Brigham Young, the Mormon prophet was anxious to prove there were
horses in America during Book of Mormon times. A scientist discovered
the bones of the horses' ancestor and Brigham Young invited him to his
home to celebrate. Do you have any information on this or even if this
is a true story?

Hello.

According to an article that appeared in The Ensign, an official
publication of the Church of Latter Day Saints (Mormons), it's
basically a true story.

The Ensign article cites an New York Tribune report of November 17,
1873, which details the meeting between Brigham Young and the
scientist, Professor O.C. Marsh of Yale University.  Professor Marsh
was a paleontologist who reportedly specialized in horse fossils.

From the Ensign (1987):
 
'...A story published by the New York Tribune on 17 November 1873
relates a meeting in Salt Lake City between President Brigham Young
and Professor O. C. Marsh of Yale  University. Professor Marsh was one
of the leading palaeontologists of his time in America. His specialty,
fossil horses, was the subject of the two men's conversation.
  Brigham Young sought information concerning the occurrence of horse
fossils, especially in America. His purpose was to answer critics who
challenged the mention of horses on this continent in the Book of
Mormon. Everybody knew, said the critics, that there were no horses in
America until the Spaniards introduced them. Professor Marsh's
research of horse fossils, however, clearly established the presence
of modern horses in America long before the appearance of Spanish
people in America.
   The Tribune article concludes with the following: "So, while most
theologians are regarding the developments of the natural sciences
with fear and trembling, the chiefs of the Mormon religion are
prepared to hail the discoveries of palaeontology as an aid in
establishing their peculiar beliefs."'
source:
A.1.13.       The fossil record / I Have a Question
Morris S. Petersen, Professor of Geology, BYU; President, Provo  Utah
East Stake
The Ensign 17 (9): 28-29 (September 1987).
On the web sites of hplx.net:
http://eyring.hplx.net/Eyring/faq/evolution/Ihaq1987.html
And members.shaw.ca
http://www.members.shaw.ca/mschindler/A/eyring_1_13.htm


Here's a brief biography of Professor Marsh hosted by Yale University:
http://www.peabody.yale.edu/people/whoswho/MarshOC.html

search strategy:
"horses in america", "brigham young", "book of mormon"

I hope this helps.

---

Clarification of Answer by juggler-ga on 16 Oct 2003 17:26 PDT

The official name of the church is "Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints." Apologies for my misstatement.

You were able to find what I have been looking for for a long time. Thanks.

Thank you for the tip.
-juggler

The answer is technically correct but it's not what Young meant.
Horses arose and evolved in the New World, but died out long before
any humans came to the New World 15,000 years ago. Natives in North
and South American never saw a horse before the Spaniards arrived. So,
yes, there were horses in the New World before Columbus, but millions
of years ago.