As ive been saying since i attended the prelaunch open house for book of mormon central in december 2015, all i ask is an equal, or at least fair, presentation of alternative viewpoints on book of mormon central. Wells jakeman, the ancient middleamerican calendar system. It cites an 1834 statement by joseph smith assigning north american lands to the book of mormon, and a later 1842 church newspaper article suggesting central american ruins were remnants of book of mormon civilizations. But no entity outside of the mormon church refers to reformed egyptian as a real, written language.
The committee reported that although the church never officially endorsed the maps, the proposed geographical locations of book of mormon cities and lands on the maps made a lasting impression which has been difficult to correct. Mormon apologists have proposed multiple theories to explain apparent inconsistencies with the archaeological, genetic, linguistic and other records. May 31, 2019 in the late 1800s, the rlds committee on american archaeology arranged for g. Reading the book of mormon to determine its geographical. Joseph lovell allen true book of mormon geography lands. 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. 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. Book of mormon tours and research institute, 2008, 422.
Book of mormon geography the encyclopedia of mormonism. He proposes, when we read the book of mormon under the. 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. In fact, they may have become extinct in some parts of the new world due to over hunting.
This view, whose most influential proponent is brigham young university archaeologist john l. 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. The north american setting for the book of mormon and letter vii link here. In order to remove these inherent improbabilities and attempt to salvage the credibility of the book of mormon, a number of modern mormon scholars have proposed several variations of a new approach to book of mormon geography, usually called the limited geography theory. A limited geography model for the book of mormon is one of several theories by latter day saint movement scholars that the books narrative was a historical record of people in a limited geographical region, rather than of the entire western hemisphere as believed by some early latter day saints these models, developed in an effort to reconcile claims in the book of mormon with archaeology. Does the book of mormon fit best in a geography located around the great lakes, between the united states and canada. The premise of repopulating the vast north and south american continents from two small groups of transoceanic hebrew immigrants is, to say the least, farfetched. The mormon church, known as the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, claims that the book of mormon is divinely inspired and supplemental to the bible. The united states is the promised land book of mormon. For a long time the mormons have assumed that the book of mormon lands encompassed all of north and south america, although today most mormons believe in variations of what they call the limited geography theory.
Mormon challenges are precolumbian horses in book of. I therefore propose that we begin our discussion with a consensus that the book of mormon events of the promised land occurred on the. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in. Book of mormonplagiarism accusationsplace names from north. In the other corner is the challenger, a new theory that places book of mormon events in a north american heartland setting. America promised land messages of the book of mormon. Lehi, the book of mormon prophet, speaks of some of the special characteristics of the promised land as established by god in the americas.
The scriptural basis for book of mormon geography book. Updated book of mormon map book of mormon, lds seminary. Amidst the hundreds of passages of potential geographic significance, alma 22. He gives a list of possible locations for many of the places in the text on pages 4647 of his book an ancient american setting for the book of mormon. Quarterly articles and internet articles on book of mormon history, language, culture, and geography. As each new theory surfaces, we gain fresh hope of acquiring additional insights into it ancient location, but are all too often disappointed. Wayne may true book of mormon geography lands western new. Book of mormongeographynew worldgreat lakes geography. Why did mormon give so many details about geography. From iowa to guatemalaand back again rochester, ny. For that reason, we have designed and prepared this artistic rendering in such a way that you can get a basic idea of approximate directions and theoretical. I now know that the book of mormon happened in the usa in the historic heartland that is such a significant part of american and book of mormon history. Moronis america today in 1936, when lds scholars first began accepting the twocumorah theory, apostle joseph fielding smith warned the saints.
The north american setting for the book of mormon, erroneously claims that mesoamericanists look under the wrong light of the 1842 articles in the times and seasons for their light and knowledge of the geography of the book of mormon. It contains a record of gods dealings with three groups of people who migrated from the near east or west asia to the americas hundreds of years before the arrival of europeans. Wayne may presents the supporting evidence for the heartland model, that the book of mormon nephites and jaredites lived in north america. Joseph smith and the book of mormon should be the final arbiters of book of mormon history, events, culture, and geographical locations. Book of mormon and dna studies church of jesus christ. I shall write these posts, or discussion headings, under the main title, north american book of mormon geography. Moronis america the book of mormon in north america. Proposed book of mormon geographical setting wikipedia. Joseph lovell allen and blake joseph allen, exploring the lands of the book of mormon, 2nd ed. Most of the authors and supporters of the two main competing theories would agree that the north american continent is the land to which lehi was led and where the subsequent events of their record occurred. Sorenson in 1985 an ancient american setting for the book of mormon suggested they traveled east to the pacific and landed on the west coast of mexico. The north american setting for the book of mormon jonathan neville. The book of mormon text refers to the language it is written in as reformed egyptian.
