Reader comments
N. America preferred site for LDS film

then tell | 3:00 p.m. Oct. 2, 2009

those artifact takers to put it back as they might be these guys!

Who Cares? | 3:35 p.m. Oct. 2, 2009

Sure, put buffalo in it! Put some dinosaurs in there, too. Throw in some giraffes!

When you are making fictional movies about fictional stories, you can pretty much do whatever you want!

Mr. Johnston | 3:40 p.m. Oct. 2, 2009

How do you know the BM is true? Did God the Father appear to you? I don't think so.

Comments continue below

Levi | 3:44 p.m. Oct. 2, 2009

It should be easy enough for the prophet to tell us where it all took place. That shouldn't be too much to ask IMHO. I'm not asking for proof, I'm simply asking for clairification. One short answer and it would end all this hullabaloo. It would stop needless speculation.

Is that too much to ask?

Deseret Dawg | 3:56 p.m. Oct. 2, 2009

Levi - you are assuming that the Lord wants us to know the precise geographic location of the Book of Mormon civilizations. Perhaps He's withholding that information from us as a test of faith, while at the same time taking no issue with efforts on our part to discover the information through trial-and-error.

The Book of Mormon doesn't need an atlas to benefit us.

Samuel | 3:57 p.m. Oct. 2, 2009

Great Article, please do more like this. North America makes sense where the Book of Mormon took place. The Hill Camorah is in New York, and the Gold plates were buried there. Joseph Smith said the "Lamanites" were in Illinois and surronding states/territories. Lamanites could be the Hopewell Indians, they designed cities the way the Book of Mormon describes (Mounds with wood picket walls) between 400 bc to 400 ad ,the right time period. This seems more logical to me than the pagan Aztecs where nothing resembles the book of mormon culture, including future prophecies (land of liberty, rich, free, white and delightsome i.e 1 Nephi 13:15).

Keep it simple | 4:07 p.m. Oct. 2, 2009

Too bad a UNIVERSAL CONSENSUS among scientists in many fields is that ALL of the inhabitants of North AND South America descend from East Asia.

Mr. Merrill might as well make his films on a flat earth at the center of the universe with witches and magic and jack rabbits and unicorns.

Aaron W. | 4:08 p.m. Oct. 2, 2009

I think the BOM took place in north america too. The lamanites followed the migration of the beasts, but the animals in central and south america don't migrate. I've seen the Rod Meldrum presentation and it's really really good.

Test of Faith? | 4:09 p.m. Oct. 2, 2009

Levi,

I feel for ya, brother! But it wouldn’t matter.

We are told:

The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything. The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or diplomas to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter–temporal or spiritual.

Then we are told: "Not every statement made by a Church leader, past or present, necessarily constitutes doctrine. A single statement made by a single leader on a single occasion often represents a personal, though well-considered, opinion, but is not meant to be officially binding for the whole Church. With divine inspiration, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles counsel together to establish doctrine that is consistently proclaimed in official Church publications. This doctrine resides in the four “standard works” of scripture (the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price), official declarations and proclamations, and the Articles of Faith. Isolated statements are often taken out of context, leaving their original meaning distorted." (Approaching Mormon Doctrine, at lds.org)

A-Ron | 4:16 p.m. Oct. 2, 2009

so doesnt the LDS prophet have direct communication with "God" isnt he a mediator(sp) of sorts. if so why is the location even in question shouldn't he being the prophet know this with out a doubt? just curious.

Mormon Scholar | 4:17 p.m. Oct. 2, 2009

Read about Zelph.

UNLV | 4:18 p.m. Oct. 2, 2009

Native Americans always migrate from North to South. So it is very possible that most of the Book of Mormon history took place in the North American Continent. Eventually most of the "Lamanites" migrated to the south over time. Some faster than others.

Anonymous | 4:19 p.m. Oct. 2, 2009

Not that it matters, but count me in as one believing North America as the location.

There are a couple of books that lay out the theory:

"The Lost Lands of the Book of Mormon," and

"Christ in North America."

