Book of mormon geography theories

This book deals with the varoius proposed geographies of the book of mormon since its initial publication in 1830. As i have occasionally studied the statements of general authorities given over many decades, i personally have concluded that most of them leaned toward some version of what is today labelled the hemispheric modelmeaning that it was generally thought that. Both the mesoamerican and the heartland book of mormon geography theories have their strong points and, shall we say, areas that need further research. In 1991, john sorensen of byu, the dean of book of mormon geography, created a book called the geography of book of mormon events. The book of mormon geography lands and map with dna evidence. If you accept a baja or malaysian geography, you cant accept a mesoamerican or heartland geography. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints released a statement today concerning the geography of the book of mormon in the form of a new gospel topics essay titled book of mormon geography. New world geography location of the majority of the book of mormon narrative, in the promised landsomewhere in the western hemisphere. Apr 29, 2016 this seems to support the theory that the book of mormon took place in what is now the united states, as he claims in the book exploring the book of mormon in americas heartland. Like the church, book of mormon central bmc is officially geography neutral.

Dont know much about book of mormon geography the faith. The fight over book of mormon geography deseret news. Theories related to a north american geography model. The church takes no position on the specific geographic location of book of mormon events in the ancient americas, the essay reads. Although church members continue to discuss such theories today, the churchs only position is that the events the book of mormon describes took place in the. As i have occasionally studied the statements of general authorities given over many decades, i personally have concluded that most of them leaned toward some version of what is today labelled the hemispheric. As the above logo depicts, we do respect this mandate, and our model is unique in this regard. The three days of darkness in the new world following christs death. Sorenson does an excellent job in showing the requirements of the book of mormon volume and the antiquity of a limited geography model among latterday saints, contra critics who claim it is nothing short of a construct by sorenson from the 1980s and a mormon tactic to protect. Peay, verneil simmons, multiple internal models, authors supporting the north and south america. Geography book of mormon subject guides at brigham. Earlier this week published an essay in the gospel topics. We have sought to uphold the churchs position of neutrality on these theories.

This theory places the events of the book in a limited geographic setting that is about the same size as ancient israel. The heartland model or heartland theory of book of mormon geography states that the book of mormon events primarily occurred in the heartland of north america. Finally, the church added the admonition, all parties should strive to avoid contention on these matters. Many proposed book of mormon geography theories were originated using a method proposed by dr. The church takes no position on the specific geographic location of book of mormon events in the ancient americas. Theres an esophagus at the top, i guess a narrow stretch of land, a big stomach, and then a narrow stretch of land at the bottom.

Book of mormon geography theories camp chef smoke vault turkey recipes, the geographical setting of the book of mormon is the set of locations of the events described appears to show that smith did not subscribe to the limited mesoamerican or south american geography theories promoted by some lds today. Proponents of the great lakes theory adhere to the teachings of lds church leaders. Jan 29, 2019 church members are asked not to teach theories about book of mormon geography in church settings but to focus instead on the book of mormons teachings and testimony of jesus christ and his gospel. As each new theory surfaces, we gain fresh hope of acquiring additional insights into it ancient location, but are all too often disappointed. Both the mesoamerican and the heartland book of mormon geography theories have their strong points and, shall we say, areas that need. The starting point for this theory is the claim that a 4,000 mile journey to the malay peninsula, with appropriate winds and currents from the middle east, would have been much easier for the jaredites, mulekites and lehites than a 16,000 mile voyage across the indian and pacific oceans with no appropriate currents to the americas. Book of mormon geography, the near cumorah setting book of.

Book of mormon geography jeff lindsays site and the. A 2012 curriculum manual contains an abstract diagram of the lands of zarahemla and nephi with the caveat, as you. Church releases statement on book of mormon geography. Sep 28, 2019 many proposed book of mormon geography theories were originated using a method proposed by dr. Interesting as these matters may be, study of the book of mormon is most rewarding when one focuses on its primary purpose. The book of mormon mentions geography in these passages. Jan 29, 2019 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. Sep 08, 2009 as in the ongoing theories pertaining to the geography of the book of mormon, perhaps all the three, even the gulf of darien, the tehuantepec gulf and even the honduran gulf may qualify as a narrow strip of land as described in the book of mormon. Meldrum, president, the firm foundation all in all, i found pros, cons of book of mormon geography theories relatively well balanced, although still teetering toward the mesoamerican theories. Apr 20, 2009 most of you believe that the book of mormon occurred in central america, right. Official statement on book of mormon geography and its. Individuals may have their own opinions regarding book of mormon geography and other such matters about which the lord has not spoken.

