A “CHOICE” (Carefully Selected) Land is the title of this blog. Who’s CHOICE? The Lord’s. Why did He Choose America? It met the right conditions. What Condition’s?

It was Newly Discovered & Protected
Freedom of its People
The Strength of its Constitution
Its own Physical Diversity and Beauty
It had to be Somewhere
It must be an Asylum for the Oppressed
No other Land had such Liberal Institutions
Had an Adopted and a Broad Platform to Stand on
Christ Loves us all the Same
Just Recognize the Hand of God in Sending the Gospel to this Land
He Chose America to Bless the Entire World
He Chose it for the Beginning (Adam) and for the Middle (Book of Mormon) and the End (New Jerusalem)
He Hid it so it Wouldn’t be Overrun
Joseph Smith was Carefully Chosen in New York
Moroni and Mormon Lived Here.
There would be a climate where our Heavenly Father could send into this period of mortality a choice spirit
He is the Doer of the Deed
It was from the Beginning a Land of Divinity
The Choicest Part of this Earthly Creation was a Garden “Eastward in Eden”
The Land Mass where the New Jerusalem of the Earth’s Last Days, would Eventually be Built.
Had to be Brought by God
Adam Prophesied and, three years before his death, called together the righteous remnant of his posterity at Adam-Ondi Ahman.
Foreordained Land
This Land is Consecrated
To Create the Conditions Necessary

---

“I should like to say a few words about America… No land is without its beauty, no people without their virtues, and I hope that you who come from elsewhere will pardon my saying a few words concerning my own native land, America…surely this is a good land, a choice land, a chosen land. To me it is a miracle, a creation of the Almighty.” Gordon B. Hinckley Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled”, BYU Speeches of the Year, October 29, 1974, pp. 267-68 

Only in the United States. Not Canada and Not South America. The United States is the Promised Land of the Book of Mormon. We aren’t better, just Chosen! May we live up to those expectations.

“This is the land that was given to Joseph—the son so well beloved by his father Jacob; and no king will ever reign upon it but the King, the Lord. Could that book [the Book of Mormon] have been brought forth and published to the world under any other government but the Government of the United States? No. He has governed and controlled the settling of this continent.

He led our fathers from Europe to this land, and prepared the way to break the yoke that bound them, and inspired the guaranteed freedom in our Government, though that guarantee is too often disregarded. He could bring forth his work, and has prepared a people to receive and commence his kingdom. Could this be done anywhere else? No. He has known, from the beginning of creation, that this is the land whereon to build this Zion.

He knows how to commence his work and how to finish it, and he will finish it where he commenced it. How our faith would stretch out and grasp the heavenly land where our father Adam dwelt in his paradisiacal state! That land is on this continent. Here is where Adam lived. Do you not think the Lord has had his eye upon it? Yes.” Brigham Young, June 3, 1860, JD 8:67

We read in the Annotated Book of Mormon by David Hocking and Rod Meldrum the following by Jonathan Neville on page 509.

“Choice” can mean excellent or superior, but it can also mean carefully selected for a righteous people to dwell and prosper. The Book of Mormon uses it in the last connotation:‘ And the Lord would not suffer that they should stop beyond the sea in the wilderness, but he would that they should come forth even unto the land of promise, which was choice above all other lands, which the Lord God had preserved for a righteous people’ (Ether2:7; emphasis added).“

This does not mean that the land of North America is ‘superior’ to all other lands. However, it was ‘carefully selected’ for a special purpose. For the Jaredites it was a land chosen for a ‘righteous people.’ For the Nephites, it was ‘carefully selected’ as a land of promise and a covenant land for a remnant of the House of Israel.“

