Heartland “Con’s” List

https://www.deseretnews.com/article/705384447/Pros-cons-of-Book-of-Mormon-geography-theories.html

Thank you for your article comparing the Mesoamerica vs. Heartland model for Book or Mormon geography in 2010.  I stumbled across your post and wamted to adreess your “con’s” list for the Heartland model.

A. River Sidon

"The Book of Mormon makes it abundantly clear that the river Sidon runs from the south to the north," Sorenson said. And in Alma 2, Alma and his army wade across the river to fight the invading Lamanites The river Sidon in the heartland model is considered to be the Mississippi River.

The direction of the river Sidon is based on a misunderstanding of the “head” of the river.  Anciently, a river’s head is at its “fall-line” and not its source.  Also, the Mississippi could be easily crossed on foot at the Des Moines (Keokuk) Rapids which lies at the ancient and supremely strategic “head” of the Mississippi river and just downstream from Zarahemla. 

B. Hills
There are hills in the land of Nephi. Sorenson said it is always described as "up" in relation to everything else. "Where is the 'up' (in the heartland model)? Is it the hills of Kentucky?" Sorenson said.

According to the Heartland model, the Land of Nephi is around Knoxsville, TN which is “up” in elevation from Nauvoo and Zarahemla. An Egyptian-style temple has been identified in the Clinch River as well as numerous ancient “cyst burials”. 

C. A West Sea
The Narrow Neck of Land has a west side on a West Sea. The border by the West Sea is where Nephi and Lehi and their party landed. If the West Sea is one of the Great Lakes, Sorenson wonders how Lehi sailed to it from Asia.

Lehi’s party rounded the horn of Africa and landed on the shores of Georgia or Florida.  The “narrow neck” may have referred to the small area between the tip of Lake Michagan (West Sea) and the Great Black Swamp area of Lake Erie (East Sea). 

D. Climate
"Where is the snow in Zarahemla?" Sorenson said. "Where is the snow in the Book of Mormon? Where is the cold in the Book of Mormon? Not a single word that indicates anything other than warmth and even tropical heat."

The North American climate was warmer during the Book or Mormon time period. Images of the Carolina Parakeet and feathers are routinely found in northern Hopewell burial mounds. 

E. Lack of Civilization
The evidence of the type of high civilization described in the Book of Mormon is less prevalent than in Mesoamerica.

The Adena and Hopewell cultures were arguably even more “civilized” than the ancient Maya despite the laters impressive, but likely slave-constructed stone temple complexes.