Horses in the Book of Mormon and in other Texts.

[_Brackite]

Hello all Here,

Nearly everyone here knows the the word 'horses' appears inside the text of the Book of Mormon. And Most People who are aware of the mentioning of 'horses' inside the Book of Mormon text, consider that the mention of 'horses' inside the Book of Mormon text as an anachronism. (1) I also consider the mention of horses inside the Book of Mormon text as an anachronism well. The Book of Mormon claims to take Place somewhere on the American Continent, sometime between 2,300 B.C.E. And A.D. 422. There is basically no evidence that horses lived anywhere on the American Continent between that time Period. (2) However, I don't really want to dwell that much about the mention of 'horses' being very likely an anachronism within the Book of Mormon, within this Thread. I also very much want to discuss that the word 'horses' is also mentioned many, times in the Old Testament of the Old King James Version, and the word 'horses' is mentioned several times in the New Testament of the Old King James Version. The word 'horses' is mentioned a few times in the text of Solomon Spaulding's Manuscript Story, and the word 'horses' is also mentioned a few times in the text of Ethan Smith's View of the Hebrews.
First, let us go to the Book of Mormon, and see how many times the words 'horse' and 'horses' is mentioned inside the Book of Mormon text.

Here are these Book of Mormon Passages:

1 Nephi 18:
[25] And it came to pass that we did find upon the land of promise, as we journeyed in the wilderness, that there were beasts in the forests of every kind, both the cow and the ox, and the ass and the horse, and the goat and the wild goat, and all manner of wild animals, which were for the use of men. And we did find all manner of ore, both of gold, and of silver, and of copper.

...

2 Nephi 12:
[7] Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots.

(Basically Copied From Isaiah 2:7, within the Old Testament of the KJV.)

...

2 Nephi 15:
[28] Whose arrows shall be sharp, and all their bows bent, and their horses' hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind, their roaring like a lion.

(Basically Copied From Isaiah 5:28, within the Old Testament of the KJV.)

...

Enos 1:
[21] And it came to pass that the people of Nephi did till the land, and raise all manner of grain, and of fruit, and flocks of herds, and flocks of all manner of cattle of every kind, and goats, and wild goats, and also many horses.

...

Alma 18:
[9] And they said unto him: Behold, he is feeding thy horses. Now the king had commanded his servants, previous to the time of the watering of their flocks, that they should prepare his horses and chariots, and conduct him forth to the land of Nephi; for there had been a great feast appointed at the land of Nephi, by the father of Lamoni, who was king over all the land.
[10] Now when king Lamoni heard that Ammon was preparing his horses and his chariots he was more astonished, because of the faithfulness of Ammon, saying: Surely there has not been any servant among all my servants that has been so faithful as this man; for even he doth remember all my commandments to execute them.

...

[12] And it came to pass that when Ammon had made ready the horses and the chariots for the king and his servants, he went in unto the king, and he saw that the countenance of the king was changed; therefore he was about to return out of his presence.

...

Alma 20:
[6] Now when Lamoni had heard this he caused that his servants should make ready his horses and his chariots.

...

3 Nephi 3:
[22] And it came to pass in the seventeenth year, in the latter end of the year, the proclamation of Lachoneus had gone forth throughout all the face of the land, and they had taken their horses, and their chariots, and their cattle, and all their flocks, and their herds, and their grain, and all their substance, and did march forth by thousands and by tens of thousands, until they had all gone forth to the place which had been appointed that they should gather themselves together, to defend themselves against their enemies.

...

3 Nephi 4:
[4] Therefore, there was no chance for the robbers to plunder and to obtain food, save it were to come up in open battle against the Nephites; and the Nephites being in one body, and having so great a number, and having reserved for themselves provisions, and horses and cattle, and flocks of every kind, that they might subsist for the space of seven years, in the which time they did hope to destroy the robbers from off the face of the land; and thus the eighteenth year did pass away.

...

3 Nephi 6:
[1] And now it came to pass that the people of the Nephites did all return to their own lands in the twenty and sixth year, every man, with his family, his flocks and his herds, his horses and his cattle, and all things whatsoever did belong unto them.

...

3 Nephi 21:
[14] Yea, wo be unto the Gentiles except they repent; for it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Father, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots;

...

