FAQs

Question

What Information Does The New 5 DVD Series, Book Of Mormon Evidence, Include?

The new 9+ hour 5 DVD disk series by Rod L. Meldrum, titled Book of Mormon Evidence has taken 8 years of intensive research, 3 years of filming and 9 months of editing to bring together the most compelling evidence supporting the validity of the Book of Mormon ever assembled. To purchase visit the Bookstore Here

We are thrilled to offer a truly comprehensive system of research on the study of Book of Mormon Geography.  This DVD series will take those who watch it through one of the most exciting new Book of Mormon geography paradigms ever.  These 5 highly informative DVD’s form the backbone of what has become known as the ‘Heartland Book of Mormon Geography’ first coined by its author, Rod L. Meldrum due to its being located in North America’s heartland region.

Re-read the Book of Mormon from this fresh new perspective and have it come ALIVE!

The individual DVD’s are titled:

1. Prophecies and Promises; Promised Land Correlations with the United States of America (watch this entire DVD online FREE by visiting our Video Gallery!)
2. Joseph Smith; Joseph Smith and Book of Mormon Geography
3. DNA and the Book of Mormon; Rediscovering the Book of Mormon Remnant through DNA
4. Book of Mormon Correlations; Correlations between the Nephites and the Hopewell Civilization
5. The Heartland Geography; Mapping the Book of Mormon using the Heartland Geography

For detailed information about the contents of the 5 DVD disk series, click HERE.

Question

What Is The Controversy Surrounding DNA And The Book Of Mormon?

Lehi and his family, who came from the Holy Land area, where descendants of Joseph that was sold into Egypt (1 Nephi 5:14). The three primary races of the earth, Asian (Oriental), African (Negroid) and European (Caucasian) are quite easily distinguished from each other through specific DNA markers or ‘signatures’ that delineate their ancestry. The Book of Mormon tells us that the descendants of Lehi, (including his wife Sariah, Ishmael and his wife, and Zoram) lived and multiplied to a great extent somewhere in the America’s. See BoM Helaman 11:20 and 3:8 and also 3 Nephi 1:17. Since it is highly probable that Sariah, Ishmael and Zoram were also of the same genetic stock (not Asian or African), their genetic signatures today would most certainly be classified by present day geneticists as ‘European’ rather than Asian or African. We do not know the exact make up of Lehi’s DNA, but that does not preclude us from being able to make a direct connection to his ‘European/Caucasian’ heritage.
Preliminary DNA studies, performed on thousands of individual Native Americans from the Aleut’s in Alaska, through North, Central and South America, were completed. They were tested, studied and classified into one of 4 primary genetic groups called haplogroups. These four founding groups, designated Haplogroups A, B, C and D are all Asian based groups found in modern populations of Siberia and Asia today, which supports the dominant theory of the peopling of the New World (the America’s) by an overland migration across the Bering Straight during an ice age epoch. Initial studies indicated that there were no European type genetic DNA markers, which would lead to the conclusion that no migration or population expansion of an ‘Israelite’ group occurred anywhere in the America’s as is indicated by the Book of Mormon. This lead to some LDS scientists viewing this as the ‘final straw’ for their belief and some were subsequently excommunicated from the church after writing books contrary to the teachings and doctrine of the gospel, but based on these initial scientific findings.

A small ‘Christian ministry’ capitalized on this small group of LDS scholars and scientists who left or were excommunicated from the church and documented their feelings and findings, producing a very powerful anti-Mormon video documentary. This DVD has sold tens of thousands of copies since its introduction in early 2003. The revenue produced by this documentary has funded other ‘anti-Mormon’ videos. While the producers of these videos have offered them on their websites for free, they continue to sell thousands of the ‘hard’ copies. Who are buying these, as they are available for free, and why? The answer is that other Christian denominations are buying these up by the pallet load for free distribution in neighborhood after neighborhood. Entire cities have been ‘blanketed’ by different Christian groups in an effort to thwart the evangelical efforts of the LDS Church. Cities from Springville, Utah to Gilbert, Arizona and hundreds of cities in the ‘Bible belt’ have come under this siege.
Why is this being done? Because for the first time other Christian denominations have something for which we, the members of the church, have provided no conclusive answers, although the subject has been addressed by numerous articles from LDS apologetic organizations. The simple fact is that no DNA findings support the dominant theory of the geography of the Book of Mormon in Mesoamerica. Since there is no DNA evidence supporting the claims of the Book of Mormon there, those who believe in this geography must explain why there is no evidence of European lineages there. While some have addressed the issue (including FARMS or Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies) with well reasoned research that is certainly plausible, their explanations fall short of providing a solid answer that both addresses the DNA issues and validates the claims of The Book of Mormon.

