Sorenson - Mormons Codex: An Ancient American Book

The publication of Mormons Codex was made possible by generous gifts to the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship from many dedicated supporters, including Brad and Ann Botteron, Rondell B. and Joyce P. Hanson, Thomas A. and Cheryl J. Quinn, James E. and Margaret Smith, Lowell and Colleen Sherratt, and Vernon R. and Loretta Rice.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Sorenson, John L., author.

Mormons codex : an ancient American book / John L. Sorenson.

pages cm

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-60907-399-2 (hardbound : alk. paper)

1. Book of MormonEvidences, authority, etc. 2. Book of MormonGeography. 3. Indians of Central America. I. Title.

BX8627.S6458 2013

289.3'22dc232013006467

Printed in the United States of America

Publishers Printing, Salt Lake City, UT

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Maps

Map 1. Mormons map of Book of Mormon lands according to the text

Visit http://bit.ly/182JGlE for a high-resolution image.

"Mormon's Map" shows the most plausible arrangement of Nephite and Lamanite geographical features based on all the information in the record of Mormon and his son Moroni. (Capitalization of names follows the practice of the published text of the Book of Mormon.)

Legend for Map 1

1. waters of Ripliancum

2. limit of Nephite final retreat

3. Shiz's death; plates left

4. hill Shim

5. narrow pass or passage

6. Hagoth's shipbuilding site

7. Moroni's camp

8. Nephites' refuge between the land Bountiful and the land of Zarahemla (see 3 Nephi 3:23, 25)

9. hill Onidah

10. hill Amnihu

11. hill Riplah

12. valley of Alma

13. dispersal point of the sons of Mosiah

14. waters of Mormon

15. hill north of Shilom

16. mount Antipas

17. place Onidah

18. wilderness on the west of the land of Zarahemla

19. wilderness on the west in the land of Nephi

20. Lamanite king's land

21. land of first inheritance

22. wilderness (see Alma 43:22)

23. mountain pass

24. Hagoth's possible destination

25. wilderness of Hermounts

26. "line" between Desolation and Bountiful

27. defense "line"

Map 2. Some Mesoamerican archaeological sites mentioned

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Map 3. Mormons map showing geographical correspondences

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Legend for Map 3

A A consistently defensible line; probably river

B A "narrow pass that led by the sea into the land northward"

C No good land passage northward

D The city of Zarahemla, "in the heart of our country"

E The city of Nephi (or Lehi-Nephi)

F Waters of Ripliancum

G Waters of Mormon

H Hagoth's shipbuilding site

J West sea coast

K The arrival point of the Mulekites; city of Mulek

L The cordilleran mountain chain

M1 Mountain pass

M2 Mountain pass

N The "most capital parts" of the land (Hel. 1:27)

P Hill Amnihu

Q East wilderness

R The "borders by the east sea"

S "Narrow strip of wilderness"

T The headwaters of the river Sidon

U Nephite-Lamanite interaction zone

Map 4. Mesoamerican geographical correspondences to Mormons map

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Map 5. Plausible Nephite areas in the Valley of Guatemala

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Map 6. Plausible Chiapas arena for the Amlicite battles

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Map 7. Dual pattern of residence at Santa Rosa, ca. 150 BC

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Map 8. Plausible areas of Alma2s preaching journey

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Map 9. Plausible sites of the Nephite wars

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Map 10. Plausible setting for the final Nephite wars

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Map 11. Plausible Jaredite lands

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List of Tables

Table 3.1. Phases of Jaredite Culture History 28

Table 3.2. Phases of Nephite Culture History 32

Table 4.1. Pre-Classic Chronology 73

Table 9.1. Transoceanic Plant Transfers 153

Table 9.2. Selected Disease Agents That Demonstrate Transoceanic Voyages 159

Table 10.1. Some Lexical Similarities 182

Table 20.1. Shared Traits Documented or Implied in the Book of Mormon 457

List of Figures

Figure 4.1. Barra phase pottery 71

Figure 6.1. The shooting of Vucub Caquix by Hunahpu, an incident from the Popol Vuh shown in the art of Izapa 115