We are happy for M2Cers to believe whatever they want to believe, but we also pursue clarity, charity and understanding.
It is easy to corroborate the teachings of the prophets about Cumorah with extrinsic evidence--if you want to.
Clarity in this case involves two voyages to the New World and the implications for what Lehi taught about the New World that the Lord led him to.
8 And behold, it is wisdom that this land should be kept as yet from the knowledge of other nations; for behold, many nations would overrun the land, that there would be no place for an inheritance.
9 Wherefore, I, Lehi, have obtained a promise, that inasmuch as those whom the Lord God shall bring out of the land of Jerusalem shall keep his commandments, they shall prosper upon the face of this land; and they shall be kept from all other nations, that they may possess this land unto themselves.
(2 Nephi 1:8–9)
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A basic premise of M2C is that Lehi landed on the west coast of Mesoamerica in the midst of an extensive Mayan civilization. Some M2Cers also believe the Mulekites landed in Mesoamericn in the midst of an Olmec (Jaredite) civilization.
These theoretical voyages were shown on the map that RLDS scholar L.E. Hills proposed over 100 years ago.
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1917 map published by RLDS scholar L.E. Hills |
To make his theory work, Hills put Cumorah in southern Mexico. He specifically rejected what Oliver Cowdery, Joseph Smith, David Whitmer, Brigham Young and everyone else said about Cumorah in New York.
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"Cumorah" in Mexico, according to L.E. Hills |
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BYU Studies map of Cumorah, based on L.E. Hills, as adapted by Sorenson/Welch. |
Next, Tyler Griffin created a fictional map to represent the Hills/Sorenson/Welch theory for new generations. (Somehow he and his followers think it's a good idea to teach the Book of Mormon using a fictional map more akin to Lord of the Rings than to any real-world setting.)
Obviously, placing the Nephites and Mulekites in the midst of these Mesoamerican civilizations contradicts Lehi's declarations in verse 8-9. Mesoamerica was the opposite of what Lehi described. Again,
8 And behold, it is wisdom that this land should be kept as yet from the knowledge of other nations; for behold, many nations would overrun the land, that there would be no place for an inheritance.
9 Wherefore, I, Lehi, have obtained a promise, that inasmuch as those whom the Lord God shall bring out of the land of Jerusalem shall keep his commandments, they shall prosper upon the face of this land; and they shall be kept from all other nations, that they may possess this land unto themselves.
(2 Nephi 1:8–9)
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Book of Mormon voyages and ocean currents |
22 And inasmuch as thou shalt keep my commandments, thou shalt be made a ruler and a teacher over thy brethren.
23 For behold, in that day that they shall rebel against me, I will curse them even with a sore curse, and they shall have no power over thy seed except they shall rebel against me also.
24 And if it so be that they rebel against me, they shall be a scourge unto thy seed, to stir them up in the ways of remembrance.
(1 Nephi 2:22–24)
25 And the Lord God said unto me: They shall be a scourge unto thy seed, to stir them up in remembrance of me; and inasmuch as they will not remember me, and hearken unto my words, they shall scourge them even unto destruction.(2 Nephi 5:24–25)
According to the text, it was the Lamanites, not the Mayan nations of kings and warriors, who were a scourge to the Nephites.
To repeat: It is easy to corroborate the teachings of the prophets about Cumorah with extrinsic evidence--if you want to.