The explanations fall into one of three primary categories.
1. We don’t have DNA samples from any of Lehi’s party, so we don’t even know what types of DNA we are looking to find.
2. Lehi’s group was small and as they intermingled with the existing Asian populations, their DNA was diluted to the point that it is no longer traceable.
3. It is possible that a ‘genetic bottleneck’ occurred that extinguished the DNA markers found in the original Book of Mormon peoples.
These explanations are used to excuse the lack of DNA evidence in Central or Mesoamerica, in order to defend these geographical theories. This has lead LDS apologetic groups to claim that DNA research and findings cannot be used either to falsify the claims of the Book of Mormon, nor to provide evidence in it’s support. As a classic example of this argument read the Deseret News/Mormontimes article by Roger L. Hardy by Daniel Peterson, a very vocal LDS apologist who is also a strong advocate of the Mesoamerican hypothesis. He mentions all three while promoting a new book on DNA which is actually mostly a collection of previously published articles, some of which are quite old in terms of the current DNA research field they are addressing. While each of these explanations have merit and are justifiably employed in defense of the Book of Mormon’s claims, there is another aspect that must be addressed. No less than seven times in the scriptures there are specific claims that in the latter days, there would remain on the Promised Land a “remnant” of the “House of Israel” or Lehi’s posterity which came through the lineage of Joseph of Egypt and his son Manasseh. Some LDS apologists have claimed that they ‘don’t expect to find” any DNA evidence in favor of the Book of Mormon. Why would any member of the church not expect to find evidence of the Book of Mormon’s claim that there will be a ‘remnant seed’ still in existence in the latter days? How can there be a ‘remnant’ if there is no actual genetic (DNA) connection to this lineage? This is the reason that Rod Meldrum did not feel comfortable with the answers being provided by the LDS apologetic community, which caused the beginning of this research. Since the Book of Mormon is true (as previously admitted to as his bias) it stands to reason that it’s claims that Lehi’s seed would not be utterly destroyed must indicate that their genetics would still be found in order to fulfill the promises made by the Lord. If there is no genetic remnant, how can there be a differentiation between those who are actual descendants, and those who are Gentiles who are ‘grafted into’ the House of Israel? Why then would the Lord make that distinction?

The problem is two fold. The anti-Mormon documentary producers were premature in their conclusions regarding DNA studies in the America’s as the research was not yet complete at the time of the release of their video. The second problem is that in order for DNA to be found relating to Book of Mormon people, we must be sure that we are looking for it in the correct location. What chance is there of finding supportive DNA or any other physical evidence for the truth of The Book of Mormon if we are looking for it in the wrong place?

This DVD, titled ‘DNA evidence for Book of Mormon Geography’ effectively and powerfully addresses, and provides supporting evidence that answers both of these fundamental questions. In addition, it goes back to the very foundations of the geographical theories to bring to light the knowledge that Joseph Smith had on the subject as well as an in depth study of the internal geographic indications from The Book of Mormon itself. All of this information has now, for the first time, been combined to produce a clear geographical picture that is exciting because of its solid foundation of evidence that supports the validity and truthfulness of this literal ancient record. You are invited to explore the information from this DVD for yourself and ask the source of all truth of its validity.

Question

Is Finding ‘Lamanite’ DNA In The America’s Important?

“The whole face of the land had become covered with buildings, and the people were as numerous almost, as it were the sand of the sea.” (BoM Mormon 1:7)

“And behold how great the covenants of the Lord, and how great his condescensions unto the children of men; and because of his greatness, and his grace and mercy, he has promised unto us that our seed shall not utterly be destroyed, according to the flesh, but that he would preserve them; and in future generations they shall become a righteous branch unto the house of Israel.” (BoM 2 Nephi 9:53)

“And then shall the remnant of our seed know concerning us, how that we came out from Jerusalem, and that they are descendants of the Jews.” (BoM 2 Nephi 30:3 – 4)

2 “And may the Lord consecrate also unto thee this land, which is a most precious land, for thine inheritance and the inheritance of thy seed with thy brethren, for thy security forever, if it so be that ye shall keep the commandments of the Holy One of Israel.

