HOW ZION SHALL BE ESTABLISHED

One of the things that "Spencer" said to do in the audio of the previous blog post, was to go back and review the scriptural accounts of Zion - and what our role is in establishing it.  First, we have to find it in our hearts, then our families, then our extended circles at church and work until it becomes universal. 

That takes a righteous people with good leadership - who lead in a simple manner without the pride of the world.  If the people fall short, the leadership cannot lead - as agency must prevail in all things.  Rarely, does the leadership pull the people along by sheer force of celeb or charisma as Joseph Smith was largely able to do - it is usually the hearts and desires of the people who make Zion happen, which is why the initial attempt had failed in this last dispensation.  The only two cases I am aware of where the leadership was able to be of such a strength that the people fell in behind them and took it the distance - Melchizedek (Shem, son of Noah) , Enoch, the twelve in America under the leadership of Jesus.  The Old World apostles did not have it - though they made a valiant effort, there was so much Babylon ingrained in the people that rooting it out became problematic and then it got bogged down.  In describing some of the things I do at work that get tedious because of complexity, I call it "Running a marathon in quicksand......".  Notice the three cases where forming an enduring terrestrial society was possible on a telestial earth - it was all after the people could be hand selected, isolated, taught, and where a form of isolation could be maintained.  The attempt was made with Nephi's group - the isolation nearly complete and they had fantastic leadership, but they eventually stumbled and fell.  Even if they could have completely cut themselves off from their errant brethren, the Lamanites, which they did by dissociation, they still managed to mess things up.

In the case of Melchizedek (or Shem, as Joseph Smith taught in TotPJS), they were isolated, established a city of Peace (or Salem or Shalom) in the location where Jeru Salem is today (arguably quite isolated since the place the ark rested was in the "mountains (foothills) of Ararat", quite some distance to the north in present-day Turkey).  They were able to most likely draw on what they saw of the Enoch society that had been previously taken up into heaven in what I would assume was Shem's lifetime, and just before the flood.  I have not done the math - but assume that there was some interaction there - but that their mission was to stay and leave a posterity to inhabit the baptized earth and provide a Savior for the wicked who had rebelled in the days of Noah.  So Shem had a model to follow - one that was fresh in the memory.  He was able to resist the siren call of Babylon precisely because he, his wife and children were it - Japheth and Noah having gone East, Egyptus and Ham having gone further south in the north of Africa.  If only I could raise my kids in that pristine/clean environment - without picking up the filth in the babylon sea of trash we all swim in.

In Enoch's case, he was able to find a location where he could extract himself from the world (Mount Zion) and where the hordes of angry, bitter, sick and degenerate people could not molest him - much as one of those monastic fortresses on the top of the monolithic rock faces around the world, like these:

 MONOLITH MONASTERIES

While he could not be molested by the wicked around him, they could see his peoples' good works and they could choose to join him in his quest for the perfect society.  Many, having chosen Zion's hill, were also able to look down on the plain and were enticed away from their spiritual abode to join the masses below - some heeding the call of the music, dancing and revelry being played on the ancestor of our modern tuba, invented by Tubal Cain, the artificer of brass.  In that day, Zion was terrible because of her righteousness - the wicked dared not enter because any weapon formed to be used against her would not prosper - just as it will be in the Modern Zion once the curse is lifted from that area and beauty reigns once more, though the nations attempt it, they will be crushed in their vain attempts.  It was interesting to note that Spencer mentioned what I have always said would be the case (previous post) for those living approx below 2400' elevation in the mid-west area, they will be swept with the wicked when the city of Enoch and that portion of the earth that was taken up with her returns to the Gulf of Mexico area - sending the water sweeping north after the righteous have gathered to the foothills and everlasting hills - before the triumphant return to the millennial abode.  Someone in a comment on a previous post challenged me on that statement (and I do not mind that - this stuff is off the charts), but you now have a second witness.

The Lord will have a Zion people from the residue that remain of the righteous saints.  We will follow the type given in the Book of Mormon - where our perfection comes only after much tribulation, "if it so be by the things that they must suffer" - and I will say destruction.  Babylon will be destroyed around us - and there will be no more to follow - all worldly constructs having come to an end.  Most areas of the west where the Saints are gathered will be broken up - the entire face of the land.  According to Sols, the areas around Cardston will be relatively untouched, but there will be much destruction in most other areas, including the Kalispell area.  The amount will depend on the level of the Saints' collective righteousness (which is why its probably good to get that home teaching done.... our part towards making inroads to a Zion people).  I have tried to see it for my own family - but I cannot pierce that view of our future.  It might be de-motivating; we have a long way to go as a family unit.  After the destruction and thinning or cleansing, there will be the translation of the Book of Mormon by a Seer that will be raised up again to that end.  We have not had one in the Church who has exercised that gift since the 1830's.  That is a long dry spell - but then, the condemnation of not taking the Book of Mormon seriously has not been lifted yet - and it was given at that time, as was most of the bulk of the revelation at that time - and little since......  Once the reality settles in and we see similar destruction to what has occurred as recorded in 3 Nephi, we will say, "Truly this Book was written for our day.".  When we see what is restored when the Savior comes, and we begin to live the gospel fully as we have covenanted in the Temple - that the membership has rejected almost across the board in our past, we will see that 2 Nephi 28-31 was written for us.  Only in our extremity will we see that, only in our need will we feel after our Lord and become a truly consecrated people who follow His word with exactness because we see Him as He is and we will have a Zion heart.

So, that is our future - as depressing, and as glorious as it is.  It would have been far better had the people of the early Church not tossed out the Prophet or (fully heeded or been able to heed) his counsel so that he could have lived to 85 years of age.  We are on the alternate path that was laid down in Section 101 - there have always been two since the beginning of days, since Adam and Eve were innocent in the Garden of Eden; the easy road where the burden is light, and the school of hard knocks path where we have to stumble in the dark until we get it right.

Here is Section 101.  I hope you enjoy it and feel the spirit of Zion within it.  May we all do our part to redeem it:

1–8, The Saints are chastened and afflicted because of their transgressions; 9–15, The Lord’s indignation will fall upon the nations, but his people will be gathered and comforted; 16–21, Zion and her stakes will be established; 22–31, The nature of life during the Millennium is set forth; 32–42, The Saints will be blessed and rewarded then; 43–62, The parable of the nobleman and the olive trees signifies the troubles and eventual redemption of Zion; 63–75, The Saints are to continue gathering together; 76–80, The Lord established the Constitution of the United States; 81–101, The Saints are to importune for the redress of grievances, according to the parable of the woman and the unjust judge.

 1 Verily I say unto you, concerning your brethren who have been afflicted, and ^apersecuted, and ^bcast out from the land of their inheritance—

 2 I, the Lord, have suffered the ^aaffliction to come upon them, wherewith they have been afflicted, in consequence of their ^btransgressions;

 3 Yet I will own them, and they shall be ^amine in that day when I shall come to make up my jewels.

 4 Therefore, they must needs be ^achastened and tried, even as ^bAbraham, who was commanded to offer up his only son.

 5 For all those who will not ^aendure chastening, but ^bdeny me, cannot be sanctified.

 6 Behold, I say unto you, there were jarrings, and ^acontentions, and ^benvyings, and ^cstrifes, and ^dlustful and covetous desires among them; therefore by these things they polluted their inheritances.

 7 They were slow to ^ahearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; therefore, the Lord their God is slow to hearken unto their prayers, to answer them in the day of their trouble.

 8 In the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel; but, in the day of their ^atrouble, of necessity they ^bfeel after me.

 9 Verily I say unto you, notwithstanding their sins, my bowels are filled with ^acompassion towards them. I will not utterly ^bcast them off; and in the day of ^cwrath I will remember mercy.

 10 I have sworn, and the decree hath gone forth by a former commandment which I have given unto you, that I would let fall the ^asword of mine indignation in behalf of my people; and even as I have said, it shall come to pass.

 11 Mine indignation is soon to be poured out without measure upon all nations; and this will I do when the cup of their iniquity is ^afull.

 12 And in that day all who are found upon the ^awatch-tower, or in other words, all mine Israel, shall be saved.

 13 And they that have been scattered shall be ^agathered.

 14 And all they who have ^amourned shall be comforted.

 15 And all they who have given their ^alives for my name shall be crowned.

 16 Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine ^ahands; be still and ^bknow that I am God.

