Informed Saints

This is my very brief crash course on why I think the Book of Mormon most likely took place in Mesoamerica.

This is not doctrine. This is just my opinion. But here it is.

First, what the text of the Book of Mormon says about its geography—the distances, the geological features, the relationships between cities—fits far, far better in Mesoamerica than any other proposed model.

In Baja, the distances are too small, in the Heartland, they’re really large, but Mesoamerica is just right.

I think you can more logically and methodically place pins on the map for Book of Mormon sites in Mesoamerica, but with the other models, you more often have to stretch or outright contradict the text of the Book of Mormon to make it work.

Second, the archaeology in Mesoamerica supports the kind of civilization the Book of Mormon talks about from 600BC to 400AD—large cities, fortifications, armies, social stratification, large battles, government.

The available scholarship agrees that other models severely lack in this area.

But third, understanding the PreClassic maya cultural background of the Book of Mormon actually helps me understand the doctrine of Book of Mormon better.

Understanding Maya kingship rituals helps me understand the blood of Christ’s atonement discussed in King Benjamin’s speech.

Understanding Maya ex*****on tactics helps me understand the power of Abinadi’s final testimony.

Understanding the Mayan pun in the Korihor story helps me understand stay strong in my testimony of Christ.
No other model has been able to provide the same level of explanatory value for enriching our understanding of the scriptures.

So while everyone is welcome to their own opinions, and the church does not take a position on geography, this is why I have come to the conclusion that Mesoamerica is the most likely location for the primary events of the book of Mormon.

To learn more about the compelling reasons to take this model seriously, watch this episode of Informed Saints.