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Thomas Stuart Ferguson was one of the most noted defenders of Book of Mormon archaeology. Mr. Ferguson planned the New World Archaeological Foundation which he hoped would prove The Book of Mormon through archaeological research. The Mormon Church granted hundreds of thousands of dollars to this organization, but in the end, Thomas Stuart Ferguson admitted that although the Foundation made some important contributions to New World archaeology, all his work with regard to the Book of Mormon was in vain. He admitted, in fact, that he had wasted twenty-five years of his life trying to prove the Book of Mormon.
In 1975 Ferguson prepared a 29-page paper in response to papers written by Mormon apologists John Sorenson and Garth Norman. It was entitled, "Written Symposium on Book-of-Mormon Geography: Response of Thomas S. Ferguson to the Norman & Sorenson Papers." In this response, Mr. Ferguson wrote: 'With all of these great efforts, it cannot be established factually that anyone, from Joseph Smith to the present day, has put his finger on a single point of terrain that was a Book-of-Mormon geographical place. And the hemisphere has been pretty well checked out by competent people. Thousands of sites have been excavated."
Ferguson pointed out in his paper that the text of the Book of Mormon makes it very clear that certain items should be found in archaeological excavations and that these items are not present in the sites proposed. He noted, for instance, that "Thousands of archaeological holes in the area proposed have given us not a fragment of evidence of the presence of the plants mentioned in the Book of Mormon..." He concluded by saying: "I'm afraid that up to this point, I must agree with Dee Green, who has told us that to date there is no Book-of-Mormon geography. I, for one, would be happy if Dee were wrong."
To appreciate Ferguson's work, you have to see it. Here is his paper sumarizing the situation of Book of Mormon archeology. Although written in 1975, no new evidence has been found anywhere in the Americas to change the status of Book of Mormon archeology outlined below:
Book of Mormon Historical Evidence Test
Plant-Life Test
The text of the Book of Mormon requires the finding of evidence of some or all of the following plants in regions proposed as Nephite-Lamanite country:
BARLEY
Mosiah 7:22 One half of our corn, and our barley
Mosiah 9:9 With seeds of corn . . . and of barley
Alma 11:7 And either for a measure of barley
Alma 11:15 A shiblon for half a measure of barley
FIGS
3 Ne. 14:16 Gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles
GRAPES
2 Ne. 15:2 He looked that it should bring forth grapes
2 Ne. 15:2 And it brought forth wild grapes
2 Ne. 15:4 I looked that it should bring forth grapes
2 Ne. 15:4 It brought forth wild grapes
3 Ne. 14:16 Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of
WHEAT
Mosiah 9:9 With seed of corn, and of wheat
3 Ne. 18:18 To have you: that he may sift you as wheat
Evidence to support the existence of these forms of plant life in the regions proposed by Norman and Sorenson stands at this time as follows:
Barley: None
Figs: None
Grapes: None
Wheat: None
This negative score on the plant-life should not be treated too lightly. An abundance of evidence supporting the existence of these plants has been found in other parts of the world of antiquity. The existence of numerous non-Book-of-Mormon plants (maize, lima beans, tomatoes, squash, etc.) has been supported by abundant archaeological findings. I participated in excavating a trench at the edge of the Grijalva River with Edwin Shook, in which we found a ceramic vessel in a stratum dating to about 200 B.C. The vessel contained lima beans that had been burned anciently and discarded—pot and beans—as too badly burned to be edible. And yet they were still in their pristine and perfect form. The beans were carbon-14 dated—helping to place the whole stratum on the true time scale. Art portrayals in ceramics, murals, and sculptured works—of ancient plant life—are fairly commonplace. Thousands of archaeological holes in the area proposed have given us not a fragment of evidence of the presence of the plants mentionedin the Book of Mormon—the holes included the great one dug by Edwin Shook at Tehuacán, Pueblo, Mexico. He excavated a cave—going down and back to 5,000 B.C.—finding most of the major plants of the area. But no wheat, barley, figs, or grapes.
Animal-Life Test
The text of the Book of Mormon requires the finding of evidence of some or all of the following animals in the regions proposed as Jaredite-Nephite-Lamanite country:
ASS
1 Ne. 18:25 The ox and the ass and the horse
Mosiah 5:14 Doth a man take an ass which belongeth?
Mosiah 12:5 They shall be driven before like a dumb ass
Mosiah 13:24 His maid servant, nor his ox, nor his ass
Mosiah 21:3 And drive them as they would a dumb ass
ASSES
Ether 9:19 They also had horses, and asses
BULL
2 Ne. 8:20 As a wild bull in a net
CALF
2 Ne. 21:6 The calf and the young lion and fatling
2 Ne. 30:12 The calf, and the young lion, and the fatling
CALVES
1 Ne. 22:24 The righteous must be led up as calves of
3 Ne. 25:2 Go forth and grow up as calves in the stall
CATTLE
2 Ne. 17:25 And the treading of lesser cattle [sheep]14
Enos 1:21 Flocks of all manner of cattle of every kind
Mosiah 13:18 Nor thy maid-servant, nor they cattle, nor
3 Ne. 3:22 Their horses, and their chariots, and their cattle
3 Ne. 4:4 Provisions, and horses, and cattle, and flocks
3 Ne. 6:1 Flocks, and his herds, his horses and his cattle
Ether 9:18 Also all manner of cattle, of oxen, and cows
COW
1 Ne. 18:25 Both the cow and the ox and the ass
2 Ne. 17:21 A man shall nourish a young cow and two
2 Ne. 21:7 And the cow and the bear shall feed
2 Ne. 30:13 And the cow and the bear shall feed
COWS
Ether 9:18 All manner of cattle, of oxen, and cows
BUTTER
2 Ne. 17:15 Butter and honey shall he eat
2 Ne. 17:22 He shall eat butter
2 Ne. 17:22 For butter and honey shall every one eat
MILK
2 Ne. 9:50 Come buy wine and milk without money
2 Ne. 17:22 For the abundance of milk they shall give
2 Ne. 26:25 Buy milk and honey, without money and
FATLING
2 Ne. 21:6 And the young lion and the fatling together
2 Ne. 30:12 And the young lion, and the fatling, together
FATLINGS
Mosiah 11:3 And a fifth part of their fatlings
Alma 1:29 Flocks and herds, and fatlings of every kind
Hel. 6:12 Raise many flocks and herds, yea, many fatlings
FIRSTLINGS
Mosiah 2:3 Also took of the firstlings of their flocks
FLOCKS
His Flocks—
Mosiah 5:14 Suffer that he shall feed among his flocks
Alma 18:2 Faithfulness of Ammon in preserving his flocks
3 Ne. 6:1 Every man, with his family, his flocks
Our Flocks—
Mosiah 7:22 One-half of the increase of our flocks
Mosiah 22:8 We will depart with our women . . . our flocks
Alma 17:28 Behold our flocks are scattered already
Alma 17:33 With these men who do scatter our flocks
Their Flocks—
Mosiah 2:3 Also took of the firstlings of their flocks
