Did Jesus Christ Visit Central America? The Mayans, and The Book of Mormon with Mike Handy

[@brothercheerio]

I spoke to a dude on my mission from Guatemala. He had never heard of our church before. The dude told me that when he was young, living in Guatemala, he had a dream of seeing Jesus coming to Guatemala.

[@richarner3856]

5:23 Then Jesus left..here today and Guatemala 😂

[@brentgeddes]

"He Walked the Americas" by L Taylor Hansen. It contains Native American (North, Central and South) tribal traditions and stories of the "Prophet's" visit to them long ago. The scriptures, Joseph and Oliver say the B of M took place in this country. Jesus also visited all the Americas, not just the Nephites and Central America. This book shows the love Jesus has for all God's children.

[@kz6fittycent]

That is a great book!

[@deannawendt146]

Awesome book!!!!

[@kimberlyolsen9416]

I've had that book for many many years.

[@johnkauffman1191]

I know a lot of Native Americans that will say bullshit. No offense I work with a lot of Navajo I even have my native name they gave me which everybody calls me Elmo so they said have you got your native name yet after years of being around and being out on the reservation, working with them, and working with them all across the United States. I’m either John or Elmo Yazzie, and not a one believe or say that they were a part or their ancestors were a part of what Joseph Smith says.

[@JosephCartertheMinkMan]

​​​@@johnkauffman1191 The Navajo are also originally from Canada, which as far as I have heard, NO ONE is considering Canada as one of the potential locations for the Book of Mormon stories......

[@charlottegardenhire6408]

You summed that up beautifully. I love the question, “do you believe that Christ could have visited here, but the Book of Mormon could have happened elsewhere?” It’s awesome to see visitations and evidence of Christ throughout the world.

[@pamelarust3487]

Loved when this was stated! So true.

[@tristantorres7511]

There is no evidence

[@ponkerfickledude3852]

Dudes. You guys dive into the dopest stuff. Makes me love the historical aspect of our faith.

[@thestickofjoseph]

We love it tooo! Thanks for diving in with us!

[@MrMichaeledavis83]

There is no actual historical evidence for Mormonism before the 1800s. Joseph Smith very obviously made up the whole thing.

[@yourangelinfleshorsackclot1523]

​@@thestickofjosephNO religion is named in the bible codex so ALL religions are false pagan distractions ... Jesus isn't a "Christian"/christ stain he is the "christ"/example ... a "messiah"/messenger ... christ' ian is only a description of those of us who became his "new creatures" by walking on our knees in his footsteps ... and you make believe your self "gooder more saved than thou" cause ya got a "religious" pronoun ...

[@nomadbrad6391]

Could Christ have visited Meso America? ABSOLUTELY. However, I strongly believe that the cities of Zarahemla and Bountiful were well north in modern day USA.

[@dylanwilliams2202]

It couldn't have taken place in the modern USA borders. Helamen 3:3 says they went northward, Helaman 3:6-7 and Helamen 3:10 says that there was no timber so they built houses using cement. The only place in the USA that has that kind of geography and evidence of cement housing being used anciently is Arizona and Texas, mind you the Book of Mormon says all this is going on North of the main body of Nephites or where the story has been taking place. There are multiple other places that say they spread across the land, which is why you see evidence of some Nephite culture so far north.

[@nomadbrad6391]

You are applying what we think we understand about 18th and 19th Century climate and geography to something 2,200 years ago.@@dylanwilliams2202

[@andrewjeppesen2369]

@@dylanwilliams2202 What about them Jaredites in the land before the Nephites? Cutting down trees for nearly 2 millennia? Just saying ;)

[@nomadbrad6391]

exactly@@andrewjeppesen2369

[@alanschannel1495]

youve been misled. study more

[@Irvingdector]

I am from a place in Mexico where a civilization called "Toltecas” was accented thousands of years ago. They built temples that were very similar to those of the Mayans. During a war between the Toltecs and Mexicas, the temples were destroyed, and many things came to light, for example, huge figures that served as columns of the temple that have engraved the ceremonial clothing of the LDS temple (or at least very, very similar to the current ceremonial clothing of LDS temple). It would be great if you check it out. :)

[@GADBabaganoosh]

ive seen stuff about the toltec legends and theres a LOT of things that scream Book of Mormon

[@jeffreyburrows7380]

There is also a stela of the Descending God at Izapa.

[@FromAgonyToLight]

I have been in the lands of the Olmecs and the Toltecas! I live in Guatemala, may I humbly ask in which ruin you saw these pillars?

[@rutht2023]

This sounds interesting. Do you have a refernce or site where more info can be found?

[@Irvingdector]

@@rutht2023 you could google: “Atlantes de Tula” or “Gigantes de Tula”. in Tula, Hidalgo. They are 4 columns of the Temple for Quetzalcoatl (The Lord that visited them and promised to comeback) . Check their ceremonial clothing (hat, knots on the left and then on the right, etc.).

[@Dutchman1648]

William Prescott's work, "Conquest of Mexico", documents the tradition of the bearded white god among the Aztexs; he also indicates the same tradition existed with Peruvian cultures, and notes there was no social intercourse between the inhabitants suggesting the tradition had its roots in fact. His work was written in the 1850s and , many believe, it is the pre-eminent record of the conquest.

[@randonmorford]

I have faith in the Book of Mormon. Nonetheless, I feel the narrative of Mesoamerica's relationship with God remains untold. Jesus mentioned in the New Testament that he had other flocks he intended to visit, and this was echoed in the Book of Mormon. I hope for a detailed exploration of the Mesoamerican narrative without necessarily tying it to the Book of Mormon. I believe such an exploration would offer another testament to Jesus Christ.

[@juliadrodgers2610]

Yes, I'd also like to see more details arise about Christ's visit to other "other sheep".

[@crazyaboutcards]

I agree

[@justjamie7577]

Holy Bleep! Are the three brothers the three Nephites who were allowed to avoid death because they wanted to preach the gospel?

[@jennysvendsen6103]

That was my thought, when I heard about them

[@mygreatestdayever]

I could listen to this all day. This was fascinating!

[@jeffwhipple2658]

The Law of Moses? Another great video. You guys rock. Please help me understand how B of M people could have fully lived the Law of Moses in Central America without using Sorenson’s substitutions (which are almost all unclean). No substitutions needed in USA. I wish people talked about this more. This a an important piece of the puzzle. This is one of the main reasons I follow the Heartland model. Look at Amberli Nelson’s work on this. Very compelling. The Law of Moses is critical to the Nephites. They could not have practiced it in Mesoamerica. Prove me wrong.

