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Joseph Smith - The Prophet
1805 - 1844

“[On Zion's Camp March we have been] wandering over the plains of the Nephites,... roving over the mounds of that once beloved people of the Lord, picking up their skulls & bones, as a proof of its [the Book of Mormon's] divine authenticity.”

So wrote Joseph Smith back to Emma, his wife. These words were penned just two days after a particular experience in which Joseph received a divine revelation concerning the history of a righteous man, Zelph, who fought in some of the last battles recorded in “The Book of Mormon” and whose grave was uncovered during Zion's Camp March from an ancient Indian burial mound. This event was recorded by many individuals which were then present (see History of the Church Vol 2 pg 79-80). That very mound upon which Joseph stood has now been explored during an official archeological dig of the State of Illinois. This exploration revealed classic ancient Indian artifacts of a people which archeologist know as the "Hopewells". Artifacts recovered during the dig have been dated by archeologist, both by style and by carbon dating, to dates fitting the sunset period of the Nephite civilization as chronicled in "The Book of Mormon." As far as physical evidence goes, it is hard to imagine a stronger witness of the divine calling of the Prophet Joseph than that which is now emerging from professional researchers unaffiliated with the Church. (More information on the Zelph incident)

These and many other facts are vividly portrayed in picture form in a new book “Exploring The Book of Mormon in America's Heartland” from Rod Meldrum with gorgeous full color photography. Here are a few more of the confirmations now coming from professional archeologist whose conclusions were formed without an LDS frame of mind yet agree with the words revealed to Joseph: From page 25 we can read the words of the Angel Moroni to Joseph Smith as recorded by Joseph Smith in the Wentworth Letter in which Moroni stated that the Gold Plates contained a history of “the aboriginal inhabitants of this country.” On page 35 we see a map created by professional archeologist of the typical habitation of the ancient people of “this country” during the time frame of “The Book of Mormon” and an overlay of that map with Zion's Camp March marked. Maps found on page 35 of "Exploring The Book of Mormon in America's Heartland"

As you can see from the maps, the Hopewell people disappeared about 400AD, the same time that the Nephites civilization disappeared. In addition, the Adena civilization which existed before the Hopewell (or Nephite civilization), disappeared about the same time as did the Jaredites, again both very suddenly. Also you can see the path of Zion's Camp March superimposed on the map. Those men crossed from the Eastern edge of classic Hopewell land to the Western edge of that same land. Were Joseph and company truly “wandering over the plains of the Nephites” as he said?

Other items of note are evidence that the Hopewell people possessed the technology to smelt metals, build advanced civilizations and structures which relied on advanced mathematics to construct. They had written languages. They used the moon in their calendar system, and constructed highways. They had fortifications and soldiers in armor. But their armored soldiers did not wear helmets; instead they wore “Head-Plates” and “Breastplates” just as “The Book of Mormon" describes. Even the DNA carried in the blood of many of these ancient people shows a linage originating from the "Hills of Galilee," according to genitic experts. All of these points of evidence are what we would expect to see in an ancient Book of Mormon civilization. Indeed just as Dr. Roger Kennedy, former director of the Smithsonian's American History Museum and author of “Hidden Cities: The Discovery and Loss of Ancient North American Civilization” wrote, “Few realize that … North America was home to some of the most highly advanced and well organized civilizations in the world – complete with cities, roads, and commerce.” This and much more are all beautifully displayed in this book “Exploring The Book of Mormon in America's Heartland.” I invite you to take a visual journey of discovery and see for yourself the evidence that reveals an ancient people and land truly fitting for a North America setting of the “The Book of Mormon.” This fascinating new research of "the Book of Mormon" and its geography, has added additional tangible evidence of the book's accuracy and truthfulness. This physical evidence is complementary to the divinely inspired witness borne by millions of "The Book of Mormon," yet its moment does not subordinate their transcendent message that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of mankind, that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God, and the Bible and the Book of Mormon are the word of God where with in it's pages are contained the actual visit of the resurected Savior, Jesus Christ, to the people of Ancient America. Joseph Fielding Smith in "Doctrines of Salvation" – section “WHERE IS THE HILL CUMORAH?” stated the following: … LOCALE OF CUMORAH, RAMAH, AND RIPLIANCUM. This [Central American] theory of necessity, in order to be consistent, must place the waters of Ripliancum and the Hill Cumorah some place within the restricted territory of Central America, notwithstanding the teachings of the Church to the contrary for upwards of 100 years. Because of this theory some members of the Church have become confused and greatly disturbed in their faith in the Book of Mormon. It is for this reason that evidence is here presented to show that it is not only possible that these places could be located as the Church has held during the past century, but that in very deed such is the case. Does It Matter where "the Book of Mormon" saga played out?

National Archives RG77 drawer 144 sheet 20 Ohio's Hebrew Earthworks Also know as the "East Fork Works" or "Gridiron," these ancient massive earth work walls, described by some as a fortification, depict Hebrew symbols. There were over 200,000 ancient cities and burial mounds left by these pre Columbian cultures. Thomas Jefferson was fascinated by the ancient earthworks of North America and made a special study of them. George Washington explored the lands of the "Mound Builders" and Benjamin Franklin and Noah Webster puzzled over their strange mysteries. Now only a fraction remain. A great number of these structures were intentionally destroyed, some by farmers and others by our government. Ohio's Hebrew Earthworks destruction came by the hands of our own government.

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Other Links

The Official Site of "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints"

Thanks to:
Rod Meldrum BookofMormonEvidence.org
Wayne May Ancient American Magazine
And The Firm Foundation (Foundation for Indigenous Research and Mormonism)


Also of note regarding Egyptian like Language in America

See Also:
Joseph Smith Foundation.org

Reference found in above text