Why I believe the Book of Mormon took place in the United States

April Erwin

I have always had a strong testimony that the BOM is true and the word of God. I’ve never doubted that. However, I have often struggled with the archaeological explanations so commonly taught concerning the Central or South America theories. Several years ago, while listening to a sermon, the speaker commented that he didn’t believe the BOM occurred in Central or South America but in the U.S. because this is the Promised Land. He didn’t go into any further detail, but it hit me like a ton of bricks (my sister too). I realized that was it, I believed that too. That was why I had struggled with what I’d been fed my whole life. The things I knew didn’t line up with the theories I’d been taught, it was just like trying to fit two pieces of a puzzle together that didn’t match. I knew his statement was right and that God was confirming it.

I began searching for information that could support the Book of Mormon in the United States. I didn’t find much that matched as truth until this year when I found the research regarding the Heartland theory or the Moundbuilders/Hopewell people. The more I learned, the more excited I became. Here was scientific and archaeological evidence being discovered by non-believers and they didn’t even realize how much their findings helped us. I wanted to share it with everyone but also knew that many wouldn’t even consider it and some would be truly offended that I would even suggest a different answer.

I’m not one for stirring the pot, so I seriously considered that question, ‘What does it matter?’ Does knowing where the real Book of Mormon lands are located change anything? And the answer I received was yes, it does matter, for many reasons, but the most important reason is because we were told to take it to the Lamanites in order to restore the covenants to this remnant of the house of Israel. If we are focused on the wrong geographical location, then we’re also focusing on the wrong people.

Many promises and covenants rest on the Promised Land, so that also makes knowing the right location important. We’ve been assigning the history, covenants and promises to the wrong people and largely ignoring those that God wanted to hear it from the beginning. Please don’t misunderstand, I’m thrilled the gospel message has gone forth to so many and would never suggest that we shouldn’t have witnessed to those in other lands. We know God said to take His gospel in to the world. But it is important to know who the Lamanites really are. Joseph Smith, Jr. sent missionaries to the Native Americans in the Heartland first. He spoke of the USA as the Promised Land and the land of the Nephites many times. Book of Mormon study and missionary outreach didn’t shift to the southern continents for more than a hundred years after Joseph Smith, Jr. translated the record.

This shift is an important flag in itself that we have drifted away from the truth. As a people, we’ve allowed the pull of massive, grand and elaborate civilizations that rival the mysteries of Egypt to lure us away from what is real. The Israelites were never known for grand and glorious buildings (except for the temple). Babylon, Egypt, Rome, etc. are the ones with the glorious cities. God’s people lived differently.

There is way too much evidence to share here, but I’ll do my best to hit the highlights. I wish when I was younger with questions a mile long, that someone had shared this with me. Instead I was told that I should take what they taught on faith even if it didn’t make sense. That Joseph Smith, Jr., translator and prophet/seer just didn’t translate the animal names right. OR that God didn’t think we’d know what those Central and South American animals would be, so He called them something convenient for us. The fact is God says himself, He cannot lie. His word IS truth, so why would God change some things to just make it easier for us? Has he ever done that? NO. He leads us, precept upon precept, and line upon line until our understanding matches His.

With that thought in mind, I pray that you will receive this evidence with an open mind and in the loving spirit it is intended. NOT to create conflict or disharmony, but simply to share what the Lord has shown me.

(Scripture references are from the Inspired Version of the Bible and the 1908 version of the Book of Mormon. Doctrine and Covenants and Book of Mormon reference numbers will be listed first with RLDS, followed by the LDS. Ex: 1 Nephi 1:54/1 Nephi 2:20)

1. The scriptures tell us the United States is the Promised Land. Here is a brief example of some of the scriptures explaining this fact.

And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands.” – 1 Nephi 1:54/1 Nephi 2:20

Before arriving in the Promised Land, they were told going to A promised land.

“But behold, this land, saith God, shall be a land of thine inheritance; and the Gentiles shall be blessed upon the land. And this land shall be a land of liberty unto the Gentiles: and there shall be no kings upon the land, who shall raise up unto the Gentiles. And I will fortify this land against all other nations;” - 2 Nephi 7:17-19/2 Nephi 10:10-12

After arriving in the Promised Land, the scriptures refer to it as THIS land. Logically this would mean that the Book of Mormon occurred on the Promised Land.

How many promised lands are there?

“And I will remember the covenant which I have made with my people, and I have covenanted with them, that I would gather them together in mine own due time; That I would give unto them again the land of their fathers, for their inheritance, which is the land of Jerusalem, which is the promised land unto them forever, saith the Father.” – 3 Nephi 9:67-68/3 Nephi 20:29

That’s one Promised Land in Jerusalem…

“And behold, this people will I establish in this land, unto the fulfilling of the covenant which I made with your father Jacob; and it shall be a new Jerusalem.” – 3 Nephi 9:58/3 Nephi 20:22

Again the reference to THIS land, the 2^nd Promised/ Covenanted Land is the NEW Jerusalem where the Book of Mormon takes place– total of only 2 promised Lands.

If Jerusalem is the first Promised Land and the Book of Mormon occurs on the second Promised Land, a NEW Jerusalem, then where is the New Jerusalem?

“Thou shalt ask, and it shall be revealed unto thee in mine own due time, where the New Jerusalem shall be built.” - DC 42:17b/DC 42:62

“Wherefore, I the Lord have said, Gather ye out from the eastern lands, assemble ye yourselves together ye elders of my church; go ye forth unto the western countries, call upon the inhabitants to repent, and inasmuch as they do repent, build up churches unto me; and with one heart and with one mind, gather up your riches that ye may purchase an inheritance which shall hereafter be appointed unto you, and it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the most high God; and the glory of the Lord shall be there, and the terror of the Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the wicked will not come unto it; and it shall be called Zion.”- DC 45:12a-d/DC 45:64-67

“And great tribulations shall be among the children of men, but my people will I preserve; and righteousness will I send down out of heaven, and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten; his resurrection from the dead; yea, and also the resurrection of all men. And righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine own elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare; an holy city, that my people may gird up their loins, and be looking forth for the time of my coming; for there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion; a New Jerusalem.” Genesis 7:69-70 IV

Promised Land = New Jerusalem = Land that will be called Zion.

