Book of mormon geography in north america wayne may. Those that show cumorah in new york, and those that dont. The first hundred pages of mormon america cover the early history of the church, but readers who are expecting a comprehensible account of mormon beginnings and the development of the church should look elsewhere. Jan 08, 2019 the book of mormon describes a land of promise given to lehi and his posterity by the lord. The lands of te book of mormon are found in mesoamerica. The book of mormon describes massive destructions when christ was crucified. This book locates everything from the narrow neck, to zarahemla, from cumorah, to the land of promise, bountiful. The heartland is the place where it all happened, right. Book of mormon in north america maps book of mormon evidence. Nov 22, 2007 with a lot of attention coming to the theory that north america, rather than central america, is the location of the events recorded in the book of mormon, this book provides a credible rebut of the north american position. Years later, joseph smith received a book on central american ruins. Gods word is to be established by two or more witnesses 2 cor. Despite the limited space on the plates, mormonas a historian and military leader. 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 mormon s map, there has consistently been one general result.
Church releases statement on book of mormon geography book. 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. Most start with the writer con dently identifying some american area as the center. 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. With a lot of attention coming to the theory that north america, rather than central america, is the location of the events recorded in the book of mormon, this book provides a credible rebut of the north american position. This book is the 2nd edition of our best selling study guide first published in 2014. See many of the territories, lands, cities, events and battles spoken of in the book of mormon with specific map detail. At least eighty versions of a book of mormon map have been produced.
In addition, sites and artifacts are also provided that give additional indirect support to the book of mormon story, such as evidence. These finds are divided into competing models, most notably the hemispheric geography model, the mesoamerican limited geography model, and the finger lakes. Book of mormonplagiarism accusationsplace names from. The lord could have removed all questions regarding the exact locations of these events but he did not. The book of mormon map described in alma chapter 22 has finally been deciphered.
Both the book of mormon map and the video game maps feature imaginary terrain, surrounded by water and clouds. This history contains information about the places they lived, including descriptions of landforms, natural features, and the distances and cardinal directions between important points. A discussion of the arabian, or old world, geography of the book of mormon enjoys many advantages over discussion of new world matters. Some of these maps are included in the annotated book of mormon. But more important than where the land of promise might be are the. Moronis americamaps edition 150 maps of the bofm in north. The great strength of the book is that it provides a wellargued perspective based on the geology of natural disasters that is new to the analysis of the book of mormonone that adds to the reality of book of mormon events and opens new doors for potential research and understanding of the geography of the book of mormon.
The book of mormon describes a land of promise given to lehi and his posterity by the lord. Fly over the book of mormon lands and terrain using the text from the scripture and its inside map. Possible book of mormon sites in relation to each other possible relationships of sites in the book of mormon, based on internal evidence. Maps the north american setting for the book of mormon. 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. Book of mormon geography, the near cumorah setting book of. I still think there is a serious problem of imprinting a particular geographyeven an abstract onebut if the people involved accept the scripture on faith alone, they may never care about the realworld geography, so a mental abstract map is no problem.
Interest in answering these questions began almost immediately after the book of mormon was published. The book of mormon includes a history of an ancient people who migrated from the near east to the americas. Proposed book of mormon geographical setting wikipedia. Amidst the hundreds of passages of potential geographic significance, alma 22. These maps or similar maps also seem to have been published on a very small format in a separate work, book of mormon maps. As the above logo depicts, we do respect this mandate, and our model is. Oct 02, 2014 finally there is a way to really explore john sorensons book of mormon geography.
