This amazing artifact sits at the base of a butte in the desert of western New Mexico. It's the face of a portion of a large stone that has a clear inscription on it. Nobody sees it. Virtually nobody knows it's there! And you can't get to it, at least not without a permit to enter Navajo land! Even then, you'd have to know exactly where it is. There are no signs.
So, what is it? It's the Ten Commandments carved on the stone face! -- In ancient Hebrew!
It wasn't carved by the Mormons, either; they didn't use ancient Hebrew. So then, how did it get here, and who carved it? Let's put the logical pieces of the puzzle together...
First, historians know that the ancient Phoenicians were master mariners. Artifacts from these people have been found all down the east coast of the Americas. Second, we also know from the Bible that the early kings of Israel had good relationships with these people. Furthermore, Solomon sent his men on numerous voyages with them to find treasures (I Kings 9:26-28; I Kings 10:22). We also know that Moses had commanded the Israelites to write the 10
Commandments on their doorposts, so they would remember them (Deut. 6:9). Lastly, there are apparently ruins of some sort of ancient settlement on the top of the butte.
It is entirely possible, therefore, that Solomon's men sailed with Hiram's men (the king of Tyre - the Phoenicians) to what is now the Americas. It is entirely possible that they went ashore in the Gulf, perhaps following stories or rumors of treasures in the area. It is entirely possible that they used the butte as a settlement for protection when they returned from their excursions. It is also entirely possible that these 10 commandments were carved by the
Hebrews on the stone next to the trail leading to the summit in obedience to Moses' command!
Think of it! Ancient Hebrews in what it now western New Mexico?! Amazing! I was privileged to see it myself while we were filming the Grand Canyon DVD. Pictured here is a friend who lived in the area who took my brother, John, and me to the site. It makes the Bible come alive a bit more!
