Volume 12, Issue 2 Findings at June 15, 2018 By David B. Brown © 2018 In early June of this year, the Hill Cu- morah Expedition Team ventured to for their Spring Expedition. The focus of this year’s endeavor was to further develop our theories and under- standing of the Lamanite cities who were converted to the gospel and eventually moved to the land of Jershon. We landed in Guatemala three days after the eruption of Mount Fuego just 25 miles west of . The first few days in Guatemala were cloud cov- ered, so we weren’t able to see the volca- no until close to the end of our time when the skies finally cleared. We first visited the site of El A view of the active volcano Mount Fuego r in . Our theory states that this while traveling to the mountain site of . is the City of Ishmael where King La-

e moni was the ruler and Ammon came to seven major plazas. This is a Post-Classic bring the gospel. While there is little on site with no known early history, but the the site itself (at least compared to sites number of plazas is either stating some- g such as ) there were many aspects thing about the Lamanite conversion, or it C of the structures and concepts in the art- could be something about the eventual N work that seemed to verify the story of fracturing of the Golden Age when they I n the conversion and movement of these separated into seven different groups. , people. There is an article on El Tazumal Our biggest find for this trip was what M

e in this newsletter. we encountered at Takalik Abaj, which we

A We then visited Viejo located in believe is the Lamanite city of Middoni. It

E the mountains north of Guatemala City. is here that the brothers of Ammon were s T Up, down and over the winding mountain imprisoned and then subsequently released. roads, we made our way to a hilltop with

N Continues on Page 2 s O I e T

I El Tazumal is the City of Ishmael

D by David B. Brown © 2018

E The first site we visited on our Spring would make sense to most researchers. P

M Expedition was the El Salvador site of El However, as Book of Mormon believers, X

Tazumal. In the heart of the modern city we know that many of the highland Maya E of Chalchuapa, we looked for evidences to sites were abandoned in the first century

validate stories that took place in the City BC due to cultural events. Therefore, the H

h of Ishmael where Ammon brought the time period of the abandonment fits with A gospel and King Lamoni was converted. the timeline for the City of Ishmael. R The site of El Tazumal is small with The prominent structure on the site O a only one major structure. In walking only has features on the west side. If we

M through the , we noted that the read the structure as if it is a timeline U r city was occupied during the pre-classic traveling from south to north, we see that

C period and then abandoned. Archaeolo- the first notable feature on the main struc- gists attribute the abandonment to the ture is the intrusion of a talud and tablero L o eruption of a nearby volcano, and that designed pyramid extending in front of L