The covenant land can be a blessing and also a cursing in that, if the people don’t keep the covenant, they are worse off than had they never entered the covenant in the first place. In this sense, America has been carefully selected not only as a promised land for the Jaredites and the Nephites, but as the central place for the Lord’s marvelous work and a wonder in our day. America has been chosen to host: a) the restoration of the Gospel, b) the translation and publication of the Book of Mormon, c) the establishment of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and d) the restoration of Priesthood authority and keys for the gathering of Israel and the salvation of the dead. These blessings come with great responsibilities. America is not “superior” to any other land created by God.“

This is consistent with the basic principle that God is no respecter of persons, that He speaks to all His children wherever they live: ‘Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth My word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?’(2 Nephi 29:7; emphasis added).“

In this sense, every land can be a promised land for the people who live there. We should appreciate all respective homelands for every nation or peoples in every continent. Understanding the history of Book of Mormon connections may help us recognize that all people can develop their own spiritual connections and traditions with their respective homeland.” – Jonathan Neville. Annotated Book of Mormon

Isn’t it Clear that the USA is the “Carefully Selected” Promised Land?

“The Lord gave a divine promise to the ancient inhabitants of this favored country (the United States): ‘Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ” (Ether 2:12).Our Heavenly Father inspired the leaders of…the United States of America, that they might together, under His direction, having been raised up by God for the purpose, establish the Constitution of this country and…Bill of Rights, that by the year of our Lord 1805 [there would be] a climate where our Heavenly Father could send into this period of mortality a choice spirit who would be known as Joseph Smith, Jr.” Teachings of Thomas S. Monson by Thomas S. Monson2011 (Ordained an Apostle, 1963; ordained President of the Church, 2008

Carefully Selected as no other land had such Liberal Institutions

“…in culmination of the grand scheme of schemes, this great nation, the Republic of the United States, might be established upon this land as an asylum for the oppressed; a resting place, it might be said, for the Ark of the covenant, where the temple of our God might be built; where the plan of salvation might be introduced and practiced in freedom, and not a dog would wag his tongue in opposition to the purposes of the Almighty. We believe that this was His object in creating the Republic of the United States; the only land where his work could be commenced or the feet of his people find rest. No other land had such liberal institutions, had adopted so broad a platform upon which all men might stand. We give glory to those patriots for the noble work they did; but we give the first glory to God, our Father and their Father, who inspired them. We take them by the hand as brothers. We believe they did nobly their work, even as we would fain do ours, faithfully and well, that we might not be recreant in the eyes of God, for failing to perform the mission to which He has appointed us.” Bishop Orson F. Whitney, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, April 19, 1885. Reported by John Irvine. Journal Discourses Volume 26  Page 201

Don’t be Jealous of Carefully Selected Land

Mark E. Petersen said: “You from other lands don’t need to become jealous of America. Who is jealous of Palestine, where Jesus was born? We are not jealous of the country; we merely recognize the hand of God in sending him there. We must also recognize the hand of God in sending the gospel to this land. We learn to love America because it is God’s land!

“The most sacred of places…will always be those locations which God has designated for holy and eternal purposes, locations where He is the “doer of the deed.” These places are revered forever by His faithful children wherever they maybe…..America is such a place, but of course it wasn’t always called America, nor has it always been identified by a distinctive continental shape. Originally it was simply a portion of that large, single land mass which God in His creative process called “Earth” and which, when completed, was pronounced “good.” (Gen. 1:10.) Whatever its name and geographical configuration, however, it was from the beginning a land of divinity as well as a land of destiny… Temporally we call it America. But it began with a single, primeval, continent of Genesis, and the miracle of Millennial healing will bring that unity again. “The choicest part of this earthly creation was a garden “eastward in Eden” where God placed our first parents, Adam and Eve. This resplendent place filled with paradisiacal glory was located on that part of the land mass where the city Zion, or the New Jerusalem of the earth’s last days, would eventually be built. (See D&C 57:1–3, D&C 84:1–3; and Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3:74.) After Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden, they dwelt at a place called Adam-ondi-Ahman, located in what is now Daviess County, Missouri. In that region this first family lived out their days, tilling the soil, tending the flocks, offering sacrifices, and learning the gospel of Jesus Christ from on high. There Adam prophesied concerning all the families of the earth and, three years before his death, called together the righteous remnant of his posterity and bestowed upon them his last blessing” – Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “A Promised Land,” Ensign [Jun. 1976].

