The City of Nephi: The Navel of the World the Center of the Universe

by L. Norman Shurtliff

Overview

This book begins with an introduction of what is hoped to be accomplished within its pages. Since the purpose of the Gospel in these latter days is to bring people unto Christ and the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, then our challenge is to build on these fundamental truths. To bring people closer to the truth and the Gospel of Christ through the Book of Mormon is our quest. We hope to not detract from this mission but to enhance it and present evidence that the Book of Mormon is literally true in every sense of the word. In fact, we believe that the Book of Mormon is the most correct book ever written. So we will start with that premise and work backward, if you will, to collaborate the truth of the Book of Mormon. We are not trying to prove the Book of Mormon is true because we already know that, but what we are going to do is discover and find evidence and proof from the legends, geography, history, archaeology, and some physical attributes that establish the truth. We see the Book of Mormon as the absolute truth that all things are measured against in our study. We realize that much has been already written about this most-important scriptural text. It is hoped that these discoveries are as wonderful for you, the reader, as they are for those that have already discovered them. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Concerning the record (The Book of Mormon) the Prophet Joseph Smith said: I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book. --Introduction to the Book of Mormon The Promise In this book, we review a unique promise that comes from the ancient Lamanite prophet, Samuel, to the remnant of the Children of Lehi. At the time of this prophecy, the Lamanites were more righteous than the Nephites and because of their dedication and devotion they were given this promise: 12. Yea, I say unto you, that in the latter times the promises of the Lord have been extended to our brethren, the Lamanites; and notwithstanding the many afflictions which they shall have, and notwithstanding they shall be driven to and fro upon the face of the earth, and be hunted, and shall be smitten and scattered abroad, having no place for refuge, the Lord shall be merciful unto them. 13. And this is according to the prophecy, that they shall again be brought to the true knowledge, which is the knowledge of their Redeemer, and their great and true shepherd, and be numbered among his sheep. Helaman 15:10-13 This great prophecy says that once again these people will be favored of the Lord and come to a knowledge of the truth of the gospel and will embrace it. With that knowledge of truth in the latter days will come a realization of who they are, where they came from, where they lived, and who they will become. And just like the Lamanites in earlier times, these Children of Lehi will again discover their heritage and discard the false teachings of their fore fathers. They will come to a knowledge of their Savior and be numbered in His Church. This prophecy is literally true and is now coming about, and it is the purpose of this book to bring these truths from the Book of Mormon to this chosen people, to bring people to Christ. There is currently a Marvellous Work and a Wonder happening amongst this people. A marvellous miracle is occurring with the Lords children specifically in South America. The sole purpose of this book is to increase faith and testimony among all true believers in Jesus Christ and this other testament, the Book of Mormon. We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost. (See Moroni 10:3-5) Those who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is his revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Lords kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the second coming of the Messiah. - Introduction to the Book of Mormon

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781546237488
Publisher:	AuthorHouse
Publication date:	06/07/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	268
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About the Author

L. Norman Shurtliff, (Les) was born in St. George, Utah, and grew up on a small vegetable farm in Southern Nevada where he lived with his parents, four brothers and two sisters. After graduation from high school the family sold the farms in Nevada and moved to Canada. Les was able to serve a mission for the LDS Church in Argentina for two years where he learned the Spanish language and the culture of the wonderful people of South America. He attended Brigham Young University and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1979. Immediately after graduation from university the family moved from Vanderhoof, B.C. to the small town of Taylor, B.C. Les got a job at the local oil refinery as a chemist and held various positions there in the lab and in management for the next 25 years. Les and his family also developed a greenhouse complex to grow bedding plants and trees for reforestation. Eventually, Les would venture out on his own and build a gas chromatography lab which was later sold to Norwest Labs. Les managed the Fort St. John Norwest lab for three and a half years and built an environmental lab for the company until it again changed hands and was sold. After his mission 40 years ago Les was able to visit and see first hand the magical land of the Incas. Intrigued with the history and culture of South America Les has re-visited this land of beauty and mystery many times since and continues to search this Promised Land for its many types of treasure. The gold may now be gone or only found in museums, but there is still other kinds of treasure more important that can only be found in the wonderful people who live in the enchanted Andean Highlands. Les has spent a lifetime studying and visiting South America and has a unique passion for this people and their legends. The evidence of this passion is seen in the long hours and effort to write a series of novels which will bring to life the story of a chosen and elect people. Les and his wife, Christal, continue to live in Taylor, B.C., and they have four sons, three daughters and sixteen grandkids. Les now owns and manages several businesses of his own with his wife as his business partner including the original greenhouse and landscaping business, and a Quiznos Restaurant. His real passion is to visit South America during the cold winter months in Canada and thus escape to a land where dreams really have come true.

