Hagoth: A Mixture of Joseph and Judah?
As we read in the Book of Mormon in Alma, which is after the mixing of the Nephites with the Mulekites, we can now understand who the people of Hagoth likely are. Of course Lehi is a direct descendant of Manasseh and Nephi was married to a direct descendent of Ishmael. That means the children of Nephi were a mixture of Ephraim and Manasseh, through the loins of Joseph of Egypt. We also know that the Mulekites are direct descendants of Zedekiah King of Israel, which makes them from the tribe of Judah. The tribes mixed around Zarahemla or near Montrose, Iowa in my opinion.
This means it is most likely that Hagoth was a mixture of the Children of Israel through Joseph and Judah, two of the great lineages of the Lord. This is a special lineage that the Lord led to the aisles of the sea to save them from the wickedness that was coming to the Nephites. The 1911 First Presidency said, “The Lord … directed their course away from this continent [America] to their [the Polynesian ancestors’] island homes, that they might not be left to be preyed upon and destroyed by the more wicked part of the House of Israel whose descendants still roam upon this continent in a fallen and degraded state. … This is the secret of the overruling hand of providence which has been over you all from that time until you received the gospel through the preaching of the elders, and until the present time. And we repeat, the reason that few of the islands of the sea have been more highly favored and blessed in the Lord than those of your brethren of this continent is because of the worthiness of your forefathers who were led away and separated from their brethren of this continent, and because of the blessing of the Lord which has attended you, their children, from that time to the present.” A letter from the First Presidency, 1911
In the Old World we see how the Northern Tribes (Ephraim) of Israel were against the Southern Tribes (Judah). We read in 2 Nephi 19:21 “Manasseh, ; and Ephraim, Manasseh; they together shall be against . For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.” This is also from Isaiah 9 in the Old Testament.
However it seems the Tribes of Judah and Ephraim were brought together in the New World through Nephites/Lamanites and Mulekites or Judah. In America we find the joining of two sticks of Israel which is a great part of the Lords work. This seems to be a true story about Hagoth who may be related to both Judah and Joseph.
Who are the Polynesians?
“George Q. Cannon reportedly experienced a vision in which native Hawaiians were recognized as a Lamanite tribe.[16] This vision attained canonical status in 1937. The topic was addressed in a letter to the president of the Samoan mission on 6 September 1972 by N. Eldon Tanner and Marion G. Romney, who were then serving as counselors in the First Presidency. They approached it briefly and cautiously, noting in their letter, “You ask who the Polynesians are – whether they are Nephites or Lamanites. This matter has been the subject of much speculation in the past. However, we have no evidence from the scriptures or revelations where the Lord has spoken of where these people came from or their ancestry”. Nonetheless, Spencer W. Kimball confirmed the Lamanite identity of at least part of the Polynesians as early as 1975.
Matthew Cowley repeatedly emphasized that Polynesians had Nephite blood.[17] A journal entry from Louisa Pratt in October 1851 also mentions that the Nephites were the ancient fathers of the Tahitians. The ethnic affiliation of Polynesians within Mormon beliefs remains uncertain, particularly considering Hagoth’s clearly Nephite origins.[18] Contemporary church leadership speaks cautiously about Hagoth and the origins of Polynesians.[19]
The relationship of various groups of believers to their Hagoth-derived lineage is complex. Some have identified with Hagoth without any missionary influence.[20] From the outset of their interaction with Christianity, the Maori held a belief that they were connected to ancient Israelites. In the Book of Mormon, with its brief mention of maritime journeys by a prominent seafarer, they found validation for these desires. Maori Latter Day Saints generally see themselves as being of Nephite descent, though they occasionally associate with Lamanites, but only in the context of specific sins, not ethnic affiliation. Regardless of the debates surrounding Hagoth, he remains an important figure in Polynesian religious tradition, passed down and maintained through generations.[21]
Matthew Cowley is likely responsible for popularizing the belief in Hagoth’s Polynesian connections.[22] Known for his theological creativity and love of Maori culture and language,[23] this view has been reflected in statements by various church presidents over the decades. For instance, David O. McKay, in his prayer dedicating the Mormon temple in Hamilton, New Zealand, in 1958, referred to the Maori as descendants of Father Lehi.[24] In 1976, during a speech to the Samoan Latter Day Saints, Spencer W. Kimball mentioned that it seemed clear that their ancestors had set sail northward, eventually settling in the South Pacific. The connection between Polynesians and the peoples of the Book of Mormon is also reinforced by the patriarchal blessings given to church members in Polynesia.” Source
16 Book: Tenney, Anthony Guy . White and Delightsome: LDS Church Doctrine and Redemptive Hegemony in Hawai’i . The Ohio State University . 2018 . Columbus, Ohio . 17–18.