Carefully Selected and not Overrun

Who has been brought back by the hand of the Lord to this Choice Land since Adam? (Maybe others but we don’t have their records)

• Brother of Jared
• Lehi
• Columbus
• Pilgrims

2 Nephi 1:6-9
6 Wherefore, I, Lehi, prophesy according to the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord.

7 Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. 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; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever.

8 And behold, it is wisdom that this land should be kept as yet from the knowledge of other nations; for behold, many nations would overrun the land, that there would be no place for an inheritance.

9 Wherefore, I, Lehi, have obtained a promise, that inasmuch as those whom the Lord God shall bring out of the land of Jerusalem shall keep his commandments, they shall prosper upon the face of this land; and they shall be kept from all other nations, that they may possess this land unto themselves. And if it so be that they shall keep his commandments they shall be blessed upon the face of this land, and there shall be none to molest them, nor to take away the land of their inheritance; and they shall dwell safely forever.” 2 Nephi 1:6-9

How many “Carefully Selected” Promised Lands are there?

There can be beautiful lands and lands of promise and country’s that are beautiful etc, but the Lord said there are only two “Promised Lands”, the New Jerusalem and Jerusalem of old, according to scripture. 3 Nephi 20:22,29 

“Carefully Selected” for God’s Purposes.
There are many Beautiful Lands and People in North and South America!

“In the last few weeks, I have had the glorious privilege of visiting eleven of our Latin American countries… I found they like to be referred to as Americans… I found they were very happy to learn that to the Latter-day Saints the Promised Land, the land of Zion, includes all of North and South America.” President Ezra Taft Benson April 1955 General Conference:

As Pres Benson said above, I think it is awesome the Latin Americans like to be called Americans. We members in North America are also happy to refer to them as wonderful people who have a promised land of their own. The only difference is no city in Latin America has been chosen by the Lord to be the Garden of Eden, New Jerusalem, Cumorah, Zarahemla, Plains of the Nephites, headquarters of the Church, Manti, Kirtland, Nauvoo, etc. Latin America was chosen to be a beautiful land for a beautiful people just as any other country was. I hear Greenland is beautiful and so is Ontario and Chile, but they weren’t chosen for the Lord’s purpose for a Constitution or to gather the Saints or to reveal the plates. Those things happened in cities in the United States of America. Just understand we in the USA are not better than anyone, we were only allowed to live in the USA where the covenant was made as the “Carefully Selected” Land of the Book of Mormon.

“I am a firm believer that this country, both North and South America, is the choice land of the world, a land choice above all other lands, according to the words of the prophets in the Book of Mormon.” Heber J. Grant

I agree with President Grant. Both North and South America is the choice land of the world. From Greenland to the tip of South America has been reserved for these last days for good people of all nationalities. There is beautiful terrain, vegetation and animal life for us to enjoy. There are also specific areas of the Western Hemisphere that have been selected for specific purposes of God in addition to the beauty of the land.

These specific purposes are namely:

Garden of Eden
Adam-Ondi-Ahman
Jaredites
Lehites
Mulekites
Pilgrims
Constitution
Restoration
Headquarters of the Church
Missionary Work
A Land of Freedom
New Jerusalem

These specific events and locations would indicate the Lord “Carefully Selected” these specific places of this Western Continent where He knew the above purposes could be accomplished in Missouri, Kirtland, Cumorah, Salt Lake and other areas within the United Stated of America. L. Tom Perry said, “The United States is the promised land foretold in the Book of Mormon—a place where divine guidance directed inspired men to create the conditions necessary for the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Elder L. Tom Perry Ensign Dec. 2012

