Millions have asked this question, because the Book of Mormon is foundational to the Mormon faith, which is more accurately known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  To learn more click HERE.  Many have wondered what evidence has been found in its support, as the book is a record of ancient peoples that came by ship from the Old World to the America's where they developed into large and highly advanced civilizations with written languages, walled cities, extensive roads, metal working capabilities, etc. 

Some students of the Book of Mormon have speculated that the record is a history of the ancient peoples of Central or South America notwithstanding the fact that their record was recovered from a stone box in a hill near Palmyra, New York, USA and Church leaders have maintained for over 100 years that this was the location of that hill called "Cumorah." (see Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation article HERE)  Others have proposed the Great Lakes region of North America to be its lands. Robust new research, based on a multi-disciplinary approach, is now providing overwhelming evidence that this history is a record of Native American peoples who lived in what is today the Heartland of the United States on the continent of North America.  This research begs the question, "Did the Book of Mormon take place in America’s Heartland?" 

For those of the Mormon faith, the "Heartland" of what is now the United States of America has always been a special, even sacred, location; from the Garden of Eden (OT Genesis 2:15, OT Genesis 3:23-24, PoGP Moses 6:17 ) and Adam-ondi-Ahman (see D&C 107:53, D&C 116:1) ; to the restoration of the gospel (see D&C Introduction, D&C 20:1, Joseph Smith - History)  and the building of the New Jerusalem (NT Revelation 21:2, BoM Ether 13:2-6, 3 Nephi 20:22, D&C 84:1-4, D&C 45:64-67, PoGP Moses 7:62) – the Heartland of North America has been the setting for sacred events throughout human history. 

New research based in part on 36 prophecies contained within the Book of Mormon (see VIDEO GALLERY # 1-10) and historically verified writings and statements of the Church's founding Prophet, Joseph Smith (see VIDEO GALLERY 11-15 and/or read article HERE), in combination with physical evidences from DNA/genetics (download entire DNA book HERE, or watch Dr. Donald Yates of DNA Testing Systems HERE), archaeology, anthropology, metallurgy, linguistics, horticulture, climate indicators, ocean currents and voyage routes, geography, astronomy, calendaring and symbology, point to the very real probability that the people and places of the Book of Mormon were primarily in the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys of what is today the United States of America.   

Secular evidence continues to mount that the Book of Mormon may have occurred in the Heartland of North America.   This new research is offering unprecedented evidence of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. Interestingly, much of this evidence is coming from non-Mormon secular sources, which is one of the many reasons why this research is so powerful and compelling. 

Below are links to articles and websites exploring what is now being called “The Heartland Model Geography” for the Book of Mormon. For further information you can access our VIDEO GALLERY, our ARCHIVED NEWSLETTERS or attend one of our many EVENTS across the country and around the world. To keep up with current research and events, sign up for our free newsletters HERE.  

Articles
The Scriptural Basis for the Book of Mormon Heartland Model Geography

ReDiscovering the Book of Mormon Remnant Through DNA - Entire Book Download - FREE

Nephite Observance of the Law of Moses: Evidence from America's Heartland

Hebrew Written Language CONFIRMED in Hopewell Mound in Tennessee!

The Mississippi; Could it have been River Sidon?

Lehi's Ocean Voyage Demonstrated; The Phoenicia Expedition

Podcast by LDS Liberty (listen to the interview!)

Best Evidence for the Book of Mormon by Allen Rock Waterman

Central America or North America?  posting by Denver Snuffer

The Remnant; a posting by Denver Snuffer

Review of Prophecies & Promises by Jake Freeman of Telemoonfa Time

Heartland Model Declared a "Movement" by University of Chicago

 For several years the Heartland Model Geography for the Book of Mormon, as it is now being officially recognized, has endured relentless criticism from individuals and organizations promoting Mesoamerica as its setting. They have done so in a concerted effort to discourage members of the Church and others from reviewing this research for themselves, knowing that the vast majority of those who objectively review the research feel that this geography model "just makes more sense."  Unfortunately, these articles are often misleading, incorrect and/or uninformed about the Heartland Book of Mormon geography model. For the purpose of clarifying and addressing these articles, we offer a few responses to our critics.

We appreciate the time and effort taken by others to help us improve our research, but personal attacks questioning the character, motives and intelligence of other faithful members of the Church are unwarranted, contentious and unChrist-like. Our goal in addressing a few of these critics is to demonstrate that the Heartland Model has the ability to answer many questions in the defense the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon as never before. This is not to say that the Heartland model has answers to every question, rather we feel that it offers cogent, straight-forward answers to many previously unanswered or unanswerable questions.

We hope you find the articles helpful in determining for yourself the strengths of differing thoughts and ideas regarding Book of Mormon geography. No matter "where" it happened, we testify "that" it happened...that it is a genuine ancient history of real people, places and things. Enjoy the journey!

   Articles

Did Joseph Smith Identify Zarahemla in Guatemala?