“We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes, that Zion will be built upon this continent, that Christ will reign personally upon the earth, and that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiac glory.” – Articles of Faith written by Joseph Smith, Jr.

“Hearken, O ye elders of my church saith the Lord your God, who have assembled yourselves together, according to my commandments, in this land which is the land of Missouri, which is the land which I have appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the Saints: wherefore this is the land of promise, and the place for the city of Zion. And thus saith the Lord your God, If you will receive wisdom here is wisdom. Behold, the place which is now called Independence, is the Center Place, and the spot for the temple is lying westward upon a lot which is not far from the courthouse;” - DC 57:1a-d/DC 57:1-3

“yea, the word of the Lord concerning his church, established in the last days for the restoration of his people, as he has spoken by the mouth of his prophets, and for the gathering of his Saints to stand upon Mount Zion, which shall be the city New Jerusalem; which city shall be built, beginning at the Temple Lot, which is appointed by the finger of the Lord, in the western boundaries of the State of Missouri, and dedicated by the hand of Joseph Smith, Jr., and others, with whom the Lord was well pleased.” – DC 83:1b-c/DC 84:2-3

This Continent (the one Joseph Smith Jr. resides in) in Missouri is the Land of Promise, where the city of Zion will be. Also called the Center Place. When following the scriptures through, they link together to form a picture that shows that Book of Mormon took place on a Promised Land called the New Jerusalem where Zion will be in Missouri, USA.

“Behold, Ether saw the days of Christ, and he spake concerning a New Jerusalem upon this land; and he spake also concerning the house of Israel, and the Jerusalem from whence Lehi should come; after it should be destroyed, it should be built up again a holy city unto the Lord; Wherefore it could not be a New Jerusalem, for it had been in a time of old, but it should be built up again, and become a holy city of the Lord: and it should be built up unto the house of Israel; And that a New Jerusalem should be built up upon this land, unto the remnant of the seed of Joseph, for which things there has been a type; for as Joseph brought his father down into the land of Egypt, even so he died there; Wherefore the Lord brought a remnant of the seed of Joseph out of the land of Jerusalem, that he might be merciful unto the seed of Joseph, that they should perish not, even as he was merciful unto the father of Joseph, that he should perish not; Wherefore the remnant of the house of Joseph shall be built up upon this land; and it shall be a land of their inheritance; and they shall build up a holy city unto the Lord, like unto the Jerusalem of old; and they shall no more be confounded, until the end come, when the earth shall pass away.” – Ether 6:4-8/Ether 13:4-8

2. A Choice Land

“But, said he, notwithstanding our afflictions, we have obtained a land of promise, a land which is choice above all other lands; A land which the Lord God hath covenanted with me should be a land for the inheritance of my seed. Yea, the Lord hath covenanted this land unto me, and to my children for ever; And also all those who should be led out of other countries, by the hand of the Lord. Wherefore, I, Lehi, prophesy according to the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that there shall none come into this land, save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord.” – 2 Nephi 1:6-10/2 Nephi 1:5-6

The Book of Mormon specifically notes three separate groups that were led to this Promised Land. The Mulekites, Jaredites and Lehi’s people (Nephites and Lamanites). This Promised Land that we have already established as being in the United States was a choice land for all of them. Why is it choice?

“Yea, all those who were the 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. And it came to pass that when he had poured out his soul to God, he gave all the land which was south of the land Desolation: yea, and in fine, all the land, both on the north and south, a chosen land, and the land of liberty. And he said, Surely God shall not suffer that we, who are despised because we take upon us the name of Christ, shall be trodden down and destroyed, until we bring it upon us by our own transgressions.” – Alma 21:45-47/Alma 46:15-18

This Chosen Land that they reside in is a land of liberty and a Christian nation. The United States was founded by Christians who created our laws with Biblical principle. We are known as the land of Liberty and only when we as a nation turn against the name of Christ will we see that Liberty fail. The United States early history shows many examples of liberty being upheld, freedoms granted and independence from tyranny established because Jesus Christ’s name was upheld. That history also shows how many people from multiple nations CHOSE to come to this land. There are many things that made the United States choice, but in a very plain use of the term, it’s also a place people choose to live and that also makes it choice by voice of the people.

“Nevertheless thou beholdest that the Gentiles who have gone forth out of captivity, and have been lifted up by the power of God above all other nations upon the face of the land, which is choice above all other lands, Which is the land that the Lord God hath covenanted with thy father that his seed should have for the land of their inheritance, will not utterly destroy the mixture of thy seed, which are among thy brethren;” - 1 Nephi 3:176-177/1 Nephi 13:30

“And it came to pass that I beheld the Spirit of God, that it wrought upon other Gentiles; and they went forth out of captivity, upon the many waters. And it came to pass that I beheld many multitudes of the Gentiles upon the land of promise; And I beheld the wrath of God that it was upon the seed of my brethren; and they were scattered before the Gentiles, and were smitten. And I beheld the Spirit of the Lord, that it was upon the Gentiles; that they did prosper, and obtain the land for their inheritance; and I beheld that they were white, and exceeding fair and beautiful, like unto my people before they were slain. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles who had gone forth out of captivity did humble themselves before the Lord, and the power of the Lord was with them.

