Book of Mormon History Podcast Finding the Nephite World: A Mesoamerican Geography | John Sorenson
This text explores the geography of the Book of Mormon, arguing that the narrative took place within a limited Mesoamerican setting rather than across the entire Western Hemisphere. The author asserts that Church leadership has never established an official map, leaving the task to researchers who must rely on the internal consistency of the scriptural text. By analyzing travel times, topographical features, and cardinal directions, the source identifies the Isthmus of Tehuantepec as the "narrow neck of land" and the Grijalva River as the River Sidon. The explanation addresses the "two Cumorahs" theory, suggesting Moroni could have transported the gold plates from Mexico to New York over several decades. Ultimately, the source posits that the archaeological and cultural requirements of the Book of Mormon are only met within the civilization of ancient Mexico and Guatemala.