Exhaustive new research has led to a reexamination of evidence supporting the Book of Mormon’s historicity in the “Heartland” of North America rather than Mesoamerica. The evidence is robust and based upon a hierarchical pattern of evidence beginning with scriptural prophecies and promises, followed by statements of Joseph Smith, geographic passages, and evidence from modern-day archeology, anthropology, linguistics, climatology, cultural and social patterns, oceanic currents, artifacts, metallurgy, building practices and materials, DNA findings, Native American oral histories and legends, animal migrations, and human population movements.

Rod L. Meldrum