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When Lehi's Party Arrived in the Land, Did They Find Others There?

TitleWhen Lehi's Party Arrived in the Land, Did They Find Others There?
Publication TypeBook Chapter
Year of Publication1997
AuthorsSorenson, John L.
Book TitleNephite Culture and Society: Collected Papers
Chapter4
Pagination65-104
PublisherNew Sage Books
CitySalt Lake City
KeywordsAncient America; Culture; Ethnicity; Jaredite; Lamanite; Mulekite; Nephite; Others in the Land; Population Size
Abstract

Several puzzles about the history of the Nephites and Lamanites are linked to the question of whether they found others already living in their promised land. It seems important enough to call for serious examination of the text of the Book of Mormon for all possible evidence. Let us first look at what the Nephite writers say about their own group. Then we will see what we can learn about other groups described or mentioned in the record. In each case we will not only look for direct data on population size, ethnicity, language and culture but also will draw plausible inferences about those matters.