The fight over book of mormon geography deseret news. Comparing book of mormon geography models mormon lds. Following is a brief synopsis of the scriptural basis for the heartland model geography of the book of mormon. These maps follow the details of the amazing book moronis america by jonathan neville and the concepts and details from exploring the book of mormon in americas heartland by rod meldrum. 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.
Why is the heartland model of the book of mormon is. Book of mormon statements with mesoamerica and us heartland comparisons 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. 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. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand ended up losing his faith. Maps the north american setting for the book of mormon. Was the limited geography model created in response to dna claims. Large armies in the book of mormon required good soils and plenty of water from the heartland.
More thoughts on the heartland model of book of mormon. The american heartland is definitely not where the book of mormon lands of nephi, zarahemla, and bountiful are. Over 500 stunningly beautiful photographs combine with quotes, stories, charts, commentary, maps and scripture to introduce the reader to the rapidly mounting body of evidence that presents the very real possibility that the book of mormon history occurred in the heartland of north america. How a mormon lawyer transformed archaeology in mexicoand. Why is the land of desolation missing from the map its not labeled. Book of mormongeographynew worldlimited geography theory.
They are apparently being distributed free of charge. Exploring the book of mormon in americas heartland deseret book. For me, any map that doesnt put cumorah in new york is not useful or even relevant. Above is a recent map of the competing heartland model. The book of mormon map described in alma chapter 22 has finally been deciphered. The maps below will evolve as new information comes to light. Here is a post i have done that deals with geography of the book of mormon. Exploring the book of mormon in americas heartland. 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. But i emphasize, thats because i think knowing the realworld setting is. Mesoamerica and heartland book of mormon geographies. The heartland is the place where it all happened, right under our very noses.
This is the new april 2018 6th printing of the original 140 map edition. Some scholars believe the events in the book of mormon happened right in the heartland of north america. They remain woefully incomplete, but there is enough substance here to help many book of mormon students visualize the texts new world setting. The heartland is the place where it all happened, right. Over 500 stunningly beautiful photographs combine with quotes, stories, charts, commentary, maps and scripture to introduce the reader to the rapidly mounting body of evidence that presents the very real possibility that the book of mormon history occurred in the heartland. Land of sidom, valley of alma, hagoth, city of nephihah, city of gideon, city and land of jashon, sidon river, boaz, city of teancum, city of nephi, land of nephi, sea east, land of bountiful. Book of mormon evidence webpages selfguided video tour. What is the book of mormon limited geography theory. Book of mormon evidence in american archaeology wayne may.
All my studies suddenly made sense, all aspects of the book of mormon finally became clear. The church and byu stay neutral in questions of exactly where the book of mormon took place. First on the list of evidences for geography is the declarations by the book of mormon that the promised land will be free from kings and other rulers for the righteous. The president of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints attended the twoday book. Finally there is a way to really explore john sorensons book of mormon geography. 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. May has been exploring the heartland of north america for evidences of the book of mormon for decades. A heartland book of mormon exploration the millennial star. A map demonstrating these claims is available here. Moronis americaheartland map package both map books. Now you can have wayne take you on a private tour of the sacred sites of the book of mormon through incredibly stunning, beautiful photography and video.
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. I grew up imagining that the book of mormon events took place in central america and i think this is the more common conception, so when i first received this assignment, i was a little wary. Summary of problems with rod meldrums heartland theory. It really arose as a counterbalance to the problems inherent in the limited mesoamerican model. The heartland model proposes that the events of the book of mormon took place mostly in the heartland of the united states. While many lds scholars are converging on the idea of mesoamerica as the focal point for the book of mormon in the new world, there is a notable movement calling for new york and the eastern united states as the place of the book of mormon. Compelling is an understatement as more and more evidence is unearthed it is actually hard to believe the people of north america could be anything other than those whos year history is documented in the book of mormon. Taking this map of the theory and moving around the map in a clockwise manner, beginning with lehis landing in the gulf of mexico, we can easily see that. Two hundred and twenty gorgeous full color pages filled with more than 500 stunning photos, artwork, maps, charts, artifacts, quotes, scripture and commentary. Hidden in the heartland millions of people worldwide believe in the book of mormon. Attention called to book of mormon maps our attention has been brought in the past few weeks to certain book of mormon lands maps which are being offered to church leaders and auxiliary workers by a california organization. This exciting documentary series explores the possibility through the use of archaeology and historical evidence, searching for.