And I beheld that their mother Gentiles were gathered together upon the waters, and upon the land also, to battle against them; And I beheld that the power of God was with them; and also that the wrath of God was upon all those that were gathered together against them to battle. And I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles that had gone out of captivity were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that they did prosper in the land; And I beheld a book, and it was carried forth among them.” – 1 Nephi 3:148-157/1 Nephi 3:12-20

The founding fathers and their families chose to come to this new land to escape religious and political captivity. By establishing the name of Christ on this new land, this new nation was lifted up and became choice over all the other nations. Nations is an important word, because it references a very specific area. Not a continent/s but a specific Nation of people.

“Wherefore the promises of the Lord are great unto the Gentiles, for he hath spoken it, and who can dispute? But behold, this land, saith God, shall be a land of thine inheritance; and the Gentiles shall be blessed upon the land. And this land shall be a land of liberty unto the Gentiles: and there shall be no kings upon the land, who shall raise up unto the Gentiles. And I will fortify this land against all other nations; And he that fighteth against Zion, shall perish, saith God; for he that raiseth up a king against me, shall perish. For I the Lord, the King of heaven, will be their king; and I will be a light upon them forever, that hear my words.” – 2 Nephi 7:16-21/2Nephi 10:9-14

Why is it important to know where the Book of Mormon took place? Because of the many prophecies and promises for this land and its people. Both Jew and Gentile are tied to these promises. By overlooking the many scriptures that show us where these prophecies and promises occur, we also fail to fulfill the call we are given to take the Book of Mormon to the Lamanites so the covenants of their fathers can be restored to them. Of course the gospel is to be preached to all the world, and it’s wonderful to see it delivered in so many countries, but we must not lead others to believe they are the Lamanite remnant and partakers in these covenants, when they are not.

3. How do we know who the Lamanite descendants are?

Joseph Smith, Jr. sent missionaries to the Midwest Native Americans stating they are the Lamanites. Church history is full of evidence that Joseph knew it was here in the Midwest portion of the United States.

“Now these things are written unto the remnant of the house of Jacob; and they are written after this manner, because it is known of God that wickedness will not bring them forth unto them; and they are to be hid up unto the Lord, that they may come forth in his own due time.
And this is the commandment which I have received; and behold they shall come forth according to the commandment of the Lord, when he shall see fit, in his wisdom.
And behold they shall go unto the unbelieving of the Jews; and for this intent shall they go; that they may be persuaded that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God;” - Mormon 2:39-41/Mormon 5:12-14

“Nevertheless, my work shall go forth, for, inasmuch as the knowledge of a Savior has come unto the world, through the testimony of the Jews, even so shall the knowledge of a Savior come unto my people, and to the Nephites, and the Jacobites, and the Josephites, and the Zoramites, through the testimony of their fathers; and this testimony shall come to the knowledge of the Lamanites, and the Lemuelites, and the Ishmaelites, who dwindled in unbelief because of the iniquity of their fathers, whom the Lord has suffered to destroy their brethren the Nephites, because of their iniquities and their abominations; and for this very purpose are these plates preserved which contain these records, that the promises of the Lord might be fulfilled, which he made to his people; and that the Lamanites might come to the knowledge of their fathers, and that they might know the promises of the Lord, and that they may believe the gospel and rely upon the merits of Jesus Christ, and be glorified through faith in his name, and that through their repentance they might be saved. Amen.” - DC 2:6a-e/DC 3:16-20

“Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile; … which is to shew unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off for ever; and also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations.” - Book of Mormon Title Page 1:2, 6-7

Moroni states that this record is first and foremost for the Lamanites, a remnant house of Israel, to make known to them the covenants of the Lord. It’s also for the Jew and Gentile, but Joseph was specifically commanded to send the Book of Mormon and gospel to the Lamanites.

“And now, behold, I say unto thee that thou shalt go unto the Lamanites, and preach my gospel unto them;” - DC 27:3a/DC 28:8

“And now concerning my servant Parley P. Pratt, behold, I say unto him, that as I live I will that he shall declare my gospel and learn of me, and be meek and lowly of heart; and that which I have appointed unto him, is that he shall go with my servants Oliver Cowdery and Peter Whitmer, Jr., into the wilderness, among the Lamanites; and Ziba Peterson, also, shall go with them, and I myself will go with them and be in their midst; and I am their Advocate with the Father, and nothing shall prevail.” – DC 31:a-c /DC 32:1-3

“And thus you shall take your journey into the regions westward, and unto the land of Missouri, unto the borders of the Lamanites.” – DC 54:2b/DC 54:8

Historical evidence of the Mission to the Lamanites can be found in Church History, one of note is: Church History vol. 1 ch. 9, where an excerpt from the Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, pp. 54-61 notes a very successful mission to the Lamanites.

4. Joseph Smith, Jr. never stated that the Book of Mormon took place in Central or South America.

Many believe that Joseph Smith, Jr. changed his views on the location of the Book of Mormon after reading the 2 volume NY Times Bestseller Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan by John Lloyd Stephens. Many of the church members read the book and were enthralled by the grandness of the ruins and assumed that this highly advanced civilization must be the location of the Book of Mormon history. At this time in history, we were being told that the Native Americans were savages and ignorant. There wasn’t any obvious sign of the cities the Book of Mormon spoke about.

It’s true that Joseph Smith, Jr. read the book sent to him by John M. Bernhisel via Ed Woodruff. He acknowledged the gift with a thank you letter on November 16,1841. In the letter, he states, “I have read the volumes with the greatest interest and pleasure and must say that of all the histories that have been written pertaining to the antiquities of this country it is the most correct luminous and comprehensive.”

First, note that “this country” would refer to the country the book is written about which is Central America. If any book was to be “the most correct luminous and comprehensive”, it would be the Book of Mormon itself. As its translator and the Prophet of the church, Joseph knew more than anyone accuracy of the Book of Mormon. Joseph appreciated a well-written history of an ancient culture and that is what he states.

