Important Appeal to Native Hawaiians and Other Polynesians

Important Appeal to Native Hawaiians and Other Polynesians

By Elder Duncan M. McAllister, Translated into Hawaiian by Wm. M. JTaddoups

In May and June, 1920, the Honolulu newspapers contained a number of articles and notices concerning the relationship of Hawaiians and Maoris, that had been discovered by a comparison of genealogies made by New Zealanders, then visiting Hawaii. It has been, for many years, conjectured that there is a racial connection between the natives of the Pacific Islands, because the Maori traditions are very clear regarding their forefathers having come to New Zealand from Tahiti, and previously from Hawaii to Tahiti. But proof of their migration from Hawaii was greatly strengthened upon the arrival of this deputation of Maoris, bringing their pedigrees, transmitted through many generations by the heads of their respective families. The Maoris referred to are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, usually called "Mormons;" and they had come to Laie, Oahu, for the purpose of engaging in certain ordinances that are performed in the Latter-day Saints temple there, connected with which the ancestors' genealogies are required. Two of these gentlemen from New Zealand, whose homes are several hundred miles apart, had no opportunity to compare their pedigrees until they reached Laie. After tracing their family lines back, for over a thousand years, they discovered that the lines connected, and merged with that of a Hawaiian chief named Hema, who migrated to Tahiti and died there; his descendants went from Tahiti to New Zealand, about that time, and these investigators rejoiced over the discovery. Another member of the same Church, a native Hawaiian, who had come to Laie for the same purpose as the Maoris, also had an extensive pedigree of her ancestors. On examination of the long list of names in her possession the name Hema was found, many generations back, and several other names associated with Hema's family, including his father and brother, were precisely the same as those connecting the two Maori family lines. Further investigation revealed the fact that the same names also appear, at the same distance of time, in the pedi-

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gree of Kamehameha I, as formulated by the historian Fornander. Thus four distinct Hawaiian and Maori family lines were shown to have had direct connection and relationship at a period over one thousand years ago, then drifted apart through the intervening centuries, their pedigrees coming to light again in this remarkable manner. This, in brief, is the interesting story as it appeared in the Honolulu newspapers, leaving out many related details; and it is rehearsed herein to introduce another equally interesting narration concerning the progenitors of Hawaii, Maori and other Polynesians. It is the intent to present, for the consideration of readers who may be interested, a number of facts and theories that indicate the probability that the Polynesians are descendants of the American aborigines, and that the ancestors of the native Americans were Israelites. The Maoris have a traditional saying, "Tawhiti nui, tawhiti roa, tawhiti pamaomao," meaning "long distance, longer distance, and still longer distance," and it refers to the places from which their ancestors came. This is interpreted to mean that the voyage from New Zealand to Tahiti is a long distance, from Tahiti to Hawaii a longer distance, and from Hawaii to the place they originally came from a still longer distance. The land from which their ancestors originally came is described as having two divisions, connected by a narrow neck, with vast bodies of water on each side; and that to walk around either of those great divisions would take a man so many years that if he started as a boy he would be a very old man before he could complete the circuit. This is the Maori belief concerning the land from which their forefathers first came, and it is certainly apparent that the description fits North and South America. The late Dr. Abraham Fornander, probably the most thorough of all investigators of Hawaiian history and traditions, has several statements in his Collection of Hawaiian Folk Lore, which indicate the probability that the American continent was the original home of that race. He refers to certain Hebraic customs and traditions that are common among the American Indians and Polynesians. Everyone is familiar with the fact that there is a marked personal, or we might say family resemblance between the Hawaiians and other Polynesians and the American Aborigines. We learn from Fornander's traditional story of the origin of the Hawaiians that Opuukahonua, the first known ancestor in the line from wliich King Kamehameha descended, came from Tahiti (Kahiki). The Tahiti referred to was not the island in the south Pacific now known by that name; it was said

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to be a land "stretched far across the ocean," "to the east (hikina), the coming or rising of the sun," "where the haole (white people) dwelt," "like unto gods," "where the language is strange," and "the people ascend to the backbone of heaven," evidently high mountains, which is the character of the mountain ranges in western America. W. D. Alexander, the historian, says that Kahiki (Tahiti), from whence the chiefs of the Hawaiians came, is described in the legends as a wonderful foreign country, a land of mystery and magic, full of marvels, and inhabited by supernatural beings. That description does not, of course, apply to the island of Tahiti, but may well be regarded as a mythical description of the people and land of America. The Reverend William Ellis writes in regard to Polynesia, "These islands were peopled from a country whose inhabitants were highly civilized." He further says, "Many customs * *

