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Joe V. Andersen - A critical review of a small portion of John L. Lund’s Mesoamerica and the Book of Mormon: Is this the Place?

     


A critical review of a small portion of Mesoamerica and the Book of Mormon: Is this the Place?
by John L. Lund

 
Subtitle

Why Lehi did not land south of Darien but on the Pacific Coast in Mesoamerica

by

Joe V. Andersen

Revised September 2009

 
First I want to acknowledge the wonderful book that Dr. John L. Lund published in 2007, Mesoamerica and the Book of Mormon: Is this the Place? I have studied it and have found it well written and based on excellent research. It contains a great deal of corroborated evidence proving that most of the events of the Book of Mormon took place in Mesoamerica. His book puts a nail into the coffin of any theory that places the geography of Book of Mormon anywhere other than Mesoamerica. 
 
However, the concept that Dr. Lund puts forth that Lehi and his family landed south of the Isthmus of Darien flies in the face of reason and it is against the intent and descriptions given in the Book of Mormon. Dr. Lund told me he would agree with authors like Dr. Richard Hauck and Joseph Allen, that they landed near Izapa, Mexico, at their land of first inheritance if it wasn't for Joseph Smith's statement, as editor of the Times and Seasons, dated Sept. 15, 1842: “...When we read in the Book of Mormon...that Lehi...landed a little south of the Isthmus of Darien....”
 
Dr. Lund believes that this statement was prophetic and, therefore, true. However, because he agrees that the land of their first inheritance was at or near Izapa, Mexico (page 25) this would mean that they would have landed south of Darien, stayed at least a year to plant and harvest. Then they would have traveled 1,100 miles or more northward through the virgin jungle areas of Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Guatemala to the area near Izapa, Mexico, just as Dr. Lund asserts at page 25. 
 
The reasons I believe this theory is incorrect are as follows:
 
 
1.   The Book of Mormon does not state (“read”) they landed south of Darien.
2.   The Book of Mormon makes no reference to any travel from the landing place in the “Promised land” to the land of their first inheritance a year or so after disembarking.
3.   The Liahona did not err. It guided them directly to the “Promised land” at the land of their first inheritance.
4.   Joseph Smith did not claim to have received any revelation stating where they landed or about the geography of the Book of Mormon. 
5.   It is unbelievable that they made an unrecorded trip over 1,100 miles in virgin jungles and swamps with only eight or nine men; eight or nine women; and over 30 children under the age of nine or ten.

1. Book of Mormon Does not say (read) They Landed South of Darien

 

 
The only statements in the Book of Mormon pertaining to the landing place of Lehi are the following: 
 
(1).   Nephi 18:21-25states:
 
21. ...I took the compass (Liahona)...
22. ...I, Nephi, did guide the ship that we sailed again towards the promised land.
23. ...after we had sailed for the space of many days we did arrive at the promised land: and we went forth upon the land and did pitch our tents; and we did call it [the place of landing] the promised land. 
24. ...we did begin to till the earth, and we began to plant seeds; yea, we did put all our seeds into the earth, which we had brought from the land of Jerusalem. And ...they did grow exceedingly; wherefore we were blessed in abundance. ( why plant all their seeds if they were going to be traveling 1,100 miles a year later) (Emphasis and comments added)
There is no mention of “south of Darien” in the Book of Mormon here.
 
(2).   Mosiah 10:12-16 states:
 
12.  (The Lamanites)...believing they were (wrongfully) driven out of...Jerusalem...and that they were wronged in the wilderness (from Jerusalem to Bountiful)... and also wronged while crossing the sea;
13.   And again, they were wronged while in the land of their first inheritance, after they had crossed the sea. (No mention of traveling away from where they landed, meaning that they landed at their land of first inheritance and not south of Darien.)
14. And again they were wroth with him when they had arrived in the promised land...
(Not only did they feel wronged but they were also angry with him when they arrived)
16.  And again they were wroth with him because he departed into the wilderness as the Lord had commanded him, and took the records which were engraved on the plates of brass, for they said that he robbed them.
(Separating from the Lamanites after Lehi dies and relocating in land of Nephi) (Comments added)

 
No mention of “south of Darien” in the Book of Mormon here either. Verse 13 above clearly states that they were wronged in the land of first inheritance after they had crossed the sea. It is strange that they were not wronged while traveling 1,100 miles from south of Darien to the land of their first inheritance.
 
