If you have seen my last few blogs, I have emphasized the words of Joseph Fielding Smith about his witness, that the Book of Mormon events happened in North America at the one and only NY Hill. Today I am sharing more from Elder Mark E. Petersen as well. He has a strong witness as well and he uses the text of the Book of Mormon to share what he feels happened.
Prophets & Apostles Geography Quotes
Wouldn’t it be nice if we had many quotes from Prophets, Apostles and Leaders at our fingertips about their belief about one or two Cumorah’s? It just so happens I have that for you already with 65 Quotes HERE. Please share these with others.
Rod Meldrum said, “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.” Rod Meldrum
The Last Words of Moroni
Mark E. Petersen Oct 1978
“Last week we passed one of the most significant anniversaries recognized by our Church. It marked the visitations of the Angel Moroni to the Prophet Joseph Smith, preliminary to the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in our day. (JS—H 1:28–65.)
Moroni came back from the dead, a resurrected man!
He had lived in America some fifteen hundred years ago and was the sole survivor of his people in a series of tragic battles which took many lives.
He had witnessed the destruction of his whole nation, including his own family. In bitter vengeance their enemies had vowed their complete annihilation, and now this threat was accomplished.
Moroni’s father was commander of the armies of this ancient people, known as Nephites. His name was Mormon. The war of which we speak took place here in America some four hundred years after Christ. (See Morm. 6.)
As the fighting neared its end, Mormon gathered the remnant of his forces about a hill which they called Cumorah, located in what is now the western part of the state of New York.
Their enemies, known as Lamanites, came against them on this hill. Of that dreadful event Mormon wrote:
“My people, with their wives and their children, did now behold the armies of the Lamanites marching towards them; and with that awful fear of death which fills the breasts of all the wicked, did they await to receive them.
“… Every soul was filled with terror because of the greatness of their numbers.
“And it came to pass that they did fall upon my people with the sword, and with the bow, and with the arrow, and with the ax, and with all manner of weapons of war.
“And it came to pass that my men were hewn down, yea, even my ten thousand who were with me, and I fell wounded in the midst.” (Morm. 6:7–10.)
Then he spoke of other leaders serving with him in the Nephite army, all of whom had fallen with the forces under their command. He accounted for about a quarter of a million Nephite soldiers killed in that final encounter at Cumorah.
Editors Note: [Many people in the Mesoamerican camp say Hill Cumorah was to small of a hill for “a quarter of a million Nephite soldiers killed.” They weren’t killed “on” the hill, they were killed “around” or “near” the hill.
Mormon 6:2 says, “we might gather together our people unto the of , by a hill which was called Cumorah, and there we could give them battle.” And Mormon 6:4 says,” we did march forth to the land of Cumorah, and we did pitch our tents around about the hill Cumorah; and it was in a land of , rivers, and fountains;]
Book of Mormon Central-Mesoamerica Theory
The Know
“In the final battle at the Hill Cumorah, the Lamanites completely decimated the Nephites. Mormon stated that the Lamanites killed roughly 230,000 of his people.1 Yet this number may, at first, seem impossibly large. One wonders how an army of 230,000 people could exist during a time when the entire population of the world was probably only around 206 million. It is impossible to know exactly why these numbers are so high, but there are a few possibilities…
1. Mormon May Have Exaggerated
2. A Thousand May Not Actually Mean a Thousand
3. The Army May Actually Have Been Massive
4. 230,000 Could Represent Entire Population”
[Editors Opinion: To me it is unbelievable that Book of Mormon Central would even pose these 4 questions. In other KnoWhy’s they speak about the small size of the Hill Cumorah and no artifacts found near Cumorah, which I give detail about in two blogs below that I share. I know they ask the questions for the benefit of non-members as well, but why even ask that? Just tell us your answer without giving credence to exaggeration or Mormon not telling the truth. It is mind boggling to me. The truth has set me free. I believe the Heartland Model is the only answer for me.
