The Gospel Topics entry on Book of Mormon Geography gives members and friends important guidance, but is also unnecessarily confusing for many people.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/book-of-mormon-geography?lang=eng
When the essay was first published, it contained several problems that I noted on my blog. Three weeks later the essay was revised and republished (albeit without noting the changes). The revision was an improvement, but still avoided what I thought, at the time, was a problem. Now that I better understand the term "Book of Mormon Geography," I'm revising my proposals.
The essay becomes clear when we understand the terminology. "Book of Mormon geography" refers to the various opinions, models, and maps created by various people over the years. They are all based on subjective interpretations of the text. Because the text is vague on geographic details, everyone makes assumptions and inferences to validate their respective theories and hypotheses. No one who creates these maps and models claims prophetic approval for them.
There has never been an "official" map approved by leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Community of Christ, or any of the other churches that trace their history to Joseph Smith.
However, there have been official statements regarding two elements related to, but not included within the scope of, the term "Book of Mormon geography."
1. There are numerous consistent statements from LDS and RLDS leaders, including Joseph Smith, that the events described in the text in the new world took place in the "Western hemisphere," "the American continent," "this country," "America," and/or "the Americas." None of those terms are used in the text itself. In this discussion, we'll use the modern term "Americas" to include all of these statements.
2. There are numerous consistent statements from LDS and RLDS leaders, including Joseph Smith, that the Hill Cumorah in New York is the hill Cumorah/Ramah mentioned in Mormon 6 and Ether 15.
Neither of these two elements constitute "Book of Mormon geography" because they do not specify the layout, distances, directions, or other elements that people use to create their own maps, models, etc.
The essay has led to confusion because some people have interpreted the term "Book of Mormon geography" to include the elements of "the Americas" and "Cumorah." But that contradicts the historical record as well as common sense.
We can all see that the essay simply incorporates, without explanation, the prophetic teachings about "the Americas" and also avoids mention of "Cumorah." That makes it plain that the term "Book of Mormon Geography," which the essay applies to speculative theories, does not include either element.
People who interpret the term "Book of Mormon Geography" to include Cumorah unnecessarily infer that the essay implicitly repudiates the past teachings of prophets and apostles, including Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, regarding the location of the Hill Cumorah/Ramah. Such an inference would contradict the plain purpose of the essay, which is to separate the known from the speculative and encourage all parties to avoid contention.
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Original | Revised |
Book of Mormon Geography Overview The Church takes no position on the specific geographic location of Book of Mormon events in the ancient Americas. Church members are asked not to teach theories about Book of Mormon geography in Church settings but to focus instead on the Book of Mormon’s teachings and testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel. | Book of Mormon Geography Overview Apart from the general location of the Western Hemisphere and the Hill Cumorah in western New York, the Church takes no position on the specific geographic location of Book of Mormon events in the ancient Americas. Church members are asked not to teach theories about Book of Mormon geography in Church settings but to focus instead on the Book of Mormon’s teachings and testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel. Explanation: Church leaders, including members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, have consistently and persistently taught that the events in the New World took place in "the Americas," even though the text never mentions any modern terms. Likewise, the same Church leaders have taught that the Hill Cumorah referred to in Mormon 6 is the same hill in western New York from which Joseph Smith, Jr., obtained the ancient Nephite records that he translated into the Book of Mormon. To date, no member of either of these quorums has ever officially questioned or repudiated the teachings of his predecessors. Neither "the Americas" nor "the Hill Cumorah" are the subject of speculation or debate. They are not included within the term "Book of Mormon Geography." |
The Book of Mormon includes a history of an ancient people who migrated from the Near East to the Americas. This history contains information about the places they lived, including descriptions of landforms, natural features, and the distances and cardinal directions between important points. The internal consistency of these descriptions is one of the striking features of the Book of Mormon. | The Book of Mormon includes a history of an ancient people who migrated from the Near East to the Americas. This history contains information about the places they lived, including descriptions of landforms, natural features, and the distances and cardinal directions between important points. The internal consistency of these descriptions is one of the striking features of the Book of Mormon. Explanation: No change suggested. Although the term “Americas” is not in the text and was never used during Joseph Smith’s lifetime, it serves as a convenient shorthand for the various terms used by Church leaders, starting with Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. |
Since the publication of the Book of Mormon in 1830, members and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have expressed numerous opinions about the specific locations of the events discussed in the book. | The New York Cumorah was declared to be a fact in an important essay about Church history written by President Oliver Cowdery with the assistance of Joseph Smith. Published in 1835 as “Letter VII” in the Messenger and Advocate and republished in many other Church newspapers, at least twice at the direction of Joseph Smith, Letter VII was also copied into Joseph’s personal history, where it can be read today in the Joseph Smith Papers. Numerous historical sources and Church leaders have reiterated what Oliver explained about Cumorah. Regarding the specific locations of other events discussed in the book, however, members and leaders have expressed numerous opinions. Explanation: There is a clear distinction between formal, published teachings about the New York Cumorah, which have never varied, and expressions about other locations, which have been private and/or speculative. |
