Jan, 2016 undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. A popular argument among great lake theorists, is the promised land theory. He never once mentioned either central or south america, but referred to both illinois and missouri as nephite lands. This book of mormon geography and lands is very different from all other published books on the subject of book of mormon geography. The only manner in knowing something beyond guesswork is to rely on written information of the period, cultures, and structures under investigationlike the bible for the middle east, or the book of mormon for the andean area of south america. The 1923 latin american travel writings of mormon historian andrew jenson justin r. The areas of north america touted as occupied by nephites, lamanites and jaredites cannot be shown from objective evidence to have been anywhere near that level. The book of mormon and the american indian the book of mormon is more than a history book of two ancient civilizations, it reveals the covenant land of joseph, the favorite son of jacob, israel who was sold into egypt by his brothers that being the promised land of america. However, the church has no position on the location lands of the book of mormon, so quoting historic church leaders proves nothing. See more ideas about book of mormon, america and ancient civilizations. One important topic bearing upon the issue of animals in the book of mormon is the location of the lands described in the text. T he times and seasons featured many articles relating to the topic of book of mormon lands.
The book of mormon geography lands and map with dna evidence. Some placed the nephite capital city zarahemla in mesoamerica, others in south america. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. Book of mormon in north america book of mormon central america. Jan 29, 2019 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. Book of mormon tours lehitours guided tours of guatemala. Because of this theory, he wrote, some members of the church have become confused and greatly disturbed in their faith in the book of mormon. This material was first presented at the 16th annual archaeological symposium. Cheesman, assistant professor of undergraduate religious education at brigham young university, has spent a great deal of time studying and searching the book of mormon lands in central and south america. 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. Roberts would articulate this same understanding some decades later, stating, the book of mormon teaches that the two american continents north and south america are a promised land, consecrated to righteousness and to liberty, and especially dedicated to the seed of the patriarch joseph, son of jacob, of bible fame, and to the gentile races, who shall in the last days be gathered to the land as well as the descendants of joseph. Book of mormon lands were longer from north to south than from east. This country southward may have been beyond the borders of principal book of mormon lands frequently mentioned in the text.
This book is great, but like i said, is the tip of the iceberg. The book of mormon does not say that the entire land northward resides in land occupied by the united states of america. Although church members continue to discuss such theories today, the church takes no position on the geography of the book of mormon except. Although the book of mormon is primarily a religious record of the nephites, lamanites, and jaredites, enough geographic details are embedded in the narrative to allow reconstruction of at least a. Book of mormongeographynew worldhemispheric geography. In the last few years i have read over 5000 pages about the south america theory and reread the book of mormon multiple times highlighting every scripture over 500 that has any reference to geography, culture, prophecies, etc that may shed light on where the book of mormon lands are. Were the nephites and lamanites spread throughout both north and south america or did book of mormon events occur within a more confined area.
Book of mormon in north america book of mormon central. Of the known ruined cities in the americas, 90% stretch from central mexico to costa rica with the vast majority of those in southern mexico and guatemala the heartland of the book of mormon. Critics of the book of mormon have argued that there are words and phrases in the book that are anachronistic with archaeological findings. According to the book of mormon, the promised land shall be a land of liberty, with no kings upon the. The book of mormon is the position of the church and is said to be the word of god. Wayne may presents book of mormon evidence in north american geography, archaeology and historical records. Tour packages to the lands in the book of mormon cruise lady. Book of mormongeographynew worldhemispheric geography theory.
Others look to peru and south america, or to the baja peninsula, or texas, and some even propose the malaysian peninsula. In our view, an ancient mesoamerican setting is best supported by the information given in the book of mormon. These relate to artifacts, animal, plant, or technology that critics believe did not exist in the americas during the book of mormon time period before 2500 bc to. Oct 30, 2019 the only thing that was ever in doubt was how far south the rest of the lands mentioned in the book of mormon were from cumorah in new york. These relate to artifacts, animal, plant, or technology that critics believe did not exist in the americas during the book of mormon time period before 2500 bc to about 400 ad. The book of mormon is more than a history book of two ancient civilizations, it reveals the covenant land of joseph, the favorite son of jacob, israel who was sold into egypt by his brothers that being the promised land of america. Although church members continue to discuss such theories today, the church takes no position on the geography of the.
Naturally some people applied this to the language in the book of mormon. These covenant lands are in the borders of the prophetic. The south american model fits every single word of every. My new book, nephi in the promised land is now available in the nephi project discovery store. What is the hemispheric geography theory regarding the location of book of mormon. Historically, latterday saint leaders have identified the range of north and south america as. Lands south of cumorah, where a few nephites had temporarily escaped destruction, are referred to as the south countries. It postulates that the events in the book took place over north and south america, with the isthmus of panama as the narrow neck of land. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. Book of mormon lands encompassed all of north and south america.
