Book of Mormon Geographies

Authors

Andrew H. Hedges

Keywords

BYU Studies, Book of Mormon, geography

Abstract

Of the many unresolved issues facing members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today, perhaps none has generated as much speculation and controversy as the question regarding where, exactly, the events recorded in the Book of Mormon took place. Beginning in Joseph Smith’s lifetime and continuing to the present, scholars and interested members alike have offered a variety of possible locations for the more prominent places mentioned in the text, including the city of Zarahemla, the “narrow neck of land” (Ether 10:20), the river Sidon, and the site of the last battle between the Nephites and the Lamanites. Scores of books, articles, and presentations have taken up the topic, with adherents of different viewpoints pushing the limits of decorum at times in their interactions with one another. In recent years, many have turned to websites, blogs, and YouTube videos to make their cases, thereby eliminating the need to subject their ideas to scholarly peer review in order to gain an audience.

Recommended Citation

Hedges, Andrew H. (2021) "Book of Mormon Geographies," BYU Studies Quarterly: Vol. 60: Iss. 3, Article 16.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byusq/vol60/iss3/16