Continuing from the graph of 31 scripturally-based descriptions of the Land of Promise (graph shown in the first of these articles and at the end). 29 of these descriptions are listed in the previous posts. Here we continue with 30 below:
(30) Unknown Animals. As Moroni wrote in his abridgement of the record of Ether regarding the animals the Jaredites brought with them to their promised land: “all manner of cattle, of oxen, and cows, and of sheep, and of swine, and of goats, and also many other kinds of animals which were useful for the food of man” (Ether 9:18, emphasis added). He then described their beasts of burden or animals that they used for work purposes: “They also had horses, and asses, and there were elephants and cureloms and cumoms; all of which were useful unto man, and more especially the elephants and cureloms and cumom” (Ether 9:19, emphasis added).
Most theorists pass right over this point in the scriptural record, or suggest animals that do not fit the purpose described by Moroni. As example, Heartland and Great Lakes theorists claim the cureloms and cumom—names by which the Jaredites called these animals and evidently also the Nephites—were the Buffalo and Rocky Mountain Goats. Mesoamerican theorists claim they were probably the sloth and tapir. As these suggestions show, all of these theorists appear to have chosen animals by their uncommon appearance rather than by their described purpose.
Looking at Moroni’s description, of all the animals, the beasts of burden included all manner of cattle, of oxen, horses and asses, as well as elephants and the two unknown animals. It should also be noted that in terms of value or importance to man, Moroni stated that “more especially the elephants and cureloms and cumoms. Obviously, elephants would be the most valuable because of their strength; however, because of their importance and value, the cureloms and cumoms were listed next, ahead of cattle, oxen, horses and asses.
Now to be useful to man, the animals would have to have been domesticated, trainable, and behavioral suitability. The domestication of animals is the mutual relationship between animals and the humans who have influence on their care and reproduction. It is also recognized that a small number of traits that made domesticated species different from their wild ancestors are found only in a few species. Only 14 large animals have been domesticated: sheep, goat, cow, pig, horse, Arabian camel, Bactrian camel, llama and alpaca, donkey, reindeer, water buffalo, yak (bovine), Bali cattle, and Mithun/gayal (bovine), and domesticated Gaur (bovine).
The value of elephants is remarkable. While they have not been officially domesticated, one third of Asian elephants live in captivity and have been known to learn more than 60 commands. They have been used in the logging industry and other areas where their strength is used to move heavy items around. They are also used for riding, hunting, and movement of dignitaries. Thus, their help in building entire villages and their great size and strength made them the most useful animal to man.
Next in line of importance were the cureloms and cumoms—two draft animals that were very useful to man; following were the horses, donkeys, oxen, and cattle. These were the animals in the land, which came southward from the Land Northward at the time of the Jaredite poisonous serpents, and were discovered by Nephi who stated after landing in the Land of Promise, “we did find upon the land of promise, as we journeyed in the wilderness, that there were beasts in the forests of every kind, both the cow and the ox, and the ass and the horse, and the goat and the wild goat, and all manner of wild animals, which were for the use of men” (1 Nephi 18:25).
Obviously, the Mesoamerican sloth and tapir would not meet this criteria, since neither animal is worthwhile to man, except for meat; and the Rocky Mountain Goat and the Buffalo cannot be domesticated, and have never filled the role of a draft animal.
It should also be noted for those theorists who claim that domesticated Jaredite animals could not have lived unattended in the wild between the Jaredites and the Nephites, cattle, pigs, sheep, poultry—all of these will happily survive in the wild. Despite being "domesticated," all of them are still capable of surviving without farmers to tend to them. What will happen however is the traits they have all been selectively bred for will diminish quickly (L. Dutch, “Which Livestock Could Survive Without Humans?” Worldbuilding, UK, July 8 2018). Dairy cattle (cows) would not survive, but this only applies to dairy cows, with high milk production. Cattle used for Beef production or breeds, that are not used for unnaturally high milk production, will not suffer the same fate.
Peru. In Andean Peru are two unique camelid animals that would have been unknown to Joseph Smith. In fact, would not have existed in North America in 1830 at all, as the first llamas to be imported into the U.S. were in 1920, 90 years after the publication of the Book of Mormon, and the alpacas 63 years later in 1983. Their multi-purpose usefulness to the early Peruvians is found in hair that has been used for handicrafts, ropes, rugs, fabrics and clothing. Their hides have been used by the early Peruvians to make sandals, belts, and harnesses, and their meat is dried and consumed for nourishment. Even llama dung is used as a source of fire and warmth.
Llamas are highly social animals and need the companionship of other llamas or other livestock. Their intelligence and their pleasing, diverse personalities provide challenging opportunities for use and training. Llamas are aristocratic and regal, yet llamas and alpacas are both easily trained and have a rather low key, cooperative disposition.
A single llama can provide large quantities of wool for spinning, matting for blanket and cushion fill, and even insulation—their wool is 99% hypoallergenic. They breed easily and can be used for meat as well as milk. In addition, they are great beasts of burden and can carry a large amount of weight easily. Best of all, even a single llama will make a formidable guardian for other livestock and property. Llamas can even be taught to pull a cart and require less care than horses kept for the same purpose. With livestock such as sheep, goats, horses, or even cows, that are vulnerable to predators, from coyotes to wolves, llamas are excellent guardian animals—They’re a big animal, they stand right out and they don’t give ground, which cowers predators, especially against large predators like bobcats and coyotes. A single llama can guard several hundred other animals, but are equally at home with one or two charges to guard. They take less care and training than dogs and are less likely to jump a fence and roam.
In general, llamas are very hardy. They are less prone to illness than most livestock, and do not require a barn or other formal building. Their dense wool keeps them very comfortable in all types of weather, even in the coldest climate—the thick wool also provides insulation from heat and sun.
As for alpacas, they were bred for their fiber, which is used for making knitted and woven items, similar to sheep’s wool—and is highly prized.
Native peoples have used llamas as pack animals for centuries. Typically, they are saddled with loads of 50 to 75 pounds. Under such weight they can cover up to 20 miles in a single day. Pack trains of llamas, which can include several hundred animals, have carried large amounts of goods over even the very rough terrain of the Andes for millennia.
(See the next post, “The Absolute Necessity of Matching Scripture – Part XIII,” for the continuation of the list of items regarding the matching of the scriptural record)
A Peruvian policeman, Olaf Díaz, found the fossils belonging to three prehistoric elephants in the Andes of Peru, specifically in the Chambará district in Junín.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. Science can be wrong however, they may not be 10,000 years old (and thus pre-historic).
DeleteFossil remains of 3 ancient elephants found in central Peru