3 And now, Joseph, my last-born, whom I have brought out of the wilderness of mine afflictions, may the Lord bless thee forever,for thy seed shall not utterly be destroyed.

16 Yea, thus prophesied Joseph: I am sure of this thing, even as I am sure of the promise of Moses; for the Lord hath said unto me,I will preserve thy seed forever.

23 Wherefore, because of this covenant thou art blessed; for thy seed shall not be destroyed, for they shall hearken unto the words of the book.” (2 Nephi 3:2-3, 16, 23)

Question

Could Genetics Help Us Discover The Geography Of The Book Of Mormon?

Question

What Did The Prophet, Joseph Smith, Know About Book Of Mormon Geography?

What about claims that the Prophet Joseph Smith stated that Zarahemla was located in Guatemala?  This claim has been perpetuated by several Mesoamerican theorists.  An example is the following: “Joseph Smith, as editor of the Times and Seasons, directed our attention to this fact in an editorial (Oct. 1, 1842). He statedthat “the city of Zarahemla “stood upon this land where explorer John Lloyd Stephens brought the magnificent ancient Maya ruins to the world’s attention in his 1841 publications,” “Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan.” Ongoing researches today are confirming Joseph’s inspired insight.”The claim that Joseph Smith made these statements stems from two articles that appeared in the Times and Seasons of Sept. 15^th and Oct. 1^st , 1842, and  have  been falsely attributed to Joseph Smith.  Joseph Smith did not write either article, he did not sign it (as he testified he would for anything he wrote in the Times and Seasons), he had already given editorial responsibility to the 12 by revelation, and he happened to be in hiding from the law at the time these two articles appeared.  This ‘evidence’ for a Mesoamerican setting for the Book of Mormon would be thrown out of any court of law for insufficient evidence.

FARMS agree’s that claiming this quote to be from Joseph Smith’s is invalid.

“Joseph Smith and Book of Mormon Geography
Exactly what Joseph Smith believed at different times in his life concerning Book of Mormon geography in general is also indeterminable. Only a few clues remain. For example, while the church was headquartered in Nauvoo, Joseph read a best-selling book of his day by John L. Stephens, Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan, which John Bernhisel had sent to him from the East. In a letter dated 16 November 1841, the Prophet thanked Bernhisel and wrote about the book that “of all histories that had been written pertaining to the antiquities of this country it is the most correct” and it “supports the testimony of the Book of Mormon.”¹¹ Ten months later, the Times and Seasons printed an enthusiastic review of the Stephens volume. John Taylor was the editor, although Joseph Smith had shortly before announced his own editorial responsibility for the newspaper. The unnamed writer of the review (probably Wilford Woodruff) stated that “we have just learned . . . [that] the city Zarahemla . . . stood upon this land [of Guatemala, whose ruins Stephens was reporting].”

Joseph Smith received a revelation on January 28^th, 1842 that the Twelve should be given responsibility for the Times and Seasons and manage the print shop. Joseph recorded, “I received the following revelation to the Twelve concerning the Times and Seasons, given January 28^th, 1842.  Revelation.  Verily thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph, go and say unto the Twelve, that it is my will to have them take in hand the editorial department of the Times and Seasons, …”  History of the Church, Vol. 4:50

From the Times and Seasons, Tuesday, March 15^th, 1842 Joseph wrote “This paper commences my editorial career, I alone stand for it, and shall do for all papershaving my signature henceforward.”Neither of these two editorial commentaries in the Times and Seasons indicating a Mesoamerican setting for the Book of Mormon were signed by anybody,  including Joseph.  He did, however sign other articles that appeared during this same time frame, thereby validating his express statement that he would be responsible for all articles that bore his signature

The proposed letter from Joseph Smith to John Bernhisel of Nov. 16^th, 1841 is also being misconstrued to indicate something it doesn’t when read in its entirety. It states “Dear Sir, I received your kind present by the hand of Er [Elder] Woodruff  & feel myself under many obligations for this mark of your esteem & friendship which to me is the more interesting as it unfolds & developes (sic) many things that are of great importance to this generation & corresponds with & supports the testimony of the Book of Mormon;

