The theory you are referring to is known as the "Malay Hypothesis," championed by Ralph Austin Olsen (often spelled Olssen in some Malay-language sources), a retired Professor of Chemistry at Montana State University.
In his 2004 Sunstone article and his 2006 book, A More Promising Land of Promise, Olsen proposed a radical shift in Book of Mormon geography. He argued that the "Promised Land" was actually the Malay Peninsula rather than the Americas.
Key Aspects of Olsen's Theory
The connection you mentioned regarding the descendants of Manasseh and a "Malay mother" stems from Olsen's attempt to solve common archaeological and genetic critiques of the Book of Mormon.
- The Marriage to Local Populations: Olsen suggests that upon arriving in the Malay Peninsula, the descendants of Lehi (who was of the tribe of Manasseh) encountered a pre-existing "dark-skinned" population. In his view, the Lamanites (descendants of Manasseh) intermarried with these local Malay/indigenous groups.
- The "Mother of the Race": Because the Book of Mormon describes the Lamanites as becoming "dark-skinned" as a mark of their separation from the Nephites, Olsen hypothesized that this change was not a miracle but a genetic result of intermarrying with the local "mothers" of the Malay Peninsula.
- Solving Anachronisms: Olsen argued that many items mentioned in the Book of Mormon that are traditionally "missing" in ancient America—such as elephants, horses, steel, and silk—were actually present in Southeast Asia during the relevant time periods (600 BC – 400 AD).
- The "Hiving Off" Theory: To explain why the records were found in New York, Olsen proposed that some descendants migrated ("hived off") from the Malay Peninsula, sailed across the Pacific to the Americas, and eventually deposited the records there.
Comparison of Locations
Olsen used the physical geography of the Malay Peninsula to match descriptions found in the scriptural text:
| Book of Mormon Landmark | Malay Peninsula Equivalent (Olsen's Theory) |
| The Land Northward | The northern part of the peninsula (extending toward Thailand/Burma). |
| The Land Southward | The southern tip of the peninsula (modern-day Malaysia/Singapore). |
| The Narrow Neck of Land | The Isthmus of Kra (the narrowest part of the Malay Peninsula). |
| The River Sidon | The Perak River or similar major peninsular rivers. |
Scholarly and Religious Context
It is important to note the following regarding this theory:
- Not Official Doctrine: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints takes no official position on the exact geography of the Book of Mormon. Olsen’s theory is considered a "fringe" or "speculative" model by most LDS scholars.
- Traditional View: Most LDS scholars and members subscribe to either the Mesoamerican Model (Central America) or the Heartland Model (North America).
- DNA and Genetics: Traditional scholarship points to Native Americans having North Asian (Siberian) DNA, whereas Olsen’s theory tries to bridge the gap by looking at Southeast Asian genetic markers.
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11 January 2026: 10.36 p.m