Mosiah 9:14 Were watering and feeding their flocks
Mosiah 9:14 Began to slay them, and to take off their flocks
Mosiah 10:21 My people began to tend their flocks
Mosiah 11:16 And while they were tending their flocks
Mosiah 11:17 Drove many of their flocks out of the land
Mosiah 21:18 And secured their grain and their flocks
Mosiah 22:2 To take their women . . . and their flocks
Mosiah 22:6 They gather together their flocks and herds
Mosiah 22:10 His people should gather their flocks together
Mosiah 22:11 Depart . . . into the wilderness with their flocks
Mosiah 23:1 They gathered together their flocks, and took
Mosiah 24:18 In the night time, gathered their flocks together
Mosiah 24:18 Night time were they gathering their flocks
Alma 2:25 Are fleeing before them with their flocks
Alma 3:2 Also many of their flocks and their herds
Alma 4:2 Also for the loss of their flocks and herds
Alma 17:26 Going forth with their flocks to the place
Alma 17:26 And all the Lamanites drive their flocks hither
Alma 17:27 Were driving forth their flocks to this place
Alma 17:27 The Lamanites, who had been with their flocks
Alma 17:28 Because their flocks were scattered by
Alma 17:33 Those men again stood to scatter their flocks
Alma 17:39 They watered their flocks and returned them
Alma 18:6 Because their brethren had scattered their flocks
Alma 18:6 Because they had had their flocks scattered
Alma 19:20 Their flocks scattered at the waters of Sebus
Alma 27:14 Did gather together all their flocks
Hel. 12:2 In the increase of their fields, their flocks
3 Ne. 3:13 They should gather . . . their flocks and their
3 Ne. 3:22 They had taken . . . all their flocks and their
3 Ne. 4:3 Lands desolate, and had gathered their flocks
Ether 2:1 With their flocks which they had gathered
Ether 6:4 Also food for their flocks and herds
Ether 9:31 Their flocks began to flee before the poisonous
Flocks—
Enos 1:21 Flocks of herds and flocks of all manner
Mosiah 9:12 Feast themselves upon the flocks of our fields
Mosiah 10:2 Thus I did guard my people and my flocks
Mosiah 21:16 Raise grain more abundantly, and flocks
Alma 1:29 And abundance of flocks and herds
Alma 4:6 Because of their many flocks and herds
Alma 7:27 Peace of God rest upon you . . . upon your flocks
Alma 17:25 He was set . . . to watch the flocks of Lamoni
Alma 17:27 Stood and scattered the flocks of Ammon
Alma 17:29 In restoring these flocks unto the king
Alma 17:31 And let us go in search of the flocks
Alma 17:31 We will preserve the flocks unto the king
Alma 17:32 That they went in search of the flocks
Alma 17:32 And did head the flocks of the king
Alma 17:33 Encircle the flocks round about that they
Alma 17:35 They stood to scatter the flocks of the king
Alma 18:3 Neither can they scatter the king's flocks
Alma 18:7 Waters of Sebus, to scatter the flocks
Alma 18:16 And I defended thy servants and thy flocks
Alma 18:16 In order to defend thy flocks and thy servants
Alma 18:20 Arms of my brethren that scattered my flocks
Alma 19:21 At the waters of Sebus, and scattered the flocks
Alma 19:21 While defending the flocks of the king
Alma 34:20 Cry unto him over all your flocks
Alma 34:25 Cry over the flocks of your field
Alma 62:29 Raising all manner of grain, and flocks
Hel. 6:12 And they did raise many flocks and herds
3 Ne. 4:4 Reserved . . . cattle, and flocks of every kind
3 Ne. 20:16 A young lion among the flocks of sheep
3 Ne. 21:12 A young lion among the flocks of sheep
Ether 1:41 Go to and gather together thy flocks
Ether 10:12 Became exceeding rich . . . in flocks, and herds
GOAT
1 Ne. 18:25 The horse, and the goat and the wild goat
Alma 14:29 As a goat fleeth with her young from two
GOATS
Enos 1:21 Goats, and wild goats, and also many horses
Ether 9:18 Also all manner of cattle . . . of swine, and of goats
HERDS
2 Ne. 5:11 And we began to raise flocks. and herds
Enos 1:21 Flocks of herds, and flocks of all manner
Mosiah 7:22 One half of the increase of our . . . herds
Mosiah 21:16 Grain more abundantly, and flocks, and herds
Mosiah 22:2 Children, and their flocks, and their herds
Mosiah 22:6 Gather together their flocks and herds
Mosiah 22:8 Our flocks, and our herds into the wilderness
Mosiah 22:11 Wilderness with their flocks and their herds
Alma 1:29 And abundance of flocks and herds
Alma 3:2 Also many of their flocks and their herds
Alma 4:2 Also for the loss of their flocks and herds
Alma 4:6 Because of their many flocks and herds
Alma 7:27 Peace . . . rest . . . upon your flocks, and herds
Alma 27:14 Gather together all their flocks and herds
Alma 62:29 Grain, and flocks, and herds of every kind
Hel. 6:12 They did raise many flocks and herds15
Hel. 12:2 Increase of . . . their flocks and their herds
3 Ne. 3:13 They should gather . . . their flocks and their herds
3 Ne. 3:22 All their flocks, and their herds, and their
3 Ne. 4:3 And had gathered their flocks, and their herds
3 Ne. 6:1 Every man, with his family . . . and his herds
Ether 6:4 Also food for their flocks and herds
Ether 10:12 In raising grain, and in flocks and herds
HORSE
1 Ne. 18:25 Cows and the ox, and the ass and the horse
HORSES
2 Ne. 12:7 Their land is also full of horses
2 Ne. 15:28 Their horses' hoofs shall be counted like flint
Enos 1:21 And wild goats, and also many horses
Alma 18:9 Behold, he is feeding thy horses
Alma 18:9 They should prepare his horses and chariots
Alma 18:10 Heard that Ammon was preparing his horses
Alma 18:12 When Ammon had made ready the horses
Alma 20:6 His servants should make ready his horses
3 Ne. 3:22 Taken their horses, and their chariots, and
3 Ne. 4:4 Reserved for themselves provisions, and horses
3 Ne. 6:1 His horses and his cattle, and all things whatsoever
3 Ne. 21:14 I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of
Ether 9:19 And they also had horses and asses
OX
1 Ne. 18:25 Both the cow and the ox, and the ass
2 Ne. 21:7 And the lion shall eat straw like the ox
2 Ne. 30:13 And the lion shall eat straw like the ox
Mosiah 13:24 Nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his
OXEN
2 Ne. 17:25 But it shall be for the sending forth of oxen
Ether 9:18 All manner of cattle, of oxen, and cows
SHEEP
My Sheep—
Mosiah 26:20 And shalt gather together my sheep
Mosiah 26:21 He that will hear my voice shall be my sheep
3 Ne. 15:24 And ye are my sheep and ye are numbered
3 Ne. 16:3 And shall be numbered among my sheep
3 Ne. 18:31 I know my sheep, and they are numbered
Sheep—
1 Ne. 22:25 He numbereth his sheep, and they know him
1 Ne. 22:25 He shall feed his sheep, and in him they
2 Ne. 17:21 A man shall nourish a young cow and two sheep
2 Ne. 23:14 And as a sheep that no man taketh up
Mosiah 14:6 And we, like sheep, have gone astray
Mosiah 14:7 And as a sheep before her shearers is dumb
Mosiah 15:6 As a sheep before the shearer is dumb
Alma 5:37 Gone astray, as sheep having no shepherd
Alma 5:38 Ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd
Alma 5:39 If ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd
Alma 5:59 Is there among you having many sheep?
