Geology of the Book of Mormon by Jr. Jerry D. Grover

by Jerry D. Grover Jr.

Ever since the publication of the Book of Mormon, attempts have been made to place it in its geographical setting. Various geographical models are being debated. In a book that is the first of its kind, Jerry Grover, a professional civil engineer and geologist, utilizes geologic and geophysical analysis with clues in the Book of Mormon itself to provide an eye-opening placement of the Book of Mormon in its geologic setting. The book includes extensive details and a professional academic technical analysis of volcanoes, fault systems, meteorology, and unlike many approaches that cherry pick conveniently to fit preconceived ideas, the author takes on and explains and documents all Book of Mormon references to geology and meteorology. The authors approach is meticulous and scientific. This book is a landmark event in Book of Mormon studies and is a book that must be read by every serious student of the Book of Mormon. The author is dedicating all proceeds from the book to additional scientific geologic and engineering studies to cast further light on the ancient setting of the Book of Mormon.

240 pages, Paperback

First published April 26, 2015

Reviews

[Jeff Crosby]

Chapters 1 and 2 are familiar ground. Despite the author’s claims, chapters 3 and 4 are heavy on technical detail and jargon. Then the book gets interesting. The author provides geological interpretations of the events in 3 Nephi that supports the Sorenson geographic model. It was an interesting read.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know why I never thought of the 3 days of darkness being volcanic ash, but it never occurred to me until now and realize that it's practically obvious but I missed it. I ran across this book from a reference off a podcast or essay I was reading (can't remember which because I was doing both), so downloaded the book and started to read. It was technical without going over the deep end in geological jargon. It was specific enough to really grasp how Jerry Grover was deriving his data and assumptions, yet it was written so a lay person could understand it and not feel talked down to. I'm not going to say I was focused the entire time, but to read a technical book of 22o pages in a week is amazing in and of itself for me. Grover tests geological statements made in the Book of Mormon against the Sorensen model of geography and in the last couple of chapters refers to the Magelby model and the Norman model for alternative comparisons of city placement. There were a lot of graphs and photographic examples to illustrate what he was talking about. I feel amazed by what I just read and recommend it to any who have even a passing interest in Book of Mormon geography. I hope other educational fields take a stab at researching what they might derive about the location based on their field's clues in the Book of Mormon. I do appreciate the linguistical, geographical, geological, grammatical and historical deep dives. Keep it coming.