 
(3).  Helaman 6:10: states: "...for the Lord did bring Mulek into the land north and Lehi into the land south."   Careful reading of all of chapters 6 and 7 informs us that this was north and south of the narrow strip of wilderness. It was not talking about the greater land northward and greater land southward.
 
Again there is no reference to “south of Darien here.
 
The inescapable conclusion is that WE cannot “READ in the Book of Mormon” anywhere that they landed south of the Isthmus of Darien because it is not there. This statement in the Times and Seasons was and is INCORRECT. Mosiah 10:13 and Helaman 6:10 mean they landed at the land of their first inheritance south of the Narrow Strip of Wilderness and west of the land of Nephi and not south of Darien. Because the Narrow Strip of Wilderness ran from the east sea to the west sea in a straight course from east to west and because they landed west of the land of Nephi which paralleled the narrow strip of wilderness from the east sea to the west sea, the landing place must have occurred on the west coast of Mesoamerica.
 
 
 

2. The Book of Mormon Makes no Reference to Any Travel From the Landing Place in the Promised Land to the Land of their First Inheritance After Disembarking.

 

 
The only statement in the Book of Mormon that could possibly be construed to mean moving from their landing place to another location a year or so after landing is in I Nephi 18:25, which states: "...we did find upon the land of promise (where they landed), as we journeyed (not traveled) in the wilderness, that there were beasts in the forests of every kind...and all manner of ore, both of gold, and of silver, and of copper." (Emphasis and comments added)
 
Nephi's use of the verb “journeyed” here is more consistent with “to take a trip,” implying returning to home base. It appears that when they went from Jerusalem to the valley of Lemuel the first time, Nephi used the verb “traveled.” Then they “traveled” four days to Shazer. And then they “traveled” many days and rested for a time. Then they “traveled” to Nahom and then to Bountiful (1 Nephi 2:4-6; 16:13, 33; 17:1). In each of these instances they were migrating or making a permanent relocation, or making a very difficult or novel journey.
 
However, they only “journeyed” when Nephi returned to Jerusalem for the brass plates and for the family of Ishmael (1 Nephi 3:9; 7:6). So it appears that when they moved from one place to another with the intent to stay they “traveled” but when they went back and forth like a trip to a known place they “journeyed.” This appears consistent with the older use of the verbs to “journey” and to “travel”.
 
The etymology of the verb “journey” shows that the word initially was used as: first, a defined or known course of travel; and second, a day’s travel. The verb “travel” was initially used as: first, to go on a difficult journey; and second, to toil or labor (Dictionary of Word Origins)
 
It is also interesting that the Jaredites also did not journey but they “traveled”. Ether 2:5-6 says “...the Lord...gave directions whither they should travel...and...they did travel in the wilderness and did build barges in which they did cross many waters...”.
 
All of the information about the landing place of Lehi was written by Nephi. Therefore, it seems reasonable that, if they changed locations from south of Darien overland to southern Mexico, Nephi would probably have used the verb “traveled” instead of “journeyed.” He would have been consistent with the way he used these terms in describing their travel down the Arabian Peninsula.
 
Almost every time they traveled or moved from one place to another with the intent to relocate, they did so in response to a message from the Lord and it was recorded. Since all of these travels and trials were written down, then shouldn't something have been written down about how the Liahona guided them in their “traveling” from South America overland to Mexico? This was a journey of over 1,100 miles! There should be some statement similar to 1 Nephi 17:1 which states:
 
“And it came to pass that we did again take our journey in the wilderness; and we did travel nearly eastward from that time forth. And we did travel and wade through much affliction in the wilderness; and our women did bear children in the wilderness.” (Emphasis added)
 
Should there not have been some kind of reference as to how long it took; or about the inevitable problems they would have had with Laman and Lemuel; or about the inevitable sickness they would have encountered on a journey of at least 1,100 miles; or about rivers and mountains they had to cross or go around; or about the swamps they had to wade through?
 
There is no reference in the Book of Mormon of Lehi traveling from the landing place to the land of their first inheritance. Why? Because they were the same location.
 
 
 

3. The Liahona Did not Err. It Guided Lehi’s Party Directly to the Promised Land at the Land of Their First Inheritance on the west cost of Mesoamerica

 

 
The Liahona guided their every move—down the Arabian Peninsula, into the mountains to hunt food, east to Bountiful, and then across the sea. 
 
