If The Book of Mormon is true (and I believe it is) then it is a literal historical record of real people in addition to its primary purpose of testifying of Jesus Christ.  Lehi and his family, who came from the Holy Land area, where descendants of Joseph that was sold into Egypt (1 Nephi 5:14).  The three primary races of the earth, Asian (Oriental), African (Negroid) and European (Caucasian) are quite easily distinguished from each other through specific DNA markers or 'signatures' that delineate their ancestry.  The Book of Mormon tells us that the descendants of Lehi, (including his wife Sariah, Ishmael and his wife, and Zoram) lived and multiplied to a great extent somewhere in the America's. See BoM Helaman 11:20 and 3:8 and also 3 Nephi 1:17.  Since it is highly probable that Sariah, Ishmael and Zoram were also of the same genetic stock (not Asian or African), their genetic signatures today would most certainly be classified by present day geneticists as 'European' rather than Asian or African. We do not know the exact make up of Lehi's DNA, but that does not preclude us from being able to make a direct connection to his 'European/Caucasian' heritage.

Preliminary DNA studies, performed on thousands of individual Native Americans from the Aleut's in Alaska, through North, Central and South America, were completed.  They were tested, studied and classified into one of 4 primary genetic groups called haplogroups. These four founding groups, designated Haplogroups A, B, C and D are all Asian based groups found in modern populations of Siberia and Asia today, which supports the dominant theory of the peopling of the New World (the America's) by an overland migration across the Bering Straight during an ice age epoch. Initial studies indicated that there were no European type genetic DNA markers, which would lead to the conclusion that no migration or population expansion of an 'Israelite' group occurred anywhere in the America's as is indicated by the Book of Mormon. This lead to some LDS scientists viewing this as the 'final straw' for their belief and some were subsequently excommunicated from the church after writing books contrary to the teachings and doctrine of the gospel, but based on these initial scientific findings.

A small 'Christian ministry' capitalized on this small group of LDS scholars and scientists who left or were excommunicated from the church and documented their feelings and findings, producing a very powerful anti-Mormon video documentary. This DVD has sold tens of thousands of copies since its introduction in early 2003. The revenue produced by this documentary has funded other 'anti-Mormon' videos.  While the producers of these videos have offered them on their websites for free, they continue to sell thousands of the 'hard' copies. Who are buying these, as they are available for free, and why? The answer is that other Christian denominations are buying these up by the pallet load for free distribution in neighborhood after neighborhood. Entire cities have been 'blanketed' by different Christian groups in an effort to thwart the evangelical efforts of the LDS Church. Cities from Springville, Utah to Gilbert, Arizona and hundreds of cities in the 'Bible belt' have come under this siege.

Why is this being done? Because for the first time other Christian denominations have something for which we, the members of the church, have no answers. While some have attempted to address the issue (including FARMS or Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies) their apologist attempts fall short of providing a solid answer that validates the claims of The Book of Mormon. Rather, their attempts are simply to attempt to discredit DNA science in general or grasp some  'reason' why DNA studies have not (as yet) vindicated the truthfulness of The Book of Mormon.

The problem is two fold. One is that the producers of the anti-Mormon documentary were premature in their conclusions regarding DNA studies in the America's as the research was not yet complete at the time of the release of their video. The second problem is that in order for DNA to be found relating to Book of Mormon people, we must be sure that we are looking for it in the correct location.  What chance is there of finding the DNA or any other physical evidence for the truth of The Book of Mormon if we are looking for it in the wrong place?

This DVD, titled  'DNA evidence for Book of Mormon Geography' effectively and powerfully addresses, and provides solid evidence that answers both of these fundamental questions.  In addition, it goes back to the very foundations of the geographical theories to bring to light the knowledge that Joseph Smith had on the subject as well as an in depth study of the internal geographic indications from The Book of Mormon itself.  All of this information has now, for the first time, been combined to produce a clear geographical picture that is exciting because of its solid foundation of evidence that supports the validity and truthfulness of this literal ancient record. You are invited to explore the information from this DVD for yourself and ask the source of all truth of its validity.     

Since the Book of Mormon record is a true literal historical record, then one would think we should be able to find some evidence in the genetic record to that effect, as the Book itself testifies that...