Moronis america maps edition is a book that would be very useful to all seekers of truth because it points us toward the geography of the promised land, toward the reality that josephs hill cumorah in new york is the very same hill cumorah where the nephites and jaredites were destroyed. Clair river, andor land between lake st clair and lake erie detroit river, andor ew pass between lake erie and lake ontario near niagara falls, andor ew pass south of lake erie and north of the continental divide along the allegheny river near the narrow. Virtual book of mormon book of mormon maps and learning tools. As the above logo depicts, we do respect this mandate, and our model. Cities were burned, buried with earth, and sunk under water. David persuitte, joseph smith and the origins of the book of mormon. X map in my view, there are two categories of book of mormon maps. A hundred and fifty years of book of mormon geographies. Book of mormon geography jeff lindsays site and the. Book of mormon geography, the near cumorah setting book. The book of mormon geography lands and map with dna evidence. Exploring the book of mormon in americas heartland.
The book of mormon is a real history, but we know nothing about where any events took place. The book of mormon does not say that the entire land northward resides in land occupied by the united states of america. The church and byu stay neutral in questions of exactly where the book of mormon took place. Below is more detail about the above north american map of the book of mormon narrow pass. Virtual book of mormon book of mormon maps and learning. These two books are referenced heavily throughout moronis america maps edition.
Moronis america the book of mormon in north america. Review of deciphering the geography of the book of mormon. Why did mormon give so many details about geography. It also is used to refer to a large political division, and a minor character in the book.
The authors tell the mormon story in such a disjointed way that its almost impossible to follow. This map plausibly positions these and other book of mormon locations in the general mesoamerican arena. The best way to teach the book of mormon is with a fantasy map based on an interpretation that repudiates the teachings of the prophets about the new york cumorah. For that reason, our design team has chosen to develop an internal map that shows relational directions and approximate distances that match the. Home true book of mormon geography lands western new york. Mar 24, 2019 fly over the book of mormon lands and terrain using the text from the scripture and its inside map. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. There were massive earthquakes, and darkness covered the land. Mormon theological geography on a ninefoothigh banner. Many have wondered where this land of promise might be physically located in the americas. According to the book of mormon, bountiful was one of the first areas settled by the nephites, ancient people who supposedly sailed from israel to. Jan 18, 2018 according to the book of mormon, bountiful was one of the first areas settled by the nephites, ancient people who supposedly sailed from israel to the americas around 600 b. After several months of intense careful study of the text i have put together the following proposed map, showing the relative positions of book of mormon lands, cities, rivers, etc. Further, it quotes oliver cowderys statement in letter vii, as found in the joseph smith papers js history 18341836 that between the hill cumorah, new york, usa, and a neighboring hill called.
The many convergences of book of mormon locations and statements with geographical, archeological, and anthropological evidence, as shown in this article and others, confirm the book of mormon and its location in mesoamerica. 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. Proctor, american book of mormon map eldin ricks, book of mormon. Moronis americamaps edition book of mormon evidence. The map spans jaredite and nephitelamanite periods during which settlements changed over time.
This will give you the chapter summary and show you on the map where that chapters events occurred, what year or range of years they covered, and any traveling that took place. Were the nephites and lamanites spread throughout both north and south america or did book of mormon events occur within a more confined area. Joseph smith also believed that the events of the book of mormon occurred in central america. Garth normans map book of mormon archaeological forum. 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. Possible book of mormon sites in relation to each other. Those of you who play videogames, or know people who do, may think the abstract book of mormon map looks familiar. No effort should be made to identify points on this map with any existing geographical location. Mesoamerica, the region of southern mexico, guatemala, and adjacent nations.
Exploring book of mormon in americas heartland photobook. 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. Despite the limited space on the plates, mormon as a historian and. Settlements and routes in ancient america, by richard hauck. See my answers to questions about the book of mormon here. According to the beliefs of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, zarahemla. Book of mormonplagiarism accusationsplace names from north. Various apologists have claimed that events in the book of mormon took place in a variety of locations including north america, south america, central america, and even the malay peninsula. See more ideas about book of mormon, bible mapping and native american history.
