Book of mormon lands in mesoamerica the shifts

The present text is written as a study companion to show the geography of the book of mormon in the sequence provided by mormon and moroni. Revisiting the seven lineages of the book of mormon and the seven tribes of mesoamerica, byu studies quarterly 52. The book of mormon describes gods dealings with three civilizatio. Antimormon criticisms of the book of mormon are frequently based on a questionable set of assumptions concerning the nature of historical and archaeological evidence, the role of governing presuppositions, and the. This page is a supplement to my book of mormon evidences page. These evidences could be explained not only by migrations as mentioned above but also by potential missionary efforts from book of mormon people to the native populations in mesoamerica.

If the book is true, as i believe it is, it should hardly be surprising that serious unresolved questions marks persist in some areas. Some place the geography of the book in upstate new york or near the great lakes. For the past twentyfive years or so, believing book of mormon theorists have been steadily attempting to work out the details of a new paradigm for the book of mormonone that shifts book of mormon events from a fullhemispheric to a limitedgeography model. The maya constructed cities with complexes that could cover many football fields and pyramidal ones that rose to heights of 70 meters 231. Why did snakes infest jaredite lands during a famine. Scholars gathered in provo, utah, to discuss their theories about where the events described in the book of mormon took place. Rigdon, the son of sydney rigdon visited utah and spent the winter among the mormons. It could be assumed that degroote is getting considerable pressure from those entrenched in mesoamerican geography theories to help in putting down the heartland model geography theory, but it appears that he.

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. Such maps can be a useful introduction for those who are new to the book of mormon. 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. Critique of a limited geography for book of mormon events. Others argued for a setting in the american heartland. Five misunderstandings of the book of mormon text that.

Critics note that there is no physical proof of the existence of golden plates. Precolumbian remains of horses in the americas raise the possibility that horses were present for a while in book of mormon lands during book of mormon times. Book of mormon tours has been operated by the allen family since 1970. Sorenson listed what he considered the most important aspects of defining a geography of the book of mormon. As a result of volcanic activity, the level of the lake is known to have shifted very abruptly up to 60 feet during historical times. Michael coe an outsiders view of book of mormon archaeology. I n the introduction of the book of mormon we read. Book of mormonlamanitesrelationship to amerindiansmaya and. Oct 27, 2010 these man credited joseph smith with teaching them that the land of bountiful mention in the book of mormon was in central america. The legend of the lost book of gold part 1 of 4 wheat. The main passage mentions the land of nephi bordering on the seas, a narrow strip of wilderness, the land of zarahemla, and the headwaters of the river sidon see alma 22. Coe is also a prominent skeptic of the book of mormon.

Mormon which puts cumorah in central america and limits the whole book. Reply to pros, cons of book of mormon geography theories book. A careful examination of three of his statements about book of mormon geography shows that joseph did not knowby revelatory meanswhere the new world lands of the book of mormon were located. Correlations with the book of mormon itself only tend to be addressed after a models. The core racist theme jenkins refers to is rejected in the book of mormon, which explains that the ancient inhabitants became one people with no ites and lived in harmony before society disintegrated by division and warfare. The new book of mormon videos being produced by the church, similar to the bible videos, show a north american setting and i have heard some rumblings that the seminary and institute curriculum is eliminating all references to mesoamerica as the place where the book of mormon takes place. The church has been neutral when it comes to issues relating to book of mormon geography, as is fairmormon. They discuss early church assumptions as to where the people of the book of mormon lived, and then discuss the plausible locale that is theorized by most lds scholars today. Since the publication of the book of mormon in 1830, mormon archaeologists have attempted to find archaeological evidence to support it. The book of mormon indicates that there was an abundance of gold, silver, and precious metals in both he land north and the land south. A limited geography model for the book of mormon is one of several theories by latter day. The book of mormon has a number of base dates aka zero dates which anchor elapsed time sequences measured in years from a beginning point.

It is a continuation of book of mormon evidences, part one. Halfway through the parable, the jacob 5 author shifts from a focus on the olive tree to a focus on the whole vineyard. Our goals are 1 to increase understanding of the book of mormon as an. History and historicity in the book of mormon fairmormon. The book of mormon archaeological forum bmaf is a 501c3 not for profit organization dedicated as an open forum for presentation, dissemination, and discussion of research and evidences regarding book of mormon archaeology, anthropology, geography and culture within a mesoamerican context. Here are a couple of paragraphs from the book life in the ancient maya world, by lynn v.