BMC continues below:
The Why
“There are two overarching approaches one can take when reading the Book of Mormon. One is to assume that the book is false, stating that each confusing element in the book proves it to be a fraud. The other is have faith, give the book the benefit of the doubt, look at it through an ancient lens, and realize that ancient texts are rarely as clear cut as modern readers would prefer. This second approach means that readers of the Book of Mormon need to read it in the same way that they might read other ancient sacred texts. They need to be patient with the book, consider it thoughtfully, and not dismiss details that seem strange as a sign that the book is not authentic.
Exploring difficulties and potential solutions available—rather than dismissing them out of hand—creates opportunities to learn, discover, grow, and ultimately increase in faith. If something about the Book of Mormon seems confusing, out of place, or unexpected, this is what one would expect. This simply means that the Book of Mormon joins the Bible as a book that needs to be pondered and considered carefully if one is to understand seeming oddities in the text.” Post contributed by BMC Team November 15, 2016 KnoWhy #231
[Editors note: Why does the BMC TEAM write these? Why not put the actual writer who is responsible for these words. Rod Meldrum and I don’t write as a team but as individual people so you as the reader are better informed.
Oliver Cowdery in his Letters to WW Phelps said,
“…Here, between these hills, the entire power and national strength of both the Jaredites and Nephites were destroyed. By turning to the 529th and 530th pages of the Book of Mormon, you will read Mormon’s account of the last great struggle of his people, as they were encamped round this hill Cumorah. In this valley fell the remaining strength and pride of a once powerful people, the Nephites—once so highly favored of the Lord, but at that time in darkness, doomed to suffer extermination by the hand of their barbarous and uncivilized brethren. From the top of this hill, Mormon, with a few others, after the battle, gazed with horror upon the mangled remains of those who, the day before, were filled with anxiety, hope, or doubt.” Oliver Cowdery’s Letter VII Joseph Smith Papers “Letter VII,” LDS Messenger and Advocate, July 1835, 1:155–159 .
[Between what hills is Oliver meaning? Hill Cumorah and the parallel hill one mile to Cumorah’s west, a place we sometimes call, Hill Shim which is a possible good fit for a place close by, where the plates could be moved by the Nephites. (See Map Below)
230,000 Killed
Think about this. If you have been to a College football game at the Rose Bowl or the Big House in Michigan, they each hold over 100,000 people. Elder Peterson above said “about a quarter of a million Nephite soldiers” and the scriptures say, 230,000 killed. That means only 2 and a half football stadiums could hold 250,000 people. The footprint or area of these football stadiums is much less that a 1-mile area, correct You could maybe build 10 or 15, 100,000 seat stadiums in a one-mile valley.
Oliver described this valley saying, “I think I am justified in saying that this is the highest hill [Cumorah] for some distance round… At about one mile west rises another ridge of less height, running parallel with the former, leaving a beautiful vale between… one reflects on the fact, that here, between these hills, the entire power and national strength of both the Jaredites and Nephites were destroyed.” Oliver Cowdery 1835 Letter VII
Oliver Didn’t Need Revelation. He saw the Place and had FACTS
In reference to what Oliver said, Jonathan Neville explained, “In 1834, Oliver began writing a series of letters to W.W. Phelps, outlining the early history. Joseph assisted in the effort. Oliver wrote eight letters that were published in the Church’s newspaper, the Messenger and Advocate, in Kirtland. In Letter VII, he described the Hill Cumorah and explained that the final battles of the Nephites and Jaredites took place in the mile-wide valley west of Cumorah. Oliver didn’t claim revelation on the point; he knew it was true because Mormon had deposited the records in the hill and Oliver and Joseph had both seen them there. That’s why Joseph had his scribes copy Letter VII into his journal as part of his history (this was after Letter VII was published in the Messenger and Advocate in 1835). “ Jonathan Neville
Elder Petersen Continues
“He mourned over this great loss and wrote: “My soul was rent with anguish, because of the slain of my people, and I cried:
“O ye fair ones, how could ye have departed from the ways of the Lord! O ye fair ones, how could ye have rejected that Jesus, who stood with open arms to receive you!
“Behold, if ye had not done this, ye would not have fallen. But behold, ye are fallen, and I mourn your loss.