Second, the note itself was not written by Joseph Smith, Jr. The handwriting has been acknowledged by historians as that of John Taylor who wrote the letter for Joseph Smith. It’s not known if Joseph saw or proofed the letter before it was sent. He may have simply asked John Taylor to send a note of thanks. John Taylor never claimed to have received any revelation about the true geography of the Book of Mormon, but through historical documents, it’s been shown that he was very enamored with John Lloyd Stephens’ book.

John Taylor was also one of the editors of the Times and Seasons. There were several articles published by the editor in 1842 that boldly stated that Stephens’ book proved the Mesoamerican theory. “The Traits of the Mosaic History” June 15, 1842, “American Antiquities” July 15, 1842, “Extract” September 15, 1842, “Facts are Stubborn Things” September 15, 1842, and “Zarahemla” October 1, 1842. Each article was simply signed ‘ED’ – for Editor. Although they began with a cautious note, by the final article the statements become more definitive and bold, leading the readers to believe the theory is truth supported by Joseph Smith, Jr.

The truth is, Joseph Smith Jr. did not write those editorial articles. He received a revelation on January 28, 1842, saying, “Verily thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph, go and say unto the Twelve that it is my will to have them take in hand the editorial department of the Times and Seasons, according to that manifestation which shall be given unto them by the power of my Holy Spirit in the midst of their counsel, saith the Lord. Amen.” Millennial Star, vol. 19, pp. 38, 39. – Church History Vol. 2 24:557

In addition, Church History records, “On assuming editorial charge of the Times and Seasons President Joseph Smith published a notice that he would become responsible for all future editorials and for all papers having his signature, but disclaiming responsibility for the paper in the past.” He stated, “TO SUBSCRIBERS.-This paper commences my editorial career. I alone stand responsible for it, and shall do for all papers having my signature henceforward. I am not responsible for the publication or arrangement of the former paper; the matter did not come under my supervision. JOSEPH SMITH. -Times and Seasons vol. 3.” – Church History Vol 2 25:570

These statements show that only articles signed by Joseph’s name could be attributed to him, regardless of the fact his name is listed on the paper header as Chief Editor. There are in fact two articles written and published during this time that are signed as Joseph Smith. Using these articles and comparing the language and writing style, (Ex. Editor uses ‘we’ and the Joseph Smith, Jr. article uses ‘I’ and ‘my’ as personal pronoun.) it’s clear that Joseph did not write the Editorial articles mentioned. They were signed simply as ED - Editor. To make the evidence even more concrete, Joseph Smith was forced into hiding from unlawful arrests being executed against him because of false accusations for an attempted assassination of Governor Boggs. This began Monday, August 8^th and continued until Thursday, October 20^th, 1842. Joseph was in hiding from the law at the time of both the “Extract” September 15, 1842, “Facts are Stubborn Things” September 15, 1842, and “Zarahemla” October 1, 1842 articles and could not have written them.

5. Hebrew language evidence in archeological finds and in modern tribes that have kept their history alive. Glottochronology, dress and traditions.

The scriptural proof and historical evidence found in Church History alone are firm evidence for the Heartland Theory, but there’s more. The following physical pieces of evidence lend a strong secondary witness.

We know by the Book of Mormon record that more than one group of people were led to the same Promised Land. Two of those groups were led out from Jerusalem. Lehi and his group left from Jerusalem, and Mulek (the only surviving son of Zedekiah, last king of Judah) and his group were led here after Jerusalem was conquered by the Babylonians. Both carried with them the language, culture, and religion of the Jewish people. Moroni tells us

“And now behold, we have written this record according to our knowledge in the characters, which are called among us the reformed Egyptian, being handed down and altered by us, according to our manner of speech. And if our plates had been sufficiently large, we should have written in the Hebrew; but the Hebrew hath been altered by us also; and if we could have written in the Hebrew, behold, ye would have had no imperfection in our record. But the Lord knoweth the things which we have written, and also that none other people knoweth our language, and because that none other people knoweth our language, therefore he hath prepared means for the interpretation thereof.” – Mormon 4:98-100/Mormon 9:32

If these two large groups of Jews did settle and live in the Heartland of the United States for over a thousand years, wouldn’t there be a trace of their language, culture and religion still remaining? Yes! Non-LDS archaeologists have been finding this evidence of Hebrew engravings, including the Ten Commandments, for years but refuse to acknowledge what it is because they also refuse to accept that any of the natives could have arrived by boat rather than crossing the land bridge from the west. The Algonquin Micmac has a written language and their words and symbols closely resemble the hieroglyphs on the Anthon transcript. In some instances, they match completely (Book of Prayers by Dr. Barry Fell).

“…it is evident that the Micmac hieroglyphs must already have been transmitted to North America more than 2000 years ago, when they were still in use in Egypt.” – America B.C. p. 256, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Professor Barry Fell, Harvard University, November 1975.

The Ojibway tribe is a prime example. Their tribe has a repository of records on copper, they await the return of the White Bearded God and will know him by the marks he bears, and their sacred laws have many similarities to the Hebrew – and that’s just to name a few. The most exciting for me, was the Ojibway name and symbol for the Creator. The Tetragrammatons’ of the Father’s sacred name (Jehova) is comprised of three sacred letters in Hebrew. The ‘Yod”, Hey, and Vav. The Ojibway also have a symbol for the Creator. Written in cuneiform and strikingly similar to its Hebrew counterpart, the three symbols (read right to left) are pronounced, Yod Hey Vau.

The American Indian by Elijah M. Haines, 1888 presents the collected history and language of many of the tribes. When a comparison is made between Native American words and Hebrew words, the results are astounding.