Define Zion

“Now you folks of South America: you have always lived in Zion. One of the Brethren said that Zion was all of America and that it is like a great bird with two wide wings: North America and South America. With some of the Brethren we have just returned recently from the area conferences in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In that southern world of Zion we reminded them that Zion was all of North and South America, like the wide, spreading wings of a great eagle, the one being North and the other South America.” Spencer W. Kimball

I have seen and visited the beautiful lands in Mexico and love the kindness of the people there. I can see how rapidly the gospel has been accepted by the people of South America and I welcome them into the true Church. As Pres Kimball said there are two wings of the eagle who both live in Zion. Zion can be defined by the Scriptures in the Triple Combination Index as follows:

• seek to establish cause of Zion, D&C 6:6 (11:6; 12:6; 14:6).
• Joseph Smith inspired to move cause of Zion, D&C 21:7.
• devote all service to Zion, D&C 24:7.
• location of city of Zion to be revealed, D&C 28:9.
• Zion to be on borders by Lamanites, D&C 28:9.
• Zion shall rejoice upon hills, D&C 35:24 (39:13).
• the Lord has taken them of Enoch² into his bosom, D&C 38:4.
• New Jerusalem to be called Zion, D&C 45:66–67.
• righteous to be gathered to Zion, D&C 45:66–71 (62:4; 63:24, 36; 66:11).
• every man who will not take his sword must flee unto Zion, D&C 45:68.
• wicked will not go up to battle against Zion, D&C 45:70.
• Zion to assemble and flourish before the Lord’s coming, D&C 49:25.
• revelations given at Zion, Jackson County, Missouri, D&C 57–60.
• city of Zion to be in Missouri, D&C 57:2–3.
• Saints sent to Missouri to lay foundation of Zion, D&C 58:7.
• testimony to go forth from Zion, D&C 58:13.
• the Lord holds Zion in his hands, D&C 63:25.
• land of Zion to be obtained by purchase or blood, D&C 63:29–31.
• Saints to assemble upon land of Zion, D&C 63:36.
• none to be held guilty who go to Zion, D&C 64:22.
• willing and obedient shall eat good of land of Zion, D&C 64:34.
• rebellious shall be cut off out of Zion, D&C 64:35.
• inhabitants of Zion to judge all things pertaining to Zion, D&C 64:38–39.
• Zion shall flourish and have glory of the Lord, D&C 64:41.
• law that parents in Zion must teach children, D&C 68:25–26.
• the Lord is not pleased with inhabitants of Zion, D&C 68:31.
• Zion to be seat to receive accounts, D&C 69:6.
• he who comes to Zion should lay all things before bishop, D&C 72:15.
• the Lord God, the Holy One of Zion, D&C 78:15. + More

The word Zion appears repeatedly in all the books of scripture of the Church. In latter-day revelation, Zion is defined as “the pure in heart” (Doctrine and Covenants 97:21).

In the early days of this dispensation, Church leaders counseled members to build up Zion by emigrating to a central location. Today our leaders counsel us to build up Zion wherever we live. Members of the Church are asked to remain in their native lands and help establish the Church there. Many temples are being built so Latter-day Saints throughout the world can receive temple blessings.

The word Zion can also refer to specific geographic locations, as follows:
The city of Enoch (see Moses 7:18–21).
The ancient city of Jerusalem (see 2 Samuel 5:6–7; 1 Kings 8:1; 2 Kings 9:28).
The New Jerusalem, which will be built in Jackson County, Missouri (see Doctrine and Covenants 45:66–67; 57:1–3; Articles of Faith 1:10). Source

Western Hemisphere

“This Western Hemisphere” should “be a land of liberty unto the Gentiles and that no king should dwell upon this land, but that He, the God of Heaven, would be our King and would fortify this land against all the nations, that this should be a land of peace and happiness, on condition that we would honor the God of this earth, the Father of us all.” George Albert Smith

There were at least two kings that ruled in Mexico and in Brazil. The Queen also was head in Canada in the Monarchy. I think its important to understand that the USA has not come close to ever having a king which to me validates this “Carefully Selected” land of Promise.

