~ Spencer W. Kimball ~
Where Is Cumorah?
by Don R. Hender

Understandably, when the Church's formal policy is that it officially supports no precise mapping of the Book of Mormon Geography, most General Authorities refrain from making pointed statements, which could be used to form such a map. This position of 'quasi' silence is often taken advantage of by those who would subscribe positions on the Book of Mormon map which have not traditionally and historically been supported. Such is the case with the location of the Book of Mormon Hill Cumorah. Enough has been stated which should satisfy most all in the Church that the Hill Cumorah is the Hill Cumorah. It is almost as if one is trying to make a difference as to what the definition of 'is' is.

Many early church members knew and understood where Cumorah was. Cumorah was always Cumorah. And there was no point of argument. It just was. Thus there are not many argumentative type statements attempting to state other wise in the first hundred years of the church. Today some would have church members believe that the relative 'silence' on the matter means that there is a legitimate question as to the location of Cumorah today. Some even have gone as far to state that the majority of Book of Mormon students today support such a theory that places Cumorah in Centeral Amercia. So while there is no official maps sanctioned by the Chruch, a number of those that do take the opportunity to speak out are speaking out against what has been the known and understood from the very beginnings of the Chruch. Cumorah is Cumorah.

Most sermons of the Brethren today take precaution not to include statements which can be used to map the Book of Mormon lands and they feel no need to provide such. Yet very often there are such conclusive statements that are found. One such statement comes from Spencer W. Kimball. While President Kimball does not take to the offensive in his statement, it is clear from what he says that he believed Cumorah was Cumorah. From his statement we can learn that he too believed and supported the concept of the last battles of the Nephites occurring from the southern border of the United States and ending up in the northern reaches of the US in the implied location of Cumorah. I will present the quote, and you can judge for yourself if Spencer W. Kimball supported the concept or not.

The historical Indian Removals, including the 'Trail of Tears,' were from the east coast of the United States westard as President Kimball points out as being across the 'length' of the United States. And the Nephite continual retreat, which lasted 10 years from 375 to 385 AD, would have been from Central America and Mexico to New York, a south to northward movement across the width of the United States, 'this great country,' as President Kimbell further states. And of course from east to west is longer being the length of the United States, and from south to north is shorter being the width. So where would Cumorah be according to President Kimball but where Cumorah has always been, in New York State.

At the end of the address, President Spencer W. Kimball retells an incident that Brother Boyd K. Packer had in Cusco, Peru in the lofty Andes Mountains. He refers to a 'little Lamanite ragamuffin' that found solace in the lap of Elder Packer. A very touching story and the whole of President Kimball's address is well worth the time to read and contemplate the whole of it as it is reflective of the promises to the descendants of Lehi here in all the Americas. But my last point is this, if the Lamanite ragamuffin, a descendant of the Inca, and the Inca being of descendant of the Ancients of Peru, then how is it that the limited geography model of the Book of Mormon fails to include all the Ancients of America under their very limited geographical umbrella? Click Elder Packer's picture for an insightful discussion.

Rev. 9-18-01

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