 17 ^aZion shall not be moved out of her place, notwithstanding her children are scattered.

 18 They that remain, and are pure in heart, shall return, and come to their ^ainheritances, they and their children, with ^bsongs of everlasting joy, to ^cbuild up the waste places of Zion—

 19 And all these things that the prophets might be fulfilled.

 20 And, behold, there is none other ^aplace appointed than that which I have appointed; neither shall there be any other place appointed than that which I have appointed, for the work of the gathering of my saints—

 21 Until the day cometh when there is found no more room for them; and then I have other places which I will appoint unto them, and they shall be called ^astakes, for the curtains or the strength of Zion.

 22 Behold, it is my will, that all they who call on my name, and worship me according to mine everlasting gospel, should ^agather together, and ^bstand in holy places;

 23 And ^aprepare for the revelation which is to come, when the ^bveil of the covering of my temple, in my tabernacle, which hideth the earth, shall be taken off, and all flesh shall ^csee me together.

 24 And every ^acorruptible thing, both of man, or of the beasts of the field, or of the fowls of the heavens, or of the fish of the sea, that dwells upon all the face of the earth, shall be ^bconsumed;

 25 And also that of element shall ^amelt with fervent heat; and all things shall become ^bnew, that my knowledge and ^cglory may dwell upon all the ^dearth.

 26 And in that day the enmity of man, and the ^aenmity of beasts, yea, the ^benmity of all flesh, shall cease from before my face.

 27 And in that day ^awhatsoever any man shall ask, it shall be given unto him.

 28 And in that day ^aSatan shall not have power to tempt any man.

 29 And there shall be no ^asorrow because there is no death.

 30 In that day an ^ainfant shall not die until he is old; and his life shall be as the age of a tree;

 31 And when he dies he shall not sleep, that is to say in the earth, but shall be ^achanged in the twinkling of an eye, and shall be ^bcaught up, and his rest shall be glorious.

 32 Yea, verily I say unto you, in that ^aday when the Lord shall come, he shall ^breveal all things—

 33 Things which have passed, and ^ahidden things which no man knew, things of the ^bearth, by which it was made, and the purpose and the end thereof—

 34 Things most precious, things that are above, and things that are beneath, things that are in the earth, and upon the earth, and in heaven.

 35 And all they who suffer ^apersecution for my name, and endure in faith, though they are called to lay down their lives for my ^bsake yet shall they partake of all this glory.

 36 Wherefore, ^afear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your ^bjoy is full.

 37 Therefore, care not for the body, neither the life of the body; but care for the ^asoul, and for the life of the soul.

 38 And ^aseek the face of the Lord always, that in ^bpatience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life.

 39 When men are called unto mine ^aeverlasting gospel, and covenant with an everlasting covenant, they are accounted as the ^bsalt of the earth and the savor of men;

 40 They are called to be the savor of men; therefore, if that ^asalt of the earth lose its savor, behold, it is thenceforth good for nothing only to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.

 41 Behold, here is wisdom concerning the children of Zion, even many, but not all; they were found transgressors, therefore they must needs be ^achastened—

 42 He that ^aexalteth himself shall be abased, and he that ^babaseth himself shall be exalted.

 43 And now, I will show unto you a parable, that you may know my will concerning the ^aredemption of Zion.

 44 A certain ^anobleman had a spot of land, very choice; and he said unto his servants: Go ye unto my ^bvineyard, even upon this very choice piece of land, and plant twelve olive trees;

 45 And set ^awatchmen round about them, and build a tower, that one may overlook the land round about, to be a watchman upon the tower, that mine olive trees may not be broken down when the enemy shall come to spoil and take upon themselves the fruit of my vineyard.

 46 Now, the servants of the nobleman went and did as their lord commanded them, and planted the olive trees, and built a hedge round about, and set watchmen, and began to build a tower.

 47 And while they were yet laying the foundation thereof, they began to say among themselves: And what need hath my lord of this tower?

 48 And consulted for a long time, saying among themselves: What need hath my lord of this tower, seeing this is a time of peace?

 49 Might not this money be given to the exchangers? For there is no need of these things.

 50 And while they were at variance one with another they became very ^aslothful, and they hearkened not unto the commandments of their lord.

 51 And the enemy came by night, and broke down the ^ahedge; and the servants of the nobleman arose and were affrighted, and fled; and the enemy destroyed their works, and broke down the olive trees.

 52 Now, behold, the nobleman, the lord of the ^avineyard, called upon his servants, and said unto them, Why! what is the cause of this great evil?

 53 Ought ye not to have done even as I commanded you, and—after ye had planted the vineyard, and built the hedge round about, and set watchmen upon the walls thereof—built the tower also, and set a ^awatchman upon the tower, and watched for my vineyard, and not have fallen asleep, lest the enemy should come upon you?

 54 And behold, the watchman upon the tower would have seen the enemy while he was yet afar off; and then ye could have made ready and kept the enemy from breaking down the hedge thereof, and saved my vineyard from the hands of the destroyer.

 55 And the lord of the vineyard said unto one of his ^aservants: Go and gather together the residue of my servants, and take ^ball the strength of mine house, which are my warriors, my young men, and they that are of middle age also among all my servants, who are the strength of mine house, save those only whom I have appointed to tarry;

 56 And go ye straightway unto the land of my vineyard, and redeem my vineyard; for it is mine; I have bought it with money.

 57 Therefore, get ye straightway unto my land; break down the ^awalls of mine enemies; throw down their tower, and scatter their watchmen.

 58 And inasmuch as they gather together against you, ^aavenge me of mine enemies, that by and by I may come with the residue of mine house and possess the land.

 59 And the servant said unto his lord: When shall these things be?

 60 And he said unto his servant: When I will; go ye straightway, and do all things whatsoever I have commanded you;

 61 And this shall be my seal and ^ablessing upon you—a faithful and ^bwise steward in the midst of mine house, a ^cruler in my kingdom.

 62 And his servant went straightway, and did all things whatsoever his lord commanded him; and ^aafter many days all things were fulfilled.

 63 Again, verily I say unto you, I will show unto you wisdom in me concerning all the churches, inasmuch as they are ^awilling to be guided in a right and proper way for their salvation—

 64 That the work of the ^agathering together of my saints may continue, that I may build them up unto my name upon ^bholy places; for the time of ^charvest is come, and my word must needs be ^dfulfilled.

 65 Therefore, I must gather together my people, according to the parable of the wheat and the ^atares, that the wheat may be secured in the garners to possess eternal life, and be crowned with celestial ^bglory, when I shall come in the kingdom of my Father to reward every man according as his work shall be;

 66 While the ^atares shall be bound in bundles, and their bands made strong, that they may be ^bburned with unquenchable fire.

 67 Therefore, a commandment I give unto all the churches, that they shall continue to gather together unto the places which I have appointed.

 68 Nevertheless, as I have said unto you in a former commandment, let not your ^agathering be in haste, nor by flight; but let all things be prepared before you.

 69 And in order that all things be prepared before you, observe the commandment which I have given concerning these things—

 70 Which saith, or teacheth, to ^apurchase all the lands with money, which can be purchased for money, in the region round about the land which I have appointed to be the land of Zion, for the beginning of the gathering of my saints;

 71 All the land which can be purchased in Jackson county, and the counties round about, and leave the residue in mine hand.

 72 Now, verily I say unto you, let all the churches gather together all their moneys; let these things be done in their time, but not in ^ahaste; and observe to have all things prepared before you.

 73 And let honorable men be appointed, even ^awise men, and send them to purchase these lands.

 74 And the churches in the ^aeastern countries, when they are built up, if they will hearken unto this counsel they may buy lands and gather together upon them; and in this way they may establish Zion.

 75 There is even now already in store sufficient, yea, even an abundance, to redeem Zion, and establish her waste places, no more to be thrown down, were the churches, who call themselves after my name, ^awilling to hearken to my voice.

 76 And again I say unto you, those who have been scattered by their enemies, it is my will that they should continue to importune for redress, and redemption, by the hands of those who are placed as rulers and are in authority over you—

 77 According to the laws and ^aconstitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the ^brights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles;

 78 That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral ^aagency which I have given unto him, that every man may be ^baccountable for his own sins in the day of ^cjudgment.

 79 Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in ^abondage one to another.

 80 And for this purpose have I established the ^aConstitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the ^bshedding of blood.