I the primary pyramid. We believe this

H Continues on Page 7 Inside this issue: m Lamoni Father Event Cont Lamoni Event u Cont. Talud & Tablero C Findings at Takalik Abaj continued However, also remember that Middoni Lamanites which were converted unto indicate that these seven cities received is listed second in the Lamanite cities the Lord; and these are they that laid “the waters of life that flow freely, that converted to the gospel. While we down the weapons of their rebellion, welling up from within.” don’t have the story of this city's con- yea, all their weapons of war; and they version in the Book of Mormon, appar- were all Lamanites.” ently the visit by Ammon and King Alma 14:21 “And it came to pass Lamoni had an impact on the people of that the Amalekites, and the Amulo- Middoni. nites, and the Lamanites who were in Structure 11 Takalik Abaj is located on the up- the land of Amulon, and also in the ward western slope of the mountain land of Helam, and who were in the range that runs along the Pacific Coast land of Jerusalem, and, in fine, in all of Guatemala. It is rich land for grow- the land round about, who had not ing coffee, bananas, mangos and many been converted and had not taken upon other crops that thrive in the humid and them the name of Anti-Nephi-Lehi, Structure 12 wet environment of . were stirred up by the Amalekites and The location tells an important story. by the Amulonites to anger against The true find of Takalik Abaj is what Takalik Abaj is also rich in ancient their brethren;” we encountered in Terrace 2 of the site. artifacts. It has a history that began These last two quotes from Alma Structures 11 and 12 face one another with the Olmec trade industry at about indicate the division of three and seven across a plaza. Structure 12 is low- 800 BC. It is noted that about 200 BC found in the ten plaza design of Takalik profile and well developed in its re- there is a large Mayan influence that Abaj. The three on the higher plateau stored form. It is oriented along the begins to take place, although there is are the three cities who did not convert north/south axis with the long-side ex- no evidence of a struggle. This appears and whose population stayed in the posures on the west and east. The west to be a peaceful interaction that exacted highlands. The seven on the lower ele- side has a set of steps in the center, in great influence in the local culture. vation are the seven cities that convert- front of which stands Stela 5 with an Much like the introduction of a new ed and whose populations eventually altar at its base. Then, there are three theological ideology—let’s say the relocated to the lowland area of Jershon small monuments on the north, and gospel for instance. which we have identified as modern- three small monuments on the south. The site is situated on hilltops with day . As an additional identifier First, Stela 5 is the monument we steep ravines around it, much like the that the seven plazas are the converted previously reported that records the Post Classic sites of and cities, this is validated by a natural horrific event where the converted Iximche. This makes defense of the city spring that opens in the ravine in the Lamanites prostrated themselves on the much easier. And, there are a total of middle of the seven plaza elevation to ground in front of their attackers and ten terraces in this city.1 Howev- praised God while 1,005 of er, the ten plazas are divided into them were killed. Finally, two elevations. Three are higher the attacking Lamanites up, and the other seven are down were “stung” by the gravity on a lower elevation. This divi- of act they were committing sion of three and seven fits the and they threw down their Lamanite story. Seven cities are swords. The Book of Mor- converted while three were mon records it this way: fighting against that conversion. Alma 14:49 “Now when the From the pages of the Book of people saw that they were Mormon we find the following coming against them, they report: went out to meet them, and Alma 14:13 “Now these are prostrated themselves be- they who were converted unto the fore them to the earth, and Lord: the people of the Lamani- began to call on the name tes who were in the land of Ish- of the Lord; [50] And thus mael, and also of the people of they were in this attitude the Lamanites who were in the when the Lamanites began land of Middoni, and also of the to fall upon them and began people of the Lamanites who to slay them with the sword; were in the city of Nephi, and and thus without meeting also of the people of the Lamani- any resistance, they did slay tes who were in the land of Shi- a thousand and five of lom, and who were in the land of them; and we know that Shemlon, and in the city of they are blessed, for they Lemuel, and in the city of have gone to dwell with Shimnilon. [14] And these are A model of Takalik Abaj demonstrates the layout and defensible de- their God. [51] Now when the names of the cities of the sign. It also highlights the division of the upper and lower plazas. Continues on Page 3

