Did Joseph Smith ever reveal where the Book of Mormon took place? The very first missionaries told reporters that Lehi landed in Chile, and that the Nephites' final battle ran all the way from Panama to New York. So where did that picture come from, and has the question ever been settled by revelation?
Jasmin Rappleye, Neal Rappleye, and Stephen Smoot sit down with Matt Roper, veteran Book of Mormon researcher at Scripture Central (formerly with FARMS and BYU's Maxwell Institute). Together they trace nearly two centuries of what prophets, apostles, missionaries, and members have said about Book of Mormon geography. The conversation draws on Matt's article "Limited Geography and the Book of Mormon: Historical Antecedents and Early Interpretations," published in The FARMS Review (2004). Whether you lean Heartland, Mesoamerica, or haven't picked a map at all, this is the shared history behind every model.
===Informed Saints Credits===
Produced by The Ancient America Foundation
Producer: Spencer Clark
Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye
Further Readings:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/book-of-mormon-geography
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1637&context=msr&fbclid=IwY2xjaw
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1821&context=msr&fbclid=IwY2xjaw
https://cdn.interpreterfoundation.org/jnlpdf/roper-v16-2015-pp161-205-PDF.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjaw
https://www.plonialmonimormon.com/2019/06/a-review-of-the-annotated-edition-of-the-book-of-mormon-part-3a.html?fbclid=IwY2xjaw
https://scripturecentral.org/archive/periodicals/magazine-article/editorial-thoughts-book-mormon-geography
https://scripturecentral.org/archive/books/book/geography-book-mormon-events-source-book?fbclid=IwY2xjaw
https://archive.org/details/brighamyounguniv00wilk/page/160/mode/2up
https://scripturecentral.org/knowhy/why-did-the-lord-command-the-three-witnesses-to-rely-upon-his-word
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1525&context=jbms&fbclid=IwY2xjaw
https://cdn.interpreterfoundation.org/jnlpdf/roperetal-v17-2016-pp13-61-PDF.pdf
https://interpreterfoundation.org/journal/zarahemla-revisted-nevilles-newest-novel
If you love digging into the history and evidence behind the Book of Mormon, subscribe and join us for the next episode. Study deeply, believe boldly.
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Chapters
- (00:00:00) - Introduction: Has Book of Mormon Geography Been Revealed?
- (00:03:19) - Early Missionary Reports: The Hemispheric View Begins
- (00:08:40) - Understanding 'Continent' and 'Country' in Joseph Smith's Day
- (00:11:03) - Scale of the Americas and Early Saints' Limited Geographic Knowledge
- (00:13:28) - Grab-Bag Evidence and Learning Curve in the 19th Century
- (00:17:19) - Stephens and Catherwood: A Game-Changing Discovery
- (00:19:54) - Joseph Smith's Response and the Times and Seasons Articles
- (00:27:02) - Authorship Analysis of the Times and Seasons Articles
- (00:31:07) - Implications for Book of Mormon Geography Thinking
- (00:32:41) - Growing Interest in Central America Among Church Leaders
- (00:35:34) - Diversity of 19th Century Geography Theories
- (00:37:43) - Church Reluctance to Endorse an Official Map
- (00:41:56) - Early Limited Geography Models and Their Origins
- (00:46:48) - Brother Aoy's Letter and Limited Geography Map
- (00:52:40) - Key Takeaways on LDS Limited Geography Models
- (00:55:01) - Avoiding Hobby Horses: Caution and Current Church Counsel
- (00:57:15) - Closing Thoughts: Studying Geography with Humility
