Report of the Committee on American Archaeology Appointed by the General Conference of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1894

"At the General Conference of the Reorganized Church held at Lamoni, Iowa, April 6-19, 1894, a “Committee on American Archaeology” was appointed to outline and prepare a map of Book of Mormon history—the record of the ancient inhabitants of North and South America.

 

For a number of years those especially interested in the subject of ancient American history and archaeology have been urging the preparation of a work of this kind. It is now given to the public, after much time and labor upon the part of the members of the committee, who have devoted themselves untiringly to the work of research and Criticism assigned them. This labor has been rendered the more arduous because involving consideration of various theories held concerning locations of civilizations, lands, boundaries, rivers, etc., with other problems connected with the settlement, migration, and general vicissitudes of the various nations mentioned; and has required close and diligent study. In the examination of the evidences adduced from archaeology and other lines of evidence those comprising the committee reached conclusions which they consider to be substantially correct, in the leading points involved.

 

The work is so arranged that its general plan will readily be comprehended by the reader. The maps are reproduced from the large maps prepared at direction of the committee by George F. Weston, of Buchanan, Michigan.

 

Part 1 outlines the history of the Nephites. Part 2 is a synopsis of Jaredite history, which is followed by a summary of the conclusions reached, with statement of evidences upon which said conclusions are based. Part 3 is an addenda. It includes a list of early authors on American antiquities, including opinions concerning the origin of the ancient Americans; also a list of authors quoted; the whole systematically indexed for ready reference.

 

The report is presented with the conviction that it will prove materially helpful to every student of Book of Mormon history and American archaeology."