When Lehi's Party Arrived in the Land, Did They Find Others There?

Authors

John L. Sorenson, Brigham Young University

Keywords

Book of Mormon, Books, Ether, Civilization, Culture, Criticism, DNA, Language, History, Mesoamerica, Archaeology

Abstract

A number of statements in the Book of Mormon text indicate the presence in Lehi’s promised land of peoples other than those descended from Lehi’s party. Reasons the topic is not addressed more explicitly in the record include a focus on the Nephites (and not on other people), a generic treatment of Lamanites, an a desire not to waste space on something obvious or insignificant. Clear evidence for the presence of others in substantial populations is present in the Book of Mormon. The demographic or cultural history of Lehi’s literal descendants must take into account these other groups.

BYU ScholarsArchive Citation

Sorenson, John L. (1992) "When Lehi's Party Arrived in the Land, Did They Find Others There?," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies: Vol. 1: No. 1, Article 2.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jbms/vol1/iss1/2