[@SamuelOfCumorah]

Preach, brother! The Law of Moses was one of many nails in the coffin for my belief in the Heartland model too. God cares more about obedience than convenience, and you can't be obedient to the law in the south.

[@MrNirom1]

You should then take a look at South America...

[@jeffwhipple2658]

@@MrNirom1 then you have the next important piece of the puzzle, the Promised Land. Even when I followed the Meso theory, I still always pictured the USA when reading 1 Nephi 13.

[@MrNirom1]

@@jeffwhipple2658 Well.... there are so many things that are missing from the USA... it is not funny. I don't understand how the Book of Mormon can tell us that on the hill Cumorah they saw so many people.... Here... read it: 11 And when they had gone through and hewn down all my people save it were twenty and four of us, (among whom was my son Moroni) and we having survived the dead of our people, did behold on the morrow, when the Lamanites had returned unto their camps, from the top of the hill Cumorah, the ten thousand of my people who were hewn down, being led in the front by me. 12 And we also beheld the ten thousand of my people who were led by my son Moroni. 13 And behold, the ten thousand of Gidgiddonah had fallen, and he also in the midst. 14 And Lamah had fallen with his ten thousand; and Gilgal had fallen with his ten thousand; and Limhah had fallen with his ten thousand; and Jeneum had fallen with his ten thousand; and Cumenihah, and Moronihah, and Antionum, and Shiblom, and Shem, and Josh, had fallen with their ten thousand each. 15 And it came to pass that there were ten more who did fall by the sword, with their ten thousand each; yea, even all my people, save it were those twenty and four who were with me, and also a few who had escaped into the south countries, and a few who had deserted over unto the Lamanites, had fallen; and their flesh, and bones, and blood lay upon the face of the earth, being left by the hands of those who slew them to molder upon the land, and to crumble and to return to their mother earth. That is 220,000 people he saw were dead. That is just on his side not to mention how many Lamanites died. Have you seen the Hill Cumorah in NY? That is not a hill that one could be in the top of and see the carnage of 400,000 people. Imagine this was the hill cumorah which is in the land northward which puts it in Ecuador. drive.google.com/file/d/19vVJH4E10dM1AZWpL_FxRxwJHo9LQ8Lc/view?usp=drive_link

[@MrNirom1]

@@jeffwhipple2658 Take a peak at this: drive.google.com/file/d/1s9i-Qx-WCbo9yCbcbqwer-KvwfjGoFHx/view?usp=drive_link

[@ryanossmen1348]

Watching this is convincing me more and more that the Book of Mormon took place in the HEARTLAND OF AMERICA. Land of Liberty. Keep up the good work boys, love your stuff.

[@AVoiceCryingInTheWildern-vt6ed]

You are totally blind, lost, and deceived. Repent!

[@beefmaster4]

How is this convincing you of that?

[@beheadedforthewitnesofjesu3445]

@@beefmaster4 ,...This video is only convincing anyone who is not completely spiritually dead how fake the manmade religion of mormonism is.

[@shawnbradford2243]

It took place in Josephs imagination

[@hewhohasearstohearlethimhe9509]

@@shawnbradford2243,...Exactly, JS was an absolute fraud.

[@prezp00nage24]

The Book of Mormon happened in the heartland, Jesus Christ also visited other people. Both the Bible and the Book of Mormon quote Jesus saying “That other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” So many people use this as a proof of the Book of Mormon, but ignore it when the Book of Mormon says it. There are stories all over the world that embody the story of Jesus Christ. Kukulkan from the Maya, Yei Bi Chei from the Navajo, and Krishna from India are three that I find extremely great matches.

[@shanethompson2406]

Interesting but not compelling. Did the savior visit? Probably and also many other places. The BoM, DC and Brother Joseph make it pretty clear what we are to understand about “This land”

[@ELCAPATAZ]

Faith enhancing comment especially for those who are just starting on their faith journey. Thanks!

[@samueljeppsen9785]

Another thing, I rode my motorcycle down there, from Arizona, and saw all the places he is talking about. I love that area, love what he's saying. And I totally believe that Christ visited many civilizations and leads and guides all people everywhere and is the Savior of everyone. And I agree with what he says at 1:34, that the Myans were here before Lehi and the gang showed up. That they were just part of the society here, not the entire society. So much to sort through. It would have been so easy, if our real history, matched the history we were told. We're just going to have to hang in there and hope that the truth will come out in our favor.

[@jennysvendsen6103]

Smuel, interesting about your last name! In Denmark it used to be that if a guy by the name of Jeppe had a son, he would be called Jeppesen (Jeppsen in english), or if his first hemae was Mads, (as in the case of my paternal grandfather), his son was named Madsen after his dad's first name, meaning son f Mads), however, it doesn't go like that anymore. So when we look into all the ancient history, things do change, so interesting

[@andrewjeppesen2369]

"Could Christ have visited Mesoamerica but the Book of Mormon happened somewhere else?" His answer: "We're not really seeing that" That's a very glib answer. It's clear Mike's mind is closed to any other possibilities, and so like many on his side and the other, we spiral into Confirmation bias.

[@NicoleSilva-ci6li]

I agree. Other sheep. I was a Mesoamerican supporter for so many years, but the actual ties to the Nephites were so tenuous. Having traveled there, though, there's such a strong case that Christ visited there. I see more Nephite footprints in North America.

[@kz6fittycent]

@@NicoleSilva-ci6li same. I used to be heavily into the Meso-theory. I can't agree that it happened there anymore. Especially the idea that the Maya are the Nephites. I used to accept it, and there are some points to consider, but as you've stated, there's far more in North America that is blatantly obvious (to me) to be Nephite/Jaredite. Not to mention the early accounts of Joseph Smith, et al.

[@etejan42]

I have watched a number of these videos and read a lot of other faiths scriptures. I think we underestimate the number of peoples that Christ visited during his life and after his resurrection. If the Nephites were the Hopewell, it could very well be true that the Mayas were another tribe. The first translation of the Tao Te Ching I read had a chapter that reminded me of the beatitudes. And the symbolism of the Tao reminds me of Christ as the living water. Makes a person think. Depending who you listen to the dates don't line up, though.

[@mesinjah]

Hebrews didnt use steps. They used ramps

[@ELCAPATAZ]

The steps may represent "ascending precept by precept"

[@vincentorr507]

I do like the heartland model more for the BOM, but I'm open to being wrong. They both have strengths and weaknesses. As members of the Church we need to respect both people's opinions and be excited for the day the details as to where the BOM happened are revealed. It could end up being Meso and heartland.

[@redfightblue]

What about other models? Or does your "respect for others" end there?

