Posted on 01/18/2009 6:08:09 AM PST by greyfoxx39
| In Search of Book of Mormon Geography | |
| The Book of Mormon is supposed to be a history of real people living in a real place. For the first 150 years of Mormonism's existence, everyone thought it was a story about a people who left the Middle East and came to South or Central America, and who fought wars clear up into New York state where their history was hidden in a hillside, inscribed on gold plates. Joseph Smith, in 1830, translated those plates, he said, by "the gift and power of God," into 1611 English from "Reformed Egyptian Hieroglyphics." Or so the story goes. However, one needs to look no further than New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio to find the setting of the Book of Mormon. Whoever pieced the Book of Mormon together had a land in mind which was very similar to the Northeast United States and Southeast Canada. My friend, the late Vernal Holley, originally published these maps in his book Book of Mormon Authorship: A Closer Look in the early 1980s. I was fascinated with them then and remain so today. Basically, the two maps compare a "proposed map" constructed by Vernal from the internal descriptions of the Book of Mormon and comments, over the years by Latter-day Saint scholars, with a map showing actual place names on maps of the area around Palmyra, New York, where to the Book of Mormon originally was published. Vernal gave me permission to put the whole book on line. I just need the time to do that. In the meantime I hope you enjoy this. |
|
| The first map is the "proposed map," constructed from internal comparisons in the Book of Mormon. Throughout the Book of Mormon we read of such features as "The Narrow Neck of Land" which was a days and a half's journey (roughly 30 miles) separating two great seas. We read much of the Hill Onidah, the Hill Ramah, and the city of the City of Angola—all place names in the land of Joseph Smith's youth. We read, in the Book of Mormon of the Land of Desolation named for a warrior named Teancum who helped General Moroni fight in the Land of Desolation. In Smith's era, an Indian Chief named Tecumseh fought and died near the narrow neck of land helping the British in the War of 1812. Today the Canadian city Techumseh (near the narrow neck of land) is named after him. We see the Book of Mormon city Kishkumen located near an area named, on modern maps, as Kiskiminetas. There are more than two dozen Book of Mormon names that are the same as or nearly the same as modern geographical locations. See below |
|
| Below is the modern Map of the area of Smith's Youth | |
| Book of Mormon place names compared to actual Northeast US/Southeast Canada place names Canadian locations are marked with an asterisk and appear in the Book of Mormon as lying in "The Land Northward" |
| ACTUAL PLACE NAMES *Agathe, Saint Alma Angola Antrim Antioch Boaz Jerusalem Monroe Noah Lakes |
BOOK OF MORMON PLACE NAMES Ogath Alma, Avlley of Angola Antum Anti-Anti Boaz Jerusalem Moroni Noah, Land of |
| Copyright 1989, 1992 by Vernal Holley Used by permission. |
|
http://www.uwec.edu/geOGrApHY/Ivogeler/w188/utopian/mormon-place-names.htm
Moravianton and Tecumseh (B of M= Morianton, Teancum)
The Battle of the Thames, also known as the Battle of Moraviantown, was a decisive American victory in the War of 1812 which took place on October 5, 1813, near Chatham, Ontario in present-day Canada.
Look at the map, Chatham Ontario is close to Palmyra. I wonder if it was exciting to be in Palmyra and be so close to major war event like that. A leading indian warrior and ally to the British named Tecumseh, was killed in that battle. It made all the major headlines. A city was later named after Tecumseh. Joseph Smith grew up near this quite famous battle sight. He lived the story telling at campfires. He was an impressionable 9 years old when this battle was fought.
Alma 50: 35
35 And it came to pass that the army which was sent by Moroni, which was led by a man whose name was Teancum, did meet the people of Morianton; and so stubborn were the people of Morianton, (being inspired by his wickedness and his flattering words) that a battle commenced between them, in the which Teancum did slay Morianton and defeat his army, and took them prisoners, and returned to the camp of Moroni...
