within its pages, we will receive strength to center our lives in Jesus Christ and enjoy the joyful blessings that He promises us, now and forever.” Russell M. Nelson Oct 17, 2021 on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/russell.m.nelson/posts/today-i-spoke-from-my-heart-to-the-saints-in-what-is-often-referred-to-as-the-he/434650214688535/

The Battle of Cannae by Heartland Research

“On August 2, 216 BC, near the ancient village of Cannae in Apulia, southeast Italy, there was a battle between the Roman Republic and Carthage during the Second Punic War. Hannibal led the Carthaginians and their allies in encircling and destroying a larger Roman army under Lucius Aemilius Paullus and Gaius Terentius Varro. The battle is regarded as one of the worst defeats in military history. For Hannibal’s army, it was an impressive tactical feat. Hannibal’s reputation as one of antiquity’s greatest tacticians was cemented by this victory.

Today, we would be using the Phoenician Alphabet instead of the Roman Alphabet if Hannibal had succeeded in his campaign against the Romans. The Battle of Cannae profoundly impacted Western history. There is a great deal of information about Hannibal in Roman records. The Romans burned the libraries when they destroyed Carthage, so few records from the Phoenician side have survived.

We know the location of the Battle of Cannae, so we expect the horrific battle on August 2, 216 BC, to be documented archaeologically.

There are records of 85 thousand dead bodies in an area of only a few square miles. This great battle should have left bones, swords, and breastplates in the dirt. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that the great battle took place. The location of that battle is undeniable. Remember, Hannibal’s army had 37 elephants when it crossed the Alps. We might expect to find a broken piece of an elephant’s toenail in Cannae.

The Roman and Punic armies used metal weapons. An ancient battle of significant proportions was described in ancient records. The field of a few square miles was crammed with over 130,000 warriors, and the first day of the war left at least 60,000 dead, according to conservative estimates. On the Roman side, it was one of the deadliest days in history. What evidence can be found in the archeological record of this battle? As of today, there is no evidence. Cannae has a clean field with nothing to show for one of history’s great battles.

The Hill Cumorah

There are two leading contenders for the location of the final stand of one of America’s great armies. Some say that Cumorah is in Palmyra, New York; others say that Cumorah is some unknown hill in Middle America 2,000 miles south. According to many, the Hill Cumorah in New York has no archaeological evidence of the great battle where General Mormon died.

So here’s the question. Many records provide significant details about the Battle of Cannae. We know where it is. We know what time it was. In the grain fields of Cannae, there are no signs of this great battle today. In Cannae, the fields are archaeologically clean. What evidence is there?

The same is true of the great battle of Mormon’s last stand. In modern times, Cumorah and Cannae’s battlefields are comparable. Significant ancient battles seem unlikely to have occurred in Cumorah or Cannae based on the dirt evidence in New York and Italy. Does that mean these battles didn’t take place? In the modern world, both battles have profoundly influenced history.

In understanding how Cumorah and Cannae played such an essential role in our history, it would be great if there was clear evidence from the ground that great battles were fought in both areas. Today, we only have ancient records and little physical evidence from the ground that would confirm the locations of both battles.” Heartland Research Group

Below, the Heartland Research Group compares a battlefield in Italy, with a battlefield in New York. The analysis is amazingly parallel and convincing, that Hill Cumorah and the surrounding land may indeed have been the final battles of the Nephite’s and Jaredites, without the need to find many remaining artifacts. I however have a blog here, that will show you there were many breastplates, bones, weapons and artifacts found near Cumorah that substantially support that hill indeed, being a place of last battles. Email me at [email protected] for additional evidences.

Cumorah and Cannae Historic Battles Video by John Lefgren