“O ye fair sons and daughters, ye fathers and mothers, ye husbands and wives, ye fair ones, how is it that ye could have fallen!
“But behold, ye are gone, and my sorrows cannot bring your return.
“O that ye had repented before this great destruction had come upon you.” (Morm. 6:16–20, 22.)
Why were the Nephites destroyed?
They had been told that it was a privilege for anyone to live on the American continent, for it is a promised land, and those who reside here must abide by the rules that God decreed pertaining to it.
Only those who are willing to serve Jesus Christ, who is the God of this land, may remain here. Others will be swept off. (See Ether 2:10–12.) [Editors Note: What land is “this Land?”]
The Nephites knew this, but with malice aforethought, they reveled in sin and rejected the teachings of Christ.
Having failed to meet the conditions by which they could remain on this promised land, they were swept off, and with great violence.
At the time Mormon recorded the details of this dreadful tragedy, he said that only twenty-four remained alive of all the men, women, and children of the Nephites. These surviving few were themselves killed the next day—with one exception, Moroni, whom the Lord spared to close up the written record.
When finished with the record, Moroni was to hide it up in that same Hill Cumorah which was their battlefield. It would come forth in modern times as the Book of Mormon, named after Moroni’s father, the historian who compiled it.
Realizing the importance of completing it, this lone survivor wrote: “I, Moroni, do finish the record of my father, Mormon” (Morm. 8:1).
Then he wrote a description of the last battle and added: “I … remain alone to write the sad tale of the destruction of my people. …
“Therefore I will write and hide up the records in the earth. …
“My father hath been slain in battle, and all my kinsfolk, and I have not friends nor whither to go; and how long the Lord will suffer that I may live I know not.” (Morm. 8:3–5.)
As he wrote his fateful words, he said again that his people were annihilated because they loved wickedness, rejected the counsel of God, and gave themselves over to seeking wealth and corruption. This made up the deadly concoction which brought about their extinction.
Had not the Lord said to them, as he says to us now, that America is a choice land and that those who live here must obey God or be swept off? And had he not kept his word to those rebellious Nephites, now totally wiped out? So it is that today’s archaeologists find the ruins which are silent witnesses to the greatness that once was theirs.
[See my blog here about all the artifacts found in and around the Hill Cumorah by modern Archaeologist, as Elder Petersen said.]
Elder Petersen continues, “In closing his record, and knowing that it would come to us, Moroni pleaded with us, the modern inhabitants of this land, to escape the kind of tragic end which had obliterated his people. He said:
“Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing.
“And I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts; …
“Ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel.” (Morm. 8:35–36.)
In prophecy also he spoke of the tragic moral pollutions which would engulf many modern Americans. He asked why we are so foolish as to revel in sin, why we would reject the Christ, and thereby invite disaster. [Editors Note: Where does a modern American live? Have you ever heard of modern Americans in Mexico, or Guatemala? Their land is commonly called the Americas and they are referred to by Latino, Mexicans, or Latin Americans. Small point, big importance. There are children of Lehi in Central, South and North America, but the Lamanites began in the Heartland and spread out over the Americas. [See my blog describing this situation here.]
Elder Petersen continues, “Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ?” he asked, speaking to modern America, knowing full well that many might profess to believe in him and yet refuse to do his works (Morm. 8:38). It is by engaging in his works that we truly take his name upon us. It is not through lip service. Moroni knew that faith without works is dead. And so likewise should we.
He made it clear that advance warning is given to us who live today through the very book which he and his father had written and which he was now about to bury in Cumorah. It would be published in our day to give us that warning.
Describing our day, he said the book would come forth when millions deny the power of God, when the world would be in turmoil, with earthquakes, violent storms, wars, and rumors of wars in many places. (See Morm. 8:26–34.)
He said it would be in a time of great pollution (see Morm. 8:31). Isn’t it interesting that he would speak of great pollution on the earth? Does it remind you of the claims of our modern ecologists?
He said also that it would be in a time of extensive crime, of murders, robberies, lies, deceptions, and immorality. Think of those words in terms of today’s cover-ups, bribes, thieving’s, embezzlements, and other fraudulent practices among individuals, in business, and also in government. Hasn’t dishonesty almost become a way of life with many people?
