Directions in the BoM

[ed2276]

The second problem in directions is that while everyone is capable of correctly placing the directions, they do so when they actively use something that tells them where they are. When people give generalized directions, they are less accurate for the cardinal positions. That tells us that architectural orientations, which can be very precise, do not necessarily translate into verbal instructions of directionality (the reasons that most of us are imprecise in our directions unless we have something to guide us).

Would that imprecision in the instructions account for the uses of "Northward", "Southward", and "Eastward" in the Book of Mormon? That is, where those terms appear in the text the writer, where he was located at the time, didn't have something to guide him in giving precise directions so he used a "toward" direction?

In doing word searches of the Book of Mormon, I found the definite directions, "North", "South", "East", and "West" and the general directions " Northward", "Southward", and "Eastward". However, a search for "Westward" did not return any hits. Could this mean that for any instruction concerning travel or location to the West a Book of Mormon writer had something definite to guide him in giving a precise direction/relationship with respect to his location?

[Nofear]

Would that imprecision in the instructions account for the uses of "Northward", "Southward", and "Eastward" in the Book of Mormon? That is, where those terms appear in the text the writer, where he was located at the time, didn't have something to guide him in giving precise directions so he used a "toward" direction?

In doing word searches of the Book of Mormon, I found the definite directions, "North", "South", "East", and "West" and the general directions " Northward", "Southward", and "Eastward". However, a search for "Westward" did not return any hits. Could this mean that for any instruction concerning travel or location to the West a Book of Mormon writer had something definite to guide him in giving a precise direction/relationship with respect to his location?

In a very quick perusal, it seemed to me that Northward and Southward were always used in relation to describing the location of chunks of land. Eastward, on the other hand, was used to describe travel. Curious.

[Brant Gardner]

Would that imprecision in the instructions account for the uses of "Northward", "Southward", and "Eastward" in the Book of Mormon? That is, where those terms appear in the text the writer, where he was located at the time, didn't have something to guide him in giving precise directions so he used a "toward" direction?

In doing word searches of the Book of Mormon, I found the definite directions, "North", "South", "East", and "West" and the general directions " Northward", "Southward", and "Eastward". However, a search for "Westward" did not return any hits. Could this mean that for any instruction concerning travel or location to the West a Book of Mormon writer had something definite to guide him in giving a precise direction/relationship with respect to his location?

I went through those terms, guessing that there might be something that would fall out that might indicate that the terms were something other than general. I couldn't find anything. It was one of those occasions where I had to toss a really cool idea because there were no facts to back it up. I hate it when that happens.

My personal realization that something other than astronomical directions might be involved was when I asked John Clark about his opinion on Sorensons "skewed" directions. His comment was that he has done the same thing several times while in that area. Now, I would never suggest that Clark was confused about what north is. I am sure that he add access to a compass with greater regularity than most ancients. Nevertheless, his ground-based reckoning was off. I have done the same thing.

[wenglund]

Thanks, Wade. I've learned something new today. I did not, previously, know that interesting little tidbit of aviation governance. Is this a universal (i.e. "worldwide") standard for both private and commercial aviation? What about the military?

I don't know if it is world-wide, but in the U.S. it covers most all aviation (I don't know about ballons or hang gliders or such) flying below 18,000 ft and outside military restricted areas or class A and B air space. If I recall correctly, flights above 18,000 ft. and within restricted military space, are all tower controlled, and I am not sure if the towers stick to the stated convention for cruising or not. In class A and B air space traffic is also controlled by the tower, but there are also landing pattern conventions that are dependant on the direction of the wind, which specify elevation levels on approach to landings.

Fascinating stuff.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[Markk]

Markk:

Maybe I should put on my Psychiatric Social Worker hat. I only charge $75/hr.

Sounds good, I'll meet you at the middle school behind Yuc. community park Sunday at 10 am, bring your bible.

Mark