Book of mormon lands discovering the lost lands of the book. 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. Church releases statement on book of mormon geography book. Evidence exists that this plant was domesticated in north america in the. North american book of mormon geography the interpreter. Jan 15, 2019 for those unfamiliar with the proposed geography in moronis america, which is based on the text of the book of mormon, here is a map showing the major areas described in the text. Sorenson and joseph allen among others have proposed that much of the events in the book of mormon took place in mesoamerica. Numerous observers have suggested that the book of mormon appears to be a work of fiction. A popular traditional view among many latterday saint faithful covers much of north and south america. Let the book of mormon change your life, again, as you investigate exploring the lands of the book of mormon. There is no universal consensus among mormon scholars regarding the placement of these locations in the known world, other than somewhere in the americas.
The book of mormon places a land among many waters near cumorah, and the land of zarahemla so near to each other, that travelers from the south could mistake one region for the other. His latest newsletter dated oct, 2009, says, 10 reasons why the book of mormon took place in peru by george potter my new book, nephi in the promised land is now available in the nephi project discovery store. There is a major complication for traditional book of mormon geography. The land of zarahemla is at a lower elevation relative to the land of nephi. Book of mormon geography in north america wayne may youtube. The location of lands, oceans, rivers, mountain ranges, and boundaries in relationship to distances and relative positions in the book of mormon must match. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints does not officially endorse any one particular geographical model for where the events in the book of mormon transpired in the new world. In other words, since we believe main events of the book of mormon happened in a limited area of north america around the great lakes in the east, and ohio, indiana, iowa and missouri to the west, and south in tennessee, west virginia, georgia, and florida, all other areas will be discussed as the hinterlands. This page is about the book of mormon geography by wayne may, the founder of ancient american magazine and author of this land book series. Book of mormon geography the church of jesus christ of latter. Lamanite blossoming and gathering to promised land book of.
Most north american tribes relied upon a calendar of months, relating to the annual number of lunar cycles. It focuses on the north american setting with a bookbybook, chapterbychapter approach to the geography passages, illustrating the points with over 75 maps and diagrams. 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. The lost lands of the book of mormon phyllis carol olive on. Allen and allen, exploring the lands, 402416, 422426. Even so, it appears that book of mormon peoples observed lunar cycles, months, and that the nephites observed the israelite sabbath at the end of a sevenday week. The prophet joseph smith himself accepted what he felt was evidence of book of mormon civilizations in both north america and central america. My new book, nephi in the promised land is now available in the nephi project discovery store. A very limited number of vernal holleys outofprint 3rd edition of book of mormon authorship. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints affirms that the book of mormon is a volume of sacred scripture comparable to the bible. 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.
Hinterlands lamanites in north, south, and central america. Peruvian setting for the book of mormon mormon matters. It focuses on the north american setting with a book by book, chapterbychapter approach to the geography passages, illustrating the points with over 75 maps and diagrams. Book of mormon lands were longer from north to south than from east to west. Seasonal rounds and ceremonies were performed each moon. All my studies suddenly made sense, all aspects of the book of mormon finally became clear. Practically since the book of mormon was published, its geography has been the subject of discussion and debate. Unfortunately, the geographical details of the book of mormon do not fit terribly well in models presented thus far. Vernal holleys book of mormon authorship annotated 3. His latest newsletter dated oct, 2009, says, 10 reasons why the book of mormon took place in peru. Recall that joseph smith himself described the states of ohio, indiana and illinois as the plains of the nephites.
Book of mormon lands encompassed all of north and south america. The book of mormon west sea and east sea, on the other hand, are proper nouns that is, they are the actual names of bodies of water that situate on the west and on the east respectively, of the lands of zarahemla and nephi. The united states is the promised land foretold in the book of mormon continuing, he wrote, a place where divine guidance directed inspired men to create the conditions necessary for the restoration of the gospel of jesus christ. Watch as wayne may presents the parallels in geography, archaeology and timelines between the jaredites and the adena civilization of north america. The fight over book of mormon geography deseret news. Wayne may true book of mormon geography lands western. The products services offered by wayne may are neither made, provided, approved nor endorsed by intellectual reserve, inc. While olsen is correct that this has been a long held speculation, there is nothing in the text that claims a connection between the book of mormon and polynesia. These principal book of mormon lands are southward from the land northward mentioned in helaman 3. This land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring.
