Zelph book of mormon

Zelph, onandagus, and others not mentioned in the book of mormon fit into the divine scheme of things on this, the american continent. This is better evidence than the book of mormon which only had eleven witnesses. Mormon history association mounds and mormons moronis. When joseph smith found the remains of a lamanite named zelph. Zelph a book of mormon chieftain book of mormon evidence. On june 3, while passing through westcentral illinois near griggsville, some bones were unearthed from a mound. Testimony moronis america the north american setting. Zelph has never been claimed to be part of the immediate story of the book of mormon, only that he was a lamanite. The book of mormon narrative explicitly mentions hagoth and many others leaving on ships northward and whither they did go we know not starting at least in 55 bce. Jun 16, 2017 although the book of mormon does not mention onandagus, he was a great warrior, leader, general, and prophet.

Several members of zions camp remembered joseph having identified the bones of a lamanite warrior named zelph, who had died in battle. Joseph smith received a revelation that his name was zelph. The accounts related to zelph are used as evidence bysome book of mormon scholars to suggest that the lehites inhabited the entire north american continent as proposed by the hemispheric geographical model, rather than merely portions of central america as suggested by the limited geography model. The book of zelph is a perfect companion book to the book of mormon, easily explaining away the problems related to anthropology, zoology, metallurgy, chemistry, biology, history, and archaeology that exist in the book of mormon. With respect to points relative to book of mormon geography, richards wrote that zelph was a white lamanite, a man of god who was a warrior and chieftain. Left to right, rian nelson, rod meldrum, richard mudd, zelph mound guide, and. And if we do follow the plan, yea, the wife of arragornia doth promise us exceeding wealth, yea, even beyond our wildest dreams.

In 1834, joseph smith raised a militia and marched to missouri to redeem zion. Book of mormon geography than we do about revelations on book of. This is not of much value in book of mormon geographical studies, since zelph probably dated from a later time when nephites and lamanites had been somewhat dispersed and wandered over the country. Samantha is a freelance writer from england, known in the mormon blogosphere for cofounding millennial mormons and whatsoever is good. Jun 09, 2017 i spoke at the mormon history associations annual conference last week on the topic of the mormons and the mounds. The book of zelph fills in the scientific gaps of the book of mormon and explains the dna controversy. The possible conclusion of where zelph may fit into the historicity of the book of mormon is either, zelph may have died in 322 ad before mormon became the nephite leader or, zelph may have died in 327 ad in mormons first battle against the lamanites in the city of angola before the nephites went even farther north and east toward cumorah. Oct 15, 2019 remarkably, items discovered in the zelph mound area fit precisely within the parameters of the book of mormon historical chronology. Another testament of the book of mormon kindle edition by zelph, anderson, josh. Zelph s translated words fill in a lot of gaps from the books of mormons. Items do not represent the official views of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints or of book of mormon. Although a major character, he doesnt show up in the book of mormon. Godfrey when the twenty men who formed the vanguard of zions camp left kirtland, ohio, on 1 may 1834, they could not know that one of their most lasting and intriguing contributions to latterday saint history would take place, not on a missouri battlefield but rather on top of a large mound in illinois. From my humble point of view, ken godfreys article what is the significance of zelph in the study of book of mormon geography.

Sadly, all other book of mormon believing denominations are following the lead of the lds church and believe in a mesoamerican model as well. Nov 29, 2014 joseph knew north america was where the book of mormon took place. However, the leaders of the lds church have always maintained that the story happened over the larger land mass of north and central america. In may and june 1834, joseph smith, the mormon prophet, led a group of mormon brethren known as joseph smith, the mormon prophet, led a group of mormon brethren known as. It amazes me how the book of zelph was written for our time and helps us with questions in the world we live in today. Remarkably, items discovered in the zelph mound area fit precisely within the parameters of the book of mormon historical chronology. Because of the absurdity of the story, as well as its obvious conflict with apologists. Book of mormongeographystatementsnineteenth centuryjoseph. God revealed the identity of the bones to joseph in a revelation. Godfrey, what is the significance of zelph in the study of book of mormon geography. Zelph and the lands of the book of mormon zions camp group at zelph mound one of the main stories that always seems to surface when speaking to heartlanders or those who think that the book of mormon took place in north america is the story of zelph. Nov 19, 2009 joseph smith received a revelation that his name was zelph.

Zelph was special though, as his dark, lamanite skin had become white because of his. Zelphs mound naplesrussell mound 8 is a manmade mound. The zelph story is fascinating, but has been warped by hearsay and sloppy journalism. I also read the books of mormons authored by joe smith, but this version is much better. Zelph manifestation of the divine authenticity of the book of. Another testament of the book of mormon zelph, josh anderson on. So not only can zelph on the shelf clearly not read hebrew, but their ability to read english is, it would seem, also questionable.

Today many of the lds scholars want to limit the book of mormon geography to southern mexico and guatemala. Tvedtnes, hebraisms in the book of mormon, in encyclopedia of hebrew language and linguistics, ed. Book of mormongeographystatementsnineteenth century. Which raises the question, is zelph for real, is the entire article a hoax. Zelph manifestation of the divine authenticity of the book. The book of zelph makes fun of this by having people use cureloms and cumoms in chariot races and even has a character named dances with cureloms. Another testament of the book of mormon kindle edition. Account of zelph discovery does little to advance geography theory. Zelph had his thigh bone broken by a stone thrown from a sling, but was killed by the arrow found sticking in his backbone.

