The purpose this blog, is to share some information, that I would love our Church to consider in regard to the geography of the Book of Mormon.
I understand the position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which says on their website, “Some believe that the history depicted in the Book of Mormon occurred in North America, while others believe that it occurred in Central America or South America. Although Church members continue to discuss such theories today, the Church takes no position on the geography of the Book of Mormon except that the events it describes took place in the Americas.” Gospel Topic Essays
CES Map
I understand CES has approved and handed out many copies of these maps created by Taylor Halverson and Tyler Griffin as I show below.
Here is what LDS Living Magazine said about these maps. “Creating a map or a virtual app for Book of Mormon geography has been a bit more challenging because there is no widely accepted location to pin on our modern maps.
While many individuals and groups forward various theories on Book of Mormon geography, the LDS Church officially holds a position of neutrality as to geographic locations.
Some members are either apathetic or confused by proposed Book of Mormon geography models. Tyler and Taylor sympathize with the challenge many learners experience and are motivated to bring some sense of clarity and meaning to learning Book of Mormon geography.
In this LDS Perspectives Podcast, Nick Galieti discusses the usefulness of mapping Book of Mormon geography with Tyler Griffin and Taylor Halverson.
Their efforts are not aimed at situating the Book of Mormon within America but rather within the text. They hope that their app will facilitate more in-depth study from youth who are often confused by the geographic references in the text.
The model may also help readers gain a respect for how geography plays a role in motivating characters in the Book of Mormon to make certain decisions.” Exploring the World of the Book of Mormon with Taylor Halverson and Tyler Griff[eth]in. LDS Living Aug 1, 2017
Unlike the effort of the CES map, the Heartland are aimed at the true setting for the Book of Mormon not just an effort to make the text match.
Two Manifestations
Elder Holland said, “But it should be noted that truly rock-ribbed faith and uncompromised conviction comes with its most complete power when it engages our head as well as our heart…
Truth borne by the Holy Spirit comes with, in effect, two manifestations, two witnesses if you will—the force of fact as well as the force of feeling…
I believe God intends us to find and use the evidence He has given—reasons, if you will—which affirm the truthfulness of His work…
Our testimonies aren’t dependent on evidence—we still need that spiritual confirmation in the heart of which we have spoken—but not to seek for and not to acknowledge intellectual, documentable support for our belief when it is available is to needlessly limit an otherwise incomparably strong theological position and deny us a unique, persuasive vocabulary in the latter-day arena of religious investigation and sectarian debate…” Jeffrey R. Holland Greatness of the Evidences Brigham Young University August 16, 2017
New Scripture Central Video
In a new video by Scripture Central titled, “The Greatness of the Evidence | A Marvelous Work | Episode 1”, they are attempting to show the importance of two learning methods, as Elder Holland says, “two witnesses if you will—the force of fact as well as the force of feeling”
The information that the Heartland Group and Firm Foundation have been sharing now for over 20 years is attempting the same thing as Scripture Central has been, “The force of fact as well as the force of feeling.”
It seems to me that the Church has Scripture Central, and FairMormon maps and dialogue about Mesoamerica, yet Firm Foundation maps and information is not considered to be shown on our Church websites. Those Heartlanders like Rod Meldrum, Wayne May, Jonathan Neville, and Hannah Stoddard are mostly ignored by the Mesoamerican groups. I do acknowledge Kirk Magleby in the “Marvelous Work” new video, showed some possible evidence of the Book of Mormon in Tennessee, and I would appreciate the Church to show that same consideration.
Heartland Map vs Fantasy Map and RLDS Map
Here we compare the several maps presented by the RLDS Church in 1914 and the Fantasy Map of Scripture Central. The only difference between these two maps is the Fantasy map has been turned 90 degrees so the text of the Book of Mormon saying northward or southward matches better with the N-S position.
Now compare the Heartland map below with the Fantasy Map and notice they follow the same position of Nephite cities. The Land of Inheritance is at the bottom on the Fantasy map and it is Florida on the Heartland map, and Cumorah is at the top of the Fantasy map as a make believe place, and the Heartland map shows Cumorah in NY where is should be. Side by side notice Ether 10:20 and how the Heartland maps follows the text saying, “And they built a great city by the neck of land, by the place where the sea divides the land“, [Sea is Erie and Ontario] and in the Meso map the opposite is shown that, the Land divides the sea.
Chosen Land, not Better Land
No land in the world is better than any other land, but the Lord Himself “chose” the area of America for the Garden of Eden, Adam-Ondi-Ahman, SLC, NY Cumorah and more. It is fine wherever you think the geography began. We are all entitled to our own opinions. 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.
Also, Gordon B. Hinckley said, “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. I know that she has problems. We have heard so much of them for so long. But 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 1974.
President Monson said, “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. Monson 2011.
Lastly, Joseph Smith said while on Zions Camp in 1834 in Illinois on the banks of the Mississippi River, “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 & their bones, as a proof of its divine authenticity…” Joseph Smith Papers Letter to Emma Smith, 4 June 1834 Page 56.
