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Greetings!
So many wonderful things are happening at this time in this research! It is amazing to enjoy so much of friendship, help and support from so many incredible friends who are helping to share this information everywhere in the country and around the world. New information and research continues to pour in and those who were able to attend the National Conference last Friday and Saturday saw exactly what I mean! I'll give a quick report on the conference later in this newsletter.
There are many newsworthy things to share with you this month and I hope you will enjoy the information and attempts to keep you updated on the happenings of this explosively expanding research. I'd like to THANK EACH OF YOU for all you do in helping others to become educated about the astounding new evidences being brought forward by so many different, and most often non-Mormon, sources. I am constantly in awe at how evidences that support the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon just keep coming in even while these sources are often unaware of the implications for Latter-day Saints.
I hope you'll take a moment to look at some of these newsworthy items. This research is growing rapidly and gaining more and more acceptance and is indeed causing a profound 'paradigm shift' among hundreds of thousands. For that I am truly grateful, but I must give thanks to each of you who continue to share this information with your friends, neighbors, family and associates. I hope that this information will enhance your study of the Book of Mormon and will be an encouragement for those not of our faith to read, study and ponder it - especially during the upcoming year as Church Leadership has outlined for 2012.
Rod L. Meldrum - President |
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8th Semi-Annual National Book of Mormon Evidence Conference was "Incredible!" | |
The 8th Semi-annual fall National Book of Mormon Evidence Conference of the FIRM Foundation was one of the best ever! It was held last Friday and Saturday, Sept. 23-24, 2011 at the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy, Utah and by all reports it was a wonderfully enlightening experience for the large crowd (we had to bring in more seating) in attendence! A quick report on the presentations below.
Conference Highlights:
Scott Bradley connected the significance of the founding of the USA with the restoration of the gospel, again showing its importance as God's promised nation above all other nations of prophecy.
Lenora Grondel (Little White Feather - Cherokee) shared her understandings of how the Cherokee are related to the Book of Mormon's Jaredite civilization, and her involvement with the LDSK Cherokee Family organization.
Howard Carlos Smith told the story of how Joseph Smith's Nauvoo Legion Sword, hidden for 160 years, was discovered in West Bountiful, Utah and how his life has changed as a result of showing this legendary sword to the world.
Cal Nez, President of the Utah Native American Chamber of Commerce and Navajo Native American spoke passionately about the responsibilities of Native peoples and members of the Church to support the true Lamanites of North America.
Elder Hartman Rector Jr. (Emeritus General Authority) and Alan Rudd introduced the Beit (house of) Lehi project near Jerusalem to our audience and discussed the discoveries there that support in profound ways, the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon's Old World history.
Wayne N. May spoke twice during the conference and again regaled us with his latest archaeological evidences for the Book of Mormon, which included new research on Adena/Jaredite cities in the Heartland and told of the progress on the Zarahemla temple site.
Roger K. Young addressed the crowd with a highly condensed overview of his research on the events preceding the Lord's second coming...the destruction and calamitous events as well as the good news of the establishment of the City of Zion which will endure through the millennium.
Rod L. Meldrum spoke on Friday evening of the progress of the Heartland model, from its humble beginnings as a single unscripted DVD to Glenn Beck's ringing endorsement of the documentary film The Lost Civilizations of North America, created in part because of this research. Saturday he demonstrated the latest Heartland educational tools and introduced the new 6 DVD series.
Steven Smoot offered additional new evidences of collusion to hide the history of the mound builders from the American public because of political, religious and social agenda's and carried out by highly influential men in positions of authority and power.
Lawrence W. Cerenzie presented a powerful plan of energy independence to produce our way back to prosperity on the "Promised Land" of America. He showed the overwhelming proof that America has been blessed with the world's richest and most abundant energy sources than any other nation on earth, and how we can unlock this energy to restore America's financial health again.
Amberli Nelson "blew us away" with her research correlating ancient Jewish family, cultural and religious practices with the Hopewell Mound Builder civilization in America's Heartland. Her energetic and highly informative presentation was incredible with multiple new evidences not previously known without these Jewish understandings. "Absolutely astounding" was the general reaction.