 81 Now, unto what shall I liken the children of Zion? I will liken them unto the ^aparable of the woman and the unjust judge, for men ought always to ^bpray and not to faint, which saith—

 82 There was in a city a judge which feared not God, neither regarded man.

 83 And there was a widow in that city, and she came unto him, saying: Avenge me of mine adversary.

 84 And he would not for a while, but afterward he said within himself: Though I fear not God, nor regard man, yet because this widow troubleth me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

 85 Thus will I liken the children of Zion.

 86 Let them importune at the ^afeet of the judge;

 87 And if he heed them not, let them importune at the feet of the governor;

 88 And if the governor heed them not, let them importune at the feet of the president;

 89 And if the president heed them not, then will the Lord arise and come forth out of his ^ahiding place, and in his fury vex the nation;

Quick side note - there is duality in Verse 89 depending on how bad the driving this time around is.  The Law of the Harvest is in effect.....

GENTILES ASSISTING THE LAMANITES IN BUILDING THE NEW JERUSALEM

I think there is much misunderstanding and arrogance in our (Ephraim's) role in the building of the NJ. Our role will be in assisting them - sorry folks.... We are largely the 'mongrels' here - not the other way around.

Same applies to Judah rebuilding their temple. People in the Church have a funny view of things and do not know their scripture nor the contemporary views of things as they will be. It will be a hard day for many who have lived in arrogance and blindness for so long.

Orson Pratt, These Lamanites, or American Indians, that are now so far sunk
beneath humanity, are to be lifted up by the power of the
Almighty when the day shall come for Israel to be restored, for
God will not forget them. They are descendants of the tribe of
Joseph, and consequently they are numbered with the people of
the covenant. God will remember the covenant which he made
with our ancient fathers. These Lamanites, these American
Indians, will come to the knowledge of the covenant, and they
will arise and will build upon the face of this land a magnificent
city called Jerusalem, after the pattern and in the same manner
that the Jews will build old Jerusalem. That is what the
Lamanites will do, and we will go and help them too, for it is
predicted in the Book of Mormon that when this work should
come forth, when the time fully arrives for the redemption of this
small remnant of the house of Joseph, "As many of the Gentiles
as will believe, they shall assist my people, who are a remnant of
the house of Israel, that they may build up on the face of this
land a city that shall be called the New Jerusalem, and then,
behold, the powers of heaven shall come down and be in the
midst of this people, and I also will be in your midst." ***


Wilford Woodruff, The Lamanites will blossom as the rose on the mountains. I am
willing to say here that, though I believe this, when I see the
power of the nation destroying them from the face of the earth,
the fulfillment of that prophecy is perhaps harder for me to
believe than any revelation of God that I ever read. It looks as
though there would not be enough left to receive the Gospel; but
notwithstanding this dark picture, every word that God has ever
said of them will have its fulfillment, and they, by and by, will
receive the Gospel. It will be a day of God's power among them,
and a nation will be born in a day. Their chiefs will be filled with
the power of God and receive the Gospel, and they will go forth
and build the new Jerusalem, and we shall help them. They are
branches of the house of Israel, and when the fullness of the
Gentiles has come in and the work ceases among them, then it
will go in power to the seed of Abraham. ***

MORE INFO ON THE HORSESHOE ROUTE AND THE LAMANITES BUILDING THE TEMPLE AT THE NEW JERUSALEM

Well, if you have put your ear to the ground on this blog, you will know one of the topics I have been seeking more info on is how those who survive the coming years will make it back to build up the Temple at the New Jerusalem.

I have a gem - and it is pretty fantastical stuff; but well within the purview of doctrine and this blog. I have to say the other stuff around this link needs some serious filtering - alot of new ager bull puckey. But here it is. Read pages 40-53. I am putting it out there and will do MUCH more research as time allows:

http://www.prophecykeepers.com/restricted/pk1/data/ANCIENT-PROPHECY-EBOOKS/prophecycd.pdf

ENJOY!! And let me know what you think! I would like more info and feedback from people who have other similar information.

Here is a teaser from the article - and we (Ephraim) will ASSIST the humble and purified Lamanite to build up the New Jerusalem. If you do not have that as a solid doctrine, go back and read 3 Nephi again in a spirit of prayer asking for understanding. Our arrogance as a people has blinded us.....

On the sixth day of the meeting the beloved leader delivered his most divine inspired speech to the people. During this speech many of them looked upon him with awe, as he described the greatest of all events that would come upon the Indian people in the future. He prophesied of the time to come when a great temple or kiva would be built at some distant place by the Indian people and others who believe in all the laws and commandments that I left with them in the beginning, but not until after the cleansing of the earth. The cleansing process was described as a mammoth catastrophe that would engulf the earth, ridding it of all evil forces and only those who believed in and abided by these laws would survive. Then after the earth would cease to shake and the storms subside, the survivors would go forth and bury the dead, also care for the sick and wounded. After the dead will have been buried and the injured healed and all is quiet and peaceful again be, Echa Tah Echa Nah, will call all the survivors of the great holocaust who lived in his country, and prepare them for the great trek from their world. At this time he would send runners to Chi Chi Suma, who is second in command, bidding him to call the survivors in his part of the country to prepare themselves for a great journey that they would embark upon for they were to leave their country for ever.

Many months before starting, preparations will proceed by all the people getting together to raise all the foodstuffs that will be necessary, also all other thin that the people will need for their survival. The pottery workers will immediately prepare containers of adequate size and shape to transport the grains and foodstuffs. The basket makers will do likewise; leather workers will prepare all articles necessary to be used during this great trek; weavers will make blankets, robes and all other articles need until the people could again be settled in their homes. All this is in the future and the people are waiting for the time to come when they will abide by what he has instructed them to do. During this period of waiting the people are not idle for they have hand hewn and polished all the stone blocks to be used in the Great Temple, and hand polished the white mountain mahogany wood that will be used to beautify the interior of this most sacred, edifice. Each stone is cut so that it will be interlocked with the stone adjoining it. No nails will be used in the building of this unique structure. All woodwork will be fitted together with wooden pegs or pins, Only the most precious metals will be used for decorative purposes; however, these will have no face value during this period for there will be no medium of exchange. Semi-precious stones such as jasper, turquoise, sardonix, lapis lazuli, and amythst will be used to add splendor to the interior of this Holy Temple.

As previously mentioned, after the disaster two great forces will leave the Chigaraguan Country forever to begin their search the site where this temple is to be erect Following divine guidance and inspiration, this place will not be difficult to locate. There they will make preparations and be work on the Holy Temple and the city within a wall. Echa Tah Echa Nah, having previously notified the people to prep themselves fox this long trek, will call council members together to tell them that the time has now come for them to begin the task of final preparation for embark upon this journey. At the close of council meeting the council members go, each to his own community, and personally supervise the final preparations seeing that all is in readiness for this move. A great bustling about will begin as the people round up the live stock, pack grain and foodstuffs, and other useful things for their departure from the land of the Chigaraguans.

One of the last acts of preparation will be the tremendous task, the responsibility of which has been placed upon one of the council members, of moving the stones for this great temple. These stones are already prepared and carefully stored in the quarries from which they have been cut., and will have to be moved with caution due to their overwhelming weight and to protect the finish given them. By crude means of transportation these massive blocks will be moved to the shore line, where huge barges will have been constructed to carry them to their destination. After all the stones and hand-polished wood will have been loaded on the barges and all is in readiness, the council member in charge will not depart until word comes from Echa Tah Echa Nah. When the runner brings word back that Echa Tah Echa Nah's group has started the trek from the agreed point of Lake Patzcuaro to journey north, the council member will give the command for the barges to shove off and slowly drift with the current near the coast line following it to the north Thus will start the first group led by Echa Tah Echa Nah.

It will have been previously arranged between Echa Tah Echa Nah and Chi Chi Suma that at the same time Echa Tah Echa Nah was preparing to move to the north, Chi Chi Suma was doing likewise. Five days after Echa Tah Echa Nah 's group will have left Lake Patzcuaro, Chi Chi Suma's group will have le Lake Patzcuaro, Chi Chi Suma's group will leave from the same point on their journey northward. The exact preparations for departure that will have been made by Echa Tah Echa Nah, will be made also by Chi Chi Suma. The same technique will be followed in moving -all their earthly possessions as well as constructing barges, loading and transporting the stones from the quarries located in Chi Chi Suma's country (which is a great deal farther south than Echa Tah Echa Nah's country. Prior to the departure of this second group, word will have been sent to all the Indian tribes extending into South America that the people should make preparations and gradually move to the north to inhabit the the abandoned places left by the people of Chi Chi Suma and Echa Tah Echa Nah.