Jeremy runnells zelph on the shelf is the name of a blog run by samantha shelley and tanner gilliland, 1 two millennial exmormons who are, sadly, afflicted with the handicap of thinking that twitter hot takes and edgy memes are suitable substitutes for sound historical scholarship and critical thinking. Zelph in relation to book of mormon geography the contents of all bmaf publications are the sole responsibility of the individual authors and therefore do not necessarily represent the views of bmaf or the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Widstoe believed zelph to have no bearing on book of mormon geography. The book zelph takes this to the extreme ending numerous chapters in foreign languages. Dna, zelph, and the book of mormon july 27, 2004 by bccjohnh patty henetz of the associated press has written an article on dna and the book of mormon, focusing on geneticist simon southerton and his forthcoming book, losing a lost tribe. He was a warrior and chieftain under the great prophet onandagus, who was known from the hill cumorah, or eastern sea. Today many of the lds scholars want to limit the book of mormon geography to southern mexico and. I spoke at the mormon history associations annual conference last week on the topic of the mormons and the mounds. Zelph and the question of book of mormon geography.

We at book of mormon christian believe that if you take the record alone without any alleged statements by joseph smith, the truth will speak very loud and very clear. Therefore those who try to support a particular historical or geographical point of view about the book of mormon by citing the zelph story are on inconclusive grounds. They belonged to a man called zelph a lamanite from book of mormon times. July 28, 2018 and it came to pass that many of the lamanites did go into the land northward helaman 6. Joseph smith declared that the bones belonged to zelph, a white and my father did strike the gravediggers head with such might that the gravediggers eyeballs did also pop out of their sockets, even like unto popcorn popping on if apricot tree. Smith identifying some bones as that of a lamanite warrior named zelph. The story of zelph even though its outside the narrative of the book of mormon comes from a tendency of joseph smith to make up revelation on the fly. Jul 07, 2017 several members of zions camp remembered joseph having identified the bones of a lamanite warrior named zelph, who had died in battle. Godfrey, journal of book of mormon studies, 1999latterday saints continue to want to know where the events described in the book of mormon took place, and there continue to be those who claim this or that answer to certain questions.

Cannon concluded that these accounts indicate that joseph smith believed that book of mormon history, or at least a part of it, transpired in north america. The story of zelph even though its outside the narrative of the book of mormon comes from a tendency of joseph smith to make up revelation on the fly to suit his purposes and to bolster faith in his followers. Since it takes two witnesses for something to be true, the book of zelph is a second witness of the ancient inhabitants of the americas, and contains stories of the men and women who lived here. Oct 25, 2018 beyond that, what joseph said to his men is not entirely clear judging by the variations in the available sources. Beyond that, what joseph said to his men is not entirely clear judging by the variations in the available sources. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the book of zelph. Mormon history association mounds and mormons moroni. Although dna and the book of mormon has probably made the rounds through the bloggernacle, i suspect it. In 1834, joseph smith and members of the zions camp unearthed a skeleton that was described by joseph as the remains of zelph, a renowned white lamanite prophet who fought in the epic last battles of the book of mormon.

However, joseph smith himself left behind no direct statements about zelph, and the earliest accounts show that the. What is the significance of zelph in the study of book of mormon geography. Firm foundation news zelph edition constant contact. Wayne may tells the full account in this clip taken from the dvd book of mormon archaeology in north america. Joseph knew north america was where the book of mormon took place. Zelph on the shelf cant read hebrew or english, apparently. However, serious students of lds church history and book of mormon geography would likely know zelph as the white lamanite whose remains were found by.

The book of zelph is a volume of books, like the book of mormon, and is a supplement to the book of mormon. She has guest blogged for lds living and mormon women stand, and worked as a social media intern for deseret book. Zelphs translated words fill in a lot of gaps from the books of mormons. Along the way, the militia uncovered some bones and an arrowhead in a mound. According to wilford woodruff, i brought the thigh bone to missouri. Zelph on the shelf listen via stitcher for podcasts. Aug 06, 2004 the zelph story is fascinating, but has been warped by hearsay and sloppy journalism. The book of zelph takes its name from a little known incident in mormon history. In may and june 1834 joseph smith led an expedition known as zions camp a paramilitary latter day saint group on a march from kirtland, ohio to jackson county, missouri. The possible conclusion of where zelph may fit into the historicity of the book of mormon is either, zelph may have died in 322 ad before mormon became the nephite leader or, zelph may have died in 327 ad in mormon s first battle against the lamanites in the city of angola before the nephites went even farther north and east toward cumorah. Of zelph, lamanites, geography, and dna a mormon blog. This general collection of evidence points to a strong possible north american book of mormon geographic location.

Of zelph, lamanites, geography, and dna a mormon blog but. Joseph smith identified some old bones as a righteous lamanite warrior named zelph, who had white skin like the nephites. Zelph in relation to book of mormon geography book of. Listen to zelph on the shelf episodes free, on demand. As archeological and dna evidence appear to disprove the book of mormon, the book of zelph has come forward as a second witness to the book of mormon. Whether zelphs mound was a burial mound specifically for the warrior zelph, or was a mound burying others is not known for certain. The book of zelph another testament of the book of mormon. Mounds such as this can be found throughout the heartland of america. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The book of zelph another testament of the book of mormon by. Zelph in relation to book of mormon geography fairmormon. Zelphs mound discovered by joseph smith during the zions. Church history in the fullness of times student manual, chapter 12, 2003 edition.