Page 2 CUMORAH MESSENGER Findings at Takalik Abaj continued the Lamanites saw that their brethren other aspects only con- would not flee from the sword, neither firmed the accuracy of East would they turn aside to the right hand the first report we de- or to the left, but that they would lie veloped in September down, and perish, and praise God even of 2016. Here are the in the very act of perishing under the aspects that affirmed sword--now when the Lamanites saw the story of this being this, they did forbear from slaying the Lamanite conver- them; [52] And there were many whose sion story. hearts had swollen in them for those of In the line drawing South their brethren who had fallen under the of Structure 12 we will North Amphibian sword, for they repented of the things illustrate the story be- Stela 5 which they had done. [53] And it came ing told. North of Stela Crocodile to pass that they threw down their 5 are three small mon- Jaguar Man weapons of war, and they would not uments that demon- Eating Emerging Olmec take them again; for they were stung strate the series of Man Jaguar Head for the murders which they had com- events that created the mitted; and they came down even as momentum leading to their brethren, relying upon the mer- the confrontation rec- Owl cies of those whose arms were lifted to orded on Stela 5. slay them. [54] And it came to pass that The initiation of the West the people of God were joined that day events is demonstrated on the northern- by more than the number who had been most monument which is the head of a slain; and those who had been slain jaguar engulfing a man from behind. were righteous people; therefore, we The symbolism here is of a man un- have no reason to doubt but what they knowingly being engulfed in the words are saved.” of the cultural power structure. Jaguars Stela 5 honors those who gave their are symbols of those people holding lives, and those who repented and were power in the culture, either civic or converted to the church that day. See- religious. And, the man being swal- ing Stela 5 in its context with all the lowed from behind indicates that the ones being influenced by the words of Stela 5 found on Structure 12 of Terrace 2 in the jaguar were not aware that they Takalik Abaj records the 1,005 who were killed were being swallowed. This fits with and the 2,351 who were converted that day. the story leading up to the events rec- orded here: emerging from the mouth of the jaguar Alma 14:21 “And it came to pass with something like a rod in his hand. that the Amalekites, and the Amulo- They had been angered to the point of nites, and the Lamanites who were in action and were now doing the work of 1,005 the land of Amulon, and also in the the jaguar (those people in power). But land of Helam, and who were in the at the point of conflict, those perform- land of Jerusalem, and, in fine, in all ing the work of destruction are the land round about, who had not changed. Therefore, like the frog, they been converted and had not taken upon transformed into a new creature. them the name of Anti-Nephi-Lehi, By contrast, the three monuments on were stirred up by the Amalekites and the south speak to the events that led by the Amulonites to anger against the converted to their actions on the their brethren; [22] And their hatred day of conflict. The southernmost mon- became exceeding sore against them, ument is an owl, a symbol of both wis- even insomuch that they began to rebel dom and foreboding. The next monu- against their king, insomuch that they ment is an Olmec-like head, with royal would not that he should be their king; bands to indicate that this is a royal therefore, they took up arms against the figure who influenced the people. We people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi.” know that it was the wisdom and com- Those who weren’t converted were mand of King Anti-Nephi-Lehi that “stirred up to anger” by those who they should bury their swords for peace served to benefit from this conflict. and allow themselves to be killed if 2,351 Therefore, the jaguar (people of power) they must. When the conflict took swallowed the unconverted Lamanites place, these faithful converts prostrated with their words. Then, the next monu- themselves on the ground and allowed ment from the north illustrates a man Continues on Page 4 VOLUME 11, ISSUE 2 Page 3 Findings at Takalik Abaj continued themselves to be sent back into the movement see their opportunity to act. waters of creation, therefore, they were The converts feel the building tensions like the crocodile who willingly sub- and notice that war preparation is tak- merged back into the river of life. Stela ing place. The missionaries of Ammon, 5 records the result of this conflict; the Aaron, Omner and Himni met in Midi- dead on the southside of the stela, and an (yet unidentified, but somewhere the newly converted on the north side. near Cancuen) and then they go south Because of the uniqueness of this to El Tazumal in El Salvador. Here is story being told here at Takalik Abaj, where the decision to bury their swords we believe that the event of the 1,005 took place and the king’s command deaths were somehow attached to this goes forth. But, the scripture states in city. Alma 14:48 “And it came to pass that We believe that Takalik Abaj is the their brethren, the Lamanites, made Book of Mormon city of Middoni. preparations for war and came up to The fact that the act of opposition is Middoni is the second city listed in the the land of Nephi for the purpose of portrayed on the west side of Structure group of Lamanite converted cities. destroying the king, and to place anoth- 12 indicates that this opposition was And, we believe that the Book of Mor- er in his stead, and also of destroying done in darkness, because the west in- mon listing of the converted cities is the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi out of the dicates the dying of the light at the end the order in which the cities were con- land. [49] Now when the people saw of the day. It was their spiritual dark- verted. It goes as follows: that they were coming against them, ness that led them to be duped by their 1. Ishmael (Lamoni) they went out to meet them, and pros- leaders and to senselessly kill their 2. Middoni trated themselves before them to the brethren. 3. Nephi (Lamoni’s Father) earth, and began to call on the name of This concept is further developed on 4. Shilom the Lord;” the east side of Structure 12. The east is 5. Shemlon It seems clear that the event of the the direction of the dawning of the day 6. Lemuel death of the converted Lamanites took and new beginnings. On the east side 7. Shimnilon place in the Land of Nephi. Why then there are a total of nine monuments, the Because of the dialogue found in the is the honoring of these dead recorded centerpiece of which is a frog to pro- Book of Mormon, we had a hard time at Middoni (Takalik Abaj)? We believe vide us with symbolism to denote understanding why this was being illus- it is because the contingent of attacking transformation to new creatures with trated at Middoni and not at Ishmael or Lamanites who traveled to the land of the metamorphosis represented by the Nephi. Nephi (, modern Guate- frog and birth represented by the num- Alma 14:23 “Now the king conferred mala City) was from the area of Mid- ber nine. Therefore, this city was in- the kingdom upon his son, and he doni. Therefore, the purpose of Struc- volved in the drama of some being con- called his name Anti-Nephi-Lehi. ture 12 is to demonstrate that these verted in advance of the attack, but was [24] And the king died in that selfsame 2,351 converts were from Middoni totally converted when the 1,005 gave year that the Lamanites began to make (Takalik Abaj) and they are telling their the last full measure of their love for preparations for war against the people conversion story by honoring the 1,005 their fellow man. of God. [25] Now when Ammon, and lives that were the means whereby they Takalik Abaj is rich with many mon- his brethren, and all those who had were converted. uments and symbolic structural de- come up with him saw the preparations Even the order of the structures in signs, even a Mayan burial tied to the of the Lamanites to destroy their breth- Terrace 2 fits this concept. Structure 11 city of Tikal. All of this fits the gospel- ren, they came forth to the land of Mid- is a large partially-restored pyramid in missionary story of the Sons of Mosiah. ian; and there Ammon met all his front of which are several monuments We believe there is greater confirma- brethren; [26] And from thence they and a stela with an altar. The stela is tion to be found at this site as we con- came to the land of Ishmael, that they broken with only the base still existing. tinue to research the details of symbol- might hold a council with Lamoni, and This stela is Izapan style artwork that ism and architectural/geometrical rela- also with his brother Anti-Nephi-Lehi, indicates to us it is Aaron and his tionships. Even celestial relationships what they should do to defend them- brothers. The feet are positioned to come into play as there are clear evi- selves against the Lamanites. [27] Now indicate this individual is walking and dences of stellar alignments here. More there was not one soul among all the he appears to use the base of a pole to will be coming in the future. people who had been converted unto poke a hole in the ground to plant God is “making bare His Holy arm” the Lord that would take up arms seeds. Therefore, Structure 11 might as these witnesses from the Book of against their brethren; [28] Nay, they well be representing the introduction of Mormon Golden Age continue to would not even make any preparations the gospel into the land of Middoni to “speak from the dust.” for war; yea, and also their king com- which the people of this city were ini- manded them that they should not.” tially opposed. Stela 5 and its accompa- Footnotes Once King Anti-Nephi-Lehi is nying monuments are across the plaza 1. Most reports state there are nine placed upon the throne and the King of from Structure 11 where they stand in plazas, but our guide told us there all the Lamanites passes away, the opposition to the stela that appears to were ten. powers who oppose this conversion be the gospel missionaries. Page 4 CUMORAH MESSENGER Adventures In Issue 22 2018