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

Introduction

This book begins with an introduction of what is hoped to be accomplished within its pages. Since the purpose of the gospel in these Latter Days is to 'Bring People Unto Christ' and the Book of Mormon is 'Another Testament of Jesus Christ', then our challenge is to build on these fundamental truths. To bring people closer to the truth and the gospel of Christ through the Book of Mormon is our quest. We hope to not detract from this mission but to enhance it and present evidence that the Book of Mormon is literally true in every sense of the word. In fact we believe that the Book of Mormon is the most correct book ever written. So, we will start with that premise and work backward if you will to collaborate the truth of the Book of Mormon. We are not trying to prove the Book of Mormon is true because we already know that, but what we are going to do is discover and fi nd evidence and proof from the legends, geography, history, archaeology, and some physical attributes that establish the truth. We see the Book of Mormon as the absolute truth that all things are measured against in our study. We realize that much has been already written on this subject that is very compelling, however there is much more that must be written about this most important scriptural text. It is hoped that these discoveries are as wonderful for you, the reader, as they are for those that have already discovered them.

Truths

Truth is absolute and never changing. Truth comes from God to man through revelation to his chosen servants. We consider Joseph Smith to be the great 'Master Asker' in our dispensation. He wanted to know the truths associated with the scriptures and the Book of Mormon specifically and was privileged to have the Lord reveal many of these truths to him for our benefit in the latter days. Joseph Smith knew many things because of visitations from angels and other revelatory sources. Some of these truths have been written down and are well documented throughout the history of the church and other things are not so well known. He had a great desire to know, and now we are the beneficiaries of that quest for knowledge. In this book we will discuss at least two of those great truths that Joseph Smith learned regarding the Book of Mormon that are not well known in the Church today. The truth is that we know that the people and actual events of the Book of Mormon happened somewhere in the Americas, not just spiritually, but physically as well. The truth is that it all really did happen.

Legends

The legends of the native people are an important source of truth that can frequently help piece together the actual non-written history of its people. In this book we take a look at the South American legends of Wiracochan (Jesus Christ), Manco Capac (Nephi), and the Tree of Life. All of these legends have surprising similarities to accounts in the Book of Mormon. But, then again, how can they be surprising if they are true. All of these native traditions also point to the location of the City of Nephi being established at Cusco, Peru. There are also legends of other indigenous people that relate to the Book of Mormon in other lands, but none that we know about that so clearly establish the truth as presented in the Book of Mormon.

Travels of Nephi

It is critical to note that early Church Leaders knew and established the actual Lehi Landing in Chile which is paramount to our discussions. A bit of history and storyline is presented from the scriptures to establish exactly what Nephi writes regarding his travels. It is important to identify these concepts early so that they can provide a basis for further discussion about the location and characteristics of the People of Nephi and their cities and temples. Important traits and activities of this prophet leader are pointed out and discussed to help the reader more closely know this important character in the Book of Mormon and his role as a prophet leader.

Geography

We have taken a particularly different position based on the truths, legends, and other evidence we have compiled, to place the City of Nephi in Cusco, Peru. This book is a study of this city which is in the heart of South America and the center of Pre-Inca ruins. We will place the Book of Mormon lands in the Chile/ Bolivia/Peru/Ecuador area instead of in Mexico and Central America as is common practice among the general church scholars of our day. We are not by any means original in this thought process, but it is still not the generally accepted concept on the matter. We hope to change that consensus with the compelling evidence that we and others will present here. In reality, the actual Book of Mormon story took place in a relatively small area, mostly in the Andean Highlands of South America. The two most important conceptual questions of the Book of Mormon geography to be discussed are: 1. Where did the Lehi landing in the New World occur? 2. Where is the narrow neck of land spoken of, that separated the land northward from the land southward?

Basic Theories

Theories about the archaeology of South America as compared to Mexico and Central America will be presented as well as theories about the migration of the Nephite peoples to the northern countries and Polynesia. Theories about Polynesia and their ancestry will be discussed. The actual geographical aspects of the Book of Mormon are theories that are important to this book. We will also present evidence that there are in fact two Hill Cumorahs, one in South America and the one in the State of New York. If enough theories and circumstantial evidence collaborate a principle or truth then it can have a very good possibility or probability of it being a true principle.