I have read the volumes with the greatest of interest & pleasure & must say that of all the histories that have been written pertaining to the antiquities of this country it is the most correct luminous & comprehensive.”When read in context, Joseph appears to be thanking Bishop Bernhisel for his friendship and support and then mentions that he had read the book set ‘Incidents of travel in Central America’ which he considered to be the most correct and comprehensive of any book written pertaining to ‘this country’.  What ‘country’ was Joseph talking about?  The book’s title specifically indicates it was written about Central America, so it is clear that Joseph was simply stating that this book set is the best information available on Central America.  Nowhere does Joseph state that the Book of  Mormon history occurred in Central America.

Conversely, Joseph was very clear about where he KNEW the Book of Mormon to have occurred.

1. In the Wentworth letter (which Joseph stated was received by revelation) Joseph wrote “I was also informed concerning the aboriginal inhabitants of this country, and shown who they were, and from whence they came; a brief sketch of their origin, progress, civilization, laws, governments,…”. He went on to write “The remnant are the Indians that now inhabit this country. This book also tells us that our Saviour [Savior] made his appearance upon this continent…”.  (Autobiographical and Historical Writings, vol. 1 of The Papers of Joseph Smith, by Dean C. Jessee p 431)
2. In a letter Joseph wrote by commandment from God, and which was subsequently printed in the American Revivalist and Rochester Observer Feb. 2^nd, 1833 edition, he writes to the editor in which he described the Book of Mormon as follows:  “The Book of Mormon is a record of the forefathers of our western tribes of Indians;…”  “By it we learn that our western tribes of Indians, are descendants from that Joseph that was sold into Egypt, and that the land of America is a promised land unto them.”  West to Joseph at this time would have meant Ohio, Illinois, Missouri…further west it was actually Mexico at the time.
3. From a hand-written letter to his wife Emma Smith while on Zion’s camp march of June 4^th, 1834 Joseph wrote “The whole of our journey, in the midst of so large a company of social honest and sincere men, wandering over the plains of the Nephites, recounting occasionally the history of the Book of Mormon, roving over the mounds of that once beloved people of the Lord, picking up their skulls and bones, as proof of its divine authenticity..” Signed by Joseph Smith Jr. (The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, by Dean C. Jessee p 324)
4. The Zelph account. On June 3^rd, 1834, Joseph Smith Jr. with several brethren (8 of whom wrote in their personal journals as having witnessed this account, and three of these men became future prophets of the church) visited a prominent mound on top of the bluffs overlooking the area around Valley City, Illinois. Joseph procured a shovel and dug down about a foot where he unearthed some bones.  He continued until a ribcage could be distinguished wherein they found an arrowhead.  Their combined, highly corroborated accounts were recorded as follows.  “the visions of the past being opened to my understanding by the Spirit of the Almighty, I discovered that the person whose skeleton was before us was a white Lamanite, a large, thick-set man, and a man of God.  His name was Zelph. He was a warrior and chieftain under the great prophet Onandugus, who was known from the hill Cumorah or eastern sea to the Rocky Mountains…  He was killed in battle by the arrow found among his ribs during the last great struggle with the Lamanites and Nephites.” (History of the Church Vol. 2:79-80, 1948 edition)
5. Even more importantly than what Joseph said is what he personally wrote. But even more important than what he wrote is what he DID.  When commanded by God to send missionaries to preach the gospel “unto the Lamanites” (see D&C 28:8 Sept. 1830) Joseph immediately dispatched three men.  Oliver Cowdrey (D&C 28:8), Peter Whitmer Jr. (D&C 30:5-6) and Parley P. Pratt (D&C 32:1-2).  Parley P. Pratt recorded in his autobiography, p 56-61, “Thus ended our first Indian Mission, in which we had preached the Gospel in its fullness and distributed the record of their forefathers among three tribes…”  And where did the prophet Joseph send those missionaries?  To Buffalo New York, Ohio, and west of Missouri.  And isn’t it ironic that he just happened to send these first missionaries to the very tribes that today have Haplogroup X (European) DNA…how did Joseph know that?  How many missionaries did Joseph Smith send to Guatemala?
6. Where did Joseph Smith himself go to “preach unto the Lamanites”? From History of the Church, Vol. 4 p 401-402 on Thursday, August 12^th, 1841 Joseph wrote “I accordingly went down, and met Keokuk, Kis-ku-kosh, Appenoose, and about one hundred chiefs and braves of those tribes (Sac and Fox tribes), with their families.”  He went on to say “I conducted them to the meeting grounds in the grove, and instructed them in many things which the Lord had revealed unto me concerning their fathers, and the promises that were made concerning them in the Book of Mormon.”
7. D&C 54:8 states “And thus you [Newel Knight] shall take your journey into the regions westward, unto the land of Missouri, unto the borders of the Lamanites.” Even if Joseph was confused (which he wasn’t) do you think that GOD is confused about where the remnants of the Lamanites are located?
8. And finally, where did GOD himself place the city of Zarahemla? See D&C 125:3 and see for yourself where he placed it.  Remember, God has only named a handful of places through his prophets, so it is likely very important when he does so.  You may be very surprised at the answer, and it was not in Mesoamerica.  

