Fonte:Times and Seasons:15 Dez 1844:Quanto aos habitantes originais do continente da América, o Livro de Mórmon, faz o backup a descrição de imensas "ruínas" na América Central

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Times and Seasons (15 Dec 1844): "As to the original inhabitants of the continent of America, the Book of Mormon, backs up the description of immense 'ruins' in central America"

Recently so much is said about the discoveries of ancient ruins, that we feel inclined to offer a few ideas upon the subject. were it necessary, in order to establish the truth of their reality, just as they are found, showing that civilized nations, possessing the highest attainments in the arts and sciences, once occupied this whole land....

But to the point: ruins are almost the lion of the day. In our last paper may be seen the "Interesting discovery in South America,"....

If, then, men have strayed so far from the just idea of the true God, is it any thing strange that they should lose the true knowledge of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof? Talk about "ruins" of cities in America; and "ruins" of ancient splendor in Asia; and what of them?—until the people believe in revelation....

As to the original inhabitants of the continent of America, the Book of Mormon, backs up the description of immense "ruins" in central America, dispels all doubt. And while that book opens the sleeping history of two or three thousand years past, we can see the two families that came out from the tower, spreading from sea to sea, waxing more and more, greater and greater, until they had occupied the entire country fifteen hundred years, In honor of one of the two first families, they were called 'Jaredites.'

After they had almost covered the land with cities, and probably made the present prairies [746] by extensive cultivation. The Book of Mormon says:[quotes Ether 10:5-8]....

The 'Jaredites,' were destroyed for their wickedness, but how many "spacious buildings," and doleful "prisons," remain among the ruins of departed things, as witnesses of their fame and folly....If the "ruins," of Egypt, Balbec, Babylon, and Pompeii, exhibit in the smallest degree, the greatness and glory of the oriental world, in past ages; so do the "ruins" of central and south America declare the splendor, genius, intellect, refinement, and power that once actuated the master spirits and their hosts upon these uttermost parts of the earth ., It takes some men a great while to consider upon the reality of revelation; they want the privilege of bringing up their "strong reasons" to refute it, when at the same time, a novel or other trite matter, will pass along for truth, without even a hint that all is vanity....

To turn the attention of such as may read the works of Stevens' [sic] upon the "ruins" of central America, we ask a perusal of the following from the writings of Nephi in the Book of Mormon: [cites 3  Nephi 9:3-12

Now, gentle reader, with all these facts before you, and the light and knowledge of the nineteenth century to explain them, what think ye of the "ruins," and what think ye of the spirit of revelation? what has the boasted wit, wisdom, and learning, of the Gentile world performed in the space of four thousand years? Ah! the problem is easily solved. They have made a great noise in piling up monuments of their greatness which after generations discover as "ruins." so let us say once for all:—without revelation from God the world is but a wilderness.[1]

Notas

  1. "Ancient Ruins," Times and Seasons 5 no. 23 (15 December 1844), 744–748. off-site GospeLink (requires subscrip.) (italics in original) off-site