So, its been five years (some including covid). What happened? Where are the final results? I can't seem to find anything on this subject that has a later date.
TylerJune 4, 2019
Lehi in Arabia is a terrific movie. 12 criteria had to fit the bill for this location to be bountiful. It's amazing how each of those criteria were laid out by nephi in the b.o.m.
It's also amazing that as their family were traveling southward in the wilderness, Lehi named a lot of sites (according to semitic tradition, the patriarch would often name new locations). Lehi named valleys and rivers. But interestingly enough they came to a place that WAS called Nahom (lehi didn't name it). Ishmael died and was burried there. There's actually a place NHM or Nehem in the exact location they were traveling that was a burial site, I think the term even meant a place of mourning. From that point, nephi and his family traveled due east (until they arrived in (most likely) this site mentioned in this article). At the time of the publication of the book of mormon, there was a serious criticism that the arabian penninsula was just a giant desert with no trees. Preposterous that they'd find trees to build a boat, honey, fruity, etc. Amazingly, look on google maps satellite view and you'll see how the penninsula really is a wasteland (EXCEPT for this ONE small patch of bountiful). My takeaway from all this is that if we are humble, and seek the Lord's hand, he will direct us to our own promised lands. We may have to go through a good amount of desert, but the only way to survive spiritually in a coming day will be to have the companionship of the holy ghost as a constant companion. Also, I judge laman and lemuel a lot less harshly after seeing how far they traveled. Early on in their travels when they hadn't even gone very far relatively speaking, they had to return to get the plates on a 20 day round trip journey. That couldn't have been easy. Love this find.
Sam StewartAugust 7, 2016
The Lehites obviously believed in "no trace "camping" in the wilderness as well as everywhere they lived. One realty can't expect to find artifacts here or anywhere else, especially when they left no trace of their existence over the thousand years of their advanced civilization. No one can realistically be holding their breath over finding something. God obviously doesn't want any physical evidence found. The very best and most amazing artifacts that were meticulously preserved for 2500 years (gold plates, liahona, sword of Laban, DNA) have all vanished without a trace. Why would God leave a few pottery shards on this site when he so completely got rid of all the other artifacts of their existence??
Newell OsscarsonMarch 5, 2016
Very Interesting Project. I came to Meridian Magazine because of an interest in this "dig" on the southern shore of the Arabian Peninsula known as Oman/Yemen. I have known of the few strips of land for many years that show up so well on Google Earth. I will admit I am a "skeptic" but will endeavor to keep an "open" mind as this archaeological adventure continues! I did find it odd that Dr Hauck was represented in Day-1 as being an objective non-LDS Archaeologist and yet in Day-2 he is standing on the Rock at the "dig" site envisioning Lehi and his family and their endeavors. I'm sure that enthusiasm works to stimulate the imagination and the physicality of the work certainly stimulates the enthusiasm and there is plenty of such work to be engaged in over there! I'm going to watch this film soon: Lehi in Arabia!
Louene PerryMarch 2, 2016
Such a great find! Thanks for the insight into the veil representing the Savior. Just a little typo--the 1 Nephi 5:6 reference should read 1 Nephi 17:29 instead. Looking forward to the next installment of discoveries.
AllenMarch 1, 2016
WOW! This has been a fascinating and inspiring and illuminating journey for me. To watch this work unfold and to read the commentary is wonderful to me as a member of the Church.
It has opened up my eyes and given me personally greater insights regarding the Law of Moses and the Savior's atonement and understanding that the renting of the veil in the Temple.
My testimony has been strengthened of Heavenly Father's great plan of Happiness and that His hands are in every detail. My testimony of the Book of Mormon is still the same and would not have changed even without this great work you are doing.
Keep up the great work and please keep up the great insights and gospel correlations commentaries!
BrettMarch 1, 2016
This is intriguing. If they can find some evidence/artifact, it will the be first solid documentation to support the BoM in the professional archaeological world.
Unless I missed something, what other evidence/artifacts/etc are they looking for? Based on the conditions of that greater surrounding area, is it reasonable that Nephi (and company) would have found sufficient timber to build the ship? Are there any signs of ore as source for iron tool making?
Assuming Nephi did build a house of worship as outlined in the article, how much time/resource would be necessary to build the temple? What options did they have to move the large stones into place?
Obviously the expedition has only begun and these questions are premature. I would just like to know what they are looking for beyond the ruins itself.
