Prophecies and Promises: The Book of Mormon and the United States of America

by Bruce H. Porter, Rod L. Meldrum

"This book introduces the reader to an autoritative hierarchy of internal and external 'witnesses,' beginning with the 36 Prophecies and Promises that its ancient writers originally intended latter-day readers to use in identifying the Promised Land of their day and ours.

Readers will discover how these 36 Prophicies and Promises establish and reveal a specific latter-day nation as the Promised Land of the Book of Mormon."

213 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Richard L Colemere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dynamic verification of the Book of Mormon

This Hartland analysis portrays a valid argument for the purposes of where the people of the Book of Mormon moved, lived, and worshipped. Determined are the evidences that this land of the United States is indeed the land of promise.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty much already had this info, but a good beginning book if you're not familiar with the heartland Model

[Carol Guthrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book that asserts where Book of Mormon history took place. I am not 100% on board, but I found it interesting to read.

[Britton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book overall. Finishes with an amazing paragraph and historical account.

[Bill B · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent foundation for the heartland theory

This book is well written, based on solid logic, and provides excellent theoretical ideas for the geographical location for the Book of Mormon. I highly recommend it.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cover photo on Goodreads doesn't match actual book. Hearing the author lecture on the subject is very interesting, and preferable to reading this particular book.

[Summers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since the Church has never made an official statement on the geographic location of the Book of Mormon setting, this book is offered as a theory -- that the Promised Land referred to in the scriptures is the United States and North America. In my mind, it makes so much more sense.

This book is written more as a thesis, is methodical, and sometimes seems to be off proving an unknown argument. But I fully accept their theory and their sources. I have always questioned in my own mind how the central civilization of the Book of Mormon could be in South America when the Hill Cumorah (and the "room of records") could be brought here all during a time when Mormon and Moroni were hiding from the Lamanites and moving frequently. My thoughts only... The authors provide even more reasons to accept a "Heartland Theory."

The authors resources are (in order of priority and importance): "1) the prophetic evidence found in scriptures; 2) the prophetic statements of the inspired translator, Joseph Smith; 3) the physical evidences [DNA, archeology, cultural anthropology:]; 4) [least important:]geographical [incomplete:] passages.

Foreward by Kieth Merrill (The Testaments Filmmaker), "What I know for sure about the Book of Mormon does not come from architectural remnants, internal references to geography, hypothetical maps or the myriad scholarly efforts in quest for evidence of place. I know the book is authentic through spiritual conviction... My clear conviction about what it is does not include any sure knowledge of where it all took place."

"That said, I must confess, looking north instead of south has reignited my fascination, added to my testimony..."

"I am perceived as one who jumped ship early and swam north... When I sent an email to the authors and scolded them for writing their book ten years too late [referring to when he did The Testaments:]..."

"A reexamination of what Jesus said as he stood on this land is remarkable in clarity. What Joseph Smith said as he walked across what he called the 'Plains of the Nephites' is likewise suddenly monumental. The words of Christ are scripture. The words of Joseph Smith have been called by some 'mistaken.' Really?"

[Bobbi · Rating 2 out of 5]

A neighbor urged this book on me, so I read it somewhat out of a sense of obligation. It was a bit repetitive and a little too strident, but makes a reasonable and compelling case for the Book of Mormon lands to be in The United States, not Mesoamerica as many promote. Because of prophecies, scriptures, architectural and DNA evidence (haplogroup X, European/Israeli descent in Native Americans is found only in N. A.), the authors believe the land spoken of in the Book of Mormon is in North America. Many studies by non-LDS researchers are excerpted. I liked the information, just didn't love the writing style.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

The material was very compelling and I agree now with most of the theories presented, however, the writing style seemed a bit combative and off-topic at times. The edition I read 2009 had several editing errors which made it more difficult to read.

[Brent McGregor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent work in restating original positions regarding Book of Mormon lands and settings.

[Win · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating book. I loved reading it, but it came under severe review in a recent FARMS. And, they convinced me. So, now I have serious doubts as to its truth.