As the South American Indians inhabit the vacated cities they will be instructed to remain at these places until after the Holy Temple and the city within the wall has been built. As Echa Tah Echa Nah's group leisurely winds its way north, Chi Chi Suma's group will be following the same route at the same pace. Each group will have a forward vanguard followed by the livestock, pack horses, and carts, the women and children traveling next to the rear guard. Their mode of transportation will not be as it is in these modern times, for the destruction will have done away with all forms of modernization, leaving only the most primitive. Constant contact between Echa Tah Echa Nah's group on land and those taking the water route north will be kept by runners. Should the barges, in any respect, come into difficulty the land forces will immediately dispatch assistance to them.

AND A LITTLE MORE ON THE PEOPLE FROM THIS AREA (I WOULD LOVE TO VISIT...):

The City of Pátzcuaro

Pátzcuaro, in the indigenous tongue has been assigned various meanings, among them "the place where they dye in black" and "foundation place for temples." History relates that Pátzcuaro was the principal religious center in the pre-Hispanic era during the Purepecha Empire, where it is said that the settlers decided the door to the sky so that the gods could ascend and descend. As a city, Pátzcuaro is an example of indigenous colonial architecture with straight lines and spacious plazas.

In the year 1540, Don Vasco de Quiroga transferred the bishopric seat of Michoacán from Tzintzuntzan to Pátzcuaro, making it the capital city of Michoacán. It is truly a jewel of colonial architecture where religious monuments in Baroque and neoclassic style have been conserved in excellent condition. Adobe and tile-roofed buildings lend harmony to the plazas and fountains, coupled with the always-amiable manners of its people, creating an enchanting atmosphere, inviting visitors to return time and again.
The Uruapan Region

The region of Uruapan has cultural and natural diversity, shaped by hundreds of forested hectares which have framed for centuries the oldest towns in Michoacán, a part of the Meseta Purépecha, jewels of colonial art, such as Nurío, Ahuiran, Angahuan, Cherán and Nahuatzen, towns where it is possible to discover the essence of our country in the streets and through celebrations, music, dance, customs, and cuisine.

Beyond the quaint towns it is possible to enjoy beautiful natural landscapes and participate in alternative tourism, adventure and ecotourism, in the National Park of Pico de de Tancítaro, the Eduardo Ruiz National Park, and in Paricutín, the youngest volcano in the world.

This region also includes the town of Tingambato, with its Geranium Fair and archaeological zone, which was a stronghold of Teotihuacan influence and known as Tinganio. Important celebrations include those of Corpus, San Juan Bautista and Santiago Apóstol in the Meseta Purépecha; the Avocado Fair and Palm Sunday in Uruapan; and the National Guitar Fair in Paracho. The cuisine of this region is one of the most savory, varied and representative of the state, where visitors to the Meseta Purépecha can sample a sextahedronal blind tamale called a "corunda," stew called "churipo," fresh-corn tamales known as "uchepos," the cornmeal gruel called "atole," and in Apatzingan, a meat-and-rice dish known as "morisqueta."
The City of Uruapan

Uruapan is the second most populous city in Michoacán. One well-accepted interpretation holds that the name of Uruapan is derived from the Purepecha word "Uruapani," which means "blooming and bearing fruit at the same time," which has been translated as "the place where everything blooms." For that reason, it has become known as the "Orchard of Michoacán" or the "Avocado Capital of the World." It gained city status in 1858 when it was named "Uruapan del Progreso." Nonetheless, a more deserving title might be "the true cradle of lacquer work," from the production of flat, shallow bowls ("bateas"), small wooden cups, masks, boxes, and other wooden objects artistically decorated with a technique dating back to the pre-Colombian era, consisting of coating each piece with a mixture of vegetable and animal oils combined with pulverized minerals, creating a durable and long-lasting surface with a lustrous shine on which decorative designs are etched. The designs reveal a singular mastery and artistic sensitivity of the craftspeople of the districts of Uruapan.
The Zamora Region

A range of possibilities for diversion and knowledge flourishes in this area. The visitor can traverse enchantingly quaint towns of the Meseta Purépecha which have conserved ancestral traditions such as indigenous language, handicrafts of great quality and beautiful design, pieces of pottery from Patamban; the famous green pineapples San José de Gracia; exquisite cross-stitched dresses of Tarecuato and Zacán; the traditional and multi-colored rebozos of La Piedad La Piedad; the basketwork of Santiago Tangamandapio; the devils, figures of colored pottery of Ocumicho; sandals and sombreros made in Sahuayo and delicate orange blossoms for a girlfriend in Chilchota and cut crystal handicrafts in Yurécuaro, and much more.

Another great tradition is the exquisite cuisine where even the most demanding palate will find satisfaction. Pigs feet and pickles in La Piedad, nourishing cornmeal drinks called "atoles" in more than thirty varieties in Tarecuato; popsicles in Tocumbo in flavors as unusual as avocado, custard or corn; delicious candies (candied squash and pumpkin, sweet milk curds called "changos Zamoranos"; breads baked in traditional styles, tamales, a hominy soup-stew known as "pozole," enchiladas and tostadas, among other tasty dishes.

The handprint of these traditions can be found wherever fairs and fiestas take place, cheering visitors and friends alike, most remarkably in the Festival of the Purepecha People in Zacán.

The climate and the vegetation of this region are pleasant, where romantic lakes, Camécuaro, Orandino, La Estancia, Presa de Verduzco and La Alberca wait calmly for admiring visitors. Birds, indefatigable travelers to this area from November to March along the Michoacán edge of Lake Chapala, are known as the "White Pelican Flocks." Marvelously beautiful cascades such as Los Chorros del Varal are among the scenic landscapes that have given artists inspiration in nature's creation of immortal works.
The City of Zamora

The region of Zamora and the city of the same name are situated in the Valley of Tziróndaro, which means "place of marshlands." In this place the remains of the oldest superior culture in Western Mexico, dating back to 1500 years B.C., have been found.

Zamora was founded on January 18, 1574 by the order of the Viceroy Martín Enríquez of Almanza. It has been witness to a parade of illustrious men, from the presence of the priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a prime mover in the Independence of Mexico; the poet Amado Nervo, Don José Sixto Verduzco, great religious leaders and intellectuals, and Nobel Peace Price winner Dr. Alfonso García Robles. Zamora is known as the "Cradle and Home of Illustrious Men."

The principal attractions of this city are the Sanctuary of Guadeloupe or the Unfinished Cathedral, which began its construction in a Byzantine Gothic style in the final decades of the 19th Century, only to have work suspended in 1914. 71 years later, construction began again. The Parochial Church, today the Cathedral, has a notable facade whose construction dates back to 1840, and the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, of pure Gothic design, features 24 stained-glass windows, 10 of which represent musical angels and 14 of which are grouped in two series: the prophets and the New Testament.
The Zitácuaro Region

This region is remarkable for his rich Natural Beauty comprised of half a million hectares of pine, oak and oyamel forests; it harbors diverse climates favoring diversity of plants, wildlife and fruits. It guards one of the most prized natural attractions in Michoacán, the Monarch Butterfly sanctuaries.

Zitácuaro is a region of lakes and thermal spring waters, ideal for practicing adventure tourism and ecotourism, enjoying the peace that nature offers in places such as Los Azufres, Laguna Larga, Pucuato, Sabaneta, Mata de Pinos and the Caves of Tziranda; colorful mining towns such as Angangueo and Tlalpujahua; important cities of the independent life of Mexico such as Zitácuaro; and the archaeological zone of San Felipe de Los Alzati.

Just as this region is rich in natural beauty and history, it is also rich in regional cuisine, among them preserved fruits and vegetables, featured during the Preserved Food Fair in Ciudad Hidalgo during Easter Week, and the delicious foods of the Tierra Caliente such as salted meat, pork sausage, cheese, pork-flavored beans, and bean candy. The town of Tuzantla is special gastronomic zone, because it is the only breeding ground for prawns in the state.
The City of Zitácuaro

Called the "Heroic City of Independence," Zitácuaro earned this title defending its townsfolk through three conflagrations: one during the War of Independence, the second in April of 1855 at the hands of the troops of Santa Anna, and the third during the French Intervention. In this locale, the country took on a new direction when it formed the Suprema Junta Nacional Americana ("Supreme Junta of the Nation"), the first form of independent government.

