Wayne may true book of mormon geography lands western. These covenant lands are in the borders of the prophetic. She answers a lot of the questions that most people would ask. In 1988 richard houck published his book entitled deciphering geography of the ook of mormon. The book of mormon and place names from the area around joseph smiths home summary. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in.
For example, which of the many proposed mesoamerican theories are being referenced. The other alternative is to place the hill cumorah down in mexico, which contradicts the statements of many prophets and apostles. The new essay begins with this declarative statement. In the other corner is the challenger, a new theory that places book of mormon events in a north american heartland setting. It was named after teancum, who fought and died in the land desolation while helping the nephite military commander, moroni, contain the lamanites who were trying to gain access to the land northward. I therefore propose that we begin our discussion with a consensus that the book of mormon events of the promised land occurred on the. In addition, archaeological excavations in bible lands have been under way for decades longer and on a much larger scale than those in proposed book of mormon lands. This situation would make it impossible for the book of mormon people to function as described in the book of mormon. According to joseph smith and subsequent presidents and apostles of the lds church, the geographical extent of book of mormon lands included virtually all of north and south america. I still think there is a serious problem of imprinting a particular geographyeven an abstract onebut if the people involved accept the scripture on faith alone, they may never care about the realworld geography, so a mental abstract map is no problem. The essay also explains how the prophet joseph smith himself accepted what he felt was evidence of book of mormon civilizations in both north.
I recently returned from 11 days in guatemala where i collaborated with bright people such as mark wright, diane wirth, dave gray, rick callister, van dunham, neal rappleye, stephen smoot, and rolando amado. A summary of several theories of book of mormon lands in mesoamerica by. It postulates that the events in the book took place over north and south. Garth normans map book of mormon archaeological forum. This north american setting has gained support from some notable members of the lds community, including lds filmmaker keith merrill. The river sidon is never mentioned in lands north of zarahemla. Saints members proposed a limited mesoamerican geography for the book of mormon. Such maps can be a useful introduction for those who are new to the book of mormon. Joseph lovell allen and blake joseph allen, exploring the lands of the book of mormon, 2nd ed. Traveling from the land of desolation in the north, to the land southward, we. The parallelism has been previously noted in such sources as v. The lost lands of the book of mormon phyllis carol olive on. Joseph lovell allen true book of mormon geography lands western new york model.
Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. See my answers to questions about the book of mormon here. However, the church has no position on the location lands of the book of mormon, so quoting historic church leaders proves nothing. Exploring the lands of the book of mormon byu studies. Despite the limited space on the plates, mormonas a historian and military leader. Sep 28, 2019 the following table provides a comprehensive listing of the 36 prophecies and promises included within the text of the book of mormon as pertaining to its promised land. North american book of mormon geography the interpreter. Book of mormon lands proposed map of the book of mormon. The various proposed locations of the battles in the land northward seem contrived and very little to do with geographical characteristic of the land. The land of zarahemla is at a lower elevation relative to the land of nephi. Book of mormon tours and research institute, 2008, 422. Proposed book of mormon geographical setting wikipedia.
There is no universal consensus among mormon scholars regarding the placement. Autoplay when autoplay is enabled, a suggested video will automatically play next. Wayne may presents the supporting evidence for the heartland model, that the book of mormon nephites and jaredites lived in north america. Tom perry has pointed out, the united states of americaa covenant and promised land of god. The river sidon is the only river mentioned by name, and is the most prominent river in the book of mormon. A summary of several theories of book of mormon lands in mesoamerica the contents of all bmaf publications are the sole responsibility of the individual authors and therefore do not necessarily represent the views of bmaf or the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. A heartland book of mormon exploration the millennial star. It is wisdom that this land should be kept as yet from the knowledge of. Geographical, and other evidences in support of the book of mormon landscape, as found in north america. May 10, 2016 the scale of the heartland geography is several times larger than the proposed book of mormon lands in mesoamerica. The view of book of mormon geography taught by joseph smith and subsequent presidents and apostles of the mormon church includes three major, closely related points. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints released a statement today concerning the geography of the book of mormon in the form of a new gospel topics essay titled book of mormon geography.