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Announcing!
The Long Awaited New 6 DVD Series
- An additional 9 hrs of NEW Evidences!
Book of Mormon Evidence II
 | | To order your copy now, click the graphic above to jump to the bookstore. |
This powerful new 6 DVD series is made up 5 all new presentations by Rod L. Meldrum, recorded live at the FIRM Foundation's 7th Semi-Annual National Book of Mormon Evidence Conference held May 13-14, 2011 as well as 3 recorded interviews with experts on ancient scripts, the great Serpent Mound and ancient iron smelting furnaces, both of Ohio. DVD's #'s 1-4 contain the conference presentations and disks 5-6, the interviews. This is not an update of the 5 DVD series, but additional information with further evidences - all from non-Mormon sources - that validate and support the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon in the proposed "Heartland" Model Geography in profound new ways. You don't want to be the last to know about these incredible new evidences!
How large (or small) were the lands of the Book of Mormon?
You will see a comparison between the two prevailing Book of Mormon geography theories (Heartland and Mesoamerica) with the route thought to have been taken by Lehi's family down the Saudi Arabian peninsula.
- How long did it take Lehi's family to travel to the land Bountiful?
- How far was that journey in comparison with the overall size of proposed Book of Mormon lands in the Americas?
- How limited were Book of Mormon lands according to the text?
- How far did Book of Mormon peoples spread upon their lands?
Has Lehi's ocean voyage been discovered and substantiated?
Once you see this presentation you'll be asking, "Why isn't this front page news!" For the first time since the coming forth of the Book of Mormon there is direct, incontrovertible evidence supporting the Book of Mormon's claim of a voyage from the Saudi Arabian peninsula to the Americas. A recently completed oceanic expedition in a 600 B.C. wooden sailing ship has provided astounding new understandings for Lehi's voyage to the Americas. It was patterned after remnants of ancient Phoenician ships, known to have made the first circumnavigations of Africa in the same era as Lehi's voyage. Could there be any correlations?
- What kind of ship did Nephi build and how long did it take to build it?
- What time of year did they leave?
- Which direction did they sail?
- What happened along the voyage?
- How long would the voyage have taken?
- When would they have arrived on the Promised Land?
What caused the destruction at the time of Christ?
Was it caused by a volcanic eruption as has been speculated by some Book of Mormon geography scholars, or is there another explanation? Amazing new research has uncovered incredible parallels between the eye-witness accounts of the Book of Mormon prophets and the eye-witness observations of those who suffered through a sequence of earthquakes in the heartland of America in 1811 and 1812. Together we will compare the scriptural account with the History Channels Earthquake in the Heartland documentary and authoritative accounts by those who were there! It is nothing short of amazing.
- What textual evidence exists that the destruction was volcanic in nature?
- How was the destruction described by the ancient prophets?
- What caused the three days of darkness?
- When did the Nephites gather at the temple in Bountiful?
- Why couldn't some Nephites light fires, while other Nephite cities were entirely burned?
- Did an event similar to that witnessed in 1811-1812 occur near the time of Christ?
Is there evidence for Book of Mormon metallurgy and swords?
You will be treated to witnessing artifacts recovered from archaeological excavations proving the use of gold, copper, silver, lead and even iron and steel, just as claimed by the prophets of the Book of Mormon. What about swords? You will read accounts by the first settlers to the "Heartland" region of just such finds. What about smelting? You'll learn of the new book by William Conner in which he uncovers evidence for ancient iron and copper smelting in the Ohio River valley, and see for yourself the evidence from Hopewell mounds from which much of this evidence has come forth.
- Are there ores of gold, silver, copper and iron in the Heartland of North America?
- Is there any evidence for metal smelting anciently?
- What artifacts exist that show ancient metallurgy?
- How was Laban's sword described?
- Did Nephites make similar swords?
- Has any iron or steel swords been recovered in America's Heartland?
Hebrew in the Heartland!