I love all people and all Lamanites, wherever they live, but in my opinion the Book of Mormon events began in the Heartland of America, and through war, marriage, migration, or other causes, many parts of South and Central America and the world in general, may possibly also have the blood of Father Lehi. But I believe the Book of Mormon events began in America. I know the Church is neutral on this subject, which I appreciate, but for me, the beginning was in this Promised Land of America. Thanks to Scripture Central for giving the Heartland Theory a say in their discoveries, as I pray the Church will consider as well.
Greatly Disturbed Faith
We know in this world today, that Satan is using every means necessary to deceive us, and I believe the world not thinking our Church knows where the Book of Mormon events began, just adds to that confusion. We even have Joseph Fielding Smith in about 1954, saying that including the Mesoamerican theory mingles with what Joseph Smith originally taught, will disturb the faith of our members, and it has.
Joseph Fielding Smith said, “This modernistic theory of necessity, in order to be consistent, must place the waters of Ripliancum and the Hill Cumorah some place within the restricted territory of Central America, notwithstanding the teachings of the Church to the contrary for upwards of 100 years. Because of this theory some members of the Church have become confused and greatly disturbed in their faith in the Book of Mormon. It is for this reason that evidence is here presented to show that it is not only possible that these places could be located as the Church has held during the past century, but that in very deed such is the case… It is known that the Hill Cumorah where the Nephites were destroyed is the hill where the Jaredites were also destroyed. This hill was known to the Jaredites as Ramah. It was approximately near to the waters of Ripliancum, which the Book of Ether says, “by interpretation, is large, or to exceed all…
It must be conceded that this description fits perfectly the land of Cumorah in New York, as it has been known since the visitation of Moroni to the Prophet Joseph Smith, for the hill is in the proximity of the Great Lakes and also in the land of many rivers and fountains. Moreover, the Prophet Joseph Smith himself is on record, definitely declaring the present hill called Cumorah to be the exact hill spoken of in the Book of Mormon. Further, the fact that all of his associates from the beginning down have spoken of it as the identical hill where Mormon and Moroni hid the records, must carry some weight. It is difficult for a reasonable person to believe that such men as Oliver Cowdery. Brigham Young, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, David Whitmer, and many others, could speak frequently of the Spot where the Prophet Joseph Smith obtained the plates as the Hill Cumorah, and not be corrected by the Prophet, if that were not the fact. That they did speak of this hill in the days of the Prophet in this definite manner is an established record of history.” Doctrines of Salvation Joseph Fielding Smith Chapter 12
“The world is becoming increasingly secular. It is essential for seminary and institute teachers to be ever more helpful and exemplary for young Latter-day Saints “who have to defend their faith while living in a culture that often denies it or, worse yet, demeans it.” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the Seminaries and Institutes Annual Training Broadcast on June 12, 2019
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Why does the Geography Matter
I along with many others have heard asked, “Why does the geography matter?” Think of that question if we are speaking about Israel. Does it matter where the Savior was born, or where the Biblical events happened? Yes. At Mount Moriah where Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac, the Lord made a special covenant with Abraham. The land around Mt Moriah was a covenant land and God’s people were given that covenant land as long as they are righteous. However, if they disobey the commandments, God’s people will be swept off that sacred land. The Hebrews, Muslims, and Christians fight over control over this one piece of land why? Because it is a beautiful piece of real estate? No, because it is a covenant land. All three religions say Mt Moriah is sacred to them and they are willing to die over it.
In the same token what is the Promised Land spoken of in the Book of Mormon? According to the Book of Mormon this Promised land must meet certain requirements to be the Promised Land. 1. No Kings upon the land 2. Land choice above all other lands 3. Land of Liberty 4. Land where sacred record is kept 5. Land kept from the knowledge of other nations. 6. Land of the New Jerusalem 7. Gentiles to scatter and afflict the Remnant. 8. The place where the Marvelous Work and Wonder happened. These are only 8 of 36 prophesies and promises in the Book of Mormon according to the book “Prophecies and Promises.” It makes sense to me that the USA is the Promised Land. Not Canada, Mexico, England, or South America.
As President Hinckley said, “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. I know that she has problems. We have heard so much of them for so long. But surely this is a good land, a choice land, a chosen land. To me it is a miracle, a creation of the Almighty….” Keep Faith with America, commencement address at Weber State University, Ogden, Utah on 6 May 1999 )
Israel and America
Just as Israel is a Promised Land forever, so the USA is a Promised Land forever and it does matter where this Promised Land is located. The Nephites practiced the Law of Moses. To do this they needed the following plants and animals to keep the Law. Sheep, Rams, Goats, Bullocks, Doves, Wheat, Barley, and Wine. None of these animals or items are found anywhere in Mesoamerica during the Nephites times, only in the Heartland of America. So, the land and where things happen is critical to us, and especially to the Lord.
If we in the Church cannot even decide among ourselves where the Book of Mormon happened, how confusing is that to our youth and adults? The Anti-Mormons love the idea that we don’t even know where our sacred scriptures happened. There are over 100 theories of where the Book of Mormon happened, including, Baja, Chile, Malaysia, Honduras, Peru, etc.
I pray that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will begin to make a clearer definition for where the events began in the Book of Mormon, or at least give equal time to the Heartland theory. There are great Lamanites and even Nephite descendants all over the world, but where did it all begin, that is an important question.