Ether 9:
[19] And they also had horses, and asses, and there were elephants and cureloms and cumoms; all of which were useful unto man, and more especially the elephants and cureloms and cumoms.

(The Book of Mormon Online:)



The two Purple Passages are the Passages basically from the Book of Isaiah, From the Old King James Version of the Bible.
I Bolded the words 'horse' and 'horses' where they occurred in the text of the Book of Mormon.

The singular word ‘horse’ is just mentioned one time within the text of the Book of Mormon.

The Plural word ‘horses’ is mentioned 11 times within the text of the Book of Mormon.
(Excluding the Isaiah Passages within the Book of Mormon.)


Now, let us go to the Old Testament, From the Old King James Version of the Bible.
The words 'horse' and 'horses' are first mentioned within the Book of Genesis, From the Old Testament of the KJV.

Here are these two Scriptural Passages:

Genesis 47:17:
17 And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year.

Genesis 49:17:
19 Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.

Now, Here is the first time where the word 'horses' occurs within the Book of Exodus, From the Old Testament.

Exodus 9:3:
3 Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain.

The Plural word 'horses' is mentioned three times within the Book of Exodus.
The Singular word 'horse' is mentioned three times within the Book of Exodus.
The Plural word 'horsemen' is mentioned six times within the Book of Exodus.

From the Book of Genesis to the Book of Ecclesiastes within the Old Testament of the KJV, The Singular word ‘horse’ is mentioned 21 times.
From the Book of Genesis to the Book of Ecclesiastes within the Old Testament of the KJV, The Plural word ‘horses’ is mentioned 52 times.
From the Book of Genesis to the Book of Ecclesiastes within the Old Testament of the KJV, The Singular word ‘horseman’ is just mentioned one time.
From the Book of Genesis to the Book of Ecclesiastes within the Old Testament of the KJV, The Plural word ‘horsemen’ is mentioned 32 times.
From the Book of Genesis to the Book of Ecclesiastes within the Old Testament of the KJV, the Plural word ‘horsehoofs’ is mentioned just one time.
From the Book of Genesis to the Book of Ecclesiastes within the Old Testament of the KJV, The Singular word 'horseback’ is mentioned five times.
From the Book of Genesis to the Book of Ecclesiastes within the Old Testament of the KJV, The two words 'Horse Gate' are mentioned two times.


Now, let us go to the text, From the Solomon Spaulding's Manuscript Story.

Here are the Five Passages, where the words 'horse' and 'horses' are mentioned within the text of the Manuscript Story:

The ground was plowed by horses and generally made very mellow for the reception of the seed.

All mounted on horses, they rode about twenty miles to a village where they halted.

The horses were managed in the same way and the people thought their meat to be a savory dish.

During these ceremonies their horses move with uncommon swiftness.

Hamboon, mounted on an elegant horse, richly caparisoned, rode through the encampment, proclaiming aloud, "Every man to his station!

(The Text of Solomon Spalding's Manuscript Story:)



In the text of the Solomon Spaulding's Manuscript Story, the Plural word 'horses" is mentioned four times. (In relation to the New World.)
In the text of the Solomon Spaulding's Manuscript Story, The Singular word 'horse' is just mentioned one time.
(In relation to the New World.)



1. http://www.exmormon.org/Mormon/mormon051.htm


2. http://www.mormonmesoamerica.com/horses.htm



To Be Continued...



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[_Brackite]

Continuing...

Here are the Passages within the Book of Isaiah, From the KJV, where the words 'horse, horses,' and 'horsemen' occurs at:

Isaiah 2:7:
7 Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots:

...

Isaiah 5:28:
28 Whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent, their horses' hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind:

...

Isaiah 21:7:
7 And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed:

...

Isaiah 21:9:
9 And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.

...

Isaiah 22:6:
And Elam bare the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.

...

Isaiah 22:7:
7 And it shall come to pass, that thy choicest valleys shall be full of chariots, and the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate.

...

Isaiah 28:28:
28 Bread corn is bruised; because he will not ever be threshing it, nor break it with the wheel of his cart, nor bruise it with his horsemen.

...

Isaiah 30:16:
16 But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.

...

Isaiah 31:1:
1 Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

...

Isaiah 31:3:
3 Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.

...


Isaiah 36:8:
8 Now therefore give pledges, I pray thee, to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.

...

Isaiah 36:9:
9 How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master's servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?