[@craiggoodrich2452]

The temples in central and South America do not adhere to the code in the Law of Moses so they could not have been built by Lehi’s descendants. They are too steep and they have steps and not ramps.

[@philandrews2860]

@@craiggoodrich2452 - The Mesoamerican model folks (like me) also don't believe that the famous excavated temples in Mexico southward are Nephite temples. They are pretty much all post Book of Mormon time-wise. The Nephite temples were likely much different. Since archaeologists have just barely scratched the surface of what is to be found in those areas of the Americas, it's likely a 'Nephite temple' has not yet been excavated, or else perhaps one has but we just don't yet know how to identify it as such.

[@philandrews2860]

@vincentorr507 I think there is truth in both models. I currently favor the Mesoamerican "Heartland as Hinterland" idea. Mark Alan Wright wrote a paper about this concept 10 years ago and it can be found on Book of Mormon Central (i.e. Scripture Central).

[@brittanyherrera6231]

You guys are great! I love watching your interviews. Thanks for your hard work in sharing your testimonies and helping find Christ in the world. It’s cool to see you’re open minded to learning and helps all of us as well. Have you ever read Immanuel Velikovskys books? He is a Russian Jew and genius , he traveled the world, spoke many languages and made a big impact in science and religion. After reading his works and several other great leaders, Henry b Eyring senior and more. I think I will side with Wayne May on the Book of Mormon being mostly in North America. There have been witnesses thy say nephites went to Iceland which could very well be how Leif Erickson came to the new world in 1000 +\-. People have found Jaredites all over the Americas and when wicked they practiced beliefs like the Egyptians with focus in numbers , planters, idols, etc. I also find it interesting that when Gods chosen people go wicked he destroys the temples, perhaps to protect things taught there. I believe Jesus Christ can be found all over the world and it’s awesome to see how he has a history everywhere. But from both of your interviews I think the Book of Mormon has more evidence that those people lived in North America.

[@paulblack1799]

Maybe I'm missing something but the Mayan's greatest buildings and civilization come precisely at a time the B of M describes as complete destruction of civilization. All the good guys dead and all the bad guys engaged in internecine warfare. This alone tells me that the B of M and Mayans have nothing to do with each other.😢

[@redfightblue]

You're not wrong. The claim that Jesus visited the Mayans is very preposterous. Just look at the impact Jesus had on the Old World and compare that to the Mayan. All we got was a Pagan symbol of a god with his head down and his feet in the air? No lasting Christianity on the land? Nothing Jesus said stuck? Why aren't they placing Crosses on all their buildings? If Jesus did visit, he made no lasting impact whatsoever. You can believe anything if you also believe all the evidence for your claim was destroyed.

[@paulblack1799]

@@redfightblue I wouldn't say that claims of Christ's visits are preposterous; Jesus can go anywhere He wants, with or without our permission. I'm sure He visited many places, both before and after His mortal mission. I just like to see better documentation when possible.

[@ClintK.]

@@redfightblueChrist never instituted the cross or pushed its symbol.

[@redfightblue]

@@ClintK. I said "cross" as an example of the impact Christ had in the Old World vs no impact to the New World. Christ appeared to the Mayans and nothing happened that has lasted. No religion established, no churches built, no temples built, no symbols used to remember Him. No sacrament, no baptism etc. etc. Compare to the Old World where Christianity spread and spread and grew and grew.

[@redfightblue]

@@paulblack1799 Of course Christ can go wherever he wants but why? If he is going to visit the Mayan there should be a reason. What was the reason? The Book of Mormon says Christ told the Mayans to take the sacrament often. Did they? Is there any evidence they turned from their Pagan beliefs? Christ visited the Mayans and all you got was a carving of Christ coming down from above, head first, with his feet in the air. I'd rather see a carving of Christ being crucified like he just told them He was. And some evidence they took the sacrament and stopped worshipping Pagan gods. Totally contrary to what the man in this video claims, when the Spaniards arrived there was not one ounce of Christianity in the New World. I can show you 1,000 quotes of the Spaniards describing the Pagan culture and lack of anything resembling Christianity. By claiming the evidence was destroyed you place the Paganism on the backs of the people and not on God. It's not that God allowed people to live and die in the New World without the opportunity to know Christ. It's the people fault for sinning. Because their ancestors sinned, the Native American Indian lived and died without The Gospel.

[@IntoAllTruth.]

There were no sheep, metallurgy or barley in Central America, all of which were had among the Nephites.

[@Stingray1965]

I greatly appreciate these videos detailing the different viewpoints in regard to Book of Mormon geography. While I understand where this gentleman is coming from, I would direct you to a book called “Hindu America” by Chaman Lal. The things that the gentleman in this video shared are very quickly debunked as it shows pictures of the Mayan temples in contrast to Hindu temples. The statues and building style are nearly identical! I think Wayne May posed a much more compelling argument because he was pulling directly from the Prophet Joseph Smith himself saying that during the Zion’s Camp March that they were “roving over the mounds of the Nephites.” You can’t get more definitive than that, especially in the Mesoamerican model. Modern scholars have shredded the Meso theory to pieces and rightfully so. Even Hugh Nibley saw right through the Meso theory saying “The great monuments (Chichén Iza and Mayan ruins) do NOT represent what the Nephites stood for; rather, they stand for what their descendants, mixed with the blood of their brethren, descended to.” (The Prophetic Book of Mormon, pg. 272-273) I have to side with Wayne May on this one, even modern scholars shoot down the timeline of the Maya being around during Book of Mormon times. Even the Mayan temples completely contradict the Law of Moses which Nephi states they observed strictly.

[@andrewjeppesen2369]

I'm not a heartlander per se, but this is the most compelling data for the location NOT being in Central America. We have a big culture problem here as you stated. The Maya and Olmec all show heavy influences from southeast Asia, and parts of Indonesia. In terms of language, culture, architecture and religion. As you stated even the temples look the same. As Hugh Nibley stated in his books, a culture removed from their ancestral homeland will cling to that culture, perhaps harder than they would if not uprooted. Central America doesn't match up with a culture that a group of middle easterners would bring with them.

[@barbarashorttobrien1337]

Yep money talks, they make a great deal on what they are selling. Quentin L Cook said they were in all the Americas in the last conference and even President Hinkley twice named South America and Central America as part of the people of Lehi.

[@TheBibeba]

I’m Bolivian and we have histories that talk about this God that will come back

[@jonathaneldridge6611]

Really interesting to consider that the temple has nine terraces in conjunction with Dave Butler's hypothesys about the Sermon on the mount being a temple ordinance with nine specific blessings promised as one approaches the Holy Place...

[@angelinavickers8584]

Thank you for this and love that it is centred in Christ and supports the Book of Mormon.