Alma 5:60 Bring you into the fold, and ye are his sheep
Alma 25:12 Even as a sheep having no shepherd is driven
Hel. 15:13 True shepherd, and be numbered among his sheep
3 Ne. 14:15 False prophets, who come unto you in sheep's
3 Ne. 15:17 Other sheep I have, which are not of this
3 Ne. 15:21 Other sheep I have, which are not of this
3 Ne. 16:1 I have other sheep, which are not of this
3 Ne. 20:16 As a young lion among the flocks of sheep
3 Ne. 21:12 As a young lion among the flocks of sheep
Ether 9:18 Also all manner of cattle . . . and of sheep
SHEARER
Mosiah 15:6 As a sheep before the shearer is dumb
SOW (Swine)
3 Ne. 7:8 Or like the sow to her wallowing in the mire
SWINE
3 Ne. 14:6 Neither cast ye your pearls before swine
Ether 9:18 Cows, and of sheep, and of swine, and of
ELEPHANTS
Ether 9:19 And there were elephants and cureloms
Ether 9:19 More especially the elephants, and cureloms
Evidence supporting the existence of these forms of animal life in the regions proposed by Norman and Sorenson stands at this time as follows:
Ass: None
Bull: None
Calf: None
Cattle: None
Cow: None
Goat: None
Horse: None
Ox: None
Sheep: None
Sow: None
Elephants: None (contemporary with Book of Mormon)
Evidence of the foregoing animals has not appeared in any form—ceramic representations, bone or skeletal remains, mural art, sculptured art, or any other form. However, in the regions proposed by Norman and Sorenson, evidence has been found in several forms of the presence in Book-of-Mormon times of other animals—deer, jaguars, dogs, turkeys, etc. The zero score presents a problem that will not go away with the ignoring of it. Non-LDS scholars of first magnitude—some who want to be our friends—think we have real trouble here. That evidence of the ancient existence of these animals is not elusive is found in the fact that proof of their existence in the ancient Old World is abundant. The absence of such evidence in the area proposed for our consideration in this symposium is distressing and significant, in my view.
Metallurgy Test
The text of the Book of Mormon requires the finding of evidence of some or all of the following metals and metallurgical skills and products in the regions proposed as Nephite-Lamanite-Jaredite-Mulekite country:
BELLOWS
1 Ne. 17:11 I, Nephi, did make a bellows
1 Ne. 17:11 And after I had made a bellows
BRASS
Engraven on (or upon) the Plates of Brass—
1 Ne. 3:3,12,24; 4:16; 5:10; 19:22; 22:1; 2 Ne. 4:15; 5:12; Mosiah 1:3,16;10:16; 28:11
Plates of Brass—
1 Ne. 4:24 The engravings which were upon the plates of brass
1 Ne. 4:38 We took the plates of brass…into the wilderness
1 Ne. 5:14 Lehi, also found upon the plates of brass, a
1 Ne. 5:18 These plates of brass should go forth
1 Ne. 5:19 These plates of brass should never perish
1 Ne. 13:23 Engravings which are upon the plates of brass
1 Ne. 19:21 They are written upon the plates of brass
1 Ne. 22:30 Which have been written upon the plates of brass
2 Ne. 4:2 And they are written upon the plates of brass
Omni 1:14 Sent the people of Mosiah, with the plates of brass
Mosiah 28:20 He took the plates of brass, and all the things
Alma 37:3 These plates of brass which contain these
3 Ne. 1:2 Concerning the plates of brass
3 Ne. 10:7 Are they not written upon the plates of brass?
Brass—
1 Ne. 16:10 And it [the ball] was of fine brass
1 Ne. 20:4 Thy neck was an iron sinew, and thy brow brass
2 Ne. 5:15 To work in all manner of . . . brass, and of steel
Jarom 1:8 Also in iron and copper, and brass and steel
Mosiah 8:10 They are of brass and of copper
Mosiah 11:3 And of their brass and their iron
Mosiah 11:8 Of silver, and of iron, and of brass
Mosiah 11:10 Of fine wood, and of copper, and of brass
3 Ne. 20:19 And I will make thy hoofs brass
Ether 10:23 Make gold, and silver, and iron, and brass
BREAST-PLATES
Mosiah 8:10 They have brought breast-plates which are large
Alma 43:19 Moroni had prepared his people with breast-plates
Alma 43:21 They were not armed with breast-plates
Alma 43:38 Shielded from the strokes of the Lamanites by their breast-plates
Alma 43:44 They did pierce many of their breast-plates
Alma 44:9 It is your breast-plates . . . that have preserved you
Alma 46:13 Fastened on his head-plate and his breast-plates
Alma 49:6 With shields, and with breast-plates
Alma 49:24 Shielded by their shields, and their breast-plates
Hel. 1:14 Armed them with . . . head-plates, and with breast-plates
Ether 15:15 Having shields, and breast-plates, and head-plates
CHAINS
2 Ne. 1:13 Shake off the awful chains by which ye are
2 Ne. 1:13 Which are the chains which bind the children
2 Ne. 1:23 Shake off the chains with which ye are bound
2 Ne. 9:45 Shake off the chains of him that would bind
2 Ne. 13:19 The chains and the bracelets, and the mufflers
2 Ne. 28:19 Will grasp them with his everlasting chains
2 Ne. 28:22 Until the grasps them with his awful chains
Alma 5:7 Bands of death, and the chains of hell
Alma 5:9 The chains of hell which encircled them
Alma 5:10 Yea, and also the chains of hell?
