Worldviews

 We like to think of ourselves as logical, rational beings. Most of us are not. A typical human puts an intellectual veneer atop a set of core beliefs that flow from his or her emotional identity. This identity, the essence of who we really are, causes automatic thoughts to move from our subconscious brain to our conscious mind, overpowering any rationality that may be competing for our attention at that moment. Our minds are not a level playing field. Underlying beliefs coming from our heart are so powerful they will cause us to marginalize and argue even with the word of God. There is a strong element of personal pride involved. The Book of Mormon uses the phrase "pride of their hearts" to describe this foundational, deep-seated source of personal conviction that even prophets have difficulty penetrating.

• "Puffed up in the pride of their hearts." 2 Nephi 28:15.
• "They were lifted up in the pride of their hearts." Mosiah 11:19.
• "Can ye be puffed up in the pride of your hearts?" Alma 5:53.
• "Ye do walk in the pride of your hearts." Mormon 8:36.

There are many other instances of this phrase "pride of their hearts" in the text. Pride is a near-ubiquitous human condition. Psychologists often call it a "worldview" because it informs and controls how a person perceives their surroundings. "People are not disturbed by things, but by the views they take of them." Philosopher Epictetus (ca. AD 50 - ca. AD 135) in the Enchiridion.

Bust of Epictetus, Stoic Philosopher

Examples of pejorative worldviews that dominate and define a person:

• "I, I am the Lord's; and the others shall say: I, I am the Lord's; and thus shall every one say that hath built up churches, and not unto the Lord." 2 Nephi 28:3. "I represent God."
• "And they shall teach with their learning, and deny the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance." 2 Nephi 28:4. "I am smart."
• "There is no God today, for the Lord and the Redeemer hath done his work, and he hath given his power unto men." 2 Nephi 28:5. "Humans rule."
• "If they shall say there is a miracle wrought by the hand of the Lord, believe it not; for this day he is not a God of miracles; he hath done his work." 2 Nephi 28:6. "Science explains everything."
• "Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us." 2 Nephi 28:7. "Have fun."
• "Lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this..." 2 Nephi 28:8. "Get ahead."
• They rob the poor because of their fine sanctuaries; they rob the poor because of their fine clothing; and they persecute the meek and the poor in heart..." 2 Nephi 28:13. "I have class."
• "In many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men." 2 Nephi 28:14. "I am educated."
• "O the wise, and the learned, and the rich...and all those who preach false doctrines, and all those who commit whoredoms..." 2 Nephi 28:15. "I am sophisticated."
• "Them that turn aside the just for a thing of naught and revile against that which is good, and say that it is of no worth!" 2 Nephi 28:16. "Rules don't apply to me."
• "Others will he pacify, and lull them into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth..." 2 Nephi 28:21. "I am secure."
• "Him that is at ease in Zion!" 2 Nephi 28:24. "Relax."
• "We have received, and we need no more!" 2 Nephi 28:27. "Enough is enough."
• "Those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of God!" 2 Nephi 28:28. "God restricts me.."
• "He had many wives and concubines." Mosiah 11:2. "Lust."
• "They were supported in their laziness, and in their idolatry, and in their whoredoms, by the taxes..." Mosiah 11:6. "Easy money."
• "Built many elegant and spacious buildings; and he ornamented them with fine work of wood, and of all manner of precious things..." Mosiah 11:8. "Fancy houses."
• "He placed his heart upon his riches, and he spent his time in riotous living..." Mosiah 11:14. "Hedonism."
• "Made wine in abundance; and therefore he became a wine-bibber..." Mosiah 11:15. "Addictions."
• "You that doth make a mock of his brother, or that heapeth upon him persecutions?" Alma 5:30. "You are inferior."
• "Persist in supposing that ye are better one than another..." Alma 5:54. "I am superior."
• "Persist in turning your backs upon the poor, and the needy, and in withholding your substance from them?" Alma 5:55. "Greed."
• "Come unto me, and for your money you shall be forgiven of your sins." Mormon 8:32 "Money buys everything."
• "Adorn yourselves with that which hath no life." Mormon 8:39 "Toys over people."
• "Secret abominations to get gain..." Mormon 8:40 "Dog eat dog."

Can worldviews ever change? Yes, but it is very hard. It requires a "mighty change in your hearts" Alma 5:14 that few people ever attempt. 

Worldviews play a huge role in Book of Mormon geography. If your core belief is that the Book of Mormon is inspired fiction, you will find the modelling endeavor pointless. If your core belief is that the United States of America is God's gift to mankind, you are likely to look for Book of Mormon lands in Ohio. On the naturalism to exceptionalism spectrum, if your core belief is that the Book of Mormon was influenced more by human than by divine input, you are likely to prioritize archaeological field reports over inferences from the text. Your worldview will largely determine what sources you consult and the relative importance you assign to those sources as you visualize the text. Tell-tale phrases such as "I can't believe" and "it makes no sense" indicate someone's worldview is at work. 

As it says in Proverbs 23:7 "As he thinketh in his heart, so is he."