Why complicate things? | 4:41 p.m. Oct. 2, 2009

Where in North America is there a narrow neck of land from the sea east to the sea west, that is about a days and a half journey by a man?

It is quite a stretch to say this isn't is North America and not central America isn't it?

RE: Why complicate things? | 5:27 p.m. Oct. 2, 2009

IF look at a map you can see several possibilites in the states like michigan, wisconsin, washington, california and along the northeast coast,

we actually have NO idea how big or small the strip of land was,

also according to the BOM the geography change just before the coming of Jesus Christ to America,

so some the geography previously described may have changed.

And if we're to believe some the things Joseph Smith purportedly said, he seems to place it in North America, particularly the eastern part.

IT fits better with the discriptions of the use wood,

You can travel significanly quicker there than you can in the jungles of central america, which fit better with travel times mentioned in the BOM,

And there may be no DNA evidence to find:

1. The jardites who came before 2000 BC were thought to have asian/monogloid DNA

2. The lamanites were cursed, 2 Nephi 5:21, with a "black skin", which could have have changed their DNA

3 THE NEphites were killed off by the Lamanites, so it may be near impossible to find their DNA,

also the ability to work metal was probably lost along with them.

LDSRevelations | 5:27 p.m. Oct. 2, 2009

@ why complicate-

The NA model has the narrow neck of land up between the Great Lakes (which are the seas). Do I buy it? No way. I think the whole book is fictional but if you were wondering were Rod Meldrum et all base their theory... that's it.

FWIW I think Joseph Smith and many early LDS leaders thought the same thing. Many at least thought that the final battel Cumorah and the hill near Joseph's houe were one and the same.

Look up Vern Holley's maps on BOM geogrpahy to get a better idea.

Monson | 7:21 p.m. Oct. 2, 2009

The reason the so called LDS Profit cannot comment on the location of the Book of Mormon people is because he is a fraud and he knows it. Poor Mormons believe in a book that was made up. Then again so is Santa Claus and of course there is no proof of him either...lol

Northwest Believer | 10:04 p.m. Oct. 2, 2009

The Book of Mormon is true. It brings men of honest heart and faith to God. I have seen it bless the lives of those who experience it.

The Prophet is an honest man and works tirelessly serving those in need. Those who don't have a need won't be blessed by his words.

Thank you for the article. It is nice to hear the filmmaker's feelings.

God Bless.

Faith | 10:25 p.m. Oct. 2, 2009

Why is it that so many of us claim victory in a comment with our identity hidden from view? Is it true that even the tomb of the Savior is debated? It really does not have any relevant meaning if you are right or wrong. We even blame GOD or deny his reality when things go wrong or we have not seen him. We even beg HIM to get us out of our trials and we have not seen. It really does not matter what our comments say, blame, judge, etc. If we are not living our own faith, we have no idea what is true or not. Is this not true for any religion? Prove your own faith is true before you guess another false.

Anonymous | 2:13 a.m. Oct. 3, 2009

Faith is not the determiner of truth.

Mahonri | 6:20 a.m. Oct. 3, 2009

Joseph Smith said the City of Manti, 'Southernmost city of the Nephite Civilization' was in Ohio or Missouri.(Zions camp march) Brigham said the Temple site in Manti was dedicated during Book of Mormon times. Joseph Smith said the Nephites & Lamanites were in North America. The Doctrine and Covenants revelations say they were in North America.
Don't people believe The Prophets?

lds virginian | 7:00 a.m. Oct. 3, 2009

why all the questions?we are latter day saints we have no need to worry about where the book of mormon took place do we?faith brother and sisters we do not have or need to guess at this info or need it!the book of mormon is true beyond a shadow of doubt and the prophet does speak directly to god not about stupid stuff as this debate but things to do with our spiritual travel back to him,i realy dont care where this all took place becouse i know it did and thats all i or we should need

MrNirom | 9:57 a.m. Oct. 3, 2009

For me.. the Malay Theory holds more water than North America. (No mention of snow) I do believe that from 400 AD to 1830 is a lot of time for remnants of the Book of Mormon peoples to have migrated to North America.