The attractions and sites of interest most important in this city are primarily historical, such as: the Cerrito de la Independencia ("Little Hill of Independence"), at the top of which stands a monument to General Ignacio López Rayón; a monument and plaque where the first national government was formed; the monument to the flag, Benito Juarez Civic Plaza; the Municipal Palacio with murals revealing the history of Zitácuaro; the garden of the Constitution and the garden of Mora del Cañonazo ("The Cannon Shot"). The grand civic fiesta on the 5th of February begins with an agricultural, industrial, commercial and handicraft fair. In the communities of this municipality are artisans who concentrate their efforts in making wool overcoats, bedspreads, rebozos and other textile products, as well as pottery and wood products.
The Lázaro Cárdenas Region

To enjoy unforgettable vacations, with sun, beach, adventure, ecology, culture and tradition, there is no better place than the Michoacán coast.

This region offers overwhelming manifestations of tropical nature, where it is possible to enjoy the tranquil and crystalline waters as well as the tempest of the open sea, where a great variety of animal and plant species make the estuaries, coves, rocky crags, and beaches their habitat in virgin spaces.

The Michoacán Coast is more than the beauty of its beaches, because it is privileged to contain the natural refuges of Sea Turtles of the species Golfina, Black and Laúd, the same turtles who land year after year on the beaches of Mexiquillo, Colola, Ixtapilla, Tizupan and Maruata.

This zone of Michoacán is inhabited by Náhuatl communities producing crafts of pottery using techniques and designs dating back to pre-Hispanic times; in the same manner, they have conserved their traditions of dress, music and dance.

The Michoacán coast is not only sun and sand, it is also a cuisine of seafood, handicrafts of Náhuatl communities in the area, and celebrations such as the Convivencia Turística Las Peñas ("Tourist Fellowship Group"), and during October, the month of the Sea Turtle and Sand Expo.

The cuisine of the coastal region is based on fish and seafood, among the outstanding examples are stuffed fish and lobsters prepared a thousand different ways, all delicious and always washed down with a drink made from coconut milk.
The City of Lázaro Cárdenas

Previously known as Los Llanitos, it was part of the municipality of Arteaga. It gained the status as a separate political subdivision in the year of 1932 under the name of Melchor Ocampo. On April 12, 1947, the State Congress decreed the creation of the municipality "Melchor Ocampo del Balsas," and it was renamed "Lázaro Cárdenas" in 1970 in honor of the revolutionary General Lázaro Cárdenas who later served as President of the Mexican Republic.

During the 1970s, the city grew into an important industrial port, where imports and exports are transferred daily. Communication routes have made this city a pleasant addition to this area of Michoacán, strengthened by a national airport and the Morelia-Lázaro Cárdenas toll road. In Playa Azul, 22.5 kilometers west of Lázaro Cárdenas, a 250 kilometer road stretches along a horizon of beaches, bays, cliffs and exuberant vegetation, where the states of Guerreo and Colimo meet Michoacán; here it is possible to admire thousands of coconut palms and mango, papaya and banana orchards, as well as herons, doves, gulls and pelicans.

All of the colors and flavors, the melancholy and the joy of its music, the vitality and happiness of its dances, the wealth of culture, its traditions and history - make Michoacán the soul of México.

BOOK OF MORMON AND THE DNA EVIDENCE LIES

I dedicate this read to my former Scoutmaster who decided to leave the church over DNA evidence - oh, and then decided to leave his wife for another woman. OR did I get that wrong?? Sorry, it was commit adultery and then use the whole hokey DNA thing as a convenient excuse to make a clean escape from the truth.....without the searing conscience eating away at you quite so hard - at least until the final smackdown at the judgment bar.
Sometimes, you can just see through people....
I would have some pity or compassion on the guy - but it was a complete and total coup by the lefties and something-for-nothing-throw-your-hands-in-the-air-say-Jesus-I'm-saved-while-ravishing-the-neighbors-wifie BACs- but-that's-okay-cuz-I-found-Jesus.... types that I grew up with. My former Scoutmaster was so well known (and liked by all in the community) that the damage to the Church due to his "defection" was quite far reaching (on a local scale). It could forseeably take decades for the effects to completely wear off. Not unlike William W. Phelps apostasy that ended up with far-reaching consequences for the Prophet Joseph and his incarceration in the oxymoronically-named "Liberty" Jail.....
Here is a great teaser from the attached expose which is going in the blog (and I watched the Nova special on this and came to the same conclusion about the age of our ice sheets/earth and the whole DNA thing, in general - before I read this). Why is it, the more I find out about these supposed global warming 'scientists' and their associated ilk, that I feel I need to take a shower. For the most part - they are complete idiots and goons - oh, and then there is Al Gore.... Who can blame Tipper?? But I digress; read the whole thing and you will know why I feel the way I feel:

For several years scientists have been drilling ice core samples in the arctic regions of the world. The ice accumulating in areas such as Greenland and Antarctica are often several thousand feet deep. There are an alternating series of light and dark rings found every few inches on these ice core samples pulled up from the ice. Scientists believe these rings are are laid down annually. They believe the light rings are indications of winter when the ice accumulates, and the dark rings are indications of summer when the top layer of the ice slightly melts. They have counted hundreds of thousands of these rings in the ice, which they believe proves the earth is at least hundreds of thousands of years old.
The scientists have used these rings to predict global climate changes from the past stretching back what they believe is hundreds of thousands of years. By measuring the thickness of the ice layers, they believe they are able to predict periods of warm and cold periods throughout the earth's history. DNA researchers have used this data in conjunction with their own DNA data to predict migration patterns of people, based upon when they believe "ice ages" occurred.
Many scientists and Christians have gone so far as to say this evidence irrefutably proves the earth is at least hundreds of thousands to millions of years old. Unfortunately for these scientists and Christians, there is a remarkable story, that is now sixty years in the making which completely disproves the entire ice core theory.
During the second world war, an entire squadron of p-38 aircraft en-route from the United States to Europe had to make an emergency landing while over Greenland. The flight crews were rescued, and the planes have been sitting intact on the ice ever since.
Fifty years later, in 1992, a group of individuals thought they could retrieve the aircraft, and restore them. They launched an expedition to Greenland to retrieve the aircraft. When they finally located the planes, they were surprised to find that they were under 263 feet of ice. They then set up camp and bored a hole down through the ice and brought one of the planes up piece by piece. While they bored the hole they found hundreds of these ice rings above the planes. If these layers were annual rings as suggested by the scientists, then there should not have been more than fifty layers of ice above the planes. But there were hundreds of layers. They could not possibly be considered annual layers. In the twelve years since this recovery, an additional sixty feet of ice, and dozens more ice rings have accumulated over the level of their camp in 1992. The layers do little more than count the number of storms that hit the area. These are not tree rings we're counting.
Yet, thousands of scientists have devoted their entire lives toward studying these layers of ice. Uncounted numbers of theories concerning the earth's history have been formulated in part from using this mis-interpreted data. For years, atheists have been beating creation scientists over the head with this ice core theory. Yet now the tables are turned, the atheists now deliberately ignore this evidence promoted by the creation scientists.
The fact that so many scientists could so badly bungle evidence as simple as counting ice rings, does little to bolster one's confidence in other scientists ability to interpret far more complex data such as DNA samples. The more complex the data, the greater the potential for error. The greater the potential for error, the more elaborate a web one must weave.

HERE IS THE ENTIRE POST:

Does DNA evidence Disprove the Book of Mormon? DNA Experts, and Christians Attack the Bible as Well as the Book of Mormon.

