Why is knowing the geography of the Book of Mormon important?
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