Jan 08, 2019 the book of mormon describes a land of promise given to lehi and his posterity by the lord. According to joseph smith and subsequent presidents and apostles of the lds church, the geographical extent of book of mormon lands included virtually all of north and south america. The book of mormon states several times that the land which they were led to, was the promised land, or a choice land. The population of book of mormon lands over much of the period of its history totaled from hundreds of thousands up to millions. This book locates everything from the narrow neck, to zarahemla, from cumorah, to the land of promise, bountiful. The nwaf failed to find evidence to prove the book of mormon, and the man who organized it. Here is more evidence showing that the lamanites of the book of mormon are in north america not mezoamerica as published in our book several years ago. Our guest lecturer will give us insights to the book of mormon, the peoples past and present and the sites our group will visit. I have watched more than 20 hours of wayne may book of mormon lecture videos and conversed with both wayne may and rod meldrum in person. Internal book of mormon geography focuses on the relationships between lands and other geographic features, independent of where they might be physically located on todays maps. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may.
Book of mormon geography, lands, map, dna true evidence. The book of mormon itself is the best source for understanding the geographical locations contained therein. I now know that the book of mormon happened in the usa in the historic heartland that is such a significant part of american and book of mormon history. Proposed book of mormon geographical setting wikipedia. Moronis america the book of mormon in north america. Just because there happens to be a hill called cumorah in new york does not mean the book of mormon people lived there. Book of mormon central where is the book of mormon promised. The hinterlandshow can lamanites live in both north and south.
This fantastic tour includes all of the most important ruins that date back to book of mormon time. Book of mormon geography the encyclopedia of mormonism. Of particular interest are those articles published while the prophet held the title of official editor march 15, to november 15, 1842. What is the hemispheric geography theory regarding the location of book of mormon lands. Purpose of the book of mormon tour helps these single page descriptions of a specific book of mormon site are designed to provide pertinent information to the traveler about the site. Book of mormon geography in north america wayne may. Mormon wrote of the lands of the lamanite mission in alma 22. The material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. Church releases statement on book of mormon geography. Come join us for an adventure of a lifetime to explore firsthand, the beautiful world of guatemala, the land of the eternal spring, and other wonderful countries of central and south america, mexico, and the caribbean. Phelps had linked the book of mormon to central america in 1833, he continued to identify the land of desolation with the far west and cumorah with the hill in new york.
All my studies suddenly made sense, all aspects of the book of mormon finally became clear. Joseph smith and the beginning of book of mormon archaeology did the prophet joseph smith in 1842 locate book of mormon lands in middle america. Some place the geography of the book in upstate new york or near the great lakes. George is a proponent that the book of mormon lands are in peru.
The book of mormon map of is supported by studies of the antiquities of mesoamerica as well as north and south america. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in. Historically, latterday saint leaders have identified the range of north and south america as the land of promise, as well as the land of zion. Finally there is a way to really explore john sorensons book of mormon geography. Garth norman posted by permission of ancient america foundation and the author. But traveling from any of those three placescentral united states, central or south americathe jaredites and nephites would have to move north or northwards to cumorah in new york. Traveling from the land of desolation in the north, to the land southward, we encounter the principal book of mormon lands of bountiful, zarahemla, and nephi. When the book of mormon peoples entered the notempty new. Although the book of mormon is primarily a religious record of the nephites, lamanites, and jaredites, enough geographic details are embedded in the narrative to allow reconstruction of at least a rudimentary geography of book of mormon lands. Lehitours offers quality, personalized tours for cultural, religious, humanitarian, medical and recreational travel throughout the americas. Others argued for a setting in the american heartland. Moronis america today in 1936, when lds scholars first began accepting the twocumorah theory, apostle joseph fielding smith warned the saints. Readers of the book of mormon may wonder, at times, where in the americas the events described took place. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in transition.
Wayne may presents archaeological support of the book of mormon to a group in malad, idaho in february of 2017. There are several theories held among latterday saints for the location of book of mormon lands. Many have wondered where this land of promise might be physically located in the americas. The fight over book of mormon geography deseret news. The only thing that was ever in doubt was how far south the rest of the lands mentioned in the book of mormon were from cumorah in new york. His latest newsletter dated oct, 2009, says, 10 reasons why the book of mormon took place in peru. The book of mormon describes a land of promise given to lehi and his posterity by the lord. There are times when there is not the opportunity to get a clear understanding of what the traveler saw and these bulletins will help with that understanding. Church releases statement on book of mormon geography book. The popular theory that the land southward including zarahemla was in mesoamerica southern mexico and parts of central america started in 1842 with some speculation in the church. I read books and articles written by lds scholars, visited sites in. Ferguson eeventually became convinced that the book of mormon is a work of fiction, whose contents bear no relationship to the reality of native american civilization prior to 385 ce. The book of mormon lands fit in mesoamerica and no where else.
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