17 Web site: Miner . Alan C. . Alma 63 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121120070301/https://stepbystep.alancminer.com/alma_63 . 2012-11-20 . stepbystep.alancminer.com.
18 Web site: Britsch . R. Lanier . Maori Traditions and the Mormon Church . 2024-10-18 . www.churchofjesuschrist.org . en.
19 Web site: Harward . Michael . 19 April 2020 . The Maori and the Mormons . 2024-10-18 . Michael and Nancy . en-US.
20 Book: Mormons, scripture, and the ancient world: studies in honor of John L. Sorenson . 1998 . Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies . 978-0-934893-31-2 . Bitton . Davis . Provo, Utah . 245–276 . Sorenson . John L..
21 2002 . An Interview with John L. Sorenson . Journal of Book of Mormon Studies . Brigham Young University . 11 . 1 . 80 . 2168-3158.
22 Web site: Colvin . Gina . 18 February 2012 . What Ever Happened To Hagoth? . 2024-10-18 . KiwiMormon . en.
23 Web site: Lineham . Peter J. . Cowley, Matthew . 2024-10-18 . teara.govt.nz.
24 Web site: 25 July 1992 . Hagoth believed to be link between Polynesia and peoples of America . 2024-10-18 . Church News . en.
“Polynesians are descendants of Lehi and blood relatives of the American Indians.”
Peterson, Mark E., General Conference, April 1962.
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has shown deep interest in the Polynesian people almost from the time the Church was organized in 1830. Just thirteen years later, in 1843, the Prophet Joseph Smith sent the first missionaries to the islands of the Pacific. The interest in the people of the Pacific comes from a brief account in the Book of Mormon of one Hagoth, a Nephite shipbuilder who left the Americas and sailed away and was “never heard of more” (Alma 63:8)”…
In conclusion it seems fair to state that although the Church has no official, published declaration on the origin of the Polynesians, there have been enough semi-official statements by prophets of the Lord to leave little doubt that the Church believes that the Polynesians are direct blood relatives of Lehi’s colony and that Hagoth’s lost ships provide at least one connection between the Americas and Polynesia. This is further supported by patriarchal blessings given to the members of the Church among these people and by oral traditions. The brief account of Hagoth recorded in the book of Alma is important to an understanding of the blessings given to the descendants of Joseph, as the inhabitants of the isles of the sea.” Robert Parsons
Hagoth Sailed From North America to the South Pacific
“Although some scholars insist that the Polynesian ancestors came from the Orient and sailed east to settle Polynesia, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has always taught that they sailed west from America. In 1818, Stuart Meha, a Māori Latter-day Saint from New Zealand, sent a telegram to the Church leaders. Reply, “I would like to say to you brethren and sisters from New Zealand, you are some of Hagoth’s people, and there is NO PERHAPS about it!” Continuing, Joseph F. Smith told how it had been given to him by the spirit, while laboring in Hawaii, that the Polynesians were descendants of Lehi.
The Lord … directed their course away from this continent [America] to their [the Polynesian ancestors’] island homes, that they might not be left to be preyed upon and destroyed by the more wicked part of the House of Israel whose descendants still roam upon this continent in a fallen and degraded state. … This is the secret of the overruling hand of providence which has been over you all from that time until you received the gospel through the preaching of the elders, and until the present time. And we repeat, the reason that few of the islands of the sea have been more highly favored and blessed in the Lord than those of your brethren of this continent is because of the worthiness of your forefathers who were led away and separated from their brethren of this continent, and because of the blessing of the Lord which has attended you, their children, from that time to the present.” A letter from the First Presidency, 1911
Many Children of Israel Upon the Isles of the Sea
There are many distinct cultures among the Children of Israel in the Islands of the sea. The Polynesians are generally a mixture with Europeans. The Melanesians are generally a mixture with Africans, and the Micronesians most likely are a mixture with the Asians. Another important mixture of people are the Australasians and the New Zealanders or Maori’s. The isles of the sea are blessed with Israelites as it continues to speak about in the scriptures.
With the blood of Israel that will include the Tribe of Judah or Hebrews. Remember also, the Native American Lamanites are related to the Polynesians and to the Hebrews. “And then shall the remnant of our seed know concerning us, how that we came out from Jerusalem, and that they are descendants of the Jews.” 2 Nephi 30:4 (See also D&C 29:26-27; and D&C 19:27;)
Hagoth most likely was a mixture of the Nephites, Lamanites and the Mulekites or Hebrew as they once lived together in North America in the Heartland.