What if we found 'European' style DNA in the America's, just not where we thought it would be?  Could it lead to a new geographical paradigm that also fits the prophecies found in the Book of Mormon itself as well as validates the prophetic statements of Joseph Smith on the matter at the same time? 

The answer is an emphatic, Yes!  Genetics could help us discover the true geography of the Book of Mormon, if we follow the evidence, rather than theoretical assumptions.  This DVD does just that, follow the scientific evidence that leads to some conclusions about the geography of the Book of Mormon that finally makes sense and is consistent with the Book of Mormon itself and the Prophet Joseph Smith.

This was one of the first questions asked after researching the DNA evidence.  No less than three times Joseph claimed to have received inspiration and/or revelation on the matter, and he is completely consistent about where he indicated he knew it occurred.  He established this knowledge also by where he sent the first missionaries after having received commandment from God to go and preach the gospel unto the 'Lamanites'.  Where did Joseph send the first missionaries, and which tribes did he himself preach the gospel to and declare to be remnants of the Lamanites? 

The claim that Joseph Smith made these statements stems from two articles that appeared in the Times and Seasons of Sept. 15^th and Oct. 1^st , 1842, and  have  been falsely attributed to Joseph Smith.  Joseph Smith did not write either article, he did not sign it (as he testified he would for anything he wrote in the Times and Seasons), he had already given editorial responsibility to the 12 by revelation, and he happened to be in hiding from the law at the time these two articles appeared.  This ‘evidence’ for a Mesoamerican setting for the Book of Mormon would be thrown out of any court of law for insufficient evidence.
 
FARMS agree's that claiming this quote to be from Joseph Smith’s is invalid. 

See http://farms.byu.edu/display.php?table=jbms&id=202 quoted below. 
 

“Joseph Smith and Book of Mormon Geography
Exactly what Joseph Smith believed at different times in his life concerning Book of Mormon geography in general is also indeterminable. Only a few clues remain. For example, while the church was headquartered in Nauvoo, Joseph read a best-selling book of his day by John L. Stephens, Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan,¹⁰ which John Bernhisel had sent to him from the East. In a letter dated 16 November 1841, the Prophet thanked Bernhisel and wrote about the book that "of all histories that had been written pertaining to the antiquities of this country it is the most correct" and it "supports the testimony of the Book of Mormon."¹¹ Ten months later, the Times and Seasons printed an enthusiastic review of the Stephens volume. John Taylor was the editor, although Joseph Smith had shortly before announced his own editorial responsibility for the newspaper. The unnamed writer of the review (probably Wilford Woodruff) stated that "we have just learned . . . [that] the city Zarahemla . . . stood upon this land [of Guatemala, whose ruins Stephens was reporting]."

Joseph Smith received a revelation on January 28^th, 1842 that the Twelve should be given responsibility for the Times and Seasons and manage the print shop.  Joseph recorded, “I received the following revelation to the Twelve concerning the Times and Seasons, given January 28^th, 1842.  Revelation.  Verily thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph, go and say unto the Twelve, that it is my will to have them take in hand the editorial department of the Times and Seasons, …”  History of the Church, Vol. 4:50

From the Times and Seasons, Tuesday, March 15^th, 1842 Joseph wrote “This paper commences my editorial career, I alone stand for it, and shall do for all papers having my signature henceforward.”Neither of these two editorial commentaries in the Times and Seasons indicating a Mesoamerican setting for the Book of Mormon were signed by anybody,  including Joseph.  He did, however sign other articles that appeared during this same time frame, thereby validating his express statement that he would be responsible for all articles that bore his signature

The proposed letter from Joseph Smith to John Bernhisel of Nov. 16^th, 1841 is also being misconstrued to indicate something it doesn’t when read in its entirety.  It states “Dear Sir, I received your kind present by the hand of Er [Elder] Woodruff  & feel myself under many obligations for this mark of your esteem & friendship which to me is the more interesting as it unfolds & developes (sic) many things that are of great importance to this generation & corresponds with & supports the testimony of the Book of Mormon;

All this and much, much more is answered in the DVD presentation.

Does the Book of Mormon itself indicate the location of its 'Promised Land'? YES, again the Book of Mormon consistently gives us guidance and direction if we will simply look for it.

