Mormon s map is book of mormon scholar john sorenson s reconstruction of that mental map solely from information gleaned from the text after years of intensive study. James levoy sorenson was a real estate magnate, inventor, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder of sorenson companies, which is the parent company of over thirty corporations sorenson was born on july 30, 1921, in rexburg, idaho, to joseph levoy and emma blaser sorenson. Treasures from the book of mormon first nephi to jacob. From textual evidence, one can approximate some spatial relationships of various natural features and cities. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in. In 2001, facsimile transcripts of the two book of mormon manuscripts volumes 1 and 2 of the critical text were published by the foundation for ancient research and mormon studies farms.
Quarterly articles and internet articles on book of mormon history, language, culture, and geography. Firetag 49 comments like many people who consider the book of mormon as scripture, i am fascinated by questions about where it has a setting in ancient historical events. Willes book of mormon studies lecture, presented september 8, 2011 on the campus of brigham young university. They were a people who felt called by god, chosen to create a new jerusalem. He has more access to the other missionaries in his mission. As the ancient prophet mormon edited the scriptural texts that would become the book of mormon, he must have had a map in his mind of the places and physical. To help with the increasing amount of new information, a blog site has been setup for research relating to the book of mormon lands in baja california. For many years the smithsonian institution in washington has received inquiries concerning the book of mormon, its role in the institutions scientific activities, and a number of specific informational questions about ancient american archaeology. Book of mormon geography, archives edition december 28, 2015 by j. The products services offered by wayne may are neither made, provided, approved nor endorsed by intellectual reserve, inc. I read ardis recent report on her gospel doctrine introducing the book of mormon you should too. I used to read the bible and every religious book that i get hold of, but could get very little satisfaction to my mind, as most of the books disagreed with each other. The map spans jaredite and nephitelamanite periods during which settlements changed over time. This book is out of print but cheap used copies are plentiful on amazon.
Sorenson, siberian dna, and book of mormon directions. Read the classic biography of the founder of the mormon church. Facts, reason, filters and byus abstract map moronis. As mormon edited the book of mormon, he must have had a map in his mind of. Her section documenting the shifting language about the ancestry of native americans reminded me of a couple of relevant documents. Jerry grovers book, which uses geological principles to explain the occurrence of natural events in the book of mormon, is not as widely known. I used to pray much in secret, in my artless way, and should find pleasure in so doing, as the bible taught that. Since 1949 john sorenson has been collecting archaeological and anthropological evidence to show that joseph smith translated the book of mormon from a native mesoamerican codex, or book. Before we examine some of the possible locations for book of mormon geography however, i would like to stress the fact that as of today, the lord has not revealed where the nephites or lamanites lived, and as such, the lds church has taken no official.
The fight over book of mormon geography deseret news. Mormon s map is book of mormon scholar john sorenson s reconstruction of that mental map solely from information. Sorenson, siberian dna, and book of mormon directions wheat. Simon southerton is a native australian, geneticist, former lds bishop, and author of the book losing a lost tribe. Sorenson, an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, salt lake city. Many attempts have been made to match these references to physical locations in the americas, but these have not yet built a consensus among lds scholars. Having been privileged to work with him on some of. The intellectuals use the term neutral because it has a connotation of unbiased, but this internal map is based on the sorenson translation of the book of mormon, adjusted 90 degrees so it goes northsouth instead of using sorensons west means coastline theory.
Foundation for ancient research and mormon studies, 1996 1985, 1. Finally there is a way to really explore john sorensons book of mormon geography. The book of mormon includes specific population numbers which make it possible to evaluate the authenticity of book of mormon growth rates against known growth rates for similar cultures. The scientific search for nephite remains mormons in transition.
More returned mormon missionaries than ever are playing in. Unfortunately, exploring and testing his geographic model in. Sorenson born april 8, 1924 is an emeritus professor of anthropology at brigham young university byu and the author of an ancient american setting for the book of mormon as well as many other books and articles on the book of mormon and archaeology. As the ancient prophet mormon edited the scriptural texts that would become the book of mormon, he must have had a map in his mind of the places and physical features that comprised the setting for the events described in that book. This four volume work, which was originally created as a university course, is a whole new approach to an advanced study of the book of mormon. I cant tell if its totally bogus, or something w a bit of substance not a smoking gun, mind you, but maybe one of those sources of inspiration. The material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. A limited geography model for the book of mormon is one of several theories by latter day saint movement scholars that the books narrative was a historical record of people in a limited geographical region, rather than of the entire western hemisphere as believed by some early latter day saints these models, developed in an effort to reconcile claims in the book of mormon with archaeology.