Alma 12:6 Might encircle you about with his chains
Alma 12:11 This is what is meant by the chains of hell
Alma 13:30 Ye may not be bound down by the chains
Alma 26:14 Loosed our brethren from the chains of hell
Alma 36:18 Encircled about by the everlasting chains
COPPER
1 Ne. 18:25 Both of gold, and of silver, and of copper
2 Ne. 5:15 To work in all manner of wood . . . and of copper
Jarom 1:8 Also in iron and copper, and brass and steel
Mosiah 8:10 Breast-plates . . . they are of brass and of copper
Mosiah 11:3 A fifth part of their ziff, and of their copper
Mosiah 11:8 Of brass, and of ziff, and of copper
Mosiah 11:10 The temple, of fine wood, and of copper
Ether 10:23 Mighty heaps of earth to get ore, of gold . . . and of copper
GOLD
1 Ne. 2:4 He left his house . . . and his gold, and his
1 Ne. 2:11 To leave . . . their inheritance, and their gold
1 Ne. 3:16 He left gold and silver, and all manner of
1 Ne. 3:22 We did gather together our gold, and our
1 Ne. 3:24 For which we would give unto him our gold
1 Ne. 4:9 And the hilt thereof was of pure gold
1 Ne. 13:7 I also saw gold, and silver, and silks, and
1 Ne. 13:8 Behold the gold, and the silver, and the silks
1 Ne. 18:25 We did find all manner of ore, both of gold
2 Ne. 5:15 To work in all manner of wood . . . and of gold
2 Ne. 12:7 Their land is also full of silver and gold
2 Ne. 12:20 His idols of gold, which he hath made
2 Ne. 23:12 Make a man more precious than fine gold
2 Ne. 23:17 Which shall not regard silver and gold
Jacob 1:16 And they also began to search much gold
Jacob 2:12 Many of you have begun to search for gold
Jarom 1:8 Became exceeding rich in gold, and in all
Mosiah 2:12 And have not sought gold nor silver
Mosiah 4:19 Raiment, and for gold, and for silver
Mosiah 8:9 Brought 24 plates, and they are of pure gold
Mosiah 11:3 A fifth part of their gold and of their silver
Mosiah 11:8 All manner of precious things, of gold
Mosiah 11:9 And was ornamented with gold and silver
Mosiah 11:11 Seats, he did ornament with pure gold
Mosiah 19:15 One half of their gold and their silver
Mosiah 22:12 They had taken all their gold, and silver
Mosiah 28:11 Records which were on the plates of gold
Alma 1:29 Also abundance of grain, and of gold
Alma 4:6 Their gold and their silver, and all manner
Alma 11:3 The judge received . . . a senine of gold for a
Alma 11:3 Senurn of silver, which is equal to a senine of gold
Alma 11:4 Names of the different pieces of their gold
Alma 11:5 Thus: a senine of gold, a seon of gold
Alma 11:5 A shum of gold, a limnah of gold
Alma 11:7 A senum of silver was equal to a senine of gold
Alma 11:8 A seon of gold was twice the value of a
Alma 11:9 A shum of gold was twice the value of a
Alma 11:10 A limnah of gold was the value of them
Alma 11:19 An antion of gold is equal to three shiblons
Alma 15:16 Amulek having forsaken all his gold
Alma 17:14 Their hearts were set upon . . . gold and silver
Alma 31:24 He saw that their hearts were set upon gold
Alma 31:28 Their bracelets, and their ornaments of gold
Hel. 6:9 They did have an exceeding plenty of gold
Hel. 6:11 There was all manner of gold in both these
Hel. 6:31 Build up unto themselves idols of their gold
Hel. 7:21 And that ye might get gold and silver
Hel. 12:2 In the increase of their fields . . . and in gold
Hel. 13:28 Ye will give unto him of your gold
3 Ne. 6:2 Their grain of every kind, and their gold
3 Ne. 24:3 Sons of Levi, and purge them as gold
3 Ne. 27:32 They will sell me for silver, and for gold
4 Ne. 1:46 Gold and silver did they lay up in store
Ether 9:17 Of gold and of silver, and of precious things
Ether 10:7 His fine gold he did cause to be refined
Ether 10:12 Became exceeding rich . . . in gold, and silver
Ether 10:23 They did make gold, and silver, and iron
Ether 10:23 Mighty heaps of earth to get ore, of gold
IRON
Rod of Iron—
1 Ne. 8:19 And I beheld a rod of iron
1 Ne. 8:20 Path, which came along by the rod of iron
1 Ne. 8:24 Caught hold of the end of the rod of iron
1 Ne. 8:24 Mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron
1 Ne. 8:30 Caught hold of the end of the rod of iron
1 Ne. 8:30 Continually holding fast to the rod of iron
1 Ne. 11:25 I beheld that the rod of iron which my father
1 Ne. 15:23 What meaneth the rod of iron which our father
Iron—
1 Ne. 13:5 Yoketh them with a yoke of iron
1 Ne. 20:4 And thy neck was an iron sinew
2 Ne. 5:15 Work in all manner of wood, and of iron
2 Ne. 20:34 Cut down the thickets of the forests with iron
Jarom 1:8 In iron and copper, and brass and steel
Mosiah 11:3 A fifth part off their . . . brass and their iron
Mosiah 11:8 All manner of precious things . . . of iron
3 Ne. 20:19 Yea, I will make thy horn iron
Ether 10:23 They did make gold, and silver, and iron
Ether 10:23 Get ore of gold, and of silver, and of iron
METALS
[Hel. 6:9 Silver, and of all manner of precious metals]
[Ether 10:22 Iron, and brass, and all manner of metals]
MOULTEN
Ether 3:1 Did moulten out of a rock sixteen small stones
Ether 3:3 Things which I have moulten out of the rock
Ether 7:9 He died moulten out of the hill, and made swords
ORE
1 Ne. 17:9 Whither shall I go that I may find ore?
1 Ne. 17:10 Told me whither I should go to find ore
1 Ne. 17:16 I did make tools of the ore which I did
1 Ne. 18:25 We did find all manner of ore, both of
1 Ne. 19:1 Wherefore I did make plates of ore
Mosiah 21:27 And they were engraven on plates of ore
Hel. 6:11 Of silver, and of precious ore of every
Hel. 6:1 Workmen, who did work all kinds of ore
Morm. 8:5 And ore I have none, for I am alone
Ether 10:23 And they did work in all manner of ore
Ether 10:23 Did cast up mighty heaps of earth to get ore
ORES
2 Ne. 5:15 Of gold and of silver, and of precious ores
Jacob 2:12 For silver and all manner of precious ores
PLOW
Ether 10:25 Both to plow and to sow, to reap and to
PLOW-SHARES
2 Ne. 12:4 They shall beat their swords into plow-shares
STEEL
1 Ne. 4:9 Blade thereof was of the most precious steel
1 Ne. 16:18 My bow, which was made of fine steel
2 Ne. 5:15 To work in all manner of wood . . . and of steel
Jarom 1:8 Also in iron and copper, and brass and steel
Ether 7:9 And made swords out of steel for those
SILVER
1 Ne. 2:4 Gold, and his silver, and his precious things
1 Ne. 2:11 Their gold, and their silver, and their precious
1 Ne. 3:16 He left gold and silver, and all manner of
1 Ne. 3:22 Gather together our gold, and our silver
1 Ne. 3:24 Would give unto him our gold and our silver
1 Ne. 13:7 I also saw gold, and silver, and silks and scarlets
1 Ne. 13:8 Behold the gold, and the silver, and the silks
1 Ne. 18:25 Ore, both of gold, and of silver, and of copper
2 Ne. 5:15 Gold, and of silver, and of precious ores
2 Ne. 12:7 Their land also is full of silver and gold
2 Ne. 12:20 In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver
2 Ne. 23:17 Against them, which shall not regard silver
Jacob 1:16 Also began to search much gold and silver
Jacob 2:12 Began to search for gold, and for silver
Jarom 1:8 Exceeding rich in gold, and in silver
Mosiah 2:12 And have not sought gold nor silver
Mosiah 4:19 Do we not all depend . . . for silver, and for
Mosiah 11:3 A fifth part of their gold and of their silver
Mosiah 11:8 He ornamented them with . . . silver
Mosiah 11:9 Was ornamented with gold and silver
Mosiah 19:15 One half of their gold, and their silver
Mosiah 22:12 They had taken all of their gold and silver
Alma 1:29 Abundance of grain, and of gold, and of silver
Alma 4:6 Their silver, and all manner of precious things