Emperor Maximilian of Mexico

Maximilian I (German: Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph Maria von Habsburg-Lothringen, Spanish: Fernando Maximiliano José María de Habsburgo-Lorena; 6 July 1832 – 19 June 1867) was an Austrian archduke who reigned as the only Emperor of the Second Mexican Empire from 10 April 1864 until his execution on 19 June 18

President Spencer W. Kimball, speaking at an area conference in Monterey, Mexico in 1977, “In many natural resources, the land of America is rich and will produce abundantly. This is for you [Mexican congregants], for us, and for all the good people who live upon the land of America. Protection against enemies has been promised. In all the Americas, neither kings nor emperors will combine to take the land. Great promises are given us, if we live the commandments God has given us.”

Emperor Dom Pedro of Brazil

Dom Pedro I (English: Peter I; 12 October 1798 – 24 September 1834), nicknamed “the Liberator”, was the founder and first ruler of the Empire of Brazil. As King Dom Pedro IV, he reigned briefly over Portugal, where he also became known as “the Liberator” as well as “the Soldier King”

Massive South American Ruins

“The lands of Central America and South America are studded with ruins — remnants — of ancient civilizations,” he said. “One wonders what life must have been like among those people.

“Add to that the message on the title page of the Book of Mormon, that it is ‘written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel,’ we not only learn more about those ancient inhabitants, but we learn that the Lord cares for His children in this hemisphere, both in ancient times, and in modern times.”

Simply stated, he added, the Lord “loves these people, and they love their Savior, their Redeemer and their Lord. The Church is growing in all of Latin America, and we are honored and blessed to serve along with them.” President Russell M Nelson article By Sarah Jane Weaver Church News

I agree with the Prophet. I love the people of Latin America and people from all over the world. As President Nelson says, “The lands of Central America and South America are studded with ruins.” Many of the ruins like Chichen Itza however do not date to the Book of Mormon time frame. The book by John Lloyd Stephens’s “Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan” was published in 1854 and became a huge validation for many who believed the Book of Mormon events happened in Mesoamerica. However many of the ruins did not happen before 400 AD.

“The first Maya moved to the [Yucatán] Peninsula circa 250 CE, from the Petén (today northern Guatemala), to settle the southeastern peninsula in the modern Bacalar, Quintana Roo.” Source “Mayan civilization began in the pre-Classic period as well, but did not come into prominence until the Classic period (300–900 CE).” Source

“Chichen Itza was a large pre-Columbian city built by the Maya people of the Terminal Classic period. The archeological site is located in Tinúm Municipality, Yucatán State, Mexico. Chichen Itza was a major focal point in the Northern Maya Lowlands from the Late Classic (c. AD 600–900) through the Terminal Classic (c. AD 800–900)” Source

It is very interesting that the leader of Israel understands the Promises given to Israel and to the United States by the Lord. He said, “The remarkable alliance between Israel and the United States has always been above politics. It must always remain above politics. Because America and Israel, we share a common destiny, the destiny of promised lands that cherish freedom and offer hope. Israel is grateful for the support of American — of America’s people…”  Benjamin Netanyahu’s Speech to U.S. Congress MARCH 3, 2015 

Why should “Carefully Selected” have a Strong Constitution?