One of the most profound new evidences involves the recent scientific examination, using scattering electron microscopy (SEM), of a stone recovered by the Smithsonian Institute in an official archaeological dig in 1889 in Tennessee. It has undergone rigorous scientific examination and has now been verified and authenticated by secular non-Mormon sources to be an ancient form of Hebrew! Fox News commentator Glenn Beck exclaimed he was "blown away" by this incredible new research and you will be "blown away" by the translation of the stones inscription! This level of evidence is unprecedented and has never been found anywhere outside of the Heartland Model Geography. Every member of the Church should know about this finding because of its profound importance in supporting the claims of the Book of Mormon. You don't want to miss this presentation and information as it is the first ever recorded instance, since the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, of Hebrew language dating into Book of Mormon time frames being found anywhere in the America's. The fact that is was found in a Hopewell burial mound in America's heartland and dates squarely into Book of Mormon time frames makes it one of the most profound evidences in support of the Book of Mormon that has ever been found. Come learn more at this conference!
- What languages were used by Book of Mormon prophets and people?
- Is there any evidence of these languages in ancient North America?
- Are there indications of the use of these languages during Book of Mormon time frames?
- What evidence exists of Hebrew or Egyptian written language in America's Heartland?
Expert Interviews involving the "Heartland" Geography Model
- Disk 5: Dr. James Harris talks of his findings and dicipherment of ancient petroglyphs from ancient Israel and North America that link the two together.
- Disk 6: Ross Hamilton has spent a lifetime studying the mysteries of the great Serpent Mound of Ohio and has found profound evidence for their understanding of astonomy, the heavens, and symbolism.
- Disk 6: William Conner has discovered over 35 ancient iron and copper smelting furnaces in the Ohio River Valley over his 60 years of exploring and researching these strange pit furnaces. They are often found within the mounds of the ancient Hopewell civilization of North America. We have never had this level of evidence for metal smelting, as indicated by the Book of Mormon, before! Wait until you learn of the IRON axe head recovered from an ancient Hopewell furnace site near Chillicothe, Ohio!
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 | | Click to write a book review for Deseret Book! Please! |
Announcing! Rod L. Meldrum's "stunningly beautiful" new pictoral book,
Exploring The Book of Mormon In America's Heartland; A Visual Journey of Discovery,
is now available at Deseret Book, Seagull Book and other fine LDS bookstores! Get your copy today!
 | | To order your copy now, click the graphic above to jump to the bookstore. |
All Seagull Bookstores are stocking the book and the following Deseret Book stores are stocking it: Salt Lake (Downtown), University Village, Provo, Layton, Ft. Union, Bountiful, St. George, Orem Parkway and Mesa, Arizona. If you have a DB in your area not stocking the book, please let the manager know you'd like to see the book stocked there as well. They are now beginning to schedule book signings for the holidays! |
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FIRM Upcoming Events - thru Nov 2011 | |
You are invited to a series of events across the country in October and November where you can join us in learning more about this research! Presentations are now scheduled throughout America's "Heartland!"
We need your help with these presentations! Please look over the list of cities/states and if you live near these locations and would like to host a presentation or simply help spread the word, please email or call us (801-429-9751) and let us know!
You can help us with securing venues, passing out fliers, contacting media, and setup/conducting the presentations in these areas. We have been blessed to have many "Heartlanders" in all areas listed below, so it won't require much time or effort for any one person, but together we will have wonderful, well attended events to share this information with as many as possible.
It is becoming more and more difficult to come to all the areas where folks have requested presentations, so it is unknown if we'll be able to come back again to many of these cities for several years. So, please mark you calendars and plan to come, help, and participate in these educational, uplifting and exciting presentations and conferences. If you can help in some way, it would be greatly appreciated!
Check the Upcoming Events tab on the website for locations, times and topics to be presented at each event. You can register for the events even if no address has been listed. We will email all registered attendee's before the event to let you know final details. |
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Schedule of Presentations, and Conferences | |
If you know someone in any of these areas, please contact them and let them know about the event in their area! You can forward this email, but please see the information at the bottom to ensure that you're not 'unsubscribed' accidentily.
Please be sure to verify event information online before coming... in case of venue change, cancellation, topic change, etc!