Mayan Jewelry The Maya were master jewelry makers. They made necklaces, pendants, bracelets, earrings and ear plugs. They also decorated their headdresses with jewelry. They made jewelry from animals, stone and even sea shells. They used the bones, claws, teeth and even feather of animals. “Since jaguars carried a lot of significance in Mayan mythology, jaguar teeth were one of the most preferred items for making jewelry”1 They used colorful stones, such as jade and obsidian, to make beads and pendants. Jade was the most highly valued stone they used. The jadeite used by the Maya differed from the Asian jade known as nephrite. The Mayan jadeite was harder and less translucent (semi clear) than nephrite. Jade is harder than steel and usually green or blue-green in color. “The Mayans considered green color to represent life and growth and so it was an important aspect of Mayan jewelery.”2 Jade was very hard to cut, carve and drill. It is believed they used cords pulled back and forth over abrasive wet sand to slowly wear down the jade. It is believed they drilled holes in their beads by using hollow bird bones filled with wet sand or another hard stone powder3, spinning the bone back and forth with their hands. For carving, they used stone chisels with wooden hammers or drilled with stone rods with a wet abrasive under them, spinning them back and forth like the bone drills. Both men and women wore jewelry. The ear plugs were often so heavy they stretched out the ear holes4 Jade jewelry was highly valued, because it took so much time to create, only leaders and the rich wore jade jewelry.

