Hender (2001) - Geography of the Book of Mormon

External Map - Summary Table

Area of Focus: Western Hemisphere - The American Islands of the Sea

Geography of the Book of Mormon

Geography of the Small Plates of Nephi - 580 BC - 280 BC

Geography of Mulek's Migration - 590 BC - 280 BC

Geography of the Large Plates of Nephi - 280 BC - 34 AD

Geography of the Interum 300 years - 34 AD - 320 AD

Geography of Mormon, the last days - 320 AD - 385 AD

Geography of the Jaredites - 2000 BC - 580 BC

Geography of Lehi's Old World - 600 BC - 581 BC

Geography of the Small Plates of Nephi

580 BC - 280 BC
Key Features
Location and logic
Sources
Land of Lehi Lehi was brought into the Land South, which they called Lehi. All the Land South of Lehi's Landing Site would be the Land of Lehi. All of the South America Island of Jacob consisting of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru prior to the destruction at the time of Christ. Eventually refering to all of South America as the Amazon Sea is closed in and filled up leaving the Amazon Basin and River which we have there today. Helaman 6:10
Lehi's Landing Site:
580 BC
A little south of the Isthmus of Darien (Panama) - Land Bountiful West Coast of northern Colombia, South America. The Jaredite animals had wandered into the northern area of the Land South by way of the narrow neck for food and that is where Lehi's party found them, there in the 2nd Bountiful. Logical Deduction - Self Prophet Joseph Smith
ToPJS p. 267
Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith - confirmed by publishing it
Big Warrior - Cerokee
Elder Neal A. Maxwell
October 1999 Conf. Rep.
BoM 1 Ne 18:24-25
Alma 22:31
Land of Bountiful When Lehi planted at the site of his landing, the harvest was bountious. And Lehi named this site of his landing Bountiful, The name stuck and was used by the Nephites when they lived in the Country of Zarahemla and realized that this was the same Land of Bountiful that Lehi had landed in and named Bountiful. It was near this same site of Lehi's landing in the Land of Bountiful, that Hagoth would build his ships and set sail back into the Pacific and populate the land North and the Polynesian Islands.
Lehi Journies-land of Promise
579 - 578 BC
Lehi lands a little south of the Isthmus of Darien on the West Coast of Northern Colombia. They plant seeds and harvest abundently for the first season and call the land Bountiful. It later is reported in the Book of Mormon as the Land of Bountiful. The then journey in the wilderness finding and collecting the domestic animals of the Jaredites which had come there for the want of food. This forest land was a part of the wilderness of Hermounts. They traveled south, up the Cauca Valley, on across Ecuador and down to the west coast of Peru. There they established themselves in their land of first inheritance which was simliar to their lands in Jerusalem. 1 Nephi 18:24-25
1 Nephi 19:1-2
Alma 37:38-41
Alma 22:28
Land of First Inheritance:
578 - 576 BC
West Coastal lands of Peru, climate more like Israel with dryer lands. After Lehi's party landed a little south of the Isthmus of Darien in the land, they planted and had a bountious harvest replenishing their food supplis, then they named the land Boutitful, which is identified as Bountiful later. Then they journeyed in the forested wilderness which was to become know as the wilderness of Hermounts, up the Cauca River Valley, accross Ecuador, and down into the Peruvian western coast line. These journeys were recored in the Large Plates of Nephi but just referred to in the Small Plates of Nephi. 1 Nephi 18:25
1 Nephi 19:1-2
Alma 22:28 & 31
Nephi's Departure:
575 BC
Warned of God, Nephi, led by the Liahona, seeks land of safety traveling east from the western coastal lands of Peru, the Land of First Inheritance. He travels many days 'up' into the mountain valleys of the Andes (not as high in 575BC as they are today) to the site of Chavin de Huantar and establishes his colony there. 2 Nephi 5:5-8
City of Nephi:
575 BC - 570 BC - 560 BC
Chavin de Huantar, Peru - Chavin Society and Nephi builds Temple like unto Solomon's and from 575-570 builds society and live in happiness. (570-560 BC Lamanites find Nephites and the conflects begin.) Erich Von Daniken 2 Nephi 5:27-28 2 Nephi 5:34
Jacob's Island: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru of South America bounded by the Pacific Ocean the Sea West, the Amazon Sea the Sea East, the Carribian Ocean the Sea North, and the Amazon Sea outlet to the Pacific the Sea South. This Land South Peninsula would be Jacob's Island of the Sea. 2 Nephi 10:20
Narrow Neck of Land:
580 BC - 560 BC
Either the Narrow Neck was unknown, inundated at Lehi's Landing by the El Nino of the time, or considered insignificant. Jacob who would have seen the sea west, the sea east, and likely the sea north and the sea south during his explorations of the land, stated they were on an Isle of the Sea. And the later statements confirm this position as it states that the land was nearly surrounded by water with the exception of the narrow neck of land. Whether the Narrow Neck was at all times above water is a question as the Jaredite record of the Narrow Neck reports it as being where the 'sea divides the lands' during the middle of their history. Alma 32:22 Ether 10:20