English Native American Hebrew

Jehovah Yohewah Jehovah

God Ale Ale, Aleim

Heavens Chemim Shemin

Father Abba Abba

Man Ish, Ishie Ish

Woman Ishto Ishto

Wife Awah Eweh, Eve

The examples continue, see more in The American Indian ch 4, p. 100. https://archive.org/stream/americanindianu01haingoog#page/n6/mode/2up

“Glottochronology is the attempt to estimate how long ago two languages separated from a common ancestor by evaluating their degree of divergence on a list of keywords…linguists applied (this technique) to Algonquin dictionaries compiled by early colonists…the results indicated that the various Algonquin languages in New England all date back to a common ancestor that appeared in the North East a few centuries before Christ. The ancestral language may derive from what is known as the Hopewell Culture.” - 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann

So a group of people known as the Hopewell who were here centuries before Christ, have a common language connection to the Algonquin speaking tribes who also bear Hebrew language markers? Exciting and enlightening.

To date, no Hebrew has been found at Inca or Mayan sites.

6. DNA – x2

The DNA evidence has been debated for some time and initially as the study was being completed, many claimed to have debunked the theory that Hebrew DNA could be traced to the North American Indian tribes. But a lot of research has continued and the evidence shows that there is a unique DNA marker, (the X2) that is unique to the people in West Eurasia and that the same marker has only been found elsewhere in some Native American tribes. There are four basic haplogroups, A, B, C, and D. As researchers did independent genetic studies, here on the Native Americans and also in Europe, they discovered a new haplogroup – X. More specifically X1 and X2. During a genetics conference, they discovered that the X2 found in some of our Native Groups was also identified in a few West Eurasia locations as well, most notably Israel.

“Wallace’s newest and most surprising discovery is a set of genetic markers found only in the Ojibwa and other tribes living near the Great Lakes; the markers are not found in any other Native Americans or in Asia. ‘We just don’t know how it got there,’ Wallace says, ‘but it’s clearly related to the European population.’ The simple answer would be that the DNA arrived with the European colonists, but the strain is different enough from the existing European lineage that it must have left the Old World long before Columbus.” – U.S. News & World Report, vol. 130, Issue 4, p. 34, January 29, 2001

“The results of this study point to the following conclusions. First, ¹haplogroup X variation is completely captured by two ancient ²clades that display distinctive ³phylogeographic patterns – X1 is largely restricted to North and East Africa, whereas X2 is spread widely throughout West Eurasia. Second, it is apparent that the Native American haplogroup X mtDNA⁴ derives from X2 by a unique combination of five mutations. Third, the few Altaian and Siberian haplogroup X lineages are not related to the Native American cluster, and they are more likely explained by recent gene flow from Europe or West Asia.” – Origin and Diffusions of the mtDNA Haplogroup X, American Journal of Human Genetics 73:1178-1190, 2003

The above evidence proves that the tribes with X2 mtDNA did not migrate across the land bridge as we have been taught. Some tribes did originate from a different area and arrived separately; the tribes that migrated by the land bridge and have the X marker are not related to those with the X2. This also means that the Native American tribes carrying the X2 mtDNA share an ancient common ancestor that originated in West Eurasia, including Israel.

This evidence is very detailed and more than I am able to share myself, but I strongly recommend you watch DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon Geography on YouTube. The presentation by Rod Meldrum is interesting, in-depth and easily accessible to everyone’s comprehension. https://youtu.be/DT7wCM6BPPU?t=5m10s

¹Haplogroup: A haplotype is a group of genes in an organism that are inherited together from a single parent, and a haplogroup is a group of similar haplotypes that share a common ancestor with a single-nucleotide polymorphism mutation.

²Clade: a group of organisms believed to have a common ancestor

³Phylogeographic: Phylogeography is the study of the historical processes that may be responsible for the contemporary geographic distributions of individuals.

⁴mtDNA: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is genetic material found in mitochondria. It is passed down from mothers to both sons and daughters, but sons cannot pass along their mothers' mtDNA to their children. This is because mtDNA is transmitted through the female egg. The mtDNA found in the egg is nonrecombinant, meaning that it does not combine with any other DNA so that it is passed down virtually unchanged through the direct maternal line over the generations. You inherited your mtDNA exclusively from your mother.

7. Lehi and his family followed the Mosaic Law and it gave them joy to keep God’s commandments.

Certain things are required to keep the law. Most of these items are found only in North America. In fact, many of the animals listed in the Book of Mormon itself are only found north of the Rio Grande. The common explanation for why these are listed in the Book of Mormon but can’t be found in Central and South America where many believe the history to have taken place is found in this statement by John Sorenson from his book An Ancient American Setting for the Book of Mormon (1985).

“The terms cattle, horses, sheep and so on are mentioned at several points in the Nephite record. And it is dismaying to some who wish to be dismayed, I believe and a few others who (honestly) wish an answer could be provided why there are no cows like we mean cows, horses like we mean horses, sheep like we mean sheep. The fact is that all the ancient studies say those animals simply were not present in the New World. Period. They were not here.”

Archaeologists have found evidence in North America for Horses, Mastodons/Mammoths and swine. But what are even more important are the animals that were necessary to keep the Law.

God brought Lehi’s group (and the Jaredites and Mulekites) to a promised land, one choice above others. That would mean that this Promised Land had all that they needed – including items needed for worshiping Him and keeping His commandments.

“And Abram said, Lord, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? yet he believed God. And the Lord said unto him, Take me a heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtle-dove, and a young pigeon.” - Genesis 15:14

a) Lambs/Sheep/Rams and Goat/Wild Goat - (not only for sacrifice, but also for making the shofar that is blown during the Holy Days. At the time Lehi left Jerusalem, the shofar could only be made from a ram’s horn.)

The Holy scriptures are full of references to Jesus as the Lamb of God, and that He is our Shepherd and we are His sheep. When Abraham was commanded to sacrifice Isaac, God provided a ram whose horns were caught in a thicket to be used as a sacrifice – saving Isaac’s life. It’s a beautiful type and shadow of Jesus. He too would wear a crown of thorns and be sacrificed in our place, bearing all our sin. (Genesis 22:16)

Sorenson has suggested (and many accept his word) that since no evidence of sheep or goats have been found in Mesoamerica, that the following animals are acceptable substitutes.

