cinepro Posted August 10, 2015 Posted August 10, 2015 In a Dialogue article several years ago, Dan Vogel did a great job identifying up to 18 specific sites that may have been excavated by Joseph Smith jr's team of treasure diggers. http://undergroundnotes.com/graphics7/Dialogue_V27N03_211.pdf Having served part of my mission in the Harmony area, I wish I had seen this article, because I totally would have gone to try and find any remaining signs of their searches. But with the current renewed interest in the seer stone, I hope any of the companies offering Church history tours in the area can include these new sites of interest in their excursions. The hill with the cave sounds especially interesting (if not well preserved), and the site where a dog was sacrificed to "break a charm" (page 227) would be a memorable location. (On a more serious note, that article should be required reading for anyone who wants to make claims as to the nature and scope of Joseph Smith's treasure digging activities). 2
The Nehor Posted August 10, 2015 Posted August 10, 2015 Just need to grab my metal detector and I will join you. Who wants to get rich? 1
drums12 Posted August 10, 2015 Posted August 10, 2015 In a Dialogue article several years ago, Dan Vogel did a great job identifying up to 18 specific sites that may have been excavated by Joseph Smith jr's team of treasure diggers. http://undergroundnotes.com/graphics7/Dialogue_V27N03_211.pdf Having served part of my mission in the Harmony area, I wish I had seen this article, because I totally would have gone to try and find any remaining signs of their searches. But with the current renewed interest in the seer stone, I hope any of the companies offering Church history tours in the area can include these new sites of interest in their excursions. The hill with the cave sounds especially interesting (if not well preserved), and the site where a dog was sacrificed to "break a charm" (page 227) would be a memorable location. (On a more serious note, that article should be required reading for anyone who wants to make claims as to the nature and scope of Joseph Smith's treasure digging activities).I served in the Harrisburg Mission, although I never got as far north as Harmony. What years did you serve?
bdouglas Posted August 10, 2015 Posted August 10, 2015 (edited) Cinepro: Do you have any interest in Isaac Newton? There is book I skimmed a decade or so ago called "Isaac Newton: The Last Sorcerer". It's about Newton's lifelong interest and belief in alchemy; also his belief in the Bible. He believed the Bible contained a code, a kind of key to all mysteries. He spent his life trying to crack this code. If I remember correctly, one of the points the author makes in this book is that in many ways Newton's alchemical experiments led to his great discoveries of mechanics and calculus. To Newton, the world's greatest scientist, magic and science were not mutually exclusive pursuits. Newton's alchemical and Biblical studies were suppressed until the 1900s, hidden away. Very few people knew Isaac Newton had been a lifelong alchemist and a deeply devout, perhaps even fanatical Christian. Historians of science and modern scientists considered this an embarrassment. Sound familiar? I don't have any problem with Joseph Smith's seer stone and haven't had since I first learned about it and the face in the hat from reading B. H. Roberts "Comprehensive History Of the Church" when I was in my early twenties. Unlike Newton, Joseph Smith appears to have outgrown his belief in magic (even though, I guess, reports have him using the seer stone late in life), but it wouldn't bother me a bit if he hadn't. This wouldn't be the case, of course, if the Book Of Mormon were a pile of nonsense, but it isn't. It has the most amazing provenance of any book in the world, and whether it came via seer stone and face in hat, or the U & T, really doesn't make that much difference to me. P.S. - And yes, I'd love to go on a church history tour of Joseph Smith treasure sites, just as I enjoyed reading about Newton's alchemical adventures. (Is there something wrong with quote function? I tried to quote Cinepro but couldn't make it work.) Edited August 11, 2015 by bdouglas 1
hagoth7 Posted August 11, 2015 Posted August 11, 2015 Cinepro: Do you have any interest in Isaac Newton? There is book I skimmed a decade or so ago called "Isaac Newton: The Last Sorcerer". It's about Newton's lifelong interest and belief in alchemy; also his belief in the Bible. He believed the Bible contained a code, a kind of key to all mysteries. He spent his life trying to crack this code....Years back, I found Isaac Newton's writings on Daniel and Revelation to be quite interesting/edifying, especially as relating to the Restoration, if any are interested in such things:https://books.google.com/books?id=AzUsAQAAMAAJ&q=isaac+newton+apocalypse&dq=isaac+newton+apocalypse&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CB4Q6AEwAGoVChMIm7rW5fCfxwIVg1ySCh3_hwQe
cinepro Posted August 11, 2015 Author Posted August 11, 2015 I served in the Harrisburg Mission, although I never got as far north as Harmony. What years did you serve? '93-'95 My first area was Honesdale!