BYU's Maxwell Institute Fires Heartland Model Critics

Response to FARMS Review Article, Gregory L. Smith

Nephite Observance of the Law of Moses: Lack of Evidence in Mesoamerica

Reply to Jay Osmond’s “Friendly Critic”

Reply to a Misleading New Years Article

Reply to Meridian Magazine article, Mesoamerican or Heartland Model: Only One Right?

LDS Freedom Forum; Rod Meldrum Defends Book of Mormon; The Packham Debate

LDS Freedom Forum: Book of Mormon Setting in North America Blog

Interview at Manti Pageant with Aaron Shafovaloff of Mormon Research Ministry

Reply to Deseret News article, Pros, Cons of Book of Mormon Geography Theories

LDS Freedom Forum blog; DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon Geography

Is Izapa Stella #5 the Story of Lehi's Dream?  An Improved Interpretation Suggests it is Not

Those who attended the FIRM Foundation’s national conference in April were treated to a first-hand account of an incredible expedition that is proving out by actual experience that Lehi’s group may 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.  This expedition, taking place as you read this, in a re-created wooden ship patterned after the remains of ancient Phoenician vessels that were plying the oceans during Lehi’s days (600 B.C.).  It is showing unequivocally that a circumnavigation of Africa is not only possible; it is the most likely route for Lehi’s group coming from the Old World to the New World.  Evidence of this magnitude is unprecedented.  The ship came within a few hundred miles of making landfall in North America!  Click HERE for more incredible information about this amazing expedition that is demonstrating the most likely route for Lehi's Book of Mormon voyage. 

Mormon Times / Deseret News religion reporter Michael DeGroote wrote two articles involving this research released Thursday, May 27th, 2010.  Overall the articles are fairly balanced and have some good information.  There are several clarifications that need to be made regarding what was written in the articles. The responses can be found in the 'Articles' section of this website under their respective names or by clicking HERE.   

The article, The fight over Book of Mormon geography, discusses the importance, or non-importance, of such study, while another article, Pros, cons of Book of Mormon geography theories, provides DeGrootes perspectives on the strengths and weaknesses of the two strongest theories of where the Book of Mormon saga may have taken place, the Mesoamerican theories and the Heartland Model.  As would be expected from a good reporter, DeGroote does give his readers something to think about, using information gleaned from his interviews and attendance at some geography related events.   

The National Book of Mormon Prophecies Conference, held October 1-2, 2009 at the luxurious Zermatt Resort and Conference Center in Midway, Utah, was an overwhelming success!  This was a truly historical event that those who witnessed it will never forget!  The event was completely booked out two weeks in advance with over 400 in attendance, 25 incredible speakers, 34 lectures, and a magnificent keynote address by award winning filmmaker Kieth Merrill.  There were over 200 on the waiting list that could not attend the conference due to space restrictions.  

Other speakers at the conference included Elder Hartman Rector Jr., Rod Meldrum, Wayne May, Bruce Porter Ph.D. Robert Fuller, Steven Smoot, Howard Carlos Smith, Mike Kennedy, Doug Brinley, Roger K. Young, Kay Godfrey, Harding Walker, Colette Smith, James Bradley, Donna Nielsen, Yvonne Bent, James Stoddard and George Papa with artists Jon McNaughton, David Lindsley, Jason Millward, Lois Kerr, and Dee Jay Bawden, with the most amazing musical voice talent throughout the conference by Michele Baer of Arizona.  See the bio's of these amazing speakers HERE. 

The National Book of Mormon Prophecies Conference was covered by major news media outlets in Utah through TV broadcast and Newspaper.  Saturday morning before LDS Church General Conference two articles appeared in the Deseret News, which carried the event in headlines and articles in the UTAH section on pages B1, B2, and B4.  The headline article "Joseph Smith's sword is on display" covered the historic unveiling of the Prophet's legendary Nauvoo Legion Lieutenant General's sword, seen in public for the first time in 165 years!  A second article titled "North America preferred site for LDS film" discusses the brilliant keynote address of the conference by award winning filmmaker Kieth Merrill , who wrote and directed The Testaments for the Church.  

Most of those in attendance came from the states of Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Washington and California but some came from as far as Missouri, New York, Canada and three came 12,000 miles to be in attendance from South Africa!  It was an wonderful event with so many great individuals from so many areas. 

Click HERE for the archived email announcement. 

Visit the Book of Mormon Evidences BLOG and post your comments, thoughts and feelings about this research!  Some older threads are dealing with the response from a Mesoamerican leaning apologetic group.  Please don't be intimidated by their attacks, but respond in a kind and Christ-like way. 

To access the blog and post your comments go to http://BookofMormonEvidenceBlog.wordpress.com/ and begin sharing your feelings on this important subject and this research project.

Read the article by religion writer Michael De Groote titled "Raiders of the Lost Book of Mormon DNA', a two part series. 

Deseret News article: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700230209,00.html