There are several theories held among latterday saints for the location of book of mormon lands. The book of mormon and defensive fortifications in mesoamerica. View the original article at the book of mormon resources blog. Topography land surfaces and hydrography streams, lakes, and seas distances and directions. The archaeological and historical evidence indicates that the ancient people that we call olmecs in our day are the same people, called the jaredites in the book of mormon. Book of mormon evidences, part 2 presents more of the factors that suggest the book of mormon may be an ancient document. When maya ruins shifted thinking in 1842 and 43 to central america as the land southward, nothing changed with regard to lamanites being in eastern north america as taught in the 1830s. Lund draws on his personal years of research and travel to present the case for the most likely area where the main book of mormon events occurred. The name mesoamerica is a term used to identify the heartland of a number of significant precolumbian cultures.

Polities and power 3 and it came to pass in the commencement of the tenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of nephi, that alma departed from thence and took his journey over into the land of melek, on the west of the river sidon, on the west by the borders of the wilderness. Is there evidence for the authenticity of the book of mormon. Both of the above papers provide detailed evidence that needs to be part of future debates on this topic. I usually focus on the ceremonial ties between the israelites the hopi and those found in mesoamerica or the possible lands of the book of mormon. Archaeological and historical evidence jareditesolmecs. Although little nephite history involved the lands northward, mormon nevertheless made sure to emphasize them.

Mormon wanted his readers to understand and relate to book of mormon geographyfor the sake of geography. Update on horses in the book of mormon a mormon blog. For the first time since the initial publication of the book of mormon in 1830, it is possible to read the entire book and know where all of the important cities and lands are located. Did joseph fielding smith reject the theory that the final battlefield of the book of mormon took place in mesoamerica rather than new york. New revelations of the americas before columbus by charles c. The compiler and editor, mormon, was a lifelong soldier. Book of mormon tours which take interested members to see the lands of the book of mormon in mesoamerica. The big shift came with the 1970 work by tulane university at becan. 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. The maya and the olmec have a written languagea requirement for book of mormon peoples, who kept records. Basic methodological problems with the antimormon approach to the geography and archaeology of the book of mormon william j.

Update on horses in the book of mormon mormanity a mormon. Of course, placing the book of mormon lands within a limited region like mesoamerica. The three authors of an lds guide to mesoamerica, walk us through the lands of the book of mormon. Welcome to the dna evidence for book of mormon blog. Archaeology research in precolumbian americas and the book of mormon. At the very twilight of his life, when death was upon him, in the last few hours of his time on earth, the prophet found comfort in none other than the pages of the book of mormon during those dark moments. Travel companies boldly offer tours of book of mormon lands, and books. We should find book of mormon lands in a part of the ancient world where accurate timekeeping over centuries was important.

How do critics of the historicity of the book of mormon. Latter day saints members proposed a limited mesoamerican geography for the book of mormon. Mormon horses existsthat is to say, physical remains conclusively dated to around 500 bc and earlier from supposed book of mormon lands in mesoamerica. Limited geography and the book of mormon byu scholarsarchive. Book of mormon archaeological forum true book of mormon. He also taught them that moroni had traveled from central america to palmyra, newyork dedicating future temple sites along the way. We begin to see these webs of interlocking evidence when we look at what the book of mormon says in the context of particular times. Those living in mesoamerica would refer to the gulf of mexico as the east sea and the pacific as the west sea. Rigdon, sidneys son, asks his dad if he wrote the book of mormon or if josephs story about golden plates is true. Some placed the nephite capital city zarahemla in mesoamerica, others in south america. We have taken more tours to mesoamerica to compare the ancient sites and civilizations with the book of mormon than any other tour operator. Revisiting the seven lineages of the book of mormon and the seven tribes of mesoamerica diane e.

This blog is designed to share research and evidences that i find interesting or informative in regards to the book of mormon, bible, and other standard works. 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. Its among the worst attempts at linguistic analysis or comparison studies ive ever seen, or probably will ever see in my life. Critical criteria for identifying the new world lands of. Maps moronis america the north american setting for. Duane aston was once a supporter of a mesoamerican model but shifted his focus to the great lakes region. Dont expect proof for any religion or matter of faith, but yes, there are many issues that support the concept that the book of mormon is of ancient origin and not a silly fraud by joseph smith. The geographical setting of the book of mormon has been the subject of serious study and casual speculation since before the book was first published. What the book of mormon does show is its own participation in and influence from the greater trends in the lands where it occurred. Lastditch warfare in ancient mesoamerica recalls the book of mormon john l. This book locates everything from the narrow neck, to zarahemla, from cumorah, to the land of promise, bountiful. Proposed book of mormon geographical setting wikipedia. Another spiritual evidence of the book of mormon is the prophet joseph smiths personal reverence for it. The fact that mormon lists lamanite cities and lands together in order to arrive at the number seven suggests a numerically based authorial intent.

