Hello. I know the most popular and maybe plausible theory for where the event in the Book of Mormon took place is mesoamerica and the mayans. I can agree that many things about those areas and ancient cultures fit the descriptions in the Book of Mormon.
But if those cities and cultures really had their roots in hebrew/semitic culture and language, why are there so few evidence for that in the mayan languages and names? There are inscriptions found with names of mayan rulers, why are there no names there like benjamin or mosiah? Or nephi, or coriantumr, or moroni, etc. The mayan namnes we know of doesnt sound very semitic?
And why isnt mayan art and architecture more “jewish” or semitic too, if that is where their civilisation had its roots?
Daniel,
(This question was posted by someone who decided to join the Church, perhaps thanks in part to answers posted on AllAboutMormons.com. Click here to see other questions posted by Mormon converts.)
3 Responses to “Hello. I know the most popular and maybe plausible…”
Ricardo Campos
2013-01-27 16:46:02
Hi Daniel. Most members of the church grossly overestimate the influence the Lehites had on their surrounding cultures. The entire Book of Mormon likely took place in an area about the size of modern-day Israel. Additionally, Book-of-Mormon peoples likely adopted many aspects of the surrounding cultures, making it even more difficult to distinguish them from their neighbors.
Given that the Lehites were a relatively small, ancient people that likely assimilated native linguistic and cultural elements, we would expect their influence on neighboring groups to be limited. This, combined with the fact that ancient Mesoamerican history is far less understood than its Eastern-hemisphere counterpart, helps to answer your question in part.
However, though the Lehites' cultural influence on surrounding peoples was doubtlessly limited, there is in fact evidence of that limited influence. You might find this video interesting:
Linguistic evidence of the Lehites
Pamela Bonta
2013-01-23 07:02:15
All we know for sure is that the Book of Mormon lands are located on "the American continent." I know of three theories as to where these lands may actually be.
A subset of this theory involves northern Mexico, California, and the Baja Peninsula. People often forget that much of the southwestern U. S. used to be part of Mexico. http://www.achoiceland.com/home
The other theory is that Book of Mormon lands are located in western New York State and the Great Lakes areas. Information supporting this theory can be found here: http://www.bookofmormonlands.com/
These are just theories, however.
Anonymous
2013-01-23 09:31:51
The Book of Mormon has been translated into many languages.
The proof, or lack of, that you cite is mundane and, as is typical of the skepticism that runs rampant among the anti-mormon movement, does not take into consideration the infinite omnipotent power of God. For example, the amount of water it would take for the entire world to have been flooded. The utter destruction, leaving no trace, of entire cities and societies. The repeated reports of heavenly visions and the consistency of the messages conveyed. All, in the reasoning of science, could not exist, yet, all are deemed to be plausible by the majority of Christians. Books have been written that give examples of Hebrew symbols in pre-Columbian Native American petroglyphs. Many Native American words closely resemble words in Hebrew; heaven = hemim (Heb), hemin (N. A.), man = Ish (Heb), ishte (N. A.), pray = phalac (Heb), phale (N. A.), Man of God = Ishda Alloah (Heb), Ishto Alle (N. A.), God = Ale or Aleim (Heb), Ale (N. A.).
Wouldn't you think an entity that created everything most certainly would have the means to eradicate almost all evidence of the existence of a society and culture that defied him and ran contrary to His will? He did, however, leave us a very strong and convincing bit of proof, that being the Book of Mormon. Close study and examination of the Book of Mormon, it's writing styles, it's history as a document and the information it contains proof that it is exactly what Joseph Smith and the Church claim that it is; another testament of Jesus Christ.
Furthermore, most Mormon scholars do not believe that the Lehites and the Mayans were one in the same. Few Mormon scholars would argue that the principle roots of the Mayan civilization were Semitic.
Given that the Lehites were a relatively small, ancient people that likely assimilated native linguistic and cultural elements, we would expect their influence on neighboring groups to be limited. This, combined with the fact that ancient Mesoamerican history is far less understood than its Eastern-hemisphere counterpart, helps to answer your question in part.
However, though the Lehites' cultural influence on surrounding peoples was doubtlessly limited, there is in fact evidence of that limited influence. You might find this video interesting:
The first, as you know, is in Central America. Evidence for this theory can be found here: http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/review/?vol=16&num=2&id=545
A subset of this theory involves northern Mexico, California, and the Baja Peninsula. People often forget that much of the southwestern U. S. used to be part of Mexico. http://www.achoiceland.com/home
The other theory is that Book of Mormon lands are located in western New York State and the Great Lakes areas. Information supporting this theory can be found here: http://www.bookofmormonlands.com/
These are just theories, however.
Wouldn't you think an entity that created everything most certainly would have the means to eradicate almost all evidence of the existence of a society and culture that defied him and ran contrary to His will? He did, however, leave us a very strong and convincing bit of proof, that being the Book of Mormon. Close study and examination of the Book of Mormon, it's writing styles, it's history as a document and the information it contains proof that it is exactly what Joseph Smith and the Church claim that it is; another testament of Jesus Christ.