• warrant the inference that the Polynesians have a Hebrew origin." He refers to many points of resemblance between them and the American Aborigines, in language, traditions, manners and customs, and says that some members of the race inhabiting western America might "proceed to the Sandwich Islands, and thence spread over Polynesia." Sir George Grey, in his Traditional History of the New Zealand Race says, "The religious system of ancient Mexico was, probably, to some extent connected with them," the New Zealanders. He also states that traditions, poems and names commonly found among the natives of New Zealand are very similar to those of the Hawaiians. All that has been stated by such celebrated writers as Kingsborough and Bancroft concerning traditions, manners, customs and religious ideas of the American Indians can be applied also to Hawaiians, and other Polynesians. Colton, another writer on American antiquities, says the American Indians assert that they have "descended from one man who had twelve sons, (Israel); that this man was a notable and renowned prince." This agrees remarkably with one of the Hawaiian traditions quoted by Fornander. Lord Kingsborough says that the inhabitants of Guatemala, where America was discovered, "believed that they were descended from the Jews, and retained a tradition of the bondage which their ancestors suffered, and their miraculous passage through the Red Sea." He quotes the historian Boturini, saying, "They were of the posterity of Shem, the son of Noah, who, at the confusion of tongues, scattered themselves over many countries, whence some of them journeyed until they arrived in America."

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Surprise is sometimes expressed by historians, and other investigators, that the Hawaiians, Maoris and other Polynesians had no knowledge of the" Christian religion before the coming of Europeans to these islands in modern times. The reasonable conclusion is that the Hawaiians, the ancestors of other Polynesians, came from the mainland to the Pacific Islands before the Christian era, consequently their religious traditions mainly embraced subjects of an Israelitish character, concerning the Creation, The Flood, the Tower of Babel, etc. Assuming that the race from whom the Hawaiians have descended were Israelites, it is a reasonable probability that some of the forefathers left Palestine in very ancient times, to escape the terrible persecution to which they were subjected by the surrounding nations. That condition was strenuous about 600 B. C. and historians of Polynesia have calculated it ;

was near that time when some of those people began going eastward from the Asiatic continent. However, the best chronologies of the Hawaiians show that these islands were first inhabited only a short time before the Christian era, therefore it is deduced that the refugees referred to went to the American continent about the time mentioned, and subsequently came to Hawaii from there. Sahagan, the historian, asserts, concerning the coming to America of the Indians of whom he was writing, "It would appear that they or their ancestors were in this affair directed by an oracle from God." Believers in the Divine Providence who guided his chosen people, Israel, in ancient times, will have no difficulty in agreeing with those American Indians, to whom Sahagan refers, that they were led to the great land of America "by an oracle from God." For a colony to cross the Indian and Pacific oceans, from Arabia, in those far distant times, would require the guiding inspiration of a man of God to enable them to build, provision and sail vessels to carry them on such an extensive voyage. This prompts us to introduce consideration of the history of the peopling of the great American Continent, as related in the Book of Mormon, the only book in existence that claims to be an authentic history of the ancient inhabitants of America. Ferdinand Montesinos, writing the ancient history of Peru, says "that nation was originated by a people led by four brothers, the youngest of these brothers assumed authority and became the first of a long line of sovereigns." This tradition, quoted by Montesinos, may be considered to accord with Book of Mormon history, wherein we learn that four brothers, Laman, Lemuel, Sam and Nephi came to America with their parents and a few others, from Palestine, fleeing from the persecution to

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which they, in common with Jews generally, were subjected during King Zedekiah's reign, in the year 600 B. C. This history gives in detail an account of the departure of that company from Jerusalem, led by Father Lehi, an Hebrew prophet, and relates their travels in the wilderness by the shores of the Red Sea; their arrival at the coast of the Indian Ocean, and their constructing a ship there, in which they embarked with an abundant supply of provisions, etc. Being guided on their voyage by the power of God, they crossed the Indian and Pacific oceans and landed in South America, where they rapidly developed into a nation, or rather it might be said two nanations. Laman and Lemuel subsequently revolted from the righteous control of their younger brother, Nephi, who, with his other brother Sam, and several families of their relatives, separated themselves from the wicked and rebellious who chose Laman and Lemuel for leaders. The history is too lengthy to be followed, even in a brief form; suffice it to say that, during the hundreds of years preceding the birth of Christ, these two branches of the Israelitish race increased to millions of people, and had many wars and contentions, the Nephites, however, usually mantaining a degree of civilization. A striking feature of this wonderful history is the explanation of the cause of the dark skin that is characteristic of American Indians, the native Hawaiian, Maoris, and other descendants of those people. It is related that God caused the dark skin to come upon the Lamanites because they became wicked and loathsome, and persecuted the righteous Nephites. The posterity of the Lamanites, together with others who became associated with them, have inherited this dark skin in evidence that their forefathers wickedly abandoned serving the God of Israel. But Jehovah has promised they will become "a white and delightsome people," when they are again worthy of his favor. Acircumstance is related in this Book of Mormon history that has great significance for Hawaiians and other Polynesians, as it demonstrates the probability that Hawaii, and possibly others of the Pacific islands, were peopled by colonists from the west coast of Central or South America. The circumstance was this, the locations in that region became overcrowded, and a clever artizan, named Hagoth, caused large ships to be built, near the narrow neck of land which we call the Isthmus of Panama, and many of the people embarked in those vessels for the purpose of settling in localities north of that section. It is stated that those ships made a number of successful voyages from there, returning again for other passengers. Mention is made of two of the ships that departed with passengers, etc.,