Barbara FallickMarch 1, 2016
It is interesting in this "veil" rock that Nephi uses the phrase "rock of my salvation" in 2 Nephi 4:30 and "rock of my righteousness" in 2 Nephi 4:35 in referring to "My God" to whom he is addressing his psalm after Lehi has died and he perceives his brothers as enemies. Jacob does not use the phrase of rock at all in referring to God or the Savior in particular. Of course his writing was done long after the days of Bountiful and his focus was elsewhere. Also, Lehi does not use it but all of his teachings as we have them are filtered through Nephi and again written long after the days of Bountiful
Brian DeaneFebruary 29, 2016
Thankyou for your hard work, diligence and professionalism in bringing this work to the public in such a clear manner. This is indeed fascinating and I sincerely hope proves to be a fundamental discovery in support of the book of Mormon account for all with faith and belief in the account to enjoy. As a mormon currently living on the Arabian peninsula, this is of particular interest. You mention in your article a large monolith outside the sanctuary, I wonder if it would be possible for further clarity to over lay the sketch on an ariel photograph of the site which also indicates its immediate context including the mentioned monolith, this for me would present to whole picture.
Ray CongerFebruary 29, 2016
The riveting comparison of the once wetted monolithic slab, it's divine representation, Moses account combined with Nephi's repeated reference to it is -- compelling. The 20 cubit width, east facing rock and matching span between the defining boulders as repeating the dimension of Solomon's Holy Place - - also in awe. You've got us hanging on every word!
TimothyFebruary 29, 2016
Having read previous entries to this ongoing journal, I was extremely pleased to be able to review the new graphics and other images included with this article. They made the descriptions all that much more clear.
This is an exciting journey. Thanks for the update!
Michael BadgerFebruary 29, 2016
The correlations of made by Dr. Hauck are interesting indeed. Thank you for the front row view of the ongoing efforts in Oman. It is fascinating to be in the action each day as the work progresses.
Richard LeahmanFebruary 29, 2016
A Wonderful Find - I feel the excitement of this Discovery ! My Thanks !
Jay WilkinsFebruary 29, 2016
I know I've already commented previously on the last article but I really can't recommend enough to those who find this interesting the new film LEHI IN ARABIA which has beautiful footage of this site, the ruins found here and the expeditions to the site. This work is so interesting and important to me- thanks for the great articles Meridian!
See the movie trailer at https://www.lehiinarabia.com
Comments | Return to Story
Pamela JacksonApril 7, 2021
So, its been five years (some including covid). What happened? Where are the final results? I can't seem to find anything on this subject that has a later date.
TylerJune 4, 2019
Lehi in Arabia is a terrific movie. 12 criteria had to fit the bill for this location to be bountiful. It's amazing how each of those criteria were laid out by nephi in the b.o.m. It's also amazing that as their family were traveling southward in the wilderness, Lehi named a lot of sites (according to semitic tradition, the patriarch would often name new locations). Lehi named valleys and rivers. But interestingly enough they came to a place that WAS called Nahom (lehi didn't name it). Ishmael died and was burried there. There's actually a place NHM or Nehem in the exact location they were traveling that was a burial site, I think the term even meant a place of mourning. From that point, nephi and his family traveled due east (until they arrived in (most likely) this site mentioned in this article). At the time of the publication of the book of mormon, there was a serious criticism that the arabian penninsula was just a giant desert with no trees. Preposterous that they'd find trees to build a boat, honey, fruity, etc. Amazingly, look on google maps satellite view and you'll see how the penninsula really is a wasteland (EXCEPT for this ONE small patch of bountiful). My takeaway from all this is that if we are humble, and seek the Lord's hand, he will direct us to our own promised lands. We may have to go through a good amount of desert, but the only way to survive spiritually in a coming day will be to have the companionship of the holy ghost as a constant companion. Also, I judge laman and lemuel a lot less harshly after seeing how far they traveled. Early on in their travels when they hadn't even gone very far relatively speaking, they had to return to get the plates on a 20 day round trip journey. That couldn't have been easy. Love this find.
Sam StewartAugust 7, 2016
The Lehites obviously believed in "no trace "camping" in the wilderness as well as everywhere they lived. One realty can't expect to find artifacts here or anywhere else, especially when they left no trace of their existence over the thousand years of their advanced civilization. No one can realistically be holding their breath over finding something. God obviously doesn't want any physical evidence found. The very best and most amazing artifacts that were meticulously preserved for 2500 years (gold plates, liahona, sword of Laban, DNA) have all vanished without a trace. Why would God leave a few pottery shards on this site when he so completely got rid of all the other artifacts of their existence??