Study two dozen detailed, fullcolor maps that follow the footsteps of mosiah, alma, ammon, limhi, and lands from nephi to zarahemla. An ancient american book sorenson changed his mind and postulated an atlantic crossing disembarking in veracruz. A memorable book of mormon lands tour guatemala, honduras, belize and mexico 11 days10 nights day 1 fri. The scriptural basis for book of mormon geography book of. Leading experts of the early americas disavow the historicity of the book of mormon narrative. Geographical, and other evidences in support of the book of mormon landscape, as found in north america. The geographical setting of the book of mormon is the set of locations of the events described in the book of mormon. Its origin and development, byu publications in archaeology and early history, no. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. May 10, 2016 i shall write these posts, or discussion headings, under the main title, north american book of mormon geography. In the late 1800s, the rlds committee on american archaeology arranged for g. Some believe that the history depicted in the book of mormon occurred in north america, while others believe that it occurred in central. 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.
Wayne may presents archaeological support of the book of mormon to a group in malad, idaho in february of 2017. The parallelism has been previously noted in such sources as v. Hugh nibley, the book of mormon as a mirror of the east, improvement era 51 1948, pp. This is the battlefield tour youve been waiting for. Jun 27, 2016 also see norman, book of mormonmesoamerican geography, 35. Aug 09, 2019 the following quotes are taken from the percentage of adults in a temple marriage is less than 2 percent in mexico and central america. 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. Yet another serious problem for the limited geography theory is the 45 degree directional skewing that is necessary in order to fit the various geographic features of the book of mormon into the proposed central american site, and the resulting complete absence of a sea north and a sea south, basic features of the area in the book of mormon. 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. Exploring the book of mormon in americas heartland. The theory that the book of mormon is an ancient american history is not accepted as scientifically verifiable by the mainstream academic community. The book of mormon and place names from the area around joseph smiths home summary.
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. The statement indicates that members have also attributed book of mormon lands to south america. Despite the translation of egyptian and numerous american indian languages, reformed egyptian remains unknown. Wayne may places the narrow pass and land northward in canada which is ruled under a monarchy, but the book. Official statement on book of mormon geography and its. Garth norman, book of mormon mesoamerican geography. First published in 1830, the book of mormon reveals three transoceanic migrations to the americas by people from the near east migrations that are not found in any other history. Covenant communications, 2003 land of and city of bountiful, land of and city of nephi, and quetzalcoatl. Dec 03, 2009 george is a proponent that the book of mormon lands are in peru. Proposed book of mormon lands locations larger image of figure 2. Any proposition going against the idea that book of mormon lands are not somewhere between the arctic ocean and the tip of south america in the americas is irrational to the core, because it denies the central premise that it is an american book. Several statements are attributed to josephs saying that book of mormon lands were in north america, north of the mexican border. 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.
Because of this theory, he wrote, some members of the church have become confused and greatly disturbed in their faith in the book of mormon. Book of mormon lands discovering the lost lands of the. Indian removal act of 1830 moronis america the north. Despite the limited space on the plates, mormonas a historian and. See my answers to questions about the book of mormon here. Unconventional book of mormon geography theories mormon matters. Moronis america is a mustread for anyone interested in the historicity and geography of the book of mormon. 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. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted. A closer look, are available from the webmaster of. I must admit, however, that of all the north american proponents, phyllis carol oliver, lost lands of the book of mormon, 2000, made some cogent and constructive arguments which caused me to reconsider and really give another in depth study of the united states as the land where most of the events of the book of mormon might have taken place. This tour has been years in the making as we have searched out ancient remains of indian forts that date to nephite times located around the hill cumorah battlefield.
The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in transition. As the modern lds church tries to shore up belief in the prophet joseph smith and his special powers of translation, it continues to try to argue for something more than a fictional narrative for the book of mormon. Any study of 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. Migrations westward into islands of the pacific are obviously proposed in the various americansetting hypotheses. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them.
The redheaded hostess book of mormon scripture study ideas. 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. See more ideas about book of mormon, america and ancient civilizations. George is a proponent that the book of mormon lands are in peru. A limited geography model for the book of mormon is one of several theories by latter day saint movement scholars that the book s narrative was a historical record of people in a limited geographical region, rather than of the entire western hemisphere as believed by some early latter day saints. Wayne may places the narrow pass and land northward in canada which is ruled under a monarchy, but the book of mormon states. 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. It was the birth of the united states of america that ushered out the great apostasy, when the earth was darkened by the absence of prophets and.
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