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by Edwin Goble (Author)
A Groundbreaking Solution to Book of Mormon Geography
For decades, Latter-day Saints have been divided between two competing theories for the Book of Mormon's geographical setting: the Mesoamerican model, which places all Book of Mormon events in Central America, and the Heartland theory, which locates them entirely in North America. Now, Edwin Goble presents a revolutionary third option that bridges this divide.
The Dual-Heartland Model proposes that the Book of Mormon narrative spans from Mesoamerica to New York, with the Land Southward (Zarahemla, Nephi) located among the ancient Maya and Olmec civilizations, while the Land Northward extends into the sophisticated Hopewell culture of the American Midwest, culminating at the Hill Cumorah in western New York.
Drawing on archaeological evidence, early Church statements, Native American oral traditions, and careful textual analysis, Goble demonstrates how this continental-spanning geography harmonizes:
- The tropical, limited geography described in the Book of Mormon text
- The archaeological sophistication of Mesoamerican civilizations
- Prophetic statements placing Cumorah in New York
- The advanced urban centers of Hopewell culture in Ohio and Illinois
- Indigenous legends of ancient peoples destroyed in great battles
As a co-author of the foundational Heartland theory book who has evolved his understanding through decades of research, Goble offers a unique perspective that respects both scientific evidence and prophetic tradition. His model provides a compelling framework for understanding how Nephite civilization could have migrated northward over time, creating two interconnected "heartlands" of ancient American culture. This book is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand Book of Mormon geography beyond traditional boundaries.
