Apr, 2014 the location of the hill cumorah it may not be what you think jerry ainsworth duration. Chief among these is the fact that we know we certainty where the story beginsin old world jerusalem. A whole bunch of reasons why book of mormon geography could not. Dec 02, 2016 to help with the increasing amount of new information, a blog site has been setup for research relating to the book of mormon lands in baja california. This book is a summary of the authors study of existing and wellknown attempts by mormon scholars to locate the places where the events narrated in the book of mormon took place. It was carried out in a complex mixture of religious ritual and ideology. According to latter day saint scripture, the narrative in the book of mormon came to an end in the ancient land cumorah, where moroni, in 421 ad deposited the golden plates prior to his death. Limited geography and the book of mormon byu scholarsarchive. Internal book of mormon geography focuses on the relationships between lands and other geographic features, independent of where they might be physically located on todays maps. 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. If the author of the book of mormon was not an ancient historian, how did he know this. Book of mormon lands discovering the lost lands of the.
The land of zarahemla is at a lower elevation relative to the land of nephi. The book of mormon does not ever say that anyone rode horses or used them in battle. Allen makes convincing arguments in a style that is generally easy to understand. Lamanites inhabited areas outside of book of mormon land. New evidences for the book of mormon from ancient mexico. 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. These principal book of mormon lands are southward from the land northward mentioned in helaman 3. The webs source of information for ancient history. 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. Foundation for ancient research and mormon studies, 1997.
The book of mormon itself is the best source for understanding the geographical locations contained therein. The narrow neck of land and the narrow pass book of mormon. How does the doctrine of christ relate to the ancient. While some latterday saints have looked for possible locations and explanations for book of mormon geography because the new york hill cumorah does not readily fit the book of mormon description of cumorah, there are no conclusive connections between the book of mormon text and any specific site. Most latterday saints are aware of a minor industry in certain religious circles in the united states devoted to refuting mormonism and to criticizing the book of mormon. Proposed book of mormon geographical setting wikipedia. A summary of several theories of book of mormon lands in. The book of mormon is the second sacred text of mormons. Exploring the lands of the book of mormon ought to be on the bookshelf of everyone interested in book of mormon geography. See my answers to questions about the book of mormon here.
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. The book of mormon is a religious record, and for the people of the book of mormon, as in nearly all ancient cultures, warfare was fundamentally sacral. Book of mormon verses taken from the 1990 independence edition, which is published by the church of christ. The church takes no position on the specific geographic location of book of mormon events in the ancient americas. They do this because of the references to journeys between the cities of gid, mulek and bountiful. One of the four volumes of scripture accepted by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. 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. The book of mormon is a record of ancient people who lived in north america the land of promise described by isaiah 18. Book of mormon lands were longer from north to south than from east to west. Our changing understanding of ancient america and its scripture, ensign, sept. It is thorough, covers many aspects of the field, and is probably the most objective work at its time. Home true book of mormon geography lands western new. First, joseph did not know exactly where book of mormon lands were.
The church does not take a position on the specific geographic locations of book of mormon events in the ancient americas. Even a person who rejects the historicity of the book of mormon must agree that linguistic levels one and two are found in the book of mormon. Journal of book of mormon studies 42 1995 journal of book of mormon studies 62 1997 journal of book of mormon studies 32 1994. On nephis steel bow by common consent, a mormon blog.
Christ in ancient america pdf, exploring the lands of. All of allens claims are stated as givens, matter of factly, with little supporting evidence, mostly unsubstantiated conjecture based on a fleeting glimpse of something. Middle america tours was the wholesale operators for such companies as byu travel study, murdock travel and the foundation of ancient research in mormon studies. Book of mormon lands tour days12 nights guatemala, honduras and mexico aug 1st to aug. Exploring the lands of the book of mormon by joseph l. The book of mormon states several times that the land which they were led to, was the promised land, or a choice land.
What the text reveals about the land and lives of the record keepers book book details. Publishers, 1989 for the best summary of this entire subject. A geographical l overview of the western new york setting at a time when primeval forests and ancient waters filled much more of the land than does today, and the uncanny similarities between that. The book of revelation explained in under 5 minutes duration. This significant volume, a large book of 437 pages with 147 maps, is a pleasure to read. The book of mormon describes a journey by a group of people led by a prophet named lehi from the old world to the new world in approximately 600 b. Let the book of mormon change your life, again, as you investigate exploring the lands of the book of mormon. Lund, tour guides for their view of ancient book of mormon lands which is at odds with the government of the united states and void of any fulfilled land prophecies. She answers a lot of the questions that most people would ask. Mormon prophets who lived from 600 bc to ad 400 wrote the book. One of the towers in valley of the gods within the bears ears national monument is illuminated as the. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu. The fight over book of mormon geography deseret news.
