Utahns Curious: Ojibwe Chief Says Book of Mormon is Fact

Video on Internet Has Drawn Attention of Some in Utah 

Recently a video was uploaded to YouTube featuring Chief Midegah Ogichidaa. From his his website it says:  

Chief Midegah is a Headman in the Adik Doodem, Caribou Clan, by Appointment of Matrilineal Clan Mother Patricia Brunelle-Barker-Lafountain. Additionally, Midegah carries a Council Fire Stone from the Niswi-Mishkodewinan or Three Fires Peoples obtained at the Garden River Ojibway Nation. 

In the video he tells his story of how he has family from two different cultures. His familiy is the “standing deer family” that are one of the six original clans of the Ojibwe people. He says he was appointed a Headman in a ceremony and his grandfathers were chiefs going back for many generations. 

Ties to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 

He is also a descendant of Aesal Smith who was the uncle of Joseph Smith. He also has John Taylor as one of his distant grandfathers. He says he had a life event that led him to focus on his Ojibwe heritage although he is still a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 

He says after his appointment he was able to hold and study scrolls that date to 800 AD. He says the stories handed down is the same as the Book of Mormon. 

In becoming a chief, Midegas said he went through the Lodge, which is a ceremony the Ojibwe consider sacred and he found it was the same as the LDS temple rites. He describes how it includes four rooms and many symbolic similarities.  

Read More: Scientific Podcast on Ancient Temple Rites Has Utah Listening

In the video he talks about meeting with Jewish elders and found they are of the same people. He says the Jewish council has acknowledged their heritage and he talks about it being time for the story to be told. He indicates he would like the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints do the same.