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but that they were never heard of again. It has been assumed that the prevailing winds and ocean currents may have carried them west to Hawaii. As the voyages of those vessels occurred, especially, in the years 55 and 54 B. C; and the best chronological tables that have yet been formulated, concerning the ancient Hawaiians, indicate the probability that the original settlement of these islands took place a short period before the Christian Era,* the coincidence is regarded as significant. Joined with the fact that there were no traditions existent among the ancient Hawaiians, nor among the other Polynesians, concerning the Redeemer and his Church, it seems we should accept the idea that they are descendants of the race of people who came from the fatherland before the advent of the Savior. Add the evidences presented by the unmistakable personal similarity of the peoples, also the sameness of their traditions, manners, customs, language, religious observances, etc., and we have a combination of convincing proofs that they are all descended from one race of ancestry: Israelites, originally inhabiting Palestine, going therefrom to America and thence to Hawaii and the other Pacific isles. The Book of Mormon, therefore, should be intensely interesting to the Hawaiian people, and their brethren and sisters in the other islands of the Pacific, as it professes to be an authentic history of their American ancestors, from 600 B. C. to 400 A. D. ; giving in wonderful detail the names and biographies of rulers, prophets and warriors; relating marvelous manifestations of God's providences in their behalf, in like manner as he sought to bless his chosen people in the land of Palestine, sending prophets in their midst to teach his laws and guide them in righteous ways. But, alas, like their predecessors on the Eastern continent, they often forsook God's loving control and became barbarous and wicked, so that war and contention was prevalent, and the just anger of the heavenly Father was manifested. All these things are vividly portrayed in the Book of Mormon; toward the close depicting a terrible cataclysm which befell the western land and its inhabitants, at the time the Savior was crucified on Calvary's Hill. The American continent was then convulsed by the most terrific storms and earthquakes that have ever visited the earth, upheaving and changing the entire face of the land. All this is graphically and most thrillingly

*Dr. S. Percy Smith, in his book entitled, Hawaiki, states: "About the year B. C. 65, we come to the first actual traces of any migration," (to the Polynesian Islands). He has inserted that date for migration in the Rarotongan chronological table, at the end of his book.

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narrated; together with a statement concerning three days of intense darkness that succeeded the frightful convulsion of nature. Subsequently, when some of the survivors, the more righteous that remained of the millions who had perished, gathered near the ruins of one of their temples, they were visited by the resurrected Redeemer, who informed them that they were the "other sheep" of his flock, whom he had told the disciples in Jerusalem that he intended to visit. The Messiah ministered unto this remnant of the once mighty aggregation of people who dwelt in America, and appointed twelve apostles to teach them his gospel and establish his Church in their midst. The next two centuries were the most glorious ever experienced in the history of America's inhabitants; but soon thereafter they began to dwindle in unbelief, and about 400 A. D. the most sanguinary of all wars resulted in the almost complete annihilation of this Israelitish branch of the human race: their degenerate descendants were found by America's discoverers a few hundred years ago. All of this marvelous history should be studiously read by the natives of these Pacific Islands, as the facts disclosed therein are of vital importance to them. They may learn therefrom from whence they have originated and, as already stated, that they are Israelites, of the same race as Mary the mortal mother of Jesus the Christ, the only begotten Son, in the flesh, of God the Eternal Father, therefore their lineage is almost divine in character, the noblest, the greatest of all peoples on the face of the earth, in that respect. In view of this glorious and sacredly important disclosure, you who are of this noble lineage consequently should be the most righteous people on the face of the earth, examplars of all that is good and great, the true nobility of the world, worthy relatives of the most sanctified Being who has ever trodden this mundane sphere, the Redeemer and Savior»of all mankind. You should be the most active members of his Church, the same Church as he caused to be established in the Land of Palestine when he came to his and your kindred, in time's meridian. After his cruel crucifixion, by those who should have been his loving friends, he visited your brethren and sisters on the American Continent, as already stated, ministered unto them, and there repeated the wondrous proclamation of his saving gospel to that branch of the house of Israel, of whom you are direct descendants. Your forefathers left the great land of America about one hundred years before Jesus the Christ came to his "other sheep" there; consequently, your progenitors who came to Hawaii from that mainland previous to that glorious advent, had no knowl-