Dec 02, 2016 to help with the increasing amount of new information, a blog site has been setup for research relating to the book of mormon lands in baja california. I admit that my own model was tainted by preconceptions john sorenson, the geography of book of mormon events, pp. An ancient american book see a video further down the page. Sorenson attempts to reconstruct that mental map mormons map using information in the text. He was raised in poverty in yuba city, california, and was considered retarded by his first schoolteacher. Before we examine some of the possible locations for book of mormon geography however, i would like to stress the fact that as of today, the lord has not revealed where the nephites or lamanites lived, and as such, the lds church has taken no official stance on anything related to book of mormon geography. Possible book of mormon sites in relation to each other. Sorenson was born on july 30, 1921, in rexburg, idaho, to joseph levoy and emma blaser sorenson. In such an analysis, the assertions of population growth in the book of mormon approach the ridiculous.
Made popular by his 1985 publication an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, sorensons geographic model for the book of mormon has withstood the test of time and remains the preeminent geographic model for book of mormon events. This site can be used as a study guide to help understand the book of mormon. Oct 26, 2017 the intellectuals use the term neutral because it has a connotation of unbiased, but this internal map is based on the sorenson translation of the book of mormon, adjusted 90 degrees so it goes northsouth instead of using sorensons west means coastline theory. You can read a transcript of this lecture on the fair website at. Sorenson, an ancient american setting for the book of mormon salt lake city, utah. Unfortunately, exploring and testing his geographic.
Made popular by his 1985 publication an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, sorenson s geographic model for the book of mormon has withstood the test of time and remains the preeminent geographic model for book of mormon events. His best known book prior to this was an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, published in 1985. I noticed links to my blog from the the fair board regarding my why people leave the church, and what we can do about it video cast, and someone referenced this map within the thread. In this text, sorenson reconstructs the internal geography of the book of mormon. Finally there is a way to really explore john sorenson s book of mormon geography.
More returned mormon missionaries than ever are playing in the nfl. Of course these inconsistencies could readily be explained by understanding the book of mormon as a work of fiction written by a nineteenth century american, but book of mormon scholars often approach the topic with the a priori acceptance of the theory that the book of mormon is an ancient text as joseph smith claimed. Facts, reason, filters and byus abstract map moroni. The trajectory of book of mormon studies by john sorenson. Simon was a member of the lds church for almost 30 years, serving a mission in melbourne 198183, marrying in the new zealand temple in 1983, and serving in numerous church positions including four terms as young men. For a time he served as editor of the journal of book of mormon studies. It was fitting, then, that in order to realize the dream, the mormons endured a 1,300mile journey of biblical proportions. Sep, 2012 john sorenson s 2007 fair conference lecture. After attending utah state agricultural college, he enlisted in the army air corps where he was trained at the california institute of technology as a meteorologist and served in the south atlantic theater of ww ii. They look up to him, and he can go on splits with any missionary of his choosing. This book of mormon map along with a wall map are available for down loading in color and the book of mormon geography book a promised land, the land of promise with all the mormon maps and details is also available at alpha publishing at. If the reader will concentrate on one verse at a time, drain the essential message from it, read any.
In his book, an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, john l. Stapley i read ardis recent report on her gospel doctrine introducing the book of mormon you should too. For many years the smithsonian institution in washington has received inquiries concerning the book of mormon, its role in the institutions scientific activities, and a number of specific. Sorenson first developed his model in 1953 and committed it to paper in 1955. A model for the book of mormon in baja the forgotten. As mormon edited the book of mormon, he must have had a map in his mind of the places and physical features that were setting the events described in that book. Allen biography book of mormon archaeological forum. Oct 02, 2014 finally there is a way to really explore john sorenson s book of mormon geography. Jerry grovers book, which uses geological principles to explain the occurrence of natural events in the book of mormon, is. In his speculations on book of mormon populations, vern elefson 1984 briefly discussed population figures contained in the book of mormon, and then reverseengineered them to estimate the growth rate that must have prevailed for those figures to be reached. Nov 26, 2011 sorenson, siberian dna, and book of mormon directions date. The conceptual map of the land of the book of mormon. Foundation for ancient research and mormon studies, 1985, p.
James sorenson mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. Sorenson biography book of mormon archaeological forum. Jan 01, 2000 john l sorenson is one of the best book of mormon scholars, having written seveal excellent texts, such as an ancient american setting for the book of mormon and images of ancient america. Includes every geographical place mentioned in the book of mormon. A complete description of the book of mormon geography bomgeography, including an internal map model, external map model i. Visualizing book of mormon life 1998, mormons map 2000, and world trade and biological exchanges before 1492. The lamanite city jerusalem in the land of nephi was named by lehite migrants after the old world site from which their ancestors came alma 21. Sorenson was born in 1924 in smithfield, utah, where he grew up. Underwater archaeology and the book of mormon in sorensons.
Denver broncos firstround selection in the nfl draft, offensive tackle garett bolles, talks during a news conference at the. These pages are written by jeff lindsay, a book of mormon aficionado, who takes full responsibility for the statements and opinions offered on this page. I have watched more than 20 hours of wayne may book of mormon lecture videos and conversed with both wayne may and rod meldrum in person. Sorenson attempts to reconstruct that mental map mormons map. No effort should be made to identify points on this map with any existing geographical location. Sorenson spends some time explaining that the directions we use are cultural artifacts that are not universally shared.