Introduction:
One of most basic tenets of the LDS faith maintains that the Book of Mormon is a literal history of the ancestors of the present day American Indian peoples. The Book of Mormon teaches that the ancestors of the present day American Indians were led out of Jerusalem by the wisdom and power of God to live here in this land - the Americas. The Book of Mormon plainly teaches that this land is given unto the present day American Indian peoples for their inheritance. The Book of Mormon teaches that the present day American Indians are the literal descendents of Abraham, that they are a remnant of the House of Israel, and they are God's Covenant people, whom God will redeem in the last days, and they shall be a righteous people.
Joseph Smith said that:
"The Book of Mormon is a record of the forefathers of our western tribes of Indians; having been found through the ministration of an holy angel, and translated into our own language by the gift and power of God, after having been hid up in the earth for the last fourteen hundred years, containing the word of God which was delivered unto them (the ancestors of the American Indians). By it we learn that our western tribes of Indians are descendants from that Joseph who was sold into Egypt, and the land of America is a promised land unto them, and unto it all the tribes of Israel will come, with as many of the Gentiles as shall comply with the requisitions of the new covenant." (History of the Church, volume 1, page 315)
There can be no question as to what Joseph Smith and all the early Church leaders plainly taught concerning who the Native American peoples really are. The American Indians will be the principal builders of the City of New Jerusalem, which will be built here on this continent. There can be no question as to what the Book of Mormon plainly teaches and prophesies concerning the American Indian people, who were anciently called Lamanites. Joseph Smith also emphasized that any man in the church who teaches a Doctrine different than what he taught would be cursed. Yet, in spite of all this, over the last several years, we have been witnessing a remarkable change taking place in the LDS Church; where the learned men in the Church, including B.Y.U. professors and the Church leaders themselves have begun to deny the American Indians as the covenant people of God.
Recently, much attention has been given to the latest attacks against the Mormon religion by certain DNA experts, who claim the American Indians are not descended from the House of Israel as the Book of Mormon teaches, but they allege that they originated from Eastern Siberia. Genetic researches have tested the DNA of several tribes in Eastern Siberia and found them to be related to American Indian tribes. Scientists have formulated a theory that tens of thousands of years ago, there must have been a land bridge which enabled people to travel from Asia to America, and when this land bridge somehow disappeared under water, the people in Asia and the Americas were seperated with no further contact. They have attempted to hold this as proof that the Native Americans have originated in Asia.
Many Christians have celebrated this so-called "DNA evidence" to refute the Book of Mormon. Some Christian ministries have spent large sums of money spreading and promoting this idea among the Mormons. If these Christians came to the realization that their efforts are also attacking the Bible, would they stop doing this and begin looking at the reasons that refute this argument? Or are these people part of a growing "Christian" movement who believe that the Bible is merely an inspirational "story", and not a factual history of the world?
Likewise, the many learned defenders of the Mormon faith, have attempted to reconcile this new DNA evidence into their faith; by claiming the Book of Mormon history only took place in a small area of Central America, and did not involve the entire continents and people as the Book of Mormon teaches. These scholars now say that Joseph Smith was wrong, when he taught that the present day American Indians are the direct descendants of the Lamanites mentioned in the Book of Mormon. Many Mormon scholars now believe the Lamanites merely blended in over the generations with the Siberian "immigrants" who "already" populated the Americas. These learned scholars say this explanation best fits in with the "evidence" provided to us by the geneticists, and they have adopted it as their belief, in spite of it's many contradictions with the Mormon religion. Many LDS Scholars have gone so far as to say the Book of Mormon is not a historical record, but merely an inspirational story written by Joseph Smith.
This rationalization and many other "stories" currently being promoted within the LDS Church, have caused many of the Mormons who are not knowledgeable in the basic precepts of their faith, to lose what little testimony they have left, and turn against their religion.
For years, these prominent men in the LDS Church have been contradicting the teachings of Joseph Smith, and all of the other early Church leaders, who clearly taught that the American Indians truly are of the House of Israel, as taught in the Book of Mormon. Unfortunately, to our knowledge, there is now absolutely no one in the LDS Church who is defending the original teachings of Joseph Smith, and the Book of Mormon on this matter. Not one single Mormon do we know of, is remaining true to their beliefs.
Not many years ago, the church was filled to overflowing with people who believed the American Indians were Lamanites. They believed that not only was Joseph Smith a true prophet of God, but the principles he taught were the literal truth. As for today, one can travel from one end of Mormondom to another, and scarcely find a truly believing member. The vast majority have now come to believe in the opinions of the genetic researchers, BYU professors and Church leaders who teach a totally different doctrine than what Joseph Smith taught. Where did all the true Mormons go? Why did they change?
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Contents:
1. The historical record has always indicated Siberians and American Indians are very similar people, who have been trading and intermarrying with each other for centuries. So what does DNA evidence tell us we shouldn't already know? These theories that American Indians migrated from Siberia to the Americas, rely heavily on "ice age" and "land bridge" theories which requires the earth to be at least hundreds of thousands to millions of years old. For all the Christians who have lauded these theories, how do they reconcile them with their belief in a young earth according to Genesis?
2. The Bible declares that the wisdom of the wise will perish at the coming of the Lord. If Christians realize this then why do they constantly use the theories of men in an attempt to disprove the Book of Mormon?
3. Many geneticists have claimed that they can trace certain genetic markers back through thousands of generations, or tens of thousands of years. They claim through their studies that there are no significant relationships to be found between Jews and American Indians If some Christians do believe in a young earth, and believe we are all descended from one family just over four thousand years ago, how do they reconcile this belief with the theories of the Geneticists? Don't these DNA theories attack the Bible just as much as the Book of Mormon?
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The historical record has always indicated Siberians and American Indians are the same people. So what does DNA evidence tell us we shouldn't already know? These theories that American Indians migrated from Siberia to the Americas, rely heavily on "ice age" and "land bridge" theories which requires the earth to be at least hundreds of thousands to millions of years old. For all the Christians who have lauded these theories, how do they reconcile them with their belief in a young earth according to Genesis?
These genetic researchers have treated the obvious relation between Native American and the Siberian tribes as some sort of revolutionary discovery that no one ever considered before. They claim that during an "ice age" tens of thousands of years ago, a land bridge existed which connected Siberia and Alaska which enabled the Siberian tribes to migrate into the new world. The ice then subsided, filling the oceans with more water and submerging this "land bridge." Over the next thirty thousand years, these now isolated Siberian tribes in Alaska eventually populated the Americas. They claim their DNA research proves that these Siberian tribes are the ancestors of all American Indians. And they say their research from annual ice ring layers taken from ice core samples proves the existence of an "ice age" tens of thousands of years ago. These scientists believe that the Siberian and American tribes have been "isolated" from each other since the loss of this land bridge so many tens of thousands of years ago after this "ice age" receded.
But recorded history tells us a far different story than the one laid out by these so-called scientists. History tells us that the tribes in Siberia, and North America have been trading and intermarrying with each other for many centuries. Whaling boats from the tribes in the Northwest from California to Alaska have been known to travel hundreds of miles across the sea on their hunting trips. Native American tribes have colonized hundreds of remote islands throughout the Canadian Arctic. Some of these islands are accessible only by hundreds of miles of journey by boat. Islands which are far more remote and difficult to reach than Siberia, which is only a journey of about fifty five miles from Alaska. Relative to this, a thousand years ago, the Viking colonists in Greenland encountered Native American tribes already living in the region. Yet Greenland is much more remote and harsh than Siberia.
During the seventeenth through nineteenth centuries, when the Russian Empire expanded it's boundaries eastward into Siberia, the Russian army engaged in armed conflicts with the native tribes in Siberia. It is a story that is strikingly similar to the plight of the American Indian tribes in the United States, during the same time period.
The major case in point is the Chukchi tribe in Eastern Siberia. Much of their traditional coastal lands in Eastern Siberia lie within a short few hundred miles of the American Indian tribes in Alaska. This is the tribe that is most often quoted by geneticists as being the ancestors of the American Indians, that they believe were cut-off and "isolated" by the receding of the land bridge.
At one point during the Chukchi war against the Russian army during the eighteenth century, the entire tribe consisting of some ten-thousand members fled across the Bering straits by boat to spend the winter in Alaska with their Eskimo cousins. They regrouped, and many returned again back to Siberia the following spring to continue their war against the Russians.
One website at http://www.eki.ee/books/redbook/chukchis.shtml gives a short history of the chukchi people in Siberia. This website describes how the the Eskimos, Itelmens, Evens, Kereks, and other tribes were long accustomed to traveling to Chukchi lands in Siberia to speak in the Chukchi language and carry on extensive trading with them. It describes how many of the people in these Alaskan tribes even became Chukchis. It describes how there has always been a lively trade between all the peoples. This website also says that if the Russian government did not enter into a peace treaty with the Chukchis when they did, all the wayward Chukchis would have ended up in Alaska.