The large armies in ad 384 at the end of the book of mormon required at least 2,000 x 700,000 1,400,000,000 pounds of foodstuff to be delivered on the riverways up to cumorah. See many of the territories, lands, cities, events and battles spoken of in the book of mormon with specific map detail. In my view, there are two categories of book of mormon maps. Join the hundreds of lds faithful who have experienced the ultimate in lds educational touring with one of the heartland geographys most knowledgable and enjoyable hosts book of mormon geography. The publisher of ancient american magazine and renown book of mormon scholar wayne n.
There has been much discussion in recent years especially regarding exactly where the events of the book of mormon took place, most people settling upon two main places. The book of mormon archeology foundation has a handy short list of major flaws with the recent heartland model for book of mormon geography. The lord could have removed all questions regarding the exact locations of these events but he did not. Sharing map with rian nelson permission from works of joseph. 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. I always post stuff on my blog first, but there have been. Exploring book of mormon in americas heartland photobook rod l. I now know that the book of mormon happened in the usa in the historic heartland that is such a significant part of american and book of mormon history. The heartland model or heartland theory of book of mormon geography postulates that the events described in the book of mormon took place, primarily, in the heartland of north america among its proposals are that mound builders, including the hopewell and the adena, were among those peoples described in accounts of events in book of mormon books such as alma and helaman. X map in my view, there are two categories of book of mormon maps. This heartland model for book of mormon geography downplays the geographical information in the text. Mesoamerica and heartland book of mormon geographies simplified and compared kindle edition by paul mecham. Did joseph smith teach a hemispheric, rather than a limited, geography model for 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. Book of mormon geography jeff lindsays site and the. While most lds scholars who grapple with details of book of mormon geography see mesoamerica as the most likely or only reasonably candidate for the ancient new world setting of the book of mormon, several people have. The book of mormon heartland model is a model proposed by rod meldrum which places the entirety of book of mormon narrative in the eastern united states of america. Others argued for a setting in the american heartland. True book of mormon geography lands, western new york model. Book 1 150 maps of the book of mormon in the entire heartland of north america 8. Virtual book of mormon book of mormon maps and learning. Much of the heartland of the united states may then correspond to the book of mormon south county or south countries. This book locates everything from the narrow neck, to zarahemla, from cumorah, to the land of promise, bountiful. For that reason, our design team has chosen to develop an internal map that shows relational directions and approximate distances that match the. 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 transpired in the new world.
The heartland model or heartland theory of book of mormon geography postulates that the events described in the book of mormon took place, primarily. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading mesoamerica and heartland book of mormon geographies simplified and compared. Mormon stories dr michael coe an outsiders view of book of mormon archaeology here are posts from bofm blog that i enjoy about. Following is a brief synopsys of the scriptural basis for the heartland model geography of the book of mormon. If you ask a proponent of book of mormon heartland why heshe is looking in the heartland, you will probably get an answer such as because thats where joseph smith said it was. Proposed book of mormon geographical setting wikipedia. Heartland model ignores book of mormon passages that place elements of the promised land outside the presentday or josephs day united statesincluding the visit of christopher.
Moronis americamaps edition 150 maps of the bofm in north. Short summary of problems with rod meldrums heartland. Wayne may presents book of mormon evidence in north american geography, archaeology and historical records. Exploring book of mormon in americas heartland photobook. Those that show cumorah in new york, and those that dont. The point is that for heartland proposals, the ship landed on the eastern side of the united states.
The book was not written for its geography, but for its prophecies. 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. Exploring the book of mormon in americas heartland book. A comparison of book of mormon geographies showing new york to be the most viable setting for book of mormon events. Walk the walk book of mormon geography, the simple truth.