First of all, allow me to commend you on your indesission thus far. (the spelling wont get any better so just bear with me) I was brousing the net when I came across your entry and felt prompted to throw in my 2 cents. I am LDS and have studied both the mentinah records along with several other ancient publications.

Within your questions, I observe an opportunity. I propose that you find out for yourself. We know we live in a time where the earth will open up and reveal her treasures. Remember that Joseph didn’t belong to “the church” either. You know up front that these translators claim no right of prophecy, in fact they state clearly that they are for their people first, as a geneology. As you read, use the tools given you by every sunday of worship, and you will notice the authors insist on the same standards.

Conquer the fear with you (it’s in each of us) reguarding anything new and different. Test the PRINCIPALS you find there. Yes, the translation is rough. Yes, they speak openly of that which mormons only whisper. But remember, God inspires all who seek his wisdom, not just those belonging to established religious groups.

Most of all. keep asking questions. Search, ponder and pray isn’t just for the scriptures! I’ve been around long enough to realize that propaganda is everywhere and in everything, wether we intend it to be or not. This is your opportunity to use your curiosity to strengthen your relationship with the Holy Spirit when it comes to questions of diccernment.

In my studies I have found the hand of our creator in places I would have never imagined, but only because I was looking. It is my belief that a loving Father doesn’t just wait for us to make a request before He acts. Unable to converse with us face to face He causes the flowers to brighten gloomy days, the breeze to cool us, friends to comfort us and gives us questions so that we will turn to Him.

For me personally, I felt as though the principals revealed in these records has only served to enhance my understanding and deepen my capacity to serve the mission to wich I was born (returning to my heavenly parents).

Learn to glean truth from every source and wisdom beyond your wildest dreams will unfold for you. We can ask, and He can give but nothing happens if we don’t recieve.

Good luck on your quest!

A recent study strongly suggests that Pacific Islanders are descended from Asians, not Hebrews.

This would appear to falsify the Polynesian/Hagoth link, if indeed there was a person named Hagoth, and if he was Hebrew.

Then again, Native Americans don’t come up Hebrew on DNA tests either. Make of that what you will.

Clarification: I only mention this because many Pacific Islanders think they’re descendants of Hagoth.

Although any of Hagoth’s other boats may have sailed to the South Pacific, my research suggests that Hagoth himself sailed in the opposite direction, northwards, into an entirely different ocean. Thoughts?

Only recently was I made aware of these “writings.” I am a little skeptical, but I find the prospect extremely interesting. I downloaded them, and last night I read the book of Hagoth. This is extremely interesting reading.

Thought one is that since these writings have been around since Brigham Young’s time, and even more so since 1957 (or so it is claimed) they must not be very controversial or damaging to the Church or else we would have heard more about them. But then even the Apocrypha is not heard about very often.

Thought two is that even IF these writings are fictional, they could be read much like a series in the vein of The Work And The Glory series, based in fact but in the end are fiction.

If these writings are fictional, at least the Book of Hagoth is extremely well written, and no author has stood up to take credit for that! If they are fictional, the author had an extremely good knowledge of the Book of Mormon.

I look forward to reading more of these writings. Maybe I can learn something, or maybe they just make for safe entertainment, since the Church apparently isn’t speaking out against them, nor is anyone else as far as I know.

I will assume that the people in this conversation are mormon, and with that assumption i would like to remind you of a gift given you when you were baptized called the holy ghost. Why have you forgotten about that and instead judging before even reading these records, as some do with the book of mormon? We know the only source of truth comes through the spirit of confermation. So i would like to encourage each of you to pray about this and ask with sincere intent if it’s true. Also, go and read a talk by Dallin H. Oaks, one of our twelve apostles. Called “All Men Everwhere” in may 2006.

with much love,

Zac

I am currently teaching SS, and have received much insight into the current Gospel Doctrine lessons by reading the records of the Mentinah. The more I read, the more I am convinced they could be authentic.

I have, with jealousy, read other people’s accounts of how they stumbled onto the Book of Mormon, and then started reading it and not being able to put it down because of the Spirit they felt. I did not have that experience because I was raised in the Church and reading the B of M was hard as a youngster.