The DVD presentation develops for the first time a scriptural 'chain maille' (interlinking links rather than long single linked strands) that firmly and conclusively indicates exactly where the 'Promised Land' of the Book of Mormon is to be found.

In order for any civilization to qualify to be Nephite, Lamanite, or Jaredite, they would have to be consistent with the internal text of the Book of Mormon, as well as fall in the correct time period of history and have archaeological validation of their existence, including structures, artifacts, and evidence of war.

All of these qualifications can be met with the proposed civilizations outlined in the DVD presentation.  Are you ready to do your own research into these cultures?

While the Book of Mormon is not absolutely clear about its climate, it does indicate such weather phenomena as 'tempests', and 'whirlwinds' (3 Nephi 8:12 and 16), along with seasons (Alma 46:40).  Twice it mentions frozen water (snow/hail) and only once is 'heat' or hot weather indicated.  One particularly fascinating new evidence deals with seasonal migrations of animals indicated within the Book of Mormon. 

Several theorists have stated that a North American setting for the Book of Mormon makes no sense because of scriptural references to Lamanites coming to battle in little more than a loin-cloth in the first month of the year.  Those who do so are making the assumption the the Nephite civilization used a calendar in the same way as we do today.  That does not appear to be the case.

At the time just prior to Christ's crucifixion he went to Jerusalem for passover.  Passover is generally related to the spring solstice in April.  In 3 Nephi 8:5 it states  

"And it came to pass in the thirty and forth year, in the FIRST MONTH, on the fourth day of the month, there arose a great storm,.." 

This was the sign of Christ's death.  Since he died in April, it would indicate that the Nephite calendar was shifted 4 months (Nephite month 1 was our month 4 or April).  This would indicate that the occasion of the Lamanites coming to battle in a loin-cloth would be more plausible as the scripture indicates that they were fatigued because of their labors and the heat of the day.  Daily temperature changes are minimal in tropical rainforests which would tend to indicate a more temperate climate where people coming out of winter might fatigue more easily and consider a warm spring day as 'hot'. 

 In fact, the Nephites seemed somewhat astonished the Lamanites came to battle dressed this way.  It would seem that a loincloth was the exception rather than the rule in warfare at that time. Most wars don't mention loinclothes except in this circumstance, which would indicate that generally they were well dressed as indicated by the Book of Mormon itself.

"19 And when the armies of the Lamanites saw that the people of Nephi, or that Moroni, had prepared his people with breastplates and with arm-shields, yea, and also shields to defend their heads, and also they were dressed with thick clothing— (Book of Mormon | Alma 43:19)"

"6 Now the leaders of the Lamanites had supposed, because of the greatness of their numbers, yea, they supposed that they should be privileged to come upon them as they had hitherto done; yea, and they had also prepared themselves with shields, and with breastplates; and they had also prepared themselves with garments of skins, yea, very thick garments to cover their nakedness." (Book of Mormon | Alma 49:6)

All these indications point to one overwhelming conclusion.  The Book of Mormon itself has given us sufficient clues to answer these questions, if we will diligently study its pages...with faith.

Previously it did not really matter much to most members of the church where the Book of Mormon history occurred, as everyone should have based their beliefs on spiritual witnesses and not physical proof.  As it is written in the Book of Mormon itself, we must exercise faith first (see BoM Alma 32:27-36), but ultimately we should be seeking 'knowledge' which then replaces faith and it (faith) becomes 'dormant' ("in that thing").  Initial faith in Jesus Christ was replaced by knowledge of him and his literal existence when Joseph Smith walked out of that sacred grove of trees that early spring morning. 

The belief that it did not matter where The Book of Mormon took place, is now being challenged because of DNA testing.  Because the book is a literal historical record, there should be physical, tangible evidence of the existence of these great civilizations.  For the first time in history, knowing the geography of The Book of Mormon is critical to defending the validity of The Book of Mormon itself, for if we are looking in the wrong geographical location, what chance is there of finding this evidence and dispelling the false claims of those who would tear the church and its members down?  In contrast, what if the scientific DNA evidence pointed us in a geographical location that was then found to be validated by Joseph Smith, and is internally consistent with The Book of Mormon itself?  That is what DNA evidence for Book of Mormon Geography is all about! 

