Those who attended the FIRM Foundation’s national conference in April were treated to a first-hand account of an incredible expedition that is proving out by actual experience that Lehi’s group may have left the Arabian Peninsula and sailed around Africa to the America’s rather than attempting to cross the earth’s largest ocean at its widest point, as proposed by Mesoamerican theorists.  This expedition, taking place as you read this, in a re-created wooden ship patterned after the remains of ancient Phoenician vessels that were plying the oceans during Lehi’s days (600 B.C.).  It is showing unequivocally that a circumnavigation of Africa is not only possible; it is the most likely route for Lehi’s group coming from the Old World to the New World.  Evidence of this magnitude is unprecedented.  The ship came within a few hundred miles of making landfall in North America!  Click HERE for more incredible information about this amazing expedition that is demonstrating the most likely route for Lehi's Book of Mormon voyage. 

Mormon Times / Deseret News religion reporter Michael DeGroote wrote two articles involving this research released Thursday, May 27th, 2010.  Overall the articles are fairly balanced and have some good information.  There are several clarifications that need to be made regarding what was written in the articles. The responses can be found in the 'Articles' section of this website under their respective names or by clicking HERE.   

The article, The fight over Book of Mormon geography, discusses the importance, or non-importance, of such study, while another article, Pros, cons of Book of Mormon geography theories, provides DeGrootes perspectives on the strengths and weaknesses of the two strongest theories of where the Book of Mormon saga may have taken place, the Mesoamerican theories and the Heartland Model.  As would be expected from a good reporter, DeGroote does give his readers something to think about, using information gleaned from his interviews and attendance at some geography related events.   

The National Book of Mormon Prophecies Conference, held October 1-2, 2009 at the luxurious Zermatt Resort and Conference Center in Midway, Utah, was an overwhelming success!  This was a truly historical event that those who witnessed it will never forget!  The event was completely booked out two weeks in advance with over 400 in attendance, 25 incredible speakers, 34 lectures, and a magnificent keynote address by award winning filmmaker Kieth Merrill.  There were over 200 on the waiting list that could not attend the conference due to space restrictions.  

Other speakers at the conference included Elder Hartman Rector Jr., Rod Meldrum, Wayne May, Bruce Porter Ph.D. Robert Fuller, Steven Smoot, Howard Carlos Smith, Mike Kennedy, Doug Brinley, Roger K. Young, Kay Godfrey, Harding Walker, Colette Smith, James Bradley, Donna Nielsen, Yvonne Bent, James Stoddard and George Papa with artists Jon McNaughton, David Lindsley, Jason Millward, Lois Kerr, and Dee Jay Bawden, with the most amazing musical voice talent throughout the conference by Michele Baer of Arizona.  See the bio's of these amazing speakers HERE. 

The National Book of Mormon Prophecies Conference was covered by major news media outlets in Utah through TV broadcast and Newspaper.  Saturday morning before LDS Church General Conference two articles appeared in the Deseret News, which carried the event in headlines and articles in the UTAH section on pages B1, B2, and B4.  The headline article "Joseph Smith's sword is on display" covered the historic unveiling of the Prophet's legendary Nauvoo Legion Lieutenant General's sword, seen in public for the first time in 165 years!  A second article titled "North America preferred site for LDS film" discusses the brilliant keynote address of the conference by award winning filmmaker Kieth Merrill , who wrote and directed The Testaments for the Church.  

Most of those in attendance came from the states of Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Washington and California but some came from as far as Missouri, New York, Canada and three came 12,000 miles to be in attendance from South Africa!  It was an wonderful event with so many great individuals from so many areas. 

Click HERE for the archived email announcement. 

Visit the Book of Mormon Evidences BLOG and post your comments, thoughts and feelings about this research!  Some older threads are dealing with the response from a Mesoamerican leaning apologetic group.  Please don't be intimidated by their attacks, but respond in a kind and Christ-like way. 

To access the blog and post your comments go to http://BookofMormonEvidenceBlog.wordpress.com/ and begin sharing your feelings on this important subject and this research project.

Read the article by religion writer Michael De Groote titled "Raiders of the Lost Book of Mormon DNA', a two part series. 

Deseret News article: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700230209,00.html