Red sea is the name of a body of water separating ancient egypt and africa from arabia and asia. Along the way they stopped at a place called nahom. New article on lehis travels and the location of the. The book of mormon s opening scenes provide an excellent opportunity to test some of its geographic details. See my answers to questions about the book of mormon here. It did merge, however, into a paradise by the sea which they named bountiful. Nevertheless, the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at first he lightly afflicted the land of zebulun, and the land of naphtali, and afterwards did more grievously afflict by the way of the red sea beyond jordan in galilee of the nations. The purpose of constructing unbiased internal maps is to orient major lands, seas and landmarks mentioned in the text, and. How realistic is the name shazer described in the book of mormon. Mar, 2017 after travelling 3 days along the coast of the red sea, nephi mentioned his family stopping in a river valley with a continually running river. After travelling 3 days along the coast of the red sea, nephi mentioned his family stopping in a river valley with a continually running river.
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. The book of first nephi, the first book in the volume, describes the actions of lehi and his family in leaving jerusalem before its destruction, following the counsel of the lord, and wandering through the wilderness for several years before embarking on a transoceanic voyage to somewhere in or near central america. O that thou mightest be like unto this valley, firm, and steadfast, and immovable in keeping the command ments of the lord. Crossing the red sea, old testament seminary student study guide 2002, 4748. Directions in the book of mormon book of mormon research. The city nhm and the paradise valley are still there today, and exist in exactly the locations on the arabian peninsula the book of mormon describes. Three subsequent book of mormon prophets reminded their listeners of the crossing of the red sea. The examples in 1 nephi, however, do not show any particular similarity to the phraseology in 2 nephi 19. If such a river existed, evidence of it should be available river gravel, for example, or mention in ancient texts from the region.
How could lehi travel from jerusalem to the red sea in 3 days. Drawing upon this research, this video follows the likely route that nephi and his family took as they journeyed from place to place through israel, along the borders of the red sea, and across. The wrong place for lehis trail and the valley of lemuel byu. Many mormon apologists point to central america for the location of book of mormon lands due to the mention of a narrow neck of landwhere the sea divides the land, however problems arise when one considers that the sea south and the sea north are irreconcilable with this limited geographical location for book of mormon. A discussion of the arabian, or old world, geography of the book of mormon enjoys many advantages over discussion of new world matters. The river laman in the valley lemuel empties into the red sea. Allen, exploring the lands of the book of mormon orem, ut. Tvedtnes argues that the change to red sea derived from previous references in the book of mormon to the red sea.
Map by book of mormon central depicting a possible route from. Mormon s map is book of mormon scholar john sorenson s reconstruction of that mental map solely from information. For that reason, our design team has chosen to develop an internal map that shows relational directions and approximate distances that match the. The evidence from arabia for lehis trail in the book of mormon. Jan 28, 2020 when lehi embarked on his journey around 600 b. Thus the book of mormon seems to give red sea its own peculiar meaning. When they arrived at a coastal location with an abundance of fruit and honey, nephi says its the land which we called bountiful and the sea, he says, we called irreantum 1 nephi 17. This family was living in a world of increasing wickedness, but the lord promised them that if they would follow him, he would lead them to safety. After traveling in an easterly direction, as the book of mormon indicates 1 nephi 17. This can complement your study of the come, follow me curriculum and its focus on the beginning part of the book of mormon at this early time of the year.
In this book are a number of future book of mormon names, which appeared within alphabetized lists. How could lehi travel from jerusalem to the red sea in 3. The land of zarahemla is at a lower elevation relative to the land of nephi. Chief among these is the fact that we know we certainty where the story beginsin old world jerusalem. Proposed book of mormon geographical setting wikipedia. The book of mormon itself is the best source for understanding the geographical locations contained therein. 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 shows a remarkable understanding of israelite history which joseph smith could not have had. Other mormon scriptures suggest that there may be a deeper meaning to the term red sea.
This, it must be confessed, was a most extraordinary journey. It incorporates much of what i have learned since this journey began in august, 2011. The book of mormon is unique in its reading of red sea. From jerusalem to nahom the narrative suggests that after they left jerusalem they traveled. Book of mormon heroes nephi, faithful son of lehi, did all that the lord commanded, and turned to him in deepening times of trial. The book of mormon has been generally available now for 67,878 days or 185 years, 10 months, and 2 days. The place shazer in the book of mormon jump to subtopic. In his newly available article, entitled into arabia. Having proved that the popular understanding of the kjv is inaccurate, the critics then conclude that the book of mormon s use of red sea is evidence that joseph was not producing an inspired translation, but simply copying from the mistaken king james text. Red jacket died in january 1830, only two months before the publication of the book of mormon. One of the blessings of having trials in life is that trials often prompt us to turn to the lord for help see ether 12. Book of mormon verses taken from the 1990 independence edition, which is published by the church of christ. In the book the father of the family builds an altar at this location. The great strength of the book is that it provides a wellargued perspective based on the geology of natural disasters that is new to the analysis of the book of mormonone that adds to the reality of book of mormon events and opens new doors for potential research and understanding of the geography of the book of mormon.