The Book of Mormon says the Liahona and Nephi guided them to the promised land (1 Nephi 18:21- 22). The way the Book of Mormon uses the term “the promised land” is interesting and consistent, and it seems to describe Mesoamerica. I Nephi 13:12 states, speaking of Columbus “...and I beheld the Spirit of God that it came down and wrought upon the man: and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed of my brethren who were in the promised land.”
 
 

Map showing voyages of Columbus
 
 
Columbus came to Central America and the Islands off South America and not to the United States area. To further affirm this conclusion is the fact that the term “the promised land” is used differently than the term “land of promise” in the book of Mormon.
 
The scriptures talking about arriving at a specific location use the term “the promised land”:
 
1.   Columbus was sent to the promised land,   (1Nephi 13:12).
2.   The Liahona and Nephi guided the ship to the promised land,  (1Nephi 18:22.
3.   They arrived at the promised land, (I Nephi 18:23).
4.   They called the land where they landed the promised land,   I Nephi 18:23.
5.   The Lord promised Nephi he would be led “towards the promised land” and “after ye have arrived in the promised land” (I Nephi 17:13, 14). “...and they were driven...towards the promised land,  (Nephi 18:8)”.
 

Even the scriptures describing the Jaredites' coming to the land of promise use the term the promised land in describing their destination: 
Ether 6 states:
 
5...furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land.
7...the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land.
12...did land upon the shore of the promised land...and set their feet upon the       shores of the promised land.
16...also begat sons and daughters before they came to the promised land.
            Ether 7:27 repeats: “...across the great deep into the promised land”.

The Lord guided Columbus, Nephi, and the brother of Jared to the promised land, not in North America or South America, but in Mesoamerica. Clearly the Jaredites were never in South America or the Darien area. 
The term “land of promise” seems to be used in a broader sense. North America was not the “promised land” but it was part of the “land of promise”. It is clear that there are many “lands of promise” for the house of Israel (2 Nephi: 9:2). The land upon which Jacob stood, while being the promised land, was but “a land of promise” to the Nephites after they landed.  (Jacob 2:12).
 
In Mosiah 10:13, 16, it indicates that the land of “their first inheritance” was the place where they landed and hence, the promised land:
 
 
13. ...they were wronged in the land of their first inheritance after they had crossed the sea… (Does this mean that they were not wronged south of Darien or while on the 1,100 mile journey?   Or rather, does it mean that as soon as they landed at the land of their first inheritance they were wronged again?)
16....and again they were wroth with him because he departed into the wilderness as the Lord had commanded him....” (Comments added)

 This departing into the wilderness was not the supposed “journeyed” in the wilderness from south of Darien but was the “journey” eastward inland to the land of Nephi. If in fact the Liahona guided them to “south of Darien” for some unknown reason and if they had to make such a sacrifice as a 1,100-mile horrific journey through the swamps and jungles, why doesn't the Lord or the Liahona so indicate?
 
In almost every instance in the Book of Mormon, the Nephites relocate only after the Lord tells them when or where to go. This was initially done via the Liahona. Isn't it a bit strange and out of the norm of the workings of the Lord in the Book of Mormon that the Liahona did not tell them when or where to go from south of Darien?  
 
Alma informs us that the Liahona pointed them in a straight course to the promised land:
Alma 37:44-45 states:
 
 
44. ...which would point them in a straight course to the promised land.
45. ...For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.
 

The Liahona properly guided them, in a straight course to their landing place west of the land of Nephi, southwesterly from of the Narrow Strip of Wilderness to the area near Izapa, Mexico. This was the land of their first inheritance, the promised land, where they pitched their tents, planted their crops, and  journeyed (scouted or searched) in the wilderness where they discovered gold, silver, copper and beasts in the forests of every kind (1 Nephi 22:28). This is the land where Lehi lived out his last days, maybe at most 2 or 3 years, and where he gave his final blessings to his children including to his last son Joseph who was “small”. 
 
Lehi did not die south of Darien nor did he make the spurious horrific trip from south of Darien to the land of their first inheritance near Izapa, Mexico.
 
 
 

4. Joseph Smith did not Claim To Have Received Any Revelation About the Landing Place of Lehi or About the Geography of the Book of Mormon.

