Nephi’s “Bountiful”: Contrasting Both Candidates

Title

Nephi’s “Bountiful”: Contrasting Both Candidates

Publication Type

Journal Article

Year of Publication

2023

Authors

Journal

Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship

Pagination

219–268

Volume

55

Terms of use

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Bibliographic Citation

Abstract

In May 2022, George Potter published an article that makes the most comprehensive case to date that Khor Rori in southern Oman is the most likely location for the place “Bountiful” described by Nephi. However, despite its many positives, there are a number of reasons to question the suitability of Khor Rori and to favor the other major candidate for Bountiful, Khor Kharfot. I propose that a careful reading of Nephi’s account coupled with recent discoveries based on field work show Khor Kharfot to be a superior candidate meeting all criteria we can extract from the text. To support a thorough comparison, aspects of both candidates are weighed, including pictorial comparisons of key features. I am in full agreement with Potter that with the entire eastern coast of Arabia now explored, only two candidates for Bountiful remain in contention — Khor Rori and Khor Kharfot. No other location still merits serious consideration.

Arabia
Khor Kharfot
Bountiful (Old World)
Lehi's Trail
Nephi (Son of Lehi)
Khor Rori

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