He knew the importance of understanding where the various new world lands and sites of the book of mormon are located, so he gave geographic pointers in about five hundred verses of his abridgment. It is unfortunate that research focus on mesoamerica as the lands of the book of mormon has been misunderstood as being exclusionary. Sorensons book an ancient american setting for the book of mormon is so highly touted by mesoamericanists and land of promise theorists, especially because of sorensons reputation as the onetime dean of anthropology at byu, and current status as professor emeritus, and referred to as the guru of book of mormon archaeology. Book of mormon land in baja sign in to follow this. On february 1, 2018, national geographic broke a story about some incredible new discoveries in mesoamerican archaeology using new technology. Joseph smith said that the book of mormon was originally an ancient nativeamerican record written on golden plates, and that god gave him the power to translate it into english. In addition, the entire story of the book of mormon occurred within a small 500mile radius within mesoamerica. 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. 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. This paper investigates the evidence for seasonality of warfare in the book of mormon account and compares it with what is currently known about the timing of warfare in mesoamerica. John dehlin august 12, 2011 apologetics, best of mormon stories, book of mormon, johns favorites, top 10 truth claims, top 25 202 comments. Archaeological evidence seems to indicate that the main core or center of the jaredite civilization was located on the mexican gulf coast, in what are now the southern. Lund, mesoamerica and the book of mormon is this the place.

Bmaf supports a mesoamerican context for the major book of mormon sites. Claims the narrow neck of land is the isthmus of tehuantepec, and the basic area is that of mesoamerica. Discovering the lost lands of the book of mormon book of. Cheesmans, the world of the book of mormon, deseret book, 1978. The story of how it came about is rather fantastic, after all, and the simplest explanation is that the book was a deliberate deception. The mesoamerican theory already faces challenges from those who. Response to lds living article on evidence supporting the. The 10th annual book of mormon lands symposium was held in salt. Why does the book of mormon include the rise and fall of two nations. The book of mormon geography lands and map with dna evidence. New discovery shakes more mesoamerican paradigms recently we had a discussion about what i called the infancy of knowledge about ancient mesoamerica, where i argue that mesoamerica has been much less explored and studied than bible lands partly due to the relative lack of ancient written documents since so many were destroyed by the spanish.

Others look to peru and south america, or to the baja peninsula, or texas, and some even propose the malaysian peninsula. Book of mormon land in baja general discussions mormon. Much of this evidence is compatible with the heartland theory of the book of mormon lands. Tehuantepec geography, in new approaches to the book of mormon. Exploring the lands of the book of mormon, by joseph allen, sa publishers, orem, utah, 1989, pp. Wirth the number seven had several connotations to the precolumbian communities of mesoamerica. Its actually one of the most masterful sermons in the book of mormon. Science, the book of mormon, and mesoamerica in his excellent book frauds, myths, and mysteries, science and pseudoscience in archaeology, kenneth feder also stresses the importance of questioning. The book of mormon contradicts the standard knowledge and commonplaces of the us in the 1820s. Mesoamerican enthusiasts have argued that book of mormon people may. The scattering and gathering of israel is the ultimate global civilization program. Oct 03, 2016 a comparison of book of mormon geographies showing new york to be the most viable setting for book of mormon events. Another area of agreement between mesoamerican and book of mormon.

Directional names in the book of mormon are given relative to their position or to the context. You will find it on my website, book of mormon lands. According to the book of mormon, the peoples it deals with were frequently at war. In a much thinner book on the geography of the book of mormon than mapping the book of mormon, john l. Mormon also shifts out of narratorvoice and includes text that is more responsive to his task of writing to a future audience than about a past history. Joseph smith did not receive revelation where book of mormon lands were located, but his last statements about book of mormon geography point us to mesoamerica. Jan 22, 2011 anthropologist mark wrights 2008 fair conference address on similarities between mesoamerica and the book of mormon. Within the book of mormon, the following bodies of water must be accounted for. The articles linked below will describe the various. Book of mormon archaeology has long been a favorite interest of. New discoveries about mayans and bias confirmation posted february 5, 2018 jonathan neville we have an outstanding new example of how confirmation bias works in the arena of book of mormon geography and historicity.

