Zelph Mound

The Discovery of Zelph Mound
Zelph Mound is a significant site for archaeologists and Mormons alike (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).  It is, near Valley City, Illinois, on the west bank of the Illinois River in Pike County. The mound was discovered in 1834 by a large group of' travelling Mormons called the Camp of Israel or Zion's Camp, who were travelling from Ohio to Missouri.  The men of Zion's Camp discovered a large burial mound on the west bank of the Illinois River and unearthed a skeleton a foot below the ground.  In the ribs of the well-preserved skeleton, was an arrowhead. 

Joseph Smith, the Prophet, who led the expedition of 150 men, was asked who the man was and what had taken place.  Joseph Smith prayed and received a revelation in which he identified the man as Zelph, a chieftain, warrior, white Lamanite and a man of God.

He said Zelph was killed in one of the final battles between the Nephites and Lamanites during the fourth century A.D.  The Book of Mormon describes those final battles in which the more- advanced nation, the Nephites, was destroyed. 

Zelph had been fighting with the Nephites for freedom under the rule of the great Prophet and king, Onandagus, who ruled over a large area from the Atlantic Ocean to the Rocky Mountains, called The Land of Desolation, mentioned in the Book of Mormon.  The words of Joseph Smith's revelation about Zelph, recorded by six reputable men of Zion's Camp, are contained in the Book, "Discovering the Secrets of Zelph Mound: The Holy Pendant", which can be purchased at this website. 

In1990 an archaeological excavation of Zelph Mound took place.  It was done by the University of Illinois, and verified the words of the Prophet, Joseph Smith about Zelph, the age of the mound and about the area ruled by the prophet, Onandagus.

Zelph Mound is also called the Naples Russell Mound #8 by archaeologists.    For further information also go to "Naples Mound #8", online, at Wikipedia.  You can also purchase a pendant or a pin which has symbolic art taken from a two-thousand year-old artifact which testifies of Jesus Christ's 1834 visit to Ancient America.