Geography of Mulek's Migration

590 BC - 280 BC
Key Features
Location and logic
Sources
Mulek's Landing: Mulek must be considered to be brought to the eastern coast of Nother America, which includes Central America. The logical candidate for the vessel would be a Phoenician sailing vessel as the Phoenicians sailing out of Sidon where considered the masters of the seas. The vessel would have had a large main sail and perhaps two levels of oar rowers maned by men of differing ethnic race as they would be of the servant class. Mulek's party found Coriantumr, the last surviving Jaredite excepting Ether. The would have set sail from Sidon some time around 590 BC, the time of the final Babylonia sieges of Jerusalem before her destruction. Helaman 6:10
Omni 1:15,21
Land of Mulek: The Land of Mulek that Mulek was brought unto, all of North America, the Land North, including Central America and the United States and likely parts of Canada though the land of Snow and Ice would have limited the inhabitation. Further, it must be noted that the exact shape and geography of the land prior to the great destruction at the death of Christ must be significantly different than it is today though certain features would remain identifiable, such as the Land of Cumorah and the Narrow Neck of Land. Helaman 6:10
Sidon River: Is is almost too obvious where the name of the Sidon River came from. The Phoenician vessel sailed from Sidon/Zidon, the Phoenician sea port and they eventually landed half way up a navigatible river in the center of their final destination port. Perhaps directed by Coriantumr out of the land of Desolation where survival was impossible, the Phoenician sea men would sail to the land south. They were conveying a high paying fugitive who was seeking absolute secure protection from detection being the Son of King Zedekiah. The Magdalena River is a large navigatible river which ships can sail up well into the interior of the nation of Colombia today. Omni 1:15-16
Land and City of Zarahemla:
580 BC - 280 BC
Zarahemla was the King of the Mulekites having descended from Mulek. He was King of the Mulekites at the time that Mosiah found them living in the Sidon/Magdalena River Valley. Thus the land was called the Land of Zarahemla even though Mosiah was made their King. It is significant that the people of Mulek settled in the center of the land. The Land of Zarahemla was in the center of the country of Zarahemla. It is unique because that is where a developed society is first found in Colombia. And that is where the refugee Nephites under Mosiah found them. In the center of the land, well inland from any possible detection from the sea. The people of Zarahemla were likely a ethnic mix of Phoensian sailors, Jews of the Mulek party the rich royal family who chartered the vessel, and the oars men, who would be of any mix concievable as the wars and captive slaves of the era would have provided just about any possibility. The Land of Zarahemla was limited to the central valley area of the river Sidon/Magdalena during this juncture in time.

Geography of the Large Plates of Nephi

280 BC - 34 AD
Key Features
Location and logic
Sources
Narrow Neck: The Neck of Panama (Darien) - Skewed to the left or west as Bountiful city built on the east and only cities defending the east of Lehi and Morianton with no cities on the west with sidon entering the Sea North to the east of Bountiful. Logically Self Determined
Elder George Reynolds
Joseph Smith Implied*
BoM - Helaman 6:10
Narrow Strip of Wilderness
90 BC - 77 BC
Remaining Wilderness between Nation of Zarahemla and the Nation of Nephi at a particular point in time (Alma 22:27). And it should be considered as being at least as wide as the Narrow Neck, say a couple of day's journey for a Nephite. This would be 50 to 100 miles into northern Ecuador for the most part. BoM Alma 22:27
Land Southward: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru of South America (This Land South Peninsula would be Jacob's Island of the Sea) Logical Deduction
2 Nephi 10:20
National Geographic
Amazon River Sea
Bible
Land Northward: All of inhabitable North America greatly changed from how it is today though there was similiarities such as the land of Cumorah stayed the same, much of the rest of the land did not.
Mulek Landing East coast of Land Northward, suggest Central America - Phoenician Ship
Land of Mulek: The Land of Mulek that Mulek was brought unto, all of North America, the Land North. Helaman 6:10
City of Mulek: City with its local land in the Land of Zarahemla, not to be confused with the total of North America give the title of the Land of Mulek.
Land of Lehi All of the South America Island of Jacob consisting of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru prior to the destruction at the time of Christ. Eventually refering to all of South America as the Amazon Sea is closed in and filled up leaving the Amazon Basin and River which we have there today. Helaman 6:10
Hill Cumorah: Hill Cumorah in New York State
Land of Cumorah New York State
Land of Nephi: Eventually most of Ecuador and all of Peru to coast of Eastern Sea (Amazon Sea) and the Western Sea (Pacific Ocean), and the South Sea, the Pacific outlet of the Amazon Sea in the region of Lake Titicaca. 2 Nephi 10:20
Alma 22:32
Helaman 3:8
Lehi-Nephi: City and Land, northern Peru sites. Not the same place as City of Nephi. More in region of the Moche cultural societies areas of Peru.

