Bringing the lands and people of the book of mormon to life phyllis carol olive on. According to the book of mormon, the promised land shall be a land of liberty, with no kings upon the land 1, and be discovered by a gentile whom the spirit of god wrought, to cross many waters 2 in order. 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. The church takes no position on the specific geographic location of book of mormon events in the ancient americas. Ancient civilization in north america book of mormon. Research true book of mormon geography lands western new. And because of that much confusion exists among members because of a lack of knowledge to evaluated theorists views, creating and clouds the issues and tends to place a wedge between theory and actual writings of the book of mormon. The book of mormon does not say that the entire land northward resides in land occupied by the united states of america. This book locates everything from the narrow neck, to zarahemla, from cumorah, to the land of promise, bountiful. Olive has done a lot of research into the ancient geography of the area of western new york and to me it makes a lot of sense that the lands of the book of morman are located in upper new york.
Moronis america the book of mormon in north america. Sorenson, an ancient american setting for the book of mormon salt lake city and provo, ut. 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. Hard evidence of ancient american horses byu studies. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. 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. The material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. She answers a lot of the questions that most people would ask. Jun 27, 2016 for some of the discussion, see clark, revisiting a key, 18.
Was the usa home to the ancient book of mormon lands. Wells jakeman, the ancient middleamerican calendar system. For some of the discussion, see clark, revisiting a key, 18. The book of mormon states several times that the land which they were led to, was the promised land, or a choice land.
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. The view of book of mormon geography taught by joseph smith and subsequent presidents and apostles of the mormon church includes three major, closely related points. Its origin and development, byu publications in archaeology and early history, no. Bringing the lands and people of the book of mormon to life. The prophecies make it clear that the land would change by the earthquakes that would occur at the death and coming of jesus to america, all of which are splendidly accounted for in the true geography of the western new york model. Book of mormon archaeology in north america wanyes intro. 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 archaeology in north america book of mormon.
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. The book of mormon includes a history of an ancient people who migrated from the near east to the americas. 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 archaeology in north america the lost. In the september 15 th 1842 issue of the times and seasons, an extract from john lloyd stephens on the antiquities at palenque, mexico was published with. Gods word is to be established by two or more witnesses 2 cor. 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. One important topic bearing upon the issue of animals in the book of mormon is the location of the lands described in the text. 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. T he times and seasons featured many articles relating to the topic of book of mormon lands. Book of mormon geography the encyclopedia of mormonism. Its important to understand that their lands were foreve. Nov 14, 2019 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. Jun 22, 2016 book of mormon archaeology in north america.
Book of mormon lands discovering the lost lands of the. 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. In our view, an ancient mesoamerican setting is best supported by the information given in the book of mormon. See more ideas about book of mormon, america and ancient civilizations. Proposed book of mormon geographical setting wikipedia. The north american setting for the book of mormon and letter vii link here. Taken from the new dvd touring book of mormon lands in north america. Garth norman posted by permission of ancient america foundation and the author. In spite of difficulties in defending this claim, and although the evidence is incomplete, the geological and archaeological record does provide support for horses and even wheeled vehicles in ancient america. 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.
The ruins of ancient maya civilizations were completely shrouded in mystery, yet he held the key in the book of mormon to unlocking the lost history of ancient america civilizations. The book of mormon is true and could have only happened in north america. Book of mormon archaeology in north america july 26, 2010 the lost civilizations of north america is a powerful film that gives answers to the question of why we havent heard about the great civilizations that existed on the north american continent and why theories about their origins have passed out of place and time. Home true book of mormon geography lands western new. In north america dvd hopewell culture, copper mines, earthen walls, mounds and ditches are just some of the very important sites, artifacts and discussions presented on this brand new dvd. Book of mormon geography in north america wayne may. Why did mormon give so many details about geography. The church emphasizes the doctrinal and historical value of the book of mormon, not its geography. The book of mormon describes migrations of people from the middle east to central america, and further describes some features of their civilizations in the new world. Jan, 2016 undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in north america. Wayne may presents archaeological support of the book of mormon to a group in malad, idaho in february of 2017.