[@josuedominguez770]

Hmm, I wonder. Could these "Three Brothers" possibly be the "Three Nephites?"

[@andrewjeppesen2369]

I FIRMLY believe that the three nephites (out of the 12 nephite disciples) are: Nephi His brother Timothy His son Jonas I guess we'll have to wait until the next life to see if I'm proven right :)

[@pamcatello9136]

Thank you. Iv been waiting

[@cindywoodbury385]

There is certainly a possibility that Christ did teach/minister to the peoples of central America (3 Nephi 16:4-5), however, there is very compelling evidence that the events of third Nephi took place in an entirely different part of North America. Take note that the temples of central America look nothing like the temples of the Jerusalem. It could be of interest to you to know that the temples of the holy land (and the Jewish people) forbid the structure to have high ascending stairs, as that was viewed as an attempt to put the priests on the same level as God. Wonder where all the copper mines are in Central America. They would have needed those to build the millions of swords, breastplates and other implements of war described in the BOM.

[@nomadbrad6391]

tennessee@@ChrisShadowman

[@cindywoodbury385]

Easy to research. One of the largest copper deposits sit along the shore of Lake Superior. They know this area was being mined 2000 years ago. Wayne's not wrong.

[@cubworld]

Mike is the man! Loved the episode 🙏🏽

[@AVoiceCryingInTheWildern-vt6ed]

Yes, mike, like joseph smith is a master of deception. Repent!

[@MarkHigbee]

Righteous Hebrews would not make any graven images of God.

[@MarkHigbee]

Righteous Mormons would not make any graven images of God either. (Isa 42:8) I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. (Mosiah 12:36) Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing in heaven above, or things which are in the earth beneath.

[@matttower5757]

While I think his over annunciation of the Mayan words to be a bit pretentious, I’ve been to the top of the temple in Coba and can attest that the carving of the “diving god” is there. No one there could explain what it was or why it was there, or even gave the “diving god” explanation, but it was there.

[@matttower5757]

I just realized that me saying “I was there” is pretentious too! L😂L

[@jeremycollins1068]

I have been to the top of the temple of Coba too. You can look and see pyramids covered by the jungle in every direction. Did you ever get to Uxmal.

[@heartfacingupward]

I'm old. So, a lot of great stories verify the pattern of how the appearances and visits took place. Follow the timeline of the stories and you will see where Christ came first and the last recorded cultural visit. The timelines also work with the weather starting North and working His way South, then to the islands. Talk to Wayne May. Being familiar with the tribal stories and legions, he can help you patch these visits together. Now I will listen to the video. LOL. You probably already talk about it.

[@CMZIEBARTH]

Please locate and read a copy of "Israel in the Pacific." It talks about legends of Christ also visiting the Polynesian islands in addition to North and South America. Written by a couple guys that had some connection to the Church Genealogical Society or something like that.

[@anniesavidge2468]

Have you guys talked to Joseph Allen, who wrote Exploring the Lands of the Book of Mormon? Extensive research, well written and ver convincing.

[@urubu715]

Regarding the mention of of no steps in Deuteronomy, it reminded me of the other video that you recently put out with Mike Day that Lehi and his family may have left Jerusalem because the Deuteronomists were changing the scriptures and worship of God, and so they didn't have rules about steps on their temples.

[@MichaelGMoney]

Fascinating observation. I'm curious what their version of the law of Moses would have looked like.

[@ReedHansonRattie]

Have you found the use of ramps at any of the temple sites? As described in the Book of Kings? Wouldn't the Nephites keep with the tradition of using these ramps?

[@tdwagner1]

I am wondering if Christ made several "visits" to American and we just don't have their records....yet. Loving this!!!

[@jeffreybernson7978]

The Book of Mormon tells us all it took place in AMERICA !!

[@amandaspencer4686]

Thank you for this! I have had some experiences while travelling to small Belize sites and some others too, none mentioned here. At one small, lesser known place in Belize, I at one point, could feel the spirit SO strongly. It caught me completely off guard. I have wondered and prayed about that experience and some other experiences. This video was a re-testament to me of what I felt. Thank you. I love the Heartland model and love so much having the Yucatan model to discover now. I have a very deep love for archaeology and am just in love with this channel. Thank you guys for doing this!

[@FromAgonyToLight]

I live near Belize, can I ask which ruin you felt the Spirit so strongly was?

[@alanschannel1495]

reminder these are NOT Archaeological professionals... You may hhave all the fuzzy feelings, doesnt mean anything to the truth in the slightest. get educated

[@FromAgonyToLight]

@@alanschannel1495 The evidence is so ridiculously in favor of the Book of Mormon it would take purposeful blindness not to admit Joseph Smith was right about a highly advanced civilization in ancient America (which he couldn’t have know about btw).

[@alanschannel1495]

@@FromAgonyToLight JSmith didnt know anything. Which is why Egyptologists call out his fraud. Which is why the Church has to walk back what The Book of Abraham is, among so many other things

[@FromAgonyToLight]

@@alanschannel1495 He talked about an advanced ancient American civilization with no knowledge of it. Mayans, Aztecs, Hopi, Toltecs, Olmecs, Incas AND that they built large temples and dwelled in cement buildings AND that their civilization was destroyed. He knew nothing? Haha

[@donattridge1356]

DIDN'T JESUS VISIT MANY PLACES

[@KennethWodecker]

I heard this once, but I do not have any reference, so you might consider investigating this for yourselves. In regard to the serpent being Lucifer in the Garden of Eden. I heard that the serpent has always been a representation of Jesus Christ and that Adam and Eve knew that. Lucifer was impersonating Christ as a serpent to fool Eve. Unfortunately, we all have been fooled as well thinking the serpent represents Lucifer when in reality the serpent represents Christ. That is why Moses raised a brass serpent to heal the Israelites as you mentioned. Ken Wodecker

[@redfightblue]

That's an interesting concept. Just like Moses, Adam and Eve were taught an Old Testament religion of works. They weren't "Christians" like we would think of Christians today. I think it's plausible the serpent was an Old Testament symbol for Christ. The Pharaohs of Egypt use the serpent as a symbol of their power. They wore the cobra headdress.

[@keithsmith5998]

Im definitely a Heartlander. I also believe Christ visited the people of ancient North. Central and South America. There is also evidence Christ visited ancient Russia.

[@kristastrong]

Mike, I didn't know you were into all of this! So cool! I bet these men didn't know you were also a singer 😉 I love all of your testimonies!

[@mrmod123]

I don’t doubt that Christ did visit South America amongst other places but it’s not where the Book of Mormon took place… you need to have Bruce Porter on kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z32qqWyqjK5qd7M

[@FLanklinBadge]

Mike is my cousin lol. Wasn't expecting to see him on this channel!