Joseph lovell allen true book of mormon geography lands. The book of mormon is the position of the church and is said to be the. Purpose of the book of mormon tour helps these single page descriptions of a specific book of mormon site are designed to provide pertinent information to the traveler about the site. Dec 17, 2007 while holleys map is interesting, it is far from being an accurate reflection of the book of mormon lands. Careful analysis of early writings on book of mormon geography reveals. These covenant lands are in the borders of the prophetic united states of america. Wayne may places the narrow pass and land northward in canada which is ruled under a monarchy, but the book. Jun 27, 2016 practically since the book of mormon was published, its geography has been the subject of discussion and debate. Of the 15 place names proposed to have been taken straight from the new england map, 5 of them are in the wrong place according to the book of mormon. All in all, i found pros, cons of book of mormon geography theories.
The land of zarahemla is north of the land of nephi. In the book of mormon the river sidon was deep and swift enough to carry away semibuoyant human carcasses. It incorporates much of what i have learned since this journey began in august, 2011. Degroote uses a large northflowing river as an example of. Identifying the sidon is crucial to locating the land of zarahemla. They consisted of two land masses connected by an isthmus a narrow neck of land flanked by an east sea and a west sea alma 22. Traveling from the land of desolation in the north, to the land southward, we encounter the principal book of mormon lands of bountiful, zarahemla, and nephi. A limited geography model for the book of mormon is one of several theories by latter day. Book of mormon geography, the near cumorah setting there have been numerous attempts to locate the long, lost lands of the book of mormon over the years. There is no universal consensus among mormon scholars regarding the placement of these locations in the known world, other than somewhere in the americas. Jul 27, 2016 the book of mormon is consistent with recorded old testament history according to christs recorded words to the nephites in the book of mormon, there are only two covenant lands of promise for the house of israel.
Book of mormon geography, the near cumorah setting book. Church releases statement on book of mormon geography book. Book of mormonplagiarism accusationsplace names from north. Amidst the hundreds of passages of potential geographic significance, alma 22. Following are two of the most well known theories for book of mormon geography. Garth norman, book of mormon mesoamerican geography.
Carr, president of book of mormon archaeological forum, were sending you a copy of his last article. The united states is the promised land book of mormon evidence. The scriptural basis for book of mormon geography book of. May 19, 2019 however, limhis rescue expedition requires that all book of mormon lands are located in north america, within a reasonable distance of the hill cumorah in new york. Olive has done a lot of research into the ancient geography of the area of western new york and to me it makes a lot of sense that the lands of the book of morman are located in upper new york. An additional criticism of the historical authenticity of the book of mormon concerns linguistics. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in transition. The geographical setting of the book of mormon has been the subject of. The book of mormon repeats over and over again, that the wars or battles between the nephites and lamanites occurred in parts of the year, and after fighting, the lamanites retreated back into their.
This significant volume, a large book of 437 pages with 147 maps, is a pleasure to read. A summary of several theories of book of mormon lands in. The location of lands, oceans, rivers, mountain ranges, and boundaries in relationship to distances and relative positions in the book of mormon must match. As each new theory surfaces, we gain fresh hope of acquiring additional insights into it ancient location, but are all too often disappointed.
After several months of intense careful study of the text i have put together the following proposed map, showing the relative positions of book of mormon lands, cities, rivers, etc. I still think there is a serious problem of imprinting a particular geographyeven an abstract onebut if the people. Hill cumorah wayne may shows the writings of joseph smith jr. Mar 01, 20 the book of mormon prophets included 36 specific prophecies and promises relating to this nation that would be established on their lands in the latter days. Book of mormon lands were longer from north to south than from east to. There are times when there is not the opportunity to get a clear understanding of what the traveler saw and these bulletins will help with that understanding. Lehis landing some 3,000 miles north of the proposed site in chile. The hill cumorah in ontario county ny is the hill where joseph smith found the golden plates and is the same hill where the civilizations of the nephites cumorah and the jaredites ramah fought their last battles. Much of the heartland of the united states may then correspond to the book of mormon south county or south countries. The church takes no position on the specific geographic location of book of mormon events in the ancient americas.