But, in continuing to read the records of the Mentinah, I find I can’t put it down. My Spirit seems to be drawn to it.

Still, I am hedged up slightly by the fact the Church knows about these records, yet never mentions them.

In my Gospel Doctrine SS lesson yesterday, the material was from Helaman chapters 1 through 5. In chapter 3, Mormon tells us that there were literally tens of thousands of people who departed into the Land Northward. (see also Alma chapter 63) I read these verses to the class, and mentioned in passing that I had been reading about these records of the Nephites and Ammonites who migrated to the Land Northward, and how fascinating these accounts are. There was not one single hand or comment to my remark.

Kia Ora from Aotearoa (New Zealand), I am Maori and found the Mentinah records interesting to read. To add my two pence worth, Maori (Not all) don’t specifacally say they descend from Hagoth, but from those who travelled in his ships. Nephites, Lamanites and whatever other group hopped on board. Whether these archives are true or not is up to the beholder, however, it certainly fills the gaps missing in the book of mormon eg: Samuel the Prophet, Nephi the wanderer, the Harlot etc etc.. Now scholars say we Maori come from Taiwan, Remnants of the Jaredites may also have mingled with the other “ites”, contrary to Ether, not all Jaredites were killed, only the millions who were present. So an asian DNA in Maori is plausible giving we may even have the Jaredite Mix in us …. Anywayze, if you havn’t been to polynesia, come over and see for yourselves whether we could possibly have come from the South America’s, this may clear or confuse your thinking regarding the Book of Hagoth & co.

Now I am an Indian person and I believe in most parts of the Archives. And I also believe in the Book Of Mormon. I have always had a special place in my heart for white people. There has always been a special love for them in my heart. So when I first read the Book Of Mormon in my youth that feeling became even stronger. And I viewed my white brethren with much compassion and yearning to be with them. Mainly those with a restoration back ground. But there has always been a problem with the Church Institution for me. Such as the foundation of Zion. This is something that the whole world still awaits. Why has the restoration failed
the Indian people? Many people believe that when Indian people become like Mormons. Then Zion will come. I for one as an Indian person don’t see Zion established by the church. One clear example is in Revelations. “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it”. This clearly states that Zion has no building that is used for worship. Another example is “Destroy this
sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up”. Clearly the Lord was speaking of his body. His body is the temple. Not some expensive building. My people have worshiped in this manner for hundreds of years here in the North Americas. We did not gather in a building. We sat around a sacred fire and the spirit led us wether to teach, or sing, etc., To me this sounds like the same manner in which Enoch probably taught and worshiped in Zion of old. That is why Zion can’t be established by the Church Institution. Can Restoration officials renounce Babylon and live like tradional Indian people? A closeness to the earth is the ultimate
way to truly leave Babylon behind. And how could you expect Indians to become like Mormon people when they resemble so much in their way of living, the manners of Babylon. Something about Indians you should
know is. That we don’t feel connnected to Babylon. I don’t post an American flag on my property because for me it is a symbol of evil, racism, hatred, and foreign values. If the Ku Klux Klan one day made it official for Indians to join their orginization do you think we would all suddenly post a KKK banner in our front lawn. Or on an Indian
Reservation. This is the same feeling I have when I see an American flag. And my beloved brethren in the Restoration adore these things. You see how difficult it would be to convert Indians to the church if that is what
we feel. Indian people are ready to leave Babylon. And the Book Of Mormon has the tools to make this happen. And now with the Archives. These things will be brought into the open by Indian people. You know in the early chuch history. The people of the church were commanded by God to give of their belongings to the Indian people. And the church changed it from Indians to the Saints. Despite many other areas where we were crossed out of the Doctrine and Covenants I still love the people of the restoration with all my heart. I am going to be 37 years old soon and I am preparing to leave Babylon and live a traditional Indian life with the Book of Mormon as the foundation of my religion. You sound like young people and I know that you are a brave and a strong people. And so I am anxious to hear your response and please forgive me if any of my words offend.