For that reason, our design team has chosen to develop an internal map that shows relational directions and approximate distances that match the. Practically since the book of mormon was published, its geography has been the subject of discussion and debate. Amidst the hundreds of passages of potential geographic significance, alma 22. Proposed book of mormon geographical setting wikipedia. Anthropologist mark wrights 2008 fair conference address on similarities between mesoamerica and the book of mormon. Do you think the book of mormon cumorah was in new york or southern mexico.
Why does the book of mormon include the rise and fall of two nations. Thomas stuart ferguson lay in his hammock, certain that he had found. Even the hill cumorah, where joseph smith obtained the gold plates, is not really the same hill cumorah mentioned in the text. Oct 03, 2016 a comparison of book of mormon geographies showing new york to be the most viable setting for book of mormon events. Plausible locations in mesoamerica for book of mormon places. Why did mormon give so many details about geography. Their version of the book of mormon describes volcanoes, the 3 ms mayans, mountains, massive stone temples, and the three js jungles, jaguars, and jade. Plausible locations in mesoamerica for book of mormon. For almost 50 years, thousands of people have explored the enchanting lands of the book of mormon with book of mormon tours. If you love the book of mormon, consider donating to book of mormon central and becoming part of this exciting movement.
Carr, president of book of mormon archaeological forum, were sending you a copy of his last article. Adena and hopewell peoples lived in pennsylvania and western new york, but this region represented the impoverished fringe of their culture. Book of mormon geography, lands, map, dna true evidence. Archaeology research in precolumbian americas and the book of mormon. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. The book of mormon geography lands and map with dna evidence.
A summary of several theories of book of mormon lands in mesoamerica. Clark, archaeology and cumorah questions, journal of book of mormon studies. What scriptures in the book of mormon discuss horses. Why did moroni include mormons condemnation of infant baptism. Book of mormon in north america maps book of mormon evidence. Includes every geographical place mentioned in the book of mormon. It doesnt take much imagination to see where that will lead. Items in the bmc archive are made publicly available for noncommercial, private use.
At book of mormon tours we strive to provide the type of experience. In my view, there are two categories of book of mormon maps. Here is a helpful chart to use as you read and study. Jan 18, 2018 how a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. However, when serious book of mormon students first begin with a detailed consideration of the internal map implicit to the book of mormon and then search for a plausible location that fits the book of mormons map, there has consistently been one general result. Mormon s map is book of mormon scholar john sorenson s reconstruction of that. It is a book to be read and studied, a book to be pondered over and yes, a book to be prayed about. Garth normans map book of mormon archaeological forum. Joseph lovell allen, educator, author and explorer, is a pioneer in the study of history and geography of mesoamerica and the book of mormon. Apr 06, 2007 i had the pleasure of being amongst many on a tour to mesoamerica with john lund.
All of our tours follow the format of the book, exploring the lands of the book of mormon, by joseph l. Virtual book of mormon book of mormon maps and learning. Any book of mormon lands proposal must be able to demonstrate all. While nothing can take the place of a spiritual witness of the truthfulness of the book of mormon, an understanding of the correlating evidence of the book of mormon, especially as it relates to geography, can provide greater appreciation for this inspired book of scripture. Home true book of mormon geography lands western new york. Bmaf supports a mesoamerican context for the major book of mormon sites. The book of mormon says the jaredites had large populations ether 15. We are the pioneers of the book of mormon tour concept. The book of mormon says the jaredites raised grain ether 9.
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. But i emphasize, thats because i think knowing the realworld setting is important. Maize agriculture provided the caloric base to support large populations. The church and byu stay neutral in questions of exactly where the book of mormon took place. I purchased this book a few days prior to leaving, had it personalized and signed by him, and read it before, during, and after my adventure in the book of mormon lands. Ceramics were wellestablished in the olmec heartland by 1,200 bc. This book of mormon map along with a wall map are available for down loading in color and the book of mormon geography book a promised land, the land of promise with all the mormon maps and details is also available at alpha publishing at. A dna study by emory university, accepted by the smithsonian, acknowledges that some native americans have ancestry in common with the peoples in modern israel and the mediterranean area. Book of mormon tours has been operated by the allen family since 1970. A detailed map for the book of mormon has been produced by archaeologist garth norman which may solve a longstanding puzzle.
How would a judeo christian culture fit into ancient mesoamerica. Inclusion within the bmc archive does not imply endorsement. Despite the limited space on the plates, mormonas a historian and military. Graphics processing with supercomputers then yields highly accurate 3d maps of the. In addition, the entire story of the book of mormon occurred within a small 500mile radius within mesoamerica. Church releases statement on book of mormon geography book.
Our changing understanding of ancient america and its scripture. How does the book of mormon help date the first christmas. Charting the book of mormon is a collection of more than 175 visual aids that promote deeper understanding and appreciation of the book of mormon. The mesoamerican limited geography model posits that the events of the book of mormon occurred in a geographically limited region in mesoamerica only hundreds of miles in dimension and that other people were present in the new world at the time of lehis arrival.