See more ideas about book of mormon, america and ancient civilizations. Actually, all that became obvious was the failure of both believers and unbelievers to cite much specific evidence. This book of mormon map along with a wall map are available for down loading in color and the book of mormon geography book a promised land, the land of promise with all the mormon maps and details is also available at alpha publishing at. Further, the writing has been deciphered a fact not mentioned by dr. The book of mormon was written for the intent that we may believe the bible, morm. Sep 18, 2017 mormons are among the few who want less federally protected land. Book of mormon geography the encyclopedia of mormonism. The scientific legacy of a quest to prove the book of mormon. According to the book of mormon, the promised land shall be a land of liberty, with no kings upon the land 1, and be discovered by a gentile whom the spirit of god wrought, to cross many waters 2 in order. It contains nothing much new in the way of fresh insights or new research. A discussion of the arabian, or old world, geography of the book of mormon enjoys many advantages over discussion of new world matters.
At least they are not wed in reality since no book of mormon location is known with reference to modern topography. Forty times, and he has not noticed this his maya waiters in the hotels could serve as models for the figures depicted on the ancient carvings. Hennessey with so many scholars over the years trying to place book of mormon sites and not being able to, we wonder if we are looking at things correctly. The church emphasizes the doctrinal and historical value of the book of mormon, not its geography. Joseph is a student of mayan history, ancient languages and the book of mormon. Book of mormon prophets, namely mormon and moroni, testified that secret combinations brought down at least two ancient american civilizations. The book of mormon purports to give an account of two civilizations formed by families who migrated to the americas. From the day the book of mormon rolled off the press in 1830, those who gave it credence asserted that it obviously read like a hebrew text.
The one linguistic category we know was not used in the production of the book of mormon english text is twentyfirst century scientific terminology, since this version of english did not exist in the 1820s. What does an ancient book about enoch have to do with lehis dream. Study two dozen detailed, fullcolor maps that follow the footsteps of mosiah, alma, ammon, limhi, and lands from nephi to zarahemla. Book of mormon lands the near cumorah setting youtube. Sorenson, a retired professor of anthropology at byu, and the author of an ancient american setting for the book of mormon and a series of. Book of mormon readers have a difficult time ascertaining the dating for alma 22. Hard evidence of ancient american horses part 1 dan. It also starts from the premise that the book of mormon is an actual history of ancient. Sorenson, an ancient american setting for the book of mormon salt lake city. The lords words will hiss forth unto the ends of the earth, 2 ne. Many book of mormon research projects have implications for the continuing issues surrounding the authorship of the book of mormon. City of bountiful true book of mormon geography lands. The book of mormon is really there so one can have book of mormon studies, and archaeology is really there so one can study archaeology, but the two are not wed.
Journey with the author through that ancient setting and discover just why the lands of the book of mormon have been lost for such a long time. The book of mormon gave only scattered clues, speaking of a narrow isthmus, a river called sidon, and lands to the north and south occupied by. Book of mormon lands january 12, 2015 several times our followers have commented that they wish the church would make an official statement about where the book of mormon lands are located to remove the confusion that exists about them being located in mezoamerica. Defenders of the book of mormon have made arguments that center on the idea that the book of mormon peoples from the middle east formed only a small contribution to the population of the americas, and that their genetic heritage may have been diluted beyond what can now be detected.
The book of mormon is one of the most influential, as well as controversial, religious documents in american history, and is regarded as sacred scripture by followers around the world, including members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, the fourthlargest. Next to the bible, the lds church believes in the book of mormon. All of the classic maya ruins that stephens explored and catherwood drew are post book of mormon period. Chiasmus in the book of mormon religious studies center. Mormon land explores the contours and complexities of lds news. An ancient american setting for the book of mormon. In 1978, the company was known as middle america tours and it became the largest company to conduct tours to the lands of the book of mormon, an area today known as mesoamerica. Given all the complexities of preparing the book of mormon multiple ancient sources combined, redacted, then translated into english that is verbally dictated and written by a scribe, then later copied into a printers manuscript, and finally put into print its not surprising that there could be inconsistency at times in a text that is still remarkably consistent across the. Lamanites true book of mormon geography lands western. Archaeological and historical evidence jareditesolmecs.