1http://mayansandtikal.com/mayan-clothing/mayan-jewelry/ 2http://www.incamayanaztec.com/ancient-mayan-jewelery.html 3https://ambergriscaye.com/museum/digit2.html 4http://ancient-jewelry-history.com/Ancient-Civilizations-Jewelry/Ancient-Mayan- Jewelry.shtml

VOLUME 11, ISSUE 2 Page 5 K Z A U G R E E N N Q M P E V WORD SEARCH Find and circle the A P W N Z K S S G M A Y A N D words from the story: Y E B H I Z Q Y F V Y F F A C Animal P N R U E M N E C K L A C E U Beads Bone W D A P J A A C S S Q Y S N T Bracelet U A C Q T P D L J I B W S C O Cut Drill B N E Y R M H D F E A T H E R Earring T T L H I J J W R Q L M R V C Feather Green O Y E M N G A E N E H C B W S Headdress J H T M G O C D W J S N E Q T Jadeite Jaguar E A R R I N G D E E R S A X O Jewelry J A G X G I H R V I L Q D B N Mayan Necklace W U S U F Q K I H P T R S O E Pendant U B J F A T S L O G K E Y N V Ring Stone X E A B R R H L G V B A L E X

Come visit our web site for back issues of the Newsletter at www.hceti.org or www.hillcumorahexpeditionteam.com

OTHER SITES OF INTEREST http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/lesson_plans/science/archaeology/ http://research.history.org/Archaeological_Research/KidsPage.cfm http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/08/maya-rise-fall/map-interactive http://www.digonsite.com/drdig/mesoamerica/15.html http://www.smm.org/sln/ma/index.html http://archaeology.la.asu.edu/teo/ For questions e-mail me at [email protected]