I also believe God has the power to place the plates anywhere upon this earth that he so desires and that Moroni could have easily have gotten from there to here by the power of God.

The day will come when it is all revealed. And those who have doubted will have to come to the realization that they were wrong. Look.. they already found Nahom and Bountiful... and the critics have been quite quiet on that subject. For many have said that the BoM was false because there is no place in the Arabian desert to build a ship has Nephi had described. Well.. they were wrong. The Book of Mormon is a true book. The Bible has much proof of many things yet do all people believe in it? No.. they don't. Proving geography does not make a book true or false. The Spirit testifying to truth is much stronger.

@Keep it simple | 11:00 a.m. Oct. 3, 2009

Jack rabbits are real...

Anonymous | 12:28 p.m. Oct. 3, 2009

The cheap rabbit punched thrown by the LDS critics do much to strengthen my testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, but prayerfully reading the Book of Mormon is the only way to know if it is true. I love this book because it has done so much to build my faith in the Savior Jesus Christ and has given me purpose for life and has given me more love for the Savior. Focusing on the geography of the Book of Mormon is like worrying about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. The real issue is not in its geography, but does the book turn people toward truth and this I can say it does with unshakable confidence. I have a Ph.D. in a science field and do much research spending millions in collecting field data and computer analysis, but nothing I have discovered in over 30 years of research is as certain as the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.

It was in Central America | 1:34 p.m. Oct. 3, 2009

It occurred in Central America according to the BYU researchers, most likely. They created a good DVD about it you can buy and watch. Its called the 'Lost World' something or other, its very informative.

@JackRabbitsAreReal | 6:27 p.m. Oct. 3, 2009

Maybe Keith or *someone* can show us where jack rabbits OR buffalo are mentioned in the BoM ??

And maybe Mr. PhD can put it to good use and read "Losing A Lost Tribe" and free his mind.

Frank J. | 2:01 p.m. Oct. 4, 2009

The Book of Mormon was the key to my conversion.Joseph Smith could not have written it. No one man could have written it then nor could anyone duplicate it now. It is a compendium of ancient authors. I realize that fcor some Church members the geographic setting is unimportant. But for others, including myself, it IS important. There is room for both types in the Church. Like Keith Merrill, I have largely changed my mind in that I now favor the North American setting over the Meso-American one. Rod Meldrum's DVD is persuasive. But the fact that EITHER scenario is intellectuaslly credible merely adds further plausibility to the Book. Mormon was obviously inspired to put in as many geographic clues as he could in his abridegment. He did not have airplanes or satellites to help his describe it.

Harriet | 2:19 a.m. Oct. 7, 2009

We served a mission in Western New York. I was born in the church, and have really never believed anything but that the Book of Mormon geography was in New York. Believe me, there are many members of the church in that area who believe without question that the geography of New York is all about the Book of Mormon people/times.
Having visited the HIll Cumorah many times, and looking over the valley, I have no doubt that the Hill Cumorah and that area are the scenes of the action of the Book of Mormon. Does it make a difference to my faith-- Absolutely not. My testimony of the Book of Mormon is not based on geography; however, being in New York only strengthened my testimony of the Book of MOrmon and all that it entails, including the geography. Good for Kieth Merrill; he recognizes the truth and is willing to admit it!!!!!!!!!

BugBear | 7:54 a.m. Oct. 8, 2009

I personally think the BoM was based in India. After all that's were Columbus was headed to begin with. And Columbus is in the BoM. Plus India has lots of really cool ancient temples and other cool stuff and stuff. And the tribes in India are dark skinned. I'll bet the second Cumorah is somewhere near NewDeli. And there are plenty of lakes that are 144miles apart, which any self respecting Nephite could travel in 1.5 days with out breaking a sweat.
REALLLYYY...
Point is, 'scholars' have been beholden to a bunch of gigantic stone structures and oblivious to everything else.
Stop pounding the square peg in the round hole.
Belief in the BoM requires FAITH, not proof.