Alma 11:3 A senum of silver, which is equal to a senine
Alma 11:4 Different pieces of their gold, and of their silver
Alma 11:6 A senum of silver, an amnor of silver
Alma 11:6 An ezrom of silver, and an onti of silver
Alma 11:7 A senum of silver was equal to a senine
Alma 11:11 An amnor of silver was as great as two senums
Alma 11:12 An ezrom of silver was as great as four senums
Alma 11:22 Here is six onties of silver, and all these
Alma 15:16 Having forsaken all his gold, and silver
Alma 17:14 Their hearts were set upon . . . told and silver
Alma 31:24 Hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver
Hel. 6:9 An exceeding plenty of gold, and of silver
Hel. 6:11 Of silver, and of precious ore of every kind
Hel. 6:31 Idols of their gold and their silver
Hel. 7:21 And that ye might get gold and silver
Hel. 12:2 In gold, and in silver, and in all manner
Hel. 13:28 Ye will give unto him of your . . . silver
3 Ne. 6:2 Their silver, and all their precious things
3 Ne. 24:3 He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver
3 Ne. 24:3 Sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver
3 Ne. 27:32 For they will sell me for silver and for gold
4 Ne. 1:46 Gold and silver did they lay up in store
Ether 9:17 Having all manner of . . . gold, and of silver
Ether 10:12 People became exceeding rich . . . in gold, and silver
Ether 10:23 And they did make gold, and silver, and iron
Ether 10:23 Mighty heaps of earth to get ore . . . of silver
SWORDS
Our Swords—
Alma 24:12 And our swords have become bright
Alma 24:12 Then let us stain our swords no more
Alma 24:13 I say unto you, nay, let us retain our swords
Alma 24:13 If we should stain our swords again
Alma 24:15 And our swords are made bright
Alma 24:15 We have not stained our swords in the blood
Alma 24:16 We will hide away our swords, yea
Alma 44:8 Otherwise we will retain our swords
Alma 44:9 Cunning that has preserved you from our swords
Alma 57:9 But we did sleep upon our swords
Alma 57:33 We did cause that our swords should come
Alma 57:33 They did in a body run upon our swords
Alma 61:14 Let us resist them with our swords
Hel. 13:34 Our swords are taken from us in the day
Their Swords—
2 Ne. 12:4 They shall beat their swords into plow-shares
Alma 17:7 Zarahemla, and took their swords, and their
Alma 24:17 They took their swords, and all the weapons
Alma 43:20 They had only their swords and their cimeters
Alma 43:37 Heavy blows of the Nephites with their swords
Alma 43:38 Then a man fell among the Nephites by their swords
Alma 44:17 The Lamanites did contend with their swords
Alma 49:20 Their most strong men, with their swords
Alma 52:39 Those who would not deliver up their swords
Alma 60:16 Instead of taking up their swords against us
Alma 62:5 Did take up their swords in the defense
Hel. 15:9 And will not lift their swords against them
Ether 15:20 When the night came they slept upon their swords
Ether 15:22 And they slept again upon their swords
Ether 15:24 They slept upon their swords that night
Ether 15:24 Contended in their mights with their swords
By the Sword—
1 Ne. 1:13 Many should perish by the sword
2 Ne. 13:25 Thy men shall fall by the sword
2 Ne. 23:15 Is joined to the wicked, shall fall by the sword
Omni 1:17 Had fallen by the sword from time to time
Mosiah 22:2 Deliver themselves out of bondage by the sword
Alma 1:9 Therefore he was slain by the sword
Alma 1:12 Hast endeavored to enforce it by the sword
Alma 2:1 The man that slew Gideon by the sword
Alma 10:23 Famine, and by pestilence, and by the sword
Alma 17:39 Had been smote off by the sword of Ammon
Alma 50:22 Consigned to bondage, or to perish by the sword
Alma 50:26 They were determined by the sword to slay
Alma 51:19 Dissenters who were hewn down by the sword
Alma 51:20 Be smitten down to the earth by the sword
Alma 56:51 For Antipus had fallen by the sword
Alma 57:23 And were not all destroyed by the sword
Alma 58:39 And kept them from falling by the sword
Alma 60:5 Yea; thousands have fallen by the sword
Alma 60:8 Saved thousands of them from falling by the sword
Alma 60:12 There are many who have fallen by the sword
Alma 60:22 Borders of the land, who are falling by the sword
Alma 60:35 Of your food, even if it must be by the sword
Hel. 11:4 This people shall be destroyed by the sword
Hel. 11:5 Work of destruction did cease by the sword
Morm. 6:15 Did fall by the sword, with their ten thousand each
Ether 13:18 Many people who were slain by the sword
Ether 14:4 And many thousands fell by the sword
Ether 14:24 That Coriantumr should not fall by the sword
Ether 15:2 He saw that there had been slain by the sword
Ether 15:23 When the night came they had all fallen by the sword
Ether 15:28 Coriantumr, or he would perish by the sword
Ether 15:29 When they had all fallen by the sword
Moro. 9:2 And Archeantus has fallen by the sword
With the Sword—
1 Ne. 12:2 Great slaughters with the sword among my
Omni 1:2 I fought much with the sword to preserve
W of M 1:13 Strength of his own arm, with the sword of
Alma 2:20 Slain by the hand of Nehor with the sword
Alma 2:29 Alma fought with Amlici with the sword
Alma 2:31 Insomuch that he slew Amlici with the sword
Alma 3:2 And children had been slain with the sword
Alma 6:7 Slain by the hand of Nehor with the sword
Alma 18:16 Brethren with the sling and with the sword
Alma 19:22 Brother had been slain with the sword of
Alma 20:14 That he should slay Ammon with the sword
Alma 24:21 And began to slay Ammon with the sword
Alma 58:18 Were about to fall upon us with the sword
Alma 60:17 They are murdering our people with the sword
Alma 60:30 Zarehemla, and smite you with the sword
Hel. 1:23 And cut his way through with the sword
Hel. 10:18 And began to slay one another with the sword
Hel. 13:9 Yea, I will visit them with the sword
3 Ne. 3:6 That they should visit you with the sword
Morm. 2:14 Would struggle with the sword for their lives
Morm. 6:9 They did fall upon my people with the sword
Ether 15:29 And they fought again with the sword
His Sword—
1 Ne. 4:9 I beheld his sword, and I drew it forth
1 Ne. 4:18 I smote off his head with his own sword
1 Ne. 4:19 Smitten off his head with his own sword
Mosiah 19:4 He drew his sword, and swore in his wrath
Alma 1:9 He was wroth with Gideon and drew his sword
Alma 17:37 He smote off their arms with his sword
Alma 17:37 Smiting their arms with the edge of his sword
Alma 17:38 Save it were their leader, with his sword
Alma 19:22 Angry with Ammon, drew his sword, and
Alma 20:16 He drew his sword that he might smite him
Alma 20:22 But Ammon raised his sword, and said
Alma 44:8 He came forth and delivered up his sword
Alma 44:12 Zarahemnah retained his sword, and he was
Alma 44:12 Slay Moroni, but as he raised his sword
Alma 44:13 And laid it upon the point of his sword
Ether 9:27 Father; for he slew him with his own sword
Ether 14:1 If a man should lay his tool or his sword
Ether 14:2 Every man kept the hilt of his sword there
Ether 15:5 That he might slay him with his own sword
Ether 15:30 When Coriantutor had leaned upon his sword
By the Sword—
1 Ne. 1:13 Many should perish by the sword
2 Ne 13:25 Thy men shall fall by the sword
2 Ne. 23:15 Is joined to the wicked, shall fall by the sword
Omni 1:17 Had fallen by the sword from time to time
Mosiah 22:2 Deliver themselves out of bondage by the sword
Swords—
2 Ne. 5:14 After the manner of it did make many swords
Mosiah 8:11 They have brought swords, the hilts thereof
Mosiah 9:16 I did arm them with bows . . . with swords
Mosiah 10:8 Men armed with bows . . . and with swords