The archaeological evidence for the proposed geographical location proposed in this presentation is overwhelming.  There have been found at least 15 correlations between the Nephite civilization as described in the Book of Mormon and an ancient civilization that falls in the same time frame .  Ancient defensive cities surrounded by deep ditches and structures of heaped soil with evidence of log walls atop are found in abundance, just as described in detail by Moroni in The Book of Mormon.  Artifacts have been recovered that match those described in The Book of Mormon itself, including headplates, breastplates, iron, and copper.  This ancient civilization also dates to the correct time periods relating to the Nephites. Many other archaeological evidences are shown that are in accord with the historical record of these people from The Book of Mormon. 

What ancient civilizations were these and where were they located?  Answers to these questions are clearly and powerfully presented by this DVD presentation. 

Yes and No.  Yes, the index in the Book of Mormon does state that  the Sidon River is the "most prominent river in Nephite territory, runs north to sea". 

The index was written by Bruce R. McConkie, and is not considered to be holy writ, as evidenced by brother McConkie's introduction to the Book of Mormon recently being changed as mentioned in the DVD.  This change corrects the introduction page of The Book of Mormon to indicate the Lamanites are "among" the ancestry of the American Indians, rather than the "principal'" ancestors of them.  

What we do know is that the river ran either north or south as it had east/west banks.  Alma 2:15, 2:17, 6:7, 16:7, 43:53 and 49.16 specify an east bank or side of the river, and Alma 8:3, 43:27, 43.32, 43.53 indicate a western side or bank.  The Book of Mormon also indicates that shipping of lumber was being accomplished (see BoM Helaman 3:10) potentially indicating a navigable river (indicating a river without natural barriers to travel such as rapids, falls, etc).  The proposed river in this geography model fits beautifully into both of these criterions.

Alma 22:29 does indicate that the head of the Sidon river was in the north as it states "the Nephites had taken possession of all the northern parts of the land bordering on the wilderness, at the head of the river Sidon, ..."  This is completely congruent with the proposed geography outlined in the presentation and DVD.

River Sidon information works very well in this geography, once a proper understanding of the what the 'head' of the river Sidon means.

As regarding the Sidon River. There is a very simple explanation. The simple answer lies in the definition of 'head' of a river.

In Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary, the reference dictionary at Joseph Smiths time, if we look up the word 'head' we find:

'Head, 18. The principal source of a stream; as the head of the Nile.'
http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/search/word,head .

While this is the standard definition, there is also another definition, which is very important.

Description 23. states 'Conflux'.

To be sure exactly what 'Conflux' means, look it up in the same dictionary and you will find:

CONFLUX, n. [L. See Confluence.] http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/search/word,conflux

1. A flowing together; a meeting of two or more currents of a fluid.

Just to be sure what ‘confluence’ is defined as, look it up and...low and behold...


CONFLUENCE, n. [L., to flow. See Flow.] http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/search/word,confluence
1. A flowing together; the meeting or junction of two or more streams of water, or other fluid; also, the place of meeting; as the confluence of the Tigris and the Frat, or of the Ohio and Mississippi.

So the 'head' of the Sidon river of the Book of Mormon could also be defined as the location where two branches or tributaries of a river meet, or their confluence.

Manti is southward from Gideon and Zarahemla. Gideon was located just across the river Sidon within hours' travel from Zarahemla (Alma 2; 6:7–8 ) and was much closer to Zarahemla than Manti was. It follows then that the general direction from Zarahemla to Manti was 'southward,' the same as it was from 'Gideon southward, away to the land of Manti' (Alma 17:1).

Manti was near the 'head of the river Sidon.' By using the 'standard' definition (the principle source of a stream), if Manti was where the Sidon river began, and it flowed past Zarahemla to the north (Manti was south of Zarahemla), then it stands to reason that the river flowed northward.

However if the confluence definition is used, Manti would have been at a junction of two rivers, which means that the river flowed past Zarahemla and then on down to the junction (head) at Manti, which would thereby indicate a southerly flow from Zarahemla (a main branch of the river) down to the confluence. See Alma 43:32...where they went 'down into the borders of the land Manti'. Rivers flow 'down' in elevation, which again indicates that the Sidon was actually flowing to the south.

