They considered the domain designated as “the promised land” to be relatively compact, continuous, and complete in itself comes from the finality and brevity of the statement in Helaman 6:10: “Now the land south was called Lehi, and the land north was called Mulek.” The preceding verses connote that when the Nephites referred to these paired lands, they meant nothing was left over – at least nothing that interested them. (John L. Sorenson, Mormon’s Map, p. 23)
1. First, we must respect what the angel said:
…an account of the former inhabitants of this continent. (Joseph Smith History v.34)
On them is contained the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, as it was given to his people on this land. (Joseph’s account as reiterated by Oliver Cowdery to W.W. Phelps in Messenger & Advocate, October 1835, 2:195-198)
In other words, all events occurred in Western New York, on the land where the record came forth. Back then, the land was surrounded by water on all sides and they thought they were on an “isle of the sea.” “This continent” meant their isle, which we will show was Western New York.
2. Second, we must respect the prophecies it contains, saying, “this land” which is “choice above all others” would have “no king/queen” (i.e. not Canada or Mexico):
5 But, said he, notwithstanding our afflictions, we have obtained a land of promise, a land which is choice above all other lands; a land which the Lord God hath covenanted with me should be a land for the inheritance of my seed. Yea, the Lord hath covenanted this land unto me, and to my children forever, and also all those who should be led out of other countries by the hand of the Lord. (2 Nephi 1: 5)
19 Wherefore, I will consecrate this land unto thy seed, and them who shall be numbered among thy seed, forever, for the land of their inheritance; for it is a choice land, saith God unto me, above all other lands, wherefore I will have all men that dwell thereon that they shall worship me, saith God. (2 Nephi 10:19)
20 And thus the Lord did pour out his blessings upon this land, which was choice above all other lands; and he commanded that whoso should possess the land should possess it unto the Lord, or they should be destroyed when they were ripened in iniquity; for upon such, saith the Lord: I will pour out the fulness of my wrath. (Ether 9:20)
2 For behold, they rejected all the words of Ether; for he truly told them of all things, from the beginning of man; and that after the waters had receded from off the face of this land it became a choice land above all other lands, a chosen land of the Lord; wherefore the Lord would have that all men should serve him who dwell upon the face thereof; (Ether 13:2)
11 And this land shall be a land of liberty unto the Gentiles, and there shall be no kings upon the land, who shall raise up unto the Gentiles. (2 Nephi 10:11)
As can be seen from these prophecies, there is a special blessing upon the land, and there is an expectation from God that those who possess it honor Him and fulfill it.
This is a stewardship which has been fulfilled through the Constitution of the United States of America. Those who try and associate The Book of Mormon with any other land are denying this reality.
3. She – America, the current inhabiter of ancient Book of Mormon lands, would bless all other nations:
7 And it meaneth that the time cometh that after all the house of Israel have been scattered and confounded, that the Lord God will raise up a mighty nation among the Gentiles, yea, even upon the face of this land; and by them shall our seed be scattered.
8 And after our seed is scattered the Lord God will proceed to do a marvelous work among the Gentiles, which shall be of great worth unto our seed; wherefore, it is likened unto their being nourished by the Gentiles and being carried in their arms and upon their shoulders.
9 And it shall also be of worth unto the Gentiles; and not only unto the Gentiles but unto all the house of Israel, unto the making known of the covenants of the Father of heaven unto Abraham, saying: In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. (1 Nephi 22:7-9)
America feels this stewardship and has been fulfilling this prophecy for many years. She has been sending billions to nations all over the world – even to our staunch enemies; there has been no other nation doing this.
If you choose any other land for Book of Mormon geography you are denying this reality. The fact that so many have denied this reality is proof that God has turned them over to a geography they cannot understand.
4. The Gentiles would “prosper upon the land,” and they would “obtain it:”
And I beheld the Spirit of the Lord that it was upon the Gentiles and they did prosper and obtain the land for their inheritance. (1 Nephi 13:15)
No other country fulfills this prophecy, and yet, as we document with the Holland Land Purchase (Available from our Bookstore.) this did occur in Western New York. The Gentiles (The Colonists) did obtain (Buy) the Book of Mormon lands for themselves (Their inheritance).
5. The Gentiles would jointly build the New Jerusalem (USA) with the help of the Lamanites.
No other country fulfills this prophecy. Starting with the Albany Plan of Union on down through our wars, the American Indians have labored with us to build and defend this Promised Land of America.
The Iroquois and the Origins of American Democracy
Haudenosaunee Confederacy
6. The Lamanites and the Gentiles would coexist upon Book of Mormon lands.
No other country fulfills this prophecy. All throughout our country the American Indians (Heirs of Book of Mormon lands.) are coexisting with the Gentiles.
**To deny the reality of the fulfillment of these prophecies would be an admission of bias.**