Dr. Vaughn E. Hansen has devoted a significant portion of his life to finding and understanding the land of the Book of Mormon. He has lived in the land of Cumorah, and he knows the land and has had an extensive personal association with Native American tribes, the descendents of Book of Mormon people. He understands their traditions and their migrations. Dr. Hansen has had a close association over the years with archaeologists and has spent considerable time at ancient sites in Guatemala, Mexico, and the United States.

His scientific training and research experience and his extensive Church service have contributed significantly to this book. His previous book, Whence Came They, was the result of his years of study to understand the 4,500-year migration and gathering of the ten tribes of Israel.

On the LDS Church Correlation Committee, Dr. Hansen served as the executive secretary of all youth programs. He has served in numerous ward and stake teaching and leadership positions.

He has taught and directed research at Utah State University and has been a consulting engineer assisting many countries to develop their water resources, including twenty Latin American countries, China, Pakistan, and Angola. His technical publications include more than fifty papers and bulletins and a textbook translated into several languages.