Immediately Procter and the British turned and fled the field, many of them surrendering. Tecumseh remained and kept up the fighting. Richard Johnson at the head of about 20 cavaliers charged into the Indian position to draw attention away from the main American force, but Tecumseh and his warriors answered with a volley of musketfire that stopped the cavalry charge in its tracks. Fifteen of the men were killed or wounded and Johnson himself was hit five times. Johnson’s main force became bogged down in the mud of the swamp. Tecumseh was killed in this fighting; Colonel Johnson may have been the one who killed Tecumseh, though the evidence is far from certain. The main force finally made its way through the swamp and James Johnson’s troops were freed from their attack on the British. With the American reinforcements converging and news of the death of Tecumseh spreading quickly the Indian resistance quickly dissolved. Mounted troops then moved on and burned Moraviantown, a peaceful settlement of Christian Munsee Indians
Clearly the death of Tecumseh was pivotal. This paragraph shows the heroic death granted to this Indian. I am quite certain that this story reached the Smith family.
And finally, how did Teancum die?
Alma 62: 36
36 And it came to pass that Teancum in his anger did go forth into the camp of the Lamanites, and did let himself down over the walls of the city. And he went forth with a cord, from place to place, insomuch that he did find the king; and he did cast a javelin at him, which did pierce him near the heart. But behold, the king did awaken his servants before he died, insomuch that they did pursue Teancum, and slew him.
Teancum was the stuff that legends were made up of. So was Tecumseh. Many parallels. Easy to see too.
Tecumseh, Teancum; Moraviatown, Morianton
This is way too close to be coincidence. Does anyone else see the similarities?
http://www.mormoncurtain.com/topic_bomgeography.html
Only those who follow the Word of Wisdom to NOT drink the Koolaid®.
Zarahemla Has Been Found!
On a recent trip to Missouri we visited many of the Mormon historical sites. At Adam-ondi-Ahman there is a large bronze plaque detailing the history of the surrounding area. Here is part of the text on that plaque:
“The prophet desired to found other settlements after this pattern, (meaning Far West Missouri). His party spent ten days near Adam-ondi-Ahman and returned later to stake out land on both sides of the river and eastward. In this vicinity he said there were “remains of an old Nephite altar or tower.”
Knowing that the Book of Mormon speaks about Nephi having a tower in his garden near Zarahemla we found the verses, they are in Helaman 7. The introduction to this chapter reads:
“Nephi, rejected by the people in the north, returns to Zarahemla—From his garden tower he prays to God and addresses the multitude.”
Starting with verse 9: “But behold, I am consigned that these are my days, and that my soul shall be filled with sorrow because of this the wickedness of my brethren.
10 And behold, now it came to pass that it was upon a tower which was in the garden of Nephi, which was by the highway which led to the chief market, which was in the city of Zarahemla; therefore, Nephi had bowed himself upon the tower which was in his garden, which tower was also near unto the garden gate by which led the highway.
11 And it came to pass that there were certain men passing by and saw Nephi as he was pouring out his soul unto God upon the tower;…”
If you click on the above link (tower) it will take you to a picture of the area that Joseph Smith said the tower existed.
Let’s assume that the “certain men passing by” were headed to Zarahemla to go shopping for or to trade goods. Assuming that a man can walk about 20 miles in a day we can assume that Zarahemla is with in a 20 mile radius. We checked with a local resident to see if there were any active or inactive archeological sites within that 20 mile radius. None. Let’s say it was 50 to 100 mile radius. Any sites or ruins there? None. Did Nephi live all alone in this area? If not, where are the ruins of the villages or city? If one continues reading verse 11 it says, “…and they ran and told the people what they had seen, and the people came together in multitudes that they might know the cause of so great mourning for the wickedness of the people. 12 And now, when Nephi arose he beheld the multitudes of people who had come together.”
So obviously there were hundreds if not thousands of people living in the immediate area for that many to gather that quickly to hear Nephi preach. They had to have come from Zarahemla for it is the only city mentioned nearby. By the time one gets to chapter 13 one realizes that Zarahemla had to be in close proximity because this is when Samuel the Lamanite comes on the scene to preach to them too. Assuming that all the people walked wherever they went, Zarahemla could not be far. It is impossible for major settlements and cities like those described in the Book of Mormon to just disappear completely without a trace of any kind
Another thing to consider is the fact that Nephi “returned to the land of Zarahemla from the land northward.” That is another indication the Zarahemla was in the area of Adam-ondi-Ahman just as Joseph Smith said it was. Consider this, how far did Nephi go to get to the “lands northward?” “North” could cover a lot of country. Did he go clear to the Artic Circle? Or just up into what we know as Canada today? Or just Iowa and Minnesota? If there were people living in cities as the Book of Mormon says, then there should be evidence of those cities today. Does anyone know of any archeological sites in those areas?