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edge of the gospel he proclaimed, nor of the Church he organized there. What you have heretofore learned about the Messiah, his earth life and teachings, has been conveyed to you only in recent years, by Christian ministers who brought to these islands the holy scriptures which contain much of his history, and a brief account of the doctrines taught by him. We now proclaim unto you, in solemn words of truth, that Jesus Christ, the Son of God the Eternal Father, has again visited the earth, and restored the everlasting gospel for the salvation of the souls of all who will believe and obey it. This restoration was made necessary because of the confusion that has prevailed among professed Christians, during many centuries in the past, some interpreting the doctrines of the Church in one way and some in another, until creeds have multiplied into hundreds, each exponent declaring that only he possessed the true knowledge of Christ's gospel plan of life and salvation, and had authority to administer the saving ordinances of his Church. This lamentable condition was brought to pass because the members of the Church in olden times, after the death of the apostles, began to dwindle in unbelief and indulge in the sinful ways of the world, until eventually the dreadful condition foretold by ancient prophets, the "falling away" that the Savior himself predicted, took place; the time when men departed from the faith, "changed the ordinances, and broke the everlasting covenant." Startling as these statements may appear, they are solemn truths. But, "the mercy of God endureth forever;" again he is calling upon his erring children, through authorized servants, to believe in God the Eternal Father, and in his Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost; and to be baptized for the remission of sins, by one having authority, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit which leads all who follow its promptings, in the path to salvation and eternal life. The Bible and the Book of Mormon make known this gospel of the Redeemer, and the elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are God's servants, duly authorized to proclaim that gospel and administer the ordinances thereof. Any of these elders will gladly give evidences of the truth of these things to those who desire to learn of them. It is the "marvelous work and a wonder" that the prophet Isaiah said the Lord would establish in the last days it is God's ;

last message to the children of men that is being declared, preparatory to the second coming of the Messiah in power and glory, the climax of the world's pre-millennial history that is nigh at hand, as all may learn by the signs of the times. There are now "wars and rumors of wars," great calamities, a general

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condition of unrest and contention, and "men's hearts are failing them for fear." Are you Polynesians, descendants of the favored House of Israel, prepared to assume your part in the great work that God desires his chosen people to perform, in connection with the consummation of his Almighty purposes? the banishment of wickedness and strife, and the establishment of his kingdom of peace, "never more to be thrown down, nor given to another people?" The message of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to you is, that the Book of Mormon is truly a sacred historical record; and that communication with the heavens has been opened again. The Father and the Son have appeared and spoken to man; angelic messengers have come from the courts of glory; the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Priesthood of God have been restored, and, in the name of the Lord, you and all mankind are invited to accept this message, and obey the principles of the gospel that lead to salvation and everlasting life. For further information on these supremely important subjects, all are invited to attend the religious services of the Church, hear the gospel truths proclaimed by the humble elders, read the literature freely given, ask relevant and proper questions, or address communications to the headquarters of the Latter-day Saint Hawaiian mission, 1704 Luso St., Honolulu, T. H., P. O. Box 410.

A Missionary's Prayer I think of you, my Father dear, who dwells amidst the sky, And am so anxious Lord, that you shall hear my humble cry. My sins they have been many, and offensive in thy sight, But I shall live to honor thee, with all my mind and might. The gospel that has been revealed, in these the latter days, Has caused so many honest souls to sing to thee their praise, I pray you, holy Father dear, you who on high doth live, That you in mercy will look down and me my sins forgive. In mercy, righteous Father, hear thy servants humble cry, Lead me to some honest soul, the gospel to enjoy, I would that all mankind should know the beauty of thy grace, And live that they shall worthy be, some day, to see thy face. My time and means are at thy call, some honest soul to bless, To labor with and free them from their error and distress, Oh, hear me, gracious Father dear, to me thy Spirit give, And help me to induce some soul on thee to look and live. Ithink of thee, O righteous One, and humbly bow the knee, To thank thee for thy mercies and thy goodness unto me, I am so very thankful that the gospel I did hear. "Come unto me," the Savior said: "I come, my Savior dear." r W est Jordan Utah E. Ray