Two hundred and twenty gorgeous full color pages filled with more than 500 stunning photos, artwork, maps, charts, artifacts, quotes, scripture and commentary introduce the reader to the rapidly mounting body of evidence that suggests the very real possibility of a north american setting for the events described in the book of mormon. 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. Moronis america maps edition states on the front cover that the book contains maps and explanations of the book of mormon in north america. I would also suggest that when reading moronis america maps edition, you have two other books with you. Purchase this new cd of maps, art, cartoons, and diagrams of the setting of the book of mormon in north america. The map below is interactive and gives locations for various archaeological sites, artifacts, or associated stories that may be associated with the book of mormon and its people, or book of mormon descendants.
See more ideas about book of mormon, america and ancient civilizations. An ancient american setting for the book of mormon. Archaeologists and historians have not been able to archaeologically verify a location for the city. Home true book of mormon geography lands western new. Book of mormon charts 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. Interactive book of mormon map virtual book of mormon. 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. Until now, we have had maps made by a variety of book of mormon scholars which showed general areas, but with very few precise locations pinpointed. Book of mormon geography in north america the products services offered by wayne may are neither made, provided, approved nor endorsed by intellectual reserve, inc. The heartland is the place where it all happened, right under our very noses. Wayne may presents the supporting evidence for the heartland model, that the book of mormon nephites and jaredites lived in north america.
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. Muleks party first arrived in the land north see helaman 6. Such maps can be a useful introduction for those who are new to the book of mormon. You will also see various cities change from nephite to lamanite control or vice. You can travel virtually through the lands, confronting enemies and allies, gathering supplies, defending your base, etc. Readers of the book of mormon may wonder, at times, where in the americas the events described took place. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, members and leaders of the. Narrow neck of land, land of antionum, city of teancum, land of helam, land of zarahemla, hill cumorah, land of moron, city of ammonihah, land of ishmael, land of desolation, city of and land of moroni, land of jershon, city of nephi, city of zarahemla, hag. Practically since the book of mormon was published, its geography has been the subject of discussion and debate. You may also view pages from the annotated book of mormon now. Jun 27, 2016 practically since the book of mormon was published, its geography has been the subject of discussion and debate. The material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. It comes with an optional explanatory booklet entitled book of mormon mesoamerican historic geography, and is available online.
The book of mormon, and the book titled moronis america the north american setting for the book of mormon, by jonathan neville. 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. Sea north, hagoth, land of zarahemla, city of ammonihah, sea east, narrow strip of wilderness, city of and land of moroni, sea south, land of moron, narrow neck of land, hill cumorah, sea west, land of nephi, land of helam, city of desolation, land of antio. The great strength of the book is that it provides a wellargued perspective based on the geology of natural disasters that is new to the analysis of the book of mormon one that adds to the reality of book of mormon events and opens new doors for potential research and understanding of the geography of the book of mormon. May 12, 2020 explore unity1536s board book of mormon. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints does not officially endorse any one particular geographical model for where the events in the book of mormon. Chief among these is the fact that we know we certainty where the story beginsin old world jerusalem. Notice how the four seas and river sidon on the map above form a classic quincunx, a very mesoamerican way of perceiving space.
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 land of zarahemla is at a lower elevation relative to the land of nephi. Stephens and catherwoods blockbuster incidents of travel in central america, chiapas. This new book has all the same great content as the first study guide but the entire book of mormon is covered in this one book instead of as a two volume series. Mar 23, 2017 wayne may presents archaeological support of the book of mormon to a group in malad, idaho in february of 2017. Book of mormon geography the encyclopedia of mormonism. Over 300 photos, works of art, artifacts, maps, charts, scripture and commentary introduce the reader to the growing body of evidence that suggests the very real possibility of a north american setting for the events of the book of mormon. Mormon s map gives a model that we can apply to stories from the record, shedding a new light on the influence of geography on nephite history, increasing our understanding of that book and its characters, and making events and places more concrete in our minds. Moronis america today in 1936, when lds scholars first began accepting the twocumorah theory, apostle joseph fielding smith warned the saints.