September
- Fri. Sept. 30, Bountiful, UT (call Larry 801-560-0374 for info)
October
- Tues. Oct. 4, Alamosa-La Jara, CO
- Wed. Oct. 5, Colorado Springs, CO
- Thurs. Oct. 6, Fort Collins, Co
Saturday, Oct. 8th - Kansas City/Independence, Missouri Regional Conference
with Wayne N. May of Ancient American Magazine!
Mon. Oct. 10 - Sat. Oct. 22
Tour of Church History & Book of Mormon History!
- Mon. Oct. 24, Springfield, MO
- Tues. Oct. 25, Fayetteville/Fort Smith, AR
- Wed. Oct. 26, St. Louis, MO
- Thurs. Oct. 27, Nauvoo, IL
Saturday, Oct. 29th - Indianapolis, Indiana
Regional Conference
- Sun. Oct. 30, Chicago, IL
November
- Wed. Nov. 2, Grand Rapids, MI
- Thurs. Nov. 3, Detroit, MI
Saturday, Nov. 5th - Columbus,Ohio
Regional Conference
- Sun. Nov. 6, Dayton-Cincinnati, OH
- Mon. Nov. 7, Knoxville, TN
- Tues. Nov. 8, Huntsville, AL
- Wed. Nov. 9, Memphis, TN
- Thurs. Nov. 10, Dallas, TX
- Fri. Nov. 11, Jasper-Beaumont, TX
Saturday, Nov. 12th - Southeast Texas
Regional Conference
- Sun. Nov. 13, Austin, TX
- Mon. Nov. 14, San Antonio, TX
- Tues. Nov. 15, Midland, TX
- Wed. Nov. 16, El Paso, TX
- Thurs. Nov. 17, Tucson, AZ
Friday & Saturday, Nov. 18-19th - Mesa, Arizona
Regional Conference
with Timothy Ballard - Author of The American Covenant
and Amberlie Nelson - Jewish practices & customs researcher and other speakers to be announced! |
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FIRM-ly Defending our FAITH by Rod L. Meldrum | |
Several months ago I was contacted by James Kidd, editor of the international blog and opinions website www.publicsquare.net, after being referred to me on a Mormon discussion board. He asked if I would be willing to respond to an article written against the authenticity of the Book of Mormon by Richard Packham, founder of the Exmormon Foundation. I enthusiastically agreed to the challenge!
I was then sent Mr. Packham's article and given time to respond, which was, unfortunately, several months due to my schedule. Their format allowed us both 2nd responses, thus each presented two articles addressing the issue. The exercise turned out to be a good example of how the 'Heartland' Book of Mormon geography model is able to address points made by disenfranchised former members of the Church and others who feel the necessity to point out imagined discrepancies in the gospel and the Church.
Packham's opening salvo is titled "The Book of Mormon: A Work of Religious Fiction" in which he provides evidences he feels should cast doubt on the books historicity, such as the lack of wheat and barley, domesticated animals, horses, metals or Hebrew or Egyptian written language - IN MESOAMERICA. Unfortunately, he is justified in bringing up these "anachronisms," as they are termed, because all of these are lacking archaeological confirmation in Mesoamerica. Thus he claims that this lack of evidence proves that Joseph Smith wrote the Book of Mormon as a sort of religious novel without basis in actual history.
I don't think Packham was prepared for my response using the Heartland Geography Model, rather than Mesoamerican theories! All I can say is that it is so encouraging to be able to put these so-called evidences against the Book of Mormon to rest using non-Mormon sources! You will see that by using the Heartland model geography there are far more cognitive and verifiable answers to these kinds of questions than can be offered by Mesoamerican theorists.
I encourage you to read these 4 articles in sequence and see if you agree that the Heartland Model has the capability of virtually eliminating much of anti-Mormon propaganda with irrefutable evidence from non-Mormon sources they can't argue with...or at least if they do they are arguing against other non-Mormons. It is a great position for defenders of the faith to be in - for a welcome change!
 | | Click to read the articles! |
After you have read the articles, would you please add your (kind and Christlike) comments to their discussion board? Here is a chance to defend the Book of Mormon in an international blog setting. Thank you for your anticipated help! |
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Church History & Book of Mormon History; Touring America's Heartland with Rod Meldrum and Legacy Tours and Travel! | |
 | | Kirtland Temple, Oct. 2010, click to watch tour members tell of their experiences and feelings about the tour! |
 | | Group at Fort Hill, Cumorah and Fort Ancient |
Last Chance in 2011, only a couple of seats left!
