The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-11-30
HOW POOR 10
CAME TO AMERICA
Learned Theory That the
Indian Race Originated
in Asia.
Led Here From Jerusalem and
Later Cursed With a
Red Skin.
E. n Nye, President of the California
Mormon Mission, on the Solution of
a Great Problem.

rian, arch@o!igst and thinking man, who h as
given the matter serious reflection, is
Who is the American Indian? Whence came
these dusky braves, whose council fires, two
centuries ago, rose il every valley from Hud-
sons Bay to farthest Florida and from ocean
TO ocean?
Historians agree that, notwithstanding the
general similarity of the native American
nations In form, feature. color, hair ana
speech they were widely separated in culture.
On the Ia be-lands of Mexico, Central America
and Peru lived nations which. as compared
with the rest of the world, may be properly
termed civilized. Indeed, the arch biologists
In those districts are proving beyond the
question of a doubt that they were once the
homes OF people highly cultured and highly
civilized.
In Bancroft's Native Races that locality is
referred 10 as the seat of mighty empire
which grew and fourished until it reached
the zenith OF its power, then became corrupted
ana ieIi, leaving only Its mighty ruins to mark
Its glorious past.
Large cities have been uuearthed, revealing
ruins OF great WORKS of architecture, master
pieces OF arr ana science, demonstrating the
TACT that those districts were once the seat OF
a wealthy and powerful people. Different
theories are extant as to their origin and his
tory. Some contend that America was peo-
PIED from Europe, some from Africa, some
from Asia. Many believe that the Mexicans
were originally Jews, or descendants OF the
ten tribes OF Israel. Yet none of these differ
ent theories seem TO satisfy even the men who
advance them, and after q research of nearly
four hundred years they almost unanimously
agree that they are as far from satisfactory
conclusion as in the beginning. 1t seems that
an impenetrable veil has been stretched before
them by an omnipotent hand, beyond which
science has not had power to pass. Why fur
ther1pursue these unsuccessful attempts TO
fathom these mysteries By means of science?
Why not turn the full rays of light upon the
subject, solve the problem and put an end TO
these vain attempts?
The Book oil Mormon, purporting to be his
tory OF the predecessors of the American In
dian, offers, among others, the following evil
oences corresponding with the discoveries of
the age: On pages 3O2 and 303 may be found
an accurate description of the country now
known as Guatemala and Yucatau. This
country IS therein represe as the grand
center OF civilization OF mighty nation. An
account is also given of the destruction of
many OF those large, hourishing cities, viz. {:
And the city ofMoroni did sink into the depths
OF the sea and the Inhabitants thereof were
drowned" That city now lies beneath the
ocean waves between the mainland at Vera
Cruz and the San Juan de Ulloa. (See Ban
crotts Native Races)
Yea, and the city of Ouihah and the in hab-
itants thereof, and the city OF Mocum and the
inhabitants thereof, and the city of Jerusalem
and the inhabitants thereof; and waters have
caused to come up in the place thereof to
hide their wickedness and denominations from
before my face, that the blood of the prophet
and the saints shall not come up any more
times called the "Lake District" in the prov
ince OF Petin, between Guatemala and Yucca
tan, in two OF the laSes are uumistakable evil
dences of cities having been sunk beneath
The waters (Bancroft).
.And behold that great city Jacobugath,
which was inhabited by the people of Jacob,
have caused to be burned with fire. And
behold the city of Lamar, and the city OF
Josh, and the city of Cad, and the city OF Kish-
kimmen have l caused to be burned with fl re
and the Inhabitants thereof, because of their
wickedness in casting out the prophets and
stoning those whom did send to declare unto
them concerning their wickedness and their
nominations
The cities of Copan, Uxmal, Ococuigo, City
OF Palaces Chichen, liza and Palanque are
among the number now known TO have been
discovered. Palanque is accredited as being
the Oldest city OF America. Great massive
ruins OF stonework, palaces, castles, aqueducts
and other skillful works of masonry some OF
which are imbedded with heavy growth 10
huge timbers, now mark this iciviliza tion of
country. La Plonjon is authority for the state
ment of upwards OF fifty such cities having al
ready been discovered in Yucatan.
The sacred resting plane of the golden treas
ure containing the records OF the predecessors
OF the American Indian was revealed to Joseph
Smith as follows:
In the year 1924 Smith received visitation
from heavenly messenger, who directed
him to place now known throughout the
State OF New York as Mormon HILL and
pointed out to him the sacred spot where the
plates were concealed. He was permitted to
take them forth, and by the power OF God he
was ena bled to translate the reformed Egyp-
tian and Hebrew characters thereon engraved
into the English language. The work was
given to the world IN 1927 under the title of
''The Book OF Mormon" This was years be-
fore any OF the discoveries her in mentioned
were made. Itpurports to be tie history of Il
race of people who sprEng from one Lehi, to
whom heavenly messenger appeared in Jeru-
salem about fourteen years prior TO the de-
st.uetion of that city ia the days OF Zedekiah
King of Judah. According to his instructions
Lehi fled from the city and was miracuously
led by the hand of God through wilderness
to the sea, where his people were commanded
10 build ship. Having accomplished this task
they embarked for the promised land, trust
ing the Almighty TO guide them to their desti-
nation.
They landed, as near as can now be told.
on the coast OF Guatemala Here they built
them Cities founded empires, grew, prospered
and spread over all adjacent country and
leading up TO the time OF the coming of the
Savior became very wicked Al the time of
the death of our. Lord at Palestine there were
three days OF total darkness in this. land
Earthquakes, tempests, tornadoes, etc, swept
over t.Ie land, destroying many cities OF the
wicked, as before referred to- (See Book of
Mormon, pages 495-7.) Jesus said TO his
Apostles in Palestine just prior to MS ascen-
sion: "Other sheep have i, which are not OF
this foid. In y, too, 1 must visit, that there
may be one fold and one shepherd
John Joy.
In accordance Herewith, at the close of the
three days darkness. he appeared TO the
people on this continent, taught them his
gospel, selected and ordained twelve apostles
ana organized MS cnurcn rs ne had done in
Palestine.
This church and organization continued IN
its perfection for 800 years and the people
were righteous. AT about that time they
began TO drift away from the doctrines OF
Christ into wickedness and denominations,
until the white race were totally destroyed as
people. The last greet battle was fought
near the place before referred TO as Mormon
Hill where the records were deposited at that
time by the las writer. Moroni.
Lehi a descendant OF the tribe of
JOS phi, through Ephraim. Shortly after their
arrival in the promised land TWO of the sons
of Lehi rebelled against their father and
broIhers, became separate people and
finally made war against them.
The Lord revealed the fact to Lefi's people
that their enemies were coming against them
in war and had painted themselves red to ap-
pear more terrible He further said that If
they should continue in their wickedness he
would curse them and their posterity with
that color. Hence the color OF the American
Indian.