River Sidon: Magdalena River, Colombia, river runs from south by southwest to north by northeast
Zarahemla: City and Regional Land of, Middle area of Magdalena River Valley on West of River
Zarahemla: Nation of, roughly equal to the nation of Colombia today to coast of Eastern Sea

Geography of the Interum 300 years

34 AD - 320 AD
Key Features
Location and logic
Sources

Geography of Mormon, the Last Days

320 AD - 385 AD
Key Features
Location and logic
Sources

Geography of the Jaredites

2000 BC - 580 BC
Key Features
Location and logic
Sources

Geography of Lehi's Old World

640 BC - 581 BC
Key Features
Location and logic
Sources
* Some have taught that Joseph Smith implimented a Central American narrow neck of land north of Guatemala by reading the Times and Season to their interest. In the excitement that actual magnificent ruins of the Book of Mormon peoples where being found, Joseph Smith, the presumed editor of the Times and Seasons states that here is proof that Zarahemla was on this American land suggesting to the reader that he considered the sites named could be Zarahemla. But this is not the case to the careful reader who follows the Prophet's complete line of thought as he corrects himself. Because you next read the Prophet stating that he is not saying that that particular city is Zarahemla but is very well indeed one of the cities of the Book of Mormon. This is quite the different impression that MesoAmerican Theorist want to read, but it is what it says.

Jaredite Landing: Land Northward - generally - assume Pacific coastal area from Oriental side

Requiring irrigation system like Valley of Lemuel (Not same as Landing Site)

Defensed cities that Helaman defended where bunched between Manti and the City by

Western Seashore defending access into the two valley passages to the Cauca and

Magdalena Valleys, the populations there and those routes to the land Bountiful.

Limhi's Party: Route of fateful explorers, the upper southern cordilleras of Colombia is where

The three mountain ranges of Colombia meet and form the one Andean range from

That point on. Confused by the twists and valleys of this region Limhi's fateful

Party takes the Cauca Valley route on up into the land of Desolation. Later

Some members of this party help a part of Limhi's people establish the lands

And Cities of Ammonihah and Noah as they were now familiar with that valley.

Gideon: Land and City of, one half day's travel from Zarahemls on east of Sidon in a side valley

Founded by Gideon and truly penitent and righteous people of Limhi

Minon: Land and City of, next regional land south of regional land of Zarahemla

Bountiful: Land of, Narrow Neck region of Northern Colombia and most Southern Panama

Or Darien from Sea East to Sea West

Bountiful: City of, Near east coast standing in line of Narrow Pass to Desolation

Narrow Pass: West & East Sea Coast beaches at low tide or Inland route

Desolation: Nation of, All of Inhabitable North America

Desolation: Land and City of, roughly the Central Panama area

Manti: City and Land, in upper Magdalena head waters around San Agustin, Colombia

Named after founder Manti who was part of scouting team in Alma 2

Land of Melek: Over Central Cordillera of Colombia and into upper Cuaca River Valley

Ammonihah: Land and City, 3 days travel in Cauca River Valley north of Melek

Built up by non-penitent people of Limhi who after being saved reverted back

To desiring priestcrafts, royalty, etc. Fulfilled some of Abinadi's prophecies.

Noah: Twin city to Ammonihah of non-penitent people of Limhi (see above)

Aaron: City and Land of, Plateau areas near Bogota bordering Orinoco Plains

Nephihah: City, Land and Plains of, Orinoco Plains to sea east - Amazon Sea

Moroni: East Coast on Amazon Sea, swallowed by earthquake in sea - covered over

Cumeni: Southern Frontier city of defense between Manti and City by Seashore

Judea: Southern Frontier city of defense between Manti and City by Seashore

Antiparah: Southern Frontier city of defense between Manti and City by Seashore

Zeezoram: Southern Frontier city of defense between Manti and City by Seashore

Lehi: City and Land of, of defense east of Bountiful on upper East Coast

Morianton: City and Land of, of defense east of Bountiful on upper East Coast

City by Seashore: On West coast west of Manti, not strategic to Lamanites as west coast swamps

Sea West: Pacific Ocean

Sea East: Amazon Basin Sea with Pacific outlet near Titicaca, including Lake Titicaca

Sea South: Titicaca region outlet sea to the Pacific from the Amazon Sea East

Sea North: North of Zarahela or Colombia was the Caribbean Ocean

Her-mounts: Land feature mountains the western and central forested Cordilleras of Colombia

Filled with wild beast, north and west of regional land of Zarahemla, over time

Was cut into by Land of Melek, Ammoniah, Noah, etc. and Logging Industry of

Shipping timber to the north from the Bountiful sea ports created by Hagoth

 

Key Features Suggested:

 

Land of Jordan: Isthmus of Tehuantepc - the last defensible narrows land northward.

Land of Antum: Near Yukatan - Land of the Hill Shim where records stored

Land of Moron:

City of Teancum: Next up from Desolation region or local land and City of Desolation

Boaz: Nest Land and City beyond City of Desolation and Teancum - defensible

Land of Zelph: Illinois region - White people of Ammon Lamanite - righteous warrior of war


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