How did Joseph Smit know there was concrete in mesoamerica?

Question

Helaman 3:9-11 indicates that cement as a structural material began to be used around the 1st century B.C. Critics once ridiculed this as wildly out of place for the Americas. But in recent decades, it has become well known that ancient Mesoamericans did in fact use cement in their buildings - and this appears to have begun about when the Book of Mormon says it did.
See http://www.jefflindsay.com/myturn.shtml

And how did Joseph Smith know there was volcanic activity in mesoamerican about 30 CE?

I'm not a Mormon, but I'm coming close. Nobody is providing me with answers as to why the book of Mormon contains accurate stuff Joseph Smith could not have know. I don't want to switch if I don't have to...but I really want some answers.

So does this silence mean that Joseph Smith was a prophet?

Answer 1

Hi there! It's me again!
You know, I think the thing to look at in the Mormon religion is again, the verifiable concrete stuff. (no pun intended ha ha ha)
Did you know that while archeologists use the bible to find places and things (Rockefeller used the bible to locate OIL, remember Noah and the PITCH he used on the inside and outside of the ark? DING?!?!? ) they have been QUOTED saying that they have tried finding the places mentioned in the Book of Mormon and THEY CAN'T FIND any of the sites. And Joseph Smith said that the new Jerusalem would be built in the midwest and, like it never happened. ANd he said that Native americans were a lost tribe of the Hebrews. And thanks to DNA testing it was like completely shot down too.
NOW do Mormons suck? NO WAY!!!??!!! Not at all but are they deceived? YES The reason I say this is again. DUDE if you are a Prophet of GOD. YOU don't get ANY prophecies wrong. You don't have gramatical errors in your text. And DUDE you are not MORE HOLY because of the special underwear bro.
NOW Joseph Smith mentioned stuff about concrete, COOL. I'm glad he got that right but sad that it would bring someone to believe that he would have the answer of how to get closer to God. Mormons are very wonderful thoughtful people. But so are Christians and NO Mormons are NOT Christians. They do not believe that Jesus did the redemptive work at the Cross. And that it's WORKS that gets you to your own planet when you die. WHAT?!?!?
Yes, that's right I said it. PLA-NET. Here's the thing Texas Toast. I don't know what church you have been attending, but you know what it looks like they havent been teaching you the TRUTH. That Jesus LOVED PROSTITUTES AND MURDERERS and SINNERS, His Apostles DISSED HIM until AFTER He was resurrected and appeared to them. He's not the JERRY FALWELL loving-tie wearing- O'Reilly watching-Republican. He loves me a SINNER and YOU and the MORMONS too!!!!, and by His death I am able to come before a HOLY GOD and say WHASSSS-UPPPP!!!
This is sooooo cool that you want to ask questions and think about who it is that you are Worshipping and praying to. RIGHT ON! Don't give up and keep asking questions and the REAL GOD will stand up!

Answer 2

I’m sure you know most of these answers yourself anyway if you read the BoM, but here’s some thoughts. Of course no Jewish DNA is found in the descendents that lived here, they weren’t Jewish. The only relation the people of the BoM had with the Jews, goes back to Abraham. That’s plenty of time for DNA to be different enough. Although controversial, they did find a “Tree of Life stone” in south America”, not to mention the BoM does talk about cities destroyed and abandoned. Sure you could read about Mesoamerican history at a library, but where was the nearest library while he translated the BoM? Not to mention even if he found anything on Mesoamerican history, it would have been very limited in Joseph’s time. You also know that Jesus visited the Americas after his ascension in Jerusalem. He didn’t live there. And if Satan was behind these writings, then why did he try to destroy them, that doesn’t make sense.

You are right in saying “So does this silence mean that Joseph Smith was a prophet?”, because only we understand him. All those trying to discredit him are in consistent (claim different things), uniformed and closed minded. They don’t have to believe him. But they should know he plays an important part in American history, like it or not.

Many try to discredit Joseph and the BoM today. But why do they feel so offended by it? Sure Joseph at times didn’t have the best mannerism, and the BoM may have inconsistencies. But, just as the prophets n the BoM said, if there is anything wrong, it’s because of the fallibility of man. Good Luck.

P.S. We speak to our dead? News to me. I haven't heard any strange voices. Again, misunderstood.

Answer 3

First of all, I really hope you don't expect to get answers on this cite that will either convince you you should join the Mormons or not. That is something you should find out from God, and from learning what they believe, from them (not from misinformed or hatred filled people).