Alma 2:12 They did arm themselves with swords, and
Alma 43:18 And his people were armed with swords
Alma 44:18 Were exposed to the sharp swords of the Nephites
Alma 44:18 Fall exceeding fast before the swords of the
Alma 60:2 Arm them with swords, and with cimeters
Hel. 1:14 Armed them with swords, and with cimeters
Ether 7:9 Made swords out of steel for those whom he
Ether 7:9 And after he had armed them with swords
HILT
1 Ne. 4:9 And the hilt thereof was of pure gold
Alma 44:12 Soldiers smote it . . . and it broke by the hilt
Ether 14:2 Every man kept the hilt of his sword
HILTS
Mosiah 8:11 Swords, the hilts thereof have perished
TOOL
Hel. 13:34 We lay a tool here, and on the morrow
Ether 14:1 If a man should lay his tool or his sword
TOOLS
1 Ne. 17:9 That I may make tools to construct the
1 Ne. 17:10 I should go to find ore, that I might make tools
1 Ne. 17:16 I did make tools of the ore which I did
Jarom 1:8 Tools of every kind to till the ground
Ether 10:25 All manner of tools to till the earth
Ether 10:26 All manner of tools with which they did
ENGRAVE
Morm. 1:4 Ye shall engrave on the plates of Nephi, all
ENGRAVED
2 Ne. 5:32 I have engraved that which is pleasing
ENGRAVEN
Engraven on (or upon) the Plates of Brass
1 Ne. 3:3,12,24; 4:16; 5:10; 19:22; 22:1; 2 Ne. 4:15; 5:12; Mosiah 1:3,16; 10:16; 28:11
Engraven—
1 Ne. 9:3 An account engraven of the ministry of my people
1 Ne. 9:4 Upon the other plates should be engraven an
1 Ne. 19:1 I might engraven upon them the record of my
1 Ne. 19:1 I did engraven the record of my father
1 Ne. 19:1 Mine own prophecies have I engraven upon
1 Ne. 19:2 Proceedings in the wilderness are engraven
2 Ne. 5:30 Thou shall engraven many things upon them
2 Ne. 5:31 Upon which I have engraven these things
Jacob 1:1 Plates, upon which these things are engraven
Jacob 1:3 Should be engraven upon his other plates
Jacob 1:4 Engraven the heads of them upon these plates
Jacob 4:3 We labor diligently to engraven these words
Jarom 1:14 Upon them the record off our wars are engraven
Omni 1:11 The record of this people is engraven upon
Mosiah 21:27 And they were engraven on plates of ore
Alma 5:19 Having the image of God engraven upon your
3 Ne. 5:10 Record of Nephi, which was engraven on the plates
3 Ne. 26:11 All which were engraven on the Plates of Nephi
ENGRAVING
Jacob 4:1 Because of the difficulty of engraving our words
ENGRAVINGS
1 Ne. 4:24 That I should carry the engravings
1 Ne. 13:23 A record like unto the engravings which are
2 Ne. 5:32 They will be pleased with mine engravings
Omni 1:20 Large stone brought unto him with engravings
Omni 1:20 He did interpret the engravings by the gift
Mosiah 1:4 Therefore he could read these engravings
Mosiah 8:9 Brought twenty-four plates which were filled with engravings
Mosiah 8:11 Or the engravings that are on the plates
Mosiah 21:28 Whereby he could interpret such engravings
Alma 37:3 Plates of brass which contain these engravings
Alma 63:12 Engravings which were in the possession of Helaman
Morm. 1:3 Deposited unto the Lord all the sacred engravings
Evidence supporting the existence of these metals, skills, and products in the regions proposed by Norman and Sorenson stands at this time as follows:
Bellows: None
Brass: None
Breast-plates: None
Chains: None
Copper: None
Gold: None
Iron: None
Ore (mining): None
Plow-shares: None
Silver: None
Swords (metal): None
Hilts (metal): None
Engraving: None
Steel: None
Metallurgy does not appear in the region under discussion until about the ninth century A.D. None of the foregoing technical demands are met by the archaeology of the region proposed as Book of Mormon lands and places. I regard this as a major weakness in the armor of our proponents and friends. It is just as troublesome to the authors of the other correlations—those who have gone before.
I doubt that the proponents will be very convincing, if they contend that evidence of metallurgy is difficult to find and a rarity in archaeology. Where mining was practiced—as in the Old Testament world—mountains of ore and tailings have been found. Artifacts of metal have been found. Art portrays the existence of metallurgical products. Again, the score is zero. In view of the magnitude of metallurgical skills and usage in the Book of Mormon, as indicated in the citations, plenty of evidence should have turned up by now in the regions pointed to in the primary papers of this symposium, if our friends have things pinpointed.
In his newsletter, The Interamerican, dated January-February 1975, Carl B. Compton reports this interesting information:
A British-backed archaeological expedition has found and excavated in the Negev Desert of Israel the oldest known underground mines. These were copper mines so enormous and sophisticated that a team of three mining engineers had to be recruited to aid [in] the excavations. The mines comprise a network of 200 shafts and galleries penetrating the white sandstone for hundreds of yards in all directions and on several levels. Each shaft has its own air shafts, permitting the use of miner's lanterns. They date from ca. 1400 B.C. The site is located near Eilat in the Timna Valley (London Times, 8 December 1974).
Script Test
The text of the Book of Mormon requires the finding of some or all of the following scripts in the regions proposed as Jaredite-Nephite country: Cuneiform (only script used in Tower of Babel times and land—oldest and first script in the world—only one in use in Tigris-Euphrates Valley from its invention about 3500 B.C. down to 600 B.C.) for the Jaredites; Hebrew and Egyptian for the Nephites.
EGYPTIAN—Reformed
The name given to the style of characters in use in the days of Mormon in which the records were engraven on the sacred plates. These characters were greatly modified from those used by Nephi and the other earlier recorders.
Stan Larson, Quest for the Gold Plates, p.258
Morm. 9:32 Which are called among us the reformed Egyptian
EGYPTIANS—The people of Egypt.
1 Ne. 1:2 Learning of the Jews, and the language of the Egyptians
1 Ne. 4:3 And to destroy Laban, even as the Egyptians
1 Ne. 17:23 Led away out of the hands of the Egyptians
1 Ne. 17:27 We know that the Egyptians were drowned in
Mosiah 1:4 He having been taught in the language of the Egyptians
Alma 29:12 Who delivered them out of the hands of the Egyptians
Alma 36:28 He has swallowed up the Egyptians in the Red
Hel. 8:11 The waters closed upon the armies of the Egyptians
HEBREW—The language of the people of Israel
Morm. 9:33 We should have written in Hebrew
Morm. 9:33 But the Hebrew hath been altered by us also
Morm. 9:33 And if we could have written in Hebrew
WRITING
1 Ne. 6:1 Upon these plates which I am writing
1 Ne. 8:30 But to be short in writing, behold, he saw
1 Ne. 16:29 Was also written upon them, a new writing
2 Ne. 3:17 I will give judgment unto him m writing
2 Ne. 3:18 He shall write the writing of the fruit of
2 Ne. 33:1 Neither am I mighty in writing
Jacob 7:27 And I make an end of my writing
Jacob 7:27 Which writing has been small
Alma 10:2 Writing which was upon the wall of the temple
Alma 46:19 That all might see the writing which he had
3 Ne. 12:31 Let him give her a writing of divorcement
Ether 12:23 Because of our weakness in writing
Ether 12:23 Thou hast not made us mighty in writing
Ether 12:24 Thou hast not made us mighty in writing
Ether 12:40 Because of my weakness in writing
Ether 13:1 The people of whom I have been writing
WRITINGS
Jarom 1:14 According to the writings of the kings
WRITE
I write—see I write.
