By Rod Meldrum
The search for a setting for the Book of Mormon has taken countless hours of exhaustive study and research by numerous individuals. As unimportant as the geography of this scripture may be for individual salvation, it continues to spark a lively interest for the student of the Book of Mormon.
There is something unsettling about not knowing, at least in general terms, where events described in scripture have taken place.

Book of Mormon geography research has largely been conducted using a method proposed many years ago wherein it was taught that such research must of necessity begin by using the 550 or so passages with geographical information to create a ‘hypothetical map’ of its lands. From this theoretical map, correlations were looked for such as potential ‘narrow necks of land’ or other geographical features within the text to tie the theoretical map with a real world location.

Using the geographical passages as the primary method of discovery has produced over 150 differing proposed maps for a Book of Mormon setting. In any research endeavor the need to evaluate the effectiveness of the system or method being employed must be addressed.

The first questions to ask are: Is the current system producing the desired results? In other words, are the results being narrowed toward becoming conclusive? If the system is working, one should expect to see the results become more focused over time. A well organized system should tend to reduce or limit the number of possible outcomes, rather than expand them.

Proposed geographies using this method have ranged from the entire Western Hemisphere to areas the size of a large county. Why would such a discrepancy exist, since everyone is using the same scriptures? The obvious answer is because each researcher applies his or her own understandings and interprets each scripture differently.

If the Book of Mormon had sufficient geographic information to positively produce a decisive map without the need for private interpretation, why would there exist so many different geographies?
The simple answer is that the geographical information in the book is incomplete. The book was never intended to be written for its geography, but rather its spiritual and prophetic record.

The absence of conclusive geographical evidence is a first order problem in the search for a geographical setting. If there is not enough clear and concise information contained in the record, how can any solid conclusion be reached? It would appear that any method using only passages having to do with geography as the first or primary witness is destined to end up falling short of any definite conclusions, making it fundamentally flawed.

This has caused many researchers to attempt to add strength and support to their interpretations of the geographical passages through external sources such as archaeological remains, place-name similarities, and native traditions. However, supporting evidence should be just that, supporting, a secondary witness to the primary, or strongest evidence. The strongest evidence should be able to stand alone. It is without question that the geographical passages cannot stand alone by themselves to provide conclusive establishment of the geographical setting of the Book of Mormon.

That being the case, isn’t using the book for a purpose for which it was never intended, a method that is not based on a solid foundation? Which brings up the question, “what, then is the purpose of the Book?” Is it possible that more can be learned about its geography by using the book for what it was intended, than by speculating on its incomplete geographical information?

According to D&C 3: 19-20 “for this very purpose are these plates preserved…that the promises of the Lord might be fulfilled, which he made to his people; And that the Lamanites might come to the knowledge of their fathers, and that they might know the promises of the Lord…” Likewise in 4 Nephi 1:49 of the Book of Mormon, the records were hid up so that they might come again unto the “remnant of the house of Jacob,” according to the “prophecies and promises of the Lord.”

What specifically are these prophecies? What are the promises? After much additional research it was found that there are 36 specific prophecies and promises pertaining to the “Promised Land” and the “Gentiles” who would occupy this land in the latter days, found in the Book of Mormon. These prophecies and promises actually define the Book of Mormon’s Promised Land, making it very clear where the Book of Mormon must have taken place. For example, in the Book of Mormon at least 33 times its ancient authors claimed to be living on the “Promised Land” from the time Lehi landed until the final battles. The Jaredites and Mulekites also shared in this great blessing. What can we learn from a study of the Lord’s Promised Lands?

We learn from 3 Nephi 20:29 that Jerusalem of the old world is a “Promised Land” for his covenant people, and then we learn from verse 22 that a similarly named land was established upon “this land, unto the fulfilling of the covenant which I made to your father Jacob; and it shall be a New Jerusalem.” These are the only two promised lands of the scriptures and only one is in the New World. According to a revelation given to Joseph Smith as recorded in D&C 84:1-4 we know the exact location of this land. It is in the “western boundaries of the state of Missouri.”

The 36 prophecies and promises speak of a new Gentile nation being established in the latter days upon the same land as that occupied by the people of the Book of Mormon. These same Gentiles would come “across the many waters” to arrive here. They would “scatter the Lamanite Remnant” when they arrived, and through their descendants the sacred record would be translated and the gospel restored.

Later this same nation would be the location for the latter-day gathering place of the House of Israel at the New Jerusalem. When each of the prophecies and promises are understood, it becomes crystal clear which nation that exists in the Americas fulfills each and every one of these prophecies. That nation is the United States of America.

Beginning from this more ‘firm’ foundation, it then becomes important to follow a method that continues to provide clear and definite answers. This new method, using the spiritual information in the book and Joseph Smith’s prophetic and revelatory historical documents is a tremendously exciting new approach to Book of Mormon geography research. Of course after the spiritual passages and the Prophet’s statements are applied, then other physical and geographical evidences should also be applied, but only as secondary witnesses to the primary evidences of the scriptures and the prophets. To do otherwise would not be in harmony with the teachings of either.

As you explore the evidences for the Book of Mormon found in the Heartland of America as outlined in the recently released book by Bruce H. Porter and Rod Meldrum, titled appropriately Prophecies and Promises and which was recently added to Deseret Book’s offerings, the answer to ‘where’ the Book of Mormon took place becomes ever more clear.

For more information go to www.BookofMormonEvidence.org or visit your local Deseret Book store to pick up a copy. For additional information on the study of the Book of Mormon ‘Heartland Model,’ as it is being called, order a copy of Rod Meldrum’s newly released 5 disk DVD Series called ‘Book of Mormon Evidences’ available only online at the website above. It is the most comprehensive treatise on the subject ever assembled into video on the subject with over 9 hours of information, presentations, and interviews. You may find, like tens of thousands of Latter-day Saints that have seen this information, that it “just makes sense.”