Goat = Brocket Deer

Sheep = Agouti or Paca

The Brocket deer is a very small nocturnal and shy animal. Except when mating, the Brocket deer lives entirely alone and not in herds. It’s rarely observed. This is an extremely poor substitute. The Mosaic law required them to have large herds available to them, not only for sacrificial purposes but also to feed their families. In addition, a deer’s horns are not made of keratin, so they are not hollow and could not be used to make the shofar.

Brocket Deer

“Agoutis and pacas are interesting, rabbit-sized rodents that live in the rainforests of Central and South America and forage on the forest floor. Agoutis weigh up to nine pounds. They're famous for being the only mammal that can open the hard fruit of the Brazil nut tree without a tool. They are sometimes kept as exotic pets. Pacas are stockier animals than agoutis and may weigh as much as twenty-six pounds. They are rarely kept as pets. Sometimes the animals are confused and the agouti is incorrectly referred to as a paca.” – Linda Crampton, https://pethelpful.com/exotic-pets/Rodents-of-South-America-The-Agouti-and-the-Paca

Agouti

The Paca is also known as "the royal rat" ever since the British press got ahold of the fact that this delicacy was served to the Queen of England when she visited. Both the Agouti and the Paca are omnivorous. These animals would be considered unclean in the Mosaic Law and would never have qualified as food, much less an acceptable substitute for sheep. The Lamb of God was pure and clean.

It’s true, evidence of Sheep¹, Rams², and goats³ have never been found in Mesoamerica, but they have been found in the United States.

¹Domesticated sheep remains have been found at Kipp Island, NY dated 100 A.D. – Archeology of New York State W.A. Ritchie p. 243

²Rams indigenous to North America. The Mammals of North America, E. Raymond Hall, vol. 2

³“The mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus), which occurs only in northwestern North America, is the only genus and species of its kind in the world. Its closest relatives are the chamois of Europe and the goral and serow of Asia. The domestic goat is not closely related to the mountain goat.” - https://wdfw.wa.gov/living/mountain_goats.html

Why does herds or flocks matter? Because the Book of Mormon is clear in describing it in their culture.

“The Lamanites, or the guards of the Lamanites, by night, are drunken; therefore let us send a proclamation among all this people, that they gather together their flocks and herds, that they may drive them into the wilderness by night.” – Mosiah 10:9 / Mosiah 22:6

“Now it came to pass that Alma and his people in the night time, gathered their flocks together, and also of their grain; yea, even all the night time were they gathering their flocks together.” – Mosiah 11:67 / Mosiah 24:18

“And the Nephites being in one body, and having so great a number, and having reserved for themselves provisions, and horses, and cattle, and flocks of every kind, that they might subsist for the space of seven years,” – 3 Nephi 2:44 / 3 Nephi 4:4

“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;” - 3 Nephi 2:50 / 3 Nephi 4:7

b) Cattle – Cow, Ox

The Book of Mormon speaks plainly in many places of their flocks and herds.

Sorenson’s choices for a suitable substitute for Cow or Oxen are

Cow – Deer, Brocket, Bison

Ox – Tapir or Bison

As noted already above, the Brocket deer is solitary and nocturnal; it does not roam in flocks.

¹Cows and bulls are found in North America, but not in Mesoamerica.

¹In E.B. Callaghan’s Documentary History of the State of New York, IV, p. 4, it’s noted that French Explorers to the New World saw immense herds of wild bulls and cows.

“Tapirs look something like pigs with trunks, but they are actually related to horses and rhinoceroses. Tapirs have a short prehensile (gripping) trunk, which is really an extended nose and upper lip. They use this trunk to grab branches and clean them of leaves or to help pluck tasty fruit. Though they appear densely built, tapirs are at home in the water and often submerge to cool off. They are excellent swimmers and can even dive to feed on aquatic plants. They also wallow in mud, perhaps to remove pesky ticks from their thick hides.” - https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/group/tapirs/

Tapir

Tapirs would not be considered a clean animal as outlined by the Mosaic Law and could not be a suitable replacement.

“The American bison or simply bison (Bison bison), also commonly known as the American buffalo or simply buffalo, is a North American species of bison that once roamed the grasslands of North America in massive herds. Their historical range roughly comprised a triangle between the Great Bear Lake in Canada's far northwest, south to the Mexican states of Durango and Nuevo León, and east to the Atlantic Seaboard of the United States (nearly to the Atlantic tidewater in some areas) from New York to Georgia and per some sources down to Florida.” - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_bison

A Bison is a clean animal per the Mosaic Law, but it’s only indigenous to North America and northern Mexico along the U.S. and Mexico border. Bison do run in herds and they also migrate with the weather. Migration isn’t necessary in Central America due to the climate. The Book of Mormon states that there were migrations of the beasts.

“Thus the land on the northward was called Desolation, and the land on the southward was called Bountiful; it being the wilderness which is filled with all manner of wild animals of every kind; a part of which had come from the land northward, for food.” – Alma 13:75 / Alma 22:31

“And it came to pass that the people did follow the course of the beasts, and did devour the carcasses of them which fell by the way, until they had devoured them all.” – Ether 4:39 / Ether 9:34

Once more we find the animals necessary to keep God’s Law are found in North America but not in Central or South America.

c) Wheat and barley

¹Wheat and ²Barely are both necessary for offerings. Barley is especially necessary because it is the Barley harvest that signifies the beginning of the Feast of First Fruits.

Evidence of Barley and Wheat has never been found in Mesoamerica.

¹When the Norse visited North America; they reported seeing fields of “self-sown wheat”.

Barley is found in North America. It was a prominent crop among the Hopewell natives in Illinois². The Hopewell or Moundbuilders are an extremely good fit for the Nephites and Lamanites.