...

Isaiah 43:17:
17 Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow.

...

Isaiah 63:13:
13 That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble?

...

Isaiah 66:20:
20 And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.

In the Book of Isaiah, The Plural word 'horses’ is mentioned eight times.
In the Book of Isaiah, The Plural word ‘horsemen’ is mentioned seven times.
In the Book of Isaiah, The Singular word 'horse’ is mentioned two times.

In the Book of Isaiah, The total words with ‘horse’ in the text equals 17 words.

In the Book of Mormon, The total words with ‘horse’ in the text equals 12 words.
(Excluding the Isaiah Passages within the Book of Mormon.)

In the text of the Solomon Spaulding's Manuscript Story, The total words with ‘horse’ in the text equals five words. (In relation to the New World.)


However, In Solomon Spaulding's Manuscript Story, The words 'chariot' and 'chariots' are Not mentioned in the text.

The Singular word 'chariot' is mentioned in the text of the Book of Isaiah, while the Plural word 'chariots' is mentioned in both the texts of the Book of Isaiah and the Book of Mormon.

In the Book of Isaiah, The Plural word 'chariots' is mentioned nine times.
In the Book of Isaiah, The Singular word 'chariot' is mentioned five times.

In the Book of Isaiah, The total words with ‘chariot’ in the text equals 14.

Joseph Smith basically had many Chapters of the Book of Isaiah, being basically copied within the Book of Mormon.

In the Book of Mormon, The Plural word 'chariots' is mentioned six times.
(Excluding the Isaiah Passage within the Book of Mormon.)



In Ethan Smith's View of the Hebrews, the words 'horse' and 'horses are mentioned a few times in the text.

Here is the first occurrence of the Singular word 'horse' within Ethan Smith's View of the Hebrews:

The Roman procurator, Fadus, with a troop of horse, pursued them; slew the impostor, and many others; and dispersed the faction.

(View of the Hebrews:)


The mentioning of the word ‘horse’ from just above here is in relation to the Old World.

Here is the first occurrence of the Plural word 'horses' within Ethan Smith's View of the Hebrews:

"And they shall bring of your brethren for an offering unto the Lord, out of all nations, upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the Lord, as the children of Israel bring and offering in a clean vessel unto the house of the Lord."

(View of the Hebrews:)


The mentioning of word 'horses' from just above here is within an Isaiah Scriptural Passage. Ethan Smith basically and virtually copied the Scriptural Passage of Isaiah, Chapter 66, Verse 20, in his View of the Hebrews' Book.

Now, Here are the second and third occurrences of the Plural word 'horses' within Ethan Smith's View of the Hebrews:

Lewis and Clark inform us of the Mandans, (a tribe far toward the Pacific) thus; "The whole religion of the Mandans consists in a belief of one Great Spirit presiding over their destinies. To propitiate whom, every attention is lavished, and every personal consideration is sacrificed." One Mandan informed that lately he had eight horses; but that he had offered them all up to the Great Spirit. His mode of doing it was this; he took them into the plains, and turned them all loose; committing them to the Great Spirit, he abandoned them forever. The horses, less devout than their master, no doubt took care of themselves.

(View of the Hebrews:)


This Passage from just above here is in relation to the New World. However, this Passage is talking about very well after when the Spaniards first brought horses to the Americas in the early 1500s. The Mentioning of horses in this Passage is Not a Problem at all. This is Not an Anachronism within this Passage, From Ethan Smith's View of the Hebrews' Book.


Lewis and Clark Expedition:


To Be Continued...

[_Brackite]

Continuing...

The words 'horse' and 'horses' are found several times within the New Testament of the KJV.

Here are where the words 'horse' and 'horses' are found within the New Testament of the KJV.

James 3:3:
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

...

Revelation 6:2:
2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

...

Revelation 6:4:
4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

...

Revelation 6:5:
5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.

...

Revelation 6:8:
8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

...

Revelation 9:7:
7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.

...

Revelation 9:9:
9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.

...

Revelation 9:17:
17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.

...

Revelation 14:20:
20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

...

Revelation 18:13:
13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.

...

Revelation 19:11:
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

...

Revelation 19:14:
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

...

Revelation 19:18:
18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

...

Revelation 19:19:
19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

...

Revelation 19:21:
21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

The Singular word ‘horse’ is mentioned eight times within the New Testament of the KJV.