Sorenson does an excellent job in showing the requirements of the book of mormon volume and the antiquity of a limited geography model among latterday saints, contra critics who claim it is nothing short of a construct by sorenson from the 1980s and a mormon. The scriptural basis for book of mormon geography book. I mentioned the contention between proponents of different book of mormon geography theories in my january post, but i suspect the church was influenced by brant gardners guest post at the times and seasons blog. Does the book of mormon fit best in a geography located. Arthur also points out that these percentages change over time. Speaking of the books history and geography, president russell m. Oct 12, 2018 to our knowledge, there have been no discussions about the need to put down one theory of book of mormon geography in order to promote another. The essay also explains how the prophet joseph smith himself accepted what he felt was evidence of book of mormon civilizations in both north. Jan 29, 2019 the church takes no position on the specific geographic location of book of mormon events in the ancient americas.

Gods word is to be established by two or more witnesses 2 cor. Testing book of mormon geography theories posted by mormon heretic on october 23, 2008 in archeology, book of mormon, central america, mormon, new york, south america ive posted previously on the various bom geography theories, and i have to admit, it. This site can be used as a study guide to help understand the book of mormon. Includes every geographical place mentioned in the book of mormon. The geographical setting of the book of mormon has been the subject of serious study and casual speculation since before the book was first published. Proposed book of mormon geographical setting wikipedia. In my view, there is one cumorah and it is in new york. Book of mormon geography, the near cumorah setting book. The book of mormon map described in alma chapter 22 has finally been deciphered. May 27, 2010 the discussion on book of mormon geography was getting heated. Home true book of mormon geography lands western new york. Limited geography and the book of mormon byu scholarsarchive. Following are two of the most well known theories for book of mormon geography. Archaeological evidence, dna evidence, scientific theories, and scriptures from the book of mormon are.

A complete description of the book of mormon geography bomgeography, including an internal map model, external map model i. Great news revised gospel topics essay book of mormon. Theories related to a mesoamerican geography model. May 02, 2019 book of mormon geography, maps, theories and models this is not an attempt to show all the theories, models, or ideas that may apply to book of mormon geography. If youre in a situation where someone is talking about book of mormon geography, ask if they accept the new york cumorah or not. The churchs position on questions related to book of mormon geography. The church has been neutral when it comes to issues relating to book of mormon geography, as is fairmormon. The hill cumorah in ontario county ny is the hill where joseph smith found the golden plates and is the same hill where the civilizations of the nephites cumorah and the jaredites ramah fought their last battles.

The heartland is the place where it all happened, right under our very noses. This book locates everything from the narrow neck, to zarahemla, from cumorah, to the land of promise, bountiful. Jan 15, 2020 this presentation examines the question of the location of the nephite lands in the americas. Testing book of mormon geography theories mormon heretic.

It appears to be moving towards a system where topic entries are categorized into different groups. Saints and book of mormon geography church history. A summary of several theories of book of mormon lands in. The book of mormon includes a history of an ancient people who migrated from the near east to the americas. Reply to pros, cons of book of mormon geography theories. Why did the church change the book of mormon geography. Though there are several plausible hypotheses regarding the geographic locations of. A glaring problem with book of mormon geography theories. Matching geographical locations in the old world with locations described in the book of mormon. The article concludes by emphasizing the churchs neutrality on book of mormon geography and quoting president russell m. It would appear that either people love the book and subscribe to the.

Here are a few random strengths and weaknesses from both theories. However, the first presidency and quorum of the twelve apostles urge leaders and members not to advocate those personal theories in any setting or manner that would imply either prophetic or church support for those theories. Any model or theory of book of mormon geography including abstract models that doesnt at least put cumorah in new york cannot be correct in terms of historicity. Some placed the nephite capital city zarahemla in mesoamerica, others in south america. Actually, all nonnew york cumorah theories are based on this historical mistake. Church members are asked not to teach theories about book of mormon geography in church settings but to focus instead on the book of mormons teachings and testimony of jesus christ and his gospel. The topic seems to be about constraining and changing the lds churchs stance on the book of mormon locations, which has been an internally diverse and controversial topic since at least the primitive blood typing of the early 1900s 9, likely earlier. Testing book of mormon geography theories posted by mormon heretic on october 23, 2008 in archeology, book of mormon, central america, mormon, new york, south america ive posted previously on the various bom geography theories, and i have to admit, it is one of my favorite topics. The malay book of mormon geography model asserts that the book of mormon account matches the geography and historical record of the malay peninsula.

