Book of Mormon archaeological evidence

Image by Madman2001 (Wikimedia)

“And it came to pass in the days of Mosiah, there was a large stone brought unto him with engravings on it; and he did interpret the engravings by the gift and power of God.”

Omni 1:20

As ancient American records were brought to Mosiah as evidence of the Jaredite civilization, today researchers are bringing archaeological evidence to light, in validation of Book of Mormon civilizations:

• Izapa Stela 5- This stone slab weighs about 3,000 lbs. It was discovered in Mexico in 1930, and dates back to Mayan times (about 300-100 BC). This engraving along with others describes a “World Tree,” or “Tree of Life.” This relates to Lehi’s vision of the Tree of Life (1 Nephi 8).

• Chama Valley Pot- A Mayan pot discovered in Mexico. On the pot’s side is a painting of dark and light-skinned people together. This relates to how the many Nephites were light-skinned and many Lamanites were dark-skinned.

• Olmec Mother and Child- This Olmec statue is of an adult with a baby on its lap. Some think it an ancient reference to Mary and her baby, Jesus.

• Colossal Heads- In Mosiah 8:10, Limhis search group of 43 “brought breastplates, which are large.” The colossal heads supports the idea Jaredites were large enough to use large breastplates.

• Engravings interpreted by Fernando de Alva Ixtlilxochitl (1568-1648) Fernando was one of Mexico’s earliest archaeologists. As a direct descendant of the king of Texcoco, he inherited Mexican artifacts. After studying ancient hieroglyphics, he wrote a synopsis of Mexican history in which he referenced a people leaving the construction of a large tower to go to the Americas (Ether 1:33) and a white-bearded God visiting the Americas (3 Nephi 11).

• Moche Pot- This Peruvian pot dates back to about 400 AD showing black warriors fighting against white warriors. It brings to mind ancient Nephite and Lamanite battles.

• Pontotoc Stele- This artifact dating back to 100 BC was dug up in Oklahoma. The writings on it include an Egyptian hymn to the Egyptian God Baal-ra. This supports the idea that some native Americans perhaps came from the Middle East.

• Mi’kmaq hieroglyphic- In 1675, when Father le Clercq, a Catholic missionary visited the Gaspe Peninsula on the east coast of Quebec, he saw Native American Mikmaqs write information using hieroglyphics. Some of the Mikmaq language symbols and meanings are nearly identical to Egyptian hieroglyphics. Maybe some sort of Reformed Egyptian…

“The time is long overdue for a massive flooding of the earth with the Book of Mormon for the many reasons which the Lord has given. In this age of electronic media and mass distribution of the printed word, God will hold us accountable if we do not now move the Book of Mormon in a monumental way.”  

-Ezra Taft Benson

Personal Notes: I want to visit Central America.  Several of my friends visited ancient ruins in Guatemala and Mexico and learned about things reminiscent Book of Mormon stories.  The Book of Mormon is an amazing, true record- reading it changed my life.