Continuing
from the previous post regarding our understanding
of what the scriptural record tells us about the location of the Land of
Promise. This is especially important in light of the numerous differing views
of a location when Nephi, Jacob, Mormon and Moroni make it quite clear with
their numerous descriptions where that land was located and what it looked like
anciently.
Hopewell Mounds in Ohio
As
an example, one of the most glaring absences in North America is any real
evidence that connects ancient Jerusalem, the scriptural record, and the
existence of Nephites in the area. Mounds, as we have said numerous times in
these articles, have no bearing or support in either ancient Israel (including
Mesopotamia) or in the scriptural record. Nor are there any evidences left of
buildings in North America of either the Jaredite 1500-year occupation, or the
Nephite 1000-year occupation, yet we have evidence of the Jaredites buildings
lasting hundreds of years (no doubt more than a thousand years from the time
they were first built) in the scriptural record itself. This is borne out when
Limhi’s 43-man expedition brought back reports of seeing the Jaredite lands “covered with ruins of buildings of
every kind, having discovered a land which had been peopled with a people who
were as numerous as the hosts of Israel” (Mosiah 8:8).
It
is always interesting to see how different theorists get around the reality of
all these buildings both the Jaredites and Nephites built, by claiming they
were built of wood, which did not last. First of all, if the Jaredite buildings
had been built of wood, they would not have lasted several hundreds of years
for Limhi’s people to have seen them, and secondly, to claim the Nephi built of
wood, including his magnificent temple whose “workmanship thereof was
exceedingly fine” (2 Nephi 5:16) that he compared it to Solomon’s temple, which
was built entirely of stone except for wood supports for upper levels and roof,
as well as cedars from Lebanon used to panel the stone interior walls, which
was then overlaid with gold, is a far cry from scriptural evidence and an
understanding of both the Jews in history and Nephi in general.
Top
Left: An excavation in Jerusalem of ancient stone buildings during David’s time
(900 B.C.); Top Right: Jerusalem buildings that date back to B.C. times
(restored) made of the original stone; Bottom Left: Stone structure dating to
B.C. times outside Jerusalem; Bottom Right: Stones that once belonged to a
structure dating to Jeremiah’s time (626 B.C.)
Nor
can any evidence in all of Israel be found where the Jews built houses of
wood—they built with stone, using wood for framework and supports of upper
stories, roofs, and occasionally of stairwells, etc.
It
is also interesting to see how these North American theorists talk about “banks
of earth round about to enclose his armies” that were thrown up by Moroni, but
never mention—and I mean never
mention—that in the very same verse Mormon
tells us that Moroni was “also building walls of stone to encircle them about,
round about their cities and the borders of their lands; yea, all round about
the land” (Alma 48:8).
Now
it is quite obvious that banks of earth can dissipate over time from weathering, but walls of
stone do not—especially when those walls were built for the express purpose of
protecting the Nephites against constant Lamanite aggression and attacks. Would
Moroni build a stone wall to stop the Lamanites that could be jumped over, did
not provide protection, and could be easily toppled or broken through?
Which would you prefer for your
defense? Top: 2 to 3 feet high walls, or (Bottom) 8 to 10 feet high walls? Which do you
think Moroni had his army build to protect them?
Despite
the fact that the ancient Hebrews in Jerusalem in B.C. times never built with
wood, many North American theorists insist that the Jews built their houses out
of wood. It is interesting that even in the Old Quarter, not a single house
anywhere in Jerusalem was ever built of wood—all were built of cut stone or rock.
It is interesting on how these theorists make the same identical claims,
yet there is not a shred of proof to their claim in any ancient description of
the Jews dating to the time of David.
Top: An ancient free-standing B.C.
building in Old Jerusalem of cut and dressed stone; Bottom: Interior of an
ancient B.C. stone house in Jerusalem. Note the absence of wood in any manner
Recently, archaeologists
unearthed the remains of two houses they claim date to 5,000 B.C., making them the
oldest evidence of a settlement in what is now called Jerusalem to be
discovered. Stone tools, animal bones and gemstone beads found on the site
suggest they formed part of a thriving farming community. Jerusalem, of course, was arguably one of the most
important cities in the ancient world—a sacred center for three global
religions, an impenetrable fortress and one of the most bloody locations in
history. However, now it is believed that the ancient city of Jerusalem could
be far older than previously thought, according to this remarkable new
archaeological discovery.
The remains of the dwellings, which include several
well-preserved stone walls and stone flooring, were uncovered in the Shu'fat
neighborhood of north east Jerusalem. Described as being “well preserved” and
showing there was a permanent settlement on the ancient site of Jerusalem. At
the time the inhabitants were still using stone tools as copper technology was
beginning to emerge. Luckily, the site was discovered in the excavations that
were carried out before a new road was laid down across the top of a hill in
the area.
Archaeologists
recently excavated what they are calling the oldest house in Jerusalem that so
far dates to 5000 B.C.
There is
also a Jebusite wall in Millo part of the City of David. It
is the rampart built by the Jebusites before David conquered the city. The
Millo consists of the terraces and retaining walls on the eastern slope of the
southeastern spur that supported the buildings above. The Millo is the Stepped
Stone Structure uncovered by Kathleen Kenyon. Eilat Mazar has uncovered the
Large Stone Structure (David’s Palace) that sat on the Millo. All of this dates
to as early as 1200 B.C., and definitely before 1000 B.C. Note the extensive
use of cut stone.
A massive stepped podium for the Canaanite-Jebusite
palace/fortress that was also used as David’s palace. Eilat Mazar dates the
building of this structure from the period of 1200-1000 BC. This Stepped Stone
Structure was the work of the Jebusites during the days of the Judges, and the
work of David around 1000 B.C.
Obviously, from all of this, it cannot be said that the Jews
built with wood as some North American theorists try to claim. Everything they
built from the earliest beginnings of Jerusalem were using stone. This would have been the building technique of Lehi's time and Nephi, Sam, and Zoram would have been well familiar with it.
Isn’t it about time that North American theorists started
using intellectual honesty in their claims that so far run far afield of the
scriptural record and the reality of history of the period?
Del- I love learning from you. Very fun to learn about ancient Jerusalem. Thank you!
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