Either way, the supposed error in the book of mormon is eliminated. But when we look at the entire description in isaiah 9. The family then traveled south until they reach the borders of the red sea. Includes every geographical place mentioned in the book of mormon. Purpose of the book of mormon tour helps these single page descriptions of a specific book of mormon site are designed to provide pertinent information to the traveler about the site. This book attempts to answer the questions that continue to surround joseph smith. For 146 years, readers of the book of mormon have in their minds eye traveled and. Does the book of mormon incorrectly change isaiah 9. Each pointer on the map can be opened clicked on to obtain information regarding the specific site, artifact, or other. Among some theorists, there seems to be a misunderstanding of the word isles in the scriptural record of the book of mormon.
The book specifically claims that the valley is close to the shore of the red sea, and that a river which runs through it empties directly into the sea. Alma referenced the event as evidence that god can deliver us from every obstacle, including death alma 36. The evidence from arabia for lehis trail in the book of. The name red sea may also include its northern extensions, the gulf of suez and the gulf of aqaba. When indians ruled maines seas the portland press herald. Book of mormon, 1830, page 8 the joseph smith papers. Finally there is a way to really explore john sorensons book of mormon geography.
Had he lived longer, he might have been visited by a mormon missionary, who would have placed in his hands a book which claimed to be written by red jackets forefathers. The church and byu stay neutral in questions of exactly where the book of mormon took place. Hebrew knows only the four cardinal directions, so southeast seems outofplace in an israelite text of the sixth century b. Shazer, is an extensive oasis valley near both the red sea and the gaza branch of the. There was a book published in 1791 by john walker entitled, a key to the classical pronunciation of greek, latin, and scripture proper names. This book of mormon is brought to you for free and open access by the all journals at byu scholarsarchive. Designed for multiple use as study guides, handouts, and masters for creating projectable images, the charts convey a wealth of information that will enrich personal study and teaching. Show that evidence of such a river exists in the same area near the red sea as described in the book of mormon. Based on his explorations of the terrain from jerusalem to the red sea, the author proposes a likely route lehi and his family took as they fled jerusalem. What can we learn from the crossing of the red sea.
Time to reevaluate descendants of hagoth lehites lamanites like with blacks and the priesthood ban. This appears to be a case of scribal overcorrection, due to prior mention of the red sea in the book of mormon text. Researchers found the name nehem on a 1763 map of arabia, and then in 1997. The book of mormon narrative follows a group of jews that left jerusalem for the new world in 600 b. After several months of intense careful study of the text i have put together the following proposed map, showing the relative positions of book of mormon lands, cities, rivers, etc. The book of mormon claims of the river of laman and valley of lemuel. It happened in 600 bc, but there are things about this account that might sound familiar to families today. Lehi and sariahs escape from jerusalem, warren aston discusses two geographical issues related to 1 nephi 17. May 20, 2011 read the classic biography of the founder of the mormon church. Antiparah, waters of mormon, hagoth, city of nephihah, land of jershon, sidon river, land of amulon, city of teancum, city of and land of moroni, land of moron, jerusalem. When ishmael died, however, nephi uses the passive voice to identify the place which was called nahom 1 nephi 16. There is a wilderness that extends along the coast of the red sea as far south as nahom. Virtual book of mormon book of mormon maps and learning tools. 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.
In addition, sites and artifacts are also provided that give additional indirect support to the book of mormon story, such as evidence associated with other precolumbian hebrew travelers to the american continents. Was the book of mormon really used as a geographical guidebook. This list is intended as a quick reference for locations mentioned in the book of mormon. The book of mormon begins with an account of a real family experiencing real struggles.
The place of shazer, an unnamed mountain, and nahom are located on, or near, the coast of the red sea. For that reason, we have designed and prepared this artistic rendering in such a way that you can get a basic idea of approximate directions and theoretical. After traveling down to the red sea, lehi and his family pushed forward for. Cheesman was professor emeritus of ancient scripture at brigham young university when this was published.