“The Constitution of the United States has served as a model for many nations and is the oldest constitution in use today. “I established the Constitution of this land,” said the Lord, “by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose” (D&C 101:80). For centuries the Lord kept America hidden in the hollow of His hand until the time was right to unveil her for her destiny in the last days. “It is wisdom that this land should be kept as yet from the knowledge of other nations,” said Lehi, “for behold, many nations would overrun the land, that there would be no place for an inheritance” (2 Ne. 1:8)… Our Father in Heaven planned the coming forth of the Founding Fathers and their form of government as the necessary great prologue leading to the restoration of the gospel. Recall what our Savior Jesus Christ said nearly two thousand years ago when He visited this promised land: “For it is wisdom in the Father that they should be established in this land, and be set up as a free people by the power of the Father, that these things might come forth” (3 Ne. 21:4). America, the land of liberty, was to be the Lord’s latter-day base of operations for His restored church…

During his first inaugural address in 1789, President George Washington, a man who was raised up by God, said: “No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand, which conducts the affairs of men, more than the people of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency” (First Inaugural Address, 30 Apr. 1789)…

Unfortunately, we as a nation have apostatized in various degrees from different Constitutional principles as proclaimed by the inspired founders. We are fast approaching that moment prophesied by Joseph Smith when he said: “Even this nation will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground, and when the Constitution is upon the brink of ruin, this people will be the staff upon which the nation shall lean, and they shall bear the Constitution away from the very verge of destruction” (19 July 1840, as recorded by Martha Jane Knowlton Coray; ms. in Church Historian’s Office, Salt Lake City)…

Only in this foreordained land, under its God-inspired Constitution and the resulting environment of freedom, was it possible to have established the restored church…

Two great American Christian civilizations—the Jaredites and the Nephites—were swept off this land because they did not “serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ” (Ether 2:12). What will become of our civilization?... I have faith that the Constitution will be saved as prophesied by Joseph Smith. It will be saved by the righteous citizens of this nation who love and cherish freedom. It will be saved by enlightened members of this Church—among others—men and women who understand and abide the principles of the Constitution.

I reverence the Constitution of the United States as a sacred document. To me its words are akin to the revelations of God, for God has placed His stamp of approval upon it.

Editor’s note: This means the US Constitution is from the mouth of the Lord. It is akin to the revelations and is sacred. Only in the United States of America has that type of Constitution ever been written directed by revelation from the Lord. Yes the Lord “Carefully Selected” the Men and Citizens and this great country. Add to that the witness and testimony of a Prophet of God.

I testify that the God of heaven sent some of His choicest spirits to lay the foundation of this government, and He has now sent other choice spirits to help preserve it.

We, the blessed beneficiaries of the Constitution, face difficult days in America, “a land which is choice above all other lands” (Ether 2:10)… Ezra Taft Benson “Our Divine Constitution Ensign Oct 1987

Cumorah was “Carefully Selected” Twice!

“From the summit of this hill, doubtless, Mormon and his great son Moroni had also witnessed the gathering of the hosts of the Nephites and the dusky and myriad legions of their deadly enemies, the Lamanites. Around this hill they had marshaled their forces — their twenty- three divisions of ten thousand men each, commanded by the most skillful of their generals; all to be swept away, except Mormon and Moroni and twenty-two others, in one day’s battle, by the fierce and relentless foe whom God permitted to execute his threatened judgment. Stealthily perhaps, for fear of exciting the attention of the Lamanites, Mormon and Moroni and their companions may have ascended this hill and gazed on the dreadful scene around them. What a picture of desolation and woe must have met their sight! How deep must have been their anguish at thus witnessing the destruction of the fair ones of their nation! No wonder they cried out in anguish, and mourned with pathetic lamentations the rebellion against God which had brought this terrible destruction upon them. Mormon’s feelings must have been very peculiar. At fifteen years of age chosen to be the commander-in-chief of the armies of his nation, he had fought battle after battle until now, at seventy-four years of age, he witnessed the complete blotting out of what had been the most favored people on the earth. His reflections must have been peculiarly painful, because he knew that had they listened to him he could have saved them. It was here that he hid the abridgment which he made of the records, and which is now known by his name, and it was here, thirty-six years after this tremendous battle, that his son Moroni also hid his abridgment of the Book of Ether and the record which he had made from which we learn the fate of his father Mormon and his other companion?, that sixteen years after the battle of Cumorah Mormon and all the Nephites except Moroni had been killed by the Lamanites. It was to this spot that about fourteen hundred years after these events, Joseph Smith, the prophet, was led by Moroni in person and here the records, engraved on plates, were committed to him for translation. Who could tread this ground and reflect upon these mighty events, and not be filled with indescribable emotion ? We were literally surrounded by the graves of two of the mightiest nations which had ever flourished on the earth. We stood in the centre of their burial place. They had rebelled against God, they had slain His prophets, disregarded His warnings and arrayed themselves against Him. His promise and covenant concerning this land are: “that whatsoever nation shall possess it, shall serve God, or they shall be swept off when the fullness of His wrath shall come upon them. And the fullness of His wrath, cometh upon them when they are ripened in iniquity; for behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands ; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God, or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God.”  VISIT TO THE LAND AND HILL CUORAH GEORCE O. CANNON – – EDITOR. SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1873. https://archive.org/stream/juvenileinstruct814geor/juvenileinstruct814geor_djvu.txt

