As I continue to look and research, I feel strongly that the most sacred and blessed land in the Promised Land of the United States should be called, “The Sacred Plains of the Heartland.” These plains are located in the United States Central Lowlands, roaming from the cradle of civilization where Adam dwelt near independence, MO, all the way to Kirtland, Ohio, where the first Temple of the Restoration was dedicated. It spans 800 miles of sacred land I now call, “The Sacred Plains of the Heartland”
The Plains of the Latter-day Saints Heartland
Where did the Nephites specifically live? Jungles of Mesoamerica, or the Plains of the United States? The promised land of America, or on a land somewhere else that may be nice, but wasn’t chosen as the Promised Land? “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. The Nephites lived on the same Plains of the Nephites that the Early Church lived on, that I call the Plains of the Latter-day Saints.
Choice Because it was Chosen
Elder Russell M. Nelson said, “The Book of Mormon reveals that the inheritance of Joseph, son of Israel, was not forgotten when, as promised in the Abrahamic covenant, land was distributed to the tribes of Israel. Joseph’s inheritance was to be a land choice above all others. (See Ether 13:2, 8.) It was choice not because of beauty or wealth of natural resources, but choice because it was chosen. It was to be the repository of sacred writing on plates of gold from which the Book of Mormon would one day come, choice because it would eventually host world headquarters of the restored Church of Jesus Christ in the latter days.” A Treasured Testament Elder Russell M. Nelson Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Ensign: July 1993
Adam, Jaredites, Nephites, Pilgrims, Latter-Day Saints, and New Jerusalem in Missouri?
Six Cultures, One Sacred Place-Independence, MO
As a Heartlander, I can now zone in on where many of the specific events happened in North America. What does the text tell me? My key locations for the Nephites are the Hill Cumorah in Ontario, NY (D&C 128:20) and the City of Zarahemla (D&C 125:3), near Montrose, Iowa. Another key on the map are the “Plains of the Nephites” JSP (Where Joseph wrote his letter to Emma after crossing Indiana and Illinois during Zion’s Camp). So from the Mississippi River at Atlas Illinois all the way to Kirtland, Ohio. both the Nephites and Latter-day Saints traveled. And another very important location is the Plains of Olaha Shinehah, (D&C 117:8) or “the land where Adam dwelt” in Missouri.
So, we have Adam at Independence MO, the Nephites, at Independence, MO and we have Joseph Smith at Independence, MO and soon the Lamanites will help us build the New Jerusalem in Independence, MO. Is there any doubt that Missouri is indeed the very center of the Promised Land of America, also called the Land of Joseph?
4- HEARTLAND PLAINS
PLAINS OF THE NEPHITES Emma Letter
PLAINS OF NEPHIHAH Alma 62:18
PLAINS OF BOUNTIFUL Alma 52:20
PLAINS OF OLAHA SHINEHAH D&C 117:8
2- JAREDITE PLAINS
PLAINS OF HESHLON ETHER 13:28
PLAINS OF AGOSH ETHER 14:15
Place of a final War of the Jaredites
Plains of the Latter-day Saints
1-Independence, MO: Identified as the center place of Zion (see D&C 57:3). A temple site was dedicated on 3 August 1831. The Saints were driven from here in 1833
2- Fishing River, MO: Joseph Smith and Zion’s Camp traveled from Kirtland, Ohio, to Missouri in 1834 to restore the Jackson County Saints to their land. D&C 105 was revealed on the banks of this river.
3- Far West, MO: This was the largest Mormon settlement in Missouri. A site for a temple was dedicated at this location (see D&C 115). On 8 July 1838, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles received a call from the Lord to serve missions in the British Isles (see D&C 118). 4- Adam-ondi-Ahman, MO: The Lord identified this place in upper Missouri as the site where a future great gathering will take place when Jesus Christ comes to meet with Adam and his righteous posterity and receive keys (see D&C 78:15; 107:53-57; 116).
5- Liberty Jail, MO: Joseph Smith and others were falsely imprisoned here from December 1838 to April 1839. In the midst of troubled times for the Church, Joseph called on the Lord for direction and received D&C 121-23.
6- Nauvoo, IL: Located on the Mississippi River, this area was the gathering place for the Saints from 1839 through 1846. Here a temple was built, and ordinances such as baptism for the dead, the endowment, and the sealing of families began. Here the Relief Society was organized in 1842. Revelations received include D&C 124-29.
