NEW LDS BOOK: Into Arabia – Anchoring Nephi’s Account in the Real World — [Eborn Books & The Interpreter Foundation]

• Into Arabia – Anchoring Nephi’s Account in the Real World.

• By Warren P. Ashton, Godfrey J. Ellis, and Neal Rappleye

• Published by Eborn Books & The Interpreter Foundation

• Softbound; 2024; 290 pages. ISBN: 9798340941831

• Retail Price on Amazon: $29.95

This book introduces the first eighteen chapters of the Book of Mormon, recounting the epic journey made over 2,600 years ago by Lehi and Sariah’s family from Jerusalem to Bountiful.

As long-time researchers of the Book of Mormon, our earnest hope is that the book will unfold to every reader Lehi and Sariah’s journey, one made in a world far removed in time and distance from our own. The chapters that follow represent the most current research into that journey and build upon the foundational studies of earlier scholars, Hugh W. Nibley and Sidney B. Sperry, the more recent explorations of Lynn and Hope Hilton and George Potter, and insights from researchers such as S. Kent Brown, Robert F. Smith, and Stephen D. Ricks. We are further delighted to have contributions from John W. Welch, Noel B. Reynolds and Jeff D. Lindsay, each of whom have also contributed significantly to bringing this ancient text out of obscurity.

Come with us now on a journey in the days of Lehi, Sariah, Nephi, and the others of their group; see where that great odyssey took place—places in Arabia seen with their own eyes—and examine evidence that supportS the reality of that journey.

Lehi had only one option. Going northeast into Mesopotamia would have landed him right in the jaws of the Babylonian Empire. Going southwest into Egypt would have made sense, except that Urijah the prophet had already tried that–only to be hauled back to Jerusalem and shamefully executed (see Jeremiah 26:20–23). Lehi’s only option was to go “into Arabia,” as was said in the 2005 film and book Journey of Faith. Now, this masterful new book brilliantly culminates years of amazing research about that region through which Lehi’s family sojourned. These thoroughly documented pages allow all readers to walk today where Lehi and Sariah, Laman and Nephi, Ishmael and his daughters struggled and faithfully survived. All readers will find in this superb resource a wonderful and expert traveling companion.   — John W. Welch

Into Arabia shares some of the most interesting recent advances in scholarship related to Lehi’s Trail. This research helps us appreciate the ancient and authentic nature of the Book of Mormon and the value of carefully considering details in the text. The authors explore many details about Lehi’s journey and its sites such as the seemingly impossible river of Laman and the almost miraculous place Bountiful; share insights on Shazer and how it was reached; reveal new findings related to the burial of Ishmael in Nahom; and shake old assumptions about the journey along Lehi’s Trail and the length of time taken prior to reaching Bountiful. A variety of tools are applied, including actual fieldwork. This book is a treasure for students of the Book of Mormon.   — Jeffrey Dean Lindsay

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