Write them, etc.—see Write them—unto you
Cannot Write—
1 Ne. 17:6 So much that we cannot write them all
2 Ne. 31:1 And I cannot write but a few things
2 Ne. 33:1 I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which
Jacob 4:1 And I cannot write but a little of my words
W of M 1:5 I cannot write the hundredth part of the
Morm. 8:23 Prophecies of Isaiah. Behold I cannot write them
Ether 12:23 Great, even that we cannot write them
Not Write—
1 Ne. 6:1 Wherefore I do not write it in this work1 Ne. 6:5 Pleasing unto the world, I do not write
Be Written—
2 Ne. 30:3 Come forth, and be written unto the Gentiles
Jarom 1:14 Or those which they caused to be written
Mosiah 2:8 The words which he spake, should be written
Mosiah 2:9 Which he spake and caused to be written
Mosiah 28:11 And caused to be written the records which
3 Ne. 17:17 Neither can there be written by any man
3 Ne. 19:32 Neither can be written by man the words
3 Ne. 23:13 Jesus commanded that it should be written
3 Ne. 26:18 Things, which are not lawful to be written
Ether 4:16 Caused to be written by my servant John
Moro. 9:19 Tongue cannot tell, neither can it be written
Been Written—
1 Ne. 22:30 Have been written upon the plates of brass
Omni 1:11 No revelation, save that which has been written
Alma 33:12 Scriptures which have been written by them
3 Ne. 12:33 It hath been written, that whosoever shall
3 Ne. 23:12 Remembered that this thing had not been written
3 Ne. 27:24 Which shall be, even as hath been written
3 Ne. 27:25 Out of the books which have been written
I Have Written—
1 Ne. 10:15 For I have written as many of them as
1 Ne. 14:28 Things which I have written sufficeth me
1 Ne. 14:30 The things which I have written are true
1 Ne. 19:18 I, Nephi, have written these things unto my people
2 Ne. 8:7 In whose heart I have written my law
2 Ne. 11:1 Things which I have written sufficeth me
2 Ne. 25:1 Concerning the words which I have written
2 Ne. 31:2 Wherefore the things which I have written
2 Ne. 33:3 But I, Nephi, have written what I have written
2 Ne. 33:4 The words which I have written in weakness
2 Ne. 33:5 Be angry at the words which I have written
Jacob 7:26 Declaring that I have written according to
W of M 1:3 Concerning that which I have written
Alma 11:46 Or this is all that I have written
Alma 54:5 Ammoron, I have written unto you somewhat
Hel. 2:14 All the account which I have written
3 Ne. 26:8 I have written them to the intent that they
Ether 4:4 I have written upon these plates the very things
Ether 4:5 And I have written them
Ether 5:1 I, Moroni, have written the words which we
Moro. 8:6 For this intent I have written this epistle
Moro. 9:25 The things which I have written grieve thee
Moro. 10:29 That which I have written is true
Have Written—
1 Ne. 14:26 Shown all things, and they have written them
Jacob 7:11 That none of the prophets have written
Jarom 1:2 Write more than my father have written?
Morm. 9:31 Neither them who have written before him
Morm. 9:32 We have written this record according to
Morm. 9:33 Large, we should have written in Hebrew
Morm. 9:33 And if we could have written in Hebrew
Morm. 9:34 Lord knoweth the things which we have written
Ether 2:12 Manifested by the things which we have written
Ether 12:41 Jesus of whom the prophets . . . have written
Moro. 1:1 I had supposed not to have written more
Moro. 1:4 I had supposed not to have written any
Is Written—
2 Ne. 2:17 An angel . . . according to that which is written
2 Ne. 5:12 According to that which is written
2 Ne. 14:3 Every one that is written among the living
2 Ne. 29:11 Their works, according to that which is written
Omni 1:11 That which is sufficient is written
W of M 1:11 According to the word of God which is written
Alma 6:8 And thus it is written. Amen
3 Ne. 12:21 It is also written before you, that thou shalt
3 Ne. 12:27 It is written by them of old time, that thou
3 Ne. 12:33 It is written, thou shalt not forswear thyself
3 Ne. 12:38 It is written, an eye for an eye, and a tooth
3 Ne. 12:43 It is written also, that thou shalt love
3 Ne. 20:36 Be brought to pass that which is written
3 Ne. 22:1 Then shall that which is written come to pass
Not Written—
1 Ne. 14:28 I have not written but a small part of the
1 Ne. 14:30 If all the things which I saw are not written
Mosiah 1:8 More things . . . which are not written in this
Mosiah 13:1 I perceive they are not written in your heart
Alma 13:31 More words . . . which are not written in this
Alma 33:15 It is not written that Zenos alone spake
Hel. 5:13 Many things which are not written
3 Ne. 7:17 Therefore they are not written in this book
3 Ne. 10:17 Are they not written upon the plates of brass
3 Ne. 23:11 How be it that ye have not written this thing
Ether 15:33 (And the hundredth part I have not written)
Which Were Written—
1 Ne. 14:23 The things which were written were plain
1 Ne. 16:27 The things which were written upon the ball
1 Ne. 19:3 The things which were written should be kept
1 Ne. 19:23 Which were written in the book of Moses
1 Ne. 19:24 Which were written unto all the house of Israel
Jacob 2:23 Because of the things which were written concerning David
3 Ne. 3:1 And these were the words which were written
Moro. 10:27 Words . . . which were written by this man
Were Written—
Mosiah 29:4 These were the words that were written
Alma 63:12 All those engravings . . . were written
3 Ne. 24:1 After they were written he expounded them
Written—
1 Ne. 1:16 Of the things which my father hath written
1 Ne. 1:16 For he hath written many things which he
1 Ne. 1:16 He also hath written many things which he
1 Ne. 16:29 There was also written upon them, a new
1 Ne. 16:29 It was written and changed from time to time
1 Ne. 19:23 Which was written by the prophet Isaiah
1 Ne. 19:24 For after this manner has the prophet written
2 Ne. 6:12 Gentiles, they of whom the prophet has written
2 Ne. 6:12 For this cause the prophet has written these
2 Ne. 25:8 Wherefore, for their good have I written them
Jacob 4:4 For this intent have we written these things
W of M 1:11 For there are great things written upon them
Mosiah 5:12 Retain the name always written in your hearts
Mosiah 8:1 Only a few of them have I written in this
Mosiah 29:4 Even a written word sent he among the people
Alma 9:34 The words of Amulek are not all written
Alma 10:2 Which was written by the finger of God
Alma 44:24 Record of Alma, which was written upon the
Alma 61:8 He hath written unto the king of the Lamanites
Hel. 5:6 It is said, and also written, that they were
Hel. 5:7 That it may be said of you, and also written
Hel. 5:7 Even as it it has been said and written of them
3 Ne. 11:15 It was he, of whom it was written by the prophets
3 Ne. 23:13 Therefore it was written according as he commanded
3 Ne. 23:14 All the scriptures in one, which they had written
3 Ne. 24:16 A book of remembrance was written before
3 Ne. 26:8 These things have I written, which are a lesser
4 Ne. 1:21 And it was also written in the book of Nephi
Morm. 7:9 This is written for the intent that ye may
Morm. 8:5 And he hath written the intent thereof
Ether 12:40 Only a few have I written, because of my weakness
Moro. 8:1 Epistle of my father Mormon, written
Moro. 8:1 It was written unto me soon after my calling
WROTE
1 Ne. l:Hd Or in other words, I, Nephi, wrote this record
2 Ne. 4:2 The prophecies which he wrote, there are
Omni 1:9 I saw the last which he wrote
Omni 1:9 That he wrote it with his own hand
Omni 1:9 He wrote it in the day that he delivered
Mosiah 26:33 He wrote them down that he might have them
Alma 30:51 Put forth his hand and wrote unto Korihor
Alma 30:52 Korihor put forth his hand and wrote
Alma 46:12 Wrote upon it, in memory of our God
Alma 46:19 Might see the writing which he had wrote
Alma 54:4 Therefore he wrote an epistle, and sent it
Alma 54:4 These are the words which he wrote unto
Evidence supporting the existence of these forms of writing—these scripts—in the regions proposed by Norman and Sorenson stands at this time as follows:
Cuneiform: None
Hebrew: For very exciting, but meager, script data just now (March 6, 1975) received, see the letter . . . from Professor George F. Carter, formerly of Johns Hopkins University and now of Texas A&M; University. A seal found at Tlatilco (suburb of Mexico City) bears the Hebrew name, Hiram, apparently in Egyptian script! Carter's reference to other Old World scripts— Iberic, Carthaginian, and Libyan—found on the Atlantic coast of North America—are exciting. However, they don't help the Book of Mormon script test, which deals exclusively with Cuneiform, Hebrew, and Egyptian, to be found in the Norman-Sorenson designated territory. Proof of a voyage from Libya doesn't prove the Lehi voyage from Arabia—but it could relate to or even be the Mulek voyage! A cylinder seal found at Tlatilco, Mexico, bearing a Hebrew name, Hiram! Wow!
