Wayne may presents book of mormon evidence in north american geography, archaeology and historical records. The church and byu stay neutral in questions of exactly where the book of mormon took place. These principal book of mormon lands are southward from the land northward mentioned in helaman 3. 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. David hocking managing editor, annotated edition of the book of mormon. The map locates lands, features, and cities by number indexed to the gazetteer. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The book of mormon geography lands and map with dna evidence.
These groups were led by prophets who recorded their religious and secular histories on metal plates. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading book of mormon lands, cities, and ancient civilizations. 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 book of mormon states several times that the land which they were led to, was the promised land, or a choice land. The book of mormon geography and map with dna evidence and the location of lands and cities such as zarahemla, cumorah, the narrow neck, mexico, caribbean sea, american indians, and true evidence are all here. Update on horses in the book of mormon mormanity a mormon. Lehis landingapalachicola florida book of mormon evidence. Ancient america rediscovered, compiled by donald w.
The book of mormon is a religious record of three groups of people who migrated from the old world to the american continents. Massive mormon ranch plan in florida draws scrutiny cbs news. Book of mormon geography, lands, map, dna true evidence. Readers can interpret the presence of horses in the book of mormon in a variety of different ways. But keep in mind that horses in the book of mormon are one of the biggest weaknesses in a book abounding with strengths. In addition, archaeological excavations in bible lands have been under way for decades longer and on a much larger scale than those in proposed book of mormon lands.
For instance, according to the book of mormon, the great destruction and three days of darkness occurred in the beginning of the year, at the time of christs death. The mention of horses among domesticated animals kept by book of mormon peoples has raised questions in some peoples minds, due to the prevailing view that horses were not found in the americas during precolumbian times. 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. While there is still much to learn about the people and stories in the book of mormon, some of the best archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon comes from lehis journey to the promised land. The book of mormon text refers to the language it is written in as reformed egyptian. A possible and certainly reasonable answer is based on the theory that horses as people today would recognize them did indeed inhabit the ancient lands known to peoples in the book of mormon during the relevant time periods. Broad neck book of mormon geography, the simple truth. The new essay begins with this declarative statement. Why does the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Hinterlands lamanites in north, south, and central america.
Nephi left us no information in the book of mormon about the route, nor did he tell us in modern terms where they landed. As stated in this book, this does not mean that descendants of book of mormon peoples did not eventually migrate to other parts of the hemisphere and the world during or following book of mormon times. Ancient civilization in north america book of mormon. Archaeological and historical evidence ancient book of. I asked him why he picked malay as a possible book of mormon. Gazetteer for book of mormon geography map this mapgazetteer is designed as a book supplement end note for both book of mormon and mesoamerican history study.
The church takes no position on the specific geographic location of book of mormon events in the ancient. We know that one of the largest ancient civilizations of north america is at. Alternative book of mormon cites that have been proposed for izapa are the land of judea or the city by the sea. Book of mormon evidence come follow me supplementary study podcasts. Other powerful, even scriptural statements made by joseph smith plainly place book of mormon peoples and events in lands occupied by the united states of america. Church releases statement on book of mormon geography book. The book of mormon, however, leads us to ask how a colony of ancient israelites would have coordinated. Wayne may on book of mormon archeology joseph smith foundation. A summary of several theories of book of mormon lands in mesoamericaby stephen l. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, members and. The book of mormon records the visit of jesus christ to people in the americas following his resurrection. The 10th annual book of mormon lands symposium was held in salt lake city to discuss the research and discoveries most recently made supporting the mesoamerican setting of the events of the book.
Olsen has written a short book called a more promising land of. Together they publish the quarterly magazine ancient american which has been in continuous print for sixteen years and covers the precolumbian americas. Some hold that the book of mormon took place all throughout north, central, and south america. The main geographic feature described in the book of mormon is a narrow neck of land surrounded by water that connects a land southward with a land northward. See more ideas about book of mormon, america and ancient civilizations. First, joseph did not know exactly where book of mormon lands were. Hard evidence of ancient american horses byu studies. That sounds like the isthmus of panama or the isthmus of tehuantepec mexico or the i.
Dave is your director if you want to understand the book of mormon in its ancient new world context, while still having a blast. A discussion of the arabian, or old world, geography of the book of mormon enjoys many advantages over discussion of new world matters. The first presidency highest leaders of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints, have never had, and do not currently have, any official position on where most events mentioned in the book of mormon took place, other than. A limited geography model for the book of mormon is one of several theories by latter day. Book of mormongeographyold worldbountiful fairmormon. Research true book of mormon geography lands western. Step by step through the book of mormon unpublished by alan c. The ancient land of their inheritance is, according to lds scripture. Thoughtful insights from 32 top scholars continue the journey into the book of mormon s thousandyear span, aiding understanding of this sacred text.
