Clay County – Zelph’s Thigh Bone
Zelph’s Thigh Bone in Wilford Woodruff’s Wagon by Ken Corbett
Zelph was a white American native, for the curse was partially taken from him. He was very tall, many say over 7-9 feet in length, as they saw his complete skeleton. It was reported that: a large spear head was found between his ribs that killed him.
There were over 7 witnesses that saw Zelph including, Wilford Woodruff, Georg A. Smith, Moses Martin, Reuben McBride, Heber C. Kimball, Levi Hancock, Brigham Young, and more during Zions camp on June 2, 1834 on the west side of the Illinois River at the top of a mound over 60 feet high.
Wilford Wood Carried the Thigh Bone of Zelph
“I brought the thigh bone to Missouri. I desired to bury it in the Temple Block in Jackson County; but not having this privilege” History of the Life and Labors of Wilford Woodruff.
“Elder [Wilford] Woodruff carried the thigh bone to Clay county” Joseph Smith Papers History, 1838–1856, volume A-1 [23 December 1805–30 August 1834] page 483
Zelph who isn’t even mentioned in the Book of Mormon.
In today’s archaeological record a Hopewell culture mound site is located in Pike County, Illinois three miles east of the city of Griggsville. The mound today is known as Naples-Russell Mound #8, or Zelph Mound. Dated 62 AD to 128 AD. Thomas E. Emerson, PhD. Principal Investigator, Survey Director, and State of Illinois Archaeologist. GPS 39.693399, -90.648772
Human bones were seen upon the ground. Brother Joseph requested us to dig into the mound ; we did so ; and in about one foot we came to the skeleton of a man, almost entire, with an arrow sticking in his backbone. Elder Milton Holmes picked it out, and brought it into the Camp, with one of the leg bones, which had been broken. I brought the thigh bone to Missouri. I desired to bury it in the Temple Block in Jackson County; but not having this privilege,
I buried it in Clay County, Missouri, near the house owned by Col. Arthur and occupied by Lyman Wight.” The arrowhead referred to is now in the possession of President Joseph F. Smith, Salt Lake City, Utah. History of the Life and Labors of Wilford Woodruff. AS RECORDED IN HIS DAILY JOURNALS PREPARED FOR PUBLICATION BY MATTHIAS COWLEY THE DESERET NEWS Salt Lake City, Utah 1909 page 41
Zelph had his thigh bone broken by a stone thrown from a sling, but was killed by the arrow found sticking in his backbone. There was a great slaughter at that time. The bodies were heaped upon the earth, and buried in the mound, which is nearly three hundred feet in height.” History of the Life and Labors of Wilford Woodruff. AS RECORDED IN HIS DAILY JOURNALS PREPARED FOR PUBLICATION MATTHIAS COWLEY THE DESERET NEWS Salt Lake City, Utah 1909 page 41
According to Wilford Woodruff, “I brought the thigh bone to Missouri. I desired to bury it in the Temple Block in Jackson County; but not having this privilege, I buried it in Clay County, Missouri, near the house owned by Col. Arthur and occupied by Lyman Wight. The arrowhead referred to is now in the possession of President Joseph F. Smith, Salt Lake City, Utah.” Wilford Woodruff Journal Page 41. According to Wayne May, “Zelph’s thighbone is on private property near the 3 witnesses marker here” >
1. -https://bookofmormonevidence.org/zelphs-thighbone-validates-geography