The book of mormon repeats over and over again, that the wars or battles between the nephites and lamanites occurred in parts of the year, and after fighting, the lamanites retreated back into their lands to the southtypically a description of fighting in summer and holing up in winter. Although the book of mormon is primarily a religious record of the nephites, lamanites, and jaredites, enough geographic details are. It is claimed that joseph smith is clearly the author of the book of mormon because many book of mormon place names supposedly have clear evidence of borrowing from geographic locations in the united states and canada. Wayne may true book of mormon geography lands western new. An interesting correlation with mesoamerican geography see map below. The fight over book of mormon geography deseret news. Any study of the book of mormon geography must strictly adhere to criteria that do not alter the book of mormon text, the proposed map, nor established scientific dating systems. A summary of several theories of book of mormon lands in mesoamerica the contents of all bmaf publications are the sole responsibility of the individual authors and therefore do not necessarily. Book of mormonplagiarism accusationsplace names from. The prophet joseph smith himself accepted what he felt was evidence of book of mormon civilizations in both north america and central america. This significant volume, a large book of 437 pages with 147 maps, is a pleasure.
Church releases statement on book of mormon geography. Book of mormon geography the encyclopedia of mormonism. The geographical setting of the book of mormon is the set of locations of the events described in the book of mormon. According to joseph smith and subsequent presidents and apostles of the lds church, the geographical extent of book of mormon lands included virtually all of north and south.
Vernal holleys book of mormon authorship annotated 3. This same area is proposed to be the lands of the book of mormon peoples. According to the text, the nephites and the lamanites initially spoke hebrew 600 bc and might have spoken a modified semitic language until at least 400 ad, when the book of mormon ends. The only nation in the americas that qualifies in each of these prophecies is, as elder l. Teancum, a book of mormon city located in a land called desolation, within the north country, was in the borders by the seashore mormon 4. Most, but not all, mormons hold the books connection to ancient american history as an. Any latter day nation proposed as being the lands of the book of mormon must, of prophetic necessity, be able to fulfill each and every prophecy. Jan 12, 2016 this is my best book of mormon lands map to date. Exploring the lands of the book of mormon ought to be on the bookshelf of everyone interested in book of mormon geography. Dec 09, 2011 it may help to see the proposed land of gideon in its larger context in the book of mormon land southward. It was named after teancum, who fought and died in the land.
Allen served in the church educational system for 18 years. Why did mormon give so many details about geography. The heartland model or heartland theory of book of mormon geography states that the book of mormon events primarily occurred in the heartland of north america. Where were famous book of mormon cities, like zarahemla and. Countries which comprise mesoamerica which is a term used by archaeologists to identify ancient literate civilizations include the southern part of mexico, guatemala, belize, and the northern parts of. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these. The book of mormon is more than a history book of two ancient civilizations, it reveals the covenant land of joseph, the favorite son of jacob, israel who was sold into egypt by his brothers that being the promised land of america. Jun 18, 20 book of mormon lands proposed map of the book of mormon stay safe and healthy. What are the advantages and consequences of the book of.
The following table provides a comprehensive listing of the 36 prophecies and promises included within the text of the book of mormon as pertaining to its promised land. Many members of the latter day saint movement claim historical authenticity of the book of mormon. The book of mormon does not say that the entire land northward resides in land occupied by the united states of america. Is it revealed where the book of mormon took place. Allen makes convincing arguments in a style that is generally easy to understand. Book of mormon lands were longer from north to south than from east to west. Reply to pros, cons of book of mormon geography theories book. Exploring the lands of the book of mormon joseph l.
In fact, lehis family covered about 6 times the distance from jerusalem to the saudi arabian coastline at bountiful in 8 years as the nephites supposedly travelled over their entire 1,000 year history according to the proposed. The united states is the promised land book of mormon. According to the book of mormon, the river sidon ultimately flows into a sea. Here is more evidence showing that the lamanites of the book of mormon are in north america not mezoamerica as published in our book several years ago. A popular traditional view among many latterday saint faithful covers much of north and south america.
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