“Moroni Did Prepare Strongholds Against the Coming of Their Enemies, Round About Every City in All the Land”

Brant Gardner

Mormon does not include enough details to let us visualize these towers. In other cases, Book of Mormon “towers” fit the description and function of the Mesoamerican stepped pyramid, but that seems improbable here. A pyramid shape would set the top back significantly from the wall, a disadvantage in fending off attacking soldiers or sappers at the foot of the wall. The material was probably wood, which would also explain why remnants have failed to survive. The probable arrangement of a palisade on top of the earthen mound is based on evidence of remaining postholes, not of timbers. Archaeological literature currently reports no evidence of towers.

Second Witness: Analytical & Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 4

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