Of course these inconsistencies could readily be explained by understanding the book of mormon as a work of fiction written by a nineteenth century american, but book of mormon scholars often approach the topic with the a priori acceptance of the theory that the book of mormon is an ancient text as joseph smith claimed. Arabia and precolumbian america kindle edition by nielsen, rocky k, nielsen, harold kriss. Reynolds, the true points of my doctrine, journal of book of mormon studies 5. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. As each new theory surfaces, we gain fresh hope of acquiring additional insights into it ancient. My approach to the book of mormon, as a professional archaeologist, for over four decades, has been researching the book mormon and archaeology assuming the book of mormon as a history of ancient america. What the text reveals about the land and lives of the record keepers book book details.
He has conducted over 70 cruises and tours through mexico and the proposed book of mormon lands during the last 14 years and has taught many years of gospel doctrine and institute classes. Despite the translation of egyptian and numerous american indian languages, reformed egyptian remains unknown. Book of mormon tours lehitours guided tours of guatemala. 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. There are actually many statements by church leaders that the book of mormon civilization was in the united states.
Searching for book of mormon lands allen, joseph l. 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. But when we analyze book of mormon statements about geography and events, the land of first inheritance can only lie west pacific coast of central america 1 nephi 18. The lost lands of the book of mormon takes the reader back in time to an era when ancient waters and. Bookstore true book of mormon geography lands, western. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. The book of mormon west sea and east sea, on the other hand, are proper nouns that is, they are the actual names of bodies of water that situate on the west and on the east respectively, of the lands of zarahemla and nephi. Oct 18, 2015 massive mormon ranch plan in florida draws scrutiny. Church releases statement on book of mormon geography. Nephi and jacob loved the temple they had sacrificed to build as a first order of business in their new city in the land of nephi. The reader should be aware that evidences from izapa cited in this article.
A summary of several theories of book of mormon lands in. Virtual book of mormon book of mormon maps and learning tools. Mormon challenges are precolumbian horses in book of. But it is a valid question, and it deserves a thoughtful response. Of particular interest are those articles published while the prophet held the title of official editor march 15, to november 15, 1842.
The place called bountiful in the book of mormon summary. Book of mormon geography, the near cumorah setting there have been numerous attempts to locate the long, lost lands of the book of mormon over the years. We believe ancient book of mormon lands are here in western new york between palmyra and erie, pa. The book of mormon itself is the best source for understanding the geographical locations contained therein. Garth norman posted by permission of ancient america foundation and the author. Nov 17, 2019 we know from moronis statements to joseph smith that the book of mormon is a record of the ancient inhabitants of this country meaning the united states, and of this continent, meaning the american continent, but that says nothing about where lehis group originally landed. Book of mormon geography, the near cumorah setting. If someone could show me a map that made sense showing the land northward, land southward and the narrow neck as it was in relation to cumorah, i might.
Bruce porter, takes the book of mormon and some of the leadership of the lds church and is there evidences that the book of mormon lands took place in north america. This book documents the archaeological and historical sites of the ancient land of nephi and surrounding lamanite lands. Follow the chronology of book of mormon history in one amazing tour. 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. The book of mormon, however, never says horses were ridden a curious thing if joseph was the author of the book of mormon or that they pulled chariots. Sorenson, an ancient american setting for the book of mormon salt lake city, deseret book, 1985. From book of mormon population estimates, it is evident that the civilizations described are comparable in size to the civilizations of ancient egypt, ancient greece, ancient rome, and the maya.
As each new theory surfaces, we gain fresh hope of acquiring additional insights into it ancient location, but are all too often disappointed. Wayne is author of four books on the subject of book of mormon archaeology in north america. Feb 05, 2018 none of this will satisfy the critics. 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. According to the book of mormon, the promised land shall be a land of liberty, with no kings upon the. The day of atonement in christian and nephite scripture and practice, in the temple. This book is a great read and serves as a great companion to studying the book of mormon. The lord could have removed all questions regarding the exact locations of these events but he did not. This book locates everything from the narrow neck, to zarahemla, from cumorah, to the land of promise, bountiful, and more.
I have a large library of religious books, but the annotated edition of the book of mormon is the most technicolored, highfidelity, highdefinition, highlyresearched, testimonybuilding, multidimensional rollercoaster ride through the religious history of ancient america and the world for that matter. According to the book of mormon, the final war that destroyed the jaredites resulted in the deaths of at least two million people. A comparison of book of mormon geographies showing new york to be the most viable setting for book of mormon events. Let me quote from sorensens book, an ancient american setting for the book of mormon page 44. Mormon apologist joseph vincent, editor of california archaeologist, explained at a 1963 byu symposium that all book of mormon lands lie within a five or six hundred mile radiusand could not possibly extend from chile to new york. In 1842, after reading about ancient cities in central america, joseph speculated that book of mormon lands were located there fig. Chief among these is the fact that we know we certainty where the story beginsin old world jerusalem.
