Alma 50

(October 25, 2014)

                One of the most amazing parts of the Mesoamerican model of Book of Mormon geography (and it is important to point out that while I am convinced this model is correct, it makes no difference if I am wrong as to the ultimate historicity of the Book of Mormon) is just how exactly right it is time after time.  For example, in this chapter we had verse eight, which seems inconsistent with the Mesoamerican model until we look at it more clearly and realize exactly where the Lamanites would be in that scenario.  Or we look at the description of a sea on the east and on the west (as opposed to the East Sea and the West Sea) – the way it is written matches with the Mesoamerican model, while the East Sea and West Sea discussing the narrow passage (presumably Paso Nuevo) wouldn’t work.  Nothing proves location, of course, but there are just so many things that are so precisely correct in ways that could easily be different that I have to imagine that one or more would be different if done by random chance.

                On a more spiritual note, I was very impressed by the oath of Pahoran.  I don’t think it was an accident that Mormon included it in the Book of Mormon – I think Mormon added it because it is a good standard for each and every one of us to determine to live by.  We each are given our stewardships in mortality – some great and some small – and the oath of Pahoran would largely be appropriate for each and every one of those stewardships.