We build enduring faith in jesus christ by making the book of mormon accessible, comprehensible, and defensible to the entire world. Jan 25, 2018 their version of the book of mormon describes volcanoes, the 3 ms mayans, mountains, massive stone temples, and the three js jungles, jaguars, and jade. These finds confirm scriptures found in the book of mormon. Nov 22, 2007 mesoamerica and the book of mormon dr. The geographical setting of the book of mormon is the set of locations of the events described. This map plausibly positions these and other book of mormon locations in the general mesoamerican arena. Jan 22, 2011 anthropologist mark wrights 2008 fair conference address on similarities between mesoamerica and the book of mormon. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. The lord could have removed all questions regarding the exact locations of these events but he did not. The sources behind the book of mormon are remarkably complex, and sometimes hard to keep straight.
Other locations may meet some of the following criteria, but only mesoamerica meets all these elements required by the book itself. Feb 15, 2010 taking those dimensions and the descriptions of topography, hydrology, and climate, sorenson laid the book of mormon events on a map of mesoamerica and found a reasonable fit. This map plausibly positions these and other book of mormon locations in the general mesoamerican. The book of mormon itself is the best source for understanding the geographical locations contained therein.
The byu fantasy map incorporates the m2c interpretation. Made popular by his 1985 publication an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, sorensons geographic model for the book of mormon has withstood the test of time and remains the preeminent geographic model for book of mormon events. Anyone who is curious about the trends in book of mormon geography can ask their lds friends a simple question. Designed for multiple use as study guides, handouts, and masters for creating projectable images, the charts convey a wealth of information that will enrich personal study and teaching. A limited geography model for the book of mormon is one of several theories by latter day. The purpose of constructing unbiased internal maps is to orient major lands, seas and landmarks mentioned in the. He has spent almost fifty years in teaching, searching and researching the internal and external messages of that sacred history revered by millions of latterday saints worldwide.
I had the pleasure of being amongst many on a tour to mesoamerica with john lund. This is a synopsis of what i found interesting in the presentations from a book of mormon perspective. Joseph smiths central america map started in 1842 has finally been completed as mormons mesoamerica map shown here. I am very much a proponent of a more limited geography, and i believe the best available evidence places the core narrative of the book of mormon squarely in mesoamerica. It is being imprinted on students throughout the church. Mid resolution 830 k when image is loaded, click on it for a detailed view high resolution 5. Those that show cumorah in new york, and those that dont. I am very much a proponent of a more limited geography, and i believe the best available evidence places the core narrative of the book of. Book of mormon fringe theory was inspired by geography enthusiast john e. 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. Muleks party first arrived in the land north see helaman 6. This book locates everything from the narrow neck, to zarahemla, from cumorah, to the land of promise, bountiful. Proposed map of the lands and sites of the book of mormon.
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. Maps moronis america the north american setting for. Virtual book of mormon book of mormon maps and learning tools. True book of mormon geography lands, western new york model. Joseph lovell allen true book of mormon geography lands. Aug 23, 2008 how did joseph smith translate the book of mormon. Finally there is a way to really explore john sorensons book of mormon geography. A summary of several theories of book of mormon lands in. For me, any map that doesnt put cumorah in new york is not useful or even relevant.
Some placed the nephite capital city zarahemla in mesoamerica, others in south america. Moronis americamaps edition book of mormon evidence. The 2019 2020 speakers were intriguing and we have grandchildren in minneapolis, so i joined the society and managed to make it to two meetings. Numerous observers have suggested that the book of mormon appears to be a work of fiction that parallels others within the 19thcentury moundbuilder genre that was pervasive at the time. Writing systems relating to this area are geographically identified here and represent the earliestknown manifestation of each. Rick shared a very good map from shelby saberon who is a trained mesoamericanist.
A comparison of book of mormon geographies showing new york to be the most viable setting for book of mormon events. Taking those dimensions and the descriptions of topography, hydrology, and climate, sorenson laid the book of mormon events on a map of mesoamerica and found a reasonable fit. Cement in ancient mesoamerica and the book of mormon. Mesoamerica, the region of southern mexico, guatemala, and adjacent nations. Book of mormon geography jeff lindsays site and the. After all, when you read the bible, you can turn to the maps and see where everything happened. One truly needs divine inspiration when attempting to understand the complex and diverse locations mentioned in the book of mormon as explained in moronis america maps edition. Hemispheric models take specific, named cities in the book of mormon and disperse them far and wide across the whole of north and south america.
A complete description of the book of mormon geography bomgeography, including an internal map model, external map model i. It comes with an optional explanatory booklet entitled book of mormon mesoamerican historic geography, and is available online. New revelations of the americas before columbus by charles c. What about john sorensons claims that there is archaeological evidence for metallurgy in ancient mesoamerica during the book of mormon time period. Others argued for a setting in the american heartland.
We are a nonprofit organization supported by people like you. How well does the political power and warfare described in the book of mormon match ancient mesoamerica. Oct 02, 2014 finally there is a way to really explore john sorensons book of mormon geography. Now, mormons history record is no longer an unsolvable mystery. Getting real about cumorah part 2, byuces fantasy map. To read more about metallurgy and the book of mormon, please read. Items do not represent the official views of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints or of book of mormon central. 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. This site can be used as a study guide to help understand the book of mormon. We have taken more tours to mesoamerica to compare the ancient sites and civilizations with the book of mormon than any other tour operator.
989 1518 322 68 456 909 313 1250 77 1149 1270 1041 428 969 1122 1504 1166 1494 132 275 1289 86 741 264 843 1445 421 675 1467 220 1460 40 194 673 923 1206