Come join Rod and Legacy Tours for this "tour of a lifetime!"
Oct. 10 - 22 13 Day Comprehensive Tour with Rod Meldrum,
This tour is nearly full, you must call today if you would like to go!
Come Join Us, Call Today! |
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FIRM FREE Educational Tools for Your Use! | |
There is so much information involved in the Heartland Geography research that many have asked how best to learn more, both for themselves and to introduce this exciting new information to others. Below is a quick reference guide and suggestions for effectively learning about and sharing this research - for FREE!
Arguably the most informative location for learning more about this research is our online FREE VIDEO GALLERY with over 80 video clips assembled in one location. You can take a SELF-GUIDED TOUR of the video's by reading this web page and then watching the corresponding video. Many of the video's have content that might not, at first, be clear as to how it relates to this research, but if you read the self-guided tour page, it will explain why the video has been included.
If you have friends, family, ward members, work associates, or others who you would like to share this research with, we highly recommend that they watch video's #1 thru #15 to get an LDS perspective overview of the scriptural and historical basis for this research. These clips include the ENTIRETY of disks 1 & 2 of the Book of Mormon Evidence 5 DVD series! This is the "Prophecies & Promises" and the "Joseph Knew" portions of that series.
You can also send by email our full-color flyer with Glenn Beck, Elder Hartman Rector Jr and Kieth Merrill quotes by downloading the FULL COLOR FLYER, or pasting this link into your email. http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102686658457-207/Book+of+Mormon+Color+Brochure+PDF.pdf .
You can see the full color flyer by clicking the images below.
 | | Click to download a PDF version |
 | | Click to download a PDF version |
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Thank you all again for your marvelous help and support. We are truly grateful for you and hope that you have found this information to be uplifting, exciting and helpful! If you have any suggestions, comments or ideas, please let us know. If you have an article you would like to submit to the FIRM Foundation's Research, Review and Editing Board, please contact us as well. We are looking for well written articles on Book of Mormon subjects involving the Heartland Model geography.
Your brother in the gospel,
Rod L. Meldrum
President
Foundation for Indigenous Research and Mormonism
The FIRM Foundation |
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NEW!
Book of Mormon
Evidence II
6 DVD Series
is now available!
9+ Hours of
additional Book of Mormon Evidences! |
| | | Click to Order |
October LDS General Conference Special
25% Off
limited time only! | |
Retail $39.95
Introductory Special
Only $29.95
Offer expires 10/31/11
Scroll down for all the details about this new DVD series! |
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NEW ITEM!
The American Coveant: One Nation Under God Vol. 1
Discovery Through Revolution
by Timothy Ballard |  |
Timothy Ballard has been speaking at several FIRM Foundation Conferences with extremely positive reviews!
Why did so many ancient prophets forsee the coming forth of the United States?
George Washington's favorite scripture happened to be a prophecy concerning the gospel destiny of America and it's relationship with the House of Israel. Why?
Thomas Jefferson prophesied that a "restoration" of Christ's true doctrine would be grounded in the US Constitution. Why?
The Book of Mormon includes much of wars, nations and politics; what does this have to do with America's destiny?
In this first volume (of the 2 volume set) you will find answers to these and many other questions that will bring you to a profound understanding of the true and eternal purpose of America. As you witness this miraculous history, clues, tokens and symbols will be unfolded to your mind and heart, for they all come together as a vital part of God's glorious plan for this chosen nation and its role in the salvation of his children.
- 418 pages, softcover
Only $21.95 |
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NEW ITEM!