 

 
There is no statement anywhere that justifies the conclusion that they landed south of Darien except the one taken from the Times and Seasons, Sept. 15, 1842. It states: “When we read in the Book of Mormon...that Lehi went down by the Red Sea to the Great Southern Ocean, and crossed over to this land and landed a little south of the Isthmus of Darien…” (Emphasis added)
 
Nowhere in the Book of Mormon does it read “and landed a little south of the Isthmus of Darien.”   If Joseph Smith had stated something like “it does not read that way, but I have been informed,” or “I have received a revelation,” or “Moroni showed me where they landed,” then there would be no further comment.
 
To arrive at the conclusion that they “journeyed” from south of Darien (South America), to Izapa (Mexico) one must go outside the wording of the Book of Mormon. 
 
The prevailing thought in the early days of the Church, and for many years afterward, was that South America was the greater land southward; North America was the greater land northward; and the Isthmus of Darien was the “narrow neck of land” (see map and discussion by Orson Pratt in Joseph Allen's Exploring the Lands of the Book of Mormon, pages 182-184). If Darien (Panama) was the narrow neck of land, then Zarahemla would have to have been located in South America because Zarahemla was located in the land southward (Alma 22:31).   It appears that this may have been Joseph Smith's belief until about September of 1842. 
 
In the September 15th extract on page 915 of the Times and Seasons it says: “...the history of the Nephites in the Book of Mormon. They lived about the narrow neck of land, which now embraces Central America, with all the cities that can be found….”
 
After reading John Lloyd Stephen's book, Incidents of Travel, 1841, and seeing Catherwood's drawings, Joseph Smith was understandably ecstatic. As the editor he concluded (or approved or at least never disavowed) on October 1, 1842, Times and Seasons, page 927, that: “...we have found another important fact relating to the truth of the Book of Mormon. Central America, or Guatemala, is situated north of the Isthmus of Darien and once embraced several hundred miles of territory from north to south. The city of Zarahemla stood upon this land....” Note that it was only after studying Stephens’ book that Joseph Smith, as editor, said “we have found” not “it was revealed to me.” (Emphasis added)
 
I personally believe that prior to about October, 1842, Joseph Smith believed that the “narrow neck of land” was the Isthmus of Darien. That is why he said in Oct. 15, 1842, that “we have found another important fact,” realizing that Zarahemla was located in Guatemala which was located north of the Isthmus of Darien.
 
These statements put to rest any idea that the Prophet believed (after October 1, 1842) that the Book of Mormon cities were anywhere in South America or northern North America. It also shows his belief that most of the major locations of the Book of Mormon were located in Central America. It also shows his belief and reliance on new facts about the geography of the Book of Mormon, from sources other than revelation.
 
If we are to believe that Joseph Smith knew, by revelation, the landing place of Lehi, or of the location of Zarahemla, then why did he waffle when he described the location of the city of Zarahemla? He did not know the location of the city of Zarahemla. He believed it to be Quiriguá, Guatemala. However, in the last sentence he, or whoever wrote the article, covered himself by showing that he did not claim knowledge by revelation but was relying on Stephens’ book when he stated that Quiriguá was at least “one of the cities of the Book of Mormon.” These were all new facts to Joseph Smith, and, therefore, he had not received them by revelation but from Stephens’ book. 
 
The text in the Times and Seasons, (Nauvoo, Ill., October 1, 1842, page 927) states as follows:
 
  It is certainly a good thing for the excellency and veracity of the divine authenticity of the Book of Mormon, that the ruins of Zarahemla have been found....We are not going to declare positively that the ruins of Quiriguá are those of Zarahemla, but when the land and the stones and the books tell the story so plain, we are of the opinion that it would require more proof than the Jews could bring to prove that the disciples stole the body of Jesus from the tomb, to prove that the ruins of the city in question are not one of those referred to in the Book of Mormon. (Emphasis added)

 
If Joseph Smith knew by revelation, or by statements or visions from Moroni where the cities of the Book of Mormon were located, why did he say on October 1, 1842 (Times and Seasons, page 927) that “...It will not be a bad plan to compare Mr. Stephens’ ruined cities with those in the Book of Mormon: light cleaves to light and facts are supported by facts. The truth injures no one and so we make another – EXTRACT.”
 
