2008 Research Expedition
In January of 2008 seven members of the Hill Cumorah Expedition Team traveled to the Yucatan of Mexico to gather information to assist in confirming current theories concerning specific locations of Book of Mormon historical places. The team consisted of Mike Brown, Scott Norwood, Terry Scott, Chris Scott, Don Beebe, Neil Steede and David Brown.
Of particular interest was the location of the land referred to as the Land of Antionum. Present theories place in the area referred to as the Rio Bec and Puuk/Chino culture on the border area between the Yucatan of Mexico and the Peten of Guatemala. The team reached this location early in the expedition only after some arduous efforts to find this location. Once there the team went to work in measuring, photographing and making notes on architecture. This location seems prime for the Land of Antionum as the Book of Mormon indicates this culture had no writing and were people of social influence who were long established in the Mulekite ways prior to the arrival of Mosiah and the Nephite religion. All indications are that the architecture and facts concerning the history of Rio Bec fits very well with this culture, including a place that fits the description of the Holy Stand.
The team then moved on to Calakmul to further gather information to establish this as the City of Judea, and then on to Yaxchilan where they were successful in again photographing important items such as the foundations for both King Benjamin's Tower and Temple. This confirmation has led to the team to confirm Yaxchilan as the likely location for the City of Zarahemla.
LaVenta Park was also visited for the purpose of photographing the many stela and altars the speak of Jaredite history (Olmec). The slight overcast in the daytime sky provided the perfect light to take the several photos of Married Ogam found on these artifacts.
The team then traveled to Palenque to photograph the thrones located in the lower rooms on the south end of the palace. Then on to Cross Complex where information was noted concerning the temple entrances and stela that speak of the spiritual armor required for the spiritual war at the Temple of the Sun; the three who followed a sky event and visited a baby god at the Temple of the Cross; and the three who were provided life without death at the Temple of the Foliated Cross. These provide a good clue that Palenque is the Book of Mormon city called Bountiful.
The team then began traveling back toward Cancun and traveled through Compeche, Merida, and Chichen Itza. All the way along the road we found remarkable clues to help further confirm, define, and refine theories that make this unmistakably the historical geographical backdrop for the sacred record of our ancient brothers and sisters who walked with the risen Christ.
