Kim Hofhiens

Jax’s Pipe

In the book Arrowheads, Jax finds a Mound Builder platform pipe in his backyard. Jax’s pipe is an effigy pipe in the shape of a bird. It is unknown how these pipes were used, for ceremonies, personal use, or prayers. In Arrowheads Adsilha, the Mound Builder girl, uses the pipe for worship.

Voyage!

The Heartland Model for the Book of Mormon, places Lehi’s landing near the Florida panhandle. In this new model, North America is the site where all Book of Mormon events took place. Relying heavily on the research of non-Mormon scholars, the Heartland Model recently got a boost from Philip Beale, a retired Royal Navy officer.Continue reading “Voyage!”

Book of Mormon Geography

After crossing Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois as part of Zion’s Camp in 1834, Joseph wrote a letter to his wife Emma. He described “wandering over the plains of the Nephites, recounting occasionally the history of the Book of Mormon, roving over the mounds of that once beloved people of the Lord, picking up their skullsContinue reading “Book of Mormon Geography”

Three Fall Festivals

The Book of Mormon people lived the Law of Moses and celebrated the festivals. Described in Leviticus 23, the fall feasts are the Feast of Trumpets (now called Rosh Hashanah), the Day of Atonement (known as Yom Kippur) and the Feast of Tabernacles. Coinciding with the agricultural harvest, these feasts are symbolic of the spiritualContinue reading “Three Fall Festivals”

Festivals of Spring

Paul taught that “the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ…” and truly the festivals of the Mosiac law are rich in symbolism of Jesus Christ, and His infinite atonement. I will discuss four of the spring festivals here. Three spring festivals are held in Abib (now called Nisan), the first month ofContinue reading “Festivals of Spring”

“Prepare a way…”

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandethContinue reading ““Prepare a way…””

Law of Moses in the Book of Mormon

And we did observe to keep the judgements, the statutes, and the commandments of the Lord in all things, according to the law of Moses. (2 Ne. 5:10) Nephi and his brothers returned to Jerusalem to get the brass plates which contained the law of Moses. It is clear in the Book of Mormon thatContinue reading “Law of Moses in the Book of Mormon”

Focus

The people of Zion were of “…one heart and one mind…”.(Moses 7:18). According to scripture, Zion was able to solve the problem of poverty and, we believe, many of society’s other ailments. A prophet of our day, Howard W. Hunter, comforted us by saying: If our lives and our faith are centered on Jesus ChristContinue reading “Focus”

Zion

And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them. (Moses 7:18) In our society it is difficult to walk downtown and not see the homeless in their make-shift shelters. In our day, with the numerous social programs,Continue reading “Zion”

Unity

Most of us have been on a team where members are united by a common goal. It feels magical when a ‘play’, practiced for weeks, finally comes together at game time. There is real joy in working together. We live in a time where diversity is more important than unity. Where special interest groups seekContinue reading “Unity”