Again, Joseph Smith never claimed he knew by revelation or by visions or statements from Moroni about the statements he made regarding the geography of the Book of Mormon. He was fascinated by Stephens’ book and speculated from it like many others have done and still are doing. He clearly left open the possibility that he might have been wrong and that facts would support facts and that truth would eventually prevail. Joseph Smith said or implied that the truth would not hurt anyone, even himself, if it came out differently than he surmised.
 
While it might be true that Joseph Smith, although the editor of the Times and Seasons, did not actually write those articles nevertheless he stated his responsibility for the contents thereof and he never disapproved or disavowed those articles or those beliefs. In fact he wrote his friend John Bernhisel thanking him for sending him (Joseph Smith) a copy the Stephens and Catherwood’s book and said:
"…(it) supports the testimony of the Book of Mormon; I have read the volumes with the greatest interest and pleasure & must say that of all the histories that have been written pertaining to the antiquities of this country it is the most correct luminous & comprehensive."
 
He never did claim that his beliefs about the geography of the Book of Mormon were based on revelation.  This fact has been corroborated by many modern prophets. Mark E Petersen’s address to educators, 24 August 1954 stated:
"We have had speculation, for instance, on the part of some with respect to Book of Mormon geography, and it is plain, unadulterated speculation and not doctrine. And if a general Authority has speculated on Book of Mormon geography he did not represent the view of the Church while doing so."
 
The editor of FAIR, 30 June, 2008 stated at page 4 of the article Misguided Zeal and Defense of the Church: “...Neither Joseph Smith, nor any of his successors, gave any revelation to the body of the Church about where the Book of Mormon took place, save...in the western hemisphere...and New York...where Joseph retrieved the plates.”
 
 

5.   It Is Unbelievable That They Made an Unrecorded Journey of 1,100 Miles in Virgin Jungle and Swamps with Only 8 or 9 Men; 8 or 9 Women; and about 30 Children Under the Age of 9 or 10.

 

 

The baby factor(y)

Adding to the improbability that Lehi's family made such a treacherous journey from “south of Darien” to the Izapa, Mexico, area is the baby factor. One of the reasons why they took eight years to get to Bountiful from the Valley of Lemuel was that Sariah was having two babies. If she was having two babies how many babies did at least seven newly married young couples have? Assuming they were a little more prolific than Sariah and Lehi, then each couple had at least three. That would make at least 23 babies in seven or eight years. Surely they made a few stops along the way.
 
There was probably another baby born to each couple while in Bountiful constructing the ship. That would make about 30 babies and toddlers that boarded the ship. What a nursery! By the time they land at “south of Darien” perhaps there was at least another baby on the way for each couple. What else were they going to do when Laman and Lemuel were not fighting with Nephi on the ship?
 
They landed and immediately began to “till the earth, and began to plant seeds; yea we did put all our seeds into the earth....” It was a wonderful land and they had a bountiful harvest. Then Nephi told them to pack up and move out of their beautiful promised land with their 30 babies and toddlers plus maybe seven more new babies for a total of about 37 small children! Can you imagine each father with one or two babies in one arm and a machete in the other, hacking his way 1,100 miles over rivers, mountains, mosquito swamps, wild beast-infested jungles, and leaving their fantastic ship behind?
 

 
And then imagine traveling around all those massive volcanoes constantly seeing the Pacific Ocean and wondering why they just didn't take the ship? The Liahona surely could have guided their ship along the coast to Mexico instead of walking, swimming, swatting mosquitoes, changing diapers, and treating sickness the whole distance. 
 
Imagine Laman and Lemuel so busy taking care of the nursery that they were perfectly content to go along without complaining, but waited until they got to Mexico five or six or ten years later to again beat up on Nephi. Meanwhile, back in the jungle, Nephi was also very busy carrying two or three toddlers, finding food, prospecting, and mining, and processing ore for plates to write on. Such a feat would really have angered Laman and Lemuel. Then, of course, Nephi recorded everything except their 1,100 mile “journey”?
 
The estimated number of babies and toddlers is probably high as they were all nursing mothers and probably did not have more than one baby every three years or so. Still, according to this theory, they would have left south of Darien after twelve years after leaving Jerusalem so they would have probably had about 25 to 30 babies, and small children under the age of about ten.
 