The assumptions and theories of these scientists could not contradict the historical record more! All the arctic peoples have been freely traveling, trading and intermarrying with each tribe in both Siberia and North America for more centuries than anyone can possibly know. Their numerous colonies stretch across an enormous arctic region from Siberia to Greenland. There should little doubt in any reasonable person's mind that all of these tribes from Siberia to Greenland, and even across most of the Western Hemisphere are very similar genetically, and are basically all the same people.
It is a very interesting but shocking display of ignorance on the the part of these scientists to suddenly come along and study the DNA of these people in Eastern Siberia, and "discover" that their DNA is similar to the American Indians living across the Bering Straits. It is interesting how they treat this as "evidence" which somehow "disproves" the Book of Mormon.
It is interesting to note how these "scientists" draw an imaginary line down the Bering Straits between Siberia and Alaska, and then ignorantly conclude that that this narrow body of water has kept the sea faring tribes on both sides of the straits in "isolation" from each other since the loss of this supposed "land bridge." This concept of "isolation" is a very important point for these scientists. In order for them to say that American Indians came from Siberia, they must maintain that the Siberian and American tribes have been living in isolation from each other for a very long time. Without this very important point, their theory simply does not hold water.
Everyone reading this article should seriously ask themselves how absurd it is to label the tribes on the west side of the straits as "Siberian" or "Asian," and then treat them as if there is some sort of distinction from the American Indian tribes living on the east side of the straits who are for the most part, the exact same people.
Several times during the twentieth century, dog sleds have even successfully traveled across the Bering Straits when it is frozen in the winter. On a clear day, Siberia can be seen from Alaska.
It is simply a fallacy to believe as these scientists do, that the American and Siberian tribes have remained genetically isolated for tens of thousands of years. It is not reasonable to believe that seafaring American Indians could reach as far as Greenland, yet, never colonize into Siberia. There is absolutely no valid evidence a land bridge ever existed between Alaska and Siberia. The people who made up this land bridge theory had to have a reason for how the American Indians came to be on this continent, and they considered the ancestors of American Indians too primitive and inept, to figure out how to build a boat. In a way it is quite insulting to the intelligence of the Native American People. It was totally unacceptable to them to entertain the idea that they arrived by boat, because it might also provide evidence to support the Book of Mormon. They decided there had to be some connection by land which enabled them to arrive on this continent. Hence the land bridge theory was born. The historical record plainly contradicts the strange beliefs of these scientists. We know for an absolute certainty, that nearly all the Native Americans living in coastal and river regions from Alaska to Peru, had the complete ability to travel by water craft. It is long overdue that this land bridge theory be put to rest.
Mormons should not be surprised and shocked to learn that there are tribes of American Indians living in Siberia any more than they should be surprised and shocked to learn there have been tribes of American Indians living in Greenland. This does absolutely nothing to refute the Book of Mormon in any way.
Scientists have found that the deeper into Asia they go, the less related the people become to American Indians. How did these so called "experts" come to the conclusion, that they originated in the mostly uninhabited areas of eastern Siberia, and then migrated across a "land bridge" to Alaska, then built a huge civilization in Central America thousands of miles away? How did they rule out that it was not the other way around? That they originated in Central and South America, where the bulk of population clearly has it’s base, and then migrated north into North America, and eventually into Eastern Siberia, and mingle with the people there? The Arctic regions of the world are harsh, and for the most part, uninhabitable. There have been mysterious catastrophes there in the past which has destroyed all life in the region. How have the geneticists reversed logic, and rule out that migrations did not begin in the major population centers in Central and South America, and eventually reach as far north as the uninhabited areas of eastern Siberia?
The "ice age" theories also do not hold up to the facts. A member of an anti-Mormon "Christian" ministry wrote to us that the earth is at least four hundred thousand years old, based on ice core evidence.
For several years scientists have been drilling ice core samples in the arctic regions of the world. The ice accumulating in areas such as Greenland and Antarctica are often several thousand feet deep. There are an alternating series of light and dark rings found every few inches on these ice core samples pulled up from the ice. Scientists believe these rings are are laid down annually. They believe the light rings are indications of winter when the ice accumulates, and the dark rings are indications of summer when the top layer of the ice slightly melts. They have counted hundreds of thousands of these rings in the ice, which they believe proves the earth is at least hundreds of thousands of years old.
The scientists have used these rings to predict global climate changes from the past stretching back what they believe is hundreds of thousands of years. By measuring the thickness of the ice layers, they believe they are able to predict periods of warm and cold periods throughout the earth's history. DNA researchers have used this data in conjunction with their own DNA data to predict migration patterns of people, based upon when they believe "ice ages" occurred.
Many scientists and Christians have gone so far as to say this evidence irrefutably proves the earth is at least hundreds of thousands to millions of years old. Unfortunately for these scientists and Christians, there is a remarkable story, that is now sixty years in the making which completely disproves the entire ice core theory.
During the second world war, an entire squadron of p-38 aircraft en-route from the United States to Europe had to make an emergency landing while over Greenland. The flight crews were rescued, and the planes have been sitting intact on the ice ever since.
Fifty years later, in 1992, a group of individuals thought they could retrieve the aircraft, and restore them. They launched an expedition to Greenland to retrieve the aircraft. When they finally located the planes, they were surprised to find that they were under 263 feet of ice. They then set up camp and bored a hole down through the ice and brought one of the planes up piece by piece. While they bored the hole they found hundreds of these ice rings above the planes. If these layers were annual rings as suggested by the scientists, then there should not have been more than fifty layers of ice above the planes. But there were hundreds of layers. They could not possibly be considered annual layers. In the twelve years since this recovery, an additional sixty feet of ice, and dozens more ice rings have accumulated over the level of their camp in 1992. The layers do little more than count the number of storms that hit the area. These are not tree rings we're counting.
Yet, thousands of scientists have devoted their entire lives toward studying these layers of ice. Uncounted numbers of theories concerning the earth's history have been formulated in part from using this mis-interpreted data. For years, atheists have been beating creation scientists over the head with this ice core theory. Yet now the tables are turned, the atheists now deliberately ignore this evidence promoted by the creation scientists.
The fact that so many scientists could so badly bungle evidence as simple as counting ice rings, does little to bolster one's confidence in other scientists ability to interpret far more complex data such as DNA samples. The more complex the data, the greater the potential for error. The greater the potential for error, the more elaborate a web one must weave.
There is no historical evidence in existence, that the earth is older than six thousand years. Many Creation scientists have proven that not only are many of the theories of contemporary science wrong, and totally unsupportable; but they have provided sufficient evidence that these theories were concocted for the express purpose of destroying Christianity. Christians have clearly documented the overwhelming bias against religion in the halls of academia. They provide numerous cases of scientists and professors losing their jobs because they expressed a belief in the Bible, and questioned the validity of the atheists’ theories. These geneticists trying to disprove the Book of Mormon are hardly the unbiased, open minded intellectuals they try so hard to portray themselves as. These geneticists simply have an agenda, and they diligently search for any "evidence" or statistics that can be manipulated to support their agenda.
These geneticists are also making the claim that humans and Chimpanzees are 99.9% the same genetically and should be classified as the same species. They say that humans are nothing more than a sub-species of chimpanzees. How do these Christians honestly reject the geneticists argument on the one hand, and then openly accept and support their posturing against the Book of Mormon on the other hand.
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The Bible declares that the wisdom of the wise will perish at the coming of the Lord. If Christians realize this then why do they constantly use the theories of men in an attempt to disprove the Book of Mormon?
It is written in the Bible that the wisdom of the wise shall perish at the coming of the Lord. The Doctrine and Covenants states that all knowledge shall pass away, save that knowledge which comes from God.
"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." 1 Cor. 1:18-21.
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Many geneticists have claimed that they can trace certain genetic markers back through thousands of generations, or tens of thousands of years. They claim through their studies that there are no significant relationships to be found between Jews and American Indians If some Christians do believe in a young earth, and believe we are all descended from one family (Noah's) just over four thousand years ago, how do they reconcile this belief with the theories of the Geneticists? Don't these DNA theories attack the Bible just as much as the Book of Mormon?
