Want to stay informed about where events are happening?
Click HERE for all the information!
UPCOMING EVENTS!
Click for Downloads Page
Quote by Austin Farrar
The relationship between rational argument (evidence) and belief.
"Though argument does not create conviction, lack of it destroys belief.
What seems to be proved may not be embraced: but what no one shows the ability to defend is quickly abandoned.
Rational argument does not create belief, but it maintains a climate in which belief may flourish."
Articles
The articles listed are based on the research done by the FIRM foundation and do not represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
The Scriptural Basis for the Heartland Model - Written by: Rod L. Meldrum. Mar, 2, 2012
Many proposed Book of Mormon geography theories were originated using a method proposed by Dr. John Sorenson and others who taught that the first step was to create a hypothetical or “internal” map using the 500+ geography related passages. This has lead to more than 150 different proposed geographies. The book was not written for its geography, but for its prophecies. Can we learn more about its geography through its prophecies than we can by speculating usin...
Did Joseph Smith Identify Zarahemla in Guatemala? - Written by: Rod L. Meldrum. Mar, 15, 2012
Dr. John L. Lund, has released a historically incorrect and misleading article published Feb. 29, 2012. Lund's piece, Joseph Smith Identified Zarahemla as Being in Guatemala, proclaims that an article appearing in the Times and Seasons on October 1, 1842 in Nauvoo, Illinois was emphatically "written by Joseph Smith." Lund's confidence appears on the surface to be based on historically documented and authenticated writings of the Prophet Joseph. Is he overstating the historical facts?
Hebrew Confirmed in Hopewell Civilization! - Written by: Rod L. Meldrum. Mar, 27, 2012
Arguably the single greatest discovery relating to the authenticity of the Book of Mormon in modern history can now take its rightful place in the history of the world! This discovery and recent scientific verification now establishes that people with a knowledge of ancient Hebrew were in the Heartland of North America during Book of Mormon time frames! Read on for the entire history making story…the case for Book of Mormon written language in America's Heartland!
Lehi's Voyage Demonstrated: Phoenicia Expedition! - Written by: Rod Meldrum and the FIRM Foundation. Jun, 9, 2010
The Phoenicia Ship Expedition has now demonstrated unequivocally that Lehi's voyage could have left the Arabian Peninsula and sailed around Africa to the America's rather than attempting to cross the earth's largest ocean at its widest point, as proposed by Mesoamerican theorists.
The Mississippi; Could it have been River Sidon? - Written by: Rod Meldrum, President - The FIRM Foundation. Jun, 4, 2010
Claims have been made that the Sidon River of the Book of Mormon could not have been the Mississippi River as proposed by the Heartland Model geography. These claims have rested primarily on certain assumptions about what is indicated by the Book of Mormon text itself. It is critical to examine all the facts before an understanding can be reached.
Jehovah's Holy Days in the Heartland of N. America - Written by: Amberli Nelson. Nov, 30, 2012
“Every serious student of the Book of Mormon should become familiar with the work of Sister Amberli Nelson, who has brought together one of the most unique, significant and essential, yet never before considered, pieces to the puzzle of Book of Mormon geography research. Her findings will forever alter the landscape of geography theories as she imparts of her years of intensive research into an area of study never previously brought to bear on the subject of locating the lands of the...
Lamanite Blossoming and Gathering to Promised Land - Written by: Rod L. Meldrum. Aug, 9, 2012
The scriptures prophesy that the remnant of the "Lamanites" or the House of Israel (Jacob) will "blossom as the rose." Who is this remnant, what is the blossoming and why is it important, where will it take place and when will it occur? Some Book of Mormon geography enthusiasts consider the growth of Church membership in Mesoamerica to be indicative of the fulfillment of this prophecy and thereby indicative of Mesoamerica as the location of its history. Can DNA research and Chu...
Reply: Meso vs Heartland Models: Only One Right? - Written by: Rod L. Meldrum and the FIRM Foundation. Feb, 5, 2012
As with any new idea that challenges established ideas, the ‘status quo’ or dogma built on consensus, the Heartland Book of Mormon Geography Model has acquired its share of naysayers and detractors. This article begins our "Defense of the Heartland" Book of Mormon geography research and provides links to ongoing articles. We hope you will take the time to become acquainted with the material and that as you do so your knowledge will be blessed and enhanced. Enjoy the...