And then consider the disease factor to a new culture. There were about eight or nine adult males with Lehi being very old; about eight or nine women with Sariah being very old (Lehi and Sariah almost died on the ship) (I Nephi 18:17-18); and about 30 young children and babies. They would have been in a new foreign country with a climate opposite from where they came from. There would have been diseases like malaria, typhus, yellow fever, etc.   Surely there would have been some spiritual lessons learned or experiences that would have been written about.  
 
This would be a most treacherous journey even today. Even the Pan-American Highway does not traverse the Darien with its over 200 inches rainfall and swamps and rivers. Also, there is no evidence of pre-Classic people having lived in that part of the Darien. 
 
About two to three years after arriving at the promised land (after Lehi died), the Lord told Nephi to pack up and move out again. At the time Lehi died, and at the time they moved inland Joseph was still “little” (I Nephi 3:25, and 4:12-13, and 5:2,5-7). This time they went inland to the land of Nephi.   If they had come from “south of Darien,” they would only have had time to drop off Laman and Lemuel and their families of Lamanites at their land of first inheritance on the west coast near Izapa, Mexico, and continue their travel eastward to the land of Nephi. They probably would not have even stopped for a harvest.
 
Even more dubious is whether they even could have made the trip in four or five years. It took eight years to travel from the valley of Lemuel to the land Bountiful. That was somewhat familiar territory, at least as compared with the jungles of Darien. At least the climate would have been more agreeable for them. That was a trip of about 1,500 miles. There were no significant rivers to cross or inlets and bays to go around. At least somewhere near to their route were the commercial trade routes and several Oasis or small villages. On their supposed route from south of Darien to Mexico there would have been no possible help and no familiarity of the terrain. The 1,100 miles from Darien to Mexico, estimated by John Lund is air miles. The distance on the ground would have been much longer. I cannot imagine such a trip being possible for the Lehi's colony in any less time than eight years. Such a scenario is inconsistent with what the Book of Mormon states. 
 
Because Lehi blessed Joseph when he was still small, probably about age 8 to 10, and because Lehi died shortly after he blessed Joseph, and because such a journey would have taken many years, then if the Darien theory is correct Lehi must have been buried somewhere on the trail to Mexico.   Also we must consider that within days of Lehi’s death, Laman and Lemuel began their assaults on Nephi and shortly thereafter the Lord commanded Nephi to depart inland to the land of Nephi. Because Joseph was still “small,” 8 to 10 years, when the brothers separated, of age, there just was not enough time for them to make such a journey from south of Darien to Mexico. 
 
They made no such journey. The Liahona and Nephi guided their ship in a direct course to their first inheritance at the promised land around the Izapa area west of the land of Nephi and south westerly of the Narrow Strip of Wilderness. The promised land for the people of Lehi was in Mesoamerica and not in south of the Darien. 
 
When it says in Alma 22:28 “...in the place of their father's first inheritance, and thus bordering along by the seashore” the word “thus” seems to indicate that “of course bordering along by the seashore because naturally that is where they landed.” When Helaman wrote that the Lord “did bring Lehi to the land south” clearly meaning south of the Narrow Strip of Wilderness, he did not mean south of Panama (Helaman 6:10).
 
I submit that if the Lord brought Lehi into the land south of the narrow strip of wilderness he did not bring him to south of Darien. Therefore, Lehi did not land south of the Darien Peninsula because the Liahona guided them “in a straight course” to their Promised land in Central America.
 
Nothing in this article should be taken to demean or disrespect the prophet Joseph Smith. He was and is a phenomenal prophet. However, he was not infallible. Everything he said, wrote, or approved was not revelation. We would be blind, remiss, and even more susceptible to the buffetings of Satan to not acknowledge and accept this fact. Joseph Smith was one of those spirits akin to Abraham, Noah, Peter, Nephi, among others. He translated the Book of Mormon by revelation and it is true. The gospel he re-established and the church he founded were by revelation and are true. 
 
It is my belief that the geography of the Book of Mormon will not be given by revelation but by perspiration and then, maybe, with a little inspiration. This is because a testimony of the Book of Mormon does not and should not depend in any manner upon the correct geography of the Book of Mormon, rather upon a testimony born of the Holy Ghost of God’s dealings with these people, their prophecies, and most importantly, that the resurrected Jesus Christ personally visited them and gave them the true gospel as contained in the Book of Mormon.