[@thestickofjoseph]

Haha he is a good dude!

[@FLanklinBadge]

​@@thestickofjosephI will say that I'm related not on the Handy side, so I'm not as familiar with all of this. But I have a distinct memory of his father showing us a bunch of pictures on their computer of all of this stuff. Very cool.

[@elijahhodges4405]

I do believe that Jesus visited the Maya people both in South America, and in Georgia. I believe he went to every population and civilization around the earth. I believe that Jesus Christ will come to you when you die. Look for Him, believe in Him.

[@helenlehman2939]

I have the book "He walked the Americas " and this really lines up. The Nephites were in North America as Joseph Smith has stated. Yet, he did visit as he stayed : "other sheep which are not of this fold" as is stated in John 10:16, and in 3rd Nephi chapter 16 1 "And verily, verily, I say unto you that I have other sheep, which are not of this land, neither of the land of Jerusalem, neither in any of that land round about whither I have been to minister. Verse 2. For they of whom I speak are they who have not heard my voice; neither have I at any time manifested myself unto them. Verse 3 But I have received a commandment of the Father that i shall go unto them, and they shall hear my voice, and shall be numbered among my sheep, that there may be one fold and one shepherd; therefore I go to show myself unto them.

[@youbikewithatube]

You guys should have a guy named Lance Richardson on your show he is the author of the book, saw our day and it is similar to this guest but covers other native culture’s dealings with Christ. I listen to it as an audiobook, and it was incredible. It also included south and Central American tribes as well as ones around the world and their verbal histories which have been discounted by mainstream science and archaeology because they don’t fit in.

[@cubmusiclover]

Love Mike Handy! So fun to see him finally recording his awesome thoughts! Read the book and loved it too. Thanks for exploring all of this stuff:) I’ve been to several of Mikes lectures and this is all really just scratching the surface! There is so so much more!!

[@AVoiceCryingInTheWildern-vt6ed]

Mike, like joseph smith is nothing but a con artist. You are completely blind, lost, and deceived. Repent!

[@GADBabaganoosh]

The more we learn the more Joseph gets vindication.

[@freloadr]

Archeology only proves that “places” and “things” existed. It doesn’t (and cannot) prove that “people” (a specific person especially) exist/existed, or even that “events” (or a specific event) took place. This stuff is “interesting” to think about which is why I am watching it😉)and I don’t fault people for exploring it and doing the historical research (I am glad they are)… but it is alarming to me that someone might base their faith in a living God (today) on pure opinion and speculation of the past. If you believe that God exists TODAY, we should focus on how he moves in OUR lives today. I feel His love in my life TODAY. I have a hope that he can help me be a better person. I have so many faults and weaknesses, that I am thankful for a God who will, with Grace and Mercy, support and lift me TODAY, if I will just look to and trust Him. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

[@verumfilmsofficial]

He mentioned the Mayans weren't big into sacrifice. That is not accurate, especially after 250AD. He mentioned that while talking about Chichen Itza. That was odd because they have the platform of skull blocks signifying all the sacrifices made from the ball game.

[@downsmath]

Lack of timber . . . In a rain forest? I do appreciate his passion for the topic. I try and remain open to many working hypotheses until further light and knowledge is given. Thank you for ending on the importance of a spiritual confirmation being the most important thing we can seek for now until we learn more.

[@andrewjeppesen2369]

Well said.

[@redfightblue]

IMO Helaman 3 is a response to Jeremiah 44. In Jeremiah 44 we read about the destruction of Egypt. Many Jews did not stay in Egypt but migrated South to Ethiopia. These are Ethiopian Jews or Beta Israel. Helaman 3 is telling use these Ethiopian Jews are migrating back to the North again and therefore, returning to Egypt. The "treeless" land is the Sahara. Where the few trees and rivers are is the oasis of the Nile delta. The "cement" buildings are the stone constructions of Egypt. The timber being shipped is Lebanon Cedar. The people of Ammon come from modern day Jordan. Take a look at how Helaman 3:6 carefully defines the word "desolate". This is a response to Jeremiah claiming Egypt will be "desolate". This is why these Jews did not stay in Egypt at that time. When Lehi arrived in Egypt he had the Tree of Life dream that commanded him to return to the garden of Eden. This got him out of Egypt and up the Nile to Ethiopia. Genesis 2:13.

[@FromAgonyToLight]

The timber is horrible here in the Yucatan for building. In the Book of Mormon it doesn’t state that there is no wood or no trees, but instead says that they didn’t have proper timber for building.

[@redfightblue]

Where did they ship it from then? @@FromAgonyToLight

[@jeremycollins1068]

There is a strong linguistic link between the Book of Mormon and the Mayan language. Totally crazy! I figured this out about this for 15 years ago. I can’t believe no one has written a paper on it.

[@halodisciple8459]

My faith in the Book if Mormon comes by the Spirit, and the Spirit alone. This is all is very interesting, but in no whise affects my testimony one way or the other.

[@bobwilkinson1217]

The Jewish calendar is luni-solar, based on lunar months of 29 days alternating with 30 days. An extra month is intercalated every 3 years, based on a cycle of 19 years. But more interesting the Calendar of Enoch is God's calendar. John L. Pratt, now deceased, has presented the Enoch calendar and he actually used it to calculate the date of the first vision.

[@fats1927]

Where is a good place to find out more about what John L. Pratt wrote about Enoch’s calendar and his calculation of the first vision?

[@bobwilkinson1217]

@@fats1927 On KZbin you can google "John Pratt sacred calendars." You should be able to find some of his youtube presentations even though he sadly passed in 2021. The Enoch calendar is constructed on how all the planets move in relationship to one another. Our solar system is a mathematical calendar and the Lord's time clock. It can tell you when major events will occur but it does not necessarily tell you what the event will be but does give some hints. It shows Christ's birth as zero and counts back to Adam and forward to Joseph's first vision. It is really cool. Joseph's first vision was on the first day of the year on a sacred year and on the first year of a larger dispensational cycle.

[@ГришаФэша]

Exodus 20:25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it. 26 Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.

[@thestickofjoseph]

I ask this question in the interview.

[@MichaelGMoney]

It's very possible that the Lehite tribes did not have this verse in their brass plates, since they would have been josephite scriptures rather than Judean

[@ГришаФэша]

@@MichaelGMoney they had the five books of Moses!

