NAUVOO TIMES AND SEASONS--SEARCHING FOR BOOK OF MORMON

LANDS

The Prophet Joseph Smith in 1842 Learned of Central American Antiquities.

© 2019 by V. Garth Norman

Annually, October 1, is the anniversary of a little known event in early Church history that I believe, in

consequence of significant research progress into 2019, now deserves recognition for identifying a region

of major Book of Mormon lands and for initiating Book of Mormon archaeological historic research. In a

Times and Seasons editorial, October 1, 1842, the Prophet Joseph Smith after progressive study

announced a discovery that the Book of Mormon “land southward” is located in Central America

(Mesoamerica), which would be from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec as the narrow neck of land, south to

Panama or at least Costa Rica, which as the Prophet pointed out, fits the description in Alma 22: 32 as

the land that is “nearly surrounded by water.” [1] Joseph’s information resulted from studying an exciting

book by explorer John Lloyd Stevens, Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas and Yucatan,

1841, that for the first time was bringing major exposure to the outside world of magnificent ancient Maya

ruins hidden in the jungles of Central America. And keep in mind, Joseph knew that in the Book of

Mormon “the history of ancient America is unfolded” [2] Can you sense his enthusiasm and flag waving

to research it out?

John Lloyd Stephens and the Birth of American Archaeology

In 1830, American archaeology was unknown. John Lloyd Stephens, a New

York Attorney, became an explorer when he traveled to Europe in 1834,

then to the Middle East, returning to NY in 1836. He wrote several books

about his travels on the other side of the Atlantic that became best sellers in

America. In 1839, President Martin Van Buren commissioned Stephens to

be a Special Ambassador to Central America. So Stephens, accompanied

by artist and architect Frederick Catherwood traveled to British Honduras

(now Belize) where they first came across Maya ruins at Copan.

John L.Stephens [3]

In 1841, Stephens’ published four books about his travels and explorations including Incidents of Travel in

Central America, Chiapas and Yucatan.

Stephens’ books on Central America

with impressive drawings of spectacular

temple buildings and monuments by

artist Frederick Catherwood exposed, to

the outside world for the first time,

extensive lost ancient civilizations in the

jungles of Central America (southern

Mexico, Yucatan, and Guatemala), and

north of the Isthmus of Darien [Panama]

which once embraced hundreds of miles

of territory from north to south. Map of Mesoamerica [4]

Drawings by Catherwood of Maya ruins of Uxmal (L) and Palenque (R) explored by Stephens [5]

TIMES AND SEASONS EDITORIALS, 1842

Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith Jr. at 14 years old was considered “uneducated”. Steadily he became an avid reader of

history, politics, novels, and poets as well as studying foreign languages, primarily Hebrew and German.

During 1839-1842 as the Saints were establishing the city of Nauvoo, the Prophet Joseph Smith led his

people in business, church administration, and temple building. [6] In 1839, the leaders of the Church

began publishing the Times and Seasons periodical (the same year that John Lloyd Stevens began his

explorations in Mesoamerica). Its motto, “Truth will prevail,” expressed a goal

to promote truth, and correct falsehoods, and was the main organ for

publishing truths pertaining to the restored gospel to the Church members

and the world. Many of the Prophets revelations, and his Book of Abraham

translation, for instance, appeared in print for the first time in the Times and

Seasons. In the spring of 1842 (May 11), in consequence of too many errors

appearing in print, the Prophet Joseph Smith took over the editorship and

announced his personal responsibility for the contents of the paper. [7] Drawing of Joseph Smith [8]

During the next six months he endeavored to raise the paper’s standard of excellence (May-Nov. 1842).

