Nephite Connection with the Mounds and the Smith’s
“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. 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.
If “Mormonism sprang from the mounds” as Roger Kennedy suggested, it seems only fitting that Joseph Smith would be buried among the Moundbuilders…” Jonathan Neville- See his complete presentation called “The Mormons and the Mounds” HERE
In visiting the Alvin Smith burial site in Palmyra New York, it is a unique setting. It is just one block north of the four corner of Churches on Main St. It is possible that this was once a Nephite burial mound. (See picture gallery at the bottom of the page). When on top it is very secluded and surrounded by large trees, is very flat with very straight lines, and it is about 25 feet high. It would make some sense especially knowing that his younger brother Joseph is similarly buried in Nauvoo on a former Nephite burial site.
Alvin Smith, the Prophet Joseph Smith’s oldest brother died unexpectedly while building a nice frame home for his parents and family and was buried in the Jonathan Swift Memorial Cemetery in Palmyra, New York. Alvin had shown great interest in the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. In 1836 Joseph saw Alvin in a vision of the Celestial Kingdom and marveled that he had inherited that reward without being baptized in mortality. That vision became a foundation of understanding salvation for millions that die without receiving the gospel in mortality. BYU Virtual Tours
Joseph Smith said to his mother about his deceased brother, “Mother, Alvin is not lost”
“I saw the beautiful streets of that kingdom, which had the appearance of being paved with gold. 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 137:4-9
“Oldest brother of Joseph Smith Jr., founder and Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
On one occasion, Joseph described his older brother as “a very handsome man, surpassed by none but Adam and Seth, and of great strength” Alvin’s mother said he was “a youth of singular goodness of disposition — kind and amiable.”
In November of 1823, Alvin suddenly became sick with what is called by his mother “bilious colic.” The family doctor was not available, so a substitute was procured, who prescribed “a heavy dose of calomel” – a compound of mercury and chlorine that some thought would encourage the discharge of bile. Alvin at first refused to take the medicine, but was eventually persuaded. According to Lucy’s account, “This dose of calomel lodged in his stomach, and all the medicine afterwards freely administered by four very skillful physicians could not remove it.”
Realizing that he was dying, Alvin called the family members to him and one by one gave counsel and encouragement. Joseph at this time was almost 18 years old, and had only recently had his first visit with the Angel Moroni. Alvin’s counsel to Joseph was: “I am now going to die…I want you to be a good boy, and do everything that lies in your power to obtain the Record. Be faithful in receiving instruction, and in keeping every commandment that is given you.”
The family mourned greatly at the death of Alvin, and frequently wept in sorrow when they remembered his devotion to Joseph and his divine calling.” Find a Grave
Interesting Facts:
• “Lucy recorded that Alvin was engaged to be married at the time of his death. The young lady never did marry as far as we know, but pined away in Alvin’s memory saying that she would never find another like Alvin. Joseph wrote that he was sure that her youthful heart would break when Alvin died. Larry Porter once appropriately described Alvin as a “quiet giant.”
• Alvin’s body was reportedly exhumed and dissected. Father Smith went to the grave with witnesses in order to ascertain that the rumor was unfounded and then had a notice that such was the case published in the local newspaper. (Wayne Sentinel 2 (29 Sept. 1824): 3; Lucy Mack Smith, (ed. Proctor), 123.)” BYU Virtual Tours
Below are pictures taken at Palmyra New York at the Alvin Smith burial site in July, 2019