Updates in a forth coming article at the interpreter, i tackle a long series of criticisms of the most interesting evidence related to the book of mormon from the arabian peninsula. Lehis family sojourned near the shores of the red sea until their departure southward. To the inside front cover are affixed four clippings of descriptions of different versions of first edition copies of the book of mormon and of an 1854 edition of the doctrine and covenants, along with a clipping describing the origin of the text of the book of mormon and a bookplate of the shepard book company of salt lake city, utah. Book of mormon geography benjamin winchester part 3. Rivers are rare in northwest arabia, and until recently no perennial rivers or streams had been found in the region. While there is still much to learn about the people and stories in the book of mormon, some of the best archaeological evidence to support the book of mormon comes from lehis journey to the promised land. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints does not officially endorse any one particular geographical model for where the events in the book of mormon transpired in the new world. Jan 08, 2016 the book of mormon was first offered for sale to the public in palmyra, new york on march 26, 1830. Have the valley of lemuel and the river laman been found. Archaeological evidence for 7 locations on lehis journey. Virtual book of mormon book of mormon maps and learning. Is it possible that lehis tents could have been inland from the red sea. The book of mormon claims that a valley can be found between 2 to 3 days from the northernmost shore of the red sea.
Mountains were drawn on the map as a series of mounds. Why do we not yet have a generally accepted new world map. Was the book of mormon really used as a geographical. This site can be used as a study guide to help understand the book of mormon. The book of mormon begins in a wellknown location, jerusalem, in 600 b. Aug 19, 2008 the early chapters in the book of mormon map out a route from jerusalem, along the red sea to a city called nahom, ending in a lush coastal location where a boat was built to sail to america. The lord could have removed all questions regarding the exact locations of these events but he did not.
Concerning this record, the prophet joseph smith, who translated it by the gift and power of god, said, i told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book see the introduction at the. In the book of nephi, lehi names two beautiful geographical features after this two oldest sons. This arid wasteland was perhaps the worst desert of all. There are times when there is not the opportunity to get a clear understanding of what the traveler saw and these bulletins will help with that understanding. Archaeological evidence for 7 locations on lehis journey to. When we receive the lords power and help, our faith. Internal book of mormon geography focuses on the relationships between lands and other geographic features, independent of where they might be physically located on todays maps. Additionally, the book of mormon describes the sea as the red sea. This article was written and approved as a farms update in 2002, but never published. A look at the map told us that lehis trail went through lands that were difficult to. Book of mormongeographyold worldshazer book of mormon. The story of the book of mormon and lehis exodus from the old world begins in jerusalem, the capital of the kingdom of judah and the most prominent city in all israel. To our right the red sea glittered in the bright noon light, to our left. Wilderness near the red sea book of mormon geography.
This book was a common household reference in young joseph smiths time and place. Map by book of mormon central depicting a possible route from jerusalem to wadi tayyib al. The original likely read south and east, as in alma 2. Map by book of mormon central depicting a possible route from jerusalem to. Its two northern gulfs form the coastline of the sinai peninsula. When columbus first sought this continentwhen christ suffered on the crosswhen moses led israel through the red sea. Read the classic biography of the founder of the mormon church. Feeling blue about the red sea in the book of mormon. Here i follow up on that publication with updates, revisions.
A complete description of the book of mormon geography bomgeography, including an internal map model, external map model i. Jan 12, 2016 this is my best book of mormon lands map to date. The story begins with lehigh family fleeing from jerusalem, which is in the same location today as it was in lehigh day. Jan 26, 2016 when they arrived at a coastal location with an abundance of fruit and honey, nephi says its the land which we called bountiful and the sea, he says, we called irreantum 1 nephi 17. But in 1995, a pair of lds explorers made a chance discovery of a valley with a small stream, which subsequent visits confirmed. Book of mormon article nephi and jacobs isles of the. Jun 12, 2019 drawing upon this research, this video follows the likely route that nephi and his family took as they journeyed from place to place through israel, along the borders of the red sea, and across. Using clues embedded in nephis account of the familys journey in the wilderness, aston discusses the pros and. Very few maps identify any mountains or mounds near the top of the red sea. The problem with this is that a christ quoted isaiah in matt. While many claim the word isle as used is really not an island at all, but a far off land given that name out of either ignorance or generally understood terms, we can see. When we read in the book of mormon that jared and his brother came on to this continent from the confusion and scattering at the tower, and lived here more than a thousand years, and covered the whole continent from sea to sea, with towns and cities. Map by book of mormon central depicting a possible.
Down the arabian peninsula paralleling the red sea in a nearly southsoutheast direction. I recently returned from 11 days in guatemala where i collaborated with bright people such as mark wright, diane wirth, dave gray, rick callister, van dunham, neal rappleye, stephen smoot, and rolando amado. Book of mormon article nephi and jacobs isles of the sea others versus modern prophets hagoth and polynesians. He also proposes a location for the book of mormon s valley of lemuel.