While some latterday saints have looked for possible locations and explanations for book of mormon geography because the new york hill cumorah does not readily fit the book of mormon description of cumorah, there are no conclusive connections between the book of mormon text and any specific site. Exploring the book of mormon in america s heartland, a visual journey of discovery by rod l. Mar 26, 2016 the material below covers the geography of the book of mormon 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. 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.
Evidences of the ancient inhabitants are documented in these volumes. Mar 06, 2012 olive has done a lot of research into the ancient geography of the area of western new york and to me it makes a lot of sense that the lands of the book of morman are located in upper new york. The study of the ancient american horse and elephant points unavoidably to the north american setting for the book of mormon and adds strong supportive evidence that the book of mormon is true, contrary to the attacks of antimormons who say the absence of the horse and elephant in ancient america discounts the book mormons divine authenticity. Undeniable archaeological evidence of the book of mormon in. If the book is accurate, archaeologists would expect to find numerous pieces of hard evidence in central america that confirm the presence of these societies. North america matches some traditional thinking but has been slowly losing ground for instance it has no written language that dates back to the book of mormon, no calenders, no cement, not a large enough population, no domesticated agriculture or animals, no remenants of a large civilazation. The book of mormon is full of references to technologies and species that are known to have not existed in precolumbian america. Book of mormon geography watch as wayne may presents the parallels between the geography of the hopewell and adena civilizations and the book of mormon records. As the above logo depicts, we do respect this mandate, and our model. 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. Mar 23, 2017 wayne may presents archaeological support of the book of mormon to a group in malad, idaho in february of 2017. 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.
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. 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. The new essay begins with this declarative statement. Watch as wayne may presents many of the ancient american artifacts found in north america and see how they line up with the nephite, lamanite and jaredite culture. This history contains information about the places they lived, including descriptions of landforms, natural features, and the distances and cardinal directions between important points. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may. Michael coe, an archaeologist at yale university, said. We may not know but here is some compelling evidence.
Book of mormon horses in ancient north america book of. Book of mormon archaeology in north america may 8, 2012. We believe ancient book of mormon lands are here in western new york between palmyra and erie, pa. There is an inherent improbability in specific items that are mentioned in the book of mormon as having. Church releases statement on book of mormon geography. 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. Exploring the book of mormon in americas heartland, a visual journey of discovery by rod l.
Hunter and thomas stuart ferguson, ancient america and the book of mormon, pp. Hugh nibley, the book of mormon as a mirror of the east, improvement era 51 1948, pp. Were the nephites and lamanites spread throughout both north and south america or did book of mormon events occur within a more confined area. 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. These covenant lands are in the borders of the prophetic. Moronis america today in 1936, when lds scholars first began accepting the twocumorah theory, apostle joseph fielding smith warned the saints. Evidence against the book of mormon is not just genetic. Jan 18, 2010 north america matches some traditional thinking but has been slowly losing ground for instance it has no written language that dates back to the book of mormon, no calenders, no cement, not a large enough population, no domesticated agriculture or animals, no remenants of a large civilazation. Of particular interest are those articles published while the prophet held the title of official editor march 15, to november 15, 1842. The book of mormon geography lands and map with dna evidence. Book of mormon lands discovering the lost lands of the book. These finds are divided into competing models, most notably the hemispheric geography model, the mesoamerican limited geography model, and the finger lakes. This is because the continual debate between north, central and south america wages on, with no end in sight. Home true book of mormon geography lands western new york.
The suggestion of horses and chariots in precolumbian america has long been an easy target for critics of the book of mormon. Wayne mays twopart presentation at the november 20 vernal, ut book of mormon evidence conference. As ive been saying since i attended the prelaunch open house for book of mormon central in december 2015, all i ask is an equal, or at least fair, presentation of alternative viewpoints on book of mormon central. Book of mormon archaeology in north america july 26, 2010 the lost civilizations of north america is a powerful film that gives answers to the question of why we havent heard about the great civilizations that existed on the north american continent and why theories about their origins have passed out. Such maps can be a useful introduction for those who are new to the book of mormon.
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