Aric Turner’s model was reviewed previously on the H38 Virus page. Since he has chosen to besmirch Cumorah’s sacred location in New York, we will again demonstrate the errors in his model. Quoting Aric Turner, he said the following on his website:
12. Can the Hill Cumorah in New York be the same Hill Cumorah in the Book of Mormon?
As stated in the “What is Geography?” section, the internal model was created first to prevent any bias from world locations mentioned by other theories.1
The “Narrow Necks” section identifies one of the key Book of Mormon geography descriptions (narrow neck) and provides an exhaustive list of world locations that meet that criteria – which does not include New York.2
The “Proofs” section identifies unique world geography that meets several of the Book of Mormon descriptions – one of which, “Intersecting Valleys,” includes the travels (Ether Travel Maps 9 and 10) just prior to the armies traveling to Hill Ramah (which is the same as Hill Cumorah, Ether 6:83 [15:11]). These proofs occur in only one place on Earth – that happens to be in Mesoamerica.3
Simply put, New York does not match the descriptions in the Book of Mormon. Not just with Hill Cumorah, but with the other location descriptions as well4.Ref
1) Prevent Bias by Other Theories?
Aric claims no bias with his model despite the following:
1917 Louis Edward Hills in his A short work on the geography of Mexico and Central America, from 2234 B.C. to 421 A.D. correlated Zarahemla with Yaxchilan. That correlation has remained remarkably consistent among RLDS (currently Community of Christ and Restoration Branch) students of the Book of Mormon from that day to the present. Aric Turner, for instance, in his well-researched contemporary map, correlates Zarahemla with Yaxchilan.Ref
Is it just a coincidence that he shares a similar view of the geography as a fellow member of his church?
2) Narrow Necks a Key BOMG Description?
How could something so small that satellite maps can’t detect it, be a “key” descriptor for BOMG? Aric is parroting the same line used by Sorenson, who misapplied the width of Book of Mormon Lands to just the “small” “narrow” “neck.” Have you ever driven from the Salt Lake Airport to downtown Salt Lake City? Aric would like readers to believe that a piece of land as wide as that was considered narrow, and was full of snakes from one end to the other whereby no animal or person could pass.
3) Intersecting Valleys Only One Place on Earth?
That is a ridiculous argument against western New York. How valleys “intersected” in his mind is not how they actually intersected.
4) New York Doesn’t Match Descriptions?
The fallacy of Sweeping Generalization. What about the descriptions given by Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and a Nephite messenger? Aric Turner is so afraid of what the Spiritual Geography would reveal that he avoids them entirely. Consider what the Lord said in (LDS) D&C 10, which was given to Joseph before he dictated the Book of Mormon record:
47 And I said unto them, that it should be granted unto them1 according to their faith in their prayers;
48 Yea, and this was their faith—that my gospel, which I gave unto them that they might preach in their days, might come unto their brethren2 the Lamanites, and also all that had become Lamanites because of their dissensions.
49 Now, this is not all—their faith in their prayers was that this gospel should be made known also, if it were possible that other nations should possess THIS LAND3;
50 And thus they did leave a BLESSING upon THIS LAND in their prayers, that whosoever should believe in THIS GOSPEL in THIS LAND might have eternal life; (D&C 10:47–50, 1828)
Not only are Mesoamerican theorists like Aric contradicting the land, but the promises that the Lord gave to their lands,1 and to their brethren upon them,2 and to future nations who might POSSESS THEM.3
It is clear that ALL Mesoamerican theorists are working AGAINST THE LORD JESUS CHRIST and need to REPENT.