Native American Cultures During the Time Period of the Book of Mormon

Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, claimed that the Book of Mormon told the story of pre-Columbian peoples in the Americas. This article explores possible connections between these peoples and known pre-Columbian cultures, focusing on the time period 2500 BC to 421 AD.

The Known Pre-Columbian Cultures and Their Time Frames

In this timeframe, various Native American cultures were flourishing. We will briefly overview some of the known cultures and their technological achievements, then discuss how they might be connected to Joseph Smith’s Nephites, Mulekites, Jaredites, and Lamanites.

Fremont Culture of Utah

The Fremont Culture, which existed from approximately 1 BC to 1301 AD, left behind no horses, no writing, and only simple stone tools, baskets, and pots. They lived in semi-subterranean earth houses and grew corn. While their timeline overlaps with the Book of Mormon’s, the Fremont did not possess the technological sophistication required to match the depicted societies.

Anasazi or Ancestral Puebloans of the Southwest

Also known as the Ancestral Puebloans, this culture thrived for more than 10,000 years, starting from 7000 BC to the present. While their Pueblo building techniques began around 750 AD, the majority of their culture did not align with the Book of Mormon timeline. They also had no writing, horses, or metallurgy, and their economy was based on corn and “little barley.”

Mississippian Cultures of the Eastern Woodlands

Active from 1100 AD to the time of first contact with Europeans, these cultures were highly advanced in agriculture and mound-building but lacked many of the technological advancements listed in the Book of Mormon. They had no horses, steel, or writing, and their economy relied on corn. It is highly unlikely that these can be the Nephites and Lamanites referred to in the Book of Mormon.

Aztec Empire of Central Mexico

Ruled from 1325 AD to the arrival of Cortez in the early 1500s, the Aztecs, despite their complex society, did not overlap with the Book of Mormon timeline. Their culture lacked horses, steel, and writing systems. They used copper tools as a form of currency and grew corn, but none of these align with the Book of Mormon’s narrative.

Teotihuacan Empire of Central Mexico

Active from 300 BC to 500 AD, the Teotihuacan Empire, often conflated with the Aztecs, left no known writing and had no walls or military structures. They also lacked horses, steel, and metal money. While they were advanced in agricultural techniques, their lack of writing and advanced metallurgy makes it highly unlikely they could be the Jaredites, Mulekites, Nephites, or Lamanites mentioned in the Book of Mormon.

Toltecs of Southern Mexico

Active from 900 AD to 1150 AD, the Toltecs are debated due to many accounts coming from post-Aztec sources. Their timeline does not overlap with the Book of Mormon’s timeframe, and they were highly advanced in copper and gold mining but did not match the technological advancements described.

Olmecs of Southern Mexico

One of the most important early Mesoamerican cultures, the Olmecs existed from 2500 BC to 350 BC. They were one of the first to develop a proto-writing system, which has not yet been deciphered. This writing system was often cited as being indicative of the Jaredites, but Olmec culture lacked horses, writing, and metal tools, making a connection difficult.

Mayans of the Yucatan

The Mayans, active from 2000 BC to the contact period in 1500 AD, declined but left behind impressive architectural achievements. During the Classic period (250-950 AD), the Mayan civilization flourished, with a writing system that has been decoded. They had no horses, steel, or maritime currency, and their technological advancements did not align with the Book of Mormon.

Incan Empire of Peru

The Incas, from 1200 AD to the time of contact, built remarkable structures but had no horses, steel, or writing. They were preceded by other South American empires such as the Tiwanaku and Wari, which also did not overlap the Book of Mormon’s timeline.

No Good Candidates

Given the technological and cultural disparities between the known pre-Columbian cultures and the Book of Mormon’s descriptions, no pre-Columbian culture can be conclusively linked to the Nephites, Mulekites, Jaredites, or Lamanites without substantial evidence. This demonstrates the lack of concrete archaeological and historical evidence to support these claims.

Conclusion

Despite the fascinating and varied pre-Columbian cultures, none have been conclusively linked to the peoples mentioned in the Book of Mormon. The technological and cultural gaps make it highly improbable that any known Native American culture could be the Jaredites, Mulekites, Nephites, or Lamanites. However, this does not negate the faith and belief systems of those who follow the Book of Mormon, as they may find religious significance in its narrative beyond a strict historical and archaeological analysis.