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Does the Church Endorse a Specific Geography for the Book of Mormon?
From FAIR, the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research
 A sample of writings by Church leaders and members through out its history, illustrates that debate and discussion about Book of Mormon geography has been very free, precisely because there was no revealed or "authoritative" geography model.
Critics correctly claim that some early Church leaders and members may have believed that events as described in the Book of Mormon occurred in the entire western hemisphere, with the Isthmus of Darien (Panama) being the “narrow neck of land”, North America as the land northward and South America as the land southward.
Statements made by Joseph Smith which tend to support this concept are brought up. Other statements by him which do not support this argument are ignored.
In a letter to Emma in 1834 durinng the Zion 's Camp trek , Joseph wrote:
The whole of our journey, in the midst of so large a company of social honest and sincere men, wandering over the plains of the Nephites, recounting occasionally the history of the Book of Mormon, roving over the mounds of that once beloved people of the Lord, picking up their skulls & their bones, as a proof of its divine authenticity, and gazing upon a country the fertility, the splendour and the goodness so indescribable, all serves to pass away time unnoticed.
This would seem to support the hemispheric view.
However, in an issue of the “Times and Seasons,” 15 July 1842, Joseph wrote that :
Stephens and Catherwood's researches in Central America abundantly testify of this thing. The stupendous ruins, the elegant sculpture, and the magnificence of the ruins of Guatamala [sic] , and other cities, corroborate this statement, and show that a great and mighty people-men of great minds, clear intellect, bright genius, and comprehensive designs inhabited this continent. Their ruins speak of their greatness; the Book of Mormen (sic) unfolds their history.-ED.
This statement was signed "ED," which attributes it directly to Joseph Smith. This shows that Joseph Smith was open to a very different view of Book of Mormon geography and location than simply accepting the hemispheric view.
In a later edition of the “Times and Seasons,” another writer, most likely John Taylor or Wilford Woodruff, wrote :
We are not going to declare positively that the ruins of Quirigua 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 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... 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. (emphasis added)
In January of 1890, George Q. Cannon of the First Presidency, stated:
How is it that there is such a variety of ideas of this subject? Simply because the Book of Mormon is not a geographical primer. It was not written to teach geographical truths. What is told us of the situation of the various lands or cities of the ancient Jaredites, Nephites and Lamanites is usually simply an incidental remark connected with the doctrinal or historical portions of the work and almost invariably only extends to a statement of the relative position of some land or city to contiguous or surrounding places and nowhere gives us the exact situation or boundaries so that it can be definitely located without fear of error...
The First Presidency has often been asked to prepare some suggestive map illustrative of Nephite geography, but have never consented to do so. Nor are we acquainted with any of the Twelve Apostles who would undertake such a task. The reason is, that without further information they are not prepared even to suggest [a map]. The word of the Lord or the translation of other ancient records is required to clear up many points now so obscure.
Mark E. Peterson , of the Council of the Twelve, stated:
…we all have our free agency. God doesn't rob anyone of that. And sometimes even a General Authority has used his agency in a wrong direction…Now, a General Authority might speculate, I suppose. 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.
John A. Widtsoe when a member of the C ouncil of the Twelve, wrote:
As far as can be learned, the Prophet Joseph Smith, translator of the book, did not say where, on the American continent, Book of Mormon activities occurred. Perhaps he did not know. However, certain facts and traditions of varying reliability are used as foundation guides by students of Book of Mormon geography .
Conclusion:
Book of Mormon geography is a subject in which many people are interested. However, as evinced by the absence of a revealed position on the subject, there is a risk of it becoming someone's "gospel hobby" about which
Latter-day Saints have been warned often and by many.
Someone may conclude, for whatever reason-- research, expertise or inspiration-- that he can present "the one true geography," relegating the others to the dust bin of uninspired or negligent research or a denial of revelation. Neither of these dismissals meets the criteria of charity, or revelatory keys.
What is clear is that neither Mormon nor Joseph Smith nor any other prophet has made a locale for Book of Mormon events a necessary part of the mission of the Book of Mormon: to witness to all nations that Jesus is the Christ; and by necessary implication that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God.
As in many things, the Lord grants prophets and members alike the right to their own opinions in such matters, based upon study and reason. Leaders have been clear, however, that such opinions are just that—opinions, and not the revealed mind of the Lord.
The full wiki, article including all sources and citations at http://en.fairmormon.org/Book_of_Mormon_geography/Statements#Criticism
If you have any topic or question you would like to see addressed pleased contact Carolyn Wright at http://www.fairlds.org/contact.php Just check the box for the Meridian Article Editor.
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