Problems with Map Making – Part II

Different from the Mesoamerican and Great Lakes maps and models, the Peruvian map and model, as outlined thoroughly in the book “Lehi Never Saw Mesoamerica,” evolved in quite a different manner. Rather than start with a place in mind, this map and model started by reading the scriptures and following the steps involved to see where it might lead.

1. Where the Lehi Colony left, where it traveled south southeast along the Red Sea, and where it turned almost east until they reached the area they called Bountiful along the Arabian coast of the Irreantum Sea. Nearly all scholars agree that this was in the area of Salalah, and particularly the inlet of Khor Rori (though some believe in the area of Khor Karfot a few miles to the west, but still along this same sea coast).

2. See what kind of ship Nephi built (not after the manner of men) and how it was propelled (by the weather, that is currents and winds—“driven forth before the wind”).

3. Studying the winds and sea currents from the south Arabian coast and where they would take a weather driven (sailing) ship in 600 B.C.

4. Following these currents and winds to their idle point where a ship, “driven forth before the wind” would be able to disengage from the currents and winds and effect a landing.

5. Seeing what kind of area this landing site would be—was it a Cliffside coast where no ship could land, was there a harbor there, was there a beach or landing place for a ship the size that brought the Lehi Colony across the “many waters”?

6. At this landing site, checking out the climate, precipitation, soil, soil groups, temperature, etc., that would all the “seeds they brought from Jerusalem” to grow abundantly.

7. Seeing if there were two unknown animals (curelom and cumom) in the area of this landing.

8. Seeing if there were natural ores of “gold, silver and copper,” in a single unit, in abundance in the area that could be easily mined in 600 B.C.

Actually, the list went on and on, for there are at least fifty points mentioned in scripture to describe this geographical area they called the Land of Promise.

Now, once this location was found to match the scriptures—without any tampering, changing, bending, or having to adapt language to alter its apparent meaning as Mesoamerican and other Theorists have continually done—then where Lehi landed was obviously apparent.

A map was then developed, using modern and ancient geological findings, descriptions and understanding of the area in 600 B.C., and using the scriptures to verify the shape and distances of this map. Of course, one of the first criteria of the map was that it be an island as Jacob wrote and Nephi recorded (2 Nephi 10:20). Nor could there be any hidden jutting or extension of land not mentioned or eluded to in scripture (such as the Yucatan Peninsula in the Mesoamerican model), or small lakes and rivers serving as the seas (as mentioned as in the Great lakes model).

Once this was all accomplished, and the map agreed every whit with the scriptures (see details in "Lehi Never Saw Mesoamerica"), and its location was accessible by natural means for a sailing ship “driven forth before the wind” across the oceans, then the location and map and model was decided upon. That is how the Andean area of South America, including Chile, Peru and Ecuador, was decided upon for the location—understanding that geologically this area was an island at one time, not connected to Central America, and with everything to the east of the Andes under water before the great upheavels at the time of Christ’s crucifixion.

If a map cannot meet ALL the geographical statements in the Book of Mormon, then it is not a map worthy of mentioning.