All this and much, much more is answered in the DVD presentation.

Question

Where Exactly Is The ‘Promised Land’ Of The Book Of Mormon?

Question

Are There Any Civilizations That Qualify As Being ‘Nephite’, ‘Lamanite’, Or ‘Jaredite’?

Question

What Indications Does The Book Itself Give About Climate?

Several theorists have stated that a North American setting for the Book of Mormon makes no sense because of scriptural references to Lamanites coming to battle in little more than a loin-cloth in the first month of the year.  Those who do so are making the assumption the the Nephite civilization used a calendar in the same way as we do today.  That does not appear to be the case.

At the time just prior to Christ’s crucifixion he went to Jerusalem for passover.  Passover is generally related to the spring solstice in April.  In 3 Nephi 8:5 it states

“And it came to pass in the thirty and forth year, in the FIRST MONTH, on the fourth day of the month, there arose a great storm,..” 

This was the sign of Christ’s death.  Since he died in April, it would indicate that the Nephite calendar was shifted 4 months (Nephite month 1 was our month 4 or April).  This would indicate that the occasion of the Lamanites coming to battle in a loin-cloth would be more plausible as the scripture indicates that they were fatigued because of their labors and the heat of the day.  Daily temperature changes are minimal in tropical rainforests which would tend to indicate a more temperate climate where people coming out of winter might fatigue more easily and consider a warm spring day as ‘hot’.

 In fact, the Nephites seemed somewhat astonished the Lamanites came to battle dressed this way.  It would seem that a loincloth was the exception rather than the rule in warfare at that time. Many wars don’t mention loincloths, which would indicate that generally they were well dressed as indicated by the Book of Mormon itself.

“19 And when the armies of the Lamanites saw that the people of Nephi, or that Moroni, had prepared his people with breastplates and with arm-shields, yea, and also shields to defend their heads, and also they were dressed with thick clothing— (Book of Mormon | Alma 43:19)”

“6 Now the leaders of the Lamanites had supposed, because of the greatness of their numbers, yea, they supposed that they should be privileged to come upon them as they had hitherto done; yea, and they had also prepared themselves with shields, and with breastplates; and they had also prepared themselves with garments of skins, yea, very thick garments to cover their nakedness.” (Book of Mormon | Alma 49:6)

All these indications point to one overwhelming conclusion.  The Book of Mormon itself has given us sufficient clues to answer these questions, if we will diligently study its pages…with faith.

Question

Is This Some Kind Of “Mormon” Science?

Question

Why Is Knowing The Geography Of The Book Of Mormon Important?

Question

What Archaeological Evidence Is There For These Civilizations?

Question

The Book Of Mormon Index Indicates The Sidon River Flows North Into A Sea, Is This Correct?

Question

How Can I Tell Which Version Of The DVD I Have?

Version #1 has two DVD disks.

Version # 2 has 1 dual layer DVD Disk and the disk case has a printed copyright “2007 Rod Meldrum” on the front graphic near the bottom.

Version # 3 has 1 dual layer DVD Disk and the disk case has a printed copyright “2008 Rod Meldrum” on the front graphic and only 1 UPC bar code on the back.

Version # 4 is the same as version # 3 except that an ISBN number has been added to the back of the case graphic for library and book dealer needs.