What Land is This Land? I quote the references by Elder Cannon below referring to this “Carefully Selected” land of Cumorah!

The summit of this hill
Around this hill
Ascended this hill
Dreadful scene around them
The armies of this nation
Here that he hid the abridgement
It was here
To this spot
Here the records
We were literally surrounded by the graves
We stood in the centre of their burial place
Shall posses it
Concerning this land
This is a land which is choice above all other lands.

THIS LAND– Does the Geography of the Book of Mormon Matter?
By Rod Meldrum

“Does the geography of the Book of Mormon matter? The book is true no matter where it happened. Right? This is a response I have heard many others say and one I have said myself many times. But reading in 3 Nephi this morning made me change my mind. I think the Book of Mormon geography does matter.

When Christ appeared to the Nephites as the resurrected Savior, He blessed them, He taught them He prayed with them and for them. He also quoted to them the words of Isaiah. He reminded them that they had been given THIS LAND for their inheritance and were warned that they would not be allowed to remain on THIS LAND if they did not remain faithful. This emphasis shows the significance of the LAND to the Book of Mormon people, and the people who would be brought by the hand of God to THIS LAND and now occupy THIS LAND.

Christ himself said, “great are the words of Isaiah” and He commanded the Nephites and all who read the Book of Mormon to search his words. If the words of Isaiah are great and we are commanded to read them and study them and ultimately understand them, then I believe we most certainly should understand where THIS LAND is and we should understand who the Lord is taking to when he talks about the inhabitants of THIS LAND. Because he is in fact talking directly to those who are on THIS LAND and if you don’t know where that is you can’t fully understand the message.

Does the geography of the Book of Mormon matter? With over 1400 references to “THIS LAND” in the Book of Mormon I’m not sure how the Book of Mormon prophets could have made it clearer. THIS LAND matters. Geography matters. Those of us on THIS LAND the “promised land,” the Land of Liberty, the Land of the New Jerusalem need to know who we are. America is THIS LAND. America is a covenant land. I live on THIS LAND. Even the chapter heading of 3 Nephi also confirms this truth.

Israel will be gathered when the Book of Mormon comes forth–The Gentiles will be established as a free people in America–They will be saved if they believe and obey; otherwise, they will be cut off and destroyed–Israel will build the New Jerusalem, and the lost tribes will return to THIS LAND.

I am learning more each day about what the prophecies say about me, my fellow Gentiles and my House of Israel sisters and brothers on THIS LAND. I desire to understand my covenant that I have made with the Lord and the Book of Mormon is the “voice crying from the dust” helping me understand it. The geography of the Book of Mormon matters to me.” Rod Meldrum FIRM Foundation President