Amazingly, we have the luxury of two excellent candidate sites that are roughly due east of nehem on the oman coast. We know from moronis statements to joseph smith that the book of mormon is a record of the ancient inhabitants of this country meaning the united states, and of this continent, meaning the american continent, but that says nothing about where lehis group originally landed. In fact, book of mormon horses are never mentioned in a combat narrative. Mormon church set to become floridas largest private. The details of the accounts, however, do not support the idea that book of mormon lands are located in mexico and guatemala. Ancient ruins and the book of mormon dan vogel youtube. Jan 11, 2020 he has conducted over 70 cruises and tours through mexico and the proposed book of mormon lands during the last 14 years and has taught many years of gospel doctrine and institute classes.
Updated book of mormon map after making the antediluvian map, i decided to upgrade the book of mormon map that i posted on here before. This alternative will be addressed in a future aaf research note. Concerning this record, the prophet joseph smith, who translated it by the gift and power of god, said, i told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book see the introduction at the. How does the doctrine of christ relate to the ancient. Feb 28, 2015 ancient ruins and the book of mormon dan vogel. Sorenson, chairman of the department of anthropology at brigham young university, presents a credible model for an ancient american background for the book of mormon. Come follow me 2020 podcasts with rod meldrum book of. In fact, most first time or casual readers of the book of mormon believe that the land northward is north america, the land southward south america, and the narrow neck between the two somewhere in central america. Wayne and kristine are the parents of seven children, and grandparents to sixteen. Many ancient cultures did not, and do not still, look at their directions with. If nehem is the book of mormon site nahom, then is there a bountiful to the east of it on the coast. Archaeological trends and the book of mormon origins byu. An ancient american setting for the book of mormon. In an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, dr.
Under one of the biggest land development plans ever proposed in florida, a tract more than six times the size of manhattan could be. Ancient history encyclopedia foundation is a nonprofit organization registered in canada. Arianne brown is a mother of six young children and is an altra, probar, nuun and unshoes sponsored athlete. He will talk about the ruins and the ancient people of the book of mormon that many believe were in this part.
Antionum land of bountiful city of bountiful land of east wilderness hill riplah jershon land of melek land of narrow neck of land sidon river seas east and west zarahemla city of zarahemla land of. Lehitours offers quality, personalized tours for cultural, religious, humanitarian, medical and recreational travel throughout the americas. Evidences of the ancient inhabitants are documented in these volumes. Book of mormon lands, cities, and ancient civilizations. Yet, recent evidence suggests the hierarchy among the hopewell were of foreign birth, pagans who brought their sunworshiping religions with them to the new world, the same type religion of antichrists found among the nehors of the book of mormon. Lands that the lord promises as an inheritance to his faithful followers, and often also to their descendants. If the lamanites lived in florida, weather may not have been an issue for them, but given the distances described in the book of mormon, weather would have been a problem for the nephites. Apr 11, 2016 the book of mormon mentions horses a few times, even though were not in the americas before the spanish arrived, according to current expert opinion. According to latter day saint scripture, the narrative in the book of mormon came to an end in the ancient land cumorah, where moroni, in 421 ad deposited the golden plates prior to his death. Annually, october 1, is the anniversary of a little known event in early church history that i believe, in consequence of significant research progress into 2019, now deserves recognition for identifying a region of major book of mormon lands and for initiating book of mormon archaeological historic research. All opinions, speakers and presenters represent and express their own individual opinions, and not necessarily the opinions of firm foundation, book of mormon evidence, or its employees, and no information or opinions represent the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. See more ideas about book of mormon, lds scriptures and lds books.
But no entity outside of the mormon church refers to reformed egyptian as a real, written language. Is there any value in attempting to locate book of mormon lands. Chronology pageant tour june 28 july 11th, 2020 7 seats left. The city of lib key to book of mormon geography transcript of the september 2005 bmaf conference presentation. Several times our followers have commented that they wish the church would make an official statement about where the book of mormon lands are located to remove the confusion that exists about them being located in mezoamerica. Often in the book of mormon, the promised land spoken of is the americas. As god inspired the book of mormon to come forth, so too did he inspire other books that would confirm the book of mormon. T he times and seasons featured many articles relating to the topic of book of mormon lands.
If the book is true, as i believe it is, it should hardly be surprising that serious unresolved questions marks persist in some areas. I read books and articles written by lds scholars, visited sites in. The map code sign near the number is the site location. Chiasmus, mesoamerican evidences, cement, olives, ancient names like alma, and other evidences for the authenticity of the book of mormon a divine ancient record from the new world that testifies of jesus christ. Proposed book of mormon geographical setting wikipedia. Unconventional book of mormon geography theories mormon. There are three possible ways to approach this puzzle, dealing with archaeology, ancient cultural practices, and difficulties in translation. Thomas stuart ferguson lay in his hammock, certain that he had found. Archaeological evidence for 7 locations on lehis journey. Each possible explanation also teaches important lessons about archaeology, ancient writings, and the. A florida theory would be interesting, and i like this malay theory.