Page 6 CUMORAH MESSENGER El Tazumal is the City of Ishmael continued We also found a large rough stone located on the northwest corner of this Lamoni Event site, positioned about 100 feet from the mouth of the ballcourt. There are four rough sides to this stone, upon which are carved four individuals; one on each surface. Two of those individuals are kings with scepters, and the two kings face one another around one cor- ner of the stone. One king is larger and stands slightly above the other. The lower positioned king is on the south Lamoni Father Event face of the stone exposed to the open plaza on the west side of the pyramid. The other two individuals are on the back sides of the two kings. We believe Talud & Tablero this stone honors the two Lamanite Kings who were the first conversions among the Lamanites, and the two smaller individuals “behind” the scenes are Ammon and Aaron. The king fac- structure is placed here to represent the cause that is the historical motion of ing the plaza is King Lamoni and the Lamanite involvement with the Olmec this city. The conversion of the Lam- one on the east side of the stone with trade culture whose primary route runs anites began here in the farthest south his profile facing south is his father down the Pacific Coast of and Lamanite city. The next event attached who is King of all the Laminates. It Guatemala, and then inland to the high- to this city was the conversion of La- was the unforeseen meeting of these lands. Therefore, the location of this moni’s father in the City of Nephi two royals that led to the conversion of intrusive pyramid on the west face of (Kaminaljuyu) which is the next major the Lamanite Kingdom. And, the fact the primary pyramid indicates that the city north of El Tazumal. that this stone is aligned with the ball- Olmec trade culture connection became In the plaza on the north side of pyra- court indicates that this meeting led to a the “face” of the people here, although mid is a stairway that leads to...nothing. spiritual battle among the Lamanites. their “foundation” is not the same as Is this telling us that the people of this the Tehuacán Valley culture. But, on city journeyed north when they vacated the timeline, this connection with Cen- this region as they moved to Jershon tral Mexico came first. (Belize)? The historical record of the Moving North, next is a sacred struc- City of Ishmael is from south to north ture with holes for incense located on and the structures here seem to reflect the highest levels of the pyramid. We that chronological and directional believe that this feature represents the movement. conversion of King Lamoni who is on the highest level of this structure be- cause he is the highest authority of this city. But, the highest point also has to do with the spiritual conversion experi- We then found a small jaguar stone ence. This incense-burning house sym- in this same area. The stone is in the bolically indicates what he witnessed shape of a frog, but the face of the while he was “struck down” in the stone is a jaguar. However, as our God- Spirit; it was the purity of King La- sent guide pointed out to us, the jaguar moni’s heart that was a sweet offering face is actually an artistic rendition of unto the Lord. reproductive organs, to indicate that Further northward along the west something was inseminated and con- side of the pyramid, we come to an ceived here. The gospel was introduced opening with two pillars, but there are a to the Lamanites at this location total of ten pillars represented in the (reproductive organs), among the roy- façade of this lower level. We believe als of the Lamanites (jaguar face), and that this represents the conversion of it led to the conversion of the Lamani- the King of all the Lamanites because tes throughout the land (frog form). he was King over a total of ten cities, This is the place where it was intro- represented by the ten pillars. duced and from which it grew. We have chosen to read the face of this pyramid from south to north be- Continues on Page 8 VOLUME 11, ISSUE 2 Page 7 The Hill Cumorah Expedition Team, Inc is a Missouri not-for-profit corpo- We’re on the web at ration dedicated to the study, research and dissemination of information as www.hceti.org it pertains to the Book of Mormon. Our primary focus is to research and assemble archaeological and other related information to help establish the historical feasibility of the Book of Mormon.

HILL CUMORA H E XPEDITI ON T EAM, I N C Searching for Truth

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El Tazumal is the City of Ishmael Continued

We were then informed that Museum provided two es; two around each leg, two on the there were older structures lo- key pieces of infor- right arm and one on the left arm. cated just a mile or so north of mation; first, in ancient Alma 12:89 “And he said unto him, the El Tazumal site. After driv- times there were three Is it because thou hast heard that I de- ing past the large cenote, we cenotes on the El fended thy servants and thy flocks, and arrived at a site called Casa Tazumal plain, and slew seven of their brethren with the Blanca. Located here are struc- second, this ceramic sling and with the sword, and smote tures built prior to the first was found near the off the arms of others in order to de- abandonment. This is probably second cenote called fend thy flocks and thy servants? Be- where the Ammon story played Laguna Seca. hold, is it this that causeth thy mar- out with his capture and offer to While the art-style can velings?” become a servant of the King. be tied to the post- Ammon killed seven with the sling Within that story is the account classic Mexico valley, and sword and there are seven sling- of Ammon defending the flocks we believe that this like bindings on the appendages. Then of the king and cutting off the ceramic human form the left arm demonstrates a removed arms of the assailants. We felt was placed here to me- hand; this is the defensive arm for a that this story should be record- morialize the Ammon person who would be holding his ed at Ishmael in some form, but event of defending the weapon in his right hand. And, this is we had yet to find it. It was at King’s flocks. The found at the smaller cenote which the Casa Blanca Museum that right hand is fashioned would have been used for animals since the key information started to to hold something the larger cenote was for the people of come together. round such as a club, the city. Finally, we have an artistic At the El Tazumal Museum but the left arm has a display of the Ammon story! we found a large ceramic figure hand severed above the For all of the reasons we have illus- that archaeologists have classi- wrist. Note that the trated here, we are now convinced that fied as Post-Classic in style and eyes are closed and the El Tazumal is the City of Ishmael therefore it seemed disconnect- mouth is gaping; this where Ammon met King Lamoni and ed with the Lamanite story of Ishmael. indicates that he is dead. Also note that initiated the conversion of the Lamanite But, the information at the Casa Blanca there are seven bonds on the appendag- kingdom.