Characteristics of the City of Nephi

We will enumerate various characteristics of the beautiful City of Nephi. This is the magnificent city that Nephi would have built and lived in most of his life. Much of this chapter is scriptural information that Nephi himself and others like wicked King Noah, presented for us as readers to teach us about his people and the blessings of God bestowed upon his people and this great city. Some of the characteristics of the City of Nephi would include: the temple as a central focal point of the city, towers, a fortress or refuge for protection, two sections of the city (an older and younger portion), secret passage ways, and a history of being the capitol city of the Nephites and Lamanites for a thousand years, and so forth.

City of Cusco, Peru

Chapter Six identifies the City of Cusco, Peru, as the ancient City of Nephi, the Navel of the World, and the Center of the Universe. Nephi and his people were builders and industrious and left an everlasting legacy of their work behind for us to see and to appreciate today. Evidence from our time is presented that correlates with what is written and established in the scriptures and that coincides with this beautiful valley home of Nephi, which he established in the tops of the mountains, and a city which is Cusco, Peru. The 'Promised Land' that Nephi covenanted with the Lord to obtain. There are evidences from the city of Cusco which prove all of the characteristics that are spoken of in the Book of Mormon and can be compared to the descriptions from the scriptures.

Temple of Nephi

The temple that Nephi built was to follow after the manner of construction of the Temple of Solomon. Nephi's temple is clearly the focal point of our study. This structure is identified in scripture with all its attributes and references. It is purposely discussed as the most important structure of the capitol city and of this incredible civilization. It was the focal point in the Center of Nephi's Universe, and of the city he and his people built, and a lasting legacy to the world of the evidence of this great civilization that Nephi established in the 'Promised Land'.

The Promise

In conclusion of this introductory chapter, we review a unique promise that comes from the ancient Lamanite prophet, Samuel, to the remnant of the Children of Lehi. At the time of this prophecy, the Lamanites were more righteous than the Nephites and because of their dedication and devotion they were given this promise:

10. And now, because of their steadfastness when they do believe in that thing which they do believe, for because of their firmness when they are once enlightened, behold, the Lord shall bless them and prolong their days, notwithstanding their iniquity —

11. Yea, even if they should dwindle in unbelief the Lord shall prolong their days, until the time shall come which hath been spoken of by our fathers, and also by the prophet Zenos, and many other prophets, concerning the restoration of our brethren, the Lamanites, again to the knowledge of the truth —

12. Yea, I say unto you, that in the latter times the promises of the Lord have been extended to our brethren, the Lamanites; and notwithstanding the many afflictions which they shall have, and notwithstanding they shall be driven to and fro upon the face of the earth, and be hunted, and shall be smitten and scattered abroad, having no place for refuge, the Lord shall be merciful unto them.

13. And this is according to the prophecy, that they shall again be brought to the true knowledge, which is the knowledge of their Redeemer, and their great and true shepherd, and be numbered among his sheep.

HELAMAN 15:10-13

This great prophecy says that once again these people will be favored of the Lord and come to a knowledge of the truth of the gospel and will embrace it. With that knowledge of truth in the latter days will come a realization of who they are, where they came from, where they lived, and who they will become. And just like the Lamanites in earlier times, these Children of Lehi will again discover their heritage and discard the false teachings of their fore fathers. In the past forty years the Church has gone from no temples in South America to one in every nation; with many countries having multiple temples. The growth of the Church in South America has increased dramatically as the Lord's covenant people are learning who they are and coming unto Christ in great numbers. It is a fulfillment of this prophecy of Samuel, and it is indeed proof of the veracity of this great work. The Children of Lehi will come to a knowledge of their Savior and be numbered in His Church. This prophecy is literally true and is now coming about, and it is the purpose of this book to bring these truths from the Book of Mormon to this chosen people, and to bring people to Christ. There is currently a 'Marvellous Work and a Wonder' happening amongst this people. A marvellous miracle is occurring with the Lord's children specifically in South America. The sole purpose of this book is to increase faith and testimony among all true believers in Jesus Christ and this other testament, the Book of Mormon.

CHAPTER 2

Truths

Truth is the fundamental foundation that we need to start with in our study of the Book of Mormon. There are so many theories and suppositions out there, that it is nice to start on a fi rm foundation for all of us. There have been many scholars and teachers that have postulated their positions regarding the geography of the Book of Mormon. Those theories take us to Central America, the Yucatan, and even to North America. In the end there seems to be much confusion amongst the scholars of the Church in our day regarding the geography of the Book of Mormon. The reality for most people is that the common consensus of opinion is that Lehi and his family traveled in the desert around the Arabian Peninsula to Oman and the Land Bountiful. There they built a ship and traveled to the New World and their 'Promised Land'. The Book of Mormon documents this eight-year travail in the wilderness and deserts of Arabia very well and we are generally together geographically speaking until they embark on their oceanic journey. Here then is where the problem really arises. Where did Lehi's party land in the New World? If we can really substantiate this great question, then it solves for the students of the Book of Mormon most of the problems with regard to the geography of this sacred scripture.