Think, too, of the epidemic of social diseases sweeping the nations in the wake of their vast immorality. What frightful pollutions these things are!
[Editors note: That sounds like our world today. Corrupt governments including our own, horrific sex slavery and abortion, and child stealing and sacrificing. Lawless borders, our right to freedom being denied, forced medication and closing of business. It can’t get much worse. I feel the Lord will win and we may be blessed with a “Second Harvest” which I believe would allow a little more time to share the gospel to nations who have not been able to hear it.]
Elder Petersen continues, “Before his death, Mormon wrote that his record would, of course, be a warning to those he called Gentiles, but that it would be a blessing to the Lamanites. Also he said that it would come with a special message to the Jews. For them it was published that they “may be persuaded that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God; that the Father may bring about, through his most Beloved, his great and eternal purpose, in restoring the Jews, or all the house of Israel, to the land of their inheritance, which the Lord their God hath given them, unto the fulfilling of his covenant” (Morm. 5:14). Consider the current significance of that scripture!
Mormon then wrote directly to us as modern Americans who now occupy this promised land and said: “How can ye stand before the power of God, except ye shall repent and turn from your evil ways?
“Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God? Know ye not that he hath all power, and at his great command the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll?
“Therefore, repent ye, and humble yourselves before him, lest he shall come out in justice against you.” (Morm. 5:22–24.)
Can we ignore such a warning, directed specifically at this generation?
Moroni joined his father with this: “Who can stand against the works of the Lord? Who can deny his sayings? Who will rise up against the almighty power of the Lord? Who will despise the works of the Lord? Who will despise the children of Christ?
“Behold, all ye who are despisers of the works of the Lord, for ye shall … perish.” (Morm. 9:26.)
It should be remembered that these men wrote to us out of the desperation of the event they were passing through as the Nephites were being wiped off the face of the earth. They knew that we live here now under the same conditions that were given to them.
As Moroni wrote his last testimony, he realized how important his book would be to our generation. He asked that we read it and believe it. So he pleaded:
“I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost” (Moro. 10:4).
These were among his very last words. His pen had already inscribed this frightening but divine warning about America:
“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” (Ether 2:10).
He gave us the lesson of the annihilation of the Nephites as a case in point. He wrote similarly of the tragedy of the Jaredites. It was another case in point. Do we realize that this same kind of destruction can come upon us, and for the same reason?
So this is the message of Moroni. He came back from the dead to deliver it—in these modern times.
His people were Americans, too. His words constituted a people-to-people message, ancient Americans speaking to modern Americans. Theirs was the voice of bitter experience seeking to persuade us to avoid the dreadful conditions which engulfed them.
Moroni announced that he will face us on Judgment Day in defense of his words (see Moro. 10:27). This he will do, together with his book, for out of the books we shall be judged, and the Book of Mormon is one of those books.
We now have it in our hands. It is published to the world. It carries God’s message to all. It gives full and fair warning to this generation, and the warning is true!
Read it! Believe it! Pray over it! Obey its counsels! It can lead us unerringly to Christ!
The last words of Moroni! Dare we forget them? God grant that we never will, I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
My Opinion
Wow, what an incredible talk by Elder Petersen. I feel as if he is speaking to me personally. How important is it to know what Elder 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
He didn’t say the promised land that was chosen was Guatemala, or Mesoamerica but the United States. That doesn’t mean we are any better than anyone, it means we have a big stewardship to share with the world, or we (Americans) will be held more accountable than those who originally were not chosen as the messengers to the world.
Gordon B. Hinckley’s Witness
“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
“If the Book of Mormon is true, then America is a choice land, but if it is to remain such the inhabitants of the land must worship the God of the land, the Lord Jesus Christ. The histories of two great nations, told with warning in this sacred volume, indicate that while we must have science, while we must have education, while we must have arms, we also must have righteousness if we are to merit the protection of God.” Gordon B. Hinckley The Power of the Book of Mormon Ensign June 1988