One of the distinctive features of Joseph’s six month editorial career was the attention given to antiquities

as they might relate to the Book of Mormon. In the November 15, 1842 edition, he announced that Elder

John Taylor should be the Editor to maintain the high quality of excellence that had developed. [9]

Shortly after Stephens’ 1841 Incidents of Travel in

Central America, Chiapas and Yucatan (Vol. I and II)

on Mesoamerica hit the book market (illustration at

right), Joseph received them as a gift and commented

in his personal Journal History about their importance

to the Book of Mormon. On June 25, 1842, Joseph

recorded in his Journal that Stephens and Catherwood

had succeeded in collecting in the interior of Middle

America “a large amount of relics of the Nephites, or

the ancient inhabitants of America treated of in the

Book of Mormon,” which relics had recently landed in

New York. [10] While the relics were judged to be of

the “Nephites,” that was of course unknown, but

illustrates Joseph’s frame of reference at that early

date. The ruins of ancient Maya civilizations were

completely shrouded in mystery, yet he held the key in

the Book of Mormon to unlocking the lost history of

ancient America civilizations.

In the September 15th 1842 issue of the Times and Seasons, an extract from John Lloyd Stephens on the

antiquities at Palenque, Mexico was published with editorial comments. The scripture about the narrow

neck of land geography in Alma 22:32 was cited, implying reference to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec which

is not far from Palenque. The next issue two weeks later (October 1, 1842) [1] followed up with specific

details that show

studied progress to

try and locate

Book of Mormon

lands and ruins.

That front page

editorial is

particularly

significant as the

Prophet’s last and

most specific

statement on

geography while

he was the official

editor, so it deserves our attention. Map of Mesoamerica showing antiquities + Palenque – [11]

OCTOBER 1, 1842 TIMES AND SEASONS EDITORIAL

The October 1, 1842, editorial titled “Zarahemla” precedes an extract from Stephens on the site of

Quirigua in Guatemala. The opening statement expresses his active interest in exploring possible

locations of Book of Mormon lands: “Since our ‘Extract’ was published from Mr. Stephens’ ‘Incidents of

Travel,’ & c. [preceding September 15 issue], we have found another important fact relating to the truth of

the Book of Mormon. . . .The city of Zarahemla, burnt at the crucifixion of the Savior, and rebuilt

afterwards, stood upon this land as will be seen from the following words in the book of Alma.” [1]

The editorial then quotes Alma chapter 22: 32 about the land located southward of the narrow neck of

land being nearly surrounded by water. The second page of Stephens’ book contains a map of Central

America charting his explorations from Costa Rica northward to Tabasco on the Gulf of Mexico near the

Isthmus of Tehuantepec as the “narrow neck of land,” and into Yucatan. [1]

The editorial continues: “It is certainly a good thing for the excellency

and veracity of the divine authenticity of the Book of Mormon, that

the ruins of Zarahemla [land not city] have been found where the

Nephites left them.” [1]

This proactive search for antiquities related to the Book of Mormon

reflects the Prophet’s absolute knowledge of the divine authenticity

of Book of Mormon history, which placed the burden of proof on the

skeptic to prove that the lands and ruins in question are not related

to the Book of Mormon. Joseph viewed the antiquities as a witness

for the divine authenticity of the Book of Mormon.

Map by Catherwood of Central America [12]

Joseph also stated: “It will not be a bad plan to compare Mr.

Stephen’s ruined cities with those in the Book of Mormon; light cleaves to light, and facts are supported

by facts. The truth injures no one. . . .” [1] Joseph Smith had the courage to press forward in Book of

Mormon archaeology/history research, “to assist the Saints in establishing the Book of Mormon as a

revelation from God,” which was his last statement before the Oct. 1, 1842 extract.

The Prophet, as he was concluding his editorial career, seems to assume the Saints would continue to

seek knowledge from researching antiquities to add material witness of the authenticity of the Book of

Mormon. At least, that is how I read it. As such, I propose Joseph’s initial study and comments of

Stephens’ writings in the Times and Seasons in 1842, was the beginning of Book of Mormon

archaeology, and may have even been the first invitation to pursue archaeological investigations of

Stevens’ ruins in Middle America.