Response to the genetic challenge from book of mormon defenders book of mormon population models. The lost lands of the book of mormon takes the reader back in time to an era when ancient waters and primeval forests covered new york from one end to the other. Above all, were these words given by the gift and power of god. Soon the reader is accompanying explorers along the famed inca roads, while a ready guide points out the ruins of ancient cities and their implications in terms of. Geographical, and other evidences in support of the book of mormon landscape, as found in north america. Not as indepth as allens previous exploring the lands of the book of mormon, it seems that book is required reading for this one. Book of mormon tours lehitours guided tours of guatemala. The new essay begins with this declarative statement. This itinerary has great port stops and a great lds speakers. 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. The book of mormon also describes the journey of 2 other groups to america.
The spiritual text that forms the basis of mormonism, in the last edition edited by its founder, joseph smith, jr. The lord covenanted with enos to bring forth the book of mormon to the lamanites, enos 1. The book of mormon geography lands and map with dna evidence. Lamanites were greater in number than the nephites. This over 2000 year time period, allow them to spread out over the land from at least as far south as peru, traveling by boat along the west coast. Exploring the lands of the book of mormon byu studies. John lund true book of mormon geography lands, western new.
He is not only a prophet, he is the prophet and seer of the latter days. Annually, october 1, is the anniversary of a little known event in early church history that i believe, in consequence of significant research progress into 2019, now deserves recognition for identifying a region of major book of mormon lands and for initiating book of mormon archaeological historic research. Authentic nonbiblical ancient ceremony recorded in book of mormon. In particular, moroni wrote, and they meaning secret combinationscaused the destruction of the jaredites, and also the destruction of the people of nephi ether 8. In 1842, after reading about ancient cities in central america, joseph speculated that book of mormon lands were located there fig. Church members are asked not to teach theories about book of mormon geography in church settings but to focus instead on the book of mormons teachings and testimony of jesus. His dissertation was on the subject of the white god quetzalcoatl. 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. As nephi begins to close his record, he emphatically teaches what he called the doctrine of christ 2 nephi 31.
The narrow neck of land in the book of mormon youtube. Just as stephens exploration of ancient maya ruins was the beginning of american archaeology from the perspective of the early saints, stephens opened the door to exploring book of mormon lands. This model takes notice of extensive details given in the book of mormon descriptions of the land southward and of the land northward, of battle movements, of cities built and abandoned, of population and demographic data. The prophet joseph smith knew all about the ancient lands of the book of mormon and latterday saints should take the joseph smith at his word.
It is an abridgment by an ancient prophet named mormon of the records of ancient inhabitants of the americas. Book of mormon manuscript excerpt, circa june 1829 1. Why new testament words and phrases are in the book of mormon part 9. It was written to testify that jesus is the christ. 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. The book of mormon and the bible will grow together, 2 ne.
Mormon s map gives a model that we can apply to stories from the record, shedding a new light on the influence of geography on nephite history, increasing our understanding of that book and its characters, and making events and places more concrete in our minds. Book of mormon lands discovering the lost lands of the book. 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. Archaeological evidence indicates that these ancient jaredite people, who according to the book of mormon lived on the western hemisphere from approximately 2500 b. Its hosted by awardwinning religion writer peggy fletcher stack and salt lake tribune managing editor david noyce. As the above logo depicts, we do respect this mandate, and our model is unique in this regard. Book of mormon and the ruinsthe main issues hugh nibley.
One group was the people of mulek supposed by bible authors to have died, who was the son of zedekiah. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Because it says the cities of gid and mulek were on the eastern side, they assume the city of bountiful must also be on the eastern side. Mormon, the compiler and abridger of the book of mormon, was himself a military commander. The ancient land of their inheritance is, according to lds scripture. Joseph smith knew all about book of mormon civilizations, their customs, and the location of their lands. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in. Hundreds of geographical, historical, and cultural facts fall into place as his model is carried to its logical conclusions. Most geographers misplace the city of bountiful on the east side of book of mormon lands. Book of mormon, history of warfare in the encyclopedia. This book locates everything from the narrow neck, to zarahemla, from cumorah, to the land of promise, bountiful, and more. Book of mormon lands map, january 2016 book of mormon central. Grant told of being ridiculed by a peer because he believed in the book of mormon, which spoke of an ancient people who built houses of cement. 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.
Church releases statement on book of mormon geography. Gods word is to be established by two or more witnesses 2 cor. The evidence for ancient origins, edited by noel b. In 1842, the church newspaper times and seasons published articles under joseph smith s editorship that identified the ruins of ancient native civilizations in mexico and central america as further evidence of the book of mormon s historicity.
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