[@MichaelGMoney]

@@ГришаФэша I never said they didn't, but who is to say that those five books were exactly the same that we now have? Why do they have books of zenos and zenock? Their scriptures were different than what we have

[@andrewjeppesen2369]

​@@MichaelGMoneywith respect I think that's a very flimsy argument. They had the five books of Moses and even more of the Old testament that we don't have. Certainly they had Leviticus. Throughout the book of Mormon we see repeated often, the terms "statutes, judgements, and commandments of the Law of Moses." Clearly, they had everything.

[@SummerSkullstice777]

I understand now why the Maya built "this" temple!!! Is the Temple of the Resurrection/Rebirth of the Savior as Jesus Christ taught them. The depiction of the nine paths of the underworld as Kukulcan (Jesus Christ) overcame death. In the ears of the Serpent are snail shells or caracol in Mayan Cosmology is transformation / rebirth. Had to share. ❤

[@davidmickelle7326]

I wonder if the better question to ponder is who are the descendants of the Book of Mormon? And who are the ancestors of the respective cultures of the western hemisphere. I think this spirit of proving one place or another is dividing us and not an enabling spirit that would open more doors to us. The Book of Mormon is about a people and their dealings with Christ and one of the primary purposes is to reach out to their posterity...that work of genealogy should be our primary focus...the rest of the pieces will connect as we connect the children to their fathers.

[@NickReyob-uk9os]

If it's not in Scripture, let's not make assumptions. And why would a pagan culture that performed human sacrifice to the feathered serpent care about the one who was to come and take away their religion?

[@Thehaystack7999]

I would be surprised if there were no historical, archaeological patterns we see in the Book of Mormon, found outside the geographical events of the Book of Mormon. The Anthon script is translated, it looks purely Ojibwe, but utilizes Egyptian and Mesopotamian languages structure but with elements of Mayan script, especially in its use of numbers. This is why soo much can be communicated in soo little. Yes, there are cultural and biological remnants all throughout central, south and North America but the events spoken of I think reach as far south as the Yucatán to North America, much of the land and water changed, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Caribbean may have been connected with Cuba and Florida, and the Mississippi much much wider, reaching the southern tip of Illinois, the place of gathering for Luconius. There’s too much unanswered by central and South America as the primary locations because it relates to the Bookmof Mormon as much as any other given location on Earth and Notth America fills in the gaps. Like Samual I believe came from Central America but we don’t have the records of Samuel’s cities or birthplace. The same thing was taught, but the records were in the USA. (In my opinion)

[@alanschannel1495]

cant believe I read all this horseshit...

[@samuelbrown917]

Wow man, you're like Elder Gong. Really building national relations.

[@tjkasgl]

The book of Mormon covers about a thousand years. That's a lot of time for migration so why restrict our opinion of where BoM events took place to one area or region? I'm more of the mind they were everywhere

[@SaintSpectrum]

Quoting Deuteronomy to say the Nephites wouldn't have built steps up to a temple? I'd like to introduce you guys sometime to my friend Dave Butler...

[@RespekfulFungus]

Short answer? No. Long answer? Negative.

[@VAATAUSILI4139]

I forever thank our HEAVENLY PARENT'S, for the restoration of, THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST, back on earth, in this LATTER DAYS.

[@andrewjeppesen2369]

A response to Mike about his theory that the Lehites merged/lived among the Mayan culture. Jacob 7:26 "... I conclude this record, declaring that I have written according to the best of my knowledge, by saying that the time passed away with us, and also our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream, we being a lonesome and a solemn people, Wanderers cast out from Jerusalem, born in tribulation, in a wilderness, and hated of our brethren, which caused wars and contentions wherefore we did mourn out our days" Wanderers, born in the wilderness and with tribulation. Solemn. Hated of the Lamanites. This doesn't sound like a group of ancient Jews walking into Mayan culture. Sorry this one is way too flimsy for me.

[@ColtonJPrice]

I would say it is possible for both things to be true at once. For instance, I think it is possible that the Nephites lived among the indigenous groups, and Lamanites, geographically, but because of their differences in religious beliefs between them and everyone else they felt lonely. Keep in mind, the Nephites and Lamanites did not split from one another until they had already been living in the New World for a little bit. This happens with anyone who lives in a place where their faith is the minority. I am a devout member, but I live in the deep south where Evangelical Christians literally have entire sermons trashing my faith. My only interactions with other members of the church for the most part is with my wife and children and on Sunday. It definitely feels lonely sometimes. Combine that with the fact that in the case of the Nephites, the Lamanites hated them to the point of literally driving them out of the land of Nephi, presumably with the help of whatever other people was already there that they had mixed with. They were literally made wanderers. So, wanderers? Check. Tribulation? Check. Solemn? Check. Hated of the Lamanites? Obviously, check. Does not necessarily mean they were always completely isolated from other groups.

[@MichaelGMoney]

Jacob 1:13-14 states that anyone friendly would be called nephites, anyone against them would be called lamanites. There's nothing specifically stating that they always kept to themselves, forever

[@andrewjeppesen2369]

​​@@MichaelGMoney True, I never stated this was the case "forever," but Jacob was referring to Lamanites, Lemuelites, Ishmaelites, Zormanites, Jacobites, Josephites, and Nephites. Also possibly scattered Jaredites and any other stragglers. Don't think you can use that as evidence of a large civilization around them.

[@MichaelGMoney]

@andrewjeppesen2369 no but any group of people that was friendly to them i.e. Mayan, would be called nephite

[@jacknbeamer]

If you guys love history and archaeology, why do you not take it at face value? You literally have to be a Latter Day Saint for your brand of archaeology. Romans, Jews, and Greeks don’t require a religious belief system to enjoy studies of what they left behind.

[@CptToro08]

Whenever people try to be so stringent on the locations of Book of Mormon events being in North America or Central/South America I dont understand why it seems so improbable to those in both camps that the events of the Nephites, Lamanites, and Jaredites occurred on the entire American continent. In fact, we believe that the entire western hemisphere is given to the tribe of Joseph (Ephraim & Manasseh) will receive the American continent as their inheritance during the millennium. So it makes sense that the record called the Stick of Joseph describes a history of the entire American continent.

[@matthewsmith5967]

Wherever the Book of Mormon took place, it had to be a relatively small area. The travel times described just wouldn't make sense on a continental scale.

[@henrikskoienschool]

Is the fact that the date of the shadow on Chichen Itza lining up is a few days off the spring equinox not simply explained by axial precession of the earth (same reason why zodiac signs don't correspond to the months of the year anymore)?

[@EricHancock]

Great evidence Christ visited other peoples! Also that the Maya are likely distant descendents of the Nephites and/or Lamanites. But no convincing evidence, at all, supporting the Meso-American theory. Zero. Super interesting interview tho! Keep it coming!

