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< Book of Mormon | Geography | Statements | Nineteenth century
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:Mr. M. I have always thought that there had been a more enlightened people on this continent, than the present Indians. The remains of ancient buildings, monuments &c., are evident proofs on this point. | :Mr. M. I have always thought that there had been a more enlightened people on this continent, than the present Indians. The remains of ancient buildings, monuments &c., are evident proofs on this point. | ||
:Mr. R. There can be no doubt on this subject. In the recent researches in Central America, the ruins of very large and splendid buildings have been found, but it does not necessarily follow that the Book of Mormon is true.{{ref|ts.15.july.1841}} | :Mr. R. There can be no doubt on this subject. In the recent researches in Central America, the ruins of very large and splendid buildings have been found, but it does not necessarily follow that the Book of Mormon is true.{{ref|ts.15.july.1841}} | ||
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+ | ====27 July 1841: LDS writer sees Central American glyphs as evidence==== | ||
+ | :I suppose that Proff. Anthon considered that this would be an incontrovertible argument against the Book of Mormon; but let us see: The celebrated antiquarian Proff. Rafinesque says, in speaking of the writing found on the ruins of the ''stone city'' found in Mexico, “The glyphs of Otolum are written from top to bottom like the ''Chinese'', or from side to side, indifferntly like the Egyptian and the Demonic Libian.—{{ref|ts.27.july.1841}} | ||
====29 July 1841: Anonymous hostile author reporting LDS views==== | ====29 July 1841: Anonymous hostile author reporting LDS views==== | ||
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:I felt truly interested in this work for it brought to light a flood of testimony in proof of the book of mormon in the discovery & survey of the city <u>Copan</u> in Central America…{{ref|ww.1841}} | :I felt truly interested in this work for it brought to light a flood of testimony in proof of the book of mormon in the discovery & survey of the city <u>Copan</u> in Central America…{{ref|ww.1841}} | ||
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+ | ====15 November 1841: Parley P. Pratt appeals to temples and monuments==== | ||
+ | : A nation whose “bones are dried” and whose ruined temples and monuments have reposed for ages in silent, solmn, and awful grandeur, has now spoken from the dust ''and revealed to the world their history, and with it their prophecies and their testimony of Jesus as the risen Messiah and the Saviour of the world, not of Asia only, but of America also.''{{ref|ts.15.november.1841}} | ||
+ | Note Pratt's use of Asia (the Eastern hemisphere) as contrasted with American (the Western hemisphere). | ||
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+ | ====15 November 1841: ''Times and Seasons''–missionary message==== | ||
+ | :The bible was written by a people upon the Eastern continent, but the Book of Mormon by a people upon this continent.{{ref|snow.winchester}} | ||
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+ | These missionaries see "this continent" as the entire Western hemisphere. | ||
====16 November 1841: Joseph dictates the Bernhisel letter==== | ====16 November 1841: Joseph dictates the Bernhisel letter==== | ||
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#{{note|ms.2.july.1841}} {{MS1|article= Present Condition and Prospects of the American Indians, or Lamanites|vol=2|num=3|date=2 July 1841|pages=40–42}} {{link|url= http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/BOMP&CISOPTR=2701&REC=10}} | #{{note|ms.2.july.1841}} {{MS1|article= Present Condition and Prospects of the American Indians, or Lamanites|vol=2|num=3|date=2 July 1841|pages=40–42}} {{link|url= http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/BOMP&CISOPTR=2701&REC=10}} | ||
#{{note|ts.15.july.1841}} {{TS1|article=Dialogue on Mormonism No II|vol=2|num=18|date=15 July 1841|pages=472–474}} {{link|url=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/BOMP&CISOPTR=3015&REC=11}} | #{{note|ts.15.july.1841}} {{TS1|article=Dialogue on Mormonism No II|vol=2|num=18|date=15 July 1841|pages=472–474}} {{link|url=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/BOMP&CISOPTR=3015&REC=11}} | ||
+ | #{{note|ts.27.july.1841}} {{TS1|author=Chas. W. Wandell|article=To the Editors of the Times & Seasons, New Rochelle, Westchester County, New York, 27 July 1841|vol=2|num=22|date=15 September 1841|pages=544–45}} {{link|url=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/BOMP&CISOPTR=3054&REC=20}} | ||
#{{note|anon.29.july.1841}} {{CriticalWork:Christian Advocate and Journal:29 July 1841:Letter on Mormonism|pages=xxx}} | #{{note|anon.29.july.1841}} {{CriticalWork:Christian Advocate and Journal:29 July 1841:Letter on Mormonism|pages=xxx}} | ||
#{{note|ww.1841}} {{WWJ1|vol=2|start=126|date=13 Sept 1841}}. Underlining in original. | #{{note|ww.1841}} {{WWJ1|vol=2|start=126|date=13 Sept 1841}}. Underlining in original. | ||
+ | #{{note|ts.15.november.1841}} {{TS1|author=Parley P. Pratt|article=“A Letter to the Queen of England|vol=3|num=2|date=15 November 1841|pages=591–596}} {{link|url=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/BOMP&CISOPTR=3045&REC=5}} | ||
+ | #{{note|snow.winchester}} {{Periodical:Snow Winchester:Address to the Citizens of Salem 2|pages=578–584}} | ||
#{{note|bernhisel.nov16}} {{PWJS1|start=533}} | #{{note|bernhisel.nov16}} {{PWJS1|start=533}} |
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This article is a draft. FairMormon editors are currently editing it. We welcome your suggestions on improving the content.
Note that this author gets the Book of Mormon story wrong; his version is obviously distorted by poor attention or second-hand information:
Wilford Woodruff on John L. Stephens, Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan:
Note Pratt's use of Asia (the Eastern hemisphere) as contrasted with American (the Western hemisphere).
These missionaries see "this continent" as the entire Western hemisphere.
John Bernhisel joined the LDS Church in 1837 while practicing medicine in New York City. In 1841 he was ordained bishop of the congregation in New York City. Bernhisel was a well-educated man, and in 1841 read Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan by John L. Stephens.
Impressed by the book, Bernhisel gave the two-volume work to Wilford Woodruff in September 1841 with instructions to make sure it was given to Joseph Smith. Woodruff, who was on his way back from England to Nauvoo, delivered the book, as requested.
It would appear that Joseph appreciated receiving the book, as he wrote a letter to Bernhisel acknowledging the gift. Dated November 16, 1841, the first paragraph of the letter is as follows:
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