Topic: Where is the Garden of Eden?

Source of this posting: Moderator response

Date originally posted: December 23, 2002

Moderator who originally posted this source: Kathy Martyn

Question:   My boyfriend is Mormon and recently he told me that they believe that the Garden of Eden is located in Missouri. He says that the rivers that the book of Genesis refers to could be the Missisippi, and Missouri rivers. He says Noahs Ark crossed the Atlantic to get to the Middle East. I know this can't be right. Is there anyevidence to suggest that the Garden Of Eden was somewhere in the Middle East and not in Missouri?

Answer: 

For centuries scholars have puzzled over the exact location of the Garden of Eden. Some popular choices are Mongolia, India or Ethiopia, Turkey or specifically the Tigris-Euphrates Valley. Some others tend to think it is in the what we now know as the Persian Gulf.

As a scripture reference, check out Genesis 2:10-14.

I personally think we should keep in mind that it is not the "where" but rather what the significance of the Garden of Eden means. So, don't get too hung up on the exact location. Instead, focus on the meaning.