In the 1890s, James Scotford discovered a series of ancient artifacts in Michigan’s Montcalm County that could cause a reevaluation of the way human history was understood…if they were authentic. Join Aaron and Samantha as they share the saga of the Michigan relics. From the Hopewell Indians to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, this episode brings together archaeology, fraud, museums, and a touch of Indiana Jones (minus the Nazis).
Time Stamps
Big Themes- 3:04
The Initial Discovery- 12:50
Early Debate- 13:40
Daniel Soper- 19:03
Tools and Tempered Copper- 23:14
Midway Break- 26:29
Confirming the Book of Mormon- 32:46
James Tallmadge- 36:33
Finding the Answers- 41:02
Why Should We Care?- 48:16
Daniel Soper (right) and Alpheus Scoby (left) Image courtesy of the Michigan History Center 
“Relic” box Image courtesy of the Michigan History Center 
James Talmage ca. 1895 Image Courtesy of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections of Brigham Young University 
“Relic” tablet Image courtesy of Michigan History Center
Further Reading
Samantha and Aaron relied heavily on this article from Brigham Young University.
The article from Brigham Young University about the tools used to make the relics can be found here.
Learn more about Hopewell Culture here.
You can find images of the Norton Mounds in Grand Rapids here.
Great Lakes Lore 