[@harrykahuhu183]

Brother did a great job of showing how different locations in central america believed in the same God. Well done with that, however, I did not hear anything convoncing that relates this area to the people of the Book of Mormon.

[@andrewjackson7785]

I’m sure Christ did visit the areas discussed, but that part of the land hasn’t fulfilled the promises in the BofM. The largest movement of people the world has ever recorded took place when people moved to USA. 25 million moved there between 1880-1920. Ellis Island records this. Before and since this period many millions have come to the land. This hasn’t happened to Mexico, Central or South America.

[@dlfranklin5524]

I have no doubt Christ visited many places all over the world, but that doesn't make the people down in South America Nephites, Heartland and the Book of Mormon fit so much better Plus it matches to the scriptures.

[@justinhayward42]

If that was true, why no mention of the cold and snow? Why no evidence of a written language? I could go on and on.

[@zionmama150]

1:12:11 feathers or wings represent power

[@michaelwhipple347]

The only real problem I have with theories like this is they are specifically attributed to the Book of Mormon. I think there is a lot of great info here and wonderful archaeology being done. I just think much older civilization has been discovered that dates back to the Tower of Bable, rather than the Book of Mormon. We know for a fact that Christ visited others outside of the Book of Mormon and Bible, so totally plausible that Christ visited these people. We also know that ancestors of the Book of Mormon people ended up as slaves to the Aztecs, explaining specific artifacts. In my mind, there are too many exceptions that need to be made for the placement of the book of Mormon in the Yucatan peninsula. Great info though!!

[@AVoiceCryingInTheWildern-vt6ed]

Wait, what? You know for a fact that Jesus visited others outside of the Bible? What? Please show where in the Bible this is stated?

[@michaelwhipple347]

@@AVoiceCryingInTheWildern-vt6ed yup

[@AVoiceCryingInTheWildern-vt6ed]

@@michaelwhipple347 ,...You have failed to show me where the Bible tells us this?

[@robca6013]

The Jaredites left the Tower of Babel to travel over to the Promised Land and those events are told in the Book of Ether which is in the Book of Mormon.

[@AVoiceCryingInTheWildern-vt6ed]

@@robca6013 ,..Everything in the book of mormon is 100% fake manmade unbiblical nonsense. The bom is pure fantasy and has no basis whatsoever in truth or in reality. It is a false manmade science fiction book. The only people deceived by the manmade abomination called the bom are the accursed of God, the vessels of wrath, and the brute beasts made to be destroyed. Read the book of Jude, it is speaking of you Godless, blind, lost, and deceived mormons.

[@michaelcrowley9008]

1:07:00 did I miss the picture? Was it posted? 1:05:18

[@boba.6478]

I think this is the only Mayan expert that says the Maya did not practice human sacrifice. Everyone else talks about human sacrifice being very important in Maya culture and religion.

[@williambliss5784]

I think he has a misconception of what "anthropomorphism" means.

[@dralvord]

I think the Mayans may have been other "Other Sheep." they probably had prophets at some point with subsequent apostasy.

[@JosephCartertheMinkMan]

I am REALLY enjoying this channel! What part of Utah do you guys live in?

[@thestickofjoseph]

I’m glad, brother. We are in the Sandy area.

[@JosephCartertheMinkMan]

Cool! I'm super close to you. I have a really big channel on a completely unrelated subject. I wonder if there is some way I could help you grow your channel.....

[@thestickofjoseph]

Email us at [e-mail] and let’s meet up

[@chazsexton5140]

You guys should check out the talk "they saw our day" by Lance Richardson it would be awesome to see an interview with him

[@samueljeppsen9785]

I'm on the same line of belief as Randonmorford. I too have faith in the BOM and hope it can survive the evidence against it. I like Wayne May, I like this guy. But both theorists are building on evidences that have to be interpreted as they see things. I like the knowledge that every time a conquerer takes over another civilization, they try to destroy their libraries and beliefs. The Roman's did that and pretty much everyone up to and including Hitler and Lenin and Stalin. So did the conquerors of the east, etc. A lot of truths have been destroyed by ignorant, arrogant, self-serving conquerors. I honestly feel the BOM has truth in it, but no one knows how much and no one knows where it came from. One thing I do know, it didn't come from a guy who was never caught telling the truth.

[@zionmama150]

24:50 it looks like how babies are positioned in the womb. Jesus, the lamb of God, born of the Virgin Mary. Descending into the world as a baby. Wow!

[@ItsSnagret]

A Snagret is a feathered serpent…. 👀

[@marknye8630]

Hey Guys, I’ve been watching your KZbin channel for a while now. After listening to this particular episode, which I have to preface with I’m more on board with the heartland theory than the Central American theory, I have to say the three brothers? Why didn’t anyone link them to the 3 desciples? It would make sense if the desciples had been amongst them teaching in and through all the land that they would all revere them as the three brothers. Just a thought.

[@rusty1here]

With regards to Mike’s testimony, I add my own, ditto That looks like a gabb phone You’re a wise man

[@maryelms4821]

I have really tried to order the Book But it will not send to the UK. Are you able to please help me to buy a copy Fantastic channel

[@todd1s45]

The very point you make, could Jesus Christ have visited central America and the Book of Mormon itself may have happened entirely in the heartland... or vice versa. I'm confident that the answer should be a resounding, "YES!"

[@phalenkell8762]

When God told Joseph to send the first 4 missionaries to preach to the Lamanites he didn’t send them to Mexico or South America. He sent them to the Native Americans who have no blood relation to the natives in messo America or South America. Was God mistaken, or Joseph? Are we supposed to discount the revelations given to Joseph Smith concerning locations in North America? I think it’s clear.

[@csluau5913]

I have a theory. I think the Mesoamerican model and the heartland model are both correct. I think that there were different events that happened at different times, and there was a cultural interaction between different groups of people in north, Central, and South America as we know them today. I think the Jaradite a.k.a. the Adena peoples would have been the first to make contact with these people that lived in Central and South America. Has it never caused anyone to wonder why the Jaradite did not settle in the southern half of North America? The Navajo have a legend about the Anasazi people. They came from the south. It is sad. They used human blood or slaves as their currency. They would move into an area, launch raids against a people and take prisoners, and then use those prisoners as slave labor, and take them away to fabulous engineered, settlements or cities where they worshiped the darkness, and knowledge rather than the Lord. Why has no one investigated this? I agree with what this man says, and I also agree with what Wayne May and many other people have said, contention, is not of the Lord, nor is it part of his plan. Therefore, why don’t we all work together to figure out what the connections were between north, Central, and South America, and the peoples that lived there and evolved completely on their own independent of one another in these different places… But then, inevitably, they bumped into each other and established the beginnings of the Hopewell trade network. The Adena a.k.a., the Jaradite had established this network first. Has no one ever bothered to investigate why Geo glyphs and earthworks are found in both north, Central, and South America in the middle of the Amazon rainforest? There was definitely an exchange of knowledge and information, and there definitely would have been, the exchange of stories of the Lord visiting people. I do believe he would’ve visited the people in north and South America and Central America. All human beings on earth are gods children. How do we know that the Lord did not walk upon the Earth and what we call Russia and China? There are too many questions and not enough answers, and I do not want to hear any more contention. There is room for accommodating both points of view but you have to give a little to gain a lot. This is where I stand and this is my theory…

[@truev6585]

The Nephites and Lamanites were not all wiped out. Matter of fact, they still exist today. They are among and are the Polynesian people. Tongan, Samoans and Maori, Hawaiians.