Egyptian: Three glyphs on a three-inch cylinder seal, found at Chiapa de Corzo, State of Chiapas, Mexico, by the New World Archaeological Foundation. Identified as Egyptian by only one great scholar, William Foxwell Albright (now deceased). Identification seriously questioned by other great scholars— because of the limited number of glyphs in the find. (Probably the biggest strike so far in support of our proponents—and the only one in this technical and demanding testing of their hypotheses.) When both proponents call upon the findings of archaeology for support—with frequent references to cultures falling within the timespan of the Book of Mormon ("Pre-Classic," "Early Classic")—it seems strange that they each failed to mention the glyphs found at Chiapa de Corzo. Perhaps each is himself not convinced that the glyphs are truly Egyptian—because of the limited number found.
It is my opinion that the script test is the most exacting and definitive and precise of all. It is good that we have the two little pieces of baked clay—on this test—the seal from Chiapa de Corzo and the seal from Tlatilco. In my opinion, they lend more support to Sorenson and Norman than all of the configuration-dimension-direction-topography writing done by these two good men and all of the rest of us put together. The references from the text of the Book of Mormon (and I have only included a portion of the many having to do with the literacy of the Jaredites and Nephites) tells us that both peoples were highly literate and on a par with the ancient Sumerians of the Babel region and the Hebrews of ancient Israel. The Sumerians left literally tons of written clay tablets. In Israel have been found the wonderful Lachish letters in early Hebrew, dating to 600 B.C., written in a fortress about thirty miles from Jerusalem—while the conquering Babylonian army was approaching the fortress. If our good friend, Garth Norman, had something like the Lachish letters to identify the Tower of Sherrizah with the Oaxaca site, Giengola, we'd be thrilled for two reasons—the tough script test would have been passed with flying colors by the hypotheses of the proponents, but we would all have our very first Book-of-Mormon place identified. And what a starting point that would be.
My friend, Howard Leigh, at the Mitla Museum in Oaxaca told me that Giengola is a very late site and that it does not fall within several hundred years of our Book of Mormon time span. He probably knows as much about the site as anyone alive. There are many hilltop fortresses dating to ancient times in Mexico. It takes a lot more than configuration-dimensions-directions-topography to prove and establish factually the identity of a particular point of terrain or topography as Sherrizah or as any other specific Book-of-Mormon place. The real and honest-to-goodness ground rules are pretty well laid down by the citations being set forth from the Book of Mormon itself—right here in this simple paper. (Certainly before Bible-world scholars make positive identifications of biblical places, they are careful to meet exacting requirements such as I am proposing here. No less is required of Book-of-Mormon-world students.)
Additional Tests—Wheels, Carriages, Carts, Chariots, and Glass
The text of the Book of Mormon requires the finding of the following:
WHEELS
2 Ne. 15:28 And their wheels lie a whirlwind
CARRIAGES
2 Ne. 20:28 At Michmash he hath laid up his carriages19
CART
2 Ne 15:18 And sin as it were with a cart rope
CHARIOTS
2 Ne. 12:7 Neither is there any end of their chariots
Alma 18:9 They should prepare his horses and chariots
Alma 18:10 Was preparing his horses and his chariots
Alma 18:12 Had made ready the horses and the chariots
Alma 20:6 Make ready his horses, and his chariots
3 Ne. 3:22 Taken their horses, and their chariots
3 Ne. 21:14 And I will destroy thy chariots
GLASS
Ether 3:1 White and clear, even as transparent glass
GLASSES
2 Ne. 13:23 The glasses,20 and the fine linen, and hoods
Evidence supporting the existence of these cultural elements in the regions proposed by Norman and Sorenson stands at this time as follows:
Wheels: Toys with wheels, in ceramic form, are found.
Carriages: None
Carts: None
Chariots: None
Glass: None
The ceramic toys constitute the only evidence of the wheel in ancient times for the areas designated by the proponents. The great murals of Bonampak and of Teotihuacan contain no picture of carts or chariots. The innumerable stone sculptured monuments, portraying much of the ancient way of life—including sedan chairs—give us no representation of carts or chariots. None have been found portrayed in ceramics. A visit to the Cairo Museum, to the University of Pennsylvania Museum, to the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago, [and] to the Field Museum in Chicago reveals to visitors undisputed and powerful evidence supporting the existence of wheels (utilitarian), carts, chariot[s], and works in glass (great numbers of glass vases and dishes survive, for example from ancient Egypt) from areas referenced in the Bible. Complete chariots of wood and iron have turned up in tombs at various points in the ancient Middle East.
To my knowledge no pre-Columbian glass has been found in the regions pointed to by Norman and Sorenson. The wheeled toys and the three glyphs from Chiapa de Corzo don't give our friends much of a total score for their geographical selections.
Conclusion
The evidence supporting the geographical views of Norman and Sorenson, under the exacting tests laid down by the text of the Book of Mormon, is indeed very meager. We have the cylinder seal from Chiapa de Corzo, the cylinder seal from Tlatilco and the toys with wheels. That's about all. This paucity of specific support presents, at least to me, a dilemma. One way out of the dilemma is to say that everything was scrambled and lost because of the upheavals described in 3 Nephi for the time of the crucifixion. In my personal opinion, this is not a satisfactory escape hatch. Virtually all of the data in the Book of Mormon must be credited to Mormon and his abridgment of the "larger plates." He and Moroni, writing in the fourth century (over 300 years after the crucifixion), were responsible for the last 400 pages of the text. And it is in those 400 pages that most of the geographical data appear. Mormon doesn't say that his references to geography are useless and hopeless.
Further, innumerable excavations made in the area we are dealing with, and in the time span (3000 B.C.—400 A.D.) with which we are involved, reveal great undisturbed architectural structures, extensive relatively undisturbed ancient strata, etc., etc.—right through the time of the crucifixion.
I don't have the answer to the dilemma. I just call it up.
I'm afraid that up to this point, I must agree with Dee Green, who has told us that to date there is no Book-of-Mormon geography. I, for one, would be happy if Dee were wrong.
Respectfully submitted,
[signed] Thomas Stuart Ferguson
Thomas Stuart Ferguson
2 March 1975
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