Book of Mormon Geography Theories

[Anijen]

I actually see this as a strenth.

-NOTHING was known about the Olmec and Pre-Classic Maya until the 20th century.

-Joseph didn't know about it either. Which is to be expected; he didn't write the book. He only translated it.

You are right. Ive been debating back and forth with Sevenbak that I automatically jump to it being weak since he argues its a strength for the hemispheric model because of the belief and statements of the early saints.

Did that make any sense?

[Sevenbak]

I actually see this as a strenth.

-NOTHING was known about the Olmec and Pre-Classic Maya until the 20th century.

-Joseph didn't know about it either. Which is to be expected; he didn't write the book. He only translated it.

Joseph also had around 20 visits with Moroni, that we know of, and knew much more about these peoples that what is just in the BoM. He also had visitation by Nephi and other ancient prophets. His family records him telling them all about their civilization. To think Joseph was only a translator and didn't know what he was talking about in reference to the rest, is just asking for trouble, IMO.

[Sevenbak]

I agree. Joseph was wrong.

I disagree. Joseph was right.

[Sevenbak]

You are right. Ive been debating back and forth with Sevenbak that I automatically jump to it being weak since he argues its a strength for the hemispheric model because of the belief and statements of the early saints.

Did that make any sense?

To me it made perfect sense.

[ttribe]

My theory - the BoM events happened...somewhere.

Phew! Took me years to get that out there.

[Sevenbak]

My theory - the BoM events happened...somewhere.

That also makes perfect sense!

[ttribe]

That also makes perfect sense!

Thank you...I call it the "Tribe, Non-Committal, it Doesn't Really Matter Where It Happened, Theory" or TDRM (registered TM) for short. Feel free to use it in the future...subject to a reasonable royalty, of course.

[Sevenbak]

Thank you...I call it the "Tribe, Non-Committal, it Doesn't Really Matter Where It Happened, Theory" or TDRM (registered TM) for short. Feel free to use it in the future...subject to a reasonable royalty, of course.

Sorry, no royalties from me. I'm following the JS Model. ;-)

[Anijen]

My theory - the BoM events happened...somewhere.

Phew! Took me years to get that out there.

I just threw Sorensons book in the trash and now I follow this theory.

Yeah Tribe

kidding about trashing his book.

[ttribe]

I just threw Sorensons book in the trash and now I follow this theory.

Yeah Tribe

Glad I could be of service.

kidding about trashing his book.

You can keep it in your library...just don't forget what theory you're really following...and don't forget to send royalty checks.

[Sevenbak]

Glad I could be of service.

You can keep it in your library...just don't forget what theory you're really following...and don't forget to send royalty checks.

Hey, where do I send the checks for the theory I follow? It's such an old and established one, I think it's surely under public domain by now.

[poulsenll]

Hey, where do I send the checks for the theory I follow? It's such an old and established one, I think it's surely under public domain by now.

Yes its time has run out and that is probably why no one pays much attention to it now.

Seriously Sevenbak

Your theory of most events in Mesoamerica with a final battle in New York is in my opinion the only way to resolve the statements of former Church leaders about the Hill Cumorah, assuming that they spoke on the basis of revelation. All leaders including General Authorities have a right to revelation within there specific stewardship. They also have a right to personal opinion about anything else. We are all a product of our culture and our culture shapes our opinions. The Church culture and to some extent the US culture favored a US location for the promised land (see any discussion of the political theory of Manifest Destiunmy) and this in turn favored a New york location for the Book of Mormon Cumorah. Because the Church has continuously spoken out that there is no revelation about BofM geography other than the text itself, I at least must conclude that when statements by former leaders are inconsistent with the text, then the statement must be attributed to opinion and not revelation since BofM geography does not fall into the specificmost stewardship of most General authorities as reflected in the statement that there is no revealed location for the events spoken of in the BofM.

In the end it all depends on our personal opinion and as I have said above that opinion is a product of our own personal interaction with both the church culture and the culture surrounding us. My personal opinion favors a location for the Book of Mormon Cumorah at some distance north of the central location of BofM events but I dont think it was as far north as New York. Besides the geography around the NY Cumorah is not a very good fit to that described in the Book of Ether.

Larry P

[Olavarria]

You are right. Ive been debating back and forth with Sevenbak that I automatically jump to it being weak since he argues its a strength for the hemispheric model because of the belief and statements of the early saints.

Did that make any sense?

Yes, however if the early Saints had nothing to do with the BoM's production then their opinions aren't worth a damn.

[Olavarria]

Joseph also had around 20 visits with Moroni, that we know of, and knew much more about these peoples that what is just in the BoM. He also had visitation by Nephi and other ancient prophets. His family records him telling them all about their civilization. To think Joseph was only a translator and didn't know what he was talking about in reference to the rest, is just asking for trouble, IMO.

Could you please provide us with a transcript of what Moroni, Nephi, Alma and whoever was telling him? I seriously doubt Moroni said: "I had a good life in Cancun. You think it's crazy know?! Ju don't know nothing homes!!" Joseph MAY HAVE seen glimpses of Nephite life and society, but did they come with GPS coordinates?

[LeSellers]

... their opinions aren't worth a damn.

The correct phrase is "not worth a [tinker's] dam."

The tinker, in repairing pots and pans, used a soft metal "dam" to hold back the harder metal he used in the repair. Once used, the dam was discarded, and was worth nothing at all. Thus, the phrase means worthless, or spent.

Lehi