​

The Lands are not that important to know where they are

 

In the North Visitors Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Temple Square, the Church spent thousands of dollars on an interactive display of the city of Jerusalem. The model of Jerusalem is made to scale and correlates to places in and around Jerusalem, depicting significant events of Christ's life. When visitors push buttons, lights appear on the model, and audio portions are synchronized to the lights, as a voice explains events that happened in that locale. A favorite display, what makes this so mesmerizing to the thousands of visitors to Temple Square annually? The people viewing it seem to evaluate the locations, distance, and terrain of Jerusalem and connect events to the Savior's life, getting a feel for an ancient city they may never visit, but have studied in the Bible.

 

Restored homes and sites-

 

We believe members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wish to visit sites relevant to Church history and have extraordinary experiences at these places of revelation. Church members walk through the Sacred Grove, the Newel K. Whitney store, and other locations in modern times. They feel wonder and peace and reverence; the Holy Spirit may testify of the truth and the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in latter days, and visitors may have spiritual experiences as they ponder the marvel of modern-day prophets and apostles and scripture. 

 

Maps and photographs-

 

The scriptures are easy to understand. They fit with no conflict laying out the lands of the Jaredites, Nephites, Lamanites, or people of Zarahemla.  In our study and charting, it all connects; timing, dates, and places make sense. The Book of Mormon research has made it possible to create charts and maps easier.

 

Places to Visit-

 

Relatively close is the Peter Whitmer Farm in Fayette, New York. In Kirtland, Ohio, the Church restored a sawmill and the Newell K. Whitney store and home, close to the Kirtland Temple (owned by the Community of Christ); and the Church acquired other sites in Vermont, Illinois, Missouri and other states that played a role in the Church's history and growth.

 

Book of Mormon Lands-

​

Many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with testimonies of the Book of Mormon would like to know where events occurred and to experience things in a more personal manner. The information that follows will help you identify, and to feel in a real sense, the changes that transpired in America at the time of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. We will correlate the Book of Mormon scripture and the known land shifts in Western New York. We will associate the cities mentioned in 3 Nephi 9 with the appropriate areas on a New York map, and point to the areas most affected.

 

 

Why Did we Diagram the Book of Mormon Lands

 

The Book of Mormon Physically- Our research may allow others to experience the Book of Mormon in a slightly different manner. We offer clear evidence to those who need to feel and understand the scriptures in a physical way. The Book of Mormon provides proof of our Heavenly Father's plan of salvation, and the Savior's divinity and mission on earth. It also testifies that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He loved His children and created this world for them.

 

The Bible and Book of Mormon Mapped- Looking at Paul's missionary journeys in the Bible and seeing a diagram of Jerusalem at the time of Christ's life. Visiting the Sacred Grove in Palmyra, New York, does not bring people a testimony of God the Father and Jesus Christ—but such things enhance our scripture study and add depth to our belief in those Beings. People say that it is not that important to know the location of the lands; the doctrine of the Book of Mormon converts us to Christ, and the Holy Ghost testifies to our minds and hearts that the book is genuine. While the doctrine converts us, the Spirit testifies. We believe that mapping the Book of Mormon lands and visiting these places can also enhance our scripture study, expand our knowledge, connect us more firmly to the reality of promises. These promises prophecies of America foretold in the Book of Mormon, deepen our appreciation for our Book of Mormon heroes, and strengthen our testimony of the mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Perhaps visiting these places may also allow us to feel the Holy Spirit and reaffirm our testimony of the marvelous work and a wonder that became the Restoration of the Gospel in these latter days.

 

 

I have visited the Sacred Grove in Palmyra, New York multiple times, and enjoy the unique feeling of that place. I believe the Spirit can also testify to us in other areas where the Book of Mormon events occurred. I have felt the Spirit in Rochester and Buffalo, New York, as I entered the cities—even before realizing the significance of those places in Jaredite and Nephite records. Conversely, I have felt an ominous spirit around a section in New York, before knowing it was a place inhabited anciently by the Gadianton Robbers. Traipsing all over the western New York and central Pennsylvania areas, I am now fascinated by rivers, lakes, mountains, and wilderness areas because I realize I am walking in places inhabited years ago by Book of Mormon peoples. Many changes in the land occurred at the time of Christ's crucifixion, and I believe that land features also bear an additional physical testimony of that significant event.

 

Would it be interesting to see where the Lord created new rivers or stretched the land to separate into many islands at that time? Or view a place where the Lord drained a sea, or in another area, lowered a different sea by 125 feet in 24 hours? Or see a situation where God pushed a tremendous amount of dirt around to create a big mountain, with "stretch marks" still evident? I believe the land itself bears testimony of Jesus Christ and his visit to America.