“Thus saith the Lord: In an acceptable time have I heard thee, O isles of the sea, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee; and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;” 1 Nephi 21:8
“But great are the promises of the Lord unto them who are upon the of the sea; wherefore as it says isles, there must needs be more than this, and they are inhabited also by our brethren.” 2 Nephi 10:21
“And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall set his hand again the time to recover the remnant of his people which shall be left, from , and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from , and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.” 2 Nephi 2:21 and Isaiah 11″11
An Amazing Nephite from New Zealand
Recently I heard from a wonderful man named Bruce Mita on my Facebook page. I have enjoyed getting to know him better. Who would know more about the Maori’s or Nephites more than him?
“My name is Bruce Mita (aka) Ruatapu Ariki o Ngati Hako kia Hauraki, Aotearoa, New Zealand.
My Ancestor is Hako (aka) Hakota (aka) Hagoth. Hagoth was born 88BC he arrived in Aotearoa, New Zealand about 48BC.
Accordingly, I am a Nephite. The Colonialist Government named us “Maori” meaning “Ordinary People” in 1830.
I have conducted a number of Seminars in Aotearoa to show evidence of who we are as People and moreover our true identity as a People.
We are the Blood Brothers and Sister of the Lamanites – the Native American Indians.
I would be interested to participate in the next bookofmormonevidence.org gathering to present the Nephites of Aotearoa through Hako (aka) Hakota (aka) Hagoth Journey to Aotearoa historical account of our Nephite Ancestor Hagoth.
I look forward to hearing back from you soon.
Arohanui, Bruce Mita (aka) Ruatapu Ariki o Ngati Hako ki Hauraki, Aotearoa, New Zealand”.
Here is a link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hagoth/
“The HAKO (aka) HAKOTA (aka) HAGOTH Journey to Aotearoa Facebook page has been setup to help Tangata Whenua o Aotearoa learn of the true origin of our People and our Forefathers and from whence they came.
HAKO (aka) HAKOTA (aka) HAGOTH was born 88BC, He built all of the Waka – seven (7) in total that enabled our People to depart from the Narrow Neck of Land, (The Editor believes it was the Narrow Neck which is different than the Narrow Neck of Land which is spoken of in Ether 10:20), thus traveling through Te Moana Nui a Kiwa even all the way to Aotearoa. (refer Book of Mormon – Alma 63:5-8) for the scriptural account of HAKO (aka) HAKOTA (aka) HAGOTH.
Furthermore, that We as a People may come to learn and to know that We are the surviving NEPHITES whom the LORD led away through our Aitupuna HAKO (aka) HAKOTA (aka) HAGOTH. He and his People who accompanied him on that epic journey were the first People to arrive in Aotearoa, having been guided and directed by the LORD.
We hope and pray that you will enjoy this Journey of Discovery and thus come to know of a surety that, WE are NEPHITES…we are not Maori.
The Book of Mormon and all the writers (prophets) who recorded everything that is contained in that sacred record are our Ancestors…we are the Children of the Prophets as declared by the LORD himself, even JESUS CHRIST.
Of this I do humbly testify that everything recorded herein is true, in the name of JESUS CHRIST, Amene.
ENJOY THE JOURNEY!
NAU MAI! HAERE MAI!
NGA MIHI KOUTOU KATOA!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hagoth/
Contact Information:
Name: Bruce Mita
Phone: +64 22 620 2526
Email: [email protected]
Message: Kia Ora,
Moroni’s America- Alma 63
“In the 37th year, “there was a large company of men, even to the amount of five thousand and four hundred men, with their wives and their children, departed out of the land of Zarahemla into the land which was northward.” This would make a group of 10-20,000, depending on family size. The text does not explain whether these people sailed north or traveled overland. It doesn’t even specify from where in the land of Zarahemla they left. All we know is that the land was “northward” from Zarahemla.
From the ‘Narrow Neck” which was between Lake Michigan and Lake Erie Hagoth would have built his ships. I believe that Hagoth may have likely left from the south of Lake Michigan and followed the Great Lakes out to the Atlantic through the St Lawrence Seaway. They followed the currents traveling north through northern Canada and down through the Bering Strait into the South Pacific as you see on this map. It doesn’t make sense that they went south from the St Lawrence as the ocean doesn’t flow that way. Remember there are three different “Necks” in the Book of Mormon. See map at the end. 