I'm not sure empirical facts or scientific data are going to convert you. There isn't enough data either way.

Joseph Smith did not know there was concrete in mesoamerica; he didn't know a lot, because he was not educated. What Joseph Smith did was not a matter of knowledge, but a matter of obedience. God asked him to do a task and he did so. He didn't conjure up things or even research what he translated, he just translated. And he did so over a very short period. He didn't even necessarily understand everything he was translating, at least not at the time. So, his knowledge came after the fact, and if there was knowledge of concrete, it would be because of the scriptures he read.

Good luck. The Mormon church does make very logical sense.

Answer 4

I'm a Mormon. From my point of view, the Book of Mormon was written by prophets in olden days. Joseph Smith was blessed by God with the ability (and tools) to translate these ancient records.

So my answer is that Joseph Smith didn't know about the concrete in mesoamerica until he translated the records. The authors of the Book of Mormon knew about the concrete because they were alive to witness it.

And yes, I know that Joseph Smith Jr is a true prophet of God. My testimony is the result of study and prayer.
I commend you for doing real research and not just listening to rumors. Keep up the great work! Whatever you decide to do, I wish you luck and hope you are able to find what you are looking for. God Bless!

Answer 5

Yes, Joseph Smith knew a lot of things about Mesoamerica and South America. You might like reading W. Cleon Skousen's commentaries and Hugh Nibley's commentaries as well. Skousen's are called "Treasures from the Book of Mormon," and Hugh Nibley wrote "Lehi in the Desert" and some other ones. By the way, they have found more than one kind of horse in the LaBrea tar pits in California. And there are all kinds of archaeological proof. Prayer is still the best way to know, but studying it out is best first.

Answer 6

It is only a matter of time before more and more evidence comes to light supporting the Book of Mormon. Joseph Smith was a prophet.

I am LDS and find such topics fascinating. While there is more than enough logical evidence to support the church, spiritual confirmation through the power of the Holy Ghost is essential to be built upon a firm foundation.

Answer 7

OK, about the nonexistant horses in America . . . there are also nonexistant horses in Egypt as part of the Exodus story, so do you throw out the story of Moses the Old Testament as well? Joseph Smith was a prophet and he did translate the BOM. Read the BOM for yourself, pray and decide where God leads you.

Answer 8

I'm very confused as to what evidence you're speaking of--or any findings that actually support the Book of Mormon, let alone, Joseph Smith. Please, list the links where you're finding this information.

In the mean time, check out these links:

1. http://www.carm.org/lds/js_false_prophecies.htm: Shows several prophecies from Joseph Smith that never came true. (Using LDS books to back it up.)

2. http://www.carm.org/lds/bom_problems.htm: Shows several things that the BOM talks about that have been proven NOT to have been there at that time.

3. http://www.carm.org/lds/ldspapyri.htm: Shows what Joseph Smith translated a papryi as...and what the same papryi actually says.

4. http://www.irr.org/mit/smithson.html: A letter from the Smithsonian Institution with an official statement about the Book of Mormon. Part of which reads, "The Smithsonian Institution has never used it [the Book of Mormon] in archeological research and any information that you have received to the the contrary is incorrect."

I think the more important thing for you to spend your time researching is whether the LDS church believes in the fullness and diety of Christ. The Mormon perception of Christ differs from Christianity on: Grace (they believe Jesus opened a door and we have to do good works in order to walk through it and be saved), who Jesus is (they believe he was a spirit brother like you and me...and Satan, that he was the created (like you and me), that he is a separate individual from God made of flesh and bone-literally, and that he was the creator...even though God created him like he did you and me.

If you're looking for a Christian church, the LDS church isn't a Christian church--their perceptions of Jesus are twisted and false.

Please e-mail me with any further questions.

Answer 9

Maybe because concrete was commonly used in His area so he just added what he knew about to his story... The mesoamerican area wasn't hidden from people who could read. You could get book that showed a lot of places an up state New York citizen would call paradise.. If you are getting close have you considered the fact that Smith didn't have one prophecy that was ever fully fulfilled.. The Bible says:

Deuteronomy 18:22
When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

In short Smith is a false prophet and he should be ignored... Jim

Answer 10

Mav think you should look into the nonexistant horses the BOM talks about.
How 'bout the ZERO amount of Jewish DNA in the supposed descendants of those Jews that lived here.
or the fact that there had been NO archeological evidence of this alleged civilization that convered most of the Americas (from all that cement you're talking about.