After years of research, LDS archaeologists made a breakthrough last month in finding what they believe is a Book of Mormon land in the Arabian Peninsula. The coastal area called Khor Kharfot in Oman, fits an ancient Book of Mormon prophet’s description of what was once the land of Bountiful.

Noah was not the only prophet to build a great ship. Nephi, who wrote the first book in the Book of Mormon and whose family made an exodus from Jerusalem during the reign of King Zedekiah, built a great ship in the land of Bountiful. This ship carried his family to what he refers to as “the Promised Land” or the Americas.

He described Bountiful as being a fertile land with fruit and honey near the sea, as well as having a fresh water supply. It additionally had a mountain where he often went to pray, iron ore to make tools, and a significant amount of wood to build a ship. It also had cliffs where he described his older brothers trying to throw him into the sea. No other place fits his description better than Oman’s isolated beach, Khor Kharfot.

Nephi and Lehi

Nephi’s father, Lehi, an Israelite (tribe of Manasseh, son of Joseph) and wealthy merchant, was also a prophet. Lehi’s prophetic warnings angered many people when he told them to repent or Jerusalem would be destroyed. History reveals Lehi’s revelation to be true; Jerusalem was conquered by the Babylonians in 587 BCE.

After receiving a divine warning in a dream (circa 600 BCE) that his enemies were planning to kill him, the aging Lehi packed up his family in the middle of the night. Leaving their wealth behind, Lehi’s family, including Nephi, journeyed for eight years into the wilderness where his two youngest sons and many grandchildren were born. Today Lehi’s wilderness is what we know as the Arabian desert.

From what we know about Nephi, he was the fourth of six brothers and was of marrying age while in the wilderness. According to Mormon scholar, Dr. Hugh Nibley’s book, Lehi In the Desert, ‘Nephi’ was an Egyptian name as Lehi was a merchant and most likely did business with Egyptians at the time of his son’s birth. Nephi was the most righteous of his brothers and supported his father’s decision to leave Jerusalem, while two of his older brothers rebelled. He was the family’s rock when adversity struck during their travels. Once in the Americas, he was the founder of the Nephite people in the Book of Mormon.

Discovery

Once granted permission to dig from the Omani sultan, LDS archeologists were thrilled at what they found at Khor Kharfot. According to Meridian Magazine’s article entitled “Nephi’s Bountiful,” by Scott and Maurine Proctor, not only did the geological markers and vegetation match Nephi’s description, but they also found the possible remains of an Israelite temple, built in the same geometry as the Temple of Solomon. As Khor Kharfor is a “remote and inaccessible place” to dig, more than 20 archeologists used their specialties and skills to find answers that may be buried there.

“The sanctuary there sits like a signature upon the ground, a thumbprint left behind that seems to correlate with the Temple of Solomon in its sacred dimension,” the Proctors write.

The dig is under the direction of Dr. Richard Hauck and his Archeological Research Institute. Dr. Hauck is an LDS archeologist who has focused much of his work in Meso-America and the Book of Mormon connections there. Because of his past projects there, he agrees that the sanctuary at Khor Kharfot is Hebrew because it is matches the sacred dimensions of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness and the Temple of Solomon. He also found it to have the same dimensions found at two sites in Meso-America.

What We Learn

As the research continues, it makes the story of Nephi and his family come alive for those reading the Book of Mormon. While the story of Nephi’s family is full of adventure, suspense, and even a little romance, the most important part is what he teaches. From his example, we can learn how to weather the storms of adversity, and be faithful, humble, and forgiving. If you haven’t read it, you should. It will change your life.

To read Nephi’s story and get a free copy of the Book of Mormon, visit https://www.mormon.org/free-book-of-mormon.

For updates on Nephi’s Bountiful, visit http://ldsmag.com/bountiful/