Muleks party first arrived in the land north see helaman 6. This map plausibly positions these and other book of mormon locations in the general. Charting the book of mormon is a collection of more than 175 visual aids that promote deeper understanding and appreciation of the book of mormon. 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. This book locates everything from the narrow neck, to zarahemla, from cumorah, to the land of promise, bountiful. If you get any mesoamerican believers, follow up with. The mormon geography problem chapter and verse by robert a. Others argued for a setting in the american heartland. Many accounts of significant lands and cities are given in the book of mormon.
Geography moronis america the north american setting. This map plausibly positions these and other book of mormon locations in the general mesoamerican arena. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Bmaf supports a mesoamerican context for the major book of mormon sites. Designed for multiple use as study guides, handouts, and masters for creating projectable images, the charts convey a wealth of information that will enrich personal study and teaching. A dna study by emory university, accepted by the smithsonian, acknowledges that some native americans have ancestry in common with the peoples in modern israel and the mediterranean area. Mapping book of mormon geography 101 book of mormon. Did joseph smith teach a hemispheric, rather than a limited, geography. Book of mormon geography jeff lindsays site and the shake. Other locations may meet some of the following criteria, but only. The prophet joseph smith himself accepted what he felt was evidence of book of mormon civilizations in both north america and central america. The book of mormon itself is the best source for understanding the geographical locations contained therein. Especially, if the customs and cultures of those areas match the culture of the book of mormon and help you better understand the events in the book of mormon. The geographical setting of the book of mormon is the set of locations of the events described.
Others look to peru and south america, or to the baja peninsula, or texas, and some even propose the malaysian peninsula. After all, when you read the bible, you can turn to the maps and see where everything happened. State of affairs since publication of the book of mormon in 1830, readers have questioned where it all happened. The two big problems with the mesoamerican model for book of mormon geography are 1 there is zero evidence of the book of mormon narrative there and 2 the proponents insist joseph didnt know much about the book of mormon. Of course these inconsistencies could readily be explained by understanding the book of mormon as a work of fiction written by a nineteenth century american, but book of mormon scholars often approach the topic with the a priori acceptance of the theory that the book of mormon is an ancient text as joseph smith claimed. Just make sure the customs, culture and geography of your preferred area really do match the text of the book of mormon.
Another limited geography model, known as the heartland model, has the book of mormon taking place primarily in the eastern united states. The book of mormon map described in alma chapter 22 has finally been deciphered. The heartland is the place where it all happened, right under our very noses. Book of mormon geography, lands, map, dna true evidence. The lord could have removed all questions regarding the exact locations of these events but he did not. This book locates everything from the narrow neck, to zarahemla, from cumorah, to the land of promise, bountiful, and more. The fight over book of mormon geography deseret news.
For that reason, our design team has chosen to develop an internal map that shows relational directions and approximate distances that match the approximately 550 geography descriptions in the text as closely as possible. New insights into book of mormon geography priddis, venice on. A detailed map for the book of mormon has been produced by archaeologist garth norman which may solve a longstanding puzzle. Jul 10, 2014 certain groups who entertain a north american setting for the book of mormon claim that joseph knew where book of mormon events took place. Anyone who is curious about the trends in book of mormon geography can ask their lds friends a simple question.
He began by carefully examining all of the statements in the book of mormon related to geography. Some place the geography of the book in upstate new york or near the great lakes. Sadly, all other book of mormon believing denominations are following the lead of the lds church and believe in a mesoamerican model as well. Mapping book of mormon geography 101 by lawrence poulsen. Book of mormon geography jeff lindsays site and the. Within the past several decades, professional studies in american archaeology, geography, culture, and language have provided an enormous amount of information of great interest to readers and believers of the book of mormon. Jun 27, 2016 practically since the book of mormon was published, its geography has been the subject of discussion and debate. One popular lds theory places the setting for the book of mormon in the vicinity of mexico and central america surrounding. 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. Why did mormon give so many details about geography. 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. The purpose of constructing unbiased internal maps is to orient major lands, seas and landmarks mentioned in the text, and. 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.
