Traces on the road to the wildernes

This site is only one link in a chain of small buildings and writings that Nephi's group left on their way to the desert; We talk about small tombs, monuments carved in stone, carved images, etc. And because it has a relatively important size, we include it in this list..

  There is a controversy among the archaeologist about the founding date of this site.  Some think that it was built 50 years earlier than the spanish arrival (1450 +-) and they were the ones who burned the site when they did not obtain the treasures they wanted.

But there are scholars who claim that it is one of the first sites in our history (450 BC +-) and the latest archaeological findings demonstrate this, and this confirms that the site was built by Nephi and his family when the group was heading to the desert, obeying the instructions given in revelation.  This city is one of the many footprints that the Nephites left on their way to the Promised Land, and it was exactly the same one they left along the southern Guatemalan coast.  The heavenly indication was to reach the wilderness (DESERT), for some reason the purpose was postponed, perhaps illness, fatigue and difficulties on the journey have been the reasons why the larger group stopped at this place.

The city does not have much architectural development; The fear that the population had is obvious, because strategically the constructions were made in a place protected by ravines, where they had certain advantages against their enemies, in hand-to-hand fights; and the watchmen who could identify their enemies from their strategic positions.   Being a hardworking group, the people took on the task of starting the construction, despite knowing that they would not stay here for a long time, they did not mind leaving things at all when Nephi told them that the trip would continue and that it was time. of leaving.

2 Nephi 5: 6-9. 

6 Wherefore, it came to pass that I, Nephi, did take my family, and also Zoram and his family, and Sam, mine elder brother and his family, and Jacob and Joseph, my younger brethren, and also my sisters, and all those who would go with me. And all those who would go with me were those who believed in the warnings and the revelations of God; wherefore, they did hearken unto my words.

7 And we did take our tents and whatsoever things were possible for us, and did journey in the wilderness for the space of many days. And after we had journeyed for the space of many days we did pitch our tents.

8 And my people would that we should call the name of the place Nephi; wherefore, we did call it Nephi.

9 And all those who were with me did take upon them to call themselves the people of Nephi.

The Scriptures do not specify this, they only mention that the group left and separated from Laman and Lemuel, and in the next article of the book of Mormon, they mention that they arrived after traveling for many days, and finally pitched their tents.  
How much time elapsed between Article 6 and Article 7 of the Book of Mormon? I base myself on archaeological investigations when saying that from the moment of separation from his brothers, until the moment of setting up their tents, a period of 20 years elapsed. And in this place, the group remained for around 6 years.

And so it was, the buildings were never destroyed, they were simply not finished, so the purpose of each structure cannot be presumed, everything we currently hear is pure speculation. (4.22 seconds that can be doubled)

2 Nephi 1: 10-12

10 But behold, when the time cometh that they shall dwindle in unbelief, after they have received so great blessings from the hand of the Lord—having a knowledge of the creation of the earth, and all men, knowing the great and marvelous works of the Lord from the creation of the world; having power given them to do all things by faith; having all the commandments from the beginning, and having been brought by his infinite goodness into this precious land of promise—behold, I say, if the day shall come that they will reject the Holy One of Israel, the true Messiah, their Redeemer and their God, behold, the judgments of him that is just shall rest upon them.

11 Yea, he will bring other nations unto them, and he will give unto them power, and he will take away from them the lands of their possessions, and he will cause them to be scattered and smitten.

12 Yea, as one generation passeth to another there shall be bloodsheds, and great visitations among them; wherefore, my sons, I would that ye would remember; yea, I would that ye would hearken unto my words.

Hernán Cortéz, conqueror of Mexico; sends a subordinate; Pedro de Alvarado to explore the southern lands in 1500, he was accompanied by 120 Spanish soldiers and about 450 Mexica.  (Mexican indigenous people), and some Quiche indigenous people. And they arrived at this place, but they found it empty and it is there where they founded the city of Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala.

I am inclined to think and I join the idea of believing that this is one of the first archaeological sites in Guatemala and that the Nephites had abandoned the city centuries ago and that is why the Spanish burned it when they were frustrated by not finding what they wanted. .

Do you want to learn more about the Book of Mormon and its relationship with Guatemalan history? Do you want to visit this and many more places mentioned in the Book of Mormon?

 So plan your adventure with us,  and let Nephite Tours organizes the trip.