An Anachronism?

[_Tim the Enchanter]

Greetings Mormon Discussions!

I have lurked here for quite some time and finally decided to sign up since I had a question that I wanted to ask.

Recently, I ran across this article about the life and times of Moroni by H. Donl Peterson who is described as a professor emeritus of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University.

The article includes two images about 3/4ths down the page which the author states he came across in the Archives Division of the Historical Department of the Church.

The article notes that on the back of the first image it states:

"A chart, and description of Moroni’s travels through this country. Got it from Br. Robert Dickson. He got it from Patriarch Walmart. McBride at Richfield in the Sevier and also from Andrew M. Hamilton of same place. And they got it from Joseph Smith the Prophet."

The author of the article notes that the second image appears to have been drawn by the same hand as the first.

Both images contain handwriting which states "Moroni’s Travels starting from Sentral America to the Sand hills Arizona then to Salt Lake..."

My question has to do with the use of the words "Arizona" (misspelled "Arizony" on the second image) and "Salt Lake."

Would Joseph Smith (or anyone associated with him) have used these words?

Joseph Smith died in 1844. At that time, there was no Arizona. The area which later became Arizona was part of the Territory of New Mexico during Joseph Smith's lifetime. It was not until the 1860's when the Arizona Territory split off from the New Mexico Territory and it was at that time that the word Arizona first came into use. See thisWikipepia entry. Also see this Online Etymology Dictionary entry which indicates that the first written use of the word Arizona occurs in 1861.

With Salt Lake, the situation is similar. During Joseph Smith's life, as I understand it, Salt Lake was not on the Mormon radar at all. Supposedly Joseph Smith prophesied about the Saints settling in the rocky mountains or something, but I don't ever recall anything (other than this article) that linked Joesph Smith with Salt Lake in any way.

If the images originated with Joseph Smith as the article indicates, I don't understand why the terms "Arizona" and "Salt Lake" would be used. This looks like an anachronism. I don't see how these images really could have originated from a time when Joesph Smith was alive if they use these words.

Thoughts? Am I missing something?

[_Blixa]

This map is a not that well known Mormon folk artifact. If you poke around more online you should be able to come up with some discussion of it and its connection to the folk tradition of Moroni dedicating the Manti temple.

Indeed, as you say, it was produced long after Smith's death and combines various folk traditions and "historical" speculation.

I rather like the map myself since it has Moroni stopping off in Salt Lake as well as passing by the Kinderhook plates during his North American walkabout...

[_Everybody Wang Chung]

I had never heard the story about the death of Moroni. It was a pretty violent, glorious and heroic death. Interesting. From the article:

The Death of Moroni

I have found only one account which speaks of Moroni’s death:

At a meeting at Spanish Fork, Utah Co., in the winter of 1896, Brother Higginson stated in my presence that Thomas B. Marsh told him that the Prophet Joseph Smith told him (Thomas B. Marsh, he being then President of the Twelve), that he became very anxious to know something of the fate of Moroni, and in answer to prayer the Lord gave Joseph a vision, in which appeared a wild country and on the scene was Moroni after whom were six Indians in pursuit; he stopped and one of the Indians stepped forward and measured swords with him. Moroni smote him and he fell dead; another Indian advanced and contended with him; this Indian also fell by his sword; a third Indian then stepped forth and met the same fate; a fourth afterwards contended with him, but in the struggle with the fourth, Moroni, being exhausted, was killed. Thus ended the life of Moroni. (Evans)

[_just me]

I had never heard the story about the death of Moroni. It was a pretty violent, glorious and heroic death. Interesting. From the article:

The Death of Moroni

I have found only one account which speaks of Moroni’s death:

At a meeting at Spanish Fork, Utah Co., in the winter of 1896, Brother Higginson stated in my presence that Thomas B. Marsh told him that the Prophet Joseph Smith told him (Thomas B. Marsh, he being then President of the Twelve), that he became very anxious to know something of the fate of Moroni, and in answer to prayer the Lord gave Joseph a vision, in which appeared a wild country and on the scene was Moroni after whom were six Indians in pursuit; he stopped and one of the Indians stepped forward and measured swords with him. Moroni smote him and he fell dead; another Indian advanced and contended with him; this Indian also fell by his sword; a third Indian then stepped forth and met the same fate; a fourth afterwards contended with him, but in the struggle with the fourth, Moroni, being exhausted, was killed. Thus ended the life of Moroni. (Evans)

Indians with swords are indeed dangerous.

[_Everybody Wang Chung]

Indians with swords are indeed dangerous.

Just me,

Haven't you been paying attention to Michael Ash's articles? When the Book of Mormon mentions swords, it really means wooden club or the macuahuitl.