The Doctrine of Liberty; Insights From The Book of Mormon
by Senator Andy Biggs of Arizona |
 | | Click to Order |
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Senate Majority Leader for the State of Arizona and Constitutional attorney, Andy Biggs addresses the profound complacency he has encountered within the Latter-day Saint community involving politics. This powerful book reminds us of the vital role freedom plays in the gospel of Jesus Christ and inspires each reader with a renewed appreciation for the freedoms inherent in each of Heavenly Father's children.
The Book of Mormon provides the scriptural basis and instruction on freedom and our obligation to fight against all who would take away liberty; that complacency of the righteous allows evil to triumph!
- 248 pages, softcover
Only $19.95 |
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NEW ITEM!
Journey of Promise;
West from Sempringham
by Charles W. Allen |
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Journey of Promise: West From Sempringham is another Charles Allen masterpiece! This historical treatise follows the drama that began with the earliest Christian history - Thomas Jefferson's 'first age,' with events resulting from the understanding the Founding Fathers of America's divine purpose. Learn of an ancient site in Lincolnshire, England of central importance to the establishment of our nation.
Lee Groberg (legendary film maker) utilized the manuscript of this book as the idea behind his latest "made for TV" documentary, America's First Faith, which details the importance and uniqueness of the more than 150 years that prepared peoples and nations for the coming forth of the United States of America, the prophesied land of liberty. - 500 pages, softcover
Only $24.95 |
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NEW ITEM!
The Earthquake America Forgot; 2,000 Temblors in Five Months...
...And It Will Happen Again! |
 | | Click to Order |
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In 1811-1812 over 2,000 earthquakes rocked the interior of America, causing the worlds largest series of earthquakes in recorded history. Dr.'s David Stewart and Ray Knox have combined 60+ years investigating and documenting news articles, journals, and letters by those who experienced this megadisaster firsthand. It is an essential book for learning about the destruction at the time of Christ in the Book of Mormon. In stock now! - 375 pages, softcover
Only $29.95 |
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NEW ITEM!
Ancient Monuments of the
Mississippi Valley
by the Smithsonian Institute - 1849
Oversized drawings, maps and plates of the ancient works! |
 | | Click to Order |
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This spiral bound oversized book contains a complete set of 48 of the plates from the book, Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley by the Smithsonian's E.G. Squier and E.H. Davis from their original surveys. These reproductions have been enlarged 120% from the original size for greater detail. They include such works as those of Newark, Chillicothe and Marietta, Ohio, the Great Circle & Octagon, Fort Ancient, Fort Hill, Serpent Mound, and "the Cross." - 50 pages, softcover
Only $9.95 |
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NEW ITEM!
The Miracle of America; Birth of a Nation
A one-of-a-kind book written by Brian P. Trotter and William S. Norton with incredible fine art photography by Helen Thomas Robson that will touch the heart and inspire you to stand up and make your voice heard for freedom. |
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Put yourself amidst miraculous moments of faith and unity, sacrifice and triumph in Americas heritage as never before. - hardcover
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IT's BACK!
The original DVD that started the "Heartland
movement!"
Due to overwhelming demand, we are again making it available...
and at an astounding new lower than ever price for sharing! |
 | | Click to Order |
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Only $9.95 ea.
or when purchased in a qty of 10 they are
only $5 each!
That's 75% off!
Note: This is the original DVD with an updated insert, still in its hard plastic shrink-wrapped case. Enjoy all four hours of exciting information again and share it with everyone who loves the Book of Mormon at a greatly reduced cost!
To take advantage of the 10 pack offer
CALL US DIRECTLY
at 801-429-9751 |
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Iron Age America Before Columbus |
 | | Click to Order |
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Did the ancient Hopewell Mound Builder civilization smelt metals? After 60+ years of intensive research, locating and identifying a multitude of ancient furnaces in the Ohio River Valley, field study amateur archaeologist William D. Conner of the Midwestern Epigraphic Society, reveals new evidence that the Hopewell's were smelting iron and copper in furnaces often buried within their mounds and utilizing technology found in the Old World even before Lehi. This book is filled with unprecedented new and exciting evidence of Book of Mormon technology among the Hopewell Mound Builders! - softcover
Only $24.45 |
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