[@PreTribSaints]

Really interested. But I don't know if I could draw the same conclusions from these structures. I think you could take these same engravings/symbols and find a way to match them to just about any "god" that has ever been in various religions. I would never look at those symbols and think, there is Jesus. Or God the father, Son, and Spirit etc. Or look at the repeating symbols and think there is a depection of 3rd Nephi, with Jesus speaking about being the light and life. Sure you can get there, I just think you could make them out to be just about anything by those same standards. Would be amazing if that is actually what is was depicting.

[@JD-pr1et]

And those wood based swords could be stained with blood as noted in the text, unlike steel swords.

[@Hamann9631]

JD-pr1et, The Nephite steel could have been metaphorically or spiritually stained. Nevertheless, maybe steel can be stained. Has any testing been done of that?

[@JD-pr1et]

@@Hamann9631 It has. The steel will have blood on it, which will come off with wiping or sloughing off if not, but the steel itself (as with iron or bronze) will not absorb any blood or other material.

[@Hamann9631]

@@JD-pr1et Staining just means a mark is left there. I have dishes which are stained but they did not absorb the cranberries or pasta sauce. I think the best explanation of the "stained swords" is spiritual staining. Especially, since the Nephites had metallurgy.

[@JD-pr1et]

@@Hamann9631 There is nothing metaphorical in that verse. Also, the Heartland and Mesoamerican models note minimal use of metals in weapons. Also, ceramics are a different material than metal. Ceramics can be stained, but not metal.

[@Hamann9631]

@@JD-pr1et You are certain that it was literal sword blood stains. Here is the exact quote with my thoughts. "11 And now behold, my brethren, since it has been all that we could do (as we were the most lost of all mankind) to repent of all our sins and the many murders which we have committed, and to get God to take them away from our hearts, for it was all we could do to repent sufficiently before God that he would take away our stain-" Our sins make us spiritually dirty (stained). I'm sure Ammon etc were teaching them to worry about their spiritual condition, not physical. "12 Now, my best beloved brethren, since God hath taken away our stains, and our swords have become bright, then let us stain our swords no more with the blood of our brethren." To your credit it does not say 'spiritual stains'. I do not see why God would go through the hassle to clean physical stains, when it is not needed. Does wood become bright? Wood is not bright. A metal sword could be literally bright. But those swords were spiritually bright. "13 Behold, I say unto you, Nay, let us retain our swords that they be not stained with the blood of our brethren; for perhaps, if we should stain our swords again they can no more be washed bright through the blood of the Son of our great God, which shall be shed for the atonement of our sins." Jesus Christ's blood cleans our sins, not our physical bodies. You typed, "...Heartland...models note minimal use of metals in weapons." You got that wrong. The Heartland Model has metal weapons.

[@smuir6104]

I do not believe The Book of Mormon was written there, however I do believe that these people interacted with the Nephites, I also think that the Lord visited many places. I think Christ for sure visited the Mayans. In the end I don't think it matters, if anything it just proves the truth of it all, the fact that Christ came to many people all over the earth is huge

[@sassiecassie42]

I think what he shows gives good possibility that Christ visited the Mayan people, but I'm not convinced that it's where the Book of Mormon primarily took place. I would have enjoyed this more had this guy not sounded like a used car salesman. His personality and delivery just didn't jive with me. Cool findings, though.

[@lizlee4941]

It has now been proven that some Maya migrated to the southern United States.

[@Eluzian86]

I believe Christ visited the Mayans, because he visited other people who weren't of Jerusalem or the Nephites. Mesoamerica can't be where the Book of Mormon took place, because Mesoamerica, including the Mayans didn't have a centuries long period of peace after Christ could have visited. The peace period in the Book of Mormon took place from 36 AD to 200 AD. The Mayans had a focus on warfare and conquest in that time, and actually had an increase in warfare during that period. Teotihuacan in some Mesoamerica models is proposed as being the site of the city of Zarahemla. The Temple of the Feathered Serpent in that city was dedicated in 200 AD with 200 human sacrifices. The Nephites would have been living in a classless society of total peace. There was no war. There was no crime. They were living the Law of Consecration, and the whole land lived this way for 164 years. The Nephites wouldn't have gone from such a peaceful living to having 200 human sacrifices after just one year of going astray. The temples built in that period would have had the same purpose as our temples today because they would have had the same organization and gospel which began being restored through Joseph Smith. The Mayan Temples do not contain any comparable structure or symbolism as our temples today. KZbin reference: The Hopewell, LDS Temples, and Circling the Square posted by J.J.Brown However, that temple symbolism can be seen in the Geometric Earthworks of concentrated in Ohio, which is also the chosen location of the Heartland Model for the land of Bountiful. The Hopewell in that period are shown to have no signs of warfare, and the people didn't live behind protective city walls either. In the 3erd and 4th centuries they began concentrating into cities again behind walls until they were eventually destroyed in 400 AD. The Geometric Earthworks in Ohio were constructed between 1AD and 400 AD, averaging at 150 AD. The Geoglyphs of similar construction being found in the Amazon and surrounding area are said to have been constructed beginning in 400 AD. I believe some of the Nephites escaped the final destruction and constructed some temples of smaller size and more inferior design and less complex than the Geometric Earthworks, but I believe they had the same purpose. The more violent peoples such as the Maya could have contributed to their being destroyed down in South America as well. The most decisive evidence would be temples that could be comparable to ours today, and most importantly, the 164 years of total peace living the Law of Consecration from 36 AD to 200 AD. If the civilization proposed to be the Nephites doesn't have that, then it can't be the right location. Finally, America fits the description better than anywhere else in the world for being a choice land above all other lands. KZbin video: How Geography Made the US Ridiculously OP by RealLifeLore.

[@bittersweet340]

What about the children of Hagoth... They have their record too...

[@babymacbean]

The Egyptians used a moon calendar