Why is this important? Some may ask why do we even care about the geography? Shouldn't the doctrine be the most important thing? Who cares about where it happened? Isn't the Book of Mormon a volume of scripture, and shouldn't it be just a spiritual issue and not one of physical nature? The interesting fact here is that there is room in our testimonies for physical confirmation as well as spiritual confirmation. Actually, we many times can feel physically the spirit working in our lives. So, both can work together and actually do in everything we undertake. The wonderful thing is that Joseph Smith also had this same question come to his mind and asked the Lord for an answer. So, it must have been important for us to know if the prophet Joseph wanted to know and if the Lord decided it was important enough to give him an answer to the question. We believe that in the early days of the Church, Joseph Smith actually taught the principle or truth of where the Lehi colony landed. Fredrick G. Williams was the prophet's scribe and a counsellor in the presidency. In his handwriting Williams writes down presumably from the lips of the prophet this important truth. Whether it was at the time of the receiving of the seventh section of the Doctrine and Covenants (April 1829) or later during the Kirtland era during the School of the Prophets (April to August 1832) it does not matter. The truth and information was most assuredly given to the prophet himself through revelation and written down by his faithful scribe. It must be an important truth where Lehi's colony landed to have been preserved down to the present day in the Church Archives. The following page is a scan of the actual preserved document from the Church Archives that brings to light the answer to prayerful questions through divine revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith. This source document becomes the cornerstone for truth that establishes the geography of the Book of Mormon. It will provide the framework for the rest of the discussion in this manuscript because it gives us a solid fundamental starting point in the New World. This starting point establishes where to begin our quest for truth.

On the source document there are Hebrew words and then their English translation. Also, some ancient characters from the Book of Mormon translation are written down here. This part of the document has prompted some church historians to speculate that Frederic G. Williams was merely writing down notes from the prophet during a session of the School of the Prophets in Kirtland in 1832. You will notice at the bottom of the page the final paragraph wherein the landing place of the family of Lehi in the Promised Land is revealed. The paragraph says the following:

"The course that Lehi traveled from the city of Jerusalem to the place where he and his family took ship, they traveled nearly a south southeast direction until they came to the nineteenth degree of north latitude, then nearly east to the sea of Arabia then sailed in a south east direction and LANDED ON THE CONTINENT OF SOUTH AMERICA IN CHILE THIRTY DEGREES SOUTH LATITUDE."

An analysis of this important document from the archives is warranted here. Why is section seven involved? Section seven is important Latter-Day Saint doctrine. The section talks about John the Beloved, one of the Savior's apostles and his desire to stay on the earth and bring souls unto Christ. Why would a comment about Lehi's Landing be on the same document as this revelation about John is a fair question to ask? They seem like two completely different subjects. The prophet Joseph Smith with the use of the interpreters and with his scribe Oliver Cowdery translated The Book of Mormon in approximately twelve weeks from April to June of 1829. Joseph Smith asked the Lord in prayer many questions during the process of the translation which were answered in the form of direct revelation by means of the Urin and Thumin, Seer Stone, and other means. These revelations were written down at a later time by Frederick G. Williams, the prophet's scribe, as they flowed from the prophet's own mouth. Presumably, they are connected because the prophet probably had been translating the portion of Third Nephi where it talks about the three Nephites and their desire to stay on the earth and bring souls unto Christ. This would have been an answer to his question about John the Beloved and if he had had the same gift granted unto him. The prophet's scribe merely records on the same piece of paper the answer to another question that Joseph had received by divine revelation regarding the landing of Lehi and his family in the Americas. There is really nothing odd or speculative about this document. The two doctrines were both answers to questions and the prayers of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "The City of Nephi"
by .
Copyright © 2018 L. Norman Shurtliff.
Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse.
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Table of Contents

List of Pictures, 6,
List of Figures, 9,
Acknowledgements, 11,
Dedication, 11,
Preface, 12,
Chapter 1 - Introduction, 15,
Chapter 2 - Truths, 23,
Chapter 3 - Legends, 31,
Chapter 4 - Travels of Nephi, 61,
Chapter 5 - Book of Mormon Geography, 77,
Chapter 6 - Basic Theories, 119,
Chapter 7 - Characteristics of the City of Nephi, 147,
Chapter 8 - City of Cusco, Peru, 175,
Chapter 9 - Temple of Nephi, 213,
Chapter 10 - Temple of Koricancha, 229,
Chapter 11 - Summary, 259,
Bibliography, 264,
About the Author, 266,