NAUVOO MUSEUM DEVELOPMENT

The Book of Mormon exploration challenges were not idle words. Seven months later President Smith’s

clerk delivered from his office a proclamation to the Times and Seasons, dated May 15, 1843, titled “To

the Saints Among All Nations,” announcing that according to “divine direction, . . . it appears to be the

duty of the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, to bring to Nauvoo, their precious

things, such as antiquities, . . . petrifactions [fossils] as well as inscriptions and hieroglyphics, for the

purpose of establishing a Museum of the great things of God, and the inventions of men, at Nauvoo.” [13]

This Museum development would obviously have included collections that explore possible Book of

Mormon antiquities, but due to limited knowledge, it would have been very circumstantial. Broad interest

included all nations and peoples past and present. What this says to me is that knowledge from the past

in any specific area of interest, including Book of Mormon studies, should be inclusive not exclusive. In

other words, it can best grow and be understood and accepted, not in isolation, but in proportion to

knowledge expanding in neighboring areas from the past to the present. Knowledge of Book of Mormon

history and culture is now beginning to be understood and appreciated within Mesoamerican civilization.

As we are able to discover more accurately where and how it fits, research is also reaching outward to

explore migration relationships of Mesoamerican-Book of Mormon peoples to neighboring ancient

cultures in North and South America.

CONCLUSION

Just as Stephens’ exploration of ancient Maya ruins was the beginning of American archaeology, from the

perspective of the early Saints, Stevens opened the door to exploring Book of Mormon lands. Some of

the Classic Maya ruins that Stevens explored and Catherwood drew are post period Book of Mormon.

However, in recent years Mayan archaeological research exploration is revealing that many Maya ruins

overlay earlier Book of Mormon period ancient civilizations that were settled in Nephite-Mulekite times, as

well as earlier Jaredite times as described in the Book of Mormon.

John Taylor, as editor of the Times and Seasons in 1843, expressed the view that the Lord may have

designed the coming forth of the Book of Mormon before any knowledge of related ruined cities was

known, so that the world could produce a material witness. And it seemed miraculous to him that

Stephens’ discoveries of ancient Maya ruins came so soon, about 10 years after the publication of the

Book of Mormon.

I pay tribute to the Prophet Joseph Smith and his associates for the vision they gained so early about

where to explore, and for their conviction that it is important and worthy of our dedication and sacrifices to

pursue archaeological, geographical, and historical research of lands of the Book of Mormon.

[1]

[2] Times and Seasons, Nauvoo, Illinois, March 1, 1842: Wentworth Letter.

[3] John Lloyd Stephens, Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas and Yucatan. Volume 1 1969 Dover Publications NY (Reprint of 1841 Edition by Harper & Bro. NY.). P. iv

[4] www.hankeringforhistory.com

[5] John Lloyd Stephens, Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas and Yucatan. Volume II. 1969 Dover Publications, NY, (Reprint of 1841 Edition by Harper & Bro., NY). P.434,308.

[6] Alex D. Smith, (Volume 9 Editor of The Joseph Smith Papers – Documents) Lecture on Joseph

Smith at Nauvoo (1841-1842) at Assembly Hall on Temple Square, Sept. 26, 2019.

[7] History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Deseret Book, SLC. No. 9 Vol. III, p. 710.

[8] Drawing of Joseph Smith by Rachel Norman Williams 2002.

[9] History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Deseret Book, SLC. No. 5. P. 193.

[10] History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Deseret Book, SLC. No. 5. P. 44.

[11] www.peimag.com

[12] John Lloyd Stephens, Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas and Yucatan. Volume 1 1969 Dover Publications, NY. (Reprint of 1841 Edition by Harper and Bro. NY), P. 11

[13] Times and Seasons, Nauvoo, Illinois, May 15, 1843. John Taylor Editor.