7- Carthage IL: Here the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were martyred on 27 June 1844 (see D&C 135).
8- Winter Quarters, NE: The headquarters settlement for the Saints (1846-48) en route to the Salt Lake Valley. The Camp of Israel was organized for the westward journey (see D&C 136).
9- Council Bluffs (Kanesville), IA: The First Presidency was sustained here on 27 December 1847, with Brigham Young as President.
10- Ancient City of Manti Randolph, MO: “This is the ancient site of the City of Manti, which is spoken of in the Book of Mormon, and this is appointed one of the Stakes of Zion, and it is in Randolph County, Missouri, three miles west of the county seat.” Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1954-1956], 3: 239
The following account is taken from the history of the travels of the Kirtland Camp: “The camp passed through Huntsville, in Randolph County, which has been appointed as one of the stakes of Zion, and is the ancient site of the City of Manti, and pitched tents at Dark Creek, Salt Licks, seventeen miles. It was reported to the camp that one hundred and ten men had volunteered from Randolph and gone to Far West to settle difficulties.”
The following account of the same event is taken from the daily journal of the Kirtland Camp, and was written by Samuel D. Tyler: “September 25, 1838. We passed through Huntsville, Co, seat of Randolph Co, Pop. 450, and three miles further we bought 32 bu. of corn off one of the brethren who resides in this place. There are several of the brethren round about here and this is the ancient site of the City of Manti, which is spoken of in the Book of Mormon and this is appointed one of the Stakes of Zion, and it is in Randolph County, Missouri, three miles west of the county seat. Millennial Star, vol. 16, p. 296.
Journal of Samuel D. Tyler, Sept. 25, 1838, filed in Church Historian’s Office. Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3 vols., edited by Bruce R. McConkie [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954-1956], 3: 239
11-Emma’s Letter from Joseph Smith June 4, 1834, Atlas, IL: “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 & their bones, as a proof of its divine authenticity”
12- Zelph Mound June 2, 1834, Valley City, IL: The Prophet Joseph and others ascended a high mound, on the top of which three altars had once stood. On removing some soil, they uncovered a skeleton, between the ribs of which there was an arrowhead. To the Prophet it was later made known that this was the remains of a Lamanite warrior, by the name of Zelph, who served the great Onandagus, a prophet known from the Hill Cumorah to the Rocky Mountains. Zelph was slain during the last struggle between the Lamanites and Nephites.” The Juvenile Instructor, Vol. 60, No. 10 October 1925 Janne M. Sjodahl
13- Alma 62:18 Quincy, IL: ”And it came to pass that when they had sent them away, they pursued their march towards the land of Nephihah. And it came to pass that when they had come to the city of Nephihah, they did pitch their tents in the plains of Nephihah, which is near the city of Nephihah.”
14- Alma 8:3-4 82 BC, St Charles, MO: “And it came to pass in the commencement of the tenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, that Alma departed from thence and took his journey over into the land of Melek, on the west of the river Sidon, on the west by the borders of the wilderness. And he began to teach the people in the land of Melek according to the holy order of God, by which he had been called; and he began to teach the people throughout all the land of Melek.”
15- Fishing River On June 19, 1934, MO: “the [Zion Camp] company arrived between the east and west forks of the Fishing River just north of Jackson County. A large mob intent on destroying Zion’s Camp gathered on the other side of the river. The attack was prevented when a fierce storm swept the area and the river quickly rose more than 30 feet, turning the mob away. Joseph declared, “God is in this storm.” History of the Church, 2:104. Several days later, the Prophet received a revelation at the Fishing River, wherein the Lord declared that the time for redeeming Zion had not arrived. He explained that Zion’s Camp had been “brought thus far for a trial of their faith.” D&C 105:19. The company was formally discharged on July 3, 1834.” LDS Historic Sites Zion’s Camp at the Fishing River.
As I conclude, what does the text tell me? My key locations for the Nephites are the Hill Cumorah in Ontario, NY (D&C 128:20) and the City of Zarahemla (D&C 125:3), near Montrose, Iowa. Another key on the map are the “Plains of the Nephites” JSP (Where Joseph wrote his letter to Emma after crossing Indiana and Illinois during Zion’s Camp). So from the Mississippi River at Atlas Illinois all the way to Kirtland, Ohio. both the Nephites and Latter-day Saints traveled. And another very important location is the Plains of Olaha Shinehah, (D&C 117:8) or “the land where Adam dwelt” in Missouri.