The Lamanites withdrew from the Nephite cities around Jershon. Jershon was located on the east side of a sea (Meldrum believes to be Lake Michigan) (see Alma 27:22), which was also north of the land of Antionum (Alma 31:3). Which means that they left from Jershon and began traveling south through Antionum. And then they 'took their journey round about in the wilderness, away by the head of the river Sidon, that they might come into the land of Manti' (Alma 43:22).

The head of the river Sidon, and also the south border of the land of Manti, were integrated parts of the borderline that separated the Nephites and the Lamanites.

The land of Manti was:
a) located by the head of the river Sidon (Alma 22:27); 
b) southward from the land of Gideon (Alma 17:1);
c) on the east side of the river Sidon when coming from the city of Zarahemla (Alma 16:7); and
d) on the west side of the river Sidon when approaching from the wilderness to the east (Alma 43:32).

The land of Manti fits well in the area just northwest of the confluence (head) of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers (between two branches of the river Sidon). The city of Manti (not the Land of Manti) may well have been right there at Huntsville, MO as stated by The Prophet, Joseph. Huntsville is northwest of St. Louis, near Moberly, MO. This would also explain the seemingly nonsensical placing of Manti on BOTH sides of the Sidon in the references above. C. would be referring to crossing the Mississippi river from the west, and D. would refer to crossing the Ohio river from the east.

Both are branches of the Mississippi river system that was the primary system used by the Hopewell mound building civilization that flourished in the correct archaeological time frame to be the Nephites. This same civilization built their cities and fortifications in the same manner outlined by Moroni in the Book of Mormon.  These same people had DNA markers that happen to match the Druze population (European DNA) in the Levant area (Israel).  Did you know that Joseph Smith just happened to send the first missionaries 'unto the Lamanites' to tribes that today harbor these same European genetic markers? 

Remember that the Mississippi today is much wider and deeper than it was in the days before dam's and lock's and levies, making it still a large river, but much more easily crossed. In fact, the river at Nauvoo was actually a rather shallow rapids and many heavily laden boats had to off-load their cargo to pass prior to the building of locks/dams across the river. 

The Book of Mormon also indicates that shipping of lumber was being accomplished (see BoM Helaman 3:10) potentially indicating a navigable river (indicating a river without natural barriers to travel such as rapids, falls, etc).

"10 And it came to pass as timber was exceedingly scarce in the land northward, they did send forth much by the way of shipping. (Book of Mormon | Helaman 3:10)"

The Sidon River in this proposed geography model fits beautifully into both of these criterions. How navigable is the Grijalva river in Guatemala for shipping?

We also know that the Sidon river emptied into a 'sea' as indicated by Alma 3:3 and 44:22, which as discussed in the presentation could mean any large body of water (fresh or salt...i.e. "Sea of Galilee" is a small freshwater lake, while the Dead Sea is a small salt water lake, and yet the Mediteranian Sea is a large salt water ocean). Again this fits with this proposed geography. It should be clear that any body of water coud have been called a 'sea' by those coming from the middle east. This includes the Great Lakes, which are orders of magnitude larger than their middle eastern counterparts.

Moroni inquired of Alma who received revelation of where the Lamanites were going. So Moroni divided his armies on either side of the Sidon and caught them before they made it to Manti.

So to recap, the 'headwaters' could refer to the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.  The river flowed past Zarahemla toward Manti (which was at the  head (confluence) of the river Sidon, and southward from Zarahemla). From this description, Sidon would have flowed in a southerly direction. When you see how this fits beautifully into the geography as proposed by the DNA Evidence for Book of Mormon Geography, it is quite powerful.

There has been several printings of the DVD thus far. To identify which version you have, have the DVD and case available and review the following information.

Version #1 has two DVD disks.

Version # 2 has 1 dual layer DVD Disk and the disk case has a printed copyright "2007 Rod Meldrum" on the front graphic near the bottom.

Version # 3 has 1 dual layer DVD Disk and the disk case has a printed copyright "2008 Rod Meldrum" on the front graphic and only 1 UPC bar code on the back.

Version # 4 is the same as version # 3 except that an ISBN number has been added to the back of the case graphic for library and book dealer needs.