¹The Norse Discovery of America, Reeves, Beamish and Anderson, pages 36-38

²Hopewell Museum, Oregonia, OH and Science magazine, 1983

In fact, in comparing a list of plants found in the Promised Land to those plants found in Mesoamerica, you will only find one that is shared – Maize/Corn.

d) All manner of Ore, gold, silver and copper

“And it came to pass that we did find upon the land of promise, as we journeyed in the wilderness, that there were beasts in the forests of every kind, both the cow, and the ox, and the ass, and the horse, and the goat, and the wild goat, and all manner of wild animals, which were for the use of men. And we did find all manner of ore, both of gold, and of silver, and of copper.” 1 Nephi 5:216-217 /1 Nephi 18:25

Precious metals were needed to create the tools and trumpets used in the temple. ¹Silver, gold and ²copper would be required in the Promised Land. In addition, the Lord also commanded them to create metal plates to record their history.

We know of course that Gold was abundant in Mesoamerica, but Silver has not been found.

^1aAccording to current archaeological findings, the first metal items in Mesoamerica appear around AD700 in western Mexico.” – Daniel Johnson BMAF “Metals, Weapons and Tools”

^1bExploring the Book of Mormon in America’s Heartland by Rod Meldrum, pages 159-161

²“…the source of most prehistoric copper was the north shore of Lake Superior, Isle Royale, and the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan, as well as glacial float deposits to the south left by the receding glaciers. There are other deposits of native copper (Wisconsin, Minnesota, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Ontario) that, while not of sufficient volume to make them commercially viable for modern needs, would have met the limited needs of the indigenous population.” - https://copperculture.homestead.com/

e) Altars that no tool has touched

"An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen; in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.

And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone; for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.

Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon." – Exodus 20:24-26

Mesoamerica and South America are filled with awe-inspiring structures and intricately carved temples and altars. Yet God commanded them to NOT use hewn stone. To date, no unhewn altars have been found in Meso and South America.

However, all over the Heartland of North America, there are unique and ancient piles of stone. In the Hopewell culture, archaeologists have uncovered large cities. The largest studied being in Cahokia, IL, this pre-Columbian mound builder city was larger than the Pyramid of Giza which covers 5.3 hectares vs. Cahokia’s six hectares. This is just ONE of the hundreds of mound builder sites.

“Located in Collinsville, Illinois near the city of St. Louis, this largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico is the pre-eminent example of a cultural, religious, and economic center of the Mississippian culture (800–1350), which extended throughout the Mississippi Valley and the southeastern United States. This agricultural society may have had a population of 10,000–20,000 at its peak between 1050 and 1150, which was equivalent to the population of many European cities at that time. It once covered more than 1,600 hectares and included some 120 mounds. Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site includes 51 platform, ridgetop, and conical mounds; residential, public, and specialized activity areas; and a section of reconstructed palisade, all of which together defined the limits and internal symmetry of the settlement. Dominating the community was Monks Mound, the largest prehistoric earthen structure in the New World. Constructed in fourteen stages, it covers six hectares and rises in four terraces to a height of 30 meters. The mounds served variously as construction foundations for public buildings and as funerary tumuli. There was also an astronomical observatory (“Woodhenge”), consisting of a circle of wooden posts. Extensive professional excavations have produced evidence of construction methods and the social activities of which the structures are further testimony.” - https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/198

8. Swords and Chariots, copper head plates and breastplates, Pearls

The Book of Mormon references chariots seven times.

“Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots;” 2 Nephi 8:23 / 2 Nephi 12:7

The Book of Mormon references swords 38 times and Cimeters 11 times.

“And it came to pass that I did arm them with bows, and with arrows, with swords, and with cimeters, and with clubs, and with slings, and with all manner of weapons which we could invent, and I and my people did go forth against the Lamanites, to battle;” – Mosiah 6:19 / Mosiah 9:16

Archeologists refuse to acknowledge that there were ever swords or chariots in North America. Evidence has been found thought to disprove their statements. A stone with an image etched of a man driving a chariot is part of the Sherman McClain Collection in Illinois. Both Swords and scimitars have also been found in abundance. Blades twelve inches (the same length as a Roman short sword) and longer have been recovered in multiple places. Wayne May's presentation has multiple examples.

Pearls

“And now I, Mormon, would that ye should know that the people had multiplied, insomuch that they were spread upon all the face of the land, and that they had become exceeding rich, because of their prosperity in Christ.
And now in this two hundred and first year, there began to be among them those who were lifted up in pride, such as the wearing of costly apparel, and all manner of fine pearls, and of the fine things of the world.” – 4 Nephi 1:26-27 / 4 Nephi 1:23-24

Pearls were also in abundance in North America and have been found in great number among the Hopewell /Moundbuilder culture.

“One group of Hopewell people in Hamilton County, Ohio, collected and then disposed of 48,000 pearls in an artifact deposit that was later covered by the Turner mound. Archaeologists excavating the Hopewell site in the 1880s found 100,000 pearls. Some were inset into bear canine-tooth buttons or applied to copper ornaments. Most had been drilled, perhaps with a hot copper wire, and strung as necklaces or sewn onto clothing.” - Ohio Archaeological Society, Section 5-B.37, Middle Woodland Period. http://ohsweb.ohiohistory.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=668

Copper Head Plates and Breast Plates

The Book of Mormon describes the unique armor that they wore. Not helmets, but head-plates, along with breastplates and arm shields.

Moundbuilder breastplate

“They being shielded from the more vital parts of the body, or the more vital parts of the body being shielded from the strokes of the Lamanites, by their breastplates, and their arm-shields, and their head-plates; and thus the Nephites did carry on the work of death among the Lamanites.” Alma 20:41 / Alma 43:38

“Hopewell copper head-plate and cheek guards excavated in Ohio. The curved portion was designed to fit the contour of the head, while the wing-like appendages dropped along the sides of the face. The headdress had been sewed to a bonnet like appurtenance which covered the head and fell to the shoulders at the rear. – “The Moundbuilders” by Henry Clyde Shetrone, p 115, published by D. Appleton-Century New York & London, 1936.

