I just recently came across the following from a late 19th-century RLDS publication discussing Lehi's journey to the New World; note how, several decades before the research of Warren Aston et al (see Jeff Lindsay's summary here) that they traveled, not through the Sinai Peninsula, but the Arabian Peninsula:
From this place they traveled in " nearly the same course as in the
beginning [south, southeast course]; and after we had traveled for the space of
many days, we did pitch our tents again, that we might tarry for the space of a
time. " (V. 39 ; com. ed . v. 14. ) " And it came to pass that
Ishmael died, and was buried in the place which was called Nahom." (V. 40
; com. ed. v. 15.) Here a rebellion took place, and the lives of both Lehi and
Nephi were threatened by reason of the affliction passed through and sorrow
over the death of Ishmael. (V. 41-43.) (See map. ). From Nahom " we did
again take our journey in the wilderness ; and we did travel nearly eastward,
from that time forth. " (V. 46 com.
ed. v. 17. ) “And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yea, even eight
years in the wilderness.' (V. 51.) " And we did come to the land which we
called Bountiful, because of its much fruit , and also wild honey; and all
these things were prepared of the Lord, that we might not perish. And we beheld
the sea, which we called Irreantum, which being interpreted, is, many waters.
" (V. 52, 53.) And "we did pitch our tents by the seashore." (V.
54; com. ed. 18.)
By consulting a map of Asia, and noting the direction traveled by the company, as cited above, it will be observed at once that "Bountiful" could not have been elsewhere than on the southeastern shore of Arabia, on the gulf of Oman. (See map.) The Red Sea lies in a south, southeast direction, hence they followed closely along its borders for a long distance, and then moved, nearly eastward from that time forth. This direction would keep them south of the Persian Gulf, and there was no chance of passing to the north of it. That point seems clear. (Report of the Committee on American Archaeology Appointed by the General Conference ofthe Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1894 [Lamoni, Iowa: Herald Publishing House, 1898], 10)