Newell OsscarsonMarch 5, 2016
Very Interesting Project. I came to Meridian Magazine because of an interest in this "dig" on the southern shore of the Arabian Peninsula known as Oman/Yemen. I have known of the few strips of land for many years that show up so well on Google Earth. I will admit I am a "skeptic" but will endeavor to keep an "open" mind as this archaeological adventure continues! I did find it odd that Dr Hauck was represented in Day-1 as being an objective non-LDS Archaeologist and yet in Day-2 he is standing on the Rock at the "dig" site envisioning Lehi and his family and their endeavors. I'm sure that enthusiasm works to stimulate the imagination and the physicality of the work certainly stimulates the enthusiasm and there is plenty of such work to be engaged in over there! I'm going to watch this film soon: Lehi in Arabia!
Louene PerryMarch 2, 2016
Such a great find! Thanks for the insight into the veil representing the Savior. Just a little typo--the 1 Nephi 5:6 reference should read 1 Nephi 17:29 instead. Looking forward to the next installment of discoveries.
AllenMarch 1, 2016
WOW! This has been a fascinating and inspiring and illuminating journey for me. To watch this work unfold and to read the commentary is wonderful to me as a member of the Church. It has opened up my eyes and given me personally greater insights regarding the Law of Moses and the Savior's atonement and understanding that the renting of the veil in the Temple. My testimony has been strengthened of Heavenly Father's great plan of Happiness and that His hands are in every detail. My testimony of the Book of Mormon is still the same and would not have changed even without this great work you are doing. Keep up the great work and please keep up the great insights and gospel correlations commentaries!
BrettMarch 1, 2016
This is intriguing. If they can find some evidence/artifact, it will the be first solid documentation to support the BoM in the professional archaeological world. Unless I missed something, what other evidence/artifacts/etc are they looking for? Based on the conditions of that greater surrounding area, is it reasonable that Nephi (and company) would have found sufficient timber to build the ship? Are there any signs of ore as source for iron tool making? Assuming Nephi did build a house of worship as outlined in the article, how much time/resource would be necessary to build the temple? What options did they have to move the large stones into place? Obviously the expedition has only begun and these questions are premature. I would just like to know what they are looking for beyond the ruins itself.
Barbara FallickMarch 1, 2016
It is interesting in this "veil" rock that Nephi uses the phrase "rock of my salvation" in 2 Nephi 4:30 and "rock of my righteousness" in 2 Nephi 4:35 in referring to "My God" to whom he is addressing his psalm after Lehi has died and he perceives his brothers as enemies. Jacob does not use the phrase of rock at all in referring to God or the Savior in particular. Of course his writing was done long after the days of Bountiful and his focus was elsewhere. Also, Lehi does not use it but all of his teachings as we have them are filtered through Nephi and again written long after the days of Bountiful
Brian DeaneFebruary 29, 2016
Thankyou for your hard work, diligence and professionalism in bringing this work to the public in such a clear manner. This is indeed fascinating and I sincerely hope proves to be a fundamental discovery in support of the book of Mormon account for all with faith and belief in the account to enjoy. As a mormon currently living on the Arabian peninsula, this is of particular interest. You mention in your article a large monolith outside the sanctuary, I wonder if it would be possible for further clarity to over lay the sketch on an ariel photograph of the site which also indicates its immediate context including the mentioned monolith, this for me would present to whole picture.
Ray CongerFebruary 29, 2016
The riveting comparison of the once wetted monolithic slab, it's divine representation, Moses account combined with Nephi's repeated reference to it is -- compelling. The 20 cubit width, east facing rock and matching span between the defining boulders as repeating the dimension of Solomon's Holy Place - - also in awe. You've got us hanging on every word!
TimothyFebruary 29, 2016
Having read previous entries to this ongoing journal, I was extremely pleased to be able to review the new graphics and other images included with this article. They made the descriptions all that much more clear. This is an exciting journey. Thanks for the update!
Michael BadgerFebruary 29, 2016
The correlations of made by Dr. Hauck are interesting indeed. Thank you for the front row view of the ongoing efforts in Oman. It is fascinating to be in the action each day as the work progresses.
Richard LeahmanFebruary 29, 2016
A Wonderful Find - I feel the excitement of this Discovery ! My Thanks !
Jay WilkinsFebruary 29, 2016
I know I've already commented previously on the last article but I really can't recommend enough to those who find this interesting the new film LEHI IN ARABIA which has beautiful footage of this site, the ruins found here and the expeditions to the site. This work is so interesting and important to me- thanks for the great articles Meridian! See the movie trailer at https://www.lehiinarabia.com
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