Boanerges Posted August 12, 2015 Posted August 12, 2015 I live close enough to that area, I'll join you.
Duncan Posted August 12, 2015 Posted August 12, 2015 '93-'95 My first area was Honesdale! did you ever know a Sister Johnson?
Gervin Posted August 12, 2015 Posted August 12, 2015 Just need to grab my metal detector and I will join you. Who wants to get rich?"Who wants to get rich quick" seems to be the theme of all these forays by Jos Smith. I had never read Vogel's piece before and, if accurate, really sets up the coming forth of the Book of Mormon; undiscovered gold, use of seer stones, slippery treasures and/or spirited away treasures, supernatural involvement, etc. To which some may add, getting rich quick. Interesting stuff. Thanks cinepro. Aside -- I've worked with archaeologists on predictive models and am always amazed - and rarely surprised - when someone unearths remnants of past civilizations. I've even found civil war mini-balls in my backyard from past encampments. I'm sure folks back in the early 19th c. were pulling some kind of Indian artifact or worked stone from the ground occasionally - or often enough to pique peoples' curiosity. Add to that the never-ending desire by people to find treasure and get rich with minimal effort and you've got yourself a business, so to speak.
CV75 Posted August 12, 2015 Posted August 12, 2015 (You know the tune!) Roll up, roll up for the History TourRoll up, roll up for the History TourRoll up (And that's an invitation), roll up for the History TourRoll up (To make a reservation), roll up for the History TourThe Magical History Tour is coming to take you awayComing to take you away, take you today 1
Mola Ram Suda Ram Posted August 12, 2015 Posted August 12, 2015 '93-'95 My first area was Honesdale! Geese your old. That was like, forever, ago.
drums12 Posted August 12, 2015 Posted August 12, 2015 '93-'95 My first area was Honesdale! Cool. I served from 2000-2002. I only had four areas - Williamsport, York (in the ghetto for 10 months), Clearfield, New Bloomfield.
cinepro Posted August 12, 2015 Author Posted August 12, 2015 Cool. I served from 2000-2002. I only had four areas - Williamsport, York (in the ghetto for 10 months), Clearfield, New Bloomfield. RIP Harrisburg PA Mission. 1
cinepro Posted August 12, 2015 Author Posted August 12, 2015 did you ever know a Sister Johnson? I don't recall. As others have helpfully pointed out, it's been a long time.
drums12 Posted August 13, 2015 Posted August 13, 2015 RIP Harrisburg PA Mission. No kidding. I was pretty bummed when it was disbanded.
theplains Posted August 16, 2015 Posted August 16, 2015 But with the current renewed interest in the seer stone, I hope any of the companies offering Church history tours in the area can include these new sites of interest in their excursions. The hill with the cave sounds especially interesting (if not well preserved), and the site where a dog was sacrificed to "break a charm" (page 227) would be a memorable location. Based on what the LDS Church has taught about the area where Joseph found the plates,it would be interesting to see if it starts serious excavations. They seem confident to usethe temple remains, like they have in the Yucatan peninsula, in their graphics about Jesusvisiting the Nephites (in the Book of Mormon). Regards,Jim
strappinglad Posted August 17, 2015 Posted August 17, 2015 Ad for the tour: Join this tour and you might get up to 50% off the price. ( seems a bit high on the perhapsitmaybecouldbe scale. )
Kenngo1969 Posted August 17, 2015 Posted August 17, 2015 '93-'95 My first area was Honesdale! I never realized you were such a Young Pup! (Well, compared to me, you are, anyway: 'Course, that group ain't gettin' any smaller ... )
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