Mormon s map is book of mormon scholar john sorenson s reconstruction of. Plausible locations in mesoamerica for book of mormon places. Havent you always wanted to have a detailed map of just where everything is in the book of mormon. Joseph lovell allen, educator, author and explorer, is a pioneer in the study of history and geography of mesoamerica and the book of mormon. See my answers to questions about the book of mormon here. Why have church leaders taught a hemispheric geography for the book of mormon rather than a limited one.
Finally there is a way to really explore john sorensons book of mormon geography. Oct 02, 2014 finally there is a way to really explore john sorensons book of mormon geography. True book of mormon geography lands, western new york model. Amidst the hundreds of passages of potential geographic significance, alma 22. Book of mormon events on a map of mesoamerica and found a reasonable fit. Rick shared a very good map from shelby saberon who is a trained mesoamericanist. Apr 01, 2018 either way, a real map is better than a fictitious cartoon map. Virtual book of mormon book of mormon maps and learning tools. Made popular by his 1985 publication an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, sorensons geographic model for the book of mormon has withstood the test of time and remains the preeminent geographic model for book of mormon events. Feb 15, 2010 he began by carefully examining all of the statements in the book of mormon related to geography. He has spent almost fifty years in teaching, searching and researching the internal and external messages of that sacred history revered by millions of latterday saints worldwide. This site can be used as a study guide to help understand the book of mormon.
The church has been neutral when it comes to issues relating to book of mormon geography, as is fairmormon. It comes with an optional explanatory booklet entitled book of mormon mesoamerican historic geography, and is available online. Regarding point 1, i have read all of sorensons works and most of what farms and the maxwell institute have. The article does not actually say that book of mormon lands are to be found in central america. Oct 03, 2016 a comparison of book of mormon geographies showing new york to be the most viable setting for book of mormon events. Book of mormon geography is to serve one purpose, and that is to identify land promises and hold her inhabitants accountable to them ether 2. The book of mormon geography book, a promised land, the land of promise, is one of our books at alpha publishing available for purchase at virginia elieson was inspired with this geography, while with her patriarch husband and mission president in dallas here organized into a book by peter covino, jr.
Despite the limited space on the plates, mormonas a historian and military leader. It is different, well written, long, and with more footnotes and references than i have ever seen. Garth normans map book of mormon archaeological forum. Do you think the book of mormon cumorah was in new york or southern mexico. This task involves defending those land promises from those who dabb. The book of mormon geography lands and map with dna evidence. A lot of exciting fluff on book of mormon geography is being discovered, but substance is still lacking. A complete description of the book of mormon geography bomgeography, including an internal map model, external map model i. Home true book of mormon geography lands western new york. While many lds scholars are converging on the idea of mesoamerica as the focal point for the book of mormon in the new world, there is a notable movement calling for new york and the eastern united states as the place of the book of mormon. Joseph lovell allen true book of mormon geography lands. The land of zarahemla is at a lower elevation relative to the land of nephi. Sep 08, 2009 this book will astound all book of mormon geography enthusiasts.
Nov 22, 2007 mesoamerica and the book of mormon dr. Maps moronis america the north american setting for. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. We at book of mormon christian believe that if you take the record alone without any alleged statements by joseph smith, the truth will speak very loud and very clear. A detailed map for the book of mormon has been produced by. Book of mormongeographynew worldlimited geography theory. Has the church ever promoted a limited geography model for the book of mormon. The articles linked below will describe the various. Such maps can be a useful introduction for those who are new to the book of mormon. Proposed book of mormon geographical setting wikipedia.
The name mesoamerica is a term used to identify the heartland of a number of significant precolumbian cultures. Virtual book of mormon book of mormon maps and learning. More importantly, it is the only book on the subject that is not merely someones belief or opinion, but every point made is reference directly to the book of mormon text and. Truth about joseph smiths beliefs on geography of the book. Some placed the nephite capital city zarahemla in mesoamerica, others in south america. The geographical setting of the book of mormon has been the subject of serious study and casual speculation since before the book was first published. 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. We build enduring faith in jesus christ by making the book of mormon accessible, comprehensible, and defensible to the entire world.