Canadian LDS | 11:02 p.m. Oct. 8, 2009

I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that it was translated by the power of God. The evidence in the BOM cannot be repudiated for surely mankind has tried!!As a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints I always believed the place where Lehi & his family landed was in North America, the land of promise, a land which is choice above all other lands;a land which the Lord God hath covenanted,as promised to Nephi!!A land of liberty; Where is this land of milk & honey if not in North America?

Common Sense | 10:05 a.m. Oct. 9, 2009

I find it interesting how venomous the anti-Mormon crowd can be. They scream at the Mormon church with contempt and disdain, as though somehow the church by its very existence hurts them personally. Why is that?

Do these people spew the same hate and cynicism at other church's beliefs? Do they seek to mock the Qur’an, the Bible, or the Torah?

Just because they choose NOT to believe the Book of Mormon, doesn't mean it ISN'T true, no matter how much sarcasm they spit.

In fact, could it be that the very reason they show so much contempt is because in the back of their mind, they feel pains of guilt and fear that it actually might be true?

Why else would they protest so much?

Regarding facts; Atheist men who call themselves scientists, who hide their data, and claim credibility through some elitist university "echo chamber" and are not a basis for fact. I wouldn't hold so dearly to what our modern world calls "science", unless I see the data myself. And even then, I would question the source.

BTW - I agree with the North American theory. It makes the most sense.

Mormon Scientist | 1:45 a.m. Oct. 20, 2009

I was really disappointed when I saw the "Testaments" film and saw the setting for the Book of Mormon in "Central/South America". Mormon's geographical descriptions describe the Western New York landscape perfectly. I'm glad that Kieth has connected the dots.

I believe the church has spoken. They have a sign on a Hill in western New York that says, "Hill Cumorah". I've been there and seen it. The church has not posted a sign on any hill in South America.

I have reposted this because my earlier posting contained a URL address and will probably be removed. I found that I am not supposed to put URL addresses in these postings.

Testament Hater | 7:45 a.m. Oct. 20, 2009

I was sorely disappointed with the film the Testaments, not because of the setting but because of the horrible story, bad acting, sloppy workmanship and repititious use of classical paintings as the source for all depictions of Christ. It thought it was a horrible hack job of a film and wish that the leaders of the Church would find a more talented flim-maker to do these projects. I don't know who did the Joseph movie that is currently playing at the JSMB but that is MILES ahead of the work by Mr. Merril. Please do not turn the reigns of another film over to him! PLEASE!!!

BTW - I lived in Mexico and Central America and can assure you that Nephites and Lamanites walked that land. The spirit of it is undeniable. I've had many deeply personal expereinces that have convinced me that that is the land of the Book of Mormon.

DMC | 3:00 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009

I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints about 30 years ago during my last semester in college. I was particularly interested in the fact that the Book of Mormon described how Christ visited America. That explained to me for the first time how ancient civilizations throughout North, Central and South America believed in a white God that would one day return. It is not coincidental that native American peoples had such traditions. In fact, the Smithsonian Institute published Squire and Davis's Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley back in 1847 as their first published book, then considered of great importance as it documented the mound people (Hopewell Indians)before the mounds were destroyed. (Book was republished in 1998 by the Smithsonian.) I have found my excitement and understanding increased, yet all this does not prove the Book of Mormon true, my answers to prayer back in college did that. However, my understanding and excitement has been increased. Any earnest seeker of truth cannot ignore the evidence--

HDJ | 11:53 p.m. Nov. 24, 2009

I am a Seneca Indian from Western NY and find the meso America theory hard to swallow especially knowing that the word Niagara in the Seneca Language denotes Narrow Neck. The Niagara Peninsula makes the most sense for a better fit for the land description in the Book of Mormon. for now that is what i'll stick with unless better evidence comes forward. The best evidence however should never be ignored which is the evidence learned through the Holy Ghost perhaps that will have to be our common ground until the day we all obtain perfect knowledge of all things.

RCA | 12:55 p.m. Dec. 6, 2009

Thank you HDJ. The word Niagara denoting Narrow Neck in the Seneca language is significant. The Niagara river is the river Sidon, connecting the Sea West with the Sea East.

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