According to joseph smith and subsequent presidents and apostles of the lds church, the geographical extent of book of mormon lands included virtually all of north and south america. Mormons map carefully and concisely accomplishes what it sets out to do. As assistant to the president, elder miller enjoys a lot of special privileges. The map, though admittedly tentative, offers three services to readers of the book of mormon. Proposed map of the lands and sites of the book of mormon. John l sorenson is one of the best book of mormon scholars, having written seveal excellent texts, such as an ancient american setting for the book of mormon and images of ancient america. Sorenson, a retired professor of anthropology at byu, and the author of an ancient american setting for the book of mormon and a series of. Sorenson has been studying the relationship of the book of mormon to mesoamerica for over 60 years. Underwater archaeology and the book of mormon in sorenson.
Raish, precolumbian contact with the americas across the oceans. Book of mormon geography your site for lds theology. Yeah, theres some text there too, but the real value is in the illustrations and photographs showing central american artwork, pottery, iconography, temples, animals, clothing, tools, weapons, people, and jungles. Possible book of mormon sites in relation to each other possible relationships of sites in the book of mormon, based on internal evidence. An annotated bibliography jerald and sandra tanner, covering up the black hole in the book of mormon. A limited geography model for the book of mormon is one of several theories by latter day. The following example proves sorenson did not overcome his confessed preconceptions. James levoy sorenson was a real estate magnate, inventor, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder of sorenson companies, which is the parent company of over thirty corporations. A limited geography model for the book of mormon is one of several theories by latter day saint movement scholars that the book s narrative was a historical record of people in a limited geographical region, rather than of the entire western hemisphere as believed by some early latter day saints. John l sorenson images of ancient america visualizing book ofmormonofmormon life provo utah farms 1998 viii 241 ppap illus trationstrations maps bibliography index 599539. A study guide for understanding the writings of isaiah in the book of mormon.
After attending utah state agricultural college now utah state university, he enlisted in the army air corps, where he was trained at the california institute of technology as a meteorologist and served in the south atlantic theater of operations. The book of mormon claims to be an historic document and contains hundreds of geographical and ethnological references within its text. The book of mormon critical text project, under the editorship of royal skousen, began in 1988 and is now nearing completion. It is a continuation of book of mormon evidences, part one. This is a large coffeetable book with gorgeous fullcolor pictures. Mormon s map is book of mormon scholar john sorenson s reconstruction of that mental map solely from information gleaned from the text after. He received an ma in archaeology from byu and a phd in anthropology from ucla. Book of mormon geographymodelslimitedsorenson 1955. Items do not represent the official views of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints or of book of mormon central.
Book of mormon evidences, part 2 presents more of the factors that suggest the book of mormon may be an ancient document. Mar 26, 2016 the material below covers the geography of the book of mormon in north america. The likelihood of such a setting was greatly strengthened by john l. For example, modern western nations define east to be the direction of sunrise, and west as the direction of sunset. Restoring the original text of the book of mormon by royal. Sorenson outlined his model in his seminal 1985 work, an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, john l. Jan 01, 2000 mormon s map is book of mormon scholar john sorenson s reconstruction of that mental map solely from information gleaned from the text after years of intensive study. His best guess was an average annual rate of increase of 1. Sorenson born april 8, 1924 is an emeritus professor of anthropology at brigham. As the ancient prophet mormon edited the scriptural texts that would become the book of mormon, he must have had a map.
Mormon s map carefully and concisely accomplishes what it sets out to do. I have tremendous respect for the many book of mormon studies john sorenson has previously written. It has been accepted for inclusion in byu studies quarterly by an authorized editor of byu scholarsarchive. Mormons map is book of mormon scholar john sorenson s reconstruction of that mental map solely from information gleaned from the text after years of intensive study. Deseret book, 1990a book that abounds with other fascinating evidences.
Book of mormon geography, archives edition by common. Sorenson born april 8, 1924 is an emeritus professor of anthropology at brigham young university byu and the author of an ancient american setting for the book of mormon as well as many other books and articles on the book of mormon and archaeology sorenson first did archaeological work in mesoamerica while pursuing a masters degree at byu. The book of mormon is essentially a nephite record, and most geographic elements mentioned are in nephite territory. This book is a treasure trove of information about new world archaeology and how it may relate to the book of mormon. The lamanite city jerusalem in the land of nephi was named by lehite migrants after the. Distances in the book of mormon are recorded in terms of the time required to travel from place to place. After attending utah state agricultural college now utah state university, he enlisted in the army air corps, where he was trained at the california institute of technology as a meteorologist and served in. This topic is discussed more fully in john sorenson s article, fortifications in the book of mormon account compared with mesoamerican fortifications in warfare in the book of mormon, ed. Mormons codex is the culmination of a lifetimes labor by mormonisms preeminent mesoamerican specialist.
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