Some believe that the history depicted in the Book of Mormon occurred in North America, while others believe that it occurred in Central America or South America. Although Church members continue to discuss such theories today, the Church takes no position on the geography of the Book of Mormon except that the events it describes took place in the Americas. | Some believe that the history depicted in the Book of Mormon occurred in North America, while others believe that it occurred in Central America or South America. Although Church members continue to discuss such theories today, the Church takes no position on the geography of the Book of Mormon except that the events it describes took place in the Americas and that the Hill Cumorah is in western New York. Explanation: It is critical to keep the two separate elements distinct from the general term "Book of Mormon Geography." |
The Prophet Joseph Smith himself accepted what he felt was evidence of Book of Mormon civilizations in both North America and Central America. While traveling with Zion’s Camp in 1834, Joseph wrote to his wife Emma that they were “wandering over the plains of the Nephites, recounting occasionally the history of the Book of Mormon, roving over the mounds of that once beloved people of the Lord, picking up their skulls and their bones, as a proof of its divine authenticity.”1 In 1842, the Church newspaper Times and Seasons published articles under Joseph Smith’s editorship that identified the ruins of ancient native civilizations in Mexico and Central America as further evidence of the Book of Mormon’s historicity.2 Note 2: “Traits of the Mosaic History, Found among the Azteca Nation,” Times and Seasons, June 15, 1842, 818–20; see also “American Antiquities,” Times and Seasons, July 15, 1842, 858–60. Although it is not clear how involved Joseph Smith was in writing these editorials, he never refuted them. | The Prophet Joseph Smith himself personally linked locations in North America with the Book of Mormon. While traveling with Zion’s Camp in 1834, Joseph wrote to his wife Emma that they were “wandering over the plains of the Nephites, recounting occasionally the history of the Book of Mormon, roving over the mounds of that once beloved people of the Lord, picking up their skulls and their bones, as a proof of its divine authenticity.”1 Others, contemporary with Joseph Smith, suggested other locations. In 1842, the Church newspaper Times and Seasons published anonymous articles that identified the ruins of ancient native civilizations in Mexico and Central America as further evidence of the Book of Mormon’s historicity.2 Unlike the anonymous editorials, Joseph Smith signed an article titled "Church History," published in the March 1842 Times and Seasons, commonly referred to as the Wentworth letter. In this article, Joseph adapted the contents of a pamphlet written by Elder Orson Pratt, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. Pratt had speculated at length about evidence for the Book of Mormon in Central America. Joseph replaced Pratt's speculation with the simple statement that “The remnant are the Indians that live in this country.”3 In October 1842, the Times and Seasons published a letter written and signed by Joseph Smith and sent to the editor for publication. Now canonized as D&C 128:20, the letter included this statement: “And again, what do we hear? Glad tidings from Cumorah! Moroni, an angel from heaven, declaring the fulfilment of the prophets—the book to be revealed,” thereby corroborating what Lucy Mack Smith and Oliver Cowdery said about Moroni identifying the hill. Note 2: “Traits of the Mosaic History, Found among the Azteca Nation,” Times and Seasons, June 15, 1842, 818–20; see also “American Antiquities,” Times and Seasons, July 15, 1842, 858–60. Although Joseph Smith was listed as the nominal editor of the Times and Seasons at the time, he never explicitly approved of or rejected these editorials. Note 3: “Church History,” Times and Seasons, March 1, 1842, republished in the Joseph Smith Papers with Historical Background notes here: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/church-history-1-march-1842/1 Explanation: The proposed changes are necessary to clarify the historical facts and distinguish between fact and inference. |
Anthony W. Ivins, a Counselor in the First Presidency, stated: “There has never been anything yet set forth that definitely settles that question [of Book of Mormon geography]. So the Church says we are just waiting until we discover the truth.”3 | President Anthony W. Ivins, a Counselor in the First Presidency, made clear the distinction between the known location of Cumorah in New York and the uncertain locations of other Book of Mormon geography in two General Conference addresses. In April 1928, shortly after the Church purchased the hill Cumorah in New York, President Ivins described that hill and stated: “We know that all of these records, all the sacred records of the Nephite people, were deposited by Mormon in that hill.” 4 The following year, President Ivins stated: “There has never been anything yet set forth that definitely settles that question [of the location of Zarahemla and other sites]. So the Church says we are just waiting until we discover the truth.”5 Note 4. Anthony W. Ivins, in Conference Report, Apr. 1928, 16. Note 5. (same as original note 3) Explanation: The original version of the essay omitted the context of President Ivins’ statements. The revisions provide the full context for clarity and accuracy; i.e., distinguishing between the known location of Cumorah and the speculation about other Book of Mormon locations. |
The Church urges local leaders and members not to advocate theories of Book of Mormon geography in official Church settings. | The Church urges local leaders and members not to advocate theories of Book of Mormon geography in official Church settings. Such advocacy includes illustrations, artwork, media, and exhibits on web pages including lds.org and in Church buildings, publications, visitors centers, etc. Explanation: The original version of the essay implied that visual depictions were authorized, while advocacy was not. |
Speaking of the book’s history and geography, President Russell M. Nelson taught: “Interesting as these matters may be, study of the Book of Mormon is most rewarding when one focuses on its primary purpose—to testify of Jesus Christ. By comparison, all other issues are incidental.”4 | Speaking of the book’s history and geography, President Russell M. Nelson taught: “Interesting as these matters may be, study of the Book of Mormon is most rewarding when one focuses on its primary purpose—to testify of Jesus Christ. By comparison, all other issues are incidental.”6 Explanation: No change suggested. |
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