What the Prophet Joseph Smith knew of the geography of the Book of Mormon can be learned from his statements that are recorded in journals and accounts prepared and published by him and later by the Church as well as a study of his actions in these regards. These published accounts give substantial clues to his knowledge on this matter. There are two key concepts that need to be understood pertaining to the statements of Joseph Smith, particularly regarding the extensive amount of geographical discussion that has taken place over the years by Mesoamerican theorists. Their concepts are one, Joseph simply didn't know, was unaware, or was speculating about the geography of the Book of Mormon early in his prophetic calling; and two, he never claimed inspiration on the matter of geography.

This book is dedicated to the historically documented fact that the Prophet Joseph Smith did, in fact, know about the geographical setting for the Book of Mormon and that he did, in fact, claim inspiration for the statements he made about its geography. Joseph Smith's published accounts and his claim of revelation on the matter of geography mentioned in the following chapters of this book will stand on their own, as authoritative statements from a prophet of God. This chapter is not meant to be an exhaustive study of the Prophet's statements that might outline arguments for or against any one geographical theory. Nor is it intended to debate the implied meaning or authorship of the accounts reviewed. Such an in depth review of these arguments is reserved for a separate text that will follow in due time.

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Only one nation on earth can fulfill all of these scriptural injunctions and also stand in full agreement with Joseph Smith's inspired statements and actions regarding the latter-day nation that was and is the Promised Land of the Book of Mormon. Joseph Smith knew. Despite the much confusion and perplexity that has dogged this subject over the ensuing years, Joseph himself was clear and concise in his declaration of inspiration and in his knowledge of the geographical setting for the Book of Mormon.

The Prophet Joseph himself made multiple claims of being informed through direct revelation from heavenly messengers and the Lord of things pertaining to the locations where the Book of Mormon actually occurred. Either we can believe his prophetic words or reject him in favor of pursuing locations based on hypothetical maps. Those who choose to reject the prophet's revelatory words cannot then also claim to be "defending Mormonism" in the pursuit of their own agendas, which occasionally run contrary to his words. Such actions demonstrate a casual disregard for Joseph's prophetic calling and an espousal of the 'theories of men' over his inspired and historically documented statements.