The book of mormon is not intended to be a history book or a guide to geography, science, or any other secular topic. Get insights into latterday prophesy and learn how prophesies in the bible and other books of scripture have been fulfilled and how they may yet be fulfilled. Rebuttal to the book of mormon geography overview essay tl. The book of mormon geography book, a promised land, the land of promise, is one of our books at alpha publishing available for purchase at virginia elieson was inspired with this geography, while with her patriarch husband and mission president in dallas here organized into a book by peter covino, jr. A summary of several theories of book of mormon lands in mesoamerica the contents of all bmaf publications are the sole responsibility of the individual authors and therefore do not necessarily represent the views of bmaf or the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. The articles linked below will describe the various theories and examine the. It, therefore, is an important geographical indicator. The discussion on book of mormon geography was getting heated. The new essay begins with this declarative statement.

As the above logo depicts, we do respect this mandate, and our model. Church members are asked not to teach theories about book of mormon geography in church settings but to focus instead on the book of. Each proposed geography is a mutuallyexclusive activity. Nor does this list represent any kind of sanction, acceptance, or preference, by any person or group, within or associated with the lee library, byu, or the church of jesus christ of. The purpose of saints is to present a compelling narrative of the faith and sacrifice of early latterday saints, not to weigh in subtly or otherwise on the various theories of book of mormon geography. Pros, cons of book of mormon geography theories deseret news. The church takes no position on the specific geographic location of book of mormon events in the ancient.

Rather, the church urges local leaders and members not to advocate theories of book of mormon geography in official church settings. Home true book of mormon geography lands western new. From the west sea to the east sea at the narrow neck of land was 1 to 1 12 days. Thus, there are varying theories regarding the geography of the book of mormon. A radically different book of mormon geography theory. Others argued for a setting in the american heartland. The purpose of this article is not to propose a theory regarding these issues, but rather to analyze. Rebuttal to the book of mormon geography overview essay. All lds students of book of mormon geography who have worked systematically with the problem in recent decades have come to agree on this sorenson 1985, 2930.

An interesting correlation with mesoamerican geographysee map below. Church releases statement on book of mormon geography book. It doesnt matter to me whether it is a professor or a sunday school teacher or a home teacher who is perpetuating these theories. Book of mormon geography, maps, theories and models this is not an attempt to show all the theories, models, or ideas that may apply to book of mormon geography. Unconventional book of mormon geography theories mormon. As to taking a position on the location of book of mormon geography, various church leaders and members have given their views. The one and only river mentioned in the entire book of mormon is called the sidon. My days at the maxwell institute are spent working on a book that will examine each of the major. An analysis of the limited geography theory since the advent of the book of mormon in 1830, interested observers and believers have proposed various theories regarding its development, origin, and possible historical significance and setting. This article discusses how geographical theories about the book of mormon have developed. The book of mormon lands that byu has designed looks like a stomach. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints recently released a gospel topics essay which reiterates the churchs neutrality on the subject of book of mormon geography.

Jul 08, 2019 as to taking a position on the location of book of mormon geography, various church leaders and members have given their views. Book of mormongeographynew worldlimited geography theory. Get insights into latterday prophesy and learn how prophesies in the bible and other books of scripture have been fulfilled and how they may yet. This presentation examines the question of the location of the nephite lands in the americas. An interesting correlation with mesoamerican geography see map below. New information on book of mormon geography the millennial star.

As in the ongoing theories pertaining to the geography of the book of mormon, perhaps all the three, even the gulf of darien, the tehuantepec gulf and even the honduran gulf may qualify as a narrow strip of land as described in the book of mormon. In 1991, john sorenson of byu, the dean of book of mormon geography, created a book called the geography of book of mormon events. Unconventional book of mormon geography theories mormon matters. Nov 17, 2014 the book of mormon map described in alma chapter 22 has finally been deciphered. As each new theory surfaces, we gain fresh hope of acquiring additional insights into.

Most of you believe that the book of mormon occurred in central america, right. This history contains information about the places they lived, including descriptions of landforms, natural features, and the distances and cardinal directions between important points. Scholars gathered in provo, utah, to discuss their theories about where the events described in the book of mormon took place. Book of mormon geography matters god intends us to find and use the evidence he has givenreasons, if you willwhich affirm the truthfulness of his work.