Wednesday, September 18, 2013

The Crossroads ~ Los Encuentros

What the Book of Mormon Says

While Alma went north from Zarahemla to preach among the Nephites, the sons of Mosiah went south to preach among the Lamanites.  They traveled many days into the wilderness until they were at the borders of Lamanite-held territory.  There the prayed for the Lord's guidance in their efforts.  When they arose, they took leave of one another, each going in a different direction.

What Archaeology Says

According to Sorensen, the most likely place for this crossroads is Los Encuentros, Guatemala.  Not only was this an ancient meeting point for paths from four directions, it is also a present-day highway junction. (p. 22)

From there, Ammon went to a place called Ishmael; Aaron went to a town the Lamanites had named Jerusalem after their land of origin; later, Aaron went to Ani-Anti where he met some of his companions. 

None of these places is mentioned earlier in the Book of Mormon account, so each must have been settled after King Lamoni's people left for Zarahemla.  Later, Ammon traveled to a land called Middoni, where he found Aaron.

I will be sharing Sorensen's comments on the possible location of these sites during the next week.

Quotes from Sorensen, An Ancient American Setting for the Book of Mormon

Text copyright September 2013, Gebara Education
 
Pictures from www.lds.org
except
Los Encuentros from www,mayasautenticos.com
  


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