The Plural word 'horses' is mentioned eight times within the New Testament of the KJV.

The Plural word ‘horsemen’ is mentioned three times within the New Testament of the KJV. (Acts 23:23 & 32, and Revelation 9:16.)

[_beastie]

Thanks for this information, Brackite. Texts contemporary to the Book of Mormon do seem to demonstrate that believing horses were on this continent prior to European re-introduction, post-extinction, was not uncommon.

[_Brackite]

Thanks for this information, Brackite. Texts contemporary to the Book of Mormon do seem to demonstrate that believing horses were on this continent prior to European re-introduction, post-extinction, was not uncommon.

Hi Beastie,

Thank You, Beastie!


And, Here is another occurrence of the Singular word 'horse' Mentioned within Ethan Smith's View of the Hebrews:

Bartram missed his way and got lost among them. He saw an Indian at the door of his habitation beckoning to him to come in. He complied. Of himself and horse were taken the best care. When he wished to go, the Indian led him to his right way. This Indian proved to be the chief of Whotoga. Would an Indian receive such treatment among us? Bartram was a considerable time among them; and says; "they are just honest, liberal, hospitable to strangers, considerate, loving and affectionate to their wives and relations, fond of their children, frugal, and persevering; charitable, and forebearing."

(View of the Hebrews:)



The words 'horse,' horses,' and 'horsemen' are also found within the King James Version of the Apocrypha.

Please Check Out and See:

King James version (Apocrypha):


And, The words 'horse,' 'horses,' and 'horsemen' are also found in the Works of Flavius Josephus.

Please Check Out and See:

The Works of Flavius Josephus:


Since the words 'horse' and 'horses' are Mentioned in the Old Testament of the KJV, The New Testament of the KJV, the text of the Solomon Spaulding's Manuscript (Roman) Story, the text of Ethan Smith's View of the Hebrews, the King James Version of the Apocrypha, and the Works of Flavius Josephus, it is Not really surprising at all that the words 'horse' and 'horses' are also Mentioned within the text of the Book of Mormon. Joseph Smith very, very likely didn't know (I think and believe he didn't know) when he produced the Book of Mormon, that the mentioning of the words 'horse' and 'horses' within the text of the Book of Mormon was a very likely obvious Anachronism. The words 'horse' and 'horses' were Mentioned in all of those texts, which I listed above here, so he probably got the idea from one or more of those texts listed above here.
This is the main Point of my Discussion Thread here.

[_truth dancer]

Hi Brackite,

Thanks for this great research.

But you forgot, in the Book of Mormon, "horse" is supposed to be read as "tapir."



~td~

[_Yoda]

Hi Brackite,

Thanks for this great research.

But you forgot, in the Book of Mormon, "horse" is supposed to be read as "tapir."



~td~

That has got to be one of the most lame apologetics an apologist has come up with.

Brackite, I agree with you. It is MUCH more likely that "horse" meant "horse".

I LOVE your thorough research on this. I'm on my way to bed, but will comment more on this tomorrow. Great job, Bracki!

[_Brackite]

Hi Brackite,

Thanks for this great research.

But you forgot, in the Book of Mormon, "horse" is supposed to be read as "tapir."



~td~

That has got to be one of the most lame apologetics an apologist has come up with.

Brackite, I agree with you. It is MUCH more likely that "horse" meant "horse".

I LOVE your thorough research on this. I'm on my way to bed, but will comment more on this tomorrow. Great job, Bracki!

Hi Truth dancer and Liz,

Yes Liz, You are Right and Correct. The LDS Apologist's claim that the word 'horses' within the Book of Mormon is supposed to be read as 'tapirs' is one of the most lame apologetics' claim that some LDS Apologists have come up with. (It is though true that the animal word tapir was unfamiliar to Joseph Smith.) The reason that the LDS Apologist's claim that the word 'horses' is really meaning 'tapirs' is one of the most lame apologetics' claim, is because when Joseph Smith came upon two unfamiliar animal words, he translated the two unfamiliar animal words as cumoms and cureloms.

Here is (again) Ether Chapter Nine, Verse 19:

Ether 9: 19:

[19] And they also had horses, and asses, and there were elephants and cureloms and cumoms; all of which were useful unto man, and more especially the elephants and cureloms and cumoms.