Bone Fort outside of Batavia, NY

MoundLore on X posted about Bone Fort. It is located about 6 miles NW of Batavia, NY, or about 52 miles west of the Hill Cumorah.

Nephites retreating from Bountiful (Ohio) would have passed through here on their way to Cumorah.

(click to enlarge)

The entire thread is worth reading.

https://x.com/MoundLore/status/1915056491746463832

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MoundLore

@MoundLore

In western New York, farmers uncovered a haunting mound. Six feet tall. Thirty feet wide. Made almost entirely of human bones. Locals called it The Bone Fort. But what it really was—and who it belonged to—remains a mystery. Let’s talk about it

4:53 PM · Apr 23, 2025

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MoundLore

@MoundLore

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Apr 23

Nearby stood an ancient enclosure—earthwork fort built long before colonists arrived. The Seneca called this area Tegataineáaghgue—“the double-fortified town.” It was once a vibrant settlement, carefully planned and likely sacred. The Bone Fort stood just beyond it.

MoundLore

@MoundLore

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Apr 23

Some believe it was a ceremonial burial site. A sacred mound where a community gathered and honored its dead. Others think it was a single mass grave. The result of violence or disease that wiped out a generation. No one knows for sure.

MoundLore

@MoundLore

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Apr 23

Reverend Samuel Kirkland, a missionary to the Seneca in the late 18th century, documented visiting the site. He noted the presence of large oaks growing atop the mound, indicating its considerable age even then. Over time, farming and development have erased most physical traces. In the 1800s, many of the bones were collected and sent to museums. Some were simply discarded. The rest were plowed under and lost to time.

Cumorah in 1823

The new Visitors Center at the Hill Cumorah has a lot of nice features.

I have a suggestion for improvement overall. 

How about re-reading what Oliver Cowdery wrote about Cumorah when he was the Assistant President of the Church?

His words, which were endorsed multiple times by Joseph Smith, should be prominently displayed in the Visitors Center and should be included in all websites and curriculum about Cumorah.

That should be obvious.

But the Church History Department has an inexplicable aversion to Oliver Cowdery. 

Not only do they ignore what he (and Joseph) taught about the translation of the Book of Mormon, and not only do they ignore what Oliver wrote about the fact that the "hill in New York" is the Cumorah/Ramah of the Book of Mormon, but they even ignore his description of the hill itself.

It is amazing.

The Church History Department claims they have reforested the Hill Cumorah to make it look like it did in Joseph Smith's day. 

"We want as many visitors as possible to experience the hill as Joseph did."

https://www.thechurchnews.com/history/2022/10/13/23401157/hill-cumorah-rehabilitation-project-joseph-smith-angel-moroni/

But instead of returning the hill to its condition in Joseph's day, they've decided to "reforest" it.

All they had to do was re-read what Oliver Cowdery wrote. After all, unlike modern historians, Oliver actually visited the hill with Joseph Smith.

He explained what the hill looked like in 1823-1830, and it was not forested. 

Oliver Cowdery described Cumorah quite clearly.

The hill of which I have been speaking, at the time mentioned, presented a varied appearance: the north end rose suddenly from the plain, forming a promontory without timber, but covered with grass. 

As you passed to the south you soon came to scattering timber, the surface having been cleared by art or by wind; and a short distance further left, you are surrounded with the common forest of the country. 1

It is necessary to observe, that even the part cleared was only occupied for pasturage, its steep ascent and narrow summit not admitting the plow of the husbandman, with any degree of ease or profit. 

It was at the second mentioned place where the record was found to be deposited, on the west side of the hill, not far from the top down its side; and when myself visited the place in the year 1830, there were several trees standing: enough to cause a shade in summer, but not so much as to prevent the surface being covered with grass—which was also the case when the record was first found.

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/history-1834-1836/93

Cumorah in the 1800s, as Oliver described it

Oliver's description corroborates what Lucy Mack Smith related. She said when Moroni first visited Joseph, he instructed Joseph that "the record is on a side hill on the Hill of Cumorah 3 miles from this place remove the Grass and moss and you will find a large flat stone pry that up and you will find the record under it laying on 4 pillars ​of cement​"

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/lucy-mack-smith-history-1844-1845/41

Instead, today the hill Cumorah is being "reforested."

Unbelievable.

Cumorah today

Lynn Ridenhour, RIP

My friend Lynn Ridenhour passed away on September 30, 2025.

When we had a house in Palmyra, Lynn came out for a visit. I took him to the Grandin Print shop and when I explained that this was where the Book of Mormon was first printed, he was do deeply touched that he began to weep. He felt this was sacred ground.

He loved the Book of Mormon.

On another occasion, my wife and I visited him at his home. We attended a service where he preached. We had many warm and productive interactions.

Our deepest condolences to his family.

https://www.sassmannschapel.com/obituaries/lynn-ridenhour

Lynn Edwin Ridenhour

June 18, 1943 — September 30, 2025

Lynn Edwin Ridenhour, age 82, of Eldon and formerly of Belle, passed away Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at his home with his family by his side.

Lynn was born June 18, 1943, in Linn, a son to the late Harry Edwin and Gertha Lorene (Owens) Ridenhour.

He was a 1962 graduate of Belle High School, attended East Central JR College in Union, and received his bachelor’s degree from Webster University. Lynn went on to receive his master’s degree from the University of Iowa and his PHD from the Columbia Pacific University. In high school he played a guard on the basketball team and helped take the team to state as well as receiving a scholarship to Memphis State. Lynn was also excellent at playing the trumpet and trombone and received several awards for his performances. He loved to entertain and was even a star in several high school plays.

On December 27, 1969 he was united in marriage to Linda Sue Smith at the First Baptist Church in Belle. Linda survives of their home in Eldon. The First Baptist Church was not only where he married the love of his life but also where God spoke to him and where he gave his life to the Lord. Lynn served as a Baptist minister for over 55 years spreading the word of God. It cannot be stressed enough that Lynn really loved the Lord and heard his voice.

Lynn worked at his uncle and fathers business, HE & HC Clay Mining when he was young. He liked playing golf, helping out others in need, and putting others first. Lynn liked to see other people happy and enjoyed making them laugh. He was an author and had written over 100 books. Lynn loved Christmas and the Lord Jesus Christ and most of all he loved his two girls, Linda and Little Lori. He will be missed tremendously by his family, friends, and anyone who knew and loved him.

In addition to his wife, Linda, Lynn is survived by: one daughter, Lori Rice and her husband Jeff of Rocky Mount; three sisters, Joan Abel of Belle, Sherry Campbell of Owensville, and Cynthia Rutz and her husband Norris of Ashland; and his fur babies, Barkley, Majerle, and Miller as well as many extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers-in-law Bill “Pedro” Campbell and Glennon Abel.

Visitation for Lynn will be on Friday, October 3, 2025 at the First Baptist Church in Belle from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. with interment in the Pilot Knob Church Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to Manna Ministries.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lynn Edwin Ridenhour, please visit our flower store.