These pages are written by jeff lindsay, a book of mormon aficionado, who takes full responsibility for the statements and opinions offered on. When i first encountered the book of mormon, i assumed it was a hoax. Seasonality of warfare in the book of mormon and in mesoamerica. The record gives an account of two great civilizations. Reply to pros, cons of book of mormon geography theories. 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. Apr 06, 2007 i had the pleasure of being amongst many on a tour to mesoamerica with john lund. Tours to the lands of the book of mormon guatemala and southern mexico. Before we examine some of the possible locations for book of mormon geography however, i would like to stress the fact that as of today, the lord has not revealed where the nephites or lamanites lived, and as such, the lds church has taken no official stance on anything related to book of mormon geography. Nor does it strongly suggest that the scripture is historical.

This does not prove that the american lands of the book of mormon were in mesoamerica. Sorenson suggests that the question about metal in mesoamerica should shift from. This fact alone virtually eliminates any other geographical area from being considered as lands of the book of mormon 7 socalled dna proofs use unsubstantiated theories. Although historians and archaeologists consider the book to be an anachronistic invention of joseph smith, many members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints and other denominations of the latter day saint movement believe that it describes ancient historical events in the americas. Literally hundreds of correspondences between mesoamerica and the book of mormon are identified that create a powerful case that the book of mormon really does have its origins in mesoamerica, so much so that scholars would be wise to reconsider the book of mormon as the most extensive surviving document from the ancient new world, a. No crude, vulgar or unethical comments will be allowed, however views differing from the authorseditors will be allowed so. However, there is in his book strong evidence that favors the book of mormon, which dr. Byu library, an account of our book of mormon lands tour, 27 january to 16 february 1961. Prophetic models with prophetic focus tend to focus on statements made by modern prophets in relation to the lands 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. If you arent familiar with the book of mormon, please see my book of mormon introduction page and get your own free copy at mormon. Mesoamerica is the site of the only literate precolumbian population. Cement in ancient mesoamerica and the book of mormon. Thus there is often a gap between what historical records such as the book of mormon claim existed and what the limited archaeological record may yield.

Revisiting the seven lineages of the book of mormon and the. Smith said that the angel moroni reclaimed the plates. A summary of several theories of book of mormon lands in. All in all, i found pros, cons of book of mormon geography theories relatively well balanced, although still teetering toward the mesoamerican theories. 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. The negatives of the book include some pretty big paradigm shifts. Discovering the lands of the book of mormon dr john lund. 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. A limited geography model for the book of mormon is one of several theories by latter day saint movement scholars that the book s narrative was a historical record of people in a limited geographical region, rather than of the entire western hemisphere as believed by some early latter day saints. But keep in mind that horses in the book of mormon are one of the biggest weaknesses in a book abounding with strengths. The legend of the lost book of gold part 1 of 4 date. Names of the various lands in the book of mormon can also be confusing because sometimes the same name will refer to different sized areas.

New discoveries about mayans and bias confirmation moroni. Scholars reject smiths explanation of the origin of the book of mormon. Nov 22, 2007 mesoamerica and the book of mormon dr. Discovering the lost lands of the book of mormon e.

It provides a testimony of the visit of jesus christ to the promised land of america after his death and resurrection. Observation and suggestion and hypotheses, therefore, are only the first steps in a scientific investigation. Confusions of tongues and a map book of mormon central. The shift began in 1958 with the work of heinrich berlin, who showed, as coe puts it.

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. Feb 05, 2018 none of this will satisfy the critics. Many channeled works have suggested it was a eugenics program carried out by higherbeings who minister or watch over the evolutionary process of our planet. This blog is dedicated to providing a forum for those who have seen the dvd presentation of dna evidence for book of mormon geography to discuss their thoughs, feeling, questions, and concerns about this research project. Such metals should then be discoverable in the areas chosen as book of mormon lands by sorenson and hauck.

Ancient mesoamericans made a type of cement out of limestone. Many accounts of significant lands and cities are given in the book of mormon. You may profit from a reading of my newest book, the lost empires and vanished races of prehistoric america. 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. Everywhere in those latitudes, war was normally carried on by the precolumbian inhabitants during a limited annual period. Ritual specialists in mesoamerica and the book of mormon, in ancient. We are the pioneers of the book of mormon tour concept. This is because it is compiled by a religious adherent that is working backwards to prove a theory he already believes. The discussion on book of mormon geography was getting heated. The book of mormon is more than a history book of the ancient nephite and jaredite nations. Sidney rigdons final confession about joseph smith and the origin of the book of mormon. Even the hill cumorah, where joseph smith obtained the gold plates, is not really the same hill cumorah mentioned in the text.