Armor, including arm shields, was found near Nauvoo IL. https://nephiteexplorer.com/2011/11/19/copper-arm-band-found-near-zarahemla/

Breastplates have appeared as well, such as the one on display from the Rutledge mound east of Newark

9. The Hopewell Moundbuilders’ timeline matches the Nephite/Lamanites. The Adena correlate with the Jaredites.

After all the evidence presented above – Scripture, Church History, Historical records by non-Book of Mormon believing archaeologists, and the science of DNA – I was left with one more large question. Just who were these people?

It’s a big question and one that bears some weight. Our call is to take the Book of Mormon to the descendants of the Lamanites in order to restore their faith and covenant with Jesus. It’s wonderful that we take the gospel into all the world, but are we also taking it to those that should have been reached first?

I had already come to the conclusion that the Native Americans were the remnant left of the Lamanites, but with so many tribes, cultures and languages it seemed presumptuous to just lump them all in to one group. When the Heartland Theory and the Moundbuilder culture were presented, along with who their modern descendants would include, I was so excited! Point after point fit and I had an overwhelming sense of assurance that these ancient peoples were the ancient people in the Book of Mormon. The amount of Archaeological evidence is enormous. I’ll touch on a few points and leave you to study it out further for yourself.

The timeline

Archaeologists have divided the ancient North America cultures into several periods.

Late Archaic 3000 BC to 1500 BC

Adena 1500 BC to 200 AD

Hopewell 300 BC to 400 AD

(A dark ages of sorts occurred between 400 AD and 700 AD where not much occurs in the record)

Mississippian 900 AD to 1500 AD

The Hopewell culture is a great fit on our Nephite/Mulekite timeline. The Adena, however, seems a little short to fit the Jaredites. However, history presents a solution.

“Webb and Baby (1957, p 112) are certainly correct in suggesting that the earliest dates for Adena have not been measured, for certainly all our present dates have come from large and well established Adena sites. Considering the evidence for all sources, I suspect the earliest dates for a recognizable Adena manifestation will come close to 3000 years ago and overlap the dates for the Late Archaic.” – Annals of Carnegie Museum, Vol. 37 pgs. 292-293

With that statement, the timeline now allows for a Jaredite fit for the Adena culture.

Late Archaic 3000 BC to 1500 BC

(Jaredite Timeline 2400 BC to 600 BC)

Adena 1500 BC to 200 AD

Hopewell 300 BC to 400 AD

(Nephites/Mulekites)

(a dark ages of sorts occurred between 400 AD and 700 AD where not much occurs in the record)

Mississippian 900 AD to 1500 AD

Now that the timeline has been set to match the cultures, let’s look at the location and spread of the cultures.

Lehi and his family landed in the south. The earliest (oldest) Hopewell site is in the Florida Panhandle/lower Georgia region. With an Atlantic crossing (completely possible and very likely) the currents would have brought Lehi and his group to land either in the Gulf Coast side of the Panhandle or on the Atlantic side. Both landing points are in range of the Hopewell site. Interesting to note, Lehi’s group brought all manner of seeds with them from Jerusalem and planted them on arrival. The Latitude for Jerusalem is 31.7 °. Guess what? So is the proposed landing site. The crops could grow in a climate suited for them.

The growth of the Hopewell culture spreads upward and then to the Northeast as time progresses with the latest (newest) Hopewell sites landing around the New York Hill Cumorah area at the time of the last great battle.

The Jaredites were brought into the land in the north and the Adena Culture sites fill the border along Canada and the U.S. and moving slightly south. The Mulekites also arrived in the north and eventually came across Coriantumr, the last of the Jaredite peoples.

As mentioned above, Mosaic Law requires altars that no tool has touched and ramps for temples.

And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone; for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.

Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon." – Exodus 20:24-26

All Hopewell temples use ramps! They also built altars from raw stone.

Images from Wayne May’s Presentation of Book of Mormon Geography in North America.

Below is a table showing the many correlations between the Hopewell culture and the Book of Mormon. (Note that BOM references listed in table are LDS format)

The Hopewell were a well-populated people. The Cahokia mound site alone is larger than the Great Pyramid of Giza and held more people than large cities of that time, like London and Rome. The massive wars recorded in the Book of Mormon often lead us to ask, where are the graves, bodies and weapon evidence? It’s here. Mass graves have been uncovered and historical records show that many of these sites were leveled or destroyed by the growth and expansion of the current culture. Despite the damage we’ve done to these ancient sites, the history still remains and historians are learning more each year.

Is it possible that there are still some inconsistencies in the theory? Absolutely, just as there are with other theories presented. The important thing is to remember that Faith comes first. Knowing where the geographic location of the Book of Mormon lands are is not important to our salvation. Each person’s belief in the divine relevance of the Book of Mormon should come by prayer and faith as Moroni states.

“And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; And if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost; and by the power of the Holy Ghost, ye may know the truth of all things.” Moroni 10:4-5 / Moroni 10:4-5

I’ve had questions all my life about the Book of Mormon and struggled with the standard answers that were given. It NEVER made me question my belief that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and a historically accurate record, just like the Bible. But my questions led me to search and I am very grateful that the Lord has brought so many answers to my questions.

As I said before, when I started learning all of what I presented, I wanted to share it with everyone. I wished that someone had shared this with me as a child so that I could have had the opportunity to study out the truth for myself. It’s for that reason I share this with all of you. I hope you will take the time to read and pray over the facts presented and search for your own testimony.

With Love and Blessings, April Erwin

Recommended Videos for Further Information:

Book of Mormon Geography In North America - Wayne May

Wayne May presents archaeological support of the Book of Mormon to a group in Malad, Idaho in February of 2017.

https://youtu.be/rHVh3bDYGRE?list=PLKXFXFBRcx8Z4o4OATm7Z_TwtWNEM4e5K