You are here

TitleTransoceanic Crossings
Publication TypeBook Chapter
Year of Publication1997
AuthorsSorenson, John L.
Book TitleNephite Culture and Society: Collected Papers
Chapter3
Pagination41-63
PublisherNew Sage Books
CitySalt Lake City
KeywordsLehi (Prophet); Ship; Transoceanic Voyage
Abstract
The three crossings of the ocean to the New World reported in the Book of Mormon are treated in differing degrees of detail. Events of the earliest, by Jared's group, are recounted at considerable length but with little nautical information in Ether 2:13-25; 3:1-3 and 6:2-12. The voyage by Lehi's party is treated in 1 Nephi 17:5-18, 49-51 and in chapter 18. Concerning the voyage that brought Mulek, we have only two brief statements, Omni 1:15-16 and Helaman 8:21. 
 
The fragmentary information in the text has led Latter-day Saints to pay but cursory attention to the voyages and their significance for the history and culture of Book of Mormon peoples. This paper analyzes the Lehi trip, for which we have the most textual and external comparative information, and demonstrates how we can expand our understanding of such events.

Scripture Reference

1 Nephi 17:5-18
1 Nephi 17:49-51
1 Nephi 18:1-25