The Nephite Sacred Record

Since the mid-20th century, Mesoamerican Theorists have been skewing and altering the sacred record of the Nephites in order to fit the text into their Central America models. Six basic methods have been used by these and other Theorists to prove their points:

• Use scripture incorrectly;
• Use scriptural reference as though it supports the point being made when it obviously does not;
• Make statements that cannot be supported by scripture;
• Use scripture out of context;
• Use a scripture to make a point when another scripture counters that point;
• Alter, change or try to suggest that a scripture might be wrong.

There is no excuse in writing an article or a book about the Book of Mormon and change the scriptures.

This third book in the four-book series shows how these Theorists, use all six of the above methods to try and prove or support their view about Lehi's Land of Promise. While intellectual people may disagree on matters of observation, evaluation, and interpretation, there is no room for the rampant misuse of scripture in order to prove a point of view. Difficulty will always occur when a person, scholar, or scientist begins with a “point of view” then goes about trying to prove “it” at the expense of the clear and precise language of the scriptures.

Taking two of the most prominent books on the subject, and a scattering of other author’s comments, the critique in this work shows how far afield they have strayed from the actual scriptures.

The words in the Book of Mormon should never be used except as they were written, within the context in which they were written. Perhaps we should have Nephi's attitude: "For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children," (2 Nephi 4:15) and "my soul delighteth in plainness." (2 Nephi 25:4)

This work is dedicated to Nephi’s plainness, and to a correct understanding of the scriptures he and others have left us about the location of, and their society in, the promised land.

The above is the back cover of my newest book, “Inaccuracies of Mesoamerican and Other Theorists,” which is the third book in the 4-book series. The next several posts, will cover some of those inaccuracies showing how scripture is misused, misunderstood or altered by these Theorists to meet their pre-determined model.