For anyone who literally believes the Bible to be an accurate and inspired history of the world, both of the Christians and of the Mormons; the claims of these geneticists presents a number of challenges to them. The Bible teaches that the Earth was created about six thousand years ago, and Adam and Eve were our first parents. The Bible teaches us that these were the first two people on the Earth, and there were no other people prior to this time. Adam and Eve had many children, and over the next two millennia the entire earth was populated with people. The Bible also teaches that about 4,000 to 4400 years ago, there was a great flood of water that covered the entire surface of the earth, and every one on earth was drowned save Noah and his family, who were preserved in the ark. After the flood, Noah’s children replenished the earth with people. The Bible teaches that every person now living on the earth, without exception is directly descended from Noah.
The Book of Mormon teaches that about 2600 years ago, God led a number of Israelite people out of Jerusalem, prior to it's destruction and captivity of the Jews by the Babylonians. Led by Lehi, these Israelites came to the Americas, and eventually populated the entire Western Hemisphere with their descendants. These people were the direct descendents of Joseph who was sold into Egypt, and who was the brother of Judah, who is the father of the Jews. The Book of Mormon teaches that the present day American Indians are the direct descendants of these Israelites, who are of the tribe of Manasseh and that great blessings are promised to them in the last days by God.
In contrast, these geneticists maintain that the American Indians migrated into the Americas from Siberia thirty thousand years ago. This attack against the Book of Mormon should be of great concern to any Bible believing Christian, because it attacks the validity of the Bible as well. The geneticists say that certain DNA markers pass from father to son with little change. They claim they can trace these DNA markers back for tens of thousands of years, and thousands of generations, far longer than the Bible teaches how old the earth is. The geneticists claim there is no significant relationship or common ancestry between all the races of people on the earth going back these tens of thousands of years, long before the time of Noah. Yet it is the Christian ministries themselves who are some of the prime supporters and promoters of this so called "evidence."
The Bible records in Genesis Chapter 11, 1 Chronicles Chapter 3 and Matthew Chapter 1, most of the generations between Noah and Christ. Probably around 60 to 80 generations. If we assume that the average generation span in the two thousand years since Christ is about 25 to 35 years, then there is only an additional 60 to 80 generations until the present day. That leaves a total of only about 120 to 160 generations between Noah until the present day. People cannot honestly lay claim to a belief in the Bible, without also believing that all the races and wide variations of men, are directly descended from one family about 4000 years ago.
In spite of this DNA research which many "Christian" ministries now believe in, some Christians still hold the Genesis account in the Bible to be the infallible word of God. All the early Mormon Church leaders considered this account in Genesis to be the gospel truth as well. On the other hand, many atheists do not believe in the Bible, and have carefully crafted their own philosophies with the purpose of refuting the Bible, and destroying many peoples belief in God. As everyone is aware, there has been a war going on for quite some time now between those who believe in God, and those who try to destroy that belief. The fields of science have been one such battleground.
If we believe the Bible is true, that everyone now living on the earth is descended from one man 4,000 years ago, and if we take the claims of these DNA experts to their logical conclusion, then DNA research should be able to prove a common DNA heritage to every man in the world. If they make the claim that they can trace heritage back tens of thousands of years, because certain genetic markers remain little changed over that period of time, then every male in the world should have elements of a common father from four thousand years ago. But there is a very diverse variety found in all the races of people today. This makes the beliefs and motives of the Christians who support these geneticists' theories, contradictory and confusing.
It is no doubt true that certain genetic markers do remain little changed and can be traced from parent to offspring. But given the extremely numerous variations of people present in the world today, using such means to accurately trace a person’s heritage over thousands or even hundreds of generations is a claim that is highly questionable,
If every man in the world has a common father from four thousand years ago, and these genetic markers remain little changed over this length of time, then why are there so many variations in the people that allows them to find distinctions in every race in the world? Why are Christians supporting these geneticists claims that there is no relation between American Indians and other races of people for tens of thousands of years, if everyone in the world had a common father in Noah 4000 to 4400 years ago? What is the Christian's explanation for how the people of the earth have come to be so varied over the generations, and so "unrelated" by geneticists standards?
Lehi came to this continent 2600 years ago, only about 1400 to 1800 years removed from Noah, which is not very long at all by geneticists standards. His children who are now the population of American Indians have remained mostly isolated from the rest of the world ever since. This makes American Indians about the most isolated population in the world. Assuming all these uncountable variations of people in the world today came from one man four thousand years ago, and assuming that variations increase from generation to generation as fast as the Bible suggests it does; then would it not be reasonable to assume that the American Indians so isolated would have developed traits unique to the world, over the past 2600 years?
It is most unfortunate that the Christians proudly point to the work of these geneticists, in an effort to disprove the Book of Mormon, knowing full well what these same geneticists beliefs are concerning the Bible. These geneticists do not believe in the Bible. In order for their theories to work, they cannot accept that every person in the world has a common father in Noah, just over four thousand years ago. In order for their theories to work, they must put their faith in the dubious claim that they can accurately trace the genetic markers of people back tens of thousands of years.
These DNA researchers must completely disregard the account in Genesis; because the Bible records Abraham was born 292 years, and only 9 generations after the flood. Abraham was 58 years old when Noah died, and may even have known Noah personally. One of the basic premises of these DNA theories against the Book of Mormon is that Abraham could not have been related to the rest of the world. The reason being is because these geneticists claim that the present day Jews have a common genetic makeup which is traceable from son to father through the Y-chromosome all the way back to their father Abraham who had his own unique DNA from the rest of the races then living in the world. Yet, if the Bible is true, and Abraham was only nine generations after Noah, then Abraham would still be closely related to everyone then living on the earth.
The Book of Mormon records that Lehi is a descendant of Joseph, while the Jews are descendants of Judas who were both great grandsons of Abraham.
If the Bible is true, it would not be possible for the world to "unrelate" itself by geneticists standards in the approximately 300 years or 9 generations between Noah and Abraham, and then according to geneticists standards maintain a common relation or heritage for each of the 120 to 160 generations of the past 4000 years. In order for the DNA experts' theory to work, the Bible must be thrown out the window alongside the Book of Mormon, and the history of the World must be thrown back tens of thousands of years, in order for the world to "unrelate" itself to the point that would fit the geneticist theories. How do the Christians reconcile this, because the very claims the geneticists are making attempts to disprove their own beliefs in the Bible as well?
For all of you Christians who have bought into this DNA argument in your lifelong attacks against the Book of Mormon, you better be aware of just what you are doing, because you are unwittingly attacking the Bible with your arguments, and contradicting your own beliefs. You either believe the Bible, that the earth was flooded 4400 years ago or you don’t. There is a world of evidence that the flood really happened, you can’t prove there wasn’t a flood. That overwhelming evidence for a worldwide flood blows a major hole in the geneticists’ theories. So if you are a Christian who has bought into the fairy tale that there were nomadic tribes of people wandering the earth 30,000 years before Adam and Eve, and say the Bible is not really history, but was just mythology written down, you better start honestly asking yourself why you even bother to call yourself a Christian.
Likewise the Mormons who have bought into this DNA argument, and are attempting to reconcile these DNA posturings into the fabric of their religion, should take a history lesson from B.H. Roberts. Mr. Roberts tried to reconcile the theory of evolution into the fabric of L.D.S. church doctrine, because he considered evolution too overwhelming to ignore. He eventually lost his testimony in the Church, and became an apostate over the issue. Evolution seems like a foolish reason to reject the Church; considering how preposterous the theory of evolution has come to be regarded by honest people. We are told in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon to not put our trust in the arm of flesh, but to trust in God only, so our doctrines may be sound, and we are not cursed. The Book of Mormon is a precious gift from God, which the world rejects with the same enthusiasm as when the world rejected the Messiah when he walked the earth. There is no known provable fact, no unalterable scientific law which conflicts in any way with anything written in the Book of Mormon. But the Book of Mormon conflicts with petty opinions and philosophies of nearly everyone alive, including most Mormons.
Everyone reading this article should honestly ask themselves which religion is more reasonable and logical, and which is more absurd and contrary to the facts. You can choose to believe in the religion that says humans are descended from chimpanzees millions of years ago, and crossed an imaginary land bridge between continents 30,000 years ago if you want, but don't expect honest people to take you seriously for much longer. The wisdom of the wise will truly be confounded, very shortly.
The American Indians truly are a branch of the House of Israel, and the day is soon coming that the American Indians will be convinced of the truth, which has already gone forth among them, as prophesied in the Book of Mormon. The time will soon come when the hearts of the American Indians will turn to their fathers in the Book of Mormon who prayed so hard for their children of these last days. With so many Mormons now turning themselves away, and rejecting the truth of their religion; the American Indians remain the greatest hope for the future of the Mormon Church.
(page created 02/22/04)