Here‘s something to think about: Most Mormons equate Central America as the place of Book of Mormon times. That is to the south as described above. Nephi came from the north. Who is correct here, Joseph the author of the Book of Mormon or current Mormons teaching that it is Central America?
http://www.hismin.com/zarahemla.html
|
The Official Scriptures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
© 2006 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Rights and use information. Privacy policy. |
This morning some of the hunters turned out and returned in a few hours with four fat bucks, the venison is now very fine we have killed no mule deer since we lay here, they are all of the longtailed red deer which appear qu[i]te as large as those of the United States. [1] the hunters brought in a living young sandhill crain; [2] it has nearly obtained it's growth but cannot fly; they had pursued it and caught it in the meadows. it's colour is precisely that of the red deer. we see a number of the old or full grown crains of this species feeding in these meadows. this young animal is very ferce and strikes a severe blow with his beak; after amusing myself with it I had it set at liberty and it moved off apparently much pleased with being releived from his captivity. the men have been busily engaged all day in dising [dressing?] skins and making them into various garments all are leather dressers and taylors. we see a great abundance of fish in the stream some of which we take to be trout [3] but they will not bite at any bate we can offer them. the King fisher [4] is common on the river since we have left the falls of the Missouri. we have not seen the summer duck [5] since we left that place, nor do I beleive that it is an inhabitant of the Rocky mountains. the Duckanmallard [6] were first seen with their young on the 20th inst. and I forgot to note it; they are now abundant with their young but do not breed in the missouri below the mountains. the grasshopers and crickets [7] are abundant in the plains as are also the small birds frequently mentioned. there is also in these plains a large ant [8] with a redish brown body and legs, and a black head and abdomen; they construct little perimids of small gravel in a conic shape, about 10 or 12 inches high without a mixture of sticks and with but little earth. Capt. Clark is much better today, is perfectly clear of fever but still very languid and complains of a general soarness in all his limbs. I prevailed on him to take the barks [9] which he has done and eate tolerably freely of our good venison. Today I continued my observations.
|
LDS, please study this...for this is the true key to the geography of the Book of Mormon you've pondered all these years. (This may be the most important geography test you've ever taken in your forever-conscience lives!!!)
Subject: Smith stealing location names for the Book of Mormon from a Canadian - Northern U.S. map
Also see
Spreading more lies and falsehoods elsie? EVERYONE knows that the lands of Nephi are in Central America (they just still haven’t found them yet. . .)
My first copy of the bom had a photo section in it with pictures of the great lakes and the caption stating that these were the ‘seas’ referred to in the bom. Unfortunately I lost that edition with all the moving I’ve done. I’d love to get another copy of that. Have you seen the edition I’m talking about?
Yet another documentalbe society found in the N.America complete with artifacts and yet still not one Nephite artifact found EVER.
|
Scientology is a newer religion than Mormonism...
|
|
|
Don't make fun of them,
they have a right to have
their moronic beliefs respected.
  |
|
What!!??
You still have parts left that CAN be bypassed?
DANG!!
I just noticed this is an OLD thread being brought back to life - just like you, Kubota Guy!
Some old threads never die.
How is the heart?
Ticker is tickin’ better than ever. Thanks for asking!
“Maverick is dangerous.” - Ice Man
Top Goon
I have a theory.
The crazier the actor the better the actor.
Which also translates to their politics.
The better the actor the more left they become.
Isn’t always true. But it’s more true than the Global Warming theory.
Check out this site:
Gilgal Sculpture Garden. An “interesting” Salt Lake site.
http://www.gilgalgarden.org/gallery2/index.htm
Looks like a BAD put put golf couse!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
's magnetic Azimt. 
L. L.
