Danger of Theorizing Part V - Gold and Silver a Criteria

Another of these points has to do with Gold and Silver. The author of these sixteen points states:

“(15) The land must show evidence of substantial gold and silver in the Land of First Inheritance, the Land of Nephi, the land of Zarahemla and the land of the Jaredites. (Helaman 6:9).”

Actually, the author of this should have pointed toward Nephi’s statement: “And it came to pass that we did find upon the land of promise as we journeyed in the wilderness…all manner of ore, both of gold, and of silver, and of copper” (1 Nephi 18:25).


Both Gold, Silver, and Copper in a single ore sample

Now, this statement by Nephi is extremely important and overlooked by Book of Mormon scholars and theorists. “Both of gold, and of silver, and of copper.” The word both means two, that is “two, as considered distinct from others, or by themselves.” At first glance, one might think Nephi used improper language in stating “both” and then followed with three items. However, Nephi was correct in this usage, as was Joseph Smith in translating it.

Gold and silver are precious ores, and of the same kind. Copper in not a precious ore, and is a different kind. Thus, “both gold and silver” is one kind, or precious ores, “and of copper” is a separate kind, or a non-precious ore. Thus, both gold and silver as one and copper as another.


Gold, Silver and Copper bubbled in a single ore

The importance of this is not in the grammar, but in the concept of ore. When gold and silver and copper are mentioned together, it refers to a single ore that contains all three metals. That is, Nephi, who by this time had become quite an expert in ore containing metals for the Lord has so instructed him (1 Nephi 17:9), found ore in the Promised Land that contained gold, silver and copper within single ore.

Interestingly, such a combination is found in abundance in Chile and Peru, but rarely in any other place in the Western Hemisphere. In the book “Lehi Never Saw Mesoamerica” the ore and mines in the Western Hemisphere are covered, including the extensive mining in Chile and Peru of gold, silver and copper in single ore. In fact, Chile is the world's largest copper producer and hosts about 30% of the globes known copper resources and accounts for over 35% of global copper production. Much of this copper is found within ore that also contains gold and silver. The latter is mined for the sole purpose of paying for the mining and production of copper.

According to the U.S. Geologic Mapping of ores in the Western Hemisphere, gold, silver and copper in single ore is found only in one location in Honduras and nowhere else in Mesoamerica. But, again, it is found in numerous sites in Chile and some in Peru.

When this author makes the statement: “Other locations may meet some of the following criteria, but only Mesoamerica meets all these elements required by the book itself,” he is making the same mistake almost all Book of Mormon scholars and theorist make. They get so involved in proving their model, they ignore the facts that are easily checked by anyone so interested. Part of the problem of people buying into someone's theory, is they do not check out the facts and references involved.

In addition, Peru is the fifth largest producer of gold in the world, behind Africa, China, Australia and the United States. Chile is the 14th largest producer of gold. Mexico is the 18th largest, producing only 17% of that of Peru. Guatemala is 36th in the world, producing only 2.5% of that of Peru. Honduras is 39th.

So where is the all-important match of Book of Mormon criteria in his list of points?