There
is a tendency, strongly manifested at the present time among with some of the
brethren, to study the geography of the Book of Mormon. We have heard of
numerous lectures, illustrated by suggestive maps, being delivered on this subject
during the present winter, generally under the auspices of the Improvement Societies
and Sunday Schools. We are greatly pleased to notice the increasing interest taken
by the Saints in this holy book. It contains the fullness of the gospel of
Christ, and those who prayerfully study its sacred pages can be made wise unto
salvation. It also unravels many mysteries connected with the history of the
ancient world, more particularly of this western continent, mysteries which no
other book explains. But valuable as is the Book of Mormon both in doctrine and
history, yet it is possible to put this sacred volume to uses for which it was
never intended, uses which are detrimental rather than advantageous to the
cause of truth, and consequently to the work of the Lord.
We have been led to these thoughts from the fact that the brethren who lecture on the lands of the Nephites or the geography of the Book of Mormon are not united in their conclusions. No two of them, so far as we have learned, are agreed on all points, and in many cases the variations amount to tens of thousands of miles. These differences of views lead to discussion, contention and perplexity; and we believe more confusion is caused by these divergences than good is done by the truths elicited.
How is that there is such a variety of ideas on this subject? Simply because the Book of Mormon is not a geographical primer. It was not written to teach geographical truths. What is told us of the situation of the various lands or cities of the ancient Jaredites, Nephites and Lamanites is usually simply an incidental remark connected with the doctrinal or historical portions of the work; and almost invariably only extends to a statement of the relative position of some land or city to contiguous or surrounding places, and nowhere gives us the exact situation or boundaries so that it can be definitely located without fear of error.
It
must be remembered that geography as a science, like chronology and other
branches of education, was not understood nor taught after the manner or by the
methods of the moderns. It could not be amongst those peoples who were not
acquainted with the size and form of the earth, as was the case with most of
the nations of antiquity, though not with the Nephites. Their seers and prophets
appear to have received divine light on this subject.
The
First Presidency have often been asked to prepare some suggestive map
illustrative of Nephite geography, but have never consented to do so. Nor are
we acquainted with any of the Twelve Apostles who would undertake such a task.
The reason is, that without further information they are not prepared even to
suggest. The word of the Lord or the translation of other ancient records is
required to clear up many points now so obscure that, as we have said, no two
original investigators agree with regard to them. When, as is the case, one
student places a certain city at the Isthmus of Panama, a second in Venezuela,
and a third in Guiana or northern Brazil, it is obvious that suggestive maps
prepared by these brethren would confuse instead of enlighten; and they cannot be
thus far apart in this one important point without relative positions being
also widely separate.
For
these reasons we have strong objections to the introduction of maps and their
circulation among our people which profess to give the location of the Nephite
cities and settlements. As we have said, they have a tendency to mislead,
instead of enlighten, and they give rise to discussions which will lead to division
of sentiment and be very unprofitable. We see no necessity for maps of this character,
because, at least, much would be left to the imagination of those who prepare them;
and we hope that there will be no attempt made to introduce them or give them general
circulation. Of course, there can be no harm result from the study of the
geography of this continent at the time it was settled by the Nephites, drawing
all the information possibly from the record which has been translated for our
benefit. But beyond this we do not think it necessary, at the present time, to
go, because it is plain to be seen, we think, that evils may result therefrom.
(George Reynolds, "Editorial Thoughts," Juvenile
Instructor 25, no. 1 [January 1890]: 18-19)