BYU's Maxwell Institute Fires Heartland Critics - Written by: The FIRM Foundation. Jul, 28, 2012
BYU’s Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship (MI) made a profound change in direction when, on Thursday, June 14th, 2012, Executive Director M. Gerald Bradford fired Daniel C. Peterson, a founder of FARMS (Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies) and long time advocate of Mesoamerican theories, along with his editorial staff. Director Bradford cited a desire to “take the Review (Mormon Studies Review, formerly FARMS Review) in a differ...
Reply to a Misleading New Years Article - Written by: Rod L. Meldrum. Mar, 23, 2012
A misleading New Years Article in Deseret News/Mormon Times shows that its author, Dr. Daniel Peterson of BYU's Maxwell Institute was uninformed and thereby mistakenly dismissed the Heartland model geography, yet he is, to his credit, willing to learn more (see below). This article was written as a response to a growing need to correct false statements and unsubstantiated claims against the Heartland Model geography. We hope to do so in a non-confrontational, civil and Christ-l...
Response to FARMS Review Article, Gregory L. Smith - Written by: Rod L. Meldrum. Aug, 1, 2012
An article reviewing Rod L. Meldrum's book Rediscovering the Book of Mormon Remnant Through DNA was published in Volume 22, Issue 1 of the FARMS Review of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, September 2010. The article, authored by Canadian Gregory L. Smith takes issue with nearly every aspect of Meldrum's work. Much of the article attempts to discredit and impunge the character of Meldrum rather than provide an objective review of the materials...
Reply to Pros, Cons of BofM Geography Theories - Written by: Rod Meldrum, President - The FIRM Foundation. May, 28, 2010
Mormon Times religion reporter Michael DeGroote wrote two articles involving our research released Thursday, May 27th, 2010. This article is a response to one of the articles, Pros and cons of Book of Mormon geography theories.
Meridian Magazine Demonstrates Geography Bias - Written by: The FIRM Foundation. Apr, 9, 2013
Meridian Magazine, a popular online LDS news outlet, has provided many wonderful, informative and inspiring articles for its readers over the years. However, recently the magazine seems to have determined to promote a Mesoamerican view of Book of Mormon geography at the expense of all others. We have observed a disappointing trend to include articles that are openly contending against the Heartland Model Geography. Such an article published March 19, 2013 by R. Richard Hauck, Ph.D ti...
9th Semi-Annual National BoM Evidence Conference - Written by: Rod L. Meldrum and the FIRM Foundation. Nov, 28, 2012
The 9th Semi-Annual National Book of Mormon Evidence Conference was a wonderfully "Hebraic" experience with more attendee's, more excitement, and more evidences than ever before, with a focus on ancient Hebrew symbolism's among the Hopewell/Nephite civilization! Originally planned for 200 participants, the venue had to be reconfigured and expanded three times to accommodate the overwhelming 420 registered attendee's crowding into the South Towne Exposition Center's large halls. Notable att...
10th Semi-Annual National BoM Evidence Conference - Written by: Rod L. Meldrum and the FIRM Foundation. Nov, 27, 2012
The FIRM Foundation's 10th Semi-Annual National Book of Mormon Evidence Conference was, as one attendee called it, "the most amazing concentration of evidence for the Book of Mormon ever assembled." The two day conference, held at the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy, Utah on the Thursday and Friday prior to LDS General Conference (Oct. 4-5, 2012) featured over 18 of the most informative speakers and presenters on Evidences of the Book of Mormon, the unveiling of several incredible works o...
Reply to Jay Osmond's Friendly Critic - Written by: Rod L. Meldrum. Mar, 2, 2012
A series of objections to Mormonism were emailed by a professor friend of music superstar Jay Osmond (drummer of the world famous Osmond Brothers and Osmond family musical dynasty) requesting Jays response and answers to his challenges. The questions, which were to be used in conjunction with a course being taught by professor D. Kline in a prominent eastern univerity, were forwarded to researcher and author Rod L. Meldrum, an advocate for the Book of Mormon who has also conducted ...
Heartland Model Declared a Movement - Written by: Rod Meldrum and the FIRM Foundation. Jun, 9, 2010
There have seen signs of a significant shift in the minds of members of the Church all over the country, and this 'paradigm change' has not gone unnoticed by the media. Both LDS and non-LDS people are now officially calling the "Heartland Model" research a "movement" within the membership of the Church!