Did the Lost Tribes of Israel Leave Evidence in Ohio?!

Key Concepts

• Newark Holy Stones (Decalog Stone & Keystone)
• Bat Creek Stone
• Heartland Model
• Academic Scoffy/Gatekeeping
• Criterion of Embarrassment
• Forensic Geology
• Paleo Hebrew
• Book of Mormon
• Bureau of Ethnology/Smithsonian
• Circular Reasoning
• Appeal to Academic Consensus
• Age-Related Dating

Newark Holy Stones: Decalog Stone and Keystone

• Description: Brill Hernandez presents the Newark Decalog Stone (with the Ten Commandments) and the Keystone, found in Newark, Ohio in 1860.
• Discovery: The Decalog Stone was found in November 1860, and the Keystone was found in June 1860, in separate locations within Ohio.
• David Wyrick: David Wyrick, a town surveyor, was present during the excavation of the Decalog Stone. He found the stone encased in a sarcophagus-like container.
• Decalog Stone Inscription: The Decalog Stone features an image of Moses and Hebrew writing, including the word "Moshe" (Moses) above the image.
• Keystone Description: The Keystone is shaped like a plum bob and features four phrases when rotated: "The Holy of Holies," "The Law of God," "The King of the Earth," and "The Word of the Lord." It also has a slot that resembles an arm phylactery.
• Controversy: The authenticity of the stones is debated. Some claim they are fakes, while others argue for their legitimacy.
• Museum Display: The stones are displayed at the Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum in Ohio, but with a disclaimer from the state archaeologist questioning their authenticity.

Arguments for Authenticity of Newark Holy Stones

• Unknown Hebrew Script: The Hebrew characters on the Decalog Stone were not widely known at the time of its discovery. Rod Meldrum argues it would be difficult to forge something without a reference.
• Newspaper Articles: Wayne May found newspaper articles predating the supposed forgers' birthdates, making it impossible for them to have created the artifacts.
• Criterion of Embarrassment: David Wyrick faced persecution and died in an asylum after discovering the Decalog Stone, suggesting he did not profit from a forgery.
• Witnesses: There were witnesses present when the Decalog Stone was unearthed.
• Wyrick's Inability to Replicate: Wyrick's failed attempts to create a copy of the Decalog Stone suggest he was not the original author.
• Temple Symbolism: The phrases on the Keystone are Temple related.
• Arm Phylactery: The Keystone has a slot that resembles an arm phylactery.
• Geographic Context: The stones were found near numerous mounds with potential Hebrew connections.

Arguments Against Authenticity of Newark Holy Stones

• Academic Consensus: The academic consensus leans towards the stones being forgeries.
• State Archaeologist's Skepticism: The state archaeologist of Ohio questions the authenticity of the stones.
• Dentist's Confession: A dentist claimed to have made the inscription on the Keystone and then buried it.

Bat Creek Stone

• Discovery: The Bat Creek Stone was discovered in 1889 in a mound in Tennessee during a Smithsonian Bureau of Ethnology Mound survey project.
• John Emert: John Emert made a tracing of the stone after its discovery.
• Initial Interpretation: The Smithsonian initially identified the inscription as Paleo Cherokee.
• Henrietta Mertz's Observation: Henrietta Mertz noticed that the inscription appeared to be Hebrew when viewed upside down.
• Scott Walter's Forensic Analysis: Scott Walter conducted a forensic analysis of the Bat Creek Stone using electron microscopy.
• Weathering Rind: Walter examined the weathering rind (iron oxide-rich surface) on the stone.
• Walter's Conclusions:
  • His geological findings were consistent with the Smithsonian's field report.
  • The lack of clay residue in the inscription characters suggested hundreds of years of weathering.
  • The stone was no younger than the bodies buried in the mound.
• Controversy: The Bat Creek Stone became controversial when it was identified as Hebrew, potentially supporting Book of Mormon claims.

Hebrew Connections in Ohio Earthworks

• Earthwork Example: An earthwork in Ohio resembled a manora, compass, and square.
• Bulldozing: The Hebrew Earthworks site was bulldozed in the 1940s, allegedly by the Army Corps of Engineers or Bureau of Land Management.
• Oil Lamp Topography: An oil lamp symbol is overlaid on a map of a cemetery in Ohio, aligning with topographical lines that form the Hebrew letter "Shin."

The Heartland Model and Book of Mormon

• Heartland Geography: The artifacts are seen as potentially supporting the Heartland geography model of the Book of Mormon.
• Joseph Smith's Statements: The speakers emphasize the importance of Joseph Smith's statements and the Book of Mormon itself.
• Extracurricular Evidence: The artifacts are considered "extracurricular activities" that support faith in the Book of Mormon.

Academic Scoffy and Agendas

• Circular Reasoning: The speakers criticize the circular reasoning used by some academics to dismiss artifacts that challenge established narratives.
• Appeal to Academic Consensus: They argue against relying solely on academic consensus, citing examples where it has been proven wrong.
• Bureau of Ethnology/Smithsonian: The Bureau of Ethnology, which became the Smithsonian, was founded by individuals with potential anti-Mormon biases.
• Agenda to Dismiss Book of Mormon: The speakers suggest an agenda to dismiss the Book of Mormon by portraying Native Americans as "savages."

Dating Methods and Forensic Analysis

• Limitations of Dating Methods: Carbon dating and radiometric dating are not suitable for dating stone inscriptions.
• Age-Related Dating: Scott Walter uses "age-related dating" by examining weathering patterns and erosion to estimate the age of inscriptions.
• Importance of Forensic Analysis: The speakers emphasize the importance of forensic analysis over relying solely on provenance or academic opinions.

Conclusion

The discussion centers on the authenticity of the Newark Holy Stones and the Bat Creek Stone, highlighting the controversy surrounding their interpretation and the potential biases within academic circles. While the speakers acknowledge the limitations of proving authenticity definitively, they present arguments based on historical context, forensic analysis, and the Criterion of Embarrassment to support the possibility that these artifacts are genuine and may provide evidence for Hebrew connections in ancient North America, aligning with the Book of Mormon narrative. They caution